cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Upper limb peripheral neuropathy in sickle cell anemia: MR neurography appearances

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder with many systemic complications. Peripheral neuropathy related to this disorder has been sparsely reported. We report an interesting case of upper limb peripheral neuropathy from sickle cell disease with emphasis on MR neurography appearances and electrophysiology correlation.
Performance Effects of Supply Chain Integration: The Relative Impacts of Two Competing National Culture Frameworks

AbstractThe effects of supply chain integration on operational performance have been investigated in past research. However, this relationship has not been tested in the context of national culture...
Parton Distribution Function from Hadronic Tensor

The path-integral formulation of the hadronic tensor Wμν of deep inelastic scattering is reviewed. It is shown that there are 3 gauge invariant and topologically distinct contributions. The separation of the connected sea partons from those of the disconnected sea can be achieved with a combination of the global fit of the parton distribution function (PDF), the semi-inclusive DIS data on the strange PDF and the lattice calculation of the ratio of the strange to u/d momentum fraction in the disconnected insertion. We shall discuss numerical issues associated with lattice calculation of the hadronic tensor involving a four-point function, such as large hadron momenta and improved maximum entropy method to obtain the spectral density from the hadronic tensor in Euclidean time. We also draw a comparison between the large momentum approach to the parton distribution function (PDF) and the hadronic tensor approach.
Genotype Combinations Linked to Phenotype Subgroups in Autism Spectrum Disorders

This paper investigates a computational model that allows for systematic comparison of phenotype data with genotype (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)) data based on machine learning techniques to identify discriminant genotype markers associated with the phenotypic subgroups. The proposed discriminant SNP identifier model is empirically evaluated using Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) simplex sample. Six phenotype markers were selected to cluster the sample in a hexagonal lattice format yielding five multidimensional subgroups based on extremities of the phenotype markers. The SNP selection model includes random subspace selection of SNPs in conjunction with feature selection algorithms to determine which set of SNPs were discriminant among these five subgroups. This yielded a set of SNPs that attained a mean ROC performance of 95% using a Support Vector Machine prediction model. Biological analysis of these SNPs and associated genes across the subgroups is presented to examine their potential clinical significance.
UNIT 4.16 RNA Isolation from Mammalian Samples

RNA can be extracted from cultured cells, peripheral blood, bone marrow, plasma, serum, body fluids, and fresh or frozen tissues. RNA can also be extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Methods for RNA extraction can be divided into three groups: phenol/chloroform extraction, silica spin-column absorption, and isopycnic gradient centrifugation. Two different RNA isolation procedures are described in this unit. The first basic protocol describes a one-step isolation involving monophasic lysis with guanidine isothiocyanate and phenol followed by chloroform extraction. The second basic protocol describes a silica-column separation method for RNA isolation. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 103:4.16.1–4.16.16. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: RNA isolation; monophasic lysis reagent; spin column
Climate risks are becoming legal liabilities for the energy sector

The number of plaintiffs taking energy firms to court for ignoring climate-related risks is growing. By revealing how the sector is not prepared — and not preparing — for what is coming, their cases are pressing the energy sector to treat those risks as a cost of doing business.
Policy uncertainty and the demand for money in the United Kingdom: Are the effects asymmetric?

Abstract Since the publication of Baker et al. (2016) work on measuring economic policy uncertainty, its impact on other macro variables has received renewed attention and its impact on the demand for money is no exception. A previous study that assessed its impact on the demand for money in the U.K. found short-run but not long-run effects. We suspect that this could be due to assuming the effects of policy uncertainty to be symmetric. Once we assess its asymmetric effects by introducing the nonlinear adjustment of the policy uncertainty measure, we show that, both increased and decreased uncertainty, induce the public in the U.K. to hold more cash in the long run, a clear sign of an asymmetric response.
Desorption-Limited Mechanism of Release From Polymer Nanofibers

This work examines the release of a model water-soluble compound from electrospun polymer nanofiber assemblies. Such release attracts attention in relation with biomedical applications, such as controlled drug delivery. It is also important for stem cell attachment and differentiation on biocompatible electrospun nanofiber scaffolds containing growth factors, which have been encapsulated by means of electrospinning. Typically, the release mechanism has been attributed to solid-state diffusion of the encapsulated compound from the fibers into the surrounding aqueous bath. Under this assumption, a 100% release of the encapsulated compound is expected in a certain (long) time. The present work focuses on certain cases where complete release does not happen, which suggests that solid-state diffusion may not be the primary mechanism at play. We show that in such cases the release rate can be explained by desorption of the embedded compound from nanopores in the fibers, or from the outer surface of the fiber in contact with the water bath. After release, the water-soluble compound rapidly diffuses in water, whereas a release rate is determined by the limiting desorption stage. A model system of Rhodamine 610 fluorescent dye embedded in electrospun monolithic Poly(methylmethacrylate) PMMA or Poly(caprolactone) PCL nanofibers, or in nanofibers electrospun from PMMA/PCL blends, or in core/shell PMMA/PCL nanofibers is studied. Both the experimental results and theory point at the above-mentioned desorption-related mechanism and the predicted characteristic time, release rate, and effective diffusion coefficient agree fairly well with the experimental data. A practically important outcome of this surface release mechanism is that only the compound on the fiber and pore surfaces can be released, whereas the material encapsulated in the bulk cannot be freed within the time scales characteristic of the present experiments (days to months). Consequently, in such cases complete release is impossible. We also demonstrate how the release rate can be manipulated by the polymer content and molecular weight affecting nanoporosity and the desorption enthalpy, as well as by the nanofiber structure (monolithic fibers, fibers from polymer blends and core-shell fibers). In particular, it is shown that by manipulating the above parameters, release times from tens of hours to months can be attained.© 2008 ASME
Shorter telomere length following lung transplantation is associated with clinically significant leukopenia and decreased chronic lung allograft dysfunction-free survival.

