cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cholesterol regulates prokaryotic Kir channel by direct binding to channel protein.

Cholesterol is a major regulator of a variety of ion channels but the mechanisms underlying cholesterol sensitivity of ion channels are still poorly understood. The key question is whether cholesterol regulates ion channels by direct binding to the channel protein or by altering the physical environment of lipid bilayer. In this study, we provide the first direct evidence that cholesterol binds to prokaryotic Kir channels, KirBac1.1, and that cholesterol binding is essential for its regulatory effect. Specifically, we show that cholesterol is eluted together with the KirBac1.1 protein when separated on an affinity column and that the amount of bound cholesterol is proportional to the amount of the protein. We also show that cholesterol binding to KirBac1.1 is saturable with a KD of 390 μM. Moreover, there is clear competition between radioactive and non-radioactive cholesterol for the binding site. There is no competition, however, between cholesterol and 5-Androsten 3β-17 β-diol, a sterol that we showed previously to have no effect on KirBac1.1 function. Finally, we show that cholesterol-KirBac1.1 binding is significantly inhibited by trifluoperazine, known to inhibit cholesterol binding to other proteins, and that inhibition of cholesterol-KirBac1.1 binding results in full recovery of the channel activity. Collectively, results from this study indicate that cholesterol-induced suppression of KirBac1.1 activity is mediated by direct interaction between cholesterol and the channel protein.
Responsive and patterned polymer brushes

While polymer brush systems continue to grow in popularity, so does their complexity and sophistication. Advances in polymerization and specific functionalization methods have led to novel applications in diverse research fields. The marriage of top-down lithography with bottom-up brush processing is becoming increasingly important in the development and progress of nanotechnology. The aim of this review is to examine different approaches taken to generate tailored polymer brush systems through surface-initiated polymerizations as well as patterning techniques. Detaching polymer brushes to create free-standing membranes is also highlighted and discussed in terms of methods and characterization. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1457–1472
On the existence and non-existence of elliptic pseudoprimes

In a series of papers, D. Gordon and C. Pomerance demonstrated that pseudoprimes on elliptic curves behave in many ways very similar to pseudoprimes related to Lucas sequences. In this paper we give an answer to a challenge that was posted by D. Gordon in 1989. The challenge was to either prove that a certain composite N ≡ 1 mod 4 did not exist, or to explicitly calculate such a number. In this paper, we both present such a specific composite (for Gordon's curve with CM by Q(√―7)), as well as a proof of the non-existence (for curves with CM by Q(√―3)). We derive some criteria for the group structure of CM curves that allow testing for all composites, including N ≡ 3 mod 4 which had been excluded by Gordon. This gives rise to another type of examples of composites where strong elliptic pseudoprimes are not Euler elliptic pseudoprimes.
Out-of-Core LU Decomposition on a Multiple-DSP Platform

High performance LU decomposition is critical in simulating complex power systems the Virtual Test Bed (VTB) environment. In this paper, we study the parallel LU decomposition problem on the distributed computing platform. We developed a pipelined out-of-core algorithm to reduce the communication cost in the distributed system and implement the algorithm on a commercial multi-DSP board. We also optimized the program code based on the superscalar feature of the target platform to improve the efficiency of this algorithm. The experimental results show that our algorithm can lead to significant improvement over the original algorithm.
Social information processing skills in children with histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure.

Based on caregiver report, children with prenatal alcohol exposure have difficulty with social functioning, but little is known about their social cognition. The current study assessed the social information processing patterns of school-age children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure using a paradigm based on Crick and Dodge’s reformulated six-stage model. Fifty-two children (aged 7–11) with and without heavy prenatal alcohol exposure were tested using a structured interview measure of social information processing involving 18 videotaped vignettes of children in group entry and provocation situations. Alcohol-exposed children displayed maladaptive processing patterns on the goal, response generation, and response evaluation steps in group entry situations, and encoding, attribution, response evaluation, and enactment steps during provocation situations. Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure also had difficulty on the Test of Problem Solving, and performance correlated with social information processing measures. Such difficulties may lead to problems in social functioning and warrant early intervention.
Blind multiuser receiver for space-time coded CDMA signals in frequency-selective channels

Blind detection of a desired user's signal in a direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) system using multiple transmit and receive antennas and space-time (ST) block coding is considered. We consider Alamouti's ST coding scheme for two transmit antennas designed for flat-fading channels, but allow the channel to be frequency-selective. Past work on blind detectors for ST-coded DS-CDMA systems is restricted to flat-fading channels. A (spreading) code-constrained inverse filter criterion (IFC)-based linear blind detector to detect a desired user's signal for uncoded CDMA signals exploiting only a single transmit and single receive antenna was recently presented by Tugnait and Li. In ST-coded multi antenna CDMA systems, a user signal may be treated as the superposition of several virtual user signals derived from the same parent user. In this paper a novel approach combining the code-constrained IFC and a penalty function is developed to simultaneously extract all virtual users associated. with a given ST-coded user. Global minima of the proposed cost functions are analyzed.
The Effect of Simvastatin on Infection‐Induced Inflammatory Response of Human Fetal Membranes

