cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic, Racial, and Gender Gaps in Children's Social/Behavioral Skills: Do They Grow Faster in School or Out?

Children’s social and behavioral skills differ considerably by socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, and gender, yet it is unclear to what degree these differences are due to school or non-school factors. We observe how gaps in social and behavioral skills change during school and non-school periods from the start of kindergarten entry until the end of second grade in a recent and nationally representative sample of over 16,000 children (the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study — Kindergarten Cohort of 2010-11). We find that large gaps in social and behavioral skills exist at the start of kindergarten entry, and these gaps favor high-SES, white, and female children. But over the next three years the gaps grow no faster when school is in than when school is out. As evidence from school year-summer comparisons mounts, the notion that schools are a pernicious institution exacerbating inequality is increasingly difficult to maintain. In the case of social and behavioral skills, it appears that schools neither exacerbate inequality nor reduce it.
Novel Screening Tests for Barrett's Esophagus.

There has been an exponential increase in the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) over the last half century. Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is the only known precursor lesion of EAC. Screening for BE in high-risk populations has been advocated with the aim of identifying BE, followed by endoscopic surveillance to detect dysplasia and early stage cancer, with the intent that treatment can improve outcomes. We aimed to review BE screening methodologies currently recommended and in development. Unsedated transnasal endoscopy allows for visualization of the distal esophagus, with potential for biopsy acquisition, and can be done in the office setting. Non-endoscopic screening methods being developed couple the use of swallowable esophageal cell sampling devices with BE specific biomarkers, as well as trefoil factor 3, methylated DNA markers, and microRNAs. This approach has promising accuracy. Circulating and exhaled volatile organic compounds and the foregut microbiome are also being explored as means of detecting EAC and BE in a non-invasive manner. Non-invasive diagnostic techniques have shown promise in the detection of BE and may be effective methods of screening high-risk patients.
Addictive Behavior Change and Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Current Research and Future Directions.

Addictive behaviors are difficult to change and result in high rates of relapse following change attempts. A number of effective treatment approaches have been developed to treat addictive behaviors (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapies). More recently, there has been an increase in the development and evaluation of mindfulness-based interventions for addictive behaviors. This article discusses the history of mindfulness-based interventions for addictive behaviors and recent advances in treatment. Mindfulness-based interventions are as effective as existing evidence-based treatments for addictive behaviors. Further understanding of the neurobiological changes that occur could help identify the components of mindfulness-based interventions that are most helpful and which individuals may benefit most from mindfulness-based intervention. Additional large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed for a better understanding of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions. Future research should look at optimizing mindfulness-based interventions for specific settings and patient populations, as well as dissemination and implementation.
Demographic and genetic factors influence the abundance of infiltrating immune cells in human tissues

Despite infiltrating immune cells having an essential function in human disease and patients’ responses to treatments, mechanisms influencing variability in infiltration patterns remain unclear. Here, using bulk RNA-seq data from 46 tissues in the Genotype-Tissue Expression project, we apply cell-type deconvolution algorithms to evaluate the immune landscape across the healthy human body. We discover that 49 of 189 infiltration-related phenotypes are associated with either age or sex (FDR < 0.1). Genetic analyses further show that 31 infiltration-related phenotypes have genome-wide significant associations (iQTLs) (P < 5.0 × 10−8), with a significant enrichment of same-tissue expression quantitative trait loci in suggested iQTLs (P < 10−5). Furthermore, we find an association between helper T cell content in thyroid tissue and a COMMD3/DNAJC1 regulatory variant (P = 7.5 × 10−10), which is associated with thyroiditis in other cohorts. Together, our results identify key factors influencing inter-individual variability of immune infiltration, to provide insights on potential therapeutic targets. Immune infiltration provides critical information for health and disease, yet it is unclear what factors influence infiltration levels. Here, the authors analyze human tissue transcriptomes from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project to find infiltration patterns regulated by age, sex and host genetic information.
When Something Seems Amiss: Radiology-Pathology Correlation of Metaplastic Breast Cancer.

Metaplastic breast cancer is difficult to diagnose, resistant to conventional treatment, and biologically aggressive. A suspicious timeline and discordance between imaging findings and histopathologic tissue diagnosis should trigger additional workup. New, large lesions or rapidly growing lesions with complex echogenicity on ultrasound warrant correlation with image-guided biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. Lesions that appear aggressive on imaging, with negative biopsy findings, may represent false negatives due to sampling bias from intratumoral heterogeneity. In such cases, it may be advisable to obtain an excisional biopsy. These tumors are known to progress even with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Immunotherapy, however, may be effective even for metastatic disease. A multidisciplinary approach and a high index of suspicion may, therefore, confer survival benefits in circumstances where the imaging phenotype does not fit with the timeline or pathologic diagnosis. This report describes five cases of metaplastic breast cancer diagnosed at our institution to highlight the importance of a timely and accurate diagnosis of this rare but aggressive breast malignancy.
Solid-phase extraction of exosomes from diverse matrices via a polyester capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) fiber stationary phase in a spin-down tip format.