Patients with short telomeres and interstitial lung disease may have decreased chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD)-free survival following lung transplantation. The relationship between post-transplant telomere length and outcomes following lung transplantation has not been characterised among all recipients, regardless of native lung disease. This was a single-centre prospective cohort study. Consenting transplant recipients had their telomere length measured using quantitative real-time PCR assays on peripheral blood collected at the time of surveillance bronchoscopy. We assessed the association between early post-transplant telomere length (as measured in the first 100 days) and CLAD-free survival, time to clinically significant leukopenia, cytomegalovirus (CMV) viraemia, chronic kidney disease, and acute cellular rejection. We also assessed the association between rate of telomere shortening and CLAD-free survival. Telomere lengths were available for 98 out of 215 (45.6%) recipients who underwent lung transplant during the study period (median measurement per patient=2 (interquartile range, 1–3)). Shorter telomere length was associated with decreased CLAD-free survival (hazard ratio (HR)=1.24; 95% CI=1.03–1.48; p=0.02), leukopenia requiring granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (HR=1.17, 95% CI=1.01–1.35, p=0.03), and CMV viraemia among CMV-mismatch recipients (HR=4.04, 95% CI=1.05–15.5, p=0.04). Telomere length was not associated with acute cellular rejection or chronic kidney disease. Recipients with more rapid loss in telomere length (defined as the highest tertile of telomere shortening) did not have worse subsequent CLAD-free survival than those without rapid loss (HR=1.38, 95% CI=0.27–7.01, p=0.70). Shorter early post-transplant telomere length is associated with decreased CLAD-free survival and clinically significant leukopenia in lung transplant recipients, regardless of native lung disease.
Locoregional Management of Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a biologically aggressive subtype with a high risk for rapid local progression and early distant metastasis. We review the updated data for optimal locoregional management of IBC, including areas of active controversy. Advancements in tri-modality therapies have improved survival among IBC patients in recent years; however, the risk of locoregional and distant recurrence remains high, particularly in triple-negative IBC. Data to support de-escalation of surgery or radiotherapy is limited, and the recommended treatment approach for non-metastatic IBC remains preoperative systemic therapy (PST), modified radical mastectomy (MRM), and adjuvant radiotherapy in all patients. For patients with de novo metastatic disease, locoregional intervention may be appropriate. Optimal locoregional management of IBC remains PST followed by MRM and adjuvant radiotherapy. With increasingly effective systemic therapies, research to identify a subset of patients who may benefit from de-escalation of locoregional therapies is warranted.
English and Spanish Predictors of Grade 3 Reading Comprehension in Bilingual Children.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the kindergarten, first-, and second-grade predictors of reading comprehension in bilingual children. Specifically, we evaluated the role that Spani...
Initiation and changes in use of social media for peer support among young adult cancer patients and survivors.

Purpose Social isolation is a prominent challenge for many young adults with cancer. Despite desires for peer-to-peer connections through technology, little is known about how young adults initiate or use social media for support over time. Methods We interviewed young adults with cancer (n = 45; age 18-39, in or post cancer treatment) to explore their initiation of social media for support, changes in use over time, and types of connections sought. Results Young adults with cancer learn about online support through individual personal recommendations, advocacy organizations, or searching on Google or social media. Most were reluctant to use social media support initially because of feeling overwhelmed-from diagnoses, abundance of online information, or demands of participation-and joined when informational and emotional needs arose. Many wished they had joined earlier. Some participants use social media to make close connections while others simply want to "see" others' shared experiences or crowdsource information. Conclusion Young adults with cancer often haphazardly find online support from personal recommendations or Internet searches. Desires for social media connections are not one-size-fits-all; there are important audience segmentations for the degree and type of peer support. Implications for cancer survivors Better promotion of online social support options and benefits-early in one's cancer timeline and systematically through healthcare providers, cancer organizations, or family and friends-could improve access to helpful peer-to-peer support.
Diagnostic error in the pediatric hospital: a narrative review.

