cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
External Validation of the Bone Metastases Ensemble Trees for Survival (BMETS) Machine Learning Model to Predict Survival in Patients With Symptomatic Bone Metastases

PURPOSEThe Bone Metastases Ensemble Trees for Survival (BMETS) model uses a machine learning algorithm to estimate survival time following consultation for palliative radiation therapy for symptoma...
Scoundrel or Scapegoat? Reassessing the Office of Thrift Supervision’s Performance Before the 2008 Financial Crisis

This research attempts to determine whether Congress was justified in shutting down the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. I do so by comparing its performance with that of the other federal banking regulators: the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Reserve. Results show that the OTS is not consistently the worst performer across a variety of measures. This finding suggests it was unfairly scapegoated and that many of the problems attributed to the OTS still remain at the other agencies, despite financial reforms in 2010.
Measuring Equity-Promoting Behaviors in Digital Teaching Simulations: A Topic Modeling Approach:

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues are urgent in education. We developed and evaluated a massive open online course (N = 963) with embedded equity simulations that attempted to equip edu...
Social Capital in Developing Democracies: Democracy and Its Competitors: Political Values in Nicaragua and Argentina

Our political culture is different, our vision of democracy is distinct. Peronist leader, speaking of his own party The political orientation of my Country should distance itself from all types of caudillismo … Augusto C. Sandino, speaking to his people on the occasion of a proposed election, October 6, 1927 If we want to trace the empirical connection between social capital and support for democracy, one place to begin is with political values, themselves the basis of actions. Such an examination can ascertain how fully citizens support democracy as opposed to some other authoritarian or less than fully democratic regime. This chapter examines political values in these two nations, looking at liberal democratic, radical democratic, and non-democratic values in Nicaragua along with democratic, authoritarian, and clientelistic political values in Argentina. The empirical bases for this chapter are several. First, we introduce two historical data bases which facilitate the study of political values at the national level. In each country we are fortunate to have a large data base of public opinion drawn from the late 1990s at a time when the memory of a previous, non-democratic regime was much more recent than it is today. In the late 1990s many Nicaraguans could easily remember the authoritarian Somoza dictatorship while many Argentines could likewise remember the brutal military dictatorship of 1976–1983. Asking questions about political values that draw upon data from that time period allows us to compare the loyalties of respondents to non-democratic regimes in a way that would be much more difficult today.
Historical Linguistics: An Introduction

Historical Linguistics: An Introduction. Lyle Campbell. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 1999. 396 pp.
How predictable are negotiations

Undoubtedly, many students of negotiation are interested in their subject because negotiation is one of the outstanding mechanisms by which social and political conflicts can be resolved. Their hope is that a close and detailed study of the process of negotiation will yield information which will help to ease some of the world's more threatening tensions. In this paper we shall discuss some of the reasons why reaching this goal is more difficult than
Interview with comics artist Lee Weeks

Lee Weeks discusses how he moved from fan to professional, the influences on his art, and his current perceptions of the comics industry and superheroes across media.
A Reevaluation of Social Work Students' Career Interests

Abstract This study replicates and extends earlier research on the career interests of MSW students. The conclusions contradict those of previous researchers, who have reported that most social work students primarily are interested in becoming therapists and do not want to work with the most helpless and vulnerable client populations. The findings of this study suggest that the proportion of social work students who have no commitment to the mission of social work is quite small. There is, however, a large fraction of students who express a strong interest in traditional social work client groups and practice activities while simultaneously planning to enter private practice as therapists. The implications of these findings for students' career decisions are discussed.
Effect of laser generated shockwaves 1 on ex-vivo pigskin.

