cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strategies for Oligodendrocyte and Myelin Repair in Traumatic CNS Injury

A major consequence of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury is the loss of the myelin sheath, a cholesterol-rich layer of insulation that wraps around axons of the nervous system. In the central nervous system (CNS), myelin is produced and maintained by oligodendrocytes. Damage to the CNS may result in oligodendrocyte cell death and subsequent loss of myelin, which can have serious consequences for functional recovery. Demyelination impairs neuronal function by decelerating signal transmission along the axon and has been implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases. After a traumatic injury, mechanisms of endogenous remyelination in the CNS are limited and often fail, for reasons that remain poorly understood. One area of research focuses on enhancing this endogenous response. Existing techniques include the use of small molecules, RNA interference (RNAi), and monoclonal antibodies that target specific signaling components of myelination for recovery. Cell-based replacement strategies geared towards replenishing oligodendrocytes and their progenitors have been utilized by several groups in the last decade as well. In this review article, we discuss the effects of traumatic injury on oligodendrocytes in the CNS, the lack of endogenous remyelination, translational studies in rodent models promoting remyelination, and finally human clinical studies on remyelination in the CNS after injury.
Click to Count: The Effects of Nonpartizan Cue Endorsements in Selecting Political Information

The endorser effects literature expects the public to be swayed by cues offered by trusted or liked sources. A useful question for political marketing scholars is whether inherently nonpartizan cue...
Deep Learning Prediction of Metastasis in Locally Advanced Colon Cancer Using Binary Histologic Tumor Images

In this study, we developed the Binary ImaGe Colon Metastasis classifier (BIg-CoMet), a semi-guided approach for the stratification of colon cancer patients into two risk groups for the occurrence of distant metastasis, using an InceptionResNetV2-based deep learning model trained on binary images. We enrolled 291 colon cancer patients with pT3 and pT4 adenocarcinomas and converted one cytokeratin-stained representative tumor section per case into a binary image. Image augmentation and dropout layers were incorporated to avoid overfitting. In a validation collective (n = 128), BIg-CoMet was able to discriminate well between patients with and without metastasis (AUC: 0.842, 95% CI: 0.774-0.911). Further, the Kaplan-Meier curves of the metastasis-free survival showed a highly significant worse clinical course for the high-risk group (log-rank test: p < 0.001), and we demonstrated superiority over other established risk factors. A multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusted for confounders supported the use of risk groups as a prognostic factor for the occurrence of metastasis (hazard ratio (HR): 5.4, 95% CI: 2.5-11.7, p < 0.001). BIg-CoMet achieved good performance for both UICC subgroups, especially for UICC III (n = 53), with a positive predictive value of 80%. Our study demonstrates the ability to stratify colon cancer patients via a semi-guided process on images that primarily reflect tumor architecture.
The new blue economy

Abstract The new blue economy is realized as the commercialization of value-added data, information, and knowledge about the marine environment. The economic benefits are enabled by dramatic improvements in observational capabilities and in the development of predictive models. Increases in volume, diversity, and quality of data, as well as more skillful methods of forecasting and nowcasting make possible the production of products and services enhancing traditional components of the blue economy. Case studies provide examples of how the benefits of the new blue economy might be demonstrated. The components of the new blue economy are discussed in the context of how we might envision its future evolution. Challenges for future build-out are discussed in terms of market assessments, market stimulation, investment approaches, workforce development, and policy issues.
Efficient Hydrogen Delivery for Microbial Electrosynthesis via 3D-Printed Cathodes

The efficient delivery of electrochemically in situ produced H2 can be a key advantage of microbial electrosynthesis over traditional gas fermentation. However, the technical details of how to supply large amounts of electric current per volume in a biocompatible manner remain unresolved. Here, we explored for the first time the flexibility of complex 3D-printed custom electrodes to fine tune H2 delivery during microbial electrosynthesis. Using a model system for H2-mediated electromethanogenesis comprised of 3D fabricated carbon aerogel cathodes plated with nickel-molybdenum and Methanococcus maripaludis, we showed that novel 3D-printed cathodes facilitated sustained and efficient electromethanogenesis from electricity and CO2 at an unprecedented volumetric production rate of 2.2 L CH4 /L catholyte /day and at a coulombic efficiency of 99%. Importantly, our experiments revealed that the efficiency of this process strongly depends on the current density. At identical total current supplied, larger surface area cathodes enabled higher methane production and minimized escape of H2. Specifically, low current density (<1 mA/cm2) enabled by high surface area cathodes was found to be critical for fast start-up times of the microbial culture, stable steady state performance, and high coulombic efficiencies. Our data demonstrate that 3D-printing of electrodes presents a promising design tool to mitigate effects of bubble formation and local pH gradients within the boundary layer and, thus, resolve key critical limitations for in situ electron delivery in microbial electrosynthesis.
A Ribonucleoprotein Which Catalyzes Thiol-Disulfide Exchange in the Sea Urchin Egg

