cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoinduced Rearrangement of Dienones and Santonin Rerouted by Amines.

The photoinduced rearrangement pathways of simple 2,5-dienones and the natural product santonin were found to be effectively rerouted by amines, giving rise to unprecedented products. Either cis olefins or cyclobutenes were obtained from 4,4-disubstituted 2,5-dienone upon irradiation (365 nm) in the presence of various amines depending on the solvent. Previously undescribed [4.4.0] and [5.3.0] fused-ring-containing products were obtained when santonin was irradiated (365 nm) in the presence of methylamine. The amines present in these reactions were incorporated into the products by means of amide-group formation.
Phylogeny-Based Kernels with Application to Microbiome Association Studies

The human microbiome, the collection of the microorganisms and their genomes associated with the human body, has received tremendous attention recently due to its important role in human health and disease. Next generation sequencing technology opens a new era for microbiome research via direct sequencing of the microbial DNA. One widely used approach sequences the bacterial 16S rRNA gene to profile the bacterial content of the human microbiome, resulting in a sparse species abundance table, together with a phylogenetic tree among species. Due to the complex interaction between bacterial species and the environment, linear model is not appropriate for microbiome data. Kernel methods, which allow modeling nonlinear relationship, have become increasingly popular for microbiome data. Moreover, kernel methods allow easy incorporation of prior structure information by defining a problem-specific kernel function. For microbiome data, the phylogenetic tree provides important prior information about how these bacterial species are related, and incorporating the phylogenetic tree into analysis can potentially improve the efficiency and power of the analysis. While there are methods for converting the phylogeny-based distance measures into kernels, a formal kernel function that allows flexible integration of the tree does not exist. Here we provide a three-parameter phylogeny-based kernel, which allows modeling a wide range of nonlinear relationships. Each parameter has a nice biological interpretation and, by tuning the parameter, we can gain insights about how the microbiome interacts with the environment. We demonstrated the performance of the phylogeny-based kernel in the context of kernel machine-based microbiome association test. We show that the test based on our new kernel outperforms that based on traditional distance-converted kernels. We finally applied the phylogeny-based kernel to a real gut microbiome data from a diet-microbiome association study. We identified more nutrients associated with the gut microbiome using the phylogeny-based kernel.
Mind over Matter: Using Technology to Improve Wellness

ABSTRACTWellness—the balance of mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health for the overall health benefit of the individual—is a growing concern, particularly for professionals in the medical field. Although wellness is usually viewed in opposition to technology, more digital devices and mobile applications are emerging to support wellness for health consumers. This wellness technology seeks to improve the overall health of the user through increasing calm and decreasing stress. This column will explain what wellness technology is, concerns over its widespread application, examples of wellness devices on the market currently, and an overview of where it is being applied in libraries.
Creation II. Re-Enchantment

Levi undertakes the task of inventing an animal ex nihilo in stories where biblical references are intertwined with the writings of Charles Darwin. This chapter demonstrates that Levi takes from Darwin not only the theory of the struggle for life, but also an anti-anthropocentric approach to the universe and, more importantly, the possibility of a re-enchantment of the world based on the material reality. This attitude is also apparent in Levi’s approach to the Book of Job. Although Job according to Levi is the paradigmatic embodiment of unjust and incomprehensible suffering, my analysis underlines how Levi’s understanding of the story also displays an animal imagery that forces Job to re-forge his own identity in terms of community, wonder, and limitrophy with the other creatures.
Estimating errors in concept selection

Numerical concept selection methods are used throughout industry to determine which among several design alternatives should be further developed. The results, however, are rarely believed at face value. Uncertainties (or errors) in subjective choices, modeling assumptions, and measurement are fundamental causes of this disbelief. This paper describes a methodology developed to predict overall error ranges, in addition to estimating a confidence measure in the numerical evaluation results. Each numerical assignment is given an associated error tolerance, and then treated as a probability error to create a simple means to propagate the uncertainties. A degree of confidence is also derived, similar to a statistical t-test, to indicate an induced confidence level in the final decision. Two preliminary concept selections are shown, to illustrate the methodology. Results from these concept selections indicate that (1) uncertainties can be suitably captured and quantified; (2) critical design questions are addressed during the process of numerical concept selection with error propagation; and (3) designers can make more informed and confident decisions through error estimation.
Cascade Laser Action in Tm3+:YLF

Among current systems used for atmospheric aerosol remote sensing is the ruby laser at 0.69 μm. Due to uncertainties in the complex index of refraction and its dependence with wavelength it would be very useful to expand the current ruby lidar system and include transmission measurements at longer IR wavelengths.
A method to reduce glutathione peroxidase levels in primary endothelial cell cultures