Introduction Persistent bacterial infection prolongs hospitalizations, leading to increased healthcare costs. Treatment of these infections costs several billion dollars annually. Biofilm production is one mechanism by which bacteria become resistant. With the help of biofilms, bacteria withstand the host immune response and are much less susceptible to antibiotics. Currently, there is interest in the use of laser-generated shockwaves (LGS) to delaminate biofilm from infected wound surfaces; however, the safety of such an approach has not yet been established. Of particular concern are the thermal and mechanical effects of the shockwave treatment on the epidermis and the underlying collagen structure of the dermis. The present study is a preliminary investigation of the effect of LGS on freshly harvested ex vivo porcine skin tissue samples. Materials and Methods Tissue samples for investigation were harvested immediately post-mortem and treated with LGS within 30 minutes. Previous studies have shown that laser fluences between 100 and 500 mJ/pulse are capable of delaminating biofilms off a variety of surfaces, thus our preliminary investigation focused on this range of laser energy. For each sample, LGS were produced via laser irradiation of a thin layer (0.5 µm) of titanium sandwiched between a 50 and 100 µm thick layer of water glass and a 0.1 mm thick sheet of Mylar. The rapid thermal expansion of the irradiated titanium film generates a transient compressive wave that is coupled through a liquid layer to the surface of the ex vivo pigskin sample. Shocked samples were immediately fixed in formalin and prepared for histological analysis. A blinded pathologist evaluated and scored each section on the basis of its overall appearance (O) and presence of linear/slit-like spaces roughly parallel to the surface of the skin (S). The scores were given on a scale of 0–3. Results The present investigation revealed no visible difference between the tissue sections of the control sample and those that were subjected to laser-generated shockwaves. There was no relationship between the scores received by the samples and the energy with which they were shocked. Conclusion Preliminary investigation into the safety of the LGS treatment for biofilm delamination appears promising. Additional investigation will continue on ex vivo porcine samples, followed by an in vivo animal trial to better understand the physiological response to LGS treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:620–627, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interactions of minerals-organic matter-living organisms on the fate of allelochemicals and xenobiotics in soil: a methodological evaluation.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on methodological considerations for studying the fate of allelochemicals in the soil environment. Allelochemicals are secondary metabolites exuded by plants to protect themselves from adverse environmental conditions and from the invasion of surrounding plants and microbes. These chemicals are biologically reactive. They are often exuded from roots into the surrounding soil and interact actively with both the mineral and organic components of the soil. Because of their reactivity, they could be ideal compounds for characterizing the dynamics of the active phase of soil organic matter transformation and the processes of carbon immobilization and humification. However, the high reactivity of these chemicals also means that they are unstable and could be readily degraded or transformed into other types of chemicals. The identity of most of the chemicals involved in allelopathy still has not been determined with certainty. Thus, before allelochemicals can serve as model chemicals for studying the interaction of organic chemicals with minerals, organic matter, and living organisms, there is a need to understand the behavior and fate of these chemicals in the soil.
The role of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae lipoate protein ligase homologue, Lip3, in lipoic acid synthesis

The covalent attachment of lipoate to the lipoyl domains (LDs) of the central metabolism enzymes pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) is essential for their activation and thus for respiratory growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A third lipoate-dependent enzyme system, the glycine cleavage system (GCV), is required for utilization of glycine as a nitrogen source. Lipoate is synthesized by extraction of its precursor, octanoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP), from the pool of fatty acid biosynthetic intermediates. Alternatively, lipoate is salvaged from previously modified proteins or from growth medium by lipoate protein ligases (Lpls). The first Lpl to be characterized, LplA of Escherichia coli, catalyses two partial reactions: activation of the acyl chain by formation of acyl–AMP, followed by transfer of the acyl chain to lipoyl domains (LDs). There is a surprising diversity within the Lpl family of enzymes, several of which catalyse reactions other than ligation reactions. For example, the Bacillus subtilis Lpl homologue LipM is an octanoyltransferase that transfers the octanoyl moiety from octanoyl-ACP to GCV. Another B. subtilis Lpl homologue, LipL, transfers octanoate from octanoyl–GCV to other LDs in an amido-transfer reaction. Study of eukaryotic Lpls has lagged behind studies of the bacterial enzymes. We report that the Lip3 Lpl homologue of the yeast S. cerevisiae has octanoyl-CoA–protein transferase activity, and discuss implications of this activity on the physiological role of Lip3 in lipoate synthesis. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Factor VIIa for Annulus Rupture After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Over the last decade, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an effective treatment for inoperable and selected high surgical-risk patients with aortic stenosis. However, management of procedural complications with TAVR represents a major challenge as most TAVR patients carry prohibitive or high-risk of mortality with open surgical conversion. Here we present a case of TAVR complicated by aortic annulus rupture that was successfully managed nonoperatively by pericardial drainage, blood product transfusion, and adjunctive administration of recombinant activated factor VIIa.
Heterogeneous Fleets of Active and Passive Floating Sensors for River Studies

Lagrangian sensing for tracing hydrodynamic trajectories is an innovative approach for studying estuarial environments. Actuated Lagrangian sensors are capable of avoiding obstacles and navigating when active and retain a passive hydrodynamic profile that is suited for Lagrangian sensing when passive. A heterogeneous fleet of actuated and passive drifting sensors is presented. Data assimilation using a high-performance computing HPC cluster that runs the ensemble Kalman filter EnKF is an essential component of the estuarial state estimation system. The performance of the mixed capability fleet and the data assimilation backend is evaluated in the context of a landmark 96-unit river study in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region of California.
Safety of American Heart Association-recommended minimum exercise for desmosomal mutation carriers