INTRODUCTION Diagnostic error is a prevalent type of medical error that is associated with considerable patient harm and increased medical costs. The majority of literature guiding the current understanding of diagnostic error in the hospital setting is from adult studies. However, there is research to suggest this type of error is also prevalent in the pediatric specialty. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this study was to define the current understanding of diagnostic error in the pediatric hospital through a structured literature review. METHODS We searched PubMed and identified studies focusing on three aspects of diagnostic error in pediatric hospitals: the incidence or prevalence, contributing factors, and related interventions. We used a tiered review, and a standardized electronic form to extract data from included articles. RESULTS Fifty-nine abstracts were screened and 23 full-text studies were included in the final review. Seventeen of the 23 studies focused on the incidence or prevalence, with only 3 studies investigating the utility of interventions. Most studies took place in an intensive care unit or emergency department with very few studies including only patients on the general wards. Overall, the prevalence of diagnostic error in pediatric hospitals varied greatly and depended on the measurement technique and specific hospital setting. Both healthcare system factors and individual cognitive factors were found to contribute to diagnostic error, with there being limited evidence to guide how best to mitigate the influence of these factors on the diagnostic process. CONCLUSION The general knowledge of diagnostic error in pediatric hospital settings is limited. Future work should incorporate structured frameworks to measure diagnostic errors and examine clinicians' diagnostic processes in real-time to help guide effective hospital-wide interventions.
Hyperuricemia and Progression of CKD in Children and Adolescents: The Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) Cohort Study

Background Hyperuricemia is associated with essential hypertension in children. No previous studies have evaluated the effect of hyperuricemia on progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children. Study Design Prospective observational cohort study. Setting & Participants Children and adolescents (n=678 cross-sectional; n=627 longitudinal) with a median age of 12.3 (IQR, 8.6-15.6) years enrolled at 52 North American sites of the CKiD (CKD in Children) Study. Predictor Serum uric acid level ( 7.5mg/dL). Outcomes Composite end point of either >30% decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or initiation of renal replacement therapy. Measurements Age, sex, race, blood pressure status, GFR, CKD cause, urine protein-creatinine ratio ( 95th percentile, use of diuretics, and serum uric acid level. Results Older age, male sex, lower GFR, and body mass index > 95th percentile were associated with higher uric acid levels. 162, 294, and 171 participants had initial uric acid levels 7.5 mg/dL, respectively. We observed 225 instances of the composite end point over 5 years. In a multivariable parametric time-to-event analysis, compared with participants with initial uric acid levels 7.5mg/dL had 17% shorter (relative time, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.62-1.11) or 38% shorter (relative time, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.45-0.85) times to event, respectively. Hypertension, lower GFR, glomerular CKD cause, and elevated urine protein-creatinine ratio were also associated with faster times to the composite end point. Limitations The study lacked sufficient data to examine how use of specific medications might influence serum uric acid levels and CKD progression. Conclusions Hyperuricemia is a previously undescribed independent risk factor for faster progression of CKD in children and adolescents. It is possible that treatment of children and adolescents with CKD with urate-lowering therapy could slow disease progression.
Pre-crisis damage containment and leadership policy in health services

Purpose – Crisis-prone organizations are reactive and unprepared, and are characterized by deficiencies in damage containment mechanisms (DCMs), which are tools and processes intended to prevent and/or manage crises. In the literature, DCMs are usually studied piecemeal and have not been studied in health organizations in a broader organizational context. Thus, this study aims to identify the use of DCMs and the frequency with which they are inspected, maintained and reviewed for design flaws. Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained by questionnaire from decision-making executives in hospitals, medical centers, aged care, pharmacies, dental clinics and practices in physiotherapy, chiropractic and podiatry. Findings – Heavy reliance was placed on planning and technological DCMs while human and social methods were typically not considered. Organizations considered limited crisis types and there was a disconnect between the types of DCMs and the crises they targeted. Over half the organizations revi...
Far-infrared and Raman spectra ofpseudo-tetrahedral complexes of ethylenedimorpholene

The far-i.r. and Raman spectra of a closely related group ofpseudo-tetrahedral complexes of general formula [MX2EDM] are reported (M = CoII, NiII, CuII, ZnII; X = Cl or Br). EDM, ethylenedimorpholene, acts in these compounds as a bidentate nitrogen donor. The main skeletal vibrations are assigned under the approximate symmetry of theC 2v (MX2Y2) point group.
Alfred O.C. Nier (1911”1994)