Exosomes, a subset of the extracellular vesicle (EV) group of organelles, hold great potential for biomarker detection, therapeutics, disease diagnosis, and personalized medicine applications. The promise and potential of these applications are hindered by the lack of an efficient means of isolation, characterization, and quantitation. Current methods for exosome and EV isolation (including ultracentrifugation, microfiltration, and affinity-based techniques) result in impure recoveries with regard to remnant matrix species (e.g., proteins, genetic material) and are performed on clinically irrelevant time and volume scales. To address these issues, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) fiber stationary phase is employed for the solid-phase extraction (SPE) of EVs from various matrices using a micropipette tip-based format. The hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) processing and a spin-down workflow are carried out using a table-top centrifuge. Capture and subsequent elution of intact, biologically active exosomes are verified via electron microscopy and bioassays. The performance of this method was evaluated by capture and elution of exosome standards from buffer solution and three biologically relevant matrices: mock urine, reconstituted non-fat milk, and exosome-depleted fetal bovine serum (FBS). Recoveries were evaluated using UV-Vis absorbance spectrophotometry and ELISA assay. The dynamic binding capacity (50%) for the 1-cm-long (~ 5 μL bed volume) tips was determined using a commercial exosome product, yielding a value of ~ 7 × 1011 particles. The novel C-CP fiber spin-down tip approach holds promise for the isolation of exosomes and other EVs from various matrices with high throughput, low cost, and high efficiency.
Exploring electrocatalytic stability and activity of unmodified and platinum-modified tungsten and niobium nitrides

Abstract Transition metal nitrides are interesting electrocatalytic support materials that have similar structure to their carbide counterparts while avoiding associated issues with carbonaceous overlayers resulting from carbide synthesis. This may allow for more intimate contact between the nitride substrate and metal-modifier to promote synergistic effects. In this work, tungsten nitride (WN) and niobium nitride (NbN) thin films were synthesized and evaluated for their stability across a wide range of potential-pH values. Low loadings of Pt were deposited on the nitride thin films and were evaluated for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity in acid and alkaline electrolytes. The observed activity trends correlate well with the hydrogen binding energies obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Pseudo-Pourbaix diagrams were generated for WN and NbN to aid in catalyst selection for other electrocatalytic reactions.
Synonymization of the male-based ant genus Phaulomyrma (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) with Leptanilla based upon Bayesian total-evidence phylogenetic inference

Although molecular data have proven indispensable in confidently resolving the phylogeny of many clades across the tree of life, these data may be inaccessible for certain taxa. The resolution of taxonomy in the ant subfamily Leptanillinae is made problematic by the absence of DNA sequence data for leptanilline taxa that are known only from male specimens, including the monotypic genus Phaulomyrma Wheeler & Wheeler. Focusing upon the considerable diversity of undescribed male leptanilline morphospecies, the phylogeny of 35 putative morphospecies sampled from across the Leptanillinae, plus an outgroup, is inferred from 11 nuclear loci and 41 discrete male morphological characters using a Bayesian total-evidence framework, with Phaulomyrma represented by morphological data only. Based upon the results of this analysis Phaulomyrma is synonymized with Leptanilla Emery, and male-based diagnoses for Leptanilla that are grounded in phylogeny are provided, under both broad and narrow circumscriptions of that genus. This demonstrates the potential utility of a total-evidence approach in inferring the phylogeny of rare extant taxa for which molecular data are unavailable and begins a long-overdue systematic revision of the Leptanillinae that is focused on male material.
Abstract 375: In vivo metabolic autofluorescence imaging of macrophage heterogeneity across normal and cancerous tissue

