cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Incidental Perineural Invasion of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of Outcomes Data

Importance Perineural invasion (PNI) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) has been associated with an increased risk of poor outcomes. Patients with PNI may present with clinical symptoms and/or radiologic evidence of PNI (clinical PNI [CPNI]), yet most patients are asymptomatic and PNI is often found on histologic examination (incidental PNI [IPNI]). Evidence-based estimates of the risks of disease-related outcomes comparing IPNI and CPNI are limited in the dermatology literature. Objectives To review and synthesize outcomes data for patients with CSCC and CPNI or IPNI. Data Sources A systematic review was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE for English-language articles published since inception to November 11, 2016. Study Selection All studies that reported a disease-related outcome (local recurrence, nodal metastasis, distant metastasis, or disease-specific death) of CSCCs with CPNI and IPNI were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis Articles were screened for eligibility, and any possible discrepancies in this screening were resolved. Data extracted included study characteristics, tumor characteristics, treatments performed, and disease-related outcomes. Overall risks of disease-related outcomes were generated by pooling patients from eligible studies. χ2Statistics and Fisher exact tests were used to evaluate differences in disease-related outcomes. Main Outcomes and Measures Risks of disease-related outcomes and 5-year recurrence-free, disease-specific, and overall survival. Results A total of 12 studies containing 241 patients with CPNI and 381 patients with IPNI were included in the systematic review and analysis. The overall risks of local recurrence and disease-specific death were significantly higher in patients with CSCC and CPNI compared with those with CSCC and IPNI (local recurrence, 37% vs 17%;P Conclusions and Relevance Patients with CSCC and CPNI are at an increased risk of local recurrence and disease-specific death compared with patients with CSCC and IPNI and have a 30% risk of death. Patients with PNI may benefit from increased long-term surveillance. Further studies are needed to establish standardized guidelines on follow-up and dermatologic surveillance in this high-risk patient population.
Spartina patens Productivity and Soil Organic Matter Response to Sedimentation and Nutrient Enrichment

Many coastal wetlands are subject to the combined effects of reduced sediment input and increased nutrient loads from watersheds. Restoration strategies focused on increasing marsh elevation and acreage can involve adding sediment through dredge sediment deposition or diversion of river water. It is unclear, however, how sediment inputs influence plant productivity in areas also receiving high nutrient loads. We tested the hypothesis that productivity of Spartina patens is greater with both nutrient and sediment addition than either or neither in a greenhouse experiment. Soil organic matter and nitrogen concentrations were predicted to increase with nutrient addition, but decrease with sediment addition. Plants experienced one of two levels of sediment deposition (control and 4 applications of 2 cm river silt) within either nutrient-enriched (6.96 N, 1.82 P, 1.82 K mg/L) or control tanks. Spartina patens exhibited nearly double the height, stem density, and aboveground biomass in nutrient treatments as compared to controls. Belowground biomass was also stimulated by nutrient-enrichment. Sedimentation reduced the emergence of new stems, but increased fine root biomass. Nutrient enrichment further stimulated root and rhizome growth into added surface sediment. Despite a large plant response to added nutrients, soil properties were unaffected by nutrient-enrichment.
Effects of Site and Cultivar on Consumer Acceptance of Pomegranate.

Pomegranate (Punica granatumL.) is an important fruit in many cultures. The fruit and juice have risen in popularity as it was discovered that pomegranate has relatively high antioxidant activity compared to most other fruits. In this study, six cultivars were utilized to determine consumer acceptance compared to the industry standard, ‘Wonderful,’ which comprises 90% to 95% of commercial production in the United States. Fruit were sourced from 2 cultivar field trials, one in inland Riverside, California, and one in coastal Ventura County, California. Cultivars selected for the study included ‘Eversweet,’ ‘Green Globe,’ ‘Haku Botan,’ ‘Loffani,’ ‘Phoenicia,’ ‘Wonderful,’ and ‘cv. 857,’ an heirloom cultivar from Ventura County, CA, U.S.A. Pomegranate arils were subject to sensory evaluation by 87 untrained consumer panelists in late 2016. Panelists were given pomegranate arils and asked to score the samples using a 9‐point Hedonic scale for the following fruit quality traits: aril color, sweetness, tartness, seed hardness, bitterness, and overall desirability. There were significant differences among cultivars for all traits assessed by the sensory panelists. There were differences in acceptance among consumers for ‘Wonderful’ depending on if it was grown on the coast versus inland, and consumers preferred inland‐ versus coastal‐grown ‘Wonderful.’ ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate was associated with cultivars that consumers scored low on desirability for bitterness. Cultivars that scored well in overall desirability compared with ‘Wonderful’ were ‘cv. 857,’ ‘Eversweet,’ ‘Green Globe,’ and ‘Phoenicia.’ Consumer sensory panels are important to determine scientifically which cultivars are desired by the public. These panels allowed for the determination of which pomegranate cultivars are liked or disliked by consumers and why. If the pomegranate growers know the most desirable cultivars for consumers, they are more likely to adopt and plant them, thus potentially increasing the diversity in the marketplace, as has been with apples, peaches, plums, pears, mangoes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and citrus.
The Subgrid-Scale Estimation Model