The purpose of this study was to develop culture conditions that would reduce glutathione peroxidase activity in bovine mammary endothelial cells. Conditions of reduce glutathione peroxidase activity were produced in vitro by culturing cells in selenium-deficient media. Low selenium levels were achieved by reducing serum concentrations; however, levels of essential growth factors also were reduced by this method. Therefore, cell proliferation was promoted by supplementation with combinations of defined serum components including insulin, transferrin, linoleic acid, bovine brain extract, and human epidermal growth factor. Out of seven different formulas tested, F12K medium containing 2% fetal bovine serum, insulin, transferrin, and linoleic acid was found to be conducive for cell proliferation. Upon confluence, endothelial cells cultured under these conditions consistently displayed short passage rates, consistent cell numbers, and classic ‘cobblestone’ morphology when grown in the presence or absence of supplemental selenium. Additionally, these cells retained typical endothelial cell characteristics such as uptake of 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindo-carb ocyanine perchlorate acetylated low-density lipoprotein and the expression of cell adhesion molecules and von Willebrand Factor.
Amiloride-Sensitive Na+ Channels and Human Hypertension

Amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels play a critical role in Na+ homeostasis in various tissues and cells throughout the body. With the recent cloning of an epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) by two independent groups in 19931, great strides in understanding the molecular fonction of these important ion channels have been made. Previously, it was thought that amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels were confined only to epithelial tissues. However, recently work by Van Renterghem and Lazdunski3, Kupitz and Atlas4, Bubien and Warnock5, 6, and Lingueglia et al. 7 clearly demonstrate the existence of a regulated amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel in non-epithelial cells such as vascular smooth muscle, oocytes, human and rat lymphocytes, and neurons, respectively. The distribution of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels is essentially ubiquitous. They are present in both the proximal and distal regions of the mammalian lung as well as in a number of sensory organs such as inner ear hair cells and gustatory epithelia8
HIV and Gender Differences in Diet: A Focus on Antioxidants

Abstract Male human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients experience faster disease progression and earlier mortality, even while receiving antiretroviral therapy. The role of dietary differences by gender is unclear. Understanding the gender differences in the diet of HIV patients is critical to guide the design of effective nutritional interventions and eliminate disparities in survival and the experience of clinical outcomes among HIV patients. Evidence from large population studies suggest that the intake of vitamins B and C and zinc, important in slowing HIV disease progression, may be lower among males than females. Studies assessing the intake of the other antioxidants have yielded inconsistent findings. This pattern is also reflected in the intake of specific food items by gender. These gender differences in dietary intake may be explained by a skills gap in food preparation by gender and society’s expectations concerning masculinity. The design of interventions to address these disparities should bear in mind gender-based nutrition goals among males and females.
Diffusion-weighted MRI of the lung at 3T evaluated using echo-planar-based and single-shot turbo spin-echo-based acquisition techniques for radiotherapy applications.

Purpose To compare single-shot echo-planar (SS-EPI)-based and turbo spin-echo (SS-TSE)-based diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients and to characterize the distributions of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values generated by the two techniques. Methods Ten NSCLC patients were enrolled in a prospective IRB-approved study to compare and optimize DWI using EPI and TSE-based techniques for radiotherapy planning. The imaging protocol included axial T2w, EPI-based DWI and TSE-based DWI on a 3 T Philips scanner. Both EPI-based and TSE-based DWI sequences used three b values (0, 400, and 800 s/mm2 ). The acquisition times for EPI-based and TSE-based DWI were 5 and 8 min, respectively. DW-MR images were manually coregistered with axial T2w images, and tumor volume contoured on T2w images were mapped onto the DWI scans. A pixel-by-pixel fit of tumor ADC was calculated based on monoexponential signal behavior. Tumor ADC mean, standard deviation, kurtosis, and skewness were calculated and compared between EPI and TSE-based DWI. Image distortion and ADC values between the two techniques were also quantified using fieldmap analysis and a NIST traceable ice-water diffusion phantom, respectively. Results The mean ADC for EPI and TSE-based DWI were 1.282 ± 0.42 × 10-3 and 1.211 ± 0.31 × 10-3 mm2 /s. The average skewness and kurtosis were 0.14 ± 0.4 and 2.43 ± 0.40 for DWI-EPI and -0.06 ± 0.69 and 2.89 ± 0.62 for DWI-TSE. Fieldmap analysis showed a mean distortion of 13.72 ± 8.12 mm for GTV for DWI-EPI and 0.61 ± 0.4 mm for DWI-TSE. ADC values obtained using the diffusion phantom for the two techniques were within 0.03 × 10-3 mm2 /s with respect to each other as well as the established values. Conclusions Diffusion-weighted turbo spin-echo shows better geometrical accuracy compared to DWI-EPI. Mean ADC values were similar with both acquisitions but the shape of the histograms was different based on the skewness and kurtosis values. The impact of differences in respiratory technique on ADC values requires further investigation.
Disability Language and Our Momentary Preferences

