cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transmembrane insertases and N-glycosylation critically determine synthesis, trafficking, and activity of the nonselective cation channel TRPC6

Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 6 (TRPC6) is a widely expressed ion channel. Gain–of–function mutations in the human TRPC6 channel cause autosomal-dominant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, but the molecular components involved in disease development remain unclear. Here, we found that overexpression of gain–of–function TRPC6 channel variants is cytotoxic in cultured cells. Exploiting this phenotype in a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas screen for genes whose inactivation rescues cells from TRPC6-associated cytotoxicity, we identified several proteins essential for TRPC6 protein expression, including the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein complex transmembrane insertase. We also identified transmembrane protein 208 (TMEM208), a putative component of a signal recognition particle-independent (SND) ER protein-targeting pathway, as being necessary for expression of TRPC6 and several other ion channels and transporters. TRPC6 expression was also diminished by loss of the previously uncharacterized WD repeat domain 83 opposite strand (WDR83OS), which interacted with both TRPC6 and TMEM208. Additionally enriched among the screen hits were genes involved in N-linked protein glycosylation. Deletion of the mannosyl (α-1,3-)-glycoprotein β-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (MGAT1), necessary for the generation of complex N-linked glycans, abrogated TRPC6 gain–of–function variant-mediated Ca2+ influx and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in HEK cells, but failed to diminish cytotoxicity in cultured podocytes. However, mutating the two TRPC6 N-glycosylation sites abrogated the cytotoxicity of mutant TRPC6 and reduced its surface expression. These results expand the targets of TMEM208-mediated ER translocation to include multipass transmembrane proteins and suggest that TRPC6 N-glycosylation plays multiple roles in modulating channel trafficking and activity.
From “Just Say No” to “I Didn’t Inhale” to We Have “Bigger Fish to Fry”: The President, The Media, and Attitudes Toward Marijuana Legalization

Public opinion concerning marijuana legalization has varied greatly over time. While prior research suggests presidential drug rhetoric is related to public opinions on drugs, the relationship betw...
Professional Advancement and Performance of Amateur Baseball Players Selected in the Major League Baseball Draft With Previous Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background:The effect that an anterior cruciate ligament injury requiring reconstructive surgery has on the professional advancement and performance of amateur baseball players selected in the Majo...
Grover’s Algorithm for Multiobject Search in Quantum Computing

L.K. Grover’s search algorithm in quantum computing gives an optimal, square-root speedup in the search for a single object in a large unsorted database. In this paper, we expound Grover's algorithm in a Hilbert-space framework that isolates its geometrical essence, and we generalize it to the case where more than one object satisfies the search criterion.
Factors Affecting Teen Involvement in Pennsylvania 4-H Programming.

The study reported here determined the factors that affect teen involvement in 4-H programming. The design of the study was descriptive and correlational in nature. Using a purposive sampling procedure, a survey questionnaire was distributed to all (N=214) 4-H members attending the 4-H State Leadership Conference. The major findings of the study aligned of previous research and showed that parents have a great influence on their children's choices within 4-H. Additionally, the results of the study show that the 4-H members are experiencing the opportunity to lead meetings and organize events. Introduction and Theoretical Framework Throughout history, community programs such as 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and the YMCA have promoted youth development by providing a safe environment where young people of all ages can explore personal interests and develop peer groups that share those same interests (Anderson-Butcher, Newsome, & Ferrari, 2003; Cano & Bankston, 1992; Ferrari & Turner, 2006; Lauver & Little 2005; Weber & McCullers, 1986; Weiss, Little, & Bouffard; 2005; Wingenbach, Nestor, Lawrence, Gartin, Woloshuk, & Mulkeen, 2000). Dworkin, Larson, and Hansen (2003, p. 25) reported that "youth activities such as sports, arts groups, and organizations" provide learning opportunities that encourage members to be "agents of their own development." The learning opportunities (i.e., goal setting workshops, Factors Affecting Teen Involvement in Pennsylvania 4-H Programming 04/26/10 07:20:10
Hierarchical Roofline Analysis: How to Collect Data using Performance Tools on Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs.

This paper surveys a range of methods to collect necessary performance data on Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs for hierarchical Roofline analysis. As of mid-2020, two vendor performance tools, Intel Advisor and NVIDIA Nsight Compute, have integrated Roofline analysis into their supported feature set. This paper fills the gap for when these tools are not available, or when users would like a more customized workflow for certain analysis. Specifically, we will discuss how to use Intel Advisor, RRZE LIKWID, Intel SDE and Intel Amplifier on Intel architectures, and nvprof, Nsight Compute metrics, and Nsight Compute section files on NVIDIA architectures. These tools will be used to collect information for as many memory/cache levels in the memory hierarchy as possible in order to provide insights into application's data reuse and cache locality characteristics.
Imaging phenotype correlation with molecular and molecular pathway defects in malformations of cortical development

The increase in understanding of molecular biology and recent advances in genetic testing have caused rapid growth in knowledge of genetic causes of malformations of cortical development. Imaging diagnosis of malformations of cortical development can be made prenatally in a large subset of fetuses based on the presence of specific deviations from the normal pattern of development, characteristic imaging features, and associated non-central-nervous-system (CNS) abnormalities. In this review the authors discuss the role of four key cell molecules/molecular pathways in corticogenesis that are frequently implicated in complex prenatally diagnosed malformations of cortical development. The authors also list the currently described genes causing defects in these molecules/molecular pathways when mutated, and the constellation of imaging findings resultant of such defects.
Temporal Contrast Sensitivity Increases despite Photoreceptor Degeneration in a Mouse Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa.