The subgrid scale estimation procedure provides an estimate of unfiltered quantities appearing in the definitions of the subgrid-scale tensors and consists of two steps. In the deconvolution step an approximate inversion of the filtering operation is performed. Subsequently, the nonlinear step is used to generate a range of subgrid scales on a mesh two times smaller than the mesh employed for a discretization of the resolved quantities. The subgrid scale stresses are then computed directly from the definitions using the estimated fields. The modeling procedure is described and evaluated by comparing results of large eddy simulations of turbulent channel flow with the corresponding results of direct numerical simulations and experiments.
From Electronic Design Automation to Cyber-Physical System Design Automation: A Tale of Platforms and Contracts

This paper reflects on the design challenges posed by cyber-physical systems, what distinguishes cyber-physical system design from large-scale integrated circuit design, and what could be the opportunities for the design automation community. The paper discusses three challenges that touch upon aspects that are unique to cyber-physical systems, namely, devising novel compositional design methodologies, reasoning about the interaction between discrete and continuous models, and dealing with uncertainty. It then summarizes some of the approaches pursued by the research community to tackle these challenges, with the potential of fostering a new generation of methodologies, algorithms, and tools for system design. Central to the paper is a view of platforms and contracts as formal notions that can bridge the emerging area of cyber-physical system design automation with paradigms that have been successful in the field of electronic design automation.
Use of research evidence in state health policymaking: Menu labeling policy in California

Addressing the translational gap between research evidence and state health policy requires an understanding of the current use of research evidence in the state policymaking process. In this study, we explore the use of research evidence to inform the legislative debate about restaurant nutrition labeling policy in California. In 2008, California was the first state to enact a mandatory menu calorie labeling policy in the U.S. Using a qualitative approach, we examine data sources and types of evidence used in legislative documents (n = 87) related to six menu labeling bills introduced in California's state legislature between 2003 and 2008. Federal- and state-level government agency reports were the most frequently cited sources of technical knowledge. Advocacy coalition members who were active participants involved in the policy debate were also cited as experts. Five of the six bills included evidence in related legislative documents. While documents included considerable evidence on the magnitude and severity of the obesity problem to justify policy enactment, there were a limited number of statements referring to policy effectiveness and only one statement identified attesting to implementation context and acceptability. Reference to evidence on related policy suggests policy precedence may also play an important role in policy decision making. There is a need to improve the dissemination of obesity policy effectiveness and implementation studies in a politically time sensitive manner to influence state health policy debates. Strategies are discussed to effectively integrate the use of research evidence in the state health policymaking process.
A Piezo1 open state reveals a multi-fenestrated ion permeation pathway

ABSTRACT Force-sensing Piezo channels are essential to many aspects of vertebrate physiology. Activation of Piezo1 is facilitated by the presence of negative membrane lipids in the inner leaflet, such as phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Here, to study how Piezo1 opens, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of Piezo1 in membranes flattened by the periodic boundary effect and with or without PIP2 lipids. The Piezo1 pore spontaneously opens in the asymmetrical bilayer but not in the symmetric membrane or when PIP2 lipids are neutralized. Electrophysiological characterization of putative PIP2-interacting Piezo1 residues suggests the contribution of multiple PIP2 binding sites. Our Piezo1 open state recapitulates ionic selectivity, unitary conductance and mutant phenotypes obtained from numerous experimental studies. Tracking ion diffusion through the open pore reveals the presence of intracellular and extracellular fenestrations, delineating a multi-fenestrated permeation pathway. This open state sheds light on the mechanisms of lipid modulation, permeation, and selectivity in a Piezo channel.
Residential Greenspace and Urban Adolescent Substance Use: Exploring Interactive Effects with Peer Network Health, Sex, and Executive Function.

While urban greenspace is increasingly recognized as important to mental health, its role in substance use is understudied. This exploratory study investigates the interaction of greenspace with peer network health, sex, and executive function (EF) in models of substance use among a sample of disadvantaged, urban youth. Adolescents and their parents were recruited from a hospital in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Residential greenspace at the streetscape level was derived from analysis of Google Street View imagery. Logistic regression models were used to test the moderating effect of greenspace on the association between peer network health and substance use, as well as additional moderating effects of sex and EF. The significant negative association of peer network health with substance use occurred only among youth residing in high greenspace environments, a moderating effect which was stronger among youth with high EF deficit. The moderating effect of greenspace did not differ between girls and boys. Greenspace may play an important role in moderating peer influences on substance use among disadvantaged, urban adolescents, and such moderation may differ according to an individual’s level of EF. This research provides evidence of differences in environmental susceptibility regarding contextual mechanisms of substance use among youth, and it informs the development of targeted substance use interventions that leverage social and environmental influences on adolescent substance use.
Early assessment of shear wave elastography parameters foresees the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with invasive breast cancer.