Problem Inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to preterm labor pathophysiology. The objective of this study was to test anti-inflammatory properties of simvastatin in human fetal membranes exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Method of study Normal term human fetal membrane explants (n = 11) were allocated to one of the six study groups: control, LPS only (100 ng/mL), simvastatin only (125 ng/mL), simvastatin given 6 hrs prior to LPS (S-L), simvastatin given 6 hrs post-LPS (L-S), and simvastatin and LPS given simultaneously (L+S). Explants were incubated for 24 hrs. Multiplex ELISA for cytokines: IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α; soluble cytokine receptors: sIL-1R2, sIL-6R, sTNFR1, and R2; MMPs (1, 2, 7, 9, and 10); and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) was performed on tissue culture supernatants. Pairwise comparison between different groups was conducted by least square mean estimates. Results Compared with controls, LPS stimulation increased cytokine production and their tissue bioavailability (measured as the molar ratio of cytokine to its soluble receptor), thus confirming membrane immune reactivity (P < 0.01). Pre-treatment with simvastatin (S-L) reduced IL-6 (P = 0.02), TNF-α (P = 0.02), and MMP-9 (P = 0.01); post-treatment (L-S) reduced IL-1β (P = 0.02) and TNF-α (P = 0.04), while simultaneous treatment (L+S) did not reduce any of the cytokines tested. Simvastatin reduced the molar ratio of TNF-α/sTNFR1 or R2 and IL-1β/sIL-1R2 (P = 0.01 and 0.04 in S-L group; P = 0.01 and 0.004 in L-S group, respectively). S-L additionally reduced MMP-9/TIMP-2 molar ratio (P = 0.0007). Conclusions Simvastatin downregulates LPS-induced inflammatory response and restores homeostasis between pro- and anti-inflammatory processes. Simvastatin may reduce fetal inflammatory response associated with infection-induced preterm birth.
An NAD synthetic reaction bypasses the lipoate requirement for aerobic growth of Escherichia coli strains blocked in succinate catabolism

The lipoate coenzyme is essential for function of the pyruvate (PDH) and 2-oxoglutarate (OGDH) dehydrogenases and thus for aerobic growth of Escherichia coli. LipB catalyzes the first step in lipoate synthesis, transfer of an octanoyl moiety from the fatty acid synthetic intermediate, octanoyl-ACP, to PDH and OGDH. E. coli also encodes LplA, a ligase that in presence of exogenous octanoate (or lipoate) can bypass loss of LipB. LplA imparts ΔlipB strains with a 'leaky' growth phenotype on aerobic glucose minimal medium supplemented with succinate (which bypasses the OGDH-catalyzed reaction), because it scavenges an endogenous octanoate pool to activate PDH. Here we characterize a ΔlipB suppressor strain that did not require succinate supplementation, but did require succinyl-CoA ligase, confirming the presence of alternative source(s) of cytosolic succinate. We report that suppression requires inactivation of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), which greatly reduces the cellular requirement for succinate. In the suppressor strain succinate is produced by three enzymes, any one of which will suffice in the absence of SDH. These three enzymes are: trace levels of OGDH, the isocitrate lyase of the glyoxylate shunt and an unanticipated source, aspartate oxidase, the enzyme catalyzing the first step of nicotinamide biosynthesis.
Positive FAST without hemoperitoneum due to fluid resuscitation in blunt trauma.

Abstract Background The focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) examination is an important screening tool in the evaluation of blunt trauma patients. Objectives To describe a case of a hemodynamically unstable polytrauma patient with positive FAST due to fluid resuscitation after blunt trauma. Case Report We describe a case of a hemodynamically unstable polytrauma patient who underwent massive volume resuscitation prior to transfer from a community hospital to a trauma center. On arrival at the receiving institution, the FAST examination was positive for free intraperitoneal fluid, but no hemoperitoneum or significant intra-abdominal injuries were found during laparotomy. In this case, it is postulated that transudative intraperitoneal fluid secondary to massive volume resuscitation resulted in a positive FAST examination. Conclusion This case highlights potential issues specific to resuscitated trauma patients with prolonged transport times. Further study is likely needed to assess what changes, if any, should be made in algorithms to address the effect of prior resuscitative efforts on the test characteristics of the FAST examination.
Waveguide Faraday rotation in Fe:InGaAsP

Waveguide Faraday rotation is demonstrated for the first time in Fe:InP/Fe:InGaAsP. The measured Verdet coefficient is 33.3deg/mm/T, which is only four times smaller than the Verdet coefficient of YIG.
The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry

The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry. Bryan Sykes. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2001. 306 pp.
Diabetes in the Adolescent: Transitional Issues

Content: Orchestrating a seamless transition from pediatric to adult care can be a daunting task in caring for youth with diabetes mellitus. This clinical review focuses on physical and psychosocial aspects affecting the care of adolescents and young adults with diabetes, evaluates how these aspects can be barriers in the process of transitioning these patients to adult diabetes care, and provides clinical approaches to optimizing the transition process in order to improve diabetes care and outcomes. Evidence Acquisition and Synthesis: A PubMed search identified articles related to transition to adult diabetes care and physical and psychosocial assessment of adolescents with diabetes. An Internet search for transition of diabetes care identified online transition resources. The synthesis relied on the cumulative experience of the authors. We identify barriers to successful transition and provide a checklist for streamlining the process. Conclusions: Key points in the transition to adult diabetes care incl...
A Failure to Communicate: 9/11 and the Tragedy of the Informational Commons

“…someday someone will die—and wall or not—the public will not understand why we were not more effective and throwing every resource we had at certain ‘problems’.” –Email from an angry FBI agent to...
Lymphomas and chylous ascites: review of the literature.

Chylous ascites is a rare and challenging clinical condition that occurs as a result of disruption of the abdominal lymphatics. We include a review of the literature describing the etiology, diagnosis, and therapy of chylous ascites. The Oncologist 2005;10:632-635
The 2011 Mw 9.0 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake: Comparison of deep-water tsunami signals with finite-fault rupture model predictions

Finite-source rupture models for the great 11 March 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku (Mw 9.0) Earthquake obtained by inversions of seismic waves and geodetic observations are used to reconstruct deep-water tsunami recordings from DART buoys near Japan. One model is from least-squares inversion of teleseismic P waves, and another from iterative least-squares search-based joint inversion of teleseismic P waves, short-arc Rayleigh wave relative source time functions, and high-rate GPS observations from northern Honshu. These rupture model inversions impose similar kinematic constraints on the rupture growth, and both have concentrations of slip of up to 42 m up-dip from the hypocenter, with substantial slip extending to the trench. Tsunami surface elevations were computed using the model NEOWAVE, which includes a vertical momentum equation and a non-hydrostatic pressure term in the nonlinear shallow-water equations to account for the time-history of seafloor deformation and propagation of weakly dispersive tsunami waves. Kinematic seafloor deformations were computed using the Okada solutions for the rupture models. Good matches to the tsunami arrival times and waveforms are achieved for the DART recordings for models with slip extending all the way to the trench, whereas shifting fault slip toward the coast degrades the predictions.
The C-MAC® video laryngoscope is superior to the direct laryngoscope for the rescue of failed first-attempt intubations in the emergency department.

Abstract Objective To compare the effectiveness of the C-MAC® video laryngoscope (CMAC) to the direct laryngoscope (DL) when used to rescue a failed first attempt intubation in the emergency department (ED). Methods Data were prospectively collected on all patients intubated in an academic ED center over a five-year period from February 1, 2009 to January 31, 2014 when both the CMAC and the DL were available. Following each intubation the operator completed a continuous quality improvement (CQI) form documenting patient, operator and intubation characteristics. All orotracheal intubations attempted by emergency physicians (EPs) on adult patients with a failed first intubation attempt, and in which the CMAC or the DL was used for the second attempt, were included. The primary outcome was successful intubation on the second attempt using either the CMAC or the DL. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for potential confounders. Results During the five-year study period, there were 460 adult orotracheal intubation attempts by EPs which were not successful on the first attempt. In 398 (86.5%) of these cases the same operator performed the second attempt. The CMAC was utilized for the second attempt in 141 cases and was successful in 116 (82.3%; 95% CI 75.0%-88.2%) and the DL was utilized in 94 cases and was successful in 58 (61.7%; 95% CI 51.1%-71.5%). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis the CMAC was associated with an increased odds (adjusted OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.9-6.7) of a second attempt success compared to the DL. Conclusions After a failed first intubation attempt in the ED, regardless of the initial device used, the CMAC was more successful than the DL when used for the second attempt. This suggests that the CMAC is the preferred rescue device after an initial intubation attempt in the ED fails.
Illuminating the Effects of Dynamic Lighting on Student Learning

Light is universally understood as essential to the human condition. Yet light quality varies substantially in nature and in controlled environments leading to questions of which artificial light characteristics facilitate maximum learning. Recent research has examined lighting variables of color temperature, and illumination for affecting sleep, mood, focus, motivation, concentration, and work and school performance. This has resulted in artificial light systems intended to support human beings in their actualization through dynamic lighting technology allowing for different lighting conditions per task. A total of 84 third graders were exposed to either focus (6000K-100fc average maintained) or normal lighting. Focus lighting led to a higher percentage increase in oral reading fluency performance (36%) than did control lighting (17%). No lighting effects were found for motivation or concentration, possibly attributable to the younger age level of respondents as compared with European studies. These findings illuminate the need for further research on artificial light and learning.
YAHA: fast and flexible long-read alignment with optimal breakpoint detection