Illes and Lou’s article raises a very valid point—that language and its use in social, cultural, and political settings influence the way we think about disabled people (Illes and Lou 2019). As the...
Acute theophylline exposure modulates breathing activity through a cervical contusion

Abstract Cervical spinal contusion injuries are the most common form of spinal cord injury (> 50%) observed in humans. These injuries can result in the impaired ability to breathe. In this study we examine the role of theophylline in the rescue of breathing behavior after a cervical spinal contusion. Previous research in the C2 hemisection model has shown that acute administration of theophylline can rescue phrenic nerve activity and diaphragmatic EMG on the side ipsilateral to injury. However, this effect is dependent on intact and uninjured pathways. In this study we utilized a cervical contusion injury model that more closely mimics the human condition. This injury model can determine the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions, in this case theophylline, on the isolated contused pathways of the spinal cord. Three weeks after a 150 kD C3/4 unilateral contusion subjects received a 15 mg/kg dose of theophylline prior to a contralateral C2 hemisection. Subjects that received theophylline were able to effectively utilize damaged pathways to breathe for up to 2 min, while subjects treated with saline were unable to support ventilation. Through these experiments, we demonstrate that theophylline can make injured pathways that mediate breathing more effective and therefore, suggest a potential therapeutic role in the critical time points immediately after injury.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival compared with concurrent chemoradiation alone in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with N3 disease

Background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) trials in endemic regions of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) found improved survival, but studies are lacking in nonendemic regions. We assessed whether adding NAC to concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) improves overall survival (OS), especially in high-risk nonendemic patients. Methods Definitively treated NPC patients (n = 5424) from the National Cancer Database were analyzed for predictors of NAC and NAC effects on OS with multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis (multivariate analysis [MVA]). Propensity score matched (1:2) survival analysis of NAC (n = 968) and CRT alone (n = 1914) was also performed. Effects on OS were stratified by risk group. Results On MVA, NAC-improved OS among the total cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, P = .049), particularly among stratified keratinizing histology (HR 0.82, P = .015) and N3 disease (HR 0.73, P = .046). Among propensity matched patients, NAC improved OS in patients with N3 disease (n = 336; HR 0.71, P = .046). Conclusions NAC may improve OS among nonendemic NPC patients at higher risk of distant micrometastases, particularly N3 disease and those with unfavorable histology.
Short-term effect of surgery for non-idiopathic scoliosis on pulmonary function

Background: Conflicting results are available of effect of surgical correction of scoliosis on pulmonary function. In children with a severely decreased respiratory function even limited improvement of respiratory function after scoliosis surgery could be of major clinical relevance. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effect of scoliosis surgery on pulmonary function in children diagnosed with non-idiopathic scoliosis by comparing pre-operative spirometry results to results three months after surgery. Methods: This prospective, single-centre, observational study included children, diagnosed with non-idiopathic scoliosis, able to perform spirometry. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare spirometry results. Results: 28 children were included with median age of 13 years (interquartile rang (IQR) 10-15). Half were children with neuromuscular disease. There was a statistically significant higher relative expiratory forced vital capacity prior (median 58%, IQR 43-76%) compared to 3 months after surgery (55%, IQR 32-78%), p=0.001). No statistically significant difference of both absolute and relative values of peak expiratory flow and maximal vital capacity were seen prior and after surgery. A trend towards higher relative peak expiratory flow 3 months after surgery was observed (median 60%, IQR 42-77%) versus 50%, IQR 40-88%, p=0.053). Results were similar in the most severely affected children. Conclusion: Spirometry results 3 months after surgery for non-idiopathic scoliosis showed no statistically significant difference compared to results prior to surgery. Even a decline of relative expiratory forced vital capacity was observed.
Approximate Filtering, Control and Interaction in Large-Scale Systems

Abstract The theory of canonical correlation analysis is used to develop approximate (reduced-order) Kalman filters and linear quadratic regulators. Also an explicitly characterization for representing the interaction between subsystems of a large-scale interconnected system is developed.
Footwear and footstrike change loading patterns in running.