Early prediction of tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is crucial for optimal treatment and improved outcome in breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of shear wave elastography (SWE) for early assessment of response to NACT in patients with invasive breast cancer. In a prospective study, 62 patients with biopsy-proven invasive breast cancer were enrolled. Three SWE studies were conducted on each patient: before, at mid-course, and after NACT but before surgery. A new parameter, mass characteristic frequency (fmass), along with SWE measurements and mass size was obtained from each SWE study visit. The clinical biomarkers were acquired from the pre-NACT core-needle biopsy. The efficacy of different models, generated with the leave-one-out cross-validation, in predicting response to NACT was shown by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity. A significant difference was found for SWE parameters measured before, at mid-course, and after NACT between the responders and non-responders. The combination of Emean2 and mass size (s2) gave an AUC of 0.75 (0.95 CI 0.62–0.88). For the ER+ tumors, the combination of Emean_ratio1, s1, and Ki-67 index gave an improved AUC of 0.84 (0.95 CI 0.65–0.96). For responders, fmass was significantly higher during the third visit. Our study findings highlight the value of SWE estimation in the mid-course of NACT for the early prediction of treatment response. For ER+ tumors, the addition of Ki-67improves the predictive power of SWE. Moreover, fmass is presented as a new marker in predicting the endpoint of NACT in responders.
Internet Appendix for 'How Rigged Are Stock Markets? Evidence from Microsecond Timestamps'

This document contains supporting materials for the article "How Rigged Are Stock Markets? Evidence from Microsecond Timestamps" by Robert P. Bartlett, III and Justin McCrary. The paper to which this Appendix applies is available at the following URL: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2812123
De-stereotyping Public Performance Evaluation

Experimental evidence suggests that citizens’ judgments of service quality often rely on prior beliefs about providers’ characteristics, such as sectoral or racial stereotypes. Such a biased judgment process prevents the public from understanding performance information accurately and choosing high-quality service providers. To address this, we studied the relation between performance information and the evaluation mode and propose that presenting information jointly (joint evaluation) rather than separately (separate evaluation) may help people avoid stereotyping and consider actual performance. We compared people’s perceived performance and preferences through the separate and joint evaluation modes (SE and JE) in three online experiments (N > 3,000), and obtained similar results in these studies: Subjects used sectoral or racial stereotypes to evaluate school performance in the SE condition, but the stereotyping decreased in the JE condition. Our findings provide an effective tool to de-stereotype performance evaluations, which also has implications for other public management research areas in reducing stereotyping behaviors.
Quantifying Variability in Microscopy Image Analyses for COVID-19 Drug Discovery

Microscopy image-based measurement variability in high-throughput imaging experiments for biological drug discoveries, such as COVID-19 therapies was addressed in this study. Variability of measurements came from (1) computational approaches (methods), (2) implementations of methods, (3) parameter settings, (4) chaining methods into workflows, and (5) stabilities of floating-point arithmetic on diverse hardware. Measurement variability was addressed by (a) introducing interoperability between algorithms, (b) enforcing automated capture of computational provenance and parameter settings, and (c) quantifying multiple sources of variabilities for 10 nucleus measurements, from 8 workflow streams, executed in 2 workflow graph configurations, on 2 computational hardware platforms at 2 locations. Using modified Mean Absolute Error (mMAE [%]) to compare measurements, We concluded that for the task of image-based nucleus measurements the variability sources were (1) implementations (0.10 % - 5.72 % per measurement), (2) methods (3.08 % - 3.11 % between Otsu thresholding and CellPose segmentation), (3) parameters (1.16 %-1.17 % between 4- and 8-neighbor connectivity), (4) workflow graph construction and computer hardware (negligible).
Unexpected Case of Chagas Disease Reactivation in Endomyocardial Biopsy for Evaluation of Cardiac Allograft Rejection

Abstract Acute Chagas disease reactivation (CDR) after cardiac transplantation is a well-known phenomenon in endemic countries of Central and South America and Mexico, but is rare outside of those countries. In this report, we describe a case of a 49 year old male who presented 25 weeks after heart transplant with clinical features concerning for acute rejection, including malaise, anorexia, weight loss, and fever. His immunosuppression therapy included tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and prednisone. An endomyocardial biopsy revealed lymphocytic and eosinophilic inflammation, myocyte damage, and rare foci of intracellular organisms consistent with Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes. The patient had no known history of Chagas disease. Upon additional questioning, the patient endorsed bites from reduviid bugs during childhood in El Salvador. Follow-up serum PCR testing was positive for T. cruzi DNA. Tests for other infectious organisms and donor specific antibodies were negative. This case illustrates the striking clinical and histologic similarities between acute cellular rejection and acute CDR with cardiac involvement in heart transplant patients, and thus emphasizes the importance of pre-transplant testing for Chagas in patients with epidemiologic risk factors.
The Life of Pennsylvania Governor George M. Leader: Challenging Complacency

As the title suggests, this work covers the life of George Leader, Democratic governor of Pennsylvania from 1955 to 1959, who died in May 2013 at the age of ninety-five. About one-third of the book...
Catecholestrogens as procarcinogens: depurinating adducts and tumor initiation.