Alfred O.C. Nier was a friendly, helpful person who got along remarkably well with people from all walks of life. For the scientific community, his work opened new possibilities for discovery in many fields. His skill in designing and operating mass spectrometers and in interpreting the data brought him worldwide recognition. Nier was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 28, 1911, and lived most of his life in the state. He earned three degrees from the University of Minnesota: a Bachelor of Engineering, 1931; an M.S. in electrical engineering, 1933; and a Ph.D. in physics, 1936. For his doctoral research, Nier measured the relative abundance of the isotopes of Ar, K, Zn, Rb, Cd [Nier, 1936].
HIGHLY CONCURRENT ALGORITHMS FOR SOLVING LINEAR SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses highly concurrent algorithms for solving linear systems of equations. Concurrency in computation has the potential of offering vastly increased computational power. With the emerging very-large-scale integration technology, multiprocessor systems with thousands of processors are realistic. The smaller the processor the larger is the number of processors that economically can be built into a system. The term ensemble architecture is often used. Such architectures typically have a significantly improved price/performance ratio compared to high performance vector processors. The ensemble architectures for which algorithms are discussed in the chapter consist of a thousand to tens of thousands of sparsely interconnected processors with local storage. There is no shared storage. A node consists of a processor with its local storage, and necessary communication circuitry. The chapter also focuses on devising algorithms with a high degree of concurrency under the restriction of limited communication. Indeed, the topology has typically been restricted to regular graphs with interior nodes of degree 4 or 6.
Vacina difteria, tétano e pertussis acelular (dTpa) na gravidez: prevenção da tosse convulsa no lactente

Background: A reemergence of whooping cough has currently been observed in countries with high vaccination coverage, including Portugal. Infants under three months of age are the most vulnerable group. New vaccination strategies have been proposed, including vaccination in the third trimester of pregnancy. However, its implementation is still limited, due to concerns about its efficacy and safety. Objective: To review the evidence on the efficacy and safety of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine administered during pregnancy in preventing whooping cough in infants. Methods: A research was conducted on Medline, evidence based medicine databases, the Portuguese Society of Pediatrics and Portuguese Directorate-General of Health sites. Clinical guidelines (CG), systematic reviews and original studies (OS) published between 01/07/2009 and 15/07/2014 in Portuguese, Spanish and English languages were selected, using the MeSH terms pertussis vaccine and pregnancy. Results: The majority of CG recommends vaccination of all pregnant women in the third trimester. The OS show that Tdap administered during pregnancy is effective by increasing anti-pertussis antibodies concentrations in mothers and infants and reducing the disease cases and hospitalizations in infants. The vaccine does not appear to be associated with increased maternal or fetal adverse effects. Conclusion: Tdap vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy appears to be safe and effective in preventing whooping cough in infants.
Detection of nitroxyl (HNO) by a prefluorescent probe

Recent research has shown that nitroxyl (HNO) has important and unique biological activity, especially as a potential alternative to current treatments of cardiac failure. HNO is a reactive molecule that spontaneously dimerizes and subsequently dehydrates to form nitrous oxide (N2O), making its detection in solution or biologically relevant preparations difficult. The prefluorescent probe 4-((9-acridinecarbonyl)amino)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPO-9-AC) has been used to detect HNO in aqueous solution and to differentiate it from nitric oxide (NO). TEMPO-9-AC reacts with HNO via a net hydrogen abstraction to produce the highly fluorescent TEMPO-9-AC-H and NO. The utility of TEMPO-9-AC as a probe for HNO has been shown using the common HNO donors Angeli's salt and Piloty's acid (PA) along with a recently reported HNO donor, 2-bromo-PA. The use of TEMPO-9-AC is complicated by intermolecular fluorescence quenching and competitive HNO trapping by the NO produced, but nonetheless, it can be used to study HNO reactivity in aqueous solution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drawing TimeML relations with TBox

TBox is a new way of visualizing the temporal relations in TimeML graphs. Until recently, TimeML's temporal relations were presented as rows in a table or as directed labeled edges in a graph. Neither mode of representation scales up nicely when bigger documents are considered and both make it harder than necessary to get a quick picture of the temporal structure of a document. TBox uses left-to-right arrows, box-inclusions and stacking as three distinct ways to visualize precedence, inclusion and simultaneity.
Transient regenerative potential of the neonatal mouse heart

Certain fish and amphibians retain a robust capacity for cardiac regeneration throughout life, but the same is not true of the adult mammalian heart. Whether the capacity for cardiac regeneration is absent in mammals or whether it exists and is switched off early after birth has been unclear. We found that the hearts of 1-day-old neonatal mice can regenerate after partial surgical resection, but this capacity is lost by 7 days of age. This regenerative response in 1-day-old mice was characterized by cardiomyocyte proliferation with minimal hypertrophy or fibrosis, thereby distinguishing it from repair processes. Genetic fate mapping indicated that the majority of cardiomyocytes within the regenerated tissue originated from preexisting cardiomyocytes. Echocardiography performed 2 months after surgery revealed that the regenerated ventricular apex had normal systolic function. Thus, for a brief period after birth, the mammalian heart appears to have the capacity to regenerate.
System design for pixel-parallel image processing

A system design for performing low-level image processing tasks in real time is presented. The design is based on large processor-per-pixel arrays implemented using integrated circuit technology. Two integrated circuit architectures are summarized: an associative parallel processor and a parallel processor employing DRAM cells. In both architectures, the layout pitch of one-bit-wide logic is matched to the pitch of memory cells to form high-density processing element arrays. The system design features an efficient control path implementation, providing high processing element array utilization without demanding complex controller hardware. Sequences of array instructions are generated by a host computer before processing begins, then stored in a simple controller. Once processing begins, the host computer initiates stored sequences to perform pixel-parallel operations. A programming framework implemented using the C++ programming language supports application development. A prototype system employs associative parallel processor devices, a controller, and the programming framework. Three sample applications, smoothing and segmentation, median filtering, and optical flow, establish the suitability of the system for real-time image processing.
Evidence for slow retrograde transport of serum albumin in rat sciatic nerve.