Tissue microenvironmental conditions affect macrophage metabolism and function. However, standard methods to measure macrophage function require tissue dissociation (e.g. flow cytometry) or tissue fixation (e.g. immunohistochemistry), which remove the cells from their native microenvironment and prevent in vivo monitoring. Autofluorescence imaging enables non-invasive, dynamic imaging of cell metabolism in live, intact samples by measuring fluorescence from metabolic co-enzymes, NAD(P)H and FAD, naturally present in all cells. Here, we test autofluorescence imaging to assess macrophage function in vivo within normal skin and tumor microenvironments. Transgenic mice harboring a floxed mCherry fusion protein controlled by the Csf1r promoter were crossed with Lyz2-Cre mice to generate a model of mCherry-expressing macrophages. Multiphoton wavelength mixing was used to simultaneously image mCherry, NAD(P)H, and FAD fluorescence in spectrally distinct channels. NAD(P)H and FAD fluorescence intensities and lifetimes were quantified for tissue-resident macrophages in the mouse ear dermis and tumor-associated macrophages in Panc02 pancreatic tumors engrafted on the flank. Spatial distributions of macrophages were visualized at each tissue site. Dermal macrophages were predominantly localized around hair follicles in the ear, while tumor-associated macrophages were randomly distributed throughout the tumor. Co-localization of mCherry and FAD signal indicated high FAD intensities within macrophages across both tissues. Population density modeling of autofluorescence variables on a single cell level in each tissue site indicate metabolic heterogeneity of macrophages within normal and cancerous tissues. Immunofluorescence of standard macrophage markers (CD86/CD206) further characterize diversity in macrophage phenotypes across both tissue microenvironments. These studies demonstrate metabolic autofluorescence imaging as a novel non-invasive tool to assess tissue-specific macrophage metabolism at the single cell level in vivo. Ultimately, this imaging approach could provide insight on the role of macrophage plasticity in tumor growth and treatment response in vivo. Citation Format: Tiffany Heaster, Karla Esbona, Paul M. Sondel, Melissa C. Skala. In vivo metabolic autofluorescence imaging of macrophage heterogeneity across normal and cancerous tissue [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 375.
Spurious Numerical Oscillations in Numerical Simulation of Supersonic Flows Using Shock Capturing Schemes

The numerical simulation of transitional and turbulent processes in hypersonic boundary layers often involves a physical process of a shock-disturbance wave interaction in complex two-dimensional and three-dimensional flow fields. For such simulations, it is required that there be a high order of accuracy in capturing both the shock and the small disturbances. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the viability of using high order shock capturing schemes to track small disturbances in a multi-dimensional steady hypersonic flow. The numerical methods that are to be studied are the Total Variation Diminishing (TVD) scheme, and Essentially Non-Oscillatory (ENO) scheme. This paper shows that the presence of numerical oscillations in the flow field solution may drastically hinder any attempt at tracking the propagation of any physical disturbances. It has been found that the numerical oscillations that exist for shock capturing methods may be significant enough to pollute a flow field containing small physical disturbances. The effects of the refinement of the grid do not reduce the oscillations, but rather they decrease the wavelength of the oscillations. It is shown that by aligning the shock with the grid, the amplitude of these spurious oscillations may be greatly reduced.
Relief in Sight - Estimated Savings under Medicare Part D Redesign.

Relief in Sight Relief may be in sight for Medicare Part D beneficiaries who currently face high out-of-pocket spending. Redesign of the program is expected to be part of the fiscal year 2022 budge...
Predictions of bioenhancement of nonaqueous phase liquid ganglia dissolution using first- and zero-order biokinetic models

The bioenhanced dissolution of nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contaminants that occurs as a result of an increased concentration gradient is influenced by several factors, including the biokinetics. This is important because available data suggest that at typical NAPL source zone concentrations, descriptions of dissolution bioenhancement may require kinetic expressions ranging from first- to zero-order. In this work, an analytical model for the bioenhancement factor, E, is developed for NAPL ganglia dissolution with zero-order kinetics, and compared to a model for E with first-order kinetics. The models are analyzed and an illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the importance of using the correct biokinetics when estimating the potential magnitude of the bioenhancement of NAPL ganglia dissolution.
Measurement of fetal hemoglobin in newborn infants; correlation with gestational age and intrauterine hypoxia.

A relation between per cent of the hemoglobin that is of the fetal type at birth and gestational age has been demonstrated. Data are presented which show that, after 34 weeks gestation, the per cent fetal hemoglobin drops approximately 3 to 4% per week prenatally. This is similar to the postnatal weekly decrease reported by other authors. Intrauterine hypoxia, particularly of the sort associated with postmaturity, was not found to be associated with an increase in per cent fetal hemoglobin and probably not associated with an increase in total hemoglobin in the body. On the basis of reticulocyte counts and clinical examination and in the absence of studies of blood volume, it is suggested that the increased total concentrations of hemoglobin observed in the postmature infant with prenatal hypoxia are possibly the result of hemoconcentration rather than erythropoietic response to lack of oxygen.
G Protein-Coupled Receptors

The G protein-coupled receptors are a superfamily of more than 1000 distinct cell membrane receptors that share a common heptahelical architecture and mediate cellular responses to a diverse array of extracellular stimuli, from neurotransmitters and peptide hormones to odorants and photons of light.
Discussion: Economic Sustainability of Rural Areas

The three articles in this invited paper session examine value-added strategies related to agriculture and food at the state and federal level designed to enhance rural development. Two of the papers dealt with the GO TEXAN program and the other with organic agriculture. All three papers were well written and interesting, but all three also shed light on the problem of using classical economic theory to interpret differentiated agriculture and food products as opposed to undifferentiated commodities.
Space Electrochemical Research and Technology Conference, Cleveland, OH, Apr. 14-16, 1987, Proceedings