Publisher Summary The role of estrogens in receptor-mediated processes leading to the stimulation of cell proliferation has been widely studied to better understand the etiology of estrogen-induced cancers. More recently, the genotoxic properties of electrophilic estrogen metabolites have been investigated to help shed light on the mechanism of hormonal carcinogenesis. electrophilic o-quinones (CE-Qs) are the ultimate carcinogenic forms of estrogens. In this chapter the chemical properties of the two CE-Qs in relation to nucleosides and DNA have been presented. The reaction of CE-Qs with the nucleosides deoxyguanosine (dG) and deoxyadenosine (dA) has been conducted to gain insight into the behavior of these electrophiles with DNA bases. In addition, the synthetic adducts would serve as standard compounds for in vitro and in vivo studies aimed at understanding the genotoxic effects of CE-Qs. The CE-Qs derived from 4-OH-E1( E2) and 2-OH-E1(E2) display different chemical properties in their reaction with nucleosides and DNA. Notably, 2,3-quinones bind at the exocyclic amino group of dG and dA, allowing the deoxyribose moiety to remain attached to the adduct, whereas the 3,4-quinones form N7Gua adducts in which the glycosidic bond of dG is destabilized and cleaved. As the 4-hydroxy isomers of E1 and E2 are carcinogenic, whereas the 2-hydroxy isomers are not, it is hypothesized that the formation of the 4-OH-E1(E2)-1(α,β)-N7Guad epurinating adduct via the E1(E2)-3,4-Q is the critical step in the initiation of cancer by estrogens.
Abstract 2632: Casein kinase II inhibitors regulate cell cycle progression in leukemia

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Casein Kinase II (CK2) is an oncogenic kinase that is overexpressed in leukemia. The molecular mechanism by which CK2 exerts its oncogenic function is largely unknown. We have previously demonstrated that CK2 directly phosphorylates the Ikaros tumor suppressor in vivo at multiple, evolutionarily conserved amino acids. CK2-mediated phosphorylation of Ikaros results in reduced DNA binding affinity, loss of pericentromeric localization and impaired Ikaros transcriptional repression. We hypothesize that the pro-oncogenic activity of CK2 in leukemia involves functional inactivation of Ikaros, and that CK2 inhibition will result in restoration of the tumor suppressor function of Ikaros and an anti-leukemia effect. To test this hypothesis, we have tested the effect of specific CK2 inhibitors on Ikaros function as a transcriptional regulator of genes that promote cell cycle progression. Using quantitative Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (qChIP), we have shown that Ikaros binds to the promoters of two genes that are essential for mitosis, ANAPC1 and ANAPC7, in leukemia cell lines and in primary leukemia cells. Increased expression of Ikaros via retroviral transduction was associated with increased binding of Ikaros to the promoters of ANAPC1 and ANAPC7 and their transcriptional repression. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm that Ikaros can directly repress transcription of both ANAPC1 and ANAPC7. These data suggest that Ikaros negatively regulates cell cycle progression during mitosis and that Ikaros function as a repressor of ANAPC1 and ANAPC7 is impaired in leukemia. We tested the ability of CK2 inhibition to restore Ikaros repressor activity in leukemia. We evaluated the pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cell line, Nalm6 treated with a specific CK2 inhibitor, TBB as well as in a murine preclinical xenograft model of B-ALL. CK2 treatment resulted in increased Ikaros binding to promoters of ANAPC1 and ANAPC7, along with transcriptional repression of both genes. This was associated with prolonged survival of B-ALL xenograft mice that were treated with CK2 inhibitors. These data suggest that CK2 inhibitors can regulate cell cycle progression in leukemia cells by restoring the transcriptional repressor function of Ikaros. Our results demonstrate efficacy of CK2 inhibitors as a novel treatment for leukemia. Citation Format: Chandrika Gowda, Chunhua Song, Mansi Sachdev, Xiaokang Pan, Yali Ding, Kimberley Payne, Sinisa Dovat. Casein kinase II inhibitors regulate cell cycle progression in leukemia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2632. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2632
Production of Oxalic Acid by a Wood-Rotting Fungus

The wood-rotting fungus Pleurotus ostreatus NRRL 2366 was grown successfully in submerged shaker cultures in which it produced oxalic acid from simple carbohydrates as efficiently as did Aspergillus niger. P. ostreatus also produced oxalic acid from mixtures of sawdust and CaCO3, and from the solid residue from the acid hydrolysis of wood when the culture was supplemented with inorganic nutrients. A. niger produced oxalic acid from the liquid hydrolysate.
Resilience and vulnerability among sons of alcoholics: Relationship to developmental outcomes between early childhood and adolescence

INTRODUCTION Children of alcoholics (COAs) are at substantially elevated risk for alcoholism in adulthood (Goodwin, 1979; Russell, 1990). Behavioral and cognitive deficits have also been identified as more common in this population (Fitzgerald et al., 1993; Sher, 1991; West & Prinz, 1987) and are of interest as possible mediators of later alcohol abuse and alcoholism. However, simply contrasting COAs and non-COAs does not enhance our understanding of the developmental course leading to such psychosocial outcomes. Although numerous studies have provided evidence for increased rates of alcohol-related difficulties among COAs, some have not observed differences in either drinking behavior or behavioral impairment (Alterman, Searles, & Hall, 1989; Bates & Pandina, 1992; Gillen & Hesselbrock, 1992; Pandina & Johnson, 1989). These discrepancies are likely due to the variable backgrounds of alcoholic parents, the multiple risks they transmit to their offspring, and the individual characteristics of the children. In fact, such discrepancies have increasingly led to the position that the COA population varies on a number of dimensions of vulnerability, and the manner in which the dimensions cluster produces considerable heterogeneity in the population. In this vein, a number of parental alcoholism characteristics have been linked to adverse behavioral and cognitive child outcomes. Zucker and colleagues (Zucker, Ellis, Bingham, & Fitzgerald, 1996a) have observed that psychosocial outcomes among COAs varied as a function of the presence or absence of paternal comorbid antisocial behavior, with poorer outcomes uniformly present among children whose parent(s) were antisocial as well as alcoholic.
A Small Exhibit on the Agta and Their Future