The detection of temporal variations in amplitude of light intensity, or temporal contrast sensitivity (TCS), depends on the kinetics of rod photoresponse recovery. Uncharacteristically fast rod recovery kinetics are facets of both human patients and transgenic animal models with a P23H rhodopsin mutation, a prevalent cause of retinitis pigmentosa. Here, we show that mice with this mutation (RhoP23H/+) exhibit an age- and illumination-dependent enhancement in TCS compared to controls. At retinal illumination levels producing ≥1000 R*/rod/s or more, P30 RhoP23H/+ mice exhibit a 1.2 to 2-fold increase in retinal and optomotor TCS relative to controls in response to flicker frequencies of 3, 6, and 12 Hz despite significant photoreceptor degeneration and loss of flash ERG b-wave amplitude. Surprisingly, the TCS of RhoP23H/+ mice further increases as degeneration advances. Enhanced TCS is also observed in a second model (rhodopsin heterozygous mice, Rho+/-) with fast rod recovery kinetics and no apparent retinal degeneration. In both mouse models, enhanced TCS is explained quantitatively by a comprehensive model that includes photoresponse recovery kinetics, density and collecting area of degenerating rods. Measurement of TCS may be a non-invasive early diagnostic tool indicative of rod dysfunction in some forms of retinal degenerative disease. Significance Statement Retinal degeneration in humans causes loss of retinal cells, loss of retinal function, and eventual blindness. Understanding the retinal and visual changes that occur early in retinal degenerative disease is critical for improving therapeutic strategies and treatment outcomes. We show here an enhanced ability to detect flickering lights that develops during early retinal degeneration in a mouse model of a human disease. This surprising gain-of-function was caused by a pathological acceleration of the temporal properties of rod photoresponses. In humans, advanced rod dysfunction is currently diagnosed using full-field ERG and perimetry. Measurement of retinal or visual sensitivity to flickering lights such as used here could prove useful as a rapid test for early rod dysfunction in retinal degeneration.
How good are 2D transistors? An application-specific benchmarking study

The research community has invested heavily in semiconducting two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Their stability when scaled down to a few atoms thick makes them attractive candidates to replace or supplement silicon in many future technologies. Although this sentiment is prevalent, demonstrations of 2D field-effect transistors (FETs) often do not present their data in a way that enables a straightforward comparison. For example, some papers solely use mobility as the figure of merit, while others focus on unnormalized device on-current. Here, we benchmark the performance of a selection of 2D FETs with field-corrected metrics that allow a more accurate projection of their potential; while the demonstrated methods are by no means comprehensive, they provide insight into improved benchmarking of 2D FETs going forward. Importantly, we show that appropriate benchmarking requires consideration of the specific application, with the three dominant potential application areas of front-end-of-line (FEOL) high-performance FETs, back-end-of-line (BEOL) 3D-integrated FETs, and low-cost thin-film FETs (or TFTs) each demonstrated. We find that 2D materials have the potential to compete with silicon as the channel in scaled FEOL high-performance devices. Meanwhile, in BEOL applications, FETs from in situ synthesized 2D materials have performance limited by their low crystal quality – a result of the stringent thermal budget of BEOL fabrication, which necessitates the use of transferred 2D materials. In the TFT area, 2D materials are simpler to fabricate than their silicon-based counterparts and they are competitive with other material alternatives. As promising as these findings are, there remain many hurdles for 2D materials to overcome, including poor reliability, performance variability, and fabrication scalability. Continuous research effort, combined with appropriate benchmarking, is strongly encouraged.
The zinc-binding domain of mammalian prolyl-tRNA synthetase is indispensable for catalytic activity and organism viability

Summary Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARS) participate in decoding the genome by catalyzing conjugation of amino acids to their cognate tRNAs. During evolution, biochemical and environmental conditions markedly influenced the sequence and structure of the 20 AARSs, revealing adaptations dictating canonical and orthogonal activities. Here, we investigate the function of the appended Zn2+-binding domain (ZBD) in the bifunctional AARS, glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (GluProRS). We developed GluProRS mutant mice by CRISPR-Cas9 with a deletion of 29 C-terminal amino acids, including two of four Zn2+-coordinating cysteines. Homozygous ZBD mutant mice die before embryonic day 12.5, but heterozygous mice are healthy. ZBD disruption profoundly reduces GluProRS canonical function by dual mechanisms: it induces rapid proteasomal degradation of the protein and inhibits ProRS aminoacylation activity, likely by sub-optimal positioning of ATP in the spatially adjacent catalytic domain. Collectively, our studies reveal the ZBD as a critical determinant of ProRS activity and GluProRS stability in vitro and in vivo.
Sensitivity of Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Group 2-2 Isolates from Soybean and Sugar Beet to Selected SDHI and QoI Fungicides