Abstract Retrograde axonal transport was studied in rat sciatic nerve using a previously described covalent-labeling technique 4,5 . The 68K labeled protein which dominates the slow retrograde transport component was found to be soluble in 20 mM Tris, 5 mM EGTA (pH 7.4), and was identical to serum albumin in its electrophoretic (on two-dimensional gels) and immunological properties. This may in part, account for the recent immunological localization of plasma proteins in certain neuronal perikarya in the central nervous system 15 .
Fishing Booths and Fishing Strategies in Medieval Iceland: an Archaeofauna from the of Akurvík, North-West Iceland

Abstract Excavations in 1990 in North-West Iceland documented a stratified series of small turf structures and associated midden deposits at the eroding beach at Akurvik which date from the 11th–13th to the 15th–16th centuries AD. The site reflects a long series of small discontinuous occupations, probably associated with seasonal fishing. The shell sand matrix had allowed excellent organic preservation and an archaeofauna of over 100,000 identifiable fragments was recovered. The collections are dominated by fish, mainly Atlantic cod, but substantial amounts of whale bone suggest extensive exploitation of strandings or active whaling. This paper briefly summarizes the excavation results, presents a zooarchaeological analysis of the two largest radiocarbon dated contexts, and places the Akurvik collections in the wider context of intra-Icelandic and inter-regional trade in preserved fish. Analysis of the Akurvik collection and comparison with other Icelandic collections from both inland and coastal sites d...
Structural Investigation of Monolayers Prepared by Deposition of (CH3S)2 on the (111) Face of Single-Crystal Gold

Although self-assembled monolayers made of long chains of n-alkanethiols [CH3(CH2)n-1SH] on Au(111) have been extensively studied in the past, the driving forces behind the appearance of the (3 × 2...
The intrinsic viscosity of 32P-labelled phage DNA

The intrinsic viscosity (at zero gradient, zero concentration) of osmotically disrupted T4 bacteriophage has been measured. For a variety of reasons it seems likely that there is very little DNA-protein aggregation in dilute solutions and the measurable viscosity is due to the DNA molecules alone. The magnitude of the intrinsic viscosity is unaltered by changing the growth conditions, or exposing the infected bacteria to moderate doses of X-rays or added 32 P β -decay irradiation. This would mean that the DNA molecules are neither stuck together nor broken down by these treatments. Therefore, if these conclusions are correct, the large subunit as seen by autoradiography of the same material is not a consequence of the labelling process.
Emerging antithrombotic drugs for acute coronary syndrome

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) encompasses acute myocardial infarction (MI) and unstable angina. Activation of platelets and coagulation cascade plays a central role in the development of ACS. Over the past decade, there have been substantial improvements in the strategies for secondary prevention of ACS, including the development of more potent oral antiplatelet agents such as prasugrel and ticagrelor. However, therapies with even better efficacy and safety profiles and more rapid onset and offset of action would be desirable. Areas covered: This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the currently available antithrombotic agents and describes the findings from recent clinical trials of three novel agents; cangrelor (an intravenous P2Y12 receptor antagonist), vorapaxar (protease-activated receptor-1 inhibitor) and rivaroxaban (an oral factor Xa inhibitor). Expert opinion: Cangrelor appears more promising than clopidogrel when a very rapid onset and reversal of antiplatelet effe...
The liquid-glass transition : a mode-coupling perspective

We review the dynamics of supercooled liquids approaching the liquid-glass transition, starting with the conventional generalized hydrodynamics formulation. Empirical models for the memory function are discussed, as are empirical models for the self-energy function for phonons in crystals. Two examples of microscopic analyses based on non-linear interactions are then described, the anharmonic lattice dynamics model for structural phase transitions, and Kawasaki's mode-mode-coupling approach for critical dynamics. We then review the mode-coupling theory of the liquid-glass transition, emphasizing its relation to generalized hydrodynamics with the memory function derived from a microscopic theory of non-linear interactions. We discuss the major predictions of this theory, particularly the asymptotic expansion results, which provide specific formulae for analysing experimental data.
Covariances in the Generalized Nuclear Data (GND) Structure

Abstract The Generalized Nuclear Data structure (GND) is being designed as a new standard for storing evaluated nuclear data. It is intended as an eventual replacement for the ENDF-6 format, and as such must be capable of handling at a minimum all the types of data supported by ENDF-6, including central values and covariances. Containers for storing covariances in GND are being developed, with the goal of representing covariance data in a simple and concise manner, that is easy to read, understand and use. This paper presents an overview of the status of covariances in GND, and on the tools for generating and using covariance data that are being implemented in LLNL's nuclear data toolkit ‘Fudge’.
Artificial cutting-fluid smoke generation: effect of pressure.