Motivation: With improved short-read assembly algorithms and the recent development of long-read sequencers, split mapping will soon be the preferred method for structural variant (SV) detection. Yet, current alignment tools are not well suited for this. Results: We present YAHA, a fast and flexible hash-based aligner. YAHA is as fast and accurate as BWA-SW at finding the single best alignment per query and is dramatically faster and more sensitive than both SSAHA2 and MegaBLAST at finding all possible alignments. Unlike other aligners that report all, or one, alignment per query, or that use simple heuristics to select alignments, YAHA uses a directed acyclic graph to find the optimal set of alignments that cover a query using a biologically relevant breakpoint penalty. YAHA can also report multiple mappings per defined segment of the query. We show that YAHA detects more breakpoints in less time than BWA-SW across all SV classes, and especially excels at complex SVs comprising multiple breakpoints. Availability: YAHA is currently supported on 64-bit Linux systems. Binaries and sample data are freely available for download from http://faculty.virginia.edu/irahall/YAHA. Contact: ude.ainigriv@y4hmi
Switchable electrolyte properties and redox chemistry in aqueous media based on temperature-responsive polymers

Macromolecular ionomer solutions exhibiting macroscopic properties that change in response to temperature are referred to as thermally responsive polymer electrolytes (RPEs). Such materials provide a means to control electrochemical systems using an external stimulus that affects the polymer phase behavior and electrolyte properties. RPEs were synthesized with N-isopropylacrylamide, which governs the thermal properties, and varying fractions of acrylic acid, which provides ionic properties. These polymers undergo a thermally activated phase separation in aqueous solutions at a given temperature, thereby altering the ionic strength, pH, and conductivity of the electrolyte solution. In this article, we demonstrate how the molecular properties of RPEs, specifically the ionic composition, influence the temperature-dependent electrolyte properties and the extent to which these electrolytes can control the activity of redox electrodes. Materials with high ionic content provide the highest room temperature ion conductivity and redox activity; however, RPEs with low ionic content provide the highest “on–off” ratio in electrochemical activity at elevated temperatures.
Prognostic markers for urologic cancers.

© The Canadian Journal of UrologyTM; 23(1); February 2016 Address correspondence to Dr. Jay D. Raman, Department of Urology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, BMR c4830F, Hershey, PA 17033 USA Prognostic markers for urologic cancers Jay D. Raman, MD Department of Urology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA Referring to the article published on pp. 8151-8154 in this issue
An Energy Based Critical Fatigue Life Prediction Method

The capability of a critical life, energy-based fat igue prediction method is analyzed in this study. The t heory behind the prediction method states that the strain energy accumulated during monotonic fracture and fatigue are equal. T herefore, a precise understanding of the strain energy density behavior in each failure process is necessary. The initial und erstanding of energy behavior shows that the accumulated strain e nergy density during monotonic fracture is the area under neath the experimental stress-strain curve, whereas the sum o f the constant area within every stress-strain hysteresis loop of the cyclic loading process is the total strain energy d ensity accumulated during fatigue; meaning, fatigue life i s determined by dividing monotonic strain energy density by the strain energy density in one cycle. Further observ ation of the energy trend during fatigue shows that strain energ y density per cycle is not constant throughout the process as initially assumed. This finding led to the incorporation of a critical life effect into the energy-based fatigue prediction met hod. The analysis of the method’s capability was conducted o n Al 6061T6 ASTM standard specimens. The results of the analysis provide further improvement to the characterization of strain energy density for both monotonic fracture and fati gue; thus improving the capability of the energy-based fatigu e life prediction method.
Response of Non-Axisymmetric Premixed, Swirl Flames to Helical Disturbances

Flow oscillations associated with hydrodynamic instabilities comprise a key element of the feedback loop during self-excited combustion driven oscillations. This work is motivated in particular by the question of how to scale thermoacoustic stability results from single nozzle or sector combustors to full scale systems. Specifically, this paper considers the response of non-axisymmetric flames to helical flow disturbances of the form Display Formulau^i′∝expimθ where m denotes the helical mode number. This work closely follows prior studies of the response of axisymmetric flames to helical disturbances. In that case, helical modes induce strong flame wrinkling, but only the axisymmetric, m = 0 mode, leads to fluctuations in overall flame surface area and, therefore, heat release. All other helical modes induce local area/heat release fluctuations with azimuthal phase variations that cancel each other out when integrated over all azimuthal angles. However, in the case of mean flame non-axisymmetries, the azimuthal deviations on the mean flame surface inhibit such cancellations and the asymmetric helical modes (m ≠ 0) cause a finite global flame response. In this paper, a theoretical framework for non-axisymmetric flames is developed and used to illustrate how the flame shape influences which helical modes lead to net flame surface area fluctuations. Example results are presented which illustrate the contributions made by these asymmetric helical modes to the global flame response and how this varies with different control parameters such as degree of asymmetry in the mean flame shape or Strouhal number. Thus, significantly different sensitivities may be observed in single and multi-nozzle flames in otherwise identical hardware in flows with strong helical disturbances, if there are significant deviations in time averaged flame shape between the two, particularly if one of the cases is nearly axisymmetric.© 2014 ASME
Novel Approaches to THz Sources and Detectors at Room Temperature for Imaging