Rhizoctonia solani causes root and stem diseases on soybean and sugar beet, and fungicides are commonly used to manage these diseases. Quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides (pyraclostrobin and...
Methods to Monitor New Intramammary Infections in Dairy Cows Using Somatic Cell Count Data

This report provides methods to monitor the number of new mammary infections in dairy cattle using monthly Dairy Herd Improvement somatic cell count data. The new infection rate on a monthly basis is defined as the number of cows over linear score 4 for the first time, divided by the total number of cows at risk. The cumulative analysis of days-in-milk when new infections occur allows for quantification of the highest risk period by days-in-milk for the occurrence of new infections. The methods outlined enable some statistical inferences to be made about the overall mammary infection rate, and the greatest time period of risk for new infections. This information can be used to evaluate management decisions aimed at lowering the number of new mammary infections.
Salvage Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Daratumumab-Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Daratumumab, a CD38-targeting monoclonal antibody, has significantly improved survival rates in multiple myeloma (MM), yet patients who progress on Daratumumab have dismal clinical outcomes with an overall median of less than 10 months. While emerging novel modalities have shown promising results, the current study explores the use of high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in heavily pretreated Daratumumab-refractory MM patients. We retrospectively investigated the outcome of 69 consecutive patients who received upfront ASCT. The median progression-free survival (PFS) for the entire patient cohort was 7.2 months with a median overall survival (OS) of 19.3 months. For patients with ≥very good partial response (VGPR), median PFS and OS improved to 9 months and 34 months, respectively. Achievement of MRD negativity in ≥VGPR did not further improve the outcome. A better performance status, younger age, longer time interval from initial MM diagnosis/initial ASCT to salvage ASCT and low-risk GEP70 were all associated with improved PFS and OS after salvage ASCT. Our results suggest a role for salvage ASCT in selected heavily pretreated and Daratumumab-refractory patients.
Edge-augmented Graph Transformers: Global Self-attention is Enough for Graphs.

Transformer neural networks have achieved state-of-the-art results for unstructured data such as text and images but their adoption for graph-structured data has been limited. This is partly due to the difficulty of incorporating complex structural information in the basic transformer framework. We propose a simple yet powerful extension to the transformer - residual edge channels. The resultant framework, which we call Edge-augmented Graph Transformer (EGT), can directly accept, process and output structural information as well as node information. It allows us to use global self-attention, the key element of transformers, directly for graphs and comes with the benefit of long-range interaction among nodes. Moreover, the edge channels allow the structural information to evolve from layer to layer, and prediction tasks on edges/links can be performed directly from the output embeddings of these channels. In addition, we introduce a generalized positional encoding scheme for graphs based on Singular Value Decomposition which can improve the performance of EGT. Our framework, which relies on global node feature aggregation, achieves better performance compared to Convolutional/Message-Passing Graph Neural Networks, which rely on local feature aggregation within a neighborhood. We verify the performance of EGT in a supervised learning setting on a wide range of experiments on benchmark datasets. Our findings indicate that convolutional aggregation is not an essential inductive bias for graphs and global self-attention can serve as a flexible and adaptive alternative.
Engineering Bacillus subtilis for the formation of a durable living biocomposite material

ABSTRACT Engineered living materials (ELMs) are a fast-growing area of research that combine approaches in synthetic biology and material science. Here, we engineer B. subtilis to become a living component of a silica material composed of self-assembling protein scaffolds for functionalization and cross-linking of cells. B. subtilis was engineered to display SpyTags on polar flagella for cell attachment and cross-linking of SpyCatcher modified secreted scaffolds. Through deletion of the autolysis LytC, endospore limited B. subtilis cells become a structural component of the material with spores for long-term storage of genetic programming. Known silica biomineralization peptides were screened and scaffolds designed for silica polymerization to fabricate biocomposite materials with enhanced mechanical properties. We show that the resulting ELM can be regenerated from a piece of silica material and that new functions can be readily incorporated by co-cultivation of engineered B. subtilis strains. We believe that this work will serve as a framework for the future design of resilient ELMs as functional, self-healing materials for use as responsive coatings and plasters.
Designing and evaluating game-based learning for continuing pharmacy education using an "escape room" activity.