The Philippine Agta: Their Rain Forest Is Gone: What Now? International Museum of Cultures, Dallas, TX, March 18, 2000–January 18, 2001
Dispersion and absorption effects by water and lipid in 1.3 /spl mu/m OCT system

The water and lipid induced group velocity dispersion (GVD) and absorption effects were investigated in OCT system. These results suggest possible limitations in intravascular imaging in vivo, as well as possible tissue characteristics using GVD.
Expression of coordinately regulated defence response genes and analysis of their role in disease resistance in Medicago truncatula

Microarray technology was used to identify the genes associated with disease defence responses in the model legume Medicago truncatula. Transcript profiles from M. truncatula cv. Jemalong genotype A17 leaves inoculated with Colletotrichum trifolii and Erysiphe pisi and roots infected with Phytophthora medicaginis were compared to identify the genes expressed in response to all three pathogens and genes unique to an interaction. The A17 genotype is resistant to C. trifolii and E. pisi, exhibiting a hypersensitive response after inoculation, and is moderately susceptible to P. medicaginis. Among the most strongly up-regulated genes in all three interactions were those encoding a hevein-like protein, thaumatin-like protein (TLP) and members of the pathogenesis response (PR)10 family. Transcripts of genes for enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway leading to the production of isoflavonoid phytoalexins increased dramatically in response to inoculation with the foliar pathogens. In P. medicaginis-inoculated roots, transcripts of genes in the phenylpropanoid pathway peaked at 5 days post-inoculation, when symptoms became visible. Transcript accumulation of three PR10 family members, a TLP and chalcone synthase (CHS) was assessed in M. truncatula genotype R108 plants. The R108 plants are resistant to C. trifolii and moderately susceptible to E. pisi and P. medicaginis. Transcript accumulation paralleled the stages of pathogen development. To evaluate the role of a TLP, a PR10 family member and CHS in disease resistance, transgenic R108 plants containing interfering RNA (RNAi) constructs were produced. Reduced expression of PR10 and TLP had no effect on the disease phenotype, whereas reduced expression of CHS resulted in increased susceptibility to necrotrophic pathogens.
Sociocultural Contexts for Learning in Families and Communities: An Introduction

Educators and child development specialists are growing increasingly aware of the wide variations in contextual and cultural conditions in which children develop (Goodnow, Miller, & Kessel, 1995). ...
Sense mode and coupling in a vigilance task

Usarmymedical Research Laboratory, Fort Knox, Kentucky This investigation examined the performance of 36 Ss on three 90-min vigilance tasks. As time on task increased, there was a significant decrease in number of detections and false responses and a corresponding significant increase in response latency. The consistent rank order relationship between stimulus conditions suggests that there were uniform trends among these conventional response measures. There was a significant decline in sensitivity (d′) lor the closely coupled tasks, regardless of the sense mode involved. However, d′ remained fairly stable for the loosely coupled visual task. The significant increase in criterion values(β) suggest that Ss adopt a more conservative mode of responding with increasing time on task. Further, these data indicate that a lack of control of coupling effects, rather than sense mode specificity, may have confounded the interpretation of prior research on visualand auditory tasks.
345 LOSS OF Brm AND Baf170, COMPONENTS OF THE ATP-DEPENDENT CHROMATIN REMODELING COMPLEX, FACILITATES REPROGRAMMING OF SOMATIC CELL

The SWI/SNF [SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable; also known as BAF (Brg/Brahma-associated factors)] ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling complexes are epigenetic modifiers that change the structure of chromatin, and thereby modulate gene transcription. The BAF chromatin remodeling complexes undergo progressive changes in subunit composition during cellular differentiation. In embryonic stem cells (ESC), BAF complex, esBAF, contains Brg1 and Baf155, which are crucial for ESC self-renewal and also facilitate induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming from somatic cells. Here we sought to determine the roles of somatic BAF components (Brm and Baf170, homologues of Brg1 and Baf155, respectively) in mouse iPSC reprogramming through shRNA-mediated knockdown studies. We found that the expression of Brm and Baf170 were inhibited in reprogramming by Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Jak/Stat3) activity, which is essential for pluripotency establishment. We further found that knockdown of Brm and Baf170 in mouse somatic cells promotes reprogramming efficiency. Specifically, loss of Brm and Baf170 during early (Days 3 and 6 after initial iPSC induction) and later-stage (Day 9) reprogramming, respectively, improves the numbers of iPSC colonies formed. These also led to significant upregulation of pluripotent genes, including Sox2, Nanog, Fgf5, and Tbx3. Although the somatic Brm and Baf170 are believed to be absent in ESC, the expression levels of Nanog and Tbx3 were increased significantly by knockdown of either Brm or Baf170 in ESC. Finally, we showed that inhibition of these somatic BAF components also promotes complete reprogramming of partially reprogrammed cells (pre-iPSC). These data suggest that inhibiting somatic BAF complex improved complete reprogramming by facilitating the activation of the pluripotency circuitry. A reduced activity of the somatic BAF complex constitutes part of the Stat3 regulated epigenetic changes during pluripotency establishment.
Mechanism of the Alternating Copolymerization of Epoxides and CO2 Using β-Diiminate Zinc Catalysts: Evidence for a Bimetallic Epoxide Enchainment