We will highlight our recent progress on the development of widely-tunable monochromatic THz sources, based on difference-frequency generation, and upconversion, for THz imaging within the atmospheric windows.
Realization of system converse solution based on process neural networks and genetic algorithm

A optimization algorithm of process neural networks and genetic algorithm(PNN-GA) is proposed,it aims at determining MIMO system input by the system model and desired output.First,the process neural networks(PNN) that represent the mapping relation between input and output of the system is founded according to system field knowledge and training sample sets.Secondly,fitness function of genetic algorithm(GA) is constructed according to PNN output error.Based on the desired output of the system,we determined the process input signal which conforms to the PNN mapping relation that was found,thus the system converse process solution is accomplished.The general realization approach is presented in this paper.An application example is given to illustrate the applicability of the approach.
Oral prostaglandin E2 for induction of labor at term: II. Comparison of two low-dosage regimens☆

Prostaglandin E2 was administered orally for induction of labor in 100 normal term gravidas with two dosage regimens. The data derived were compared with comparable data from gravidas matched with study patients according to prelabor cervical preparation and other relevant obstetric and actuarial features. Analysis of patterns of cervical dilatation and station vs. time was carried out. A dose of 0.5 mg. hourly was found to be effective in inducing labor of good quality with minimal side effects, providing a better balance between efficacy and adverse reactions than the higher dosage level.
Chapter 5 – Instrumental Aspects of Liquid Chromatography

Modern liquid chromatography requires instrumentation capable of accommodating columns of different sizes with a range of optimum operating conditions. Typical features include high-pressure operation, accurate preparation of mobile-phase compositions, stable mobile-phase flow rates, and online detection, all under conditions that preserve the high peak efficiency of the column. A solvent delivery system consisting of reservoirs, mixers, valves, pumps, dampers, and flow and pressure controllers is responsible for delivering the desired mobile-phase composition to the head of the column as a continuous and pulse-free stream at a known pressure and volumetric flow rate. An injection valve is connected to the head of the column for loading the sample solution under ambient conditions and then inserting a known volume of the sample into the fully pressurized mobile-phase flow. The separation is recorded continuously on the low-pressure side of the column using an online detector with a small operating volume, high sensitivity, and a fast response. To achieve optimal control of the individual components, the operation is supervised and managed by a computer or several microprocessors. The basic components of a liquid chromatograph cover a wide range of sophistication, features, and cost. Most systems are modular to provide maximum operating flexibility and, frequently, fully automated. Advanced materials allow the fabrication of instruments from nonmetallic components for enhanced biocompatibility and corrosion resistance in life science and ion-chromatography applications.
Delivering on the promise of precision cancer medicine

The emerging paradigm of precision cancer medicine, in which the use of molecular data at the point of care directly impacts patient treatment and clinical decision-making, has already had a substantial, direct clinical impact on many aspects of medical oncology. Advances in precision cancer medicine include well-established molecularly targeted therapies for patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma [1], those with EGFR-mutant [2] or ALK-mutant [3] non-small-cell lung cancer, and those with BCR–ABL-translocation-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia [4]. In addition, the introduction of large-scale genomic technologies at the point of care [5–7] has catalyzed discoveries in translational oncology and is driving new research that aims to dissect selective responses to targeted, immune-driven therapies and to chemotherapies, as well as identifying novel targets for which therapies are now in development. Indeed, propelled by the ability to generate increasingly complex molecular data directly from patient tumor and germ-line samples, the cycle of translating discoveries into clinical practice may be accelerating.
Stratigraphic and provenance variations in the early evolution of the Magallanes-Austral foreland basin: Implications for the role of longitudinal versus transverse sediment dispersal during arc-continent collision