Loading rates have been linked to running injuries, revealing persistent impact features that change direction among three-dimensional axes in different footwear and footstrike patterns. Extracting...
Sequence dependent co-phase separation of RNA-protein mixtures elucidated using molecular simulations

ABSTRACT Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules are membraneless organelles (MLOs) which majorly consist of RNA and RNA-binding proteins and are formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Experimental studies investigating the drivers of LLPS have shown that intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and nucleic acids like RNA play a key role in modulating protein phase separation. There is currently a dearth of modelling techniques which allow one to delve deeper into how RNA plays its role as a modulator/promoter of LLPS in cells using computational methods. Here we present a coarse-grained RNA model developed to fill this gap, which together with our recently developed HPS model for protein LLPS, allows us to capture the factors driving RNA-protein co-phase separation. We explore the capabilities of the modelling framework with the LAF-1 RGG/RNA system which has been well studied in experiments and also with the HPS model previously. Further taking advantage of the fact that the HPS model maintains sequence specificity we explore the role of charge patterning on controlling RNA incorporation into condensates. With increased charge patterning we observe formation of structured or patterned condensates which suggests the possible roles of RNA in not only shifting the phase boundaries but also introducing microscopic organization in MLOs.
Do All Arabs Really Look Alike? Prejudice and the U.S. 'War' on Terror

This timely Article draws attention to disparate treatment of Arabs and Muslims as compared to other ethnic and religious minorities. It analyses multiple statements by prominent public figures, which illustrate both a hostility to, and an ignorance of, Muslims. This results in draconian measures against Muslims based in prejudicial assumptions, such as Guantanamo Bay and racial profiling at airports. These measures in turn lead to poor policy outcomes for the United States by exacerbating distrust of the United States in the Arab world. The Article calls for a shift in public discourse, as well as a realignment of domestic and international policy, to focus on treating Muslims as people rather than as a collective.
Development of Spray-Dried Cyclodextrin-Based Pediatric Anti-HIV Formulations

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impacts up to 37 million people globally, of which 1.8 million are children. To date, there is no cure for HIV, although treatment options such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) are available. ART, which involves a patient taking a combination of antiretrovirals, is being used to treat HIV clinically. Despite the effectiveness of ART, there is currently no palatable pediatric formulation to treat HIV in children, which has hindered patient compliance and overall treatment efficacy. In addition, anti-HIV therapeutics are often poorly water-soluble, and hence have poor bioavailability. In the present study, we developed a pediatric-friendly formulation for anti-HIV therapeutics with improved dissolution characteristics of the therapeutic agents. Lopinavir (LPV) and ritonavir (RTV), available as FDA-approved fixed-dose combination products, were chosen as model ART drugs, and the formulation and processing parameters of spray-dried cyclodextrin (CD)-based LPV and RTV complexes were studied. Results showed that the spray-dried complexes exhibited enhanced dissolution profiles in comparison to pure drugs, particularly spray-dried β-CD complexes, which showed the most favorable dissolution profiles. This current formulation with enhanced dissolution and taste-masking ability through the use of cyclodextrin has the potential to address the unmet need for the development of suitable pediatric formulations.
The McDonaldization of Long-Term Care

The organization of long-term care homes has changed significantly over the past decades. Local mom and pop nursing homes (NH) of the past have long since given way to large bureaucratic NH chains, creating an industry whose business is the production of “care”. This paper explores how Ritzer’s theory of “McDonaldization” can be used to strategically analyse the impact of these structural changes in American NH and assisted living homes in the care of elders. This analysis applies Ritzer’s four central concepts of McDonaldization to NH's in America: (1) efficiency, the best method to achieve the two key goals of passing inspections and filling beds that transcend the goal of optimum care; (2) calculability, the assumption that quantity equals quality, such as staff to resident ratios; (3) predictability, extremely repetitive, highly structured activities of daily living (ADLs); and (4) control, taking skills away from people and incorporating them into technology, such as electronic medical charts, medication monitoring software, and “call lights”. As with other McDonaldized industries, this creates an “irrationality of rationality”, resulting in dehumanizing conditions for care partners. These strategies would rationally seem to reduce financial costs by decreasing the number of workers. However, these strategies create greater human costs and often more financial issues in the long run from staff burnout, high turnover, poor quality of care and decline in the residents over all well-being.
Heterogeneous Microstructural Changes of the Cervix Influence Cervical Funneling