Background Endurance exercise is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C). Exercise recommendations for family members remain undetermined. Objective The purposes of this study were to determine if (1) endurance exercise (Bethesda class C) and exercise intensity (metabolic equivalent hours per year [MET-Hr/year]) increase the likelihood of fulfilling 2010 Task Force Criteria and ventricular arrhythmias/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock (ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation [VT/VF]), and (2) exercise restriction to the American Heart Association (AHA)-recommended minimum for healthy adults is associated with favorable outcomes of at-risk family members. Methods Twenty-eight family members of 10 probands inheriting a PKP2 mutation were interviewed about exercise from age 10. Exercise threshold to maintain overall health was based on the 2007 AHA guidelines of a minimum 390 to 650 MET-Hr/year. Results After adjustment for age, sex, and family membership, both participation in endurance athletics (odds ratio [OR] 7.4, P = .03) and higher-intensity exercise (OR = 4.2, P = .004) were associated with diagnosis (n = 13). Endurance athletes were also significantly more likely to develop VT/VF (n = 6, P = .02). Family members who restricted exercise at or below the upper bound of the AHA goal (≤650 MET-Hr/year) were significantly less likely to be diagnosed (OR = 0.07, P = .002) and had no VT/VF. At diagnosis and first VT/VF, family members had accumulated 2.8-fold ( P = .002) and 3.5-fold ( P = .03), respectively, greater MET-Hr exercise than the AHA-recommended minimum. Those who developed VT/VF had performed particularly high-intensity exercise in adolescence compared to unaffected family members (age 10–14: P = .04; age 14–19: P = .02). Conclusion The results of this study suggest restricting unaffected desmosomal mutation carriers from endurance and high-intensity athletics but potentially not from AHA-recommended minimum levels of exercise for healthy adults.
Topoisomer heterogeneity of plasmid chromatin in living cells.

Abstract Previous investigations of topoisomer distributions of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA from monkey cells have revealed that these circular mini-chromosomes, like relaxed, naked, closed circular DNA, exist as a Gaussian distribution of topoisomers. I have extended this comparison by measuring topoisomer distributions for a variety of plasmid episomes that are stably propagated in cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . The breadth of the topoisomer distributions for plasmid chromatin, including SV40, is approximately constant when normalized for DNA length, as is the breadth of distribution for naked DNA. However, the distributions for plasmid chromatin are substantially broader than those for the corresponding relaxed, naked DNAs. The breadth is constant for plasmids differing in transcriptional activity, and varies only slightly between synchronized and unsynchronized populations of yeast cells, suggesting that variation in plasmid linking number with transcription or replication does not account for the observed heterogeneity in linking number. Topoisomer heterogeneity for plasmid chromatin in vivo may be due to heterogeneity in the number of nucleosomes on each plasmid, which could reflect either the nature of the assembly process or the dynamics of nucleosomes within the cell.
Recommendations for management of the child born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

Approximately 8% to 15% of all infants are born with evidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF).1 Many of these infants rapidly initiate a good respiratory response and are otherwise vigorous. Other infants present with a variety of types of distress from a simple delay in the initiation of respiration to signs of prolonged hypoxemia. The method to best care for these children has been the subject of considerable discussion, especially between obstetricians and pediatricians. The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is a very successful system of instruction taught to >1.5 million providers in >70 countries since its introduction in 1987.2 Although simply an approach to teaching neonatal resuscitation, the recommendations contained in the textbook are widely used in hospitals and often cited in litigation. Beginning with a 1963 teaching movie by Dr Stanley James at Infants Hospital in New York and stimulated by publications of Gregory et al3 and Ting and … Address correspondence to William J. Keenan, MD, Departments of Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine, 1465 S Grand Blvd, St Louis, MO 63104. E-mail: keenanwj{at}slu.edu
Reproductive health of young adults with physical disabilities in the U.S.

Abstract Objective Previous research shows reduced cervical and breast cancer screening among women with physical disabilities. However, other indicators of reproductive health have been largely ignored. We aimed to compare the reproductive health of young adults in the U.S. with and without physical disabilities in a nationally-representative sample. Methods Data are from 13,819 respondents aged 18–26 who participated in Waves I (1994–1995) and III (2001–2002) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Using logistic regression, we examined associations between physical disability and multiple reproductive health indicators including sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, STI diagnosis, receipt of a gynecologic exam, and cervical cancer screening. Analyses were stratified by sex and adjusted for the complex study design. Results We identified 5.8% of respondents as having a physical disability. In multivariate analyses, females with physical disabilities had lower odds of having a Pap smear in the past 12 months than females without disabilities (OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.97). Physical disability was not associated with other reproductive health indicators among females or males. Conclusion We found few differences in examined reproductive health indicators of young adults with and without physical disabilities, but findings suggest differences in some screening services that merit additional study.
Parental assessment of the adjustment of children following abduction by the other parent