Resolving the role of longitudinal versus transverse sediment dispersal in ancient sedimentary basins is paramount for understanding filling history and the timing of source area exhumation. The southern Patagonian Andes provide a unique opportunity for constraining these relationships because Upper Cretaceous shallow- and deep-marine strata that record the longitudinal filling history of the Magallanes-Austral foreland basin are exposed along a 500+ km outcrop belt. New stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and facies analyses of the Cenomanian-aged Lago Viedma Formation indicate a protracted phase of a dominantly shoreface and foreshore depositional setting at the northern end of the basin (Austral basin sector), whereas 200 km to the south, age-equivalent strata of the Punta Barrosa Formation are characterized by southward-flowing deep-water fan systems. New sandstone compositional data from both formations are rich in intermediate volcanic grains and suggest an undissected to transitional volcanic arc source. However, detrital zircon populations from the shallow-marine Lago Viedma Formation are dominated by arc sources (126−75 Ma), whereas deep-water strata of the Punta Barrosa Formation contain much greater abundances of Jurassic (199−161 Ma) and pre-Jurassic (>200 Ma) ages. This indicates that deep-water fan systems were not linked to a shelfal sediment dispersal system by a simple northward point-source model, despite consistent southward-directed paleocurrents in deep-water strata. Time-transgressive provenance variations continue southward (along strike), where lithostratigraphic equivalents in the Ultima Esperanza and Fuegian sectors of the basin contain a mix of arc and pre-Jurassic metamorphic basement sources and a paucity of Jurassic ages. We interpret these along-strike provenance variations to be the result of significant local sediment contributions from transverse sources. The influence of transverse tributaries during the early history of the Magallanes-Austral foreland basin suggests that the diachronous onset of coarse clastic deposition in the basin was likely due to the progressive delivery (and initiation) of more locally derived coarse clastic sediment. We attribute this to southward-progressing thrust-belt development associated with progressive north to south collision (or suturing) of the parautochthonous Patagonian arc with attenuated continental crust of South America.
Probabilistic and Likelihood-Based Methods for Protein Identification from MS/MS Data

The process of identification of peptides from the mass spectra and the constituent proteins in a sample is called protein identification. In the current literature, there exist many proposed approaches for the protein identification problem based on tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data. While there are many two-step protein identification procedures that first identify peptides in a separate process and then use the results in protein identification, in recent years there have been attempts to develop a one-step solution to the problem through simultaneous identification of proteins and peptides in a sample. We briefly introduce the probabilistic and likelihood-based two-step and one-step procedures and report some comparative performances of these procedures for different MS/MS data.
Computational tools for studying gene regulation in the 3-dimensional genome

Determining the 3-dimensional structure of the genome and its impact on gene expression has been a long-standing question in cell biology. Recent development in mapping technologies for chromatin interactions has led to a rapid increase in this kind of interaction data, revealing a hierarchical organization of the 3D genome, from large compartments spanning multiple chromosomes, to mega-base-sized topological associated chromatin domains, to individual long-range chromatin loops mediating enhancer-promoter interactions. With the explosion of chromatin interaction data, there is a pressing need for analytical tools. In this talk, I will describe two computational algorithms for analyzing chromatin interaction data at different scales. I will first present a fast algorithm for identifying large-scale, hierarchical chromatin domains. I will demonstrate how the algorithm enables studies of chromatin subdomains in gene regulation. Accurate knowledge of enhancer-promoter interactions is a pre-requisite to understanding regulatory output of enhancers. I will present an algorithm for predicting enhancer-promoter interactions by integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic data. Using data from multiple human cell types, I will demonstrate how the algorithm can help decipher the mechanisms underlying enhancer-promoter communication.
Determinants of Patient-Centered Financial Stress in Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose:To prospectively estimate patient-centered financial stress and its relationship with health care utilization in patients with head and neck cancer. This was a survey-based, longitudinal, prospective study of treatment-naive patients with stage III, IVa, or IVb locally advanced head and neck cancer at a single-institution tertiary care hospital from May 2013 to November 2014. With 121 patients approached, 73 (60%) agreed to participate.Methods:Self-reported data were collected on demographics, income, wealth, cost-coping strategies, out-of-pocket costs, supportive medication compliance, and perceived social isolation. Health care utilization was measured by hospital admissions and outpatient appointments on a 6-month timeline. Logistic regression models were constructed to identify factors associated with use of cost-coping strategies. Covariates included all demographics, measures of income, wealth, out-of-pocket costs, indirect costs, and perceived social isolation.Results:Fifty-one patients (69...
Release and recovery of pectic hydrocolloids and phenolics from culled citrus fruits