A series of zinc beta-diiminate (BDI) complexes and their solid-state structures, solution dynamics, and copolymerization behavior with CO(2) and cyclohexene oxide (CHO) are reported. Stoichiometric reactions of the copolymerization initiation steps show that zinc alkoxide and bis(trimethylsilyl)amido complexes insert CO(2), whereas zinc acetates react with CHO. [(BDI-2)ZnOMe](2) [(BDI-2) = 2-((2,6-diethylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diethylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] and (BDI-1)ZnO(i)Pr [(BDI-1) = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] react with CO(2) to form [(BDI-2)Zn(mu-OMe)(mu,eta(2)-O(2)COMe)Zn(BDI-2)] and [(BDI-1)Zn(mu,eta(2)-O(2)CO(i)Pr)](2), respectively. (BDI-2)ZnN(SiMe(3))(2) inserts CO(2) and eliminates trimethylsilyl isocyanate to give [(BDI-2)Zn(mu-OSiMe(3))](2). [(BDI-7)Zn(mu-OAc)](2) [(BDI-7) = 3-cyano-2-((2,6-diethylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-diethylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene] reacts with 1.0 equiv of CHO to yield [(BDI-7)Zn(mu,eta(2)-OAc)(mu,eta(1)-OCyOAc)Zn(BDI-7)]. Under typical polymerization conditions, rate studies on the copolymerization exhibit no dependence in [CO(2)], a first-order dependence in [CHO], and orders in [Zn](tot) ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 for [(BDI)ZnOAc] complexes. The copolymerizations of CHO (1.98 M in toluene) and 300 psi CO(2) at 50 degrees C using [(BDI-1)ZnOAc] and [(BDI-2)ZnOAc] show orders in [Zn](tot) of 1.73 +/- 0.06 and 1.02 +/- 0.03, respectively. We propose that two zinc complexes are involved in the transition state of the epoxide ring-opening event.
Recent Insights into Mechanisms of Genome Size Change in Plants

Genome sizes vary considerably across all eukaryotes and even among closely related species. The genesis and evolutionary dynamics of that variation have generated considerable interest, as have the patterns of variation themselves. Here we review recent developments in our understanding of genome size evolution in plants, drawing attention to the higher order processes that can influence the mechanisms generating changing genome size.
Structure–Activity Relationships in Toll-Like Receptor 2-Agonists Leading to Simplified Monoacyl Lipopeptides

Toll-like receptor 2-agonistic lipopeptides typified by S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl]-R-cysteinyl-S-serine (PAM(2)CS) compounds are potential vaccine adjuvants. In continuation of previously reported structure-activity relationships on this chemotype, we have determined that at least one acyl group of optimal length (C(16)) and an appropriately oriented ester carbonyl group is essential for TLR2-agonistic activity. The spacing between one of the palmitoyl ester carbonyl and the thioether is crucial to allow for an important H-bond, which observed in the crystal structure of the lipopeptide:TLR2 complex; consequently, activity is lost in homologated compounds. Penicillamine-derived analogues are also inactive, likely due to unfavorable steric interactions with the carbonyl of Ser 12 in TLR2. The thioether in this chemotype can be replaced with a selenoether. Importantly, the thioglycerol motif can be dispensed with altogether and can be replaced with a thioethanol bridge. These results have led to a structurally simpler, synthetically more accessible, and water-soluble analogue possessing strong TLR2-agonistic activities in human blood.
Cellular automata and intermediate degrees

We study a classification of cellular automata based on the Turing degree of the orbits of the automaton. The difficulty of determining the membership of a cellular automaton in any one of these classes is characterized in the arithmetical hierarchy.
Overwintering Alfalfa Weevil Eggs in Three Stages of Alfalfa Growth in New Jersey