We present a multiple regression model that explores post-return adjustment of school-age children who experienced abduction by a parent. The model includes: a) child and family characteristics preceding abduction, b) characteristics of the abduction experience, and c) child and family characteristics following return. Overall, the model accounts for 21% of the variance in post-return adjustment of children (p≤.05). The most salient finding is that post-return adjustment of children was best explained by characteristics of the child and family before the abduction occurred. Domestic violence perpetrated by one or both parents was the most significant factor.
Assembly of Highly Organized Carbon Nanotube Architectures by Chemical Vapor Deposition

Controllable assembly of ordered nanoscale structural units in geometrically well-defined configurations is essential for building integrated nanoscale systems. Here, we describe a powerful method to simultaneously grow aligned carbon nanotube bundles in multiple, predetermined orientations on planar substrates to build one- to three-dimensional architectures. We effect multidirectional nanotube growth by gas-phase delivery of a xylene−ferrocene mixture on to lithographically machined silica surface templates. The preference of nanotubes to grow normal to, and selectively on, silica surfaces forces the nanotubes to inherit the topography of the substrate templates, enabling premeditated selection of both nucleation sites and growth direction. By using silica templates of different shapes, we can build a wide variety of organized nanotube structures of differing complexity and shapes, density, dimensions, and orientation, for example, mutually orthogonal arrays of pillars and platelets, films with hierarch...
Atmospheric chemistry: radicals follow the Sun.

Hydroxyl free radicals are part of a complex network of atmospheric chemical reactions. But a long-term study shows that their concentration can be predicted by the intensity of ultraviolet sunlight alone.
LAMINAR BOUNDARY LAYER CONTROL BY COMBINED BLOWING AND SUCTION IN THE PRESENCE OF ROUGHNESS

Abstract : The feasibility of maintaining a fully laminar boundary layer on a given two-dimensional body by means of combined blowing and suction and the effectiveness of blowing for increasing the boundary layer's tolerance to roughness are investigated theoretically. The potential flow past the body is determined by using a suitably selected source distribution and then refining the body obtained from this selection by means of slender body techniques. The boundary-layer calculations are then made for various blowing rates at the stagnation point. The calculations indicate that the combination of suction, applied to maintain a laminar boundary layer, and blowing near the stagnation point, to improve the tolerance of the laminar boundary to roughness, can substantially reduce the skin friction of bodies operating at high Reynolds numbers. (Author)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: A review for the treating practitioner

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), is characterized by physical and behavioral symptoms that cause marked social impairment during the last half of the menstrual cycle. Symptoms are believed to result from the interaction of central neurotransmitters and normal menstrual hormonal changes. Treatment usually begins with lifestyle changes, over-the-counter medications, and if needed, selective serotonin reup-take inhibitors. Physicians should be aware of the risks of many of the alternative therapies commonly touted in the popular press.
Measurement of the hole dispersion in a quantum well by hot-electron-acceptor luminescence

We report quantitative measurements of the hole dispersion curves of a quantum well using hot-electron-acceptor luminescence in combination with band-edge luminescence. The directionally averaged heavy-hole and light-hole energies are determined for in-plane wave vectors between 3% and 7% of the Brillouin zone. Experimentally significant differences between quantum wells of different widths are observed.
Setting stone decay in a cultural context: conservation at the African Cemetery No. 2, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

Abstract Management of stone artifacts requires understanding the driving forces for change, whether natural or anthropogenic, in order to implement effective conservation strategies. Physical, chemical and biological processes of stone decay must be understood in order to remediate the damage they cause. It is not merely the stone itself which is to be conserved, however, but also the cultural, social, religious or artistic ideas that it represents; these values are changeable and must be defined in the context of contemporary heritage processes. Cemetery stone in Kentucky, USA, provides an example of the importance of a holistic approach to stone conservation, which integrates scientific knowledge of decay processes with conservation theory and the needs of stakeholders.
R-3-methyl-γ-butyrolactone as a template for the synthesis of (+)-invictolide

Abstract The dextrorotatory antipode of the pheromone invictolide has been synthesized from R-3-methyl-γ-butyrolactone, which is employed as a stereochemical template for the addition of propionate units via a Claisen rearrangement and a palladium-catalyzed alkylation. (+)-Invictolide is inactive.
Characterization of High-Performance Polyimides Containing the Bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene Ring System

ABSTRACT Polyamic acids and polyimides were synthesized by the polycondensation of bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride with 1,4-phenylenediamine, 1,3-phenylenediamine, 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-diaminobiphenyl diamine (o-tolidine), and 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the corresponding polyamic acids and polyimides were stable up to approximately 450°C under argon and air. Thermal and thermo-oxidative stability was higher for polyimides derived from disubstituted biphenyl moieties (CF3 or CH3) and bicyclic ring systems. The polymers exhibited enhanced solubility in organic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide. The polymers with high aromatic character tend to exhibit decreased solubility. X-ray data indicated that the polyamic acids are amorphous.
Dexmedetomidine, acting through central alpha-2 adrenoceptors, prevents opiate-induced muscle rigidity in the rat