Industrial smoke from cutting fluid poses a potential carcinogenic hazard to workers. For toxicity tests, an artificial smoke device needs to be designed. Such a device would be easy to construct if it were known that smoke is a function of heat during cutting processes and not the cutting pressures. Gas chromatograph response was the same for smoke generated with and without pressure. The implication is that smoke generated during a metal cutting process is due to high temperatures and is not influenced by the cutting surface pressures.
The effects of chromium(III) coordination on the dissociation of acidic peptides

The complexes formed between chromium(III) and synthetic acidic peptides were studied by sustained off-resonance irradiation collision-induced dissociation (SORI-CID) in a Fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization (ESI). Neutral peptides and peptides containing one, two, and multiple acidic residues were studied. Formation of [M + Cr − 2H]+ occurred for all peptides. Three noteworthy features were found in the CID spectra of [M + Cr − 2H]+. The first is that fewer fragment ions were produced from [M + Cr − 2H]+ than from [M + H]+. The reason may be that multiple coordination between chromium(III) and carboxylate or carbonyl groups hinders the production of fragment ions by continuing to bind pieces of the peptide to chromium(III) after cleavage of bonds within the peptide. The second feature is loss of CO from [M + Cr − 2H]+ and [yn + Cr − H]+. A mechanism involving coordination of chromium(III) with carboxylate groups is proposed to rationalize elimination of CO. The third feature is that chromium(III) is retained in all fragment ions, indicating strong binding of the metal ion to the peptides. The complex [M + 2Cr − 5H]+ is formed as the peptide chain length and number of acidic residues increases. Longer peptides have more sites to coordinate with chromium(III) and more conformational flexibility. In addition, formation of [M + Cr − 2H]+ from AGGAAAA-OCH3, which has no carboxylic acid groups, suggests that chromium(III) can coordinate with sites on the peptide backbone, albeit in low abundance. In the negative mode, [M + Cr − 4H]− was only found for peptides containing four or more carboxylic acid groups. This is consistent with deprotonated carboxylic acid groups being involved in chromium(III) coordination and with chromium existing in the 3 + state in the gas-phase ions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The insulin transduction system: A biophysical model for mitogenesis

A model has been proposed to account for many of the intracellular actions of insulin. This model is called the insulin transduction system and consists of coordinated stimulation by insulin of the sodium pump and the Na:H exchange system in the plasma membrane. The primary end result of stimulation of the insulin transduction system is an elevation of intracellular pH, pHi. This model is a biophysical system which depends upon thermodynamic gradients across the plasma membrane and thus is a property only of the intact cell. Insulin is one of several agents that produce mitogenesis, that is, stimulate DNA synthesis and division in cultured cells. Arguments are presented that mitogenesis is triggered by activation of the insulin transduction system with a resulting elevation of PHi.
Implications for interaction versus effectance as mediators of the similarity-attraction relationship

Abstract The rewards of interaction interpretation of the similarity-attraction relationship implies that this relationship should be stronger when similarity has stronger implications for the quality of interaction. In contrast, the reinforcement-affect (D. Byrne & G. L. Clore, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1967, 6 (Whole No. 638)) interpretation suggests that similarity should affect attraction most for characteristics that are most “important” to the perceiver. Three experiments tested these predictions. In Experiments 1 and 2, subjects rated eight strangers who were similar or dissimilar with respect to four opinion categories. With item importance held constant, the magnitude of the similarity-attraction relationship was greater for opinion categories with greater implications for interaction. In Experiment 3, item sets were constructed using subjects' own ratings of item importance and of amount of information conveyed about interaction. The magnitude of the similarity-attraction relationship was significantly related to the interaction ratings of item sets, but not to their importance ratings. The meaning of the concept of item “importance”, and the potential of the rewards of interaction formulation for generation of research are discussed.
Copper(II) complexes and basic properties of cocaine

Abstract Despite extensive efforts employing a wide variety of techniques and procedures, solid metal ion complexes with cocaine and N-methylpiperidine, a model ligand for cocaine, were not isolated. Protonation constants and formation constants for the Cu(II) complexes of cocaine and N-methylpiperidine were determined potentiometrically at 30.0° and ionic strength approaching 0 in 50 vol. % dioxane-water solutions.
Tribal heterogeneity and the allocation of publicly provided goods: Evidence from Yemen☆

Abstract This paper examines how tribes, the dominant political structure in rural areas of many developing countries, can affect the allocation of publicly provided goods. I create a dataset containing more than 4000 unique Yemeni local tribes and study their relationship with the public provision of educational goods. I demonstrate that areas with greater tribal heterogeneity receive larger allocations of publicly provided teachers and classrooms; I find evidence that this result reflects tribes' roles in influencing both political patronage from the state and targeted development transfers from development donors. This result, while different from most previous studies, reflects the nature of the publicly provided good being studied which is locally excludable precisely along the local tribal lines used for calculating heterogeneity. These results may offer generalizable insight into a variety of other developing country contexts where access to publicly provided goods is controlled or influenced by local groups.
Bacteriology of manganese nodules. VI. Fate of copper, nickel, cobalt, and iron during bacterial and chemical reduction of the manganese (IV).