Abstract Introduction Continuing education (CE) standards by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education emphasize that educational methodologies should contribute to the development of participants' critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Employment of serious gaming can meet this expectation through motivation, timely feedback, and challenging all performance levels. Current literature is lacking regarding use of game-based learning, such as “escape rooms” in pharmacy CE programming. Methods This pilot study enrolled participants at a two-hour medication error CE presentation. Study investigators utilized the first hour for lecture and the second hour for application through an “escape room” activity. During this activity, participants used critical thinking and teamwork to unlock puzzles for root cause analysis (RCA) creation in a provided timeframe. An optional, online anonymous survey was emailed to attendees. Responses were rated on a five-point Likert scale; descriptive statistics were represented by percent distributions. Results A total of 40 pharmacists and seven technicians responded to the perception survey. Most respondents felt this activity emphasized critical thinking (87%) and was appropriate for the topic of medication errors (83%). The majority (63%) agreed this activity helped them to better understand a RCA, 48% felt the group sizes were appropriate, and 76% felt instructions for the activity were clear. Over 75% would like to see this type of activity utilized in another CE programs. Conclusions This activity was well received by participants and may emphasize critical thinking and understanding of topics presented. Further studies assessing pre−/post-program knowledge are needed to ensure adequate retention of information.
Observations on continuous vascular pulsative phenomena in the cerebral cortex of experimental animals with special reference to the effects of closed vs. opened calvarium.

Publisher Summary Preliminary observations have been made on continuous recordings of change in optical density of the cerebral cortex and of the ipsilateral ear with vascular pulsation in anesthetized cats and in fully conscious monkeys with chronic implantation of transducers. The technique used employs fiber optic light guides implanted onto the surface of the cortex through openings in the skull and meninges. The calvarium is reclosed with dental cement. Light guides are attached to the ipsilateral ear by means of teflon receptacles sewn to opposing surfaces. Change in light intensity with change in optical density of tissue is converted by a photocell to a voltage for polygraphic recording. The electrocardiogram is recorded simultaneously. The data suggests that where changes in intracranial pressure occur within the range of normal physiologic variation, mechanisms regulating cerebrovascular distensibility provide remarkable stability. In this, integrity of the calvarium may have an important though limited role, since by allowing for establishment of intracranial pressures which can vary widely above and below atmospheric pressure, integrity of the calvarium may allow for finer adjustment in vascular transmural pressure as this affects vascular distensibility. At atmospheric pressure, decrease in propagation time and in vascular distensibility appears to have a lower limit. At this lower limit, introduction of a skull defect of significant size causes no further decrease in propagation time. It is suggested that under these circumstances other mechanisms—metabolic, mechanical, or both—become engaged even more prominently in preserving the stability of the system.
Basic Magnetics Theory

Magnetics are an integral part of every switching converter. Often, the design of the magnetic devices cannot be isolated from the converter design. The power electronics engineer must not only model and design the converter, but must model and design the magnetics as well. Modeling and design of magnetics for switching converters is the topic of Part III of this book.
Development of TNKase-specific cleavable peptide-linked radioimmunoconjugates for radioimmunotherapy

559 Objectives: Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a method to more selectively deliver radionuclides to cancer cells. However, normal tissues get irradiated during the slow blood clearance of the MAbs.“On demand” cleavable (ODC) peptide linker strategy was used to connect the radiometal chelates to the tumor targeting agents. We have tested this concept by using ODC peptides cleavable only by TNKase, an approved thrombolytic drug, and resistant to cleavage by enzymes present in plasma, normal tissue and tumor. Methods: TNKase-specific peptide linkers were screened by "one-bead-one-compound" (OBOC) peptide libraries. A selected set of peptides were synthesized to link the DOTA chelate at an ‘optimal distance” with an amino-oxy functionality for conjugation to a breast cancer targeting monoclonal antibody (ChL6). Hundreds of these ODC peptide linkages, further screened for TNKase-specific susceptibility were linked to ChL6 by amino-oxy and keto ligation to prepare radioimmunoconjugates (RICs) which were characterized using mass spectrometry, HPLC, CAE, TLC, immunoreactivity and plasma stability. Results: Optimization of the linker conjugation to MAb was carried out to control the linkers in such a way to meet the following criteria: a) 1-3 peptides linked to each MAb; b) immunoreactivity >80%; C) specific activities of the RICs were 0.7-1μCi/μg; d) RICs were stable over 7 days in human plasma; and, e) radiometal chelated ODC peptide cleaved from RIC >80% with 100μg of TNKase in 24 h; 50% with 10μg TNKase in human plasma. Conclusions: Novel ODC-linked RICs were prepared for RIT. Radiometal was efficiently cleaved from the RIC in plasma by TNKase at levels of 10 μg/mL corresponding to clinical doses. Research Support: NIH PO1 grant CA47829
Directional Dynamics Considerations for Multi-Articulated, Multi-Axled Heavy Vehicles

Directional performance characteristics of heavy truck combinations are reviewed with respect to the influences of multiple axles and articulation points. The performance characteristics considered include steady turning, directional stability, and forced responses in obstacle avoidance maneuvers. The review provides useful insights to engineers interested in the handling and safety qualities of these types of vehicles. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 860578.
Constitutive "light" adaptation in rods from G90D rhodopsin: a mechanism for human congenital nightblindness without rod cell loss.