The highly-selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist dexmedetomidine (D-MED) is capable of inducing muscle flaccidity and anesthesia in rats and dogs. Intense generalized muscle rigidity is an undesirable side effect of potent opiate agonists. Although the neurochemistry of opiate-induced rigidity has yet to be fully elucidated, recent work suggests a role for a central adrenergic mechanism. In the present study, the authors determined if treatment with D-MED prevents the muscle rigidity caused by high-dose alfentanil anesthesia in the rat. Animals (n = 42) were treated intraperitoneally with one of the following six regimens: 1) L-MED (the inactive L-isomer of medetomidine), 30 micrograms/kg; 2) D-MED, 10 micrograms/kg; 3) D-MED, 30 micrograms/kg; 4) D-MED [30 micrograms/kg] and the central-acting alpha-2 antagonist, idazoxan [10 mg/kg]; 5) D-MED [30 micrograms/kg] and the peripheral-acting alpha-2 antagonist DG-5128 [10 mg/kg], or; 6) saline. Baseline electromyographic activity was recorded from the gastrocnemius muscle before and after drug treatment. Each rat was then injected with alfentanil (ALF, 0.5 mg/kg sc). ALF injection resulted in a marked increase in hindlimb EMG activity in the L-MED treatment group which was indistinguishable from that seen in animals treated with saline. In contrast, D-MED prevented alfentanil-induced muscle rigidity in a dose-dependent fashion. The small EMG values obtained in the high-dose D-MED group were comparable with those recorded in earlier studies from control animals not given any opiate. The high-dose D-MED animals were flaccid, akinetic, and lacked a startle response during the entire experimental period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Exact radiation from an axial dipole antenna on a prolate metallic spheroid coated with layers of isorefractive and anti-isorefractive materials

The geometry analyzed in this paper consists of a metallic prolate spheroid coated with confocal spheroidal layers of lossless materials whose refractive indexes are either equal (isorefractive) or opposite in sign (anti-isorefractive) to the refractive index of the medium surrounding the structure. The primary source is an electric dipole located on the axis of symmetry and axially oriented. The fields in the various regions are written as infinite series of products of radial and angular prolate spheroidal functions, and the modal expansion coefficients are determined exactly by imposing the boundary conditions, thus yielding a new canonical solution to a radiation problem. Numerical results are presented and discussed.
The Role of Independent Therapy Providers in the Transition to Preschool

The complexity of the early intervention to preschool transition process has been highlighted in the early childhood literature; however, the role of independent therapy providers in transition planning has not been described specifically. The present study used survey research methods to gather information about the transition practices of 103 independently contracted therapists providing early intervention services in Kentucky. Results provide preliminary data regarding the ways in which therapists working as independent contractors participate in the transition process. Working with families, attending meetings, and communicating with receiving therapists were the most commonly reported strategies for participation, yet barriers to participation such as lack of time and decreased support from service coordinators also were identified. Most therapists reported participating fully in the transition process despite having received minimal training specifically related to early childhood transitions. Impli...
Elastic electron scattering from inert-gas atoms

We present a comprehensive set of theoretical values for differential, total, and momentum transfer cross sections for elastic scattering of electrons by inert-gas atoms, for energies below 1 keV. In addition, we also provide Sherman function values for the xenon atom at various energies. The present work includes a critical analysis of most available experimental and theoretical data, and systematic investigations on the effect of various choices for the atomic central, exchange, and polarization potential that we used in our calculations. The objective of the present work is to employ a relatively simple and semiempirical approach with a minimum number of adjustable parameters, which could generate a reliable set of cross sections for a wide range of energies. The present data are in very good agreement with prior accurate experimental and theoretical values.
Enriching employee ontology for enterprises with knowledge discovery from social networks

To enhance human resource management and personalized information acquisition, employee ontology is used to model business concepts and relations between them for enterprises. In this paper, we propose an employee ontology that integrates user static properties from formal structures with dynamic interests and expertise extracted from informal communication signals. We mine user's interests at both personal and professional level from informal interactions on communication platforms at the workplace. We show how complex semantic queries enable granular analysis. At the microscopic level, enterprises can utilize the results to better understand how their employees work together to complete tasks or produce innovative ideas, identify experts and influential individuals. At the macroscopic level, conclusions can be drawn, among others, about collective behavior and expertise in varying granularities (i.e. single employee to the company as a whole).
Comparison between the Functions of TRPP and Other Structurally-related Channels and their Links to Membrane Trafficking