Copper, nickel, and cobalt entered into seawater solution while the manganese (IV) oxide matrix of marine ferromanganese nodules to which they were bound was being reduced by glucose in the presence of peptone. Negligible amounts of iron were solubilized under similar conditions. Bacillus GJ 33 significantly accelerated the reduction and solubilization of manganese (IV) oxide by chemical means and thereby also accelerated the solubilization of nickel and cobalt, and, in advanced stages, of copper. Nickel and cobalt solubilization were directly dependent on manganese (IV) oxide reduction and solubilization while copper solubilization was only partly dependent on it. Some copper in the ferromanganese nodule substance was solubilized as a result of complexing by peptone without concurrent manganese (IV) oxide reduction. The release of manganese, copper, or nickel (cobalt was not tested) could not be attributed to acid formation during glucose oxidation by manganese (IV) oxide regardless of whether the reaction was purely chemical or catalyzed by bacteria. These findings suggest that nickel and cobalt are more tightly bound to the manganese (IV) oxide matrix than copper. An adsorption experiment showed that manganese, copper and nickel could originally have entered the nodule matrix by adsorption.
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator regulates uptake of sphingoid base phosphates and lysophosphatidic acid: modulation of cellular activity of sphingosine 1-phosphate.

Sphingolipids have been implicated in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and programmed cell death. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP) has recently emerged as an important lipid messenger and a ligand for the endothelial differentiation gene receptor family of proteins through which it mediates its biologic effects. Recent studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in our laboratory implicated the yeast oligomycin resistance gene (YOR1), a member of the ATP binding cassette family of proteins, in the transport of SPP. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator is a unique member of the ATP binding cassette transporter family and has high homology with YOR1. We therefore set out to investigate if this member of the family can regulate SPP transport. We demonstrate that C127/cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) cells, expressing wild type CFTR, exhibited significantly higher uptake of sphingosine 1-phosphate than either cells expressing a mutant CFTR C127/ΔF508 or C127/mock-transfected cells. This effect was specific, dose-dependent, and competed off by dihydrosphingosine 1-phosphate and lysophosphatidic acid. There was no difference in uptake of sphingosine, C16-ceramide, sphingomyelin, lysophingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, or phosphatidic acid among the different cell lines. Pretreatment with forskolin or isobutylmethylxanthine to stimulate cAMP did not affect the uptake in any of the cell lines. Moreover, we found that mitogen-activated protein kinase activation by SPP was less responsive in C127/CFTR as compared with C127/mock-transfected cells, suggesting that uptake of SPP by CFTR may divert it from interacting with its cell surface receptors and attenuate signaling functions. Taken together, these data implicate CFTR in uptake of SPP and the related phosphorylated lipids dihydrosphingosine 1-phosphate and lysophosphatidic acid. This uptake influences the availability of SPP to modulate biologic activity via endothelial differentiation gene receptors. These studies may have important implications to cystic fibrosis.
Dentinal dysplasia: report of case.

Dentinal dysplasia is characterized by bizarre atypical formation of the dentin. A patient with this condition is described.
Modification of the fused silica glass network associated with waveguide fabrication using femtosecond laser pulses

Atomic-scale structural changes have been observed in the glass network of fused silica after modification by tightly focused 800-nm, 130-fs laser pulses at fluences between 5 and 200 J cm-2. Raman spectroscopy of the modified glass shows an increase in the 490 and 605-cm-1 peaks, indicating an increase in the number of 4- and 3-membered ring structures in the silica network. These results provide evidence that densification of the glass occurs after exposure to fs pulses. Fluorescence spectroscopy of the modified glass shows a broad fluorescence band at 630 nm, indicating the formation of non-bridging oxygen hole centers (NBOHC) by fs pulses. Waveguides that support the fundamental mode at 633 nm have been fabricated inside fused silica by scanning the glass along the fs laser beam axis. The index changes are estimated to be approximately 0.07×10-3.
Japan's Changing Cybersecurity Landscape

Japan's cybersecurity efforts have been lacking compared to other advanced economies, but the country is now taking more aggressive steps to address this deficiency.
Nonlinear optical spectroscopy: On the tracks of carrier transport