The conference provided a forum to assess critical needs and technologies for the NASA electrochemical energy conversion and storage program. It was aimed at providing guidance to NASA on the appropriate direction and emphasis of that program. A series of related overviews were presented in the areas of NASA advanced mission models (space stations, low and geosynchronous Earth orbit missions, planetary missions, and space transportation). Papers were presented and workshops conducted in a variety of technical areas, including advanced rechargeables, advanced concepts, critical physical electrochemical issues, and modeling.
Sphenoid shortening and the evolution of modern human cranial shape

Crania of ‘anatomically modern’ Homo sapiens from the Holocene and Upper Pleistocene epochs differ from those of other Homo taxa, including Neanderthals, by only a few features. These include a globular braincase, a vertical forehead, a dimunitive browridge, a canine fossa and a pronounced chin1,2,3,4. Humans are also unique among mammals in lacking facial projection: the face of the adult H. sapiens lies almost entirely beneath the anterior cranial fossa, whereas the face in all other adult mammals, including Neanderthals, projects to some extent in front of the braincase. Here I use radiographs and computed tomography to show that many of these unique human features stem partly from a single, ontogenetically early reduction in the length of the sphenoid, the central bone of the cranial base from which the face grows forward. Sphenoid reduction, through its effects on facial projection and cranial shape, may account for the apparently rapid evolution of modern human cranial form, and suggests that Neanderthals and other archaic Homo should be excluded from H. sapiens.
Recent Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Cases Involving the Republic of China: A Harbinger of Things to Come

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In vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of JTE-907, a novel selective ligand for cannabinoid CB2 receptor.

JTE-907 [N-(benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-7-methoxy-2-oxo-8-pentyloxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide] was evaluated in vitro and in vivo as a novel selective ligand for cannabinoid receptor of peripheral type (CB2). The compound binds with high affinity to human CB2 or mouse CB2 expressed on CHO cell membrane and to rat CB2 on splenocytes. The K(i) affinities for human, mouse, and rat CB2 were 35.9, 1.55, and 0.38 nM, respectively. The selectivity ratio for the CB2 receptors compared with central nervous type receptors (CB1) of human (expressed on CHO cells), and mouse and rat CB1 on cerebellum were 66, 684, and 2760, respectively. JTE-907 showed concentration-dependent increase of forskolin-stimulated cAMP production in CHO cells expressing human and mouse CB2 in vitro, i.e., JTE-907 behaved as an inverse agonist, which is in contrast to Win55212-2 that reduces cAMP as an agonist. JTE-907 dosed orally inhibited carrageenin-induced mouse paw edema dose dependently. The same in vivo effect was observed with other cannabinoid receptor ligands such as SR144528, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Win55212-2. This is the first report that a CB2-selective inverse agonist, JTE-907, has an anti-inflammatory effect in vivo, and how the inverse agonist showed the same effect as Win55212-2 and Delta(9)-THC is discussed.
The local microenvironment surrounding dansyl molecules attached to controlled pore glass in pure and alcohol-modified supercritical carbon dioxide.

We report on the local microenvironment surrounding a free dansyl probe, dansyl attached to controlled pore glass (D-CPG), and dansyl molecules attached to trimethylsilyl-capped CPG (capped D-CPG) in pure and alcohol-modified supercritical CO2. These systems were selected to provide insights into the local microenvironment surrounding a reactive agent immobilized at a silica surface in contact with pure and cosolvent-modified supercritical CO2. Local surface-bound dansyl molecule solvation on the CPG surface depends on the dansyl molecule surface loading, the surface chemistry (uncapped versus capped), the bulk fluid density, and the alcohol gas phase absolute acidity. At high dansyl loadings, the surface-bound dansyl molecules are largely “solvated” by other dansyl molecules and these molecules are not affected significantly by the fluid phase. When the dansyl surface loading decreases, dansyl molecules can be accessed/solvated/wetted by the fluid phase. However, at the lowest dansyl loadings studied, th...
Z-ring force and cell shape during division in rod-like bacteria

The life cycle of bacterial cells consists of repeated elongation, septum formation, and division. Before septum formation, a division ring called the Z-ring, which is made of a filamentous tubulin analog, FtsZ, is seen at the mid cell. Together with several other proteins, FtsZ is essential for cell division. Visualization of strains with GFP-labeled FtsZ shows that the Z-ring contracts before septum formation and pinches the cell into two equal halves. Thus, the Z-ring has been postulated to act as a force generator, although the magnitude of the contraction force is unknown. In this article, we develop a mathematical model to describe the process of growth and Z-ring contraction in rod-like bacteria. The elasticity and growth of the cell wall is incorporated in the model to predict the contraction speed, the cell shape, and the contraction force. With reasonable parameters, the model shows that a small force from the Z-ring (8 pN in Escherichia coli) is sufficient to accomplish division.
Deprotection and cleavage methods for protected peptide resins containing 4-[(diethylphosphono)difluoromethyl]-D,L-phenylalanine residues