TRPP and other structurally-related proteins belong to the same subfamily of TRP channels. Despite the similarities in their membrane topology, their cellular distribution is different and mutations in the genes encoding them cause different types of diseases. These channels are nonselective and permeable to Na+, Ca++ and other cations and they are modulated by changes in the extracellular and intracellular concentrations of these cations. Our studies also show that the translocation of these proteins to the cell membranes is stimulated by defined chemical chaperones, proteasome inhibitors and modulators of ion homeostasis. They play a role in membrane trafficking and their translocation between different subcellular compartments is modulated by hormones involved in the homeostasis of Na+ and other ions. Cells expressing mutated TRPP and related proteins show abnormal trafficking of subcellular membrane vesicles. Such abnormalities may explain the symptomatology and the pathogenesis of the disorders caused by the mutations of the genes encoding these proteins.
Alkylation of Deltahedral Zintl clusters: synthesis of [R-Ge9-Ge9-R]4- (R = tBu, sBu, nBu, tAm and structure of [tBu-Ge9-Ge9-tBu]4-.

Reactions of nine-atom deltahedral clusters (Zintl ions) of germanium, Ge9n- (n = 2, 3, 4), with alkyl chlorides, RCl (R = tBu, nBu, sBu, tAm), yielded the corresponding dialkylated dimers of Ge9 clusters [R−Ge9−Ge9−R]4-. The tBu derivative with [K(2,2,2-crypt)]+ countercations was characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as [K(2,2,2-crypt)]4[tBu−Ge9−Ge9−tBu]·7en (monoclinic, C2/c, a = 35.0914(10) A, b = 24.8161(6) A, and c = 16.8782(5) A, β = 94.0136(17)°, V = 14662.0(7) A3, and Z = 4) and in solution by 1H and 13C NMR. All species were also characterized in solution by electrospray mass spectrometry in the negative-ion mode. These are the first main group deltahedral clusters functionalized with purely organic substituents.
Genetic analysis of ewe stayability and its association with lamb growth and adult production

Records from 2,525 adult Targhee ewes and 10,099 lambs were used to estimate genetic parameters in an animal model for ewe stayability (STAY), productive life (PL), adult BW (AW) and BCS, fleece characteristics, and number of lambs born (NLB) and for lamb BW at birth and approximately 45 d, 120 d (120W; weaning), 12 mo, and 18 mo of age. Stayabilities were analyzed as overall stayability (STAYn|2), which indicated presence or absence of a ewe at n yr of age, given that she was present at 2 yr of age, or marginal stayability (STAYn|n-1) recording the presence of a ewe at n yr of age, given that she was present in the previous year. Productive life was measured as the age of ewe in years at her last lambing. Lamb BW were corrected for age at weighing; BW taken at or before weaning were adjusted for effects of type of birth and rearing, age of dam, and sex using National Sheep Improvement Program methods. The NLB was likewise adjusted for effects of ewe age before analysis. Birth year was included as a fixed effect for all traits. Year of record and, for AW and CS, the number of lambs born or born and reared were also included in models for adult traits. Models for all traits included random additive genetic and residual effects. Random maternal genetic and dam permanent environmental effects were also included in the model for lamb (pre)weaning BW, and random permanent environmental effects of the ewe were included in models for adult traits. The heritability estimate for PL was 0.05 (P 0.10). However, genetic correlations between STAY6|2 and 120W, AW, and NLB were all negative, with values of -0.17, -0.32 (P < 0.05), and -0.03, respectively, indicating a possible small antagonism between STAY and genetic effects on body size.
Endopyelotomy outcome as a function of high versus dependent ureteral insertion.

Abstract Objectives. To determine whether a high versus a dependent ureteral insertion significantly affects the outcome of endopyelotomy for management of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Methods. Sixty patients with UPJ obstruction were treated with an endopyelotomy by way of either an antegrade percutaneous approach (n = 36) or a retrograde hot-wire balloon incision (n = 24). In these 60 patients, the ureteral insertion was high on the renal pelvis in 19 (32%), dependent in 25 (42%), and indeterminate in 16 (26%). Intravenous urography was performed 4 to 6 weeks after stent removal (8 to 12 weeks after endopyelotomy) and then at 6 to 12-month intervals. Success of the procedure was defined as resolution of symptoms and decrease in hydronephrosis compared with pre-endopyelotomy studies. Results. With a follow-up range of 2 to 41 months (mean 10.3), the overall success rate was 80%. This rate was independent of whether the procedure was performed in an antegrade or retrograde fashion. A successful result was achieved in 15 (78.9%) of those with a high insertion, 19 (76%) of those with a dependent insertion, and 14 (87.5%) of those with an equivocal insertion; these differences were not statistically significant ( P = 0.72). Conclusions. The type of ureteral insertion (ie, high versus dependent) had no significant impact on the outcome of endopyelotomy by way of either a percutaneous or retrograde approach. As such, these anatomic variations need not play a role in a decision-making algorithm for contemporary management of UPJ obstruction.
An automated radiographic NDT system for weld inspection: Part II—Flaw detection

