cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shape-Control of ZnTe Nanocrystal Growth in Organic Solution

Precursor-reduction method is employed to synthesize nanometer-sized ZnTe. Zinc blende ZnTe nanocrystals growth in three different shapes under various conditions, that is, quasi-spheres, tetrahedrons, and nanorods, have been observed. It is believed that the crystal growth of ZnTe is the rate-controlling step when superhydride was employed at 250 °C, resulting in quasi-spherical ZnTe nanocrystals. Replacement of superhydride with oleylamine alters the precursor-reduction step as the rate-controlling step, giving tetrahedral ZnTe nanocrystals. At low temperature (150 °C) and in the presence of superhydride and oleylamine, kinetic growth and/or surfactant-template dominate the process, causing an anisotropic crystal growth into ZnTe nanorods. ZnTe nanocrystals are typically surface-active with a similar crystal structure of CdSe. The present study provides a clue to understand the zinc blende-type nanocrystal growth mechanism in high-temperature colloidal system, and may lighten certain strategies of futur...
Small-angle x-ray-scattering study of ordering kinetics in a block copolymer

The kinetics of microphase separation and ordering of a diblock copolymer onto a lattice has been studied using time-resolved high-resolution small-angle x-ray scattering. The measurements show rapid formation of spherical domains after quenching and a subsequent ordering of the spheres. The results are discussed within the framework of simple models for nucleation and crystalli- zation.
Brief Alcohol Intervention Among At-Risk Drinkers with Diabetes

Twenty-eight patients with diabetes who screened positive for at-risk drinking were assigned to brief alcohol intervention (BAI) (n = 14) or standard care (SC) (n = 14) treatment conditions. All participants completed a baseline interview and one-, three, and six-month follow-up interviews. Across the six-month follow-up period, there was a significantly greater reduction in quantity of alcohol consumed in the BAI group. At the six-month follow-up, the BAI group had a greater reduction in quantity of alcohol consumed, percentage of heavy drinking days, and frequency of drinking. Reductions in alcohol use were associated with improved adherence in certain components of diabetes self-care behavior. The results of this study suggest that brief alcohol interventions are efficacious in reducing alcohol use among at-risk drinkers with diabetes and that reductions in alcohol use may result in some improvements in adherence to diabetes self-care behavior.
The Challenges of Interdisciplinary Epistemology in Neuroaesthetics.

Neuroaesthetics is a burgeoning new interdisciplinary research space in which cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy intersect in order to better inform our understanding of aesthetic experience. The purpose of this study is to analyze high-profile work in neuroaesthetics in the light of recent research into interdisciplinary epistemology, asking “Do current attempts to use neuroscience to explore art meet rigorous interdisciplinary quality criteria?” I suggest that current approaches in neuroaesthetics frequently fail in a number of ways: they fail to meet disciplinary standards in either aesthetics or neuroscience, they fail to blend disciplines in a generative way, and they add little new that could not be investigated more fruitfully at other levels of analysis. In response to these potential pitfalls, I recommend that future researchers embrace a form of “problem-focused epistemological pluralism” in their neuroaesthetic endeavors. I end with a consideration of the educational implications of these issues.
GAS6 is an estrogen-inducible gene in mammary epithelial cells ☆

To identify estrogen-responsive genes in mammary glands, microarray assays were performed. Twenty genes were found to be up-regulated while 16 genes were repressed in the 9 h estrogen treated glands. The induction of GAS6, one of the genes up-regulated by estrogen, was confirmed by RNase protection assay. Furthermore, GAS6 was also demonstrated to be induced by estrogen in ER positive breast cancer cells. Analysis of GAS6 promoter revealed that GAS6 promoter was regulated by estrogen. An estrogen response element (ERE) was identified in the GAS6 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that ERα interacted with the ERE in the GAS6 promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that ERα was recruited to the GAS6 promoter upon estrogen stimulation. These results suggested that GAS6 is an estrogen target gene in mammary epithelial cells.
Response of cat cochlear nucleus neurons to frequency and amplitude modulated tones.

Summary Extracellular recordings have been made from cochlear nucleus neurons; during stimulation with (1) static tone bursts of various frequencies and amplitudes, (2) frequency-modulated tones, and (3) amplitude-modulated tones. (1) Neurons have been classified according to the way their latencies and firing patterns depend on tone burst frequency and intensity. In most cases, the effects of frequency change can be mimicked by stimulus amplitude changes. Thus, the firing pattern of single neurons may not uniquely determine both stimulus frequency and intensity. (2) Neurons respond in various ways to amplitude-modulated tonal stimuli. These response characteristics could be correlated with firing patterns of these neurons in response to other stimuli. (3) Spike response patterns to frequency-modulated tonal stimuli fall into three symmetry classes 3 . The translation symmetry response class is shown to be the limiting case for certain stimulus parameters. Spike responses pattern envelopes are invariant as a function of stimulus frequency modulation rate and depth. Both stimulus manipulations result in trivial time scale changes of the response pattern. (4) The experimental data is interpreted in terms of transmissions and detections of properties of the auditory stimulus. The only possible stimulus properly detected by these neurons seems to be the sign of df/dt. Remaining stimulus information is variously available to higher auditory centers. It is suggested that unique determination of stimulus parameters involves at least two or three distinct populations of neurons.
Parenting coordinator roles, program goals and services provided: Insights from the Pima County, Arizona program