Abstract Ethyl groups on 4-[(diethylphosphono)difluoromethyl]-D,L-phenylalanine are efficiently removed using S N 2-type acidic reagents. These methods were utilized for the solid-phase synthesis of SH2-binding peptides containing nonhydrolyzable phosphotyrosyl mimetics.
Diffusion of Dextran Probes in a Self-Assembled Fibrous Gel Composed of Two-Dimensional Arborols

Two-dimensional arborols are bolaform amphiphiles in which a central, hydrophobic spacer separates twin hydrophilic ends. Under appropriate conditions, these relatively small molecules assemble into very long fibers; subsequently, the system gels if the arborol concentration is sufficiently high. The diffusion of linear or slightly branched dextran probes in 3 and 6% arborol gels, as determined by fluorescence photobleaching recovery, resembles that of dextrans in water, suggesting a highly open network structure. Melting the gels produces almost no change in diffusion of the dextran probes. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) of wet arborol gels at different concentrations and temperatures reveals the diameter of the repeating unit of the fibers to be 8.26 ± 0.68 nm. This dimension, which is independent of concentration and temperature, exceeds the length of a single arborol molecule by about a factor of 3. Rheological investigation identifies the linear response regime of the gels and permits an examina...
Quantum theory of photodissociation of polyatomic molecules: Application to HCN

Abstract A theory of direct collinear photodissociation is presented wherein the correct and different normal modes appropriate to the initial molecular state and the photofragments are employed. This remedies a serious deficiency in previous theories which assume that the reaction coordinates for the photodissociation is also a normal mode in the initial electronic state and that the remaining normal modes are the same for both. The theory provides an analytical expression for the vibrational energy distribution of the photofragments, and provides simple criteria for the occurrence of population inversions. Calculated vibrational distributions for HCN photodissociation are in agreement with experiment.
What or Who Is “Matska” in CARMILLA?

No Victorian vampire story overshadows the impact of Bram Stoker's Dracula; however, Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla (1872), one of five stories from In a Glass Darkly, comes closest. One critic referr...
Flame infrared emission detection of hydrogen

Abstract The feasibility of using flame infrared emission (FIRE) for the detection of organic hydrogen was demonstrated. A FIRE radiometer was modified to monitor the 2.7-μm water vapor band emission and was used as a gas chromatographic detector. The system provided good quantification of hydrogen at moderate sensitivity. Detection limits for pentane were found to be 0.05 μl or 31 μg using the hydrogen/air flame. Maximum signal was monitored using a 1:1 stoichiometric flame at a height-in-flame of 3.7 mm, very similar to carbon mode FIRE studies. While no direct interferences were found, the presence of chlorine in the analyte compound did show a quenching effect. The hydrogen mode can be combined with carbon mode FIRE and with other detection methods, such as flame ionization detection, to give a detection system of great versatility, both in gas chromatography and various process monitoring applications.
Metabolic regulator Fnip1 is crucial for iNKT lymphocyte development.

Folliculin-interacting protein 1 (Fnip1) is an adaptor protein that physically interacts with AMPK, an energy-sensing kinase that stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy in response to low ATP, while turning off energy consumption mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin. Previous studies with Fnip1-null mice revealed that Fnip1 is essential for pre–B-cell development. Here we report a critical role of Fnip1 in invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell development. Thymic iNKT development in Fnip1−/− mice was arrested at stage 2 (NK1.1−CD44+) but development of CD4, CD8, γδ T-cell, and NK cell lineages proceeded normally. Enforced expression of a Vα14Jα18 iNKT TCR transgene or loss of the proapoptotic protein Bim did not rescue iNKT cell maturation in Fnip1−/− mice. Whereas most known essential transcription factors for iNKT cell development were represented normally, Fnip1−/− iNKT cells failed to down-regulate Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger compared with their WT counterparts. Moreover, Fnip1−/− iNKT cells contained hyperactive mTOR and reduced mitochondrial number despite lower ATP levels, resulting in increased sensitivity to apoptosis. These results indicate that Fnip1 is vital for iNKT cell development by maintaining metabolic homeostasis in response to metabolic stress.
OPTICS OF CONDUCTIVE KERATOPLASTY: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRESBYOPIA MANAGEMENT