Stem samples collected periodically during the fall and winter seasons of 1966–67 and 1967–68 yielded information on the population trend and viability of eggs of Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) in 3 stages of alfalfa growth, e.g. stubble, new-growth, and bud-stage alfalfa. Egg populations during the 1967–68 season were much smaller than those during the previous winter, which fact may be attributed to below normal temperatures during the fall or to fewer adults in the field. Number of eggs per stem in new growth alfalfa was significantly greater than the number in the other stages during both winters, and this growth was considered the most suitable for fall oviposition. Despite cold weather during the winter of 1967–68, the presence of freshly laid eggs in stubble and new-growth alfalfa reflected considerable winter oviposition. The microclimate in the matted layer of these 2 growth stages was apparently conducive to oviposition and provided moist conditions necessary in maintaining alfalfa succulence. A rapid decline in egg viability during early spring 1967 was caused by extremely low temperatures in late March, when embryonation of fall-laid eggs was nearly complete. Viability of eggs found in stubble, new-growth, and bud-stage alfalfa during March 1968 was 75, 39, and 13%, respectively. High egg mortality in bud stage was attributed to the less succulent condition and to the fact that eggs situated in the upper portion of the upright stems were more exposed to weather. Conversely, high egg survival in stubble was attributed to the more succulent condition and to the fact that eggs in the densely matted layer were more protected from the weather.
Deliberation, cognitive diversity, and democratic inclusiveness: an epistemic argument for the random selection of representatives

This paper argues in favor of the epistemic properties of inclusiveness in the context of democratic deliberative assemblies and derives the implications of this argument in terms of the epistemically superior mode of selection of representatives. The paper makes the general case that, all other things being equal and under some reasonable assumptions, more is smarter. When applied to deliberative assemblies of representatives, where there is an upper limit to the number of people that can be included in the group, the argument translates into a defense of a specific selection mode of participants: random selection.
The saliva thiocyanate analysis: A methodological extension and its relationship to co and self-report in moderate smokers

Abstract Parameters for the storage and analysis of saliva samples used to measure thiocyanate (SCN) levels among moderate smokers were systematically studied. The variables targeted for study were the temperature of storage (0 to 20°F) and the size of the container (5 or 10 ml). Additionally, these same variables were examined, independently under three different temporal delays to laboratory analysis: immediate, 3 days, and 7 days. Results within each of the delay conditions revealed no significant differences in SCN levels and provided support for the reliability of measurement when using these procedures in the study of thiocyanate levels. Self-reported smoking rate and alveolar carbon monoxide (COa) readings of a week prior were found to correlate relatively highly with thiocyanate readings. These findings broaden the support for SCN as a corroborative measure of smoking.
On Wafer RF Testing Characterizes Current SAG on GaAs MESFETs

A relatively simple measurement technique aids in MESFET characterization of the phenomena known as current sag. Current sag is described as a decrease in the net DC drain current when low to medium RF power is applied. These on-wafer measurements are taken on an ATN active load pull system. The output impedance can be swept from a short to an open along the real axis of the Smith chart to understand the relationship between load line and current sag.
Uniform irrigation with a low-head bubbler system

Abstract Existing closed-conduit irrigation systems are capable of saving water by increasing application uniformity. But, because most of them require pumping to pressurize water for distribution, the water is saved often at the expense of increased energy consumption. This paper describes a new irrigation system that reduces the energy requirement by using inexpensive, thin-walled, corrugated plastic pipe of sufficient diameter that the pressure head often available from a surface ditch is sufficient. A simple installation technique, giving extremely high application uniformity, is described for the system for permanent crops. Costs for the system can be less than for comparable sprinkler or drip irrigation systems.
Is There a ‘Regressive Phenotype’ of Autism Spectrum Disorder Associated with the Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine? A CPEA Study

A multi-site study of 351 children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and 31 typically developing children used caregiver interviews to describe the children’s early acquisition and loss of social-communication milestones. For the majority of children with ASD who had experienced a regression, pre-loss development was clearly atypical. Children who had lost skills also showed slightly poorer outcomes in verbal IQ and social reciprocity, a later mean age of onset of autistic symptoms, and more gastrointestinal symptoms than children with ASD and no regression. There was no evidence that onset of autistic symptoms or of regression was related to measles-mumps-rubella vaccination. The implications of these findings for the existence of a ‘regressive phenotype’ of ASD are discussed.
An Application of Signal Processing Techniques to the Study of Myoelectric Signals

This paper describes the use of power spectral density and cumulative power functions in the examination of the electromyogram (EMG). The EMG signals were obtained with surface electrodes from two muscles, the flexor pollicis brevis and the extensor digitorum, in four subjects. Each muscle was studied at two levels of contraction, both before and during fatigue. The power spectral density functions are compared, using a cumulative power difference function and the mean frequency of the spectrum, to determine differences between loading conditions in an individual muscle, before and during fatigue, between different muscles, between individuals (same muscle), and combinations of these conditions.
Some kinetic properties of liver ornithine carbamoyl transferase (oct) in a patient with oct deficiency

Abstract Some kinetic properties of liver OCT from a patient with OCT deficiency were studied. Contrary to controls, in which two pH optima were observed (pH 7.7 and pH 8.5), only the pH optimum of 8.5 could be demonstrated in our patient. From K M studies at pH 7.7 and pH 8.5, the most striking abnormalities in comparison with human controls were (a) a strongly increased K M (ornithine) at pH 7.7, but less pronounced at pH 8.5, (b) a higher V max at pH 8.5 compared with the V max at pH 7.7 and (c) the absence of substrate inhibition at pH 8.5 of ornithine was elevated up to a concentration above approximately 1.5 mM.
In the eye of the beholder: emotional labor in academia varies with tenure and gender