ABSTRACT Parenting coordinator (PC) programs have gained popularity in domestic relations courts across the country. These programs were designed to be an efficient, less costly, less formal and a less time-consuming way to resolve post-divorce parenting conflicts than scheduling court hearings to resolve day-to-day disputes regarding co-parenting and inter-parental conflict. Regrettably little empirical research has investigated any aspect of the programs and services. To begin understanding the services that are being delivered to families and the professionals that are delivering the services, an exploratory study was conducted of a new PC program. Explored were the PCs' general understanding of the goals of the PC program and what the PCs saw as their role in assisting families. Because this program was implemented by people from several professions, the variability between professions in the interventions provided was also explored. Finally, the legal basis for the program was examined to understand ...
MedEdPORTAL: a resource for health educators

Along with the case scenario or learning resources, the author/s also describe how to effectively use the resource for teaching–learning, and their experiences with using the resource. The resources can be browsed according to subject, featured collections, competencies, academic focus, professional interest, organ systems and format. The site has comprehensive resources in the specialties of internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine and paediatrics. With regard to competencies most are related to medical knowledge, patient care and interpersonal and communication skills. The site, in association with the Georgia Health Sciences University, is launching a Directory and Repository of Educational Assessment Measures (DREAM) shortly. The ‘iCollaborative’ is a collection of non-peer reviewed resources. There are also resources useful for learning dentistry.
Spontaneous Hemothorax in an Otherwise Healthy Young Man

Hemothorax developed spontaneously in an otherwise healthy young man. Exploratory thoracotomy revealed only a small rent in the diaphragm. No predisposing illness was identified and there was no history of trauma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous hemothorax without identifiable cause.
An investigation of the odd-A rare-earth nuclei using rotational models

Abstract Using recently compiled data for band-head energies of 53 odd- A rare-earth nuclei, rotational models for strongly deformed nuclei have been used to determine the variation of deformations, spin-orbit parameter κ and the l 2 parameter, μ, in these nuclei. The deformation is found to be consistent with experimental deformations within 20 %. The spin-orbit parameter, κ, is found to vary from 0.037 up to 0.070, a 25 % variation from Nilsson's 0.050. The l 2 parameter μ is found to vary from 0.30 up to 0.71, a 30 % variation from Nilsson's 0.45. The trends observed in the values of spin-orbit strength C indicate a correlation with deformation, δ. Simultaneous shifts of the l 2 strength D for neutron numbers 95–97 and 101–103 may be interpreted as a sudden shift in the squareness of the potential well possibly caused by shell filling. Inclusion of hexadecapole deformation greatly improves the band-head energies for the mass region 150 ≦ A ≦ 165.
Human-macaque comparisons illuminate variation in neutral substitution rates

Background The evolutionary distance between human and macaque is particularly attractive for investigating local variation in neutral substitution rates, because substitutions can be inferred more reliably than in comparisons with rodents and are less influenced by the effects of current and ancient diversity than in comparisons with closer primates. Here we investigate the human-macaque neutral substitution rate as a function of a number of genomic parameters.
Simplified random network codes for multicast networks

Network coding is a method of data transmission across a network which involves coding at intermediate nodes. Network coding is particularly attractive for multicast. Building on the work done on random linear network codes, we develop a constrained, simplified code construction suitable for multicast in wireless networks. We analyze bounds on sufficient code size via an algebraic framework for network coding. We also present simulation results that compare unconstrained random network codes with our code construction. Issues unique to the simplified code are explored and a relaxation of the code to improve code performance is discussed
Damage documentation in composites by stereo radiography

The results of an experimental study of penetrant enhanced stereo X-ray radiography for damage documentation in resin-matrix composite materials are presented. The results show that penetrant enhanced stereo radiography can describe accurately the spatial distribution of matrix cracks and delaminations. Presence of fiber fractures can be inferred from the matrix cracking patterns.
Smart government in a less-advantaged community: meeting the challenges in Imperial County

The new tools of e-government have begun to address and diffuse the weaknesses of government service delivery in the 21st century. The State of California among other states has a strategic vision to add to its orderly, stable structures of bureaucracy, the virtues of speed, cost-effectiveness, and quality and quantity of response to citizens that e-government provides. Imperial County, California was chosen as the site for discussion of how less-advantaged communities in California are addressing e-government. One partnership between two governmental entities - The Imperial County Office of Education and the Imperial County Irrigation District, named Project EdNet - was chosen for this paper as the working example to examine how the issues of the digital divide, democracy and equity can positively impact the citizens of less-advantaged communities in California.
SynapSense Wireless Environmental Monitoring System of the RHIC & ATLAS Computing Facility at BNL