An automated radiographic NDT system for weld inspection has been developed. The entire system consists of two major components: weld extraction and flaw detection. Part I of the system implemented a weld extraction methodology, which has been presented in a previous paper. This paper presents Part II of the system dealing with the detection of welding flaws. The flaw detection methodology is developed based on the fitted line profiles of a weld image and consists of four modules: preprocessing, curve fitting, profile-anomaly detection, and postprocessing. The successful detection rate and false alarm rate of the methodology are reported based on the test results of 24 representative welds.
Multiscale Modeling Reveals Poisoning Mechanisms of MgO-Supported Au Clusters in CO Oxidation

Catalyst deactivation mechanisms on MgO-supported Au6 clusters are studied for the CO oxidation reaction via first-principle kinetic Monte Carlo simulations and shown to depend on support vacancies. In defect-poor MgO or in the presence of a Mg vacancy, O2 does not bind to the clusters and the catalyst is poisoned by CO. On Au clusters interacting with O vacancies of the support, O2 can be chemisorbed and transient activity is observed. In this case, an unexpected catalyst “breathing” mechanism (restructuring) leads to carbonate formation and catalyst deactivation, rationalizing several experimental observations. Our study underscores the importance of the cluster’s charge state and dynamics on catalytic activity.
Scripts in Organizational Behavior

The concept of a “script” is presented as a framework for understanding the cognitive dynamics underlying many organizational behaviors and actions. A script is a schematic knowledge structure held in memory that specifies behavior or event sequences that are appropriate for specific situations. “Script processing” is the performance of the behaviors or events contained in the knowledge structure. Many facets of organizational behavior can be effectively described, analyzed, and understood by using the script concept and processing notion.
Review: A survey of network flow applications

It has been over 16 years since Cisco's NetFlow was patented in 1996. Extensive research has been conducted since then and many applications have been developed. In this survey, we have reviewed an extensive number of studies with emphasis on network flow applications. First, we provide a brief introduction to sFlow, NetFlow and network traffic analysis. Then, we review the state of the art in the field by presenting the main perspectives and methodologies. Our analysis has revealed that network security has been an important research topic since the beginning. Advanced methodologies, such as machine learning, have been very promising. We provide a critique of the studies surveyed about datasets, perspectives, methodologies, challenges, future directions and ideas for potential integration with other Information Technology infrastructure and methods. Finally, we concluded this survey.
Adenosine- and adenine-nucleotide-mediated inhibition of normal and transformed keratinocyte proliferation is dependent upon dipyridamole-sensitive adenosine transport.

Extracellular adenosine and its related nucleotides have been referred to as retaliatory metabolites that can be released into the extracellular environment during inflammation, wounding, and other pathologic states. We have previously reported that these compounds reversibly inhibit the proliferation of normal keratinocyte cultures and we now demonstrate that these compounds also arrest the proliferation of transformed keratinocytes. Although our study shows that keratinocytes express mRNA corresponding to the A2B purinoreceptors and that adenosine or AMP treatment elevates intracellular cAMP in these cells, our study also demonstrates that dipyridamole-inhibitable transport of adenosine into the keratinocyte is central to the mechanism by which adenosine and adenine nucleotides arrest proliferation in these cells. In support of this mechanism, our results demonstrate that human keratinocytes express mRNA corresponding to the recently cloned dipyridamole-sensitive human equilibrative nucleoside transporter. Interestingly, coincubation with adenosine deaminase reverses the antiproliferative action of adenosine and exerts no effect on the antiproliferative activity of the adenine nucleotides, thus supporting a model in which adenine nucleotides are enzymatically converted to adenosine and transported into the keratinocyte in a tightly coupled and adenosine-deaminase-resistant manner. Analysis of adenosine- and adenosine-monophosphate-treated keratinocytes demonstrated that quiescence is induced within 12–24 h, and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis suggests that treatment with these compounds may result in the inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation at both G1 and S phases of the cell cycle. In addition to their documented antiproliferative action on other cell types, adenosine, adenine nucleotides, and related analogs may also represent a potential new class of pharmacologic regulators of keratinocyte proliferation in vivo
Attitudes about cancer screening: dinnertime bias.