A dominant form of human congenital nightblindness is caused by a gly90→asp (G90D) mutation in rhodopsin. G90D has been shown to activate the phototransduction cascade in the absence of light in vitro . Such constitutive activity of G90D rhodopsin in vivo would desensitize rod photoreceptors and lead to nightblindness. In contrast, other rhodopsin mutations typically give rise to nightblindness by causing rod cell death. Thus, the proposed desensitization without rod degeneration would be a novel mechanism for this disorder. To explore this possibility, we induced mice to express G90D opsin in their rods and then examined rod function and morphology, after first crossing the transgenic animals with rhodopsin knock-out mice to obtain appropriate levels of opsin expression. The G90D mouse opsin bound the chromophore and formed a bleachable visual pigment with λ max of 492 nm that supported rod photoresponses. (G+/−, R+/−) retinas, heterozygous for both G90D and wild-type (WT) rhodopsin, possessed normal numbers of photoreceptors and had a normal rhodopsin complement but exhibited considerable loss of rod sensitivity as measured electroretinographically. The rod photoresponses were desensitized, and the response time to peak was faster than in (R+/−) animals. An equivalent desensitization resulted by exposing WT retinas to a background light producing 82 photoisomerizations rod −1 sec −1 , suggesting that G90D rods in darkness act as if they are partially “light-adapted.” Adding a second G90D allele gave (G+/+, R+/−) animals that exhibited a further increase of equivalent background light level but had no rod cell loss by 24 weeks of age. (G+/+, R−/−) retinas that express only the mutant rhodopsin develop normal rod outer segments and show minimal rod cell loss even at 1 year of age. We conclude that G90D is constitutively active in mouse rods in vivo but that it does not cause significant rod degeneration. Instead, G90D desensitizes rods by a process equivalent to light adaptation.
Comparison of two convective warming systems during major abdominal and orthopedic surgery.

Purpose: Convective warming is routinely employed to maintain perioperative normothermia. However, due to differences in nozzle temperature and air flow of the power units, there are clinically relevant differences in heat transfer among convective warming systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a quieter, convective warming system (WarmAir, sound pressure level 49 dba, air flow 35 cfm). The WarmAir system was compared to the standard, higher air flow system (Bair Hugger Model 750, sound pressure level 55 dba, air flow 48 cfm) with regards to temperature outcome.
THE DETERMINANTS OF INTERNATIONAL PATENTING FOR NINE AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY FIRMS

This paper examines international patent application decisions of nine agricultural biotechnology firms from 1990–2000 in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Patent Office, Japan and South Africa. The data reveal a low frequency of international applications despite an initial United States' application, indicating very low values for patents abroad. The results indicate that invention quality plays an important role in firms' decisions to patent abroad and that a single international application is a good predictor of multiple international applications. Further, significant country fixed effects suggest wide differences in business climates and patent enforcement among countries.
Thick Corpus, Organic Variation and Textuality in Oral Tradition

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2000 Pages: xii + 675 pp Publisher: Finnish Literature Society
2‐Cyanoethyl Tetraisopropylphosphorodiamidite

[102691-36-1] C9H18ClN2OP (MW 236.68) InChI = 1S/C15H32N3OP/c1-12(2)17(13(3)4)20(19-11-9-10-16)18(14(5)6)15(7)8/h12-15H,9,11H2,1-8H3 InChIKey = RKVHNYJPIXOHRW-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent widely used for the phosphinylation of functional and reporter groups, ligands, and 3′-hydroxyls of modified and unmodified nucleosides for incorporation into oligonucleotides) Alternate Name: bis(N,N-diisopropylamino)-2-cyanoethoxyphosphine; (2-cyanoethoxy) bis(N,N-diisopropylamino)phosphine, 2-cyanoethyl N,N,N′,N′-tetraisopropylphosphordiamidite. Physical Data: bp 105–107 °C/0.4 mm Hg; d 1.04 g cm−3. Solubility: soluble in most organic solvents. Form Supplied in: colorless liquid. Analysis of Reagent Purity: 31P NMR; 1H NMR; elemental analysis. Preparative Methods: the reagent is prepared from the reaction of (2-cyanoethoxy)dichlorophosphine with N,N-diisopropylamine in anhydrous diethyl ether and isolated by vacuum distillation. Purification: can be purified by vacuum distillation. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the reagent can be handled without decomposition under normal laboratory conditions and can be stored for months at −20 °C. Caution should be exercised when vacuum-distilling the reagent as it may explode if heated at a temperature (internal) exceeding 140 °C. Distillation should be carried out only if a vacuum of less than 0.5 mm Hg can be generated. Disposal: the reagent should first be carefully destroyed by slow addition to a stirred ethanolic solution of potassium hydroxide. The resulting solution can then be discarded in an appropriate chemical waste container.
Effect of Water on Silanization of Silica by Trimethoxysilanes