Abstract Some properties of a ribonucleoprotein which catalyzes electron exchange between the disulfide groups of the contractile protein of the cell cortex and the sulfhydryl groups of a protein from the mitotic apparatus are described. The enzyme was purified 400-fold by molecular sieve chromatography. The purified enzyme contains about 20% ribonucleic acid with a ratio of guanylic plus cytidylic acid to adenylic plus uridylic acid about 1.3. The nucleotide moiety is resistant to ribonuclease but is cleaved by venom phosphodiesterase. The s20,w of the whole ribonucleoprotein is 1.42 with a molecular weight of 13,500. Three sulfhydryl groups were detected in the enzyme. Separation of the enzyme into the protein and nucleic acid components results in complete loss of catalytic activity, which is largely restored on recombination.
The Gaze of the Perfect Search Engine: Google as an Infrastructure of Dataveillance

Web search engines have emerged as a ubiquitous and vital tool for the successful navigation of the growing online informational sphere. The goal of the world’s largest search engine, Google, is to “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful” and to create the “perfect search engine” that provides only intuitive, personalized, and relevant results. While intended to enhance intellectual mobility in the online sphere, this chapter reveals that the quest for the perfect search engine requires the widespread monitoring and aggregation of a users’ online personal and intellectual activities, threatening the values the perfect search engines were designed to sustain. It argues that these search-based infrastructures of dataveillance contribute to a rapidly emerging “soft cage” of everyday digital surveillance, where they, like other dataveillance technologies before them, contribute to the curtailing of individual freedom, affect users’ sense of self, and present issues of deep discrimination and social justice.
Abducens palsy after lumbar drain placement: a rare complication in endoscopic skull base surgery.

Objectives/Hypothesis To study reports of abducens nerve palsy following dural puncture procedures and to discuss possible etiologic theories, treatment, and prognosis. Study Design Systematic review of peer-reviewed literature. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted (PubMed, 1950 to September 2011) for cases of sixth cranial nerve palsy following dural puncture procedures. Results We report a case of abducens nerve palsy following lumbar drain placement for endoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary macroadenoma resection. Sixth nerve palsy was noted immediately after surgery. Postoperative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no injury to the nerve or surrounding structures. A systematic literature review conducted for cases of abducens nerve palsy following dural puncture procedures found 22 studies (17 case reports and five case series). Twenty-eight patients with temporary or permanent abducens nerve palsy were reported. Procedures included diagnostic lumbar puncture, spinal anesthesia, intrathecal catheterization, and shunting. Traction and local ischemia due to intracranial hypotension at the petroclival junction were proposed as causes of palsy. Conclusions Lumbar puncture procedures carry a rare risk of abducens nerve palsy from ischemic or traction injury. Routine use of lumbar drain during endoscopic skull base surgery is not without risk, and need for its placement should be carefully determined. Knowledge of such rare complications is helpful in risk–benefit analysis as endoscopic skull base techniques gain popularity. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 123:2633–2638, 2013
New findings on limit state analysis with unstructured triangular finite elements

SUMMARY The emergence of high performance unstructured mesh generators enables the use of low-order triangles and tetrahedras for a wide variety of problems, where no structured quadrangular mesh can be easily constructed. Some of the results acknowledged by the community of computational mechanics therefore need to be carefully looked at under the light of these recent advances in unstructured and adaptive meshing. In particular, we question evidence of locking during plastic flow, as it has been presented by several authors in the past. We claim that locking can also manifest through stress oscillations. Overshoot of limit loads or displacement locking can be explained by other causes: Insufficient mesh refinement or comparison with analytical solutions that are based on assumptions that are inconsistent with the finite element model. We present a stabilized Galerkin mixed method that allows accurate and converging limit loads to be computed for any elastic-plastic problem using standard equal-order interpolation for both displacements and mean stress for low-order linear triangular elements. The method is attractive for simulations where the cost of meshing is more important than the added computational cost of an additional nodal unknown required by the mixed formulation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The acute effects of ritodrine infusion on maternal metabolism: Measurements of levels of glucose, insulin, glucagon, triglycerides, cholesterol, placental lactogen, and chorionic gonadotropin☆