RHIC & ATLAS Computing Facility (RACF) at BNL is a 15000 sq. ft. facility hosting the IT equipment of the BNL ATLAS WLCG Tier-1 site, offline farms for the STAR and PHENIX experiments operating at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), the BNL Cloud installation, various Open Science Grid (OSG) resources, and many other small physics research oriented IT installations. The facility originated in 1990 and grew steadily up to the present configuration with 4 physically isolated IT areas with the maximum rack capacity of about 1000 racks and the total peak power consumption of 1.5 MW. In June 2012 a project was initiated with the primary goal to replace several environmental monitoring systems deployed earlier within RACF with a single commercial hardware and software solution by SynapSense Corporation based on wireless sensor groups and proprietary SynapSense™ MapSense™ software that offers a unified solution for monitoring the temperature and humidity within the rack/CRAC units as well as pressure distribution underneath the raised floor across the entire facility. The deployment was completed successfully in 2013. The new system also supports a set of additional features such as capacity planning based on measurements of total heat load, power consumption monitoring and control, CRAC unit power consumption optimization based on feedback from the temperature measurements and overall power usage efficiency estimations that are not currently implemented within RACF but may be deployed in the future.
A 5-Gbps Test System for Wafer-Level Packaged Devices

This paper describes an economical approach to high-speed testing of wafer-level packaged logic devices. The solution assumes that the devices have built-in self-test features, thereby reducing the complexity of external test instrumentation required. A stand-alone miniature tester is connected to the top of a wafer probe card, transmitting and receiving multiple high-speed (2-5 Gbps) signals. To keep costs low, the tester uses off-the-shelf components. However, its performance in some respects exceeds that of traditional automated test equipment (ATE). Measurements demonstrate the tester producing 5-Gbps signals with a plusmn 18-ps timing accuracy. The generated signals exhibit low jitter ( ~ 35 ps) and have a rise time of about 60 ps. Similar performance is also shown for signal capture.
Program manipulation via interactive transformations

Systematic large-scale modification of source code is tedious and error-prone, because developers use authoring and editing tools poorly suited to the program maintenance task. We combine the results from psychology of programming, software visualization, program analysis, and program transformation fields to create a novel environment that lets the programmers express operations on program source code at a level above text-oriented editing.
Coupling hydrocarbon degradation to anaerobic respiration and mineral diagenesis: theoretical constraints.

The diagenetic mineral assemblages in petroleum reservoirs control the formation fluid pH and pCO2. Anaerobic biodegradation of petroleum is controlled by the transfer of electrons from reduced organic species to inorganic, redox sensitive, aqueous and mineral species in many cases through intermediates such as H2 and CH3COO ) . The terminal electron accepting reactions induce the dissolutionor precipitation of the same minerals that control the ambient pH and pCO2 in petroleum reservoirs. In this study, we develop a model for anaerobic biodegradation of petroleum that couples the production of acetate and H2 to ‘late stage’ diagenetic reactions. The model reveals that the principal terminal electron accepting process and electron donor control the type of diagenetic reaction, and that the petroleum biodegradation rate is controlled through thermodynamic restriction by the minimum DG required to support a specific microbial metabolism, the fluid flux and the mineral assemblage. These relationships are illustrated by modeling coupled microbial diagenesis and biodegradation of the Gullfaks oil reservoir. The results indicate that the complete dissolution of albite by acids generated during oil biodegradation and the corresponding elevated pCO2 seen in the Gullfaks field are best explained by methanogenic respiration coupled to hydrocarbon degradation and that the biodegradation rate is likely controlled by the pCH4. Biodegradation of Gullfaks oil by a consortium that includes either Fe 3+ -reducing or SO 2� 4 -reducing bacteria cannot explain the observed diagenetic mineral assemblage or pCO2. For octane, biodegradation, not water washing, was the principal agent for removal atfluid velocities <20 m Myr )1 .
Potentiation of L-Type Calcium Channels Reveals Nonsynaptic Mechanisms that Correlate Spontaneous Activity in the Developing Mammalian Retina

Although correlated neural activity is a hallmark of many regions of the developing nervous system, the neural events underlying its propagation remain largely unknown. In the developing vertebrate retina, waves of spontaneous, correlated neural activity sweep across the ganglion cell layer. Here, we demonstrate that L-type Ca(2+) channel agonists induce large, frequent, rapidly propagating waves of neural activity in the developing retina. In contrast to retinal waves that have been described previously, these L-type Ca(2+) channel agonist-potentiated waves propagate independent of fast synaptic transmission. Bath application of nicotinic acetylcholine, AMPA, NMDA, glycine, and GABA(A) receptor antagonists does not alter the velocity, frequency, or size of the potentiated waves. Additionally, these antagonists do not alter the frequency or magnitude of spontaneous depolarizations that are recorded in individual retinal ganglion cells. Like normal retinal waves, however, the area over which the potentiated waves propagate is reduced dramatically by 18alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid, a blocker of gap junctions. Additionally, like normal retinal waves, L-type Ca(2+) channel agonist-potentiated waves are abolished by adenosine deaminase, which degrades extracellular adenosine, and by aminophylline, a general adenosine receptor antagonist, indicating that they are dependent on adenosine-mediated signaling. Our study indicates that although the precise spatiotemporal properties of retinal waves are shaped by local synaptic inputs, activity may be propagated through the developing mammalian retina by nonsynaptic pathways.
Change Risk Expert: Leveraging advanced classification and risk management techniques for systematic change failure reduction