The cervix acts as a dynamic barrier between the uterus and vagina, retaining the fetus during pregnancy and allowing birth at term. Critical to this function, the physical properties of the cervix change, or remodel, but dysfunctional remodeling can lead to preterm birth (PTB). Although cervical remodeling has been studied, the complex 3D cervical microstructure has not been well-characterized. In this complex, dynamic, and heterogeneous tissue microenvironment, the microstructural changes are likely also heterogeneous. Using quantitative, 3D, second-harmonic generation microscopy, we demonstrate that cervical remodeling is not uniform across the cervix; during pregnancy, the collagen fibers orient progressively more perpendicular to the cervical canals in the inner cervical zone, but do not reorient in other regions. Furthermore, regions that are microstructurally distinct early in pregnancy become more similar as pregnancy progresses. We use a finite element simulation to show that heterogeneous regional changes influence cervical funneling, an important marker of increased risk for PTB; the proximal portion of the cervix shows ~6.5x larger radial displacement when fibers in the inner cervical zone are parallel to the cervical canals compared to when fibers are perpendicular to the canals. Our results provide new insights into the microstructural and tissue-level cervical changes that have been correlated with PTB and provide a new explanation for a possible origin of cervical funneling. Funding Information: Kimani C. Toussaint, Ph.D., holds a 2017 Preterm Birth Research Grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (#1017300). Research reported in this publication was partly supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number T32EB019944. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Ethics Approval Statement: All procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Bare Root Liner Production Can Alter Tree Root Architecture

Abstract Typical nursery production practices, such as root pruning and transplanting, can alter tree root architecture and contribute to root systems that are too deep. In a study of field-grown liner production, root architecture was examined at each stage of the production process, from first year seedlings or rooted cuttings, through 4 to 5 year old branched liners. Depth and diameter of structural roots were recorded on ten replications each of Acer saccharum, Gleditsia triancanthos, Pyrus calleryana, and apple seedling rootstocks; Platanus ‘Columbia’ clonal rooted cuttings; and apple EMLA 111 clonal rootstock produced by mound propagation. By the time the liners reached marketable size, most natural lateral roots emerging from the primary root were lost. Simultaneously, adventitious roots were produced deeper on the root shank at the pruned end of the primary root. These changes in architecture result in the formation of an ‘adventitious root flare’ that is deeper in the soil than a natural root fla...
Urban forestry and arboriculture as interdisciplinary environmental science: importance and incorporation of other disciplines

Urban forests - trees and vegetation in cities - produce numerous benefits for urban residents. The study and practice of urban forestry aims to understand how trees and their benefits are produced and maintained over time. Urban forestry (tree population management) and the related field of arboriculture (single-tree management) are less known outside of the forestry and horticulture disciplines in which these fields developed. Because urban forests are best understood as social-ecological systems, urban forestry research using interdisciplinary methods and theory is beginning to become more common. In this paper, we surveyed educators and leaders of urban forestry and/or arboriculture programs across the world to examine the interdisciplinary basis of these programs. We summarize here the responses of 116 institutions of higher education (85 within the United States) with urban forestry and/or arboriculture coursework. Seventy-four percent of institutions considered urban forestry/arboriculture to be interdisciplinary. Some disciplines (e.g., biology/ecology, forestry) are already very incorporated into their program's current curriculum, and the importance of several other disciplines is recognized even while incorporation is not yet fully realized (e.g., urban planning, natural resource management, environmental science/studies). However, many major disciplines that have relevance to urban forestry/arboriculture are not rated as particularly important to the field, much less incorporated into curriculum (e.g., anthropology/sociology, economics, engineering, public policy/public affairs). Our study serves as a foundation on which to begin strengthening the interdisciplinary ties of urban forestry and arboriculture.
Biological Diversity, Evolution, and Biogeochemistry

Publisher Summary This chapter probes the relationship between biodiversity and biogeochemistry. To do this an evolutionary as well as an ecological approach is adapted. The diversification of plants and animals has brought about a diversification of novel chemistry that in turn has had an impact on biogeochemistry. Even in fairly recent times new metabolic pathways have evolved in response to changing atmospheric conditions and have affected global biogeochemistry. With the development of the angiosperms and the coincident adaptive radiation of animals, novel and diverse chemical compounds have evolved. Many of these compounds have also had impacts on biogeochemistry, in some cases only locally, but in others more generally. From the research into the role of species richness in ecosystem functioning, including biogeochemistry, it is reported that richness can influence the carbon flux of ecosystems. The chapter concludes that a major biological revolution is in the process, which involves the mixing of biota formerly separated by oceans. Many of the new communities that are resulting have distinctive biogeochemical signatures.
Cerebellar Contributions to Visual Attention and Visual Working Memory Revealed by Functional MRI and Intrinsic Functional Connectivity.