Twenty-nine women in premature labor were randomly assigned to a ritodrine (N = 14) or placebo (N = 15) treatment group. Thirteen serial blood samples were drawn during the first 12 hours of therapy by intravenous drug infusion and they were analyzed for a variety of metabolic substances. There was a significant increase in the blood glucose level in the ritodrine group after one hour and this persisted for the 12 hours of intravenous drug treatment. Plasma insulin levels similarly did not increase in the placebo but significantly rose in the ritodrine group by 30 minutes, peaked at 2 1/2 hours, and remained elevated throughout the infusion. There were no significant differences between levels of plasma glucagon, cholesterol triglyceride, human placental lactogen, or human chorionic gonadotropin in the two treatment groups. Ritodrine caused significant maternal and fetal tachycardia. Its use in women with carbohydrate abnormalities should be monitored carefully. The increased glucose levels may lead to an increased fetal weight.
Three-dimensional analysis of the organization of human chromosome domains in human and human-hamster hybrid interphase nuclei

This report describes the intranuclear organization of chromosomes in human-hamster hybrid nuclei and in human cell nuclei. The target chromosomes were stained using in situ hybridization with biotinylated, chromosome-specific DNA probes. Bound probe was detected with fluorescein-avidin. Hybridizations were performed to fixed nuclei in aqueous suspension in order to preserve their three-dimensional morphology. Total nuclear DNA was stained with DAPI. Three-dimensional information about the organization of DNA and probe within the nucleus was obtained by optical sectioning. The human chromosomes in human-hamster hybrid nuclei were found to be confined to ‘domains’ that were maintained during the cell cycle. Different spatial localization patterns of the human chromosomes were seen in interphase nuclei of two different hybrid cell lines. The positions of chromosome-specific repetitive sequences in human fibroblast interphase nuclei were also studied using probes for the telomeric region of chromosome 1p (1p36), the centromeric region of chromosome 9 (9q12) and the long arm of the Y chromosome (Yq12). These studies showed that the two 1p telomeric loci are located near the nuclear surface. The chromosome 9 centromeric loci are similarly located. Simultaneous hybridization of the chromosome 1 telomeric probe (target size approximately 200 kb; b, base) and the Y-specific probe (target size greater than 2Mb), demonstrate that the binding sites of the two probes can be distinguished in the same nucleus on the basis of domain size.
The detection of dust storms over land and water with satellite visible and infrared measurements

The position of a large area of dust was successfully located over the Sahara Desert and off the west coast of Africa with infrared measurements from the Temperature Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR) and visible information from the Image Dissector Camera System (IDCS) on Nimbus 4 between 20 and 25 April 1970. Over land, near midday, the dust areas were associated with lower equivalent blackbody temperatures (TBB's) than in the surrounding areas due to the mixing of the dust with the cooler air just above the surface. Near midnight dust areas appeared to be located where the TBB's were higher than the surrounding regions. The TBB contrast was insufficient for dust detection over the ocean, but the contrast in the visible was great enough to track the movement of the dust for several days off the African west coast. Measurements from the THIR 6.5-7.2 micron channel were useful for detecting the presence of cirrus clouds which could have caused a misinterpretation of the 10.5-12.5 micron TBB's.
LENS: 2013 Facility Overview☆

Abstract The Low Energy Neutron Source at Indiana University began construction in the fall of 2003, and the facility has now been producing cold neutrons for approximately 8 years. LENS now has three instruments in operation on its cold target station as well as a facility for investigating neutron radiation effects on a second target station. Instrumentation development continues to represent a significant fraction of the activity at LENS, with the current activities focused primarily on neutron spin manipulation and moderator development. Research into the effects of confinement on simple and complex fluids has dominated our materials investigations. In this paper, we summarize recent activities in these areas using each of the instruments and provide an update on our operational experience over the last few years.
Improved microcirculation in irradiated tumours