Water has a big influence on the mechanism of monolayer formation and therefore on the structure of monolayer that can be obtained on a silica surface. Trimethoxysilane in the absence of water can form submonolayers with only one siloxane bond binding functional tails with the surface. We show here that hydrolysis of the remaining methoxy groups on the initial immobilized silane layer by water and followed by another silanization yields enhanced surface density of silanes with improved lateral polymerization and without complications of vertical polymerization. The improved technique allows surface concentration of coumarin dye molecules of 2.7 × 1014 cm-2, almost 1.3 times higher than what is possible without water treatment.
Growth kinetics and properties of heteroepitaxial (Cd,Zn)Te films prepared by metalorganic molecular beam epitaxy

Thermally precracked diethylzinc, dimethylcadmium, and diethyltelluride were used for the metalorganic molecular beam epitaxial growth of (001) ZnTe, CdTe, and CdZnTe films on GaAs substrates. Measurements of the growth rate as a function of the substrate temperature and the II/VI ratio were used to determine the growth kinetics of (001) ZnTe and CdTe. (001) CdTe,ZnTe, and CdZnTe films were deposited under near-stoichiometric growth conditions, as determined from the growth kinetics. The best heteroepitaxial films exhibited x-ray rocking curve full widths at half maximum of 200–210 arc-s. The photoluminescence spectra of the binary and ternary films at 5K were dominated by features associated with bound and free excitons. Secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements showed that the films were free of carbon and oxygen. A new mercury precursor, divinylmercury, was used for HgTe growth. Preliminary results indicated that divinylmercury is a viable mercury source for metalorganic molecular beam epitaxial growth when it is precracked.
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of peripheral vascular occlusions: a clinical perspective.

The symptoms of peripheral vascular disease are easily recognized by the clinician. Eighty percent of patients with intermittent claudication, the primary complaint of patients with superficial femoral artery stenosis or occlusion, remain in stable or improved condition with conservative management consisting of cessation of smoking and an exercise program (1.2); fewer than 7% will require amputation over a 5 year period (3). Before the development of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, bypass grafting was the surgical method of choice and was reserved for patients with more severe symptoms such as rest pain, gangrene and other signs of impending limb loss. A conservative surgical approach was favored because 5 year patency results were relatively low (50%) when synthetic grafts were used for limb salvage (4). Patency rates were improved when in situ saphenous veins were used for bypass grafting (5), but surgeons often prefer to reserve the saphenous veins for later coronary bypass surgery because most deaths (60% to 80%) in patients with peripheral vascular disease are due to coronary artery occlusions (3 ). Dotter and Judkins (6) introduced the concept of transluminal catheter treatment of vascular occlusions in 1964. Percutaneous balloon angioplasty (7) gained wide acceptance. primarily among radiologists, who achieved results nearly as good as those for reverse saphenous vein grafts using a procedure that resulted in less mortality and morbidity and required a far shorter hospitalization period. Although stenoses and occlusions of short length can be treated with a 5 year patency rate of 80%, long-term occlusions >lO cm in length have proved more resistant to successful angioplasty (8-10).
Care of Patients With Apparently Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis

Although most asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis (AS) have an excellent prognosis with observation only, some patients with severely stenotic aortic valves in the absence of symptoms may benefit from early intervention. In this article, we will review the literature on the use of varied imaging modalities, clinical factors, and biomarker testing to risk stratify such patients. Additionally, we will review the role of medical therapy to modify the course in AS. Clin. Cardiol. 2012 DOI: 10.1002/clc.22072 The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Conformational studies of propenoyl chloride in liquid xenon from temperature dependent FT-IR spectra

Abstract Variable temperature (−60 to −100°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500 to 400 cm−1) of propenoyl chloride, CH2CHCClO, dissolved in liquid xenon have been recorded. From these data the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 139 ± 8 cm−1 (397 ± 23 cal/mol) with the anti conformer (carbonyl bond trans to the carbon-carbon double bond) more stable than the syn form. From this ΔH value along with assigned torsional fundamentals and accompanying “hot bands” the potential function governing the conformational interchange has been calculated. Utilizing the new infrared data from the xenon solution, some new Raman data, and ab initio predictions from MP2/6–31G∗ calculations a few reassignments of the fundamentals have been made. Ab initio calculations have been carried out with several different basis sets up to MP2/6–311G∗∗ from which structural parameters and conformational stabilities have been determined. With all the basis sets the syn conformer is predicted to be the more stable conformer which is inconsistent with the experimental results. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.
Spectrum of pulmonary neuroendocrine cell proliferation: diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia, tumorlet, and carcinoids.

OBJECTIVE. The objectives of this article are to review the radiologic, pathologic, and clinical features of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia, tumorlet, and carcinoids and to discuss the possible role of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia and tumorlet in the development of carcinoids.CONCLUSION. Given the potential significant morbidity of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia and its neoplastic counterparts, it is important to understand and recognize these disease entities. A conceptual continuum of these neuroendocrine entities is suggested.
On the uniqueness of non-Ohmic current profile inferred from surface voltage relaxation

Abstract A method of deducing a noninductive current drive profile from surface voltage evolution is discussed. It is shown that, within the confines of the model, the inferred profile is unique.
Interchannel coupling effects in the valence photoionization of SF6.