PURPOSE: To define the corneal optics of conductive keratoplasty (CK) and assess the clinical implications for hyperopia and presbyopia management. METHODS: Four analyses were done. (1) Multifocal effects: In a prospective study of CK, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) for a given refractive error in 72 postoperative eyes was compared to control eyes. (2) Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA): 203 eyes were analyzed for magnitude and axis of SIA. (3) Higher-order optical aberrations: Corneal higher-order optical aberrations were assessed for 36 eyes after CK and a similar patient population after hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). (4) Presbyopia clinical trial: Visual acuity, refractive result, and patient questionnaires were analyzed for 150 subjects in a prospective, multicenter clinical trial of presbyopia management with CK. RESULTS: (1) 63% and 82% of eyes after CK had better UCVA at distance and near, respectively, than controls. (2) The mean SIA was 0.23 diopter (D) steepening at 175 degrees (P < .001); mean magnitude was 0.66 D (SD, 0.43 D). (3) After CK, composite fourth- and sixth-order spherical aberration increased; change in (Z12) spherical aberration alone was not statistically significant. When compared to hyperopic LASIK, there was a statistically significant increase in composite fourth- and sixth-order spherical aberration (P < .01) and spherical aberration (Z12) alone (P < .02); spherical aberration change was more prolate after CK. (4) After the CK monovision procedure, 80% of patients had J3 or better binocular UCVA at near; 84% of patients were satisfied. Satisfaction was associated with near UCVA of J3 or better in the monovision eye (P = .001) and subjectively good postoperative depth perception (P = .038). CONCLUSIONS: CK seems to produce functional corneal multifocality with definable introduction of SIA and higher-order optical aberrations, and development of a more prolate corneal contour. These optical factors may militate toward improved near vision function.
Use of synthetic peptides for the detection and quantification of autoantibodies

The rapid progress made over the last 10 years in the identification of individual autoantigens and in the localization of the epitopes involved, has resulted in a parallel reduction in the complexity of the antigen required for the detection of autoantibodies. The ability to use synthetic peptides as antigens is a remarkable culmination of this process considering that many antigenic particles contain multiple proteins (eg. Sm consist of 8 or more individual proteins). Despite the fact that patients with SLE have a polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, excellent correlations between ELISAs utilizing the P2 or SmB/B′ synthetic peptides, ELISAs utilizing r proteins and immunoblotting were obtained [28, 38, 50]. However, false positive/non-specific binding to a P2-BSA-glutaraldehyde conjugate has been observed with serum from old MRL/lpr mice (unpublished observations). In addition, some of the results obtained in human autoimmune diseases suggest that non-specific binding may be problematic in some instances. It is difficult, at present, to know whether the higher frequencies of detection of autoantibodies to certain synthetic peptide antigens reflect increased sensitivity or decreased specificity. Synthetic peptide antigens have beeen used to detect autoantibodies in both organ specific and multisystem autoimmune diseases. In only a small number of cases have these reagents been rigorously tested for sensitivity and specificity. Despite this, synthetic peptides have been shown to be valuable for detection and quantification of autoantibodies in certain clinical situations. Undoubtedly, further progress in epitope mapping of autoantigens coupled with technological advances in protein synthesis and improved prediction of protein structure will lead to a large number of synthetic peptide antigens for research and clinical applications. It is unlikely that short synthetic peptides will substitute for native proteins in all instances since some autoantibodies show a striking preference for conformational epitopes.
sonic hedgehog and vascular endothelial growth factor Act Upstream of the Notch Pathway during Arterial Endothelial Differentiation

The appearance of molecular differences between arterial and venous endothelial cells before circulation suggests that genetic factors determine these cell types. We find that vascular endothelial growth factor (vegf) acts downstream of sonic hedgehog (shh) and upstream of the Notch pathway to determine arterial cell fate. Loss of Vegf or Shh results in loss of arterial identity, while exogenous expression of these factors causes ectopic expression of arterial markers. Microinjection of vegf mRNA into embryos lacking Shh activity can rescue arterial differentiation. Finally, activation of the Notch pathway in the absence of Vegf signaling can rescue arterial marker gene expression. These studies reveal a complex signaling cascade responsible for establishing arterial cell fate and suggest differential effects of Vegf on developing endothelial cells.
Age-Related Changes in Frontal Lobe Anatomy Require Alternatives to Opposed Lateral Fields

Abstract Purpose: To define the temporofrontal angle (TFA), determine the age and gender-related variability of the TFA, and discuss implications of those findings for radiation therapy (RT). Patients and Methods: Treatment-planning software computed tomography images for 122 patients were analyzed for frontal lobe excursion anteriorly between the orbits, defined as the TFA. The TFA, including its anterior and lateral components, was compared as a function of both age and gender. Results: The TFA decreased linearly in pediatric patients (P < .001); however, that linear relationship disappeared after age 20 (P = .84). Both male and female pediatric patients showed decreased frontal lobe projection as a function of age (male, P < .001; female, P = .001). Pediatric females, but not pediatric males, displayed an age-related increase in the lateral projection of their anterolateral temporal lobe (P = .001). Conclusion: Because frontal lobe position relative to the ocular globes varies with age and the frontal ...
Metabolic activities of mechanically and enzymatically prepared rat liver cells.