To the Editor. —Dr Kottke and colleagues1continue to contribute substantially to our understanding of how to enhance cancer early-detection services. However, their conclusion that women in the population studied are "ambivalent to participating in cancer detection programs" bears careful scrutiny. Telephone solicitation is an irritating part of life in the 1990s. Such calls typically come to my house during dinner. If a telephone surveyor engaged me for 10 minutes, I'd be anxious to get back to my dinner. In particular, I'd want to avoid similar telephone intrusions anytime soon. If, in concluding, the surveyor asked me if I wanted to be contacted by my physician when I next needed a cancer early-detection test, I'd say no. I would be afraid that the physician would call me during dinner too. I propose that this represents dinnertime bias. It's a different story in the examination room or in reviewing the
Laser Conditioning and Electronic Defects of HfO 2 and SiO 2 Thin Films

Multilayer Hf02/Si02 high reflectors (HR) and polarizers show a permanent increase in their 1(4-nm damage thresholds followinglaserconditioningatsubthreshold fluences. Threshold increasesof2-3x are typical. In an effort tobetter understand the condifioning effect we have made laser conditioning and electronic property measurements on single layers of these two materials. The laser damage threshold of 1-. un thick e-beam deposited Si02 was increased by laser conditioning for wavelengths ranging from 355 to 1064 nm. The damage threshold of 2 srnglelayers was not influenced by sub4hreshold illumination. As-deposited thin films of a-Si02 are known to contain paramagnetic electronic defects. We have used electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to study the concentrations and types of defects present in single layer and multilayer films of Hf02 5102. E'' and oxygen hole centers with concentrations on tI order of 107/cm3 have been measured in the Si02 layers. A previously unreported defect has been observed for Hf02. The concentrationofdefects was studied bothbeforeand afterlaserconditioningand damagewith 1064-nm photons. These electronic structure measurements are discussed in relation to an electronic defect model for laser conditioning of dielectric multilayers. 1.
On the mechanochemistry of muscular contraction.

Abstract A kinetic theory of skeletal muscle contraction is presented. It is based on the sliding filament model considering the complex formed between ATP-loaded myosin subfragment-1 and ADP-loaded G-actin as the locus of the mechanochemical energy conversion. Applying Newton's laws of mechanics, a mechanochemical equation of steady state was derived which relates the chemical turnover rate to the external load and to the shortening velocity. Experimental data seem to fit this relationship. Analysis of the characteristic constants of the equations of state, suggests that vertebrate skeletal muscles differ with respect to one molecular parameter only—the frequency of turnover ν o of a subfragment-1 in an isometric contraction. The equations of state of all these muscles can be written in terms of ν o and of three universal molecular constants: (i) the average contractile force \ gf o developed during the lifetime of an active complex in an isometric contraction; (ii) the relative movement Δ l m of half a thick filament after each of its subfragment-1 subunits had split one ATP molecule in an unloaded contraction; and (iii) the ratio K of the chemical activities under unloaded and isometric conditions. The values of the universal constants were calculated. A molecular interpretation of the coefficients of the non-equilibrium thermodynamic phenomenological equations is presented. These are shown to be proportional to each other for a given muscle. The molecular mechanochemical coupling parameters \ gf o and Δ l m are shown to be related to each other thermodynamically. The degree of coupling and the maximal mechanochemical efficiency are shown to have the same values for all skeletal muscles. These are calculated on the basis of the above molecular parameters. On the other hand, the economy of maintenance of isometric tension would be inversely proportional to the ATP-ase activity. The variation of the thermodynamic affinity with load is explained by assuming a second coupled mechanochemical system in addition to that involving actin and myosin, i.e. one comprising troponin carrying tropomyosin chains and calcium ions.
Mental scanning of sonifications reveals flexible encoding of nonspeech sounds and a universal per-item scanning cost

A mental scanning paradigm was used to examine the representation of nonspeech sounds in working memory. Participants encoded sonifications - nonspeech auditory representations of quantitative data - as either verbal lists, visuospatial images, or auditory images. The number of tones and overall frequency changes in the sonifications were also manipulated to allow for different hypothesized patterns of reaction times across encoding strategies. Mental scanning times revealed different patterns of reaction times across encoding strategies, despite the fact that all internal representations were constructed from the same nonspeech sound stimuli. Scanning times for the verbal encoding strategy increased linearly as the number of items in the verbal representation increased. Scanning times for the visuospatial encoding strategy were generally slower and increased as the metric distance (derived metaphorically from frequency change) in the mental image increased. Scanning times for the auditory imagery strategy were faster and closest to the veridical durations of the original stimuli. Interestingly, the number of items traversed in scanning a representation significantly affected scanning times across all encoding strategies. Results suggested that nonspeech sounds can be flexibly represented, and that a universal per-item scanning cost persisted across encoding strategies. Implications for cognitive theory, the mental scanning paradigm, and practical applications are discussed.
A Simple Technique for Fly Ash Specimen Preparation for Scanning Electron Microscopy

A method of mounting fly ash specimens for scanning electron microscopy is described that avoids almost all charging difficulties and permits imaging of close packed fields of representative particles. The procedure facilitates a true assessment of the kinds of particles present in that specific fly ash and their relative frequencies of occurrence.