This application track paper describes the Change Risk Expert (CRE) tool, which is designed to help reduce change failure rates. CRE assists Change Requesters to adequately plan changes by semi-automatically classifying change tickets, by informing about past failure rates and reasons, by systematically managing change risks, and by providing standard change implementation plans.
Expression, localization and hormonal control of angiopoietin-1 in the rhesus macaque endometrium: potential role in spiral artery growth

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is an important angiogenic factor that has not been thoroughly studied in the primate endometrium. We evaluated the endometrial expression of Ang-1 and its receptor, Tie2, during induced menstrual cycles in rhesus macaques. Tie2 expression was confined to the vascular endothelium without marked change during the cycle. However, Ang-1 expression varied considerably during the cycle. In the proliferative phase, Ang-1 was only expressed in the basal zone glands, and this expression was estradiol (E2) dependent. In the early- to mid-secretory phase, Ang-1 expression spread to the upper glands, luminal epithelium and the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) of spiral arteries. In the late secretory phase, the signal disappeared from the glands but remained elevated in the VSMC of spiral arteries. Notably, there was a significant correlation between VSMC proliferation and Ang-1 expression in the VSMC of the spiral arteries. Progesterone (P) withdrawal in the early secretory phase induced a decline in Ang-1 expression in the glands and VSMC of spiral arteries along with a complete suppression of VSMC proliferation. These data suggest, for the first time, that Ang-1 may play a key role in the P-dependent growth of the unique spiral arteries in the primate endometrium.
β43′: An Enhancer Displaying Neural-Restricted Activity Is Located in the 3′-Untranslated Exon of the Rat Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor β4 Gene

Members of a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit gene cluster ordered beta4, alpha3, alpha5 in the vertebrate genome are expressed in highly restricted patterns in the PNS and CNS. Nothing is known, however, about the regulatory elements that control transcription of these genes in selected neuronal cell populations. We report here a novel enhancer, designated beta43', that is positioned in the beta4 3'-untranslated exon. It is composed of two nearly identical 37 bp direct repeats that are separated by 6 bp. Multimerization of the enhancer upstream of the alpha3 minimal promoter results in synergistic activation. Analysis in different cell types, including three neural lines and primary keratinocytes, shows that beta43' is preferentially active in the neural line PC12, which expresses all members of the cluster. Mobility shift assays reveal a cell-type-specific complex, which forms with the first repeat of the enhancer and PC12 extracts. Complexes co-migrating with the PC12 cell complex are not detected with extracts from other lines, which suggests that PC12 cells contain a differentially expressed factor that may be important for the restricted activity of beta43'. The cell-type-specific activity of the beta43' enhancer suggests that it is important for regulating restricted expression patterns of one or more clustered neuronal acetylcholine receptor genes. Its location within the beta4 gene may be a selective pressure for maintaining tight linkage of clustered neuronal nAchR genes.
Mutational analysis of the consensus nucleotide binding sequences in the rat liver mitochondrial ATP synthase beta-subunit.

Abstract The coupling step in the biosynthesis of ATP in biological systems is generally believed to involve an energy-requiring release of ATP bound to the beta-subunit of the ATP synthase complex. A molecular description of the ATP binding site on the beta-subunit is, therefore, critical to understanding the mechanism of coupling in the enzyme. Previously, we reported that a purified, bacterially expressed rat liver beta-subunit binds adenine nucleotides tightly and specifically (Garboczi, D. N., Hullihen, J. H., and Pedersen, P. L. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 15694-15698). In order to assess the contribution of various regions of the isolated beta-subunit to the ATP binding site we have systematically deleted four different regions: the N-terminal region, the Walker A consensus region, the Walker B consensus region (Walker, J. E., Saraste, M., Runswick, M. J., and Gay, N. (1982) EMBO J. 1, 945-951), and a "C" region, which, like the A and B regions, bears homology to adenylate kinase. Plasmids directing the expression of double deletions of A and B regions, and B and C regions were also constructed. In addition, 2 residues outside of these regions, His-177 and Tyr-345, which have been predicted to play a central role in nucleotide binding, were mutated. Rabbit antisera to synthetic peptides of the A and C regions verified the identity of the bacterially expressed mutant proteins. Seven of the eight mutant proteins overexpressed in Escherichia coli were resistant to E. coli proteases in the preparative stages, as predicted for compact folded proteins. Furthermore, circular dichroism spectropolarimetry revealed no profound structural alterations in the purified mutant proteins. Relative to the overexpressed full-length beta-subunit, the mutant lacking the A consensus region suffered a 30-fold loss of affinity for ATP and a loss of specificity for 2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine 5'-triphosphate (TNP-ATP) over 2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine 5'-monophosphate. The mutant proteins lacking either the N-terminal region or the B region exhibited nucleotide binding properties similar to the full-length beta-subunit, whereas the mutant protein lacking the C region suffered an order of magnitude reduction in affinity for ATP. The affinity of the A and B region double deletion was indistinguishable from the A region deletion in regard to TNP-ATP binding, while the double deletion mutant lacking the B and C regions was not stably expressed in the E. coli SE6004.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Can the Master’s Tools Ever Dismantle the Master’s House? Answering Silences With Alternative Paradigms and Methods