Abstract Isolated, intact rat liver cells were prepared by mechanical and enzymatic methods. Their abilities to synthesize protein, RNA, and lipid and to respire with and without added substrates were determined. Enzymatically prepared cells were superior to mechanically prepared cells in all respects. Such cell preparations did not satisfactorily reproduce the known metabolic changes characteristic of the endocrinological state of the animals from which they were obtained.
Uses of Agent-Based Modeling in Innovation/New Product Development Research

Little has been written in the new product development literature about the simulation technique agent-based modeling, which is a by-product of recent explorations into complex adaptive systems in other disciplines. Agent-based models (ABM) are commonly used in other social sciences to represent individual actors (or groups) in a dynamic adaptive system. The social system may be a marketplace, an organization, or any type of system that acts as a collective of individuals. Agents represent autonomous decision-making entities that interact with each other and/or with their environment based on a set of rules. These rules dictate the behavioral choices of the agents. In these simulation models, heterogeneous agents interact with each other in a repetitive process. It is from the interactions between agents that aggregate macroscale behaviors or trends emerge. The simulated environment can be thought of as a “virtual” society in which actions taken by one agent may have an effect on the resulting actions of another agent. This article is an introduction to the ABM methodology and its possible uses for innovation and new product development researchers. It explores the benefits and issues with modeling dynamic systems using this methodology. Benefits of ABMs found in sociology and management studies have found that as the heterogeneity of individuals increase in a system or as network effects become more important in a system, the effectiveness of ABMs as a methodology increases. Additionally, the more adaptive a system or the more the system evolves over time, the greater the opportunity to learn more about the adaptive system using ABMs. Limitations to using this methodology include some knowledge of computer-programming techniques. Three potential areas of research are introduced: diffusion of innovations, organizational strategy, and knowledge and information flows. A common use of ABMs in the extant literature has been the modeling of the diffusion process between networked heterogeneous agents. ABMs easily allow the modeling of different types of networks and the impact of these networks on the diffusion process. A demonstrative example of an agent-based model to address the research question of how should manufacturers allocate resources to research (exploration) and development (exploitation) projects is provided. Future courses of study using ABMs also are explored.
Inflammation in 3D

Our view of the response to infection is limited by current methodologies, which provide minimal spatial information on the systemic inflammatory response. In this issue, Attia et al. (2012) describe a cutting-edge approach to image the inflammatory response to infection, which includes identification of host proteins in three dimensions.
Scattering from side-illuminated clad glass fibers for determination of fiber parameters

The theoretical characteristics of the scattered-light pattern from a clad glass fiber illuminated by a laser beam perpendicular to its axis agree closely with results of experimental measurements of the scattered light. A simplified geometric ray-tracing technique shows that for fibers with medium and small core sizes, specific angle ranges of the scattering pattern provide determinations of fiber diameter independent of core parameters. Measurements of the fringe modulation give relatively sensitive determinations of core diameter. Light scattering is a useful technique for determining the diameters of both clad and unclad fiber. Total-diameter determinations have accuracies of ±0.2 μm and core diameters, ±0.5 μm for 0.02 refractive-index difference between core and cladding.
Measurement of yarn densities in fabrics using phase-shifted digital moire´

Yarn density, or yarn count, in a woven fabric is an important parameter that influences fabric structure and properties. The measurement of yarn density often involves tedious, inaccurate procedures. This paper presents a new method developed for rapid and accurate measurement of yarn density. The method takes advantage of the structural features of a woven fabric, and uses a computer-generated grating (a reference pattern) to produce digital moire interference on the fabric. The moire image is then demodulated and processed with a phase-shifting technique so that moire fringes can be extracted and counted. From the relation between the pitches of the grating and the moire fringes, the yarn density can be calculated. This technique does not need complicated optical setting or an interferometer to form moire fringes with fabrics, permitting fast and accurate measurement of yarn densities.
Toxic substance in blood of scalded crayfish (Orconectes virilus and Procambarus clarkii).

SummaryCrayfish (Orconectcs virilus and Procambarus clarkii) were scalded at 76°C for one to 3 minutes. A toxin was found in the blood of scalded crayfish, which, upon injection in normal crayfish, killed 91.1% of the recipients. The toxin taken from a scalded crayfish is a heat stable, non-dialyzable substance.
Open Access Journal Content Found In Commercial Full-Text Aggregation Databases And Journal Citation Reports

Joel Cummings, (2013) "Open access journal content found in commercial full-text aggregation databases and journal citation reports", New Library World, Vol. 114 Iss: 3/4, pp.166 – 178. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03074801311304078
Applications of the continuous-time ballot theorem to Brownian motion and related processes

Abstract Motivated by questions related to a fragmentation process which has been studied by Aldous, Pitman, and Bertoin, we use the continuous-time ballot theorem to establish some results regarding the lengths of the excursions of Brownian motion and related processes. We show that the distribution of the lengths of the excursions below the maximum for Brownian motion conditioned to first hit λ >0 at time t is not affected by conditioning the Brownian motion to stay below a line segment from (0, c ) to ( t , λ ). We extend a result of Bertoin by showing that the length of the first excursion below the maximum for a negative Brownian excursion plus drift is a size-biased pick from all of the excursion lengths, and we describe the law of a negative Brownian excursion plus drift after this first excursion. We then use the same methods to prove similar results for the excursions of more general Markov processes.
Effect of upright tilt on the phases of the cardiac cycle in normal subjects