Abstract The citrus industry worldwide is threatened by a bacterial disease (Huanglongbing, HLB) spread by a sap sucking hemipteran, the Asian citrus psyllid ( Diaphorina citri ). Before tree death there is a period of increased preharvest fruit drop and the production of smaller fruit containing off-flavored juice. The increasing frequency of HLB symptomatic fruit moving into the juice processing chain may become a challenge for maintaining flavor quality. An alternative use is sought for flavor degrading fruits, to recover value for fruit growers and juice processors. The purpose of this study was to investigate a steam explosion process for the release and recovery of highly functional pectic hydrocolloids and phenolic compounds from culled fruit. Symptomatic fruit from two varieties were culled and either entire fruits or juice-extracted fruit peels were submitted to steam explosion. Released pectic hydrocolloids, a useful hydrocolloid readily functionalized via alkaline demethylesterification, were co-isolated with a solvent-free fraction enriched in phenolic compounds. Recovery of pectic hydrocolloids ranged from 58% to 78%. Weight average molecular weight of this material ranged from 5.78 × 10 5 to 1.02 × 10 6 kDa and the degree of methylesterification ranged from 61% to 79%. Functionalization using alkaline, calcium sequestering compounds resulted in viscosities up to 250 mPa s −1 . Additionally, recovery ranges of 5%–100% of the polymethoxylated flavones, 2%–71% of the flavanone glycosides, >50% of the limonoids were obtained. These results indicate this process would be useful for recovering value from culled fruit which would otherwise either degrade juice quality or be shunted for conversion to low value animal feed.
Exclusive $$\pi ^{0}$$ π 0 Electroproduction in the Resonance Region

The exclusive electroproduction process $$ep \rightarrow e'p'\pi ^{0}$$ was measured in the range of the photon virtualities $$Q^{2} = 0.4$$ –1.0 GeV $$^{2}$$ , and the invariant mass range of the $$p\pi ^{0}$$ system $$W = 1.1$$ –1.8 GeV. For the first time these kinematics are covered in exclusive $$\pi ^{0}$$ electroproduction off the proton with the nearly complete angular coverage in the $$p\pi ^{0}$$ center of mass system with high statistics. The cross section was measured and the structure functions $$\sigma _T+\epsilon \sigma _L$$ , $$\sigma _{TT}$$ and $$\sigma _{LT}$$ were extracted via fitting the $$\phi ^{*}_{\pi ^{0}}$$ dependance. Analysis of these results has revealed the data sensitivity to the contribution from the nucleon resonances $$N(1650)1/2^-$$ , $$N(1685)5/2^{+}$$ , and $$\varDelta (1700)3/2^{-}$$ . Combined studies of $$\pi ^{+}n$$ and $$\pi ^{0}p$$ electroproduction off proton data from CLAS at $$W>1.6$$ GeV will provide the first results on the high lying $$N^{*}$$ and $$\varDelta $$ electrocouplings at $$Q^{2}$$ < 1.0 GeV $$^{2}$$ for all excited nucleons with substantial decays to the $$N\pi $$ final states. These new experimental data will extend the insight into the complex interplay between the inner quark core and outer meson–baryon cloud in the structure of nucleon resonances with masses above 1.6 GeV.
Urban–rural inequalities in spatial accessibility to prenatal care: a GIS analysis of Georgia, USA, 2000–2010

Understanding inequalities in spatial accessibility to prenatal care over space and time is critical for policymakers to plan a more effective distribution of health resources, improve access to prenatal care, and promote maternal and infant health. However, urban–rural inequalities in spatial accessibility to prenatal care have not been well studied. Using geographic information systems and the two-transportation-mode two-step floating catchment area method, we first assess and compare the spatial variation and urban–rural inequalities of spatial accessibility to prenatal care in Georgia for years 2000 and 2010. Then we designate census-tract-based prenatal care shortage areas that have both poor spatial accessibility and high demand population in each year. The results show that, for both years 2000 and 2010, spatial accessibility to prenatal care was best in urban core areas and decreased as rurality increases. However, the differences among suburban, urban influence, and rural areas were reduced over the decade. A total of eight census tracts, most located on the fringe of metropolitan Atlanta, had a prenatal care shortage in both years. According to the results, we suggest that spatial accessibility to prenatal care in non-urban-core areas in Georgia needs more attention from policymakers.
Methods Development for Sampling Contaminated Soils and Sediments for Volatile Organic Compound Measurements

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethene and toluene are are often of principal concern in hazardous waste sites containing contaminated soils and sediments. Since many VOCs have serious adverse health effects and site remediation is costly, decisions regarding the significance of contamination and cleanup must be based on accurate VOC measurements. Unfortunately, VOC measurements in soils and sediments are subject to negative bias (i.e. measured value < true value), a significant and elusive source of error caused principally by volatilization losses. Despite this, there are currently no standardized methods for sampling soils and sediments for VOC analyses. Instead, a wide variety of basic soil sampling procedures have normally been used, although more sophisticated materials and methods have recently appeared (e.g. specialized mini-core extractors, infield containerization in special purge and trap vessels, or infield solvent immersion). There is a growing recognition that standardized procedures are needed which account for the special properties and behavior of VOCs as well as the difficult situations in which samples are often collected (e.g. wet/cold weather, dirty/dusty environments, high hazard locations). This paper presents highlights of recent research and development directed toward standardizing VOC sampling methods.
The Role of Duplex Ultrasound Before, During, and After Endovenous Procedures