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) concerns continue to be underrepresented in the counseling literature, although progress was made in the 1990s in the content and quantity of literature dealing with these issues. Despite progress in several areas, the scholarship on specific marginalized groups within the LGB community is particularly sparse:LGB people of color, bisexual women and men, lesbian women, LGB people with disabilities, and transgendered individuals. In this reaction, the author raises some questions about these absences and suggests alternative paradigms and research approaches that may help to address the complexities and fill in the gaps in the coming decade.
Current controversies in the USA regarding vaccine safety

As a result of the vaccines discovered in the 20th Century, parents and many healthcare providers of the 21st Century have limited or no experience with the devastating effects of diseases such as polio, smallpox or measles. Fear of disease has shifted to concerns regarding vaccine safety. Scientific evidence has refuted many of the misconceptions regarding vaccine safety; however, parental refusal of vaccines is increasing. Here we review six of the most prevalent controversies surrounding vaccine safety: the proposed causal relationship between receipt of the measles- mumps-rubella vaccine and autism; thimerosal as a potential trigger for autism; religious objection based on some vaccine viruses being grown in cell lines from aborted fetal tissues; parental worries that use of the human papillomavirus vaccine may lead to youth promiscuity; fears regarding the purported association between pertussis vaccination and adverse neurological outcomes; and concerns regarding too many vaccines overloading or weakening the infant immune system. Healthcare providers are ideally positioned to correct these misconceptions, but they must recognize and acknowledge parents' concerns, educate themselves on the latest scientific research that addresses these, and dedicate sufficient time to discuss vaccine safety with worried parents.
On the Free Distance of Convolutional Turbo Codes

The free distance of convolutional codes is the most important parameter determining their performance under good channel conditions. In this paper, we investigate the free distance properties of turbo-like codes generated by non-terminated convolutional encoders and convolutional permutors. In particular, we prove the existence of such codes whose free distance exhibits the same asymptotic growth rate in the permutor memory as block turbo codes in the permutor size.
Assessment Theory for College Classrooms

Classroom assessment information should be the basis for important classroom processes and outcomes: students' study and work patterns, students' understanding of what they are learning, and teachers' instructional and grading decisions. Attention to principles of assessment quality, especially validity and reliability, increases confidence in the quality of assessment information.
Young People and Volunteerism: A Model of Sustained Volunteerism During the Transition to Adulthood

A model of sustained volunteerism in young people is proposed. The longitudinal study addresses the questions “Why do young people decide to continue to volunteer over an extended period of time?” There were 158 volunteers (82 female and 76 male). The volunteers completed measures of motivation to volunteer, integration, and satisfaction with the organization, merged effects due to voluntary service, social support, identity, and intention to volunteer on a first (Time 1) and a second research wave (Time 2). Results show that both dispositional and organizational variables are important in determining long-term volunteerism in young people and confirmed that role identity is the best predictor of intention to volunteer.
What Happens to Students Leaving Secondary Special Education Services in Arizona? Implications for Educational Program Improvement and Transition Services

The Arizona Follow-along Project assessed the impact of special education on the education and postschool outcomes of students with disabilities who had exited from special education services. Using the Oregon follow-along method with a computer-assisted telephone interview and data analysis technique resulted in a system-wide approach to interviewing students, parents, and teachers of individuals who had left special education. The results of the students' first year out of high school are reported in this article, and implications for educational programming and transition services are discussed. Statewide system changes in policies and procedures are recommended in light of the transition services mandates specified in the individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990.
The Breakup of Dense Filaments