Upright tilt stress effects on cardiac cycle phases in healthy subjects, using noninvasive techniques
THE USE OF THE METHYL VIOLOGEN NEUTRAL SPECIES AS A MEDIATOR

Abstract The use of methyl viologen (MV) neutral species as a mediator for the reduction of CH 3 I and the methanogenic bacterial nickel-containing cofactor F 430 is reported. Solutions of MV 0 were generated using a potential step electrolysis procedure in which MV .+ is first generated at −0.6 V (Ag/AgCl) and then MV 0 at −1.0 V (Ag/AgCl). The resulting spectrum of MV 0 has a prominent peak at 367 nm with a shoulder at 398 nm and no peaks in the 525 to 625 nm region. Spectral and total charge transfer comparisons from spectroelectrochemical experiments as well as cyclic voltammetric studies of MV 2+ alone and with CH 3 I and F 430 , individually, provide evidence for the MV 0 mediated reduction of CH 3 I and F 430 . To our knowledge, this represents the first use of MV 0 as a mediator for the reduction of another species.
Risk of Adverse Gastrointestinal Events from Inhaled Corticosteroids

Study Objective. To determine whether patients prescribed inhaled corticosteroids are at risk for adverse gastrointestinal effects. Design. Retrospective cohort study Setting. Urban health center with an academic affiliation. Patients. A total of 19,443 adults (mean age 31.8 yrs) with airways disease, defined as a diagnosis of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and who were prescribed both an inhaled corticosteroid and albuterol (7156 patients) or inhaled albuterol alone (12,287 patients) between 1977 and February 2002. Measurements and Main Results. The frequency of adverse gastrointestinal events in the patients who used inhaled corticosteroids and albuterol was compared with that in the patients who used albuterol alone. Adverse gastrointestinal outcomes included events such as gastritis, ulcers, and bleeding. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the risk of adverse events, controlling for possible confounders such as alcohol use or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use. Adverse gastrointestinal events were observed in 461 (6.4%) patients using inhaled corticosteroids and albuterol and in 302 (2.5%) patients using only albuterol. After controlling for potential confounders, patients who used inhaled corticosteroids and albuterol had an increased risk for adverse gastrointestinal events compared with patients who used only inhaled albuterol (hazard ratio [HR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.56). A prescription for a spacer device reduced this risk among patients using an inhaled corticosteroid (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.20-0.34). Conclusion. Patients using inhaled corticosteroids appear to have a slight risk for adverse gastrointestinal events that is mitigated in patients who used a spacer device.
mRNA-display-based selections for proteins with desired functions: a protease-substrate case study.

mRNA-display is an amplification-based, iterative rounds of in vitro protein selection technique that circumvents a number of difficulties associated with yeast two-hybrid and phage display. Because of the covalent linkage between the genotype and the phenotype, mRNA-display provides a powerful means for reading and amplifying a peptide or protein sequence after it has been selected from a library with a diversity in the range of 10 12 -10 13 . In this paper, we briefly review the recent progress in using mRNA-display to identify affinity reagents, binding partners, and enzyme substrates from synthetic peptide or natural proteome libraries. To facilitate the use of mRNA-display in research laboratories without previous experience, we provide a detailed analysis of the critical steps of an mRNA-display-based selection in a case study for the identification of the natural substrates of caspases, including the generation of an mRNA-displayed proteome library, removal of abundant sequences, and selection of proteins with desired functions. The advantages and technical limitations of mRNA-display as a general peptide or protein selection tool are also addressed.
Nanopore and nanobushing arrays from ABC triblock thin films containing two etchable blocks

We describe the preparation of polystyrene−polyisoprene−polylactide and polyisoprene−polystyrene−polylactide ABC triblock terpolymer thin films followed by removal of one or both sacrificial components (i.e., polylactide and polyisoprene) to give large area arrays of nanopores and more complex “nanobushing” structures, respectively.
Site variation in reproductive synchrony in three neotropical figs

. To investigate the persistence of figs and their short-lived pollinators in highly seasonal environments and in small populations, three native figs were studied near the edge of their range in Sonora, Mexico. The reproductive phenologies of Ficus insipida (Willd.) and F. petiolaris (H.B.K.) were contrasted between a drier site with small populations and a wetter site with large populations. In addition, F. pertusa (L.) phenology was censused in the wetter site and compared with findings from Central America. Trees from smaller populations in the drier site produced less synchronous crops. Individuals within populations became reproductively synchronized at the population level but rapidly attained asynchrony in the drier site because of a breakdown in within-tree crop synchrony. Sexual-phase overlap occurred in all species and sites. Intraspecific variation in reproductive phenology may explain the persistence of figs and fig wasps in highly seasonal environments and small populations.