The complex Kohn and polyatomic Schwinger variational techniques have been employed to illustrate the interchannel coupling correlation effects in the valence photoionization dynamics of SF6. Partial photoionization cross sections and asymmetry parameters of six valence subshells (1t1g, 5t1u, 1t2u, 3eg, 1t2g, 4t1u) are discussed in the framework of several theoretical and experimental studies. The complex Kohn results are in rather good agreement with experimental results, indicative of the fact that the interchannel coupling effects alter the photoionization dynamics significantly. We find that the dominant effect of interchannel coupling is to reduce the magnitude of shape resonant cross sections near the threshold and to induce resonant features in other channels to which resonances are coupled. The long-standing issue concerning ordering of the valence orbitals is addressed and confirmed 4t1u61t2g63eg4(5t1u6+1t2u6) 1t1g6 as the most likely ordering.
Misplaced marketing – A best buy in advertising: schools selling students as media audiences

Addresses the question of advertising to children whilst they are in school. Debates the ethical issues surrounding this new marketing strategy. Claims there is an information asymmetry in the market, as corporations are well informed of the schools’ need for revenue, yet school administrators are ill informed about the value of exclusive access to the children.
Current status of 10B-neutron capture therapy: Enhancement of tumor dose via beam filtration and dose rate, and the effects of these parameters on minimum boron content: A theoretical evaluation

At least 8 classes of compounds are being evaluated in various laboratories around the world as possible vehicles for the transport of boron to tumor for neutron capture therapy (NCT). A parameter of major importance is the minimum concentration of boron needed in tumor in order to produce improved results in cancer therapy. Calculations are made here of the minimum boron content in tumor necessary for NCT. These estimations are obtained for various neutron beams, on the basis of therapeutic gain produced by the effective dose (absorbed dose X relative biological effect). The effects of repair are considered, in anticipation of having boronated bio-molecules with selective and long-term binding to tumor cells, thus allowing protracted irradiations. Pure epithermal neutron beams (free of significant fast neutron and gamma contamination) are found to offer major advantages, particularly when the effects of repair are included. The various boron compounds being investigated for NCT are evaluated on the basis of necessary minimum boron content in tumor.
Evidence-based guidelines to optimize the selection of antibody panels in cytopathology: Pleural effusions with malignant epithelioid cells

There is no established methodology to help select cost effective antibody panels. We used Bayesian statistics and an evidence-based pathology (EBP) approach to retrospectively review the use of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 153 consecutive pleural effusions evaluated in our laboratory from 2005–2007 for the differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelial cells versus carcinoma cells and to estimate the likely site of origin of a carcinoma. The results in this “training” set were used to design antibody panels and test their clinical applicability on a “test set” of 44 pleural effusions collected in early 2008. Cytopathologists had used 6 ± 4.5 IHC tests per case for the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma (n = 9) and carcinomas of lung (n = 60), breast (n = 47), Mullerian (n = 25), and other origins in the “training set”. The sensitivity and specificity of pleural cytology using all these IHC tests were 32% and 95%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and post-test odds (PTO) of a positive IHC result were calculated for each antibody and by the following classes: malignant mesothelial cells and carcinoma cells by primary site of origin. The antibodies that provided the best PTO to diagnose the most prevalent tumors in our population were included in diagnostic panels for male (calretinin, TTF-1, PSA and CDX-2) and female (calretinin, TTF-1, ER and CA125) patients. These panels provided 100% specificity and 77% and 50% sensitivity, respectively, for the pleural effusions from female and male patients in the “test set.” The use of an EBP approach for test selection in cytopathology is discussed. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Tenth-year survival and size of underplanted seedlings in the Oregon Coast Range