Duplex ultrasound (DU) is an important imaging tool used in the diagnosis of venous insufficiency, as well as classifying the etiology of the venous insufficiency and assessing patients who are candidates for an endovenous procedure. As part of the initial patient evaluation, DU helps determine the location of truncal reflux, the size of each abnormal vein, and the presence of adjacent incompetent veins. DU also evaluates other causes of chronic venous insufficiency, such as perforator vein incompetence, or prior DVT and/or SVT. During endovenous treatment procedures, DU is critical in guiding needle access, facilitating sheath placement, imaging while passing the endovenous device up the vein, and measuring the distance between the tip of the catheter and the deep venous system. In patients undergoing truncal thermal ablation, DU is also used during placement of tumescent solution around the vein to be treated, prior to endovenous treatment. For endovenous perforator procedures, DU is used to facilitate needle and catheter placement in the vein at the level of the fascia. Following endovenous treatment, DU also helps assess the success of ablation, extent of the venous closure, and complications such as hematoma, DVT, and endovenous heat-induced thrombosis.
Anhydrous HFSE Depleted Peridotite as a Ubiquitous Mantle Component

We report here the widespread occurrence of mantle peridotites in both suboceanic and subcontinental lithosphere that show HFSE depletions similar to those of island arc volcanics. The generation of these depletions is not related to the subduction process. These anhydrous peridotites, which reside at high levels in the mantle, cannot generate, nor be in equilibrium with, mid-ocean ridge or ocean island basalts, and have a complex geochemical history involving partial melting, melt extraction and metasomatism.
Kinetics of tryptophanase inactivation/activation by sudden removal/addition of potassium ions with the aid of a crown ether or cryptand.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses kinetics of tryptophanase inactivation/activation by sudden removal/addition of potassium ions with the aid of a crown ether or cryptand. Tryptophanase from Escherichia coli B/lt7-A is a member of a group of monovalent cation-activated pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes that catalyze α-β elimination reactions of amino acid substrates. Two moles of thallium are bound per mole of subunit. Thallium substitutes for K+. The spectrum of the active enzyme contains absorption maxima centered at 337 nm and 420 nm. Their relative amplitudes are sensitive to the nature and concentration of the monovalent cation and to pH. The absorption band at 420 nm dominates the absorption spectrum of the inactive K+-free enzyme. This chapter explores the kinetics of deactivation of the enzyme by mixing, on a stopped-flow time scale, the holoenzyme K+ complex with an excess of 18-crown-6 or cryptand, both of which are well-known complexants for K+. This deactivation process was followed spectrophotometrically by noting the changes in absorbance at 420 and 337 nm as a function of time. To circumvent the instability of the enzyme in the absence of monovalent cations, the activation process was studied by mixing a solution of the enzyme, freshly deactivated by the addition of complexant, with an excess of K+. This technique proved to be a useful new tool for the study of enzyme activation/deactivation by monovalent cations. The chapter gives a description of the method and a preliminary account of the results.
Tanapoxvirus: From discovery towards oncolytic immunovirotherapy

Insufficiency of standard cancer therapeutic agents and a high degree of toxicity associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy have created a dearth of therapeutic options for metastatic cancers. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are an emerging therapeutic option for the treatment of various human cancers. Several OVs, including poxviruses, are currently in preclinical and clinical studies and have shown to be effective in treating metastatic cancer types. Tanapoxvirus (TANV), a member of the Poxviridae family, is being developed as an OV for different human cancers due to its desirable safety and efficacy features. TANV causes a mild self-limiting febrile disease in humans, does not spread human to human, and its large genome makes it a relatively safer OV for use in humans. TANV is relatively well characterized at both molecular and clinical levels. Some of the TANV-encoded proteins that are a part of the virus' immune evasion strategy are also characterized. TANV replicates considerably slower than vaccinia virus. TANV has been shown to replicate in different human cancer cells in vitro and regresses human tumors in a nude mouse model. TANV is currently being developed as a therapeutic option for several human cancers including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, retinoblastoma, and melanoma. This review provides a comprehensive summary from the discovery to the development of TANV as an OV candidate for a wide array of human cancers.
Does Private Regulation Preempt Public Regulation

Previous research has emphasized corporate lobbying as a pathway through which businesses influence government policy. This article examines a less-studied mode of influence: private regulation, defined as voluntary efforts by firms to restrain their own behavior. We argue that firms can use modest private regulations as a political strategy to preempt more stringent public regulations. To test this hypothesis, we administered experiments to three groups that demand environmental regulations: voters, activists, and government officials. Our experiments revealed how each group responded to voluntary environmental programs (VEPs) by firms. Relatively modest VEPs dissuaded all three groups from seeking more draconian government regulations, a finding with important implications for social welfare. We observed these effects most strongly when all companies within an industry joined the voluntary effort. Our study documents an understudied source of corporate power, while also exposing the limits of private regulation as a strategy for influencing government policy.