Abstract The breakup of a long strip of dense fluid flowing over a sloping bottom is examined with the aid of a nonlinear two-layer analytical model. The inviscid strip is bounded by the sloping bottom from below and an interface (that intersects the bottom along the two edges) from the top. The infinitely deep upper layer in which the filament is embedded contains a uniform flow and is taken to be passive. Such flows represent an idealization of currants that result from various outflows and deep water spreading. It is shown analytically that a dense filament can break up to a discrete set or closely packed anticyclonic eddies (lenses) propagating steadily along the isobaths. The lenses are arranged in a zig-zag manner with the e4cs of each tens touching its neighboring tens. Such a pattern results from the fact that the eddies are too large to fit into the area freed by the straight filament so that they push each other to the sides during the breakup. The solution for this pack of eddies is computed wi...
Synthesis of an End-to-End Protein–Glycopolymer Conjugate via Bio-Orthogonal Chemistry

We report the synthesis of an end-to-end protein–glycopolymer conjugate, namely, site-specific modification of recombinant thrombomodulin at the C-terminus with a chain-end-functionalized glycopolymer. Thrombomodulin (TM) is an endothelial membrane glycoprotein that acts as a major cofactor in the protein C anticoagulant pathway. To closely mimic the glycoprotein structural feature of native TM, we proposed a site-specific glyco-engineering of recombinant TM with a glycopolymer. Briefly, recombinant TM containing the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains 4, 5, and 6 (rTM456) and a C-terminal azidohomoalanine was modified with a dibenzylcyclooctyne (DBCO) chain-end-functionalized glycopolymer via copper-free click chemistry to afford the end-to-end TM–glycopolymer conjugate. The TM glycoconjugation was confirmed with SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and protein C activation assay, respectively. The reported site-specific end-to-end protein glycopolymer conjugation approach facilitates uniform glycoconjugate fo...
CD38-Mediated Growth Suppression of B-Cell Progenitors Requires Activation of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Involves Its Association With the Protein Product of the c-cbl Proto-Oncogene

The signalling pathways that arrest the cell cycle and trigger cell death are only partially known. Dimerization of CD38, a 45-kD transmembrane type II glycoprotein highly expressed in immature B cells, inhibits cell growth and causes apoptosis in normal and leukemic B-cell progenitors, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these cellular responses are unknown. In the present study, we found that CD38 ligation in the immature B-cell lines 380, REH, and RS4;11 caused rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the protein product of the proto- oncogene c-cbl. Dimerization of CD38 was accompanied by the association of cbl with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (Pl 3-K), resulting in markedly increased Pl 3-K activity in antiphosphotyrosine and anti-cbl immunoprecipitates. Wortmannin and LY294002, two potent inhibitors of Pl 3-K, rescued immature B cells from CD38-mediated growth suppression. This effect was observed not only in model B-cell lines, but also in cultures of leukemic lymphoblasts from patients, and in normal bone marrow B-cell progenitors as well. Concentrations of inhibitors that reversed cellular responses to CD38 significantly decreased Pl 3-K activity. By contrast, rapamycin, a p70 S6-kinase inhibitor, did not rescue immature B cells from CD38-mediated suppression. These results suggest that Pl 3-K activity is essential for CD38-mediated inhibition of lymphopoiesis and that cbl and Pl 3-K are regulatory molecules whose activation can result in suppression of cell proliferation and apoptosis in immature lymphoid cells.
No systemic exposure of transtympanic heparin-binding epidermal growth factor like growth factor

AbstractContext: Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor like growth factor (HB-EGF) is an emerging therapeutic for the regeneration of the tympanic membrane (TM). Objective: Our aim was to determine whether the doses of HB-EGF delivered in a sustained release hydrogel into a middle ear mouse model, would be measurable in the systemic circulation. We also aimed to observe, in the scenario that the intended dose was absorbed directly into the circulation, whether these levels could be measured above the background levels of HB-EGF in the circulation. Methods: A total of 12 mice had transtympanic injections of 5 μg/ml of HB-EGF contained within a previously described novel hydrogel vehicle, while another 12 mice had intravenous delivery of 10 μg/kg of HB-EGF. Intravenous blood samples were collected at 0-, 3-, 24-, 168-, 288- and 720-h post-injection. A double-antibody sandwich one-step process enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the level of HB-EGF in the serum. Results: No mice...
Evidence for association of SNPs in ABCB1 and CBR3, but not RAC2, NCF4, SLC28A3 or TOP2B, with chronic cardiotoxicity in a cohort of breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines

Aims: Validation of associations for SNPs in RAC2, NCF4 and SLC28A3, identification of a novel association with a TOP2B SNP and screening 23 SNPs putatively relevant to anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Patients & methods: A total of 166 breast cancer patients treated with doxorubicin underwent echocardiogram, including 19 cases with systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction 0.05), likely due to inadequate power. Two SNPs were identified in the uncorrected secondary analysis including a protective SNP in ABCB1 (3435C>T, p = 0.049) and a risk allele in CBR3 (V244M, p = 0.012). Conclusion: The associations reported in prior publications and ...
Blockade of FGF signaling: therapeutic promise for ovarian cancer.