The response of the tumour micro-circulation of a mouse mammary tumour to fractionated irradiation was investiagted by the quantitative analysis of cinematographically recorded micro-angiograms made of tumours, growing in a sheet-like fashion with a thickness of about 50 μ. The results indicate that, during a course of fractionated radiotherapy with daily fractions of 576 rads, there is an improvement of the tumour microcirculation, which is most marked at the 7th treatment day when the tumours have just regressed beyond their initial size. The technique of growing sheet-like tumours in a modification of the Algire chamber system (called the “sandwich” system), does not only allow the direct observation, recording or measurement of the various aspects of the tumour microcirculation, but also permits direct estimation of the local oxygenation (redox) state of the tumour tissue by using micro-fluorometric methods. This work was undertaken while the author was on leave from the Radiobiological Institute TNO. It was supported by grant No. USPHS 2-02-CA-06519. Part of this work was presented at the symposium “Time and Dose Relationships in Radiation Biology as Applied to Radiotherapy”, held at Carmel, California, September 1969.
The growth and structure of oxide films on Fe. I. Oxidation of (001) and (112) Fe at 200–300°C

A study has been made of the oxidation of (001) and (112) Fe at 200–300°C in 5×10−3 Ton O2 to determine the influence of substrate orientation and surface pretreatment. Using oxidation kinetics, reflection electron diffraction, and electron optical techniques, it has been shown that the nature of the prior oxide film has a marked effect on oxidation behavior for a given orientation. The initial faster rate for a surface covered with a 16-A prior oxide film formed by dry oxidation at room temperature is attributed to a smaller sub grain size in this film, compared to that for a prior film formed by electropolishing. This initial rapid rate is not sustained because of oxide separation from the metal. α-Fe2O3 formation, which occurs at higher temperatures for either surface pretreatment, is enhanced by the oxide separation.
Two retinal vein occlusions in a patient with venous tortuosity at the optic disc.

Background The aetiology of occlusion is thought to differ for branch retinal vein and central retinal vein types. This communication reports on an unusual presentation of two retinal vein occlusions in one eye of a patient with optic disc tortuosity where the occlusion was thought to occur at a site usually seen in central retinal vein occlusion.
Visual fields of orb web and single line web spiders of the family Uloboridae (Arachnida, Araneida)

In the family Uloboridae, web reduction is associated with changes in web monitoring posture and prosomal features. A spider must extend its first pair of legs directly forward to monitor the signal line of a reduced web. This posture is facilitated by shifts in prosomal musculature that cause reduced web uloborids to have a narrower anterior prosoma, a reduced or absent anterior eye row, and prominent posterior lateral eye tubercles. The eye tubercles and larger posterior eyes of these uloborids suggest that web reduction may also be accompanied by ocular changes that compensate for reduction of the anterior eyes by expanding the visual fields of the posterior eyes. A comparison of the visual fields of the eight-eyed, orb web species Octonoba octonaria and a four-eyed, reduced web Miagrammopes species was made to determine if this is true. Physical and optical measurements determined the visual angles of each species' eyes and the pattern of each species' visual surveillance. Despite loss of the anterior four eyes, the Miagrammopes species has a visual coverage similar to that of O. octonaria. This is due to (1) an increase in the visual field of each of the four remaining Miagrammopes eyes, accruing from an extension of the retina and an increase in the lens' rear radius of curvature, and (2) a ventral shift of each visual axis, associated with the development of an eye tubercle and an asymmetrical expansion of the retina. Miagrammopes monitor their simple webs from twigs or moss where they are vulnerable to predation. Therefore, maintenance of visual cover may enable them to detect predators in time to assume or maintain their characteristic, cryptic posture. It may also allow them to observe approaching prey and permit them to adjust web tension or prepare to jerk their webs when prey strikes.
Depoliticizing Feminism: Frontier Mythology and Sarah Palin's “The Rise of The Mama Grizzlies”

This essay analyzes a chapter from Sarah Palin's best-selling book America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag. We argue that Sarah Palin draws upon the mythology of the American frontier in “The Rise of the Mama Grizzlies” in order to legitimate a conservative feminism. Our analysis demonstrates how Palin appropriates the history of the women's rights movement and the symbols and language of feminism to position her audience of contemporary conservative women as the rightful heirs of a distinctly American frontier feminism. Ultimately, we expose Palin's narrative of frontier feminism as a pseudo feminist rhetoric that functions to bolster conservative and masculinist logics while undermining core tenets of feminism. While very few rhetorical studies examine women speaking frontier rhetoric, our analysis helps to fill this void by demonstrating how Sarah Palin reinterprets the frontier myth to insert conservative women at its center and by exploring the consequences of framing feminism throug...
Hybrid chirped-pulse amplification systems: development of high-peak-power and high-average-power systems