Expanding from the customer-service perspective, the present research investigated emotional labor, defined as “service with authority,” in an academic context. Drawing from previous research on display rules and power, tenure and gender were hypothesized to influence the extent to which college faculty labored to provide “service with authority” when interacting with entitled students. Survey results revealed that faculty low in power (untenured faculty) exhibited higher levels of emotional labor when interacting with students, as compared with colleagues high in power (tenured faculty). Additionally, tenure had a mitigating effect on emotional labor amongst male faculty, but heightened stress amongst female faculty. Together, the data suggest that, compared to customer-service settings, emotional performance requirements in academia are both different and dynamic.
Permanency outcomes for toddlers in child welfare two years after a randomized trial of a parenting intervention

Abstract This study reports on child welfare outcomes of a community based, randomized control trial of Promoting First Relationships® (PFR; Kelly, Sandoval, Zuckerman, & Buehlman, 2008), a 10-week relationship-based home visiting program, on stability of children's placements and permanency status two years after enrollment into the study. Toddlers 10–24 months (N = 210) with a recent placement disruption were randomized, along with their birth or foster/kin parents, to PFR (n = 105) or a comparison condition (n = 105). A stable placement had no interruptions or disruptions. A permanent placement was a stable placement ending with a legal discharge to the study caregiver. Logistic regression models predicting the dichotomous stability and permanency variables, controlling for caregiver type, child welfare variables, and caregiver commitment, were conducted. There was no difference by intervention group on stability or permanency, but there was a significant interaction between caregiver type (birth parent vs. foster/kin) and intervention group. More foster/kin caregivers who received the PFR intervention provided stable, uninterrupted care and eventually adopted or became the legal guardians of the toddlers in their care, compared to foster/kin caregivers randomized to the comparison condition.
Magnetic fields associated with anoxic depolarization in anesthetized rats.

We have performed simultaneous measurements of the DC-magnetoencephalogram (DC-MEG) and DC-electrocorticogram (DC-ECoG) in rats (n = 6) subjected to 90 s of reversible anoxia. The onset of major shifts of electric and magnetic signals occurred at 52 +/- 18 (S.D.) and 68 +/- 14 (S.D.), respectively, and reached a peak at 83 +/- 27 and 102 +/- 19 (S.D.) s, respectively, after termination of mechanical ventilation. DC-ECoG signal deflections were always associated with DC-MEG deflections. The time of onset and peak signals in both DC-MEG and DC-ECoG changes caused by asphyxia were highly correlated (r + 0.83, 0.94; P less than 0.05, 0.001; respectively). Our observations suggest that the non-invasive technique of DC-MEG is reliable and may provide insight into the mechanisms of anoxic cerebral depolarization.
Hydrocarbon observations and ozone production rates in Western Houston during the Texas 2000 Air Quality Study

Abstract Measurements of total non-methane hydrocarbon in whole air canisters collected from the top of a skyscraper on the western edge of Houston, Texas are summarized with an emphasis on samples collected during the passage of plumes of O3 and the associated rapid increase in the mixing ratio of this species. The back-trajectories associated with these events showed a pronounced deceleration of air parcels over central and western Houston and were not necessarily associated with direct passage over the petrochemical plants located in the heavily industrialized eastern part of Houston. As a result of the time these air parcels spent over the central and western parts of Houston, their VOC mix and associated chemical production rates were expected to differ from similar observations made over eastern Houston from aircraft sampling at low altitudes. Although periods of high O3 in the western part of the city were closely associated with light alkenes, these same observations show isoprene to make a significant contribution to the total VOC reactivity in the early afternoon (the start of peak photochemical activity) in contrast to observations made east of our sampling site that found the reactivity to be dominated by anthropogenic species. By initializing a 0-dimensional chemical kinetic model with observations made at the Williams Tower, we find that the ozone production efficiency scaled linearly to the ratio of total hydrocarbons and NOx, with an average OPE of 7.2, ranging from 2.3 to 16.9; these values are smaller than those reported in eastern Houston, suggesting a strong gradient in photochemical productivity across the city.
Temperature dependence of creation and annealing of light-induced metastable defects in a-Si:H

Abstract Metastable defects can be created by light exposure in n-type, p-type, or undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) with comparable efficiency at temperatures between 4.2K and 300K. The defect creation mechanism is not thermally activated. In undoped samples the relative increase in defect concentration N D depends on exposure time t e as t e m with 0.3 ⩽ m ⩽ 0.4 for all T. Saturation was not achieved after exposure of undoped a-Si:H for 160h at 20K at a generation rate of G = 4 × 10 21 cm −3 s −1 . In n-type samples saturation begins after 2h of exposure.
DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE AND OTHER THERAPIES IN EXPERIMENTAL PRESSURE‐INDUCED CEREBRAL FOCAL ISCHEMIA*

Abstract : In evaluating seven different therapies, DMSO appears to be most effective in attenuating neurobehavioral signs and histological responses to pressure-induced focal ischemia with the cerebral perfusion pressure lowered to 20 torr. It seems that free-radical scavenging may be the critical mechanism of action by DMSO.