Commentary to:Inhibition of FGFR2 and FGFR1 increases cisplatin sensitivity in ovarian cancerClaire Cole, Sin Lau, Alison Backen, Andrew Clamp, Graham Rushton, Caroline Dive, Cassandra Hodgkinson, Rhona McVey, Henry Kitchener and Gordon C Jayson
Effects of a carbaryl bait treatment on nontarget wildlife

We studied the effect on nontarget birds, mammals, and insects of 2% carbaryl bran bait applied for grasshopper control in western North Dakota. Total bird density did not differ 2, 10, or 21 d or 1 yr after application. Though carbaryl is an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibiting chemical, we found no evidence of depressed brain AChE in birds or small mammals collected from the treated area. We sampled arthropod biomass on the treated and untreated areas with pitfall traps and stickyboards. Grasshopper densities were estimated with ring counts. Biomass of Coleoptera declined on the treated relative to the untreated area 2 and 10 d and 1 yr after treatment. Biomass of ants (Formicidae) and arthropods consumed by birds declined 2 d after treatment but recovered during later sampling periods. Grasshopper numbers declined on the treated area between the before and after 2-d count and remained unchanged during later counts. We found no evidence of a decline in Halictid bees, which are the primary pollinators of some native plant species, but our inferences regarding changes in arthropod numbers are limited because we did not identify insects to species. These results indicate that low rate (1.68 kg/ha) carbaryl bait applications have minimal potential for direct toxic effects on birds and mammals but may have limited indirect effects on species that depend on certain arthropod groups for food or seed dispersal. It has been suggested that bait applications are less hazardous to wildlife than liquid sprays because there is less exposure to nontarget organisms. Our results generally support this hypothesis, but there is potential for indirect effects on some species.
Review of the Clam Shrimp Family Lynceidae Stebbing, 1902 (Branchiopoda: Conchostraca), in the Americas

ABSTRACT The North, South, and Central American species of the Lynceidae Stebbing are reviewed. Morphological characters that distinguish the family, including several not previously known or not recognized as being of familial importance, are illustrated and discussed. Of the three known genera in the family, only two, Lynceus Muller and Paralimnetis Gurney, are known from North, Central, and South America; the genus Lynceiopsis Daday, known only from Africa, is described and discussed for comparative purposes. Taxonomic characters that can be reliably used to identify American species are primarily those of the male first thoracopods (claspers) and head region (rostrum). All American species are redescribed, with two exceptions. The validity of two species, Lynceus tropicus and L. rotundirostris. is questioned on the basis of the poor condition of type material and inadequate original descriptions. One new species of Paralimnetis Gurney is described from Texas. A key to the American species is included.
Similarity models for unsteady free convection flows along a differentially cooled horizontal surface

A class of unsteady free convection flows over a differentially cooled horizontal surface is considered. The cooling, specified in terms of an imposed negative buoyancy or buoyancy flux, varies laterally as a step function with a single step change. As thermal boundary layers develop on either side of the step change, an intrinsically unsteady, boundary-layer-like flow arises in the transition zone between them. Self-similarity model solutions of the Boussinesq equations of motion, thermal energy, and mass conservation, within a boundary-layer approximation, are obtained for flows of unstratified fluids driven by a surface buoyancy or buoyancy flux, and flows of stably stratified fluids driven by a surface buoyancy flux. The motion is characterized by a shallow, primarily horizontal flow capped by a weak return flow. Stratification weakens the primary flow and strengthens the return flow. The flows intensify as the step change in surface forcing increases or as the Prandtl number decreases. Simple formulas are obtained for the propagation speeds, trajectories and the evolution of velocity maxima and other local extrema. Similarity-model predictions are verified through numerical simulations in which no boundary-layer approximations are made.
Mechanical and Electrical Reliability of a Chronically Implanted Metal-Polyimide Electrode Array

A flexible electrode array consisting of a thin metal film on a polymer substrate has been developed for neural implantation in rats. The biocompatible arrays record cortical brain signals from awake and mobile rats in order to gather significant neurological data. Four point bend testing of the metal-Kapton system has been used to characterize the interfacial toughness, and therefore the mechanical durability, of the array. Several different adhesion layers on were evaluated using this method. Use of a titanium-tungsten interlayer increases the mixed-mode fracture toughness from approximately 1 J/m2 to approximately 2 J/m2, while a titanium interlayer provides a toughness of more than 4 J/m2. Gold-Kapton arrays were implanted in rats for periods exceeding 200 days, and neural recordings were taken frequently. The arrays exhibit excellent long-term reliability, with no decrease in signal recording capability over the course of the implantation.
Commercial and potential utilization of lipoxygenase.