The study of cerebellum function has been traditionally limited to the motor domain. Recent research, however, has begun to characterize the cerebellum's role in cognition (see Schmahmann, 2010) and has demonstrated intrinsic functional connectivity between cerebral cortical networks and distinct cerebellar regions (Buckner et al., 2011). Here, in two separate fMRI experiments, we investigated whether cerebro-cerebellar connectivity of dorsal attention network (DAN) predicts cerebellar activation during visual attention and visual working memory (VWM) task performance. In experiment 1 (N=8), subjects performed a multiple-object tracking task. In experiment 2 (N=9), subjects performed a VWM change detection task using oriented bars. Memory load was varied across blocks (set size: SS0, SS1, or SS4). Both experiments employed resting-state functional connectivity analysis using cortical network seeds (Yeo et al., 2011) to parcellate cerebro-cerebellar networks in individual subjects. In experiment 1, a region-of-interest analysis revealed a robust attentional effect within cerebellar regions functionally connected to the cortical DAN (p<.01). Conversely, cerebellar regions functionally connected to the cortical default mode network (DMN) showed reliable deactivation (p<.001). In experiment 2, contrasting SS4 with SS0 and SS1 resulted in a similar pattern of competitive interaction between cerebellar nodes of the DAN and DMN. Load-dependent activation spatially corresponded with cerebellar DAN nodes (SS4-SS0: p<.005; SS4-SS1: p<.0001) and load-dependent deactivation was observed within cerebellar DMN nodes (SS4-SS0: p<.005; SS4-SS1: p<.0005). Across both experiments the strength of intrinsic functional connectivity, with either the cortical DAN or the cortical DMN, significantly predicted the response of individual cerebellar voxels (Experiment 1: rDAN =.67, rDMN =-.71; Experiment 2: rDAN =.60, rDMN =-.56). Our results indicate that cerebellar nodes of the DAN contribute to network function across a diverse range of attentive and working memory conditions. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2015.
Simple, sensitive zymogram technique for detection of xylanase activity in polyacrylamide gels.

A method capable of detecting as little as 0.11 U of xylanase activity in polyacrylamide gels was developed. The method entails incubation of protein gels in contact with substrate gels containing unmodified xylan, followed by immersion of substrate gels in 95% ethanol. Resulting zymograms contain transparent bands corresponding to enzymatic activity against an opaque background. Images
Siderophore production by the pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans.

Abstract Biochemical assays were used to determine that some strains of Candida albicans were capable of simultaneous secretion of both the hydroxamate and phenolate-type siderophores when grown in a deferrated medium at 37°C. All isolants of C. albicans released hydroxamate-type siderophores into the culture medium; whereas, approximately 40% of the strains simultaneously secreted phenolate-type siderophores. The presence of phenolate and hydroxamate-type siderophores in the culture medium was further confirmed by assaying the culture media with type specific siderophore-dependent bacterial auxotrophs. This is the first report showing production of both classes of siderophores by a pathogenic yeast.
Temperament: the bridge between biology and affective illness

Kraepelin had envisaged a broad concept of manicdepressive illness that included recurrent depressions. The unipolar-bipolar dichotomy restricted the territory of manic-depression to strictly defined bipolar disorder with mania (bipolar I). Research over the past three decades has shown that bipolarity extends into the severe psychotic domain, as well as into the interface between bipolarity and unipolarity. At the severe end of the spectrum, familial-genetic and course parameters support the extension of bipolar disorder into "schizo-bipolar." At the "softer end," bipolar II is distinguished from bipolar I by excited periods which are non-psychotic and brief, and sometimes adaptive, hypomania as short as two days; in bipolar III, hypomania is associated with antidepressant treatment; in bipolar IV, the depression arises from a hyperthymic (trait subthreshold hypomanic) baseline. More recent data on the near normal distribution of hypomanic overactive behavior in bipolar II and unipolar patients is further evidence for the crumbling of boundaries between unipolar and bipolar disorders. The clinical and familial data in support for extending the bipolar spectrum has come from U.S. and European centers and community studies, and argues for oligogenic inheritance. However, the broadened clinical spectrum does not necessarily imply genetic homogeneity. The high population prevalence of bipolarity at the softer end of the spectrum (5–10%) argues for a role of bipolar traits such as cyclothymia and hyperthymia in human evolution (e.g. mate selection, territoriality, leadership, exploration, creativity). Finally, the broad spectrum has important therapeutic and public health significance in terms of early intervention and extending the benefit of mood stabilizers to conditions that might otherwise be diagnosed "unipolar" or "impulse control disorders." from International Society on Brain and Behaviour: 1st International Congress on Brain and Behaviour Hyatt Regency Hotel, Thessaloniki, Greece, 20–23 November, 2003
Gas Utility Prices in a Restructured Industry