Optical methods to probe electric fields in organic transistors in situ during operation provide a deeper understanding of factors that limit carrier mobility in these devices.
Obturation of root canal system treated by Cr, Er: YSGG laser irradiation.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the number of canals and isthmuses obturated after Cr, Er: YSGG laser treatment. Fifty-two canals were instrumented to a size 40 Profile 0.06 file combined with RC-Prep and sodium hypochlorite, or sterile water. The teeth were divided into 3 groups: (I) canals were flooded with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid for 3 minutes, (II) canals treated with the laser for 40 seconds, and (III) received no further treatment. Obturation was done with System B and Obtura III and AH Plus sealer. The specimens were rendered transparent and evaluated for the number of canals/isthmuses obturated. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. The means ± standard deviations for the groups were 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (1.14 ± 0.8), laser (2.14 ± 0.7), and control (0.4 ± 0.8). Under the conditions of this study, Cr, Er: YSGG treatment resulted in a statistically significant greater number of canals/isthmuses obturated (P
Osmoprotectant β‐alanine betaine synthesis in the Plumbaginaceae: S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine dependent N‐methylation of β‐alanine to its betaine is via N‐methyl and N,N‐dimethyl β‐alanines

β-Alanine betaine is an osmoprotective compound accumulated by most members of the plant family Plumbaginaceae. Leaf and root tissues of Limonium latifolium known to accumulate β-alanine betaine readily convert supplied β-alanine to β-alanine betaine. To identify the intermediates and the enzymes involved in β-alanine betaine synthesis, radiotracer experiments using [ 14 C] formate were employed. These studies demonstrate that β-alanine betaine is synthesized from β-alanine via N-methyl and N,N-dimethyl β-alanines. A rapid and sensitive radiometric assay was developed to measure N-methyltransferase (NMT) activities by using [methyl- 14 C] or [methyl- 3 H] S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) as the methyl donor. Leaf extracts from β-alanine betaine accumulators -Armeria maritima, L. latifolium and L. ramosisslmum - had detectable NMT activities while none were found in L. perezii, a species that does not accumulate β-alanine betaine. The NMT activities were further characterized from the leaves of L. latifolium. The activities had a pH optimum of 8.0, were soluble and inhibited by S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine. Extractable activities were similar from plants grown under control and salinity stress conditions. Radiolabeling with [ 14 C] L-aspartic acid indicated that, unlike in bacteria, decarboxylation of L-aspartic acid is not the source of β-alanine in the Plumbaginaceae.
Metabolic regulation of oocyte cell death through the CaMKII-mediated phosphorylation of caspase-2.

Summary Vertebrate female reproduction is limited by the oocyte stockpiles acquired during embryonic development. These are gradually depleted over the organism's lifetime through the process of apoptosis. The timer that triggers this cell death is yet to be identified. We used the Xenopus egg/oocyte system to examine the hypothesis that nutrient stores can regulate oocyte viability. We show that pentose-phosphate-pathway generation of NADPH is critical for oocyte survival and that the target of this regulation is caspase-2, previously shown to be required for oocyte death in mice. Pentose-phosphate-pathway-mediated inhibition of cell death was due to the inhibitory phosphorylation of caspase-2 by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). These data suggest that exhaustion of oocyte nutrients, resulting in an inability to generate NADPH, may contribute to ooctye apoptosis. These data also provide unexpected links between oocyte metabolism, CaMKII, and caspase-2.
Relationship of D″ structure with the velocity variations near the inner‐core boundary

[1] Variations in regional differential times between PKiKP (i) and PKIKP (I) have been attributed to hemispheric P-velocity variations of about 1% in the upper 100 km of the inner core (referred to as HIC). The top of the inner core appears relatively fast beneath Asia where D″ is also fast. An alternative interpretation could be the lateral variation in P velocity at the lowermost outer core (HOC) producing the same differential times. To resolve this issue, we introduce the diffracted PKP phase near the B caustic (Bdiff) in the range of 139–145° epicenter distances, and the corresponding differential times between Bdiff and PKiKP and PKIKP as observed on broadband arrays. Due to the long-wavelength nature of Bdiff, we scaled the S-wave tomography model with k values (k ≡ dlnVs/dlnVp) to obtain large-scale P-wave velocity structure in the lower mantle as proposed by earlier studies. Waveform synthetics of Bdiff constructed with small k's predict complex waveforms not commonly observed, confirming the validity of large scaling factor k. With P-velocity in lower mantle constrained at large scale, the extra travel-time constraint imposed by Bdiff helps to resolve the HOC-HIC issue. Our preliminary results suggest k > 2 for the lowermost mantle and support HIC hypothesis. An important implication is that there appears to be a relationship of D″ velocity structures with the structures near the inner core boundary via core dynamics.
Taming the flow of light via Parity-Time Symmetry

We introduce the notion of Parity-Time Symmetry (PTS) and present its implications in wave transport. Using photonics and electronics frameworks we propose designs that support asymmetric transport due to the interplay of PTS and nonlinearity.