The high specificity and activity of lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.1.13) have not been widely exploited in commercial applications. An analytical application of substrate specificity is exemplified by the Canadian Food and Drug Official Method FA 59 for determining unisomerized linoleic acid in hydrogenated fats. An attractive potential application of lipoxygenase is the lipoxygenase oxidation of linoleic acid for conversion of a renewable resource into a valuable chemical intermediate. Hydroxy-conjugated octadecadienoic acids (HCD) have been prepared by oxidation of a 10% soybean soapstock solution with an aqueous soy flour extract followed by reduction of the hydroperoxide. High yields and a 20-min reaction time are features of this procedure. These laboratory-scale experiments indicate that the processing cost to produce hydroxy-conjugated octadecadienoic acids can be estimated at 21 cents per lb. This cost does not include the cost of the soapstock. The combined hydroxy, conjugated diene, and fatty acid groups in HCD give it the potential of being a versatile chemical intermediate. HCD is readily converted to hydroxystearate or conjugated triene and can compete directly with tung oil acids or hydrogenated castor oil acids. Other reactions can be visualized based on functional group modification to yield products with potential application in the formulation of coatings, lubricants, emulsifiers, and plasticizers.
Renal Adenocarcinoma in Adolescence and Childhood: Emphasis on Angiographic Findings

Four cases of hypernephroma occurring in the first 2 decades of life are presented. Of these patients 3 were adolescents and 1 was a child. Angiography was used in 8 cases, including 6 that were reported previously and 2 from the present series. Sparse neovascularity, faint tumor stain and no arteriovenous shunting were the manifestations in 4 cases. Differentiation from Wilms tumor could be difficult in this circumstance.
Controversies in vascular imaging and intervention: a panel discussion.

PURPOSE To express for educational purposes, different and often opposing views on controversial topics of current interest in vascular radiology. And to explore whether or not consensus can be reached on any of these controversial issues. METHOD Panel discussion among experts in the field. With the help of a moderator, controversial topics were introduced for discussion. For each topic the moderator underscored the principal issue and asked relevant questions. All panelists were asked to express their views on all issues. The following issues were discussed: Atherectomy vs balloon angioplasty; Balloon angioplasty vs stents; Digital vs analog Imaging; TIPS as an emergency procedure; Regional thrombolysis; MRA vs conventional angiography; Laser angioplasty; Carbon dioxide angiography; Lymphangiography vs CT; The training of surgeons in angiography. The panelists were urged to avoid extensive references to the literature but rather to express their own personal opinions based on experience and practice. For each topic an attempt was made to arrive at consensus. RESULTS Ten issues were presented for debate and discussion. Despite divergent opinions it was possible and relatively painless to reach consensus on seven controversies. On the remaining issues the panelists agreed to disagree. However even when there was disagreement certain trends became apparent. Local considerations and resource availability accounted for varied approaches to the solution of certain controversies. CONCLUSIONS A panel discussion among experts may be a useful way to address controversies for educational purposes. Despite divergence of opinions consensus may be reached, or in absence of consensus general trends may become apparent.
NOBODY'S HOME: METIS, IMPROVISATION AND THE INSTABILITY OF RETURN IN HOMER'S ODYSSEY

More of me comes out when I improvise. Edward Hopper Improvisation is a word for something which can't keep a name; if it does stick around long enough to acquire a name, it has begun to move toward fixity. Steve Paxton
l-Arginine Therapy in Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects nearly 100,000 people in the USA and millions worldwide. Genetically, SCD is caused by an amino acid substitution of valine for glutamic acid in the sixth position of the β subunits of hemoglobin. This structural change results in the intracellular polymerization of the deoxygenated hemoglobin molecules under hypoxic conditions. Intracellular polymer increases erythrocyte rigidity and ultimately damages and distorts the erythrocyte membrane. This produces a rigid “sickled” red cell with altered rheological and adhesive properties that becomes entrapped in the microcirculation and gives rise to the vaso-occlusive events characteristic of the disease. The clinical phenotype of SCD varies widely and is characterized by anemia, severe pain, and potentially life-threatening complications such as bacterial sepsis, splenic sequestration, acute chest syndrome (ACS), stroke, and chronic organ damage. These and other manifestations result from acute and chronic hemolysis and intermittent episodes of vascular occlusion that cause tissue injury and organ dysfunction (Stuart and Nagel. Lancet 364(9442):1343–1360, 2004; Gladwin and Vichinsky. N Engl J Med 359(21):2254–2265, 2008).
BDNF regains function in hippocampal long-term potentiation deficits caused by diencephalic damage

Thiamine deficiency (TD), commonly associated with chronic alcoholism, leads to diencephalic damage, hippocampal dysfunction, and spatial learning and memory deficits. We show a decrease in the magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP) and paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) at CA3-CA1 synapses, independent of sex, following diencephalic damage induced by TD in rats. Thus, despite a lack of extensive hippocampal cell loss, diencephalic brain damage down-regulates plastic processes within the hippocampus, likely contributing to impaired hippocampal-dependent behaviors. However, both measures of hippocampal plasticity (LTP, PPF) were restored with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), revealing an avenue for neural and behavioral recovery following diencephalic damage.
Sample size calculations for group randomized trials with unequal group sizes through Monte Carlo simulations

Group randomized trial design is common in cancer prevention and health promotion research with intervention development. Several methods have been developed to handle the design and analytical iss...