The natural gas industry has witnessed significant policy changes since 1978. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has undertaken a number of policy initiatives designed to promote competition in the natural gas industry. These initiatives have affected both natural gas pipeline and local gas distribution companies. This study provides an empirical examination of the impact of restructuring on local gas distribution utilities' residential, commercial, and industrial prices.
Cytogenetic Investigation of the Rhnull Phenotype1

. An Rhnull person, who is believed to be of the amorphic allele type, showed no recognizable deletion or translocation of the segment of the No. 1 chromosome in which the Rh locus is situated.
Nonlinear data-bounded polynomial approximations and their applications in ENO methods

A class of high-order data-bounded polynomials on general meshes are derived and analyzed in the context of numerical solutions of hyperbolic equations. Such polynomials make it possible to circumvent the problem of Runge-type oscillations by adaptively varying the stencil and order used, but at the cost of only enforcing C 0 solution continuity at data points. It is shown that the use of these polynomials, based on extending the work of Berzins (SIAM Rev 1(4):624---627, 2007) to nonuniform meshes, provides a way to develop positivity preserving polynomial approximations of potentially high order for hyperbolic equations. The central idea is to use ENO (Essentially Non Oscillatory) type approximations but to enforce additional restrictions on how the polynomial order is increased. The question of how high a polynomial order should be used will be considered, with respect to typical numerical examples. The results show that this approach is successful but that it is necessary to provide sufficient resolution inside a front if high-order methods of this type are to be used, thus emphasizing the need to consider nonuniform meshes.
The impact of precipitation change on nitrogen cycling in a semi-arid ecosystem

Summary 1. Climatic change is altering ecosystem structure and function, especially in the southwestern United States where trees are near their physiological water stress threshold. In pi~ (Pinus edulis-Juniperus monosperma; PJ) woodlands, increased drought is causing differential mortality of pi~ resulting in an ecosystem that is becoming juniper dominated. 2. Using a precipitation manipulation, we assessed how both increased and decreased precipitation altered ecosystem function beneath pi~ and juniper. We predicted that changes in precipitation would alter nitrogen (N) availability and mineralization at the site. Further, we predicted that these responses would differ beneath pi~ and juniper crowns due to plantlevel differences in transpiration and N uptake in response to drought. 3. We found minimal interactions between tree species and the precipitation treatments on N cycling. However, across all years measured, soil nitrate decreased with increasing soil volumetric water content; a pattern that is likely due to reduced turnover in dry plots. In contrast, potential soil net-nitrogen mineralization was reduced in water removal plots relative to water addition plots indicating that nitrogen cycling rates were slower under drought. Tree type also influenced nitrogen dynamics in this woodland. Across all 4 years, soil N availability and potential soil net-mineralization rates were higher in soils beneath pi~ relative to juniper across all treatments. Interestingly, the observed shifts in N cycling were not reflected in the abundance of N in microbial biomass or in ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, which are responsible for nitrification. The observed patterns may be due to increased N leaching from the soil during periods of increased rainfall or due to decreased microbial activity or plant N uptake when conditions are dry. 4. The effect of precipitation change on N cycling may have long-term consequences on the plant community in this semi-arid ecosystem. Nitrogen concentrations are highest in the soil when water availability is low, thus when N concentrations are high, plants and microbes are relatively inactive and unable to use this resource.
Generalizability in epidemiology: an investigation within the context of heart failure studies