This study initiated a two-aged forest stand structure by underplanting 50-year-old stands, primarily of Douglas- fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii) and Douglas-fir - western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), thinned to 19-33 m 2 /ha on interior and coastal sites in the Oregon Coast Range. Douglas-fir, grand fir (Abies gran- dis (Dougl. ex D. Don) Lindl.) (interior site only), western hemlock, and western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) were planted following thinning either uniformly or in gaps of 0.06 or 0.1 ha. Understory vegetation treatments in- cluded (i) a preharvest site preparation herbicide application and an untreated control at both sites and (ii) a postharvest herbicide release treatment at the interior site. Planting conditions and stock at the interior site were not ideal, so survival was adjusted for first-year mortality. Adjusted 10 year survival ranged from 27% to 56% for Douglas-fir, 47% to 65% for western hemlock, 61% to 80% for grand fir, and 78% to 96% for western redcedar. Tenth-year survival at the coastal site ranged from 79% to 92% for Douglas-fir, 61% to 75% for western hemlock, and 67% to 86% for western redcedar. All species grew moderately well beneath the lowest-density overstories, and size was better within gaps than matrices for most species. Understory site preparation improved size for most species. Browsing on Douglas-fir and western redcedar impacted size on both sites. Resume´ : Cette etude a amorcel'etablissement d'une structure bisetagee en effectuant une plantation sous le couvert de peuplements de 50 ans, composes principalement soit de douglas de Menzies typique (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii), soit d'un melange de douglas et de pruche de l'Ouest (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.). Ces peuplements, etablis sur des stations interieures et des stations cotieres de la chaoˆne cotiere de l'Oregon, ont eteeclaircis a
Development of a short form of the Boston naming test for individuals with aphasia.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop a short form of the Boston Naming Test (BNT; Kaplan, Goodglass, & Weintraub, 2001) for individuals with aphasia and compare it with 2 existing short forms originally analyzed with responses from people with dementia and neurologically healthy adults. Method Development of the new BNT–Aphasia Short Form and analysis of the other 2 forms were completed with archival data from 100 individuals with aphasia. The authors developed the BNT–Aphasia Short Form using items from the original 60-item instrument based on item response theory. Rasch analysis was computed on the short forms developed by Graves, Bezeau, Fogarty, and Blair (2004) and by Mack, Freed, Williams, and Henderson (1992). Results Analysis of the Graves et al. (2004) short form resulted in the smallest range of item difficulty and the largest floor effect compared with the Mack et al. (1992) short form and the BNT–Aphasia short form. The BNT–Aphasia Short Form showed an increase in information in th...
Short-term survival of rhizobia on arrowleaf clover seed sown at different depths

Seed of arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) were inoculated with a streptomycin resistant mutant ofRhizobium leguminosarum biovartrifolii and planted on the surface of a Norwood fine sandy loam and at 10 and 25 mm depths. Populations of rhizobia declined from an excess of 10,000 seed−1 immediately after inoculation to less than 100 within three to four days after sowing on the soil surface when water was the peat inoculant adhesive. Gum arabic as the adhesive promoted the survival of rhizobia. Populations of rhizobia on surface sown seed declined much more rapidly than on seed buried in soil. Although, the soil was nearly air dry, rhizobia on buried seed survived at populations exceeding 1,000 seed−1. The maximum soil temperatures ranged between 21 and 36°C over the sampling time and did not seem to have a major influence on short term survival of rhizobia. Delayed germination of seed due to the higher temperature would indirectly influence the number of viable rhizobia present at germination.
Robust scale estimation in the error-components model using the empirical characteristic function†

Robust estimators of the scale parameters in the error-components model are described. The new estimators are based on the empirical characteristic functions of appropriate sets of residuals and are affine equivariant, consistent and asymptotically normal. The robustness of the new estimators is investigated via influence-function calculations. The results of Monte Carlo experiments and an example based on real data illustrate the usefulness of the estimators.
Multicategory ψ-Learning and Support Vector Machine: Computational Tools

Many margin-based binary classification techniques such as support vector machine (SVM) and ψ-learning deliver high performance. An earlier article proposed a new multicategory ψ-learning methodology that shows great promise in generalization ability. However,ψ-learning is computationally difficult because it requires handling a nonconvex minimization problem. In this article, we propose two computational tools for multicategory ψ-learning. The first one is based on d.c. algorithms and solved by sequential quadratic programming, while the second one uses the outer approximation method, which yields the global minimizer via sequential concave minimization. Numerical examples show the proposed algorithms perform well.
Carbon dioxide and nitrogenous gases in the soil atmosphere

Carbon dioxide and nitrogenous trace gases (N2O, NO) in the soil atmosphere are mainly the products of microbially mediated processes. Once produced, these gases pass to the overlying atmosphere primarily via molecular diffusion, a process which is described by Fick's law of diffusion. In a diffusion-dominated soil, the partial pressure, or concentration, of CO2 in the soil atmosphere varies as a function of soil depth and is dependent on the production rate and diffusivities. Since these parameters are highly variable, CO2 concentrations vary widely both between, and within, differing ecosystems. In a compilation of data from around the world, arranged according to an ecosystem classification, soil CO2 concentrations varied from 0.04 to 13.0% by volume in the upper several meters of soil. These data also highlight the importance of organic substrate (soil organic matter, roots, root exudates), temperature, and (to some extent) moisture on CO2 production and the resulting concentration in soil profiles. The δ13C of the soil CO2 also varies as a function of depth due to differences in the δ13C of the organic substrate undergoing decomposition and the mixing with CO2 of the overlying atmosphere. Recent work suggests that the δ18O of the soil CO2 may hold some promise in estimating the δ18O of soil water. Biological production and consumption of N2O and NO results primarily from activity of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. Ammonium limitation of nitrification and organic carbon limitation of denitrification usually restricts these processes to surface soil horizons, although denitrification may be an important process for reducing NO3− in groundwater. These microbial processes and the relative proportions of their gaseous end products are strongly influenced by redox conditions. Microsite variation in sources of electron donors and acceptors is critical to understanding rates and distributions of N trace gas production. Several abiological oxidation and reduction reactions are also important, and interaction of biological and abiological processes deserves more research attention.