Purpose Generalizability is characterized by the relevance of a study's results when applied to a larger population. The Dictionary of Epidemiology (J.M. Last et al., 4th ed., 2001) defines generalizability as “unbiased inferences regarding a target population (beyond the subjects in the study).” A goal of public health research is to apply study findings to an external population, and the ability to effectively evaluate generalizability is crucial to the real-world application of results. Current descriptions of generalizability fail to adequately assist in this evaluation; therefore, an alternative conceptual framework is proposed. Generalizability can be assessed using seven key determinants that provide a more systematic evaluation of this concept than can be accomplished by using widely known definitions. Results Generalizability as a construct in textbooks is discussed, as is the formation of our determinants based on these constructs. The seven key determinants are: (i) population definition, (ii) definition of outcome, (iii) recruitment of subjects, (iv) inclusion and exclusion criteria, (v) data collection, (vi) subject retention, and (vii) length of follow-up. The main study designs in epidemiology (ecologic, case–control, cohort, and randomized clinical trial) are used to demonstrate the application of the determinants. In addition, heart failure studies using each type of epidemiologic study design are reviewed for application of the determinants. Concerns regarding the generalizability of the results from all studies are discussed in depth, using the seven key determinants. Strengths and limitations of the generalizability of the findings from these studies are compared in summary tables. Conclusion Generalizability typically pertains only to the external validity of a study, but the key determinants include elements of internal validity. This additional information lends strength to the ability to evaluate a study's results. Short-term and long-term solutions to obtaining and presenting generalizable information on heart failure patients are presented. These solutions can be used to provide clinicians and epidemiologists with more representative information on heart failure populations. This review can serve as a model for the discussion of the determinants of generalizability in other chronic disease studies.
Development of the helium-jet fed on-line mass separator RAMA, I

Abstract Development of general experimental systems capable of mass analysis of radioactive species with half-lives as short as 50 ms and with simple application to a vast majority of the chemical elements is clearly of great interest in the study of nuclei far from stability. Such an on-line system has been developed which employs a helium-jet to transport activity from the target area to a mass separator. The initial development and early experiment use of this recoil atom mass analysis system (RAMA) are described. RAMA as a typical total efficiency of 0.01%, which should apply to ∼75 elements of melting point M ΔM ∼ 200 .
Aniseikonic perception of injured areas of one's own body.

Summary.-The hypothesis was evaluated that the greater the anxiety associated with a body area the more resistant ir is to aniseikonic lens distortion. This was done by having men (N = 42) hospitalized with serious body damage (in restricted body areas) view themselves in a full-length mirror while wearing aniseikonic lenses and report the degree to which various major body sectors appeared to be altered by the lenses. It was found, as predicted, that injured sectors were perceived as less altered than non-injured ones. Aniseikonic lenses result in images of disparate size being received by the two eyes, and they consequently produce a variety of distortions in the perceptual field (e.g., tilting, narrowing, widening, shape alterations; Fisher, 1970). Ames (1946) was one of the first to pint oat their potential value for psychological research. Evidence has accumulated that, when a target is viewed through aniseikonic lenses the degree to which it will be perceived as distorted is inverse to the amount of anxiety it arouses. Thus, Wittreich and Radcliffe (1955) demonstrated that observers perceive less aniseikonic change in the appearance of a simulated amputee (whose mutilated appearance presumably represents a disturbing stimulus) than in a control of normal appearance. Cormack (1966) found support for this observarion; Fisher and Richter (1969) showed that the closer a woman is to the onset of her menstrual flow the less likely she is to perceive aniseikonic change in her pelvic region (while viewing herself in a fulllength mirror) than other regions of her body not directly involved in menstrual functions. If one assumes chat a woman's anxiety about her pelvic region increases as the onset of menstruation becomes more imminent, this finding is congruent with those of Wittreich and Radcliffe (1955) and also Cormack (1966) just cited. By way of explanation of such findings it has been suggested that the greater the anxiety aroused by a target, the more reluctant is the observer, who is viewing it through aniseikonic lenses, to experience it as perceptually unstable. That is, an effective defense against the threatening stimulus is apparently best maintained by stabilization of the field. Resistance to change in the face of stress is a well known defensive strategy. The work of Fisher and Richter (1969) mentioned above, which demonstrated that aniseikonic lense perception could discriminate degrees of anxiety associated with different body areas, indicated the potential value of this technique for measuring feelings about one's own body. The present study was
Comparative effectiveness of minimally invasive and abdominal radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer

Abstract Objective We analyzed the uptake, morbidity, and cost of laparoscopic and robotic radical hysterectomies for cervical cancer. Methods We identified women recorded in the Perspective database with cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy (abdominal, laparoscopic, robotic) from 2006 to 2010. The associations between patient, surgeon, and hospital characteristic and use of minimally invasive hysterectomy as well as complications and cost were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. Results We identified 1894 patients including 1610 (85.0%) who underwent abdominal, 217 (11.5%) who underwent laparoscopic, and 67 (3.5%) who underwent robotic radical hysterectomy were analyzed. In 2006, 98% of the procedures were abdominal and 2% laparoscopic; by 2010 abdominal radical hysterectomy decreased to 67%, while laparoscopic increased to 23% and robotic radical hysterectomy was performed in 10% of women (p Conclusion Uptake of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer has been slow. Both laparoscopic and robotic radical hysterectomies are associated with favorable morbidity profiles.