We have developed a novel series of femtosecond amplifiers based on a combination of materials including Ti:Al2O3, Cr:LiSrAlF6, alexandrite, and Nd:glass with the intent of increasing the average power capability of high intensity laser sources.
Cardiac positron emission tomography. A report for health professionals from the Committee on Advanced Cardiac Imaging and Technology of the Council on Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association.

T hisstatement oftheCommittee on Advanced Cardiac Imaging andTechnology ofthe Council on Clinical Cardiology addresses the use ofpositron emission tomography (PET)as a clinical toolforthediagnosis andmanagementof patients withcoronaryartery disease. Overthepast decade PETtechnology hasevolved tothepoint that clinical PET studies can beperformed safely and efficiently intheevaluation ofpatients withknownor suspected coronaryartery disease. Twospecific uses ofPET inmanagementofcoronaryartery disease havebeenproposed: 1)noninvasive detection of coronaryartery disease andestimation ofitsseverity and2)assessment ofmyocardial viability inpatients withcoronaryarterydisease andleftventricular dysfunction. Thediagnostic useofPETwouldapply toa large numberofpatients, whereas itsuse to assessmyocardial viability wouldapply toa smaller, more select numberofpatients. AsofFebruary 1991, theavailable datathathave emerged fromthefewcenters withsufficient experienceincardiac PETindicate thatthis promising and advanced imaging modality canoften provide accurate information inbothoftheseclinical situations. PET allows more sensitive dataacquisition thansingle photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In addition, coincidence detection provides a means of measuring tissue photon attenuation forsubsequent correction ofemission data. Inclinical practice, such attenuation correction results inimproved delineation ofregional tracer concentration compared withcurrentSPECTmethods. Present-generation
Characteristics of InGaAsN/GaAsN quantum well lasers emitting in the 1.4-μm regime

Abstract To improve the performance of metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD)-grown long wavelength InGaAsN quantum well (QW) diode lasers emitting beyond 1.3 μm, a detailed examination of the growth parameters was performed, including DMHy/V ratio, QW growth temperature, choice of barrier material and thermal annealing temperature. This study reveals that a growth temperature in the 530–540 °C range is preferred in order to improve nitrogen incorporation and prevent degradation of the material luminescence. Increasing the DMHy/V ratio is found to be the preferred method to achieve wavelength extension. Utilization of GaAsN barrier layers, instead of GaAs barriers, suppresses the spectral blue-shift of the quantum well luminescence after thermal annealing treatment. Under optimized growth conditions, InGaAsN diode lasers emitting at 1.378 μm are realized with a threshold current density of 661 A/cm2 and external differential quantum efficiency of 34%. Lasing wavelengths as long as 1.41 μm with a threshold current density of 1.93 kA/cm2 are also demonstrated, representing the longest wavelength InGaAsN QW lasers realized by MOCVD.
Camping and child abuse

Child abuse is one of the growing problems with most institutions. There has been little research completed to ascertain the nature of the problem in camping. Preliminary results suggest that camps are a unique environment because the child is away from home and vulnerable. Special care is needed in this environment.
Activation of NF-κB by Phosphatase Inhibitors Involves the Phosphorylation of IκBα at Phosphatase 2A-sensitive Sites

Abstract Activation of NF-κB by various cellular stimuli involves the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of its inhibitor, IκBα, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, the role of serine/threonine phosphatases in the regulation of IκBα phosphorylation was investigated. Our studies demonstrate that incubation of human T cells with low concentrations (∼1-5 nM) of calyculin A or okadaic acid, potent inhibitors of protein phosphatase type 1 (PP-1) and type 2A (PP-2A), induces the phosphorylation of IκBα even in the absence of any cellular stimulus. This action of the phosphatase inhibitors, which is associated with the activation of the RelA•p50 NF-κB heterodimer, is not affected by agents that block the induction of IκBα phosphorylation by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Furthermore, the phosphorylated IκBα from calyculin A-treated cells, but not that from TNF-α-stimulated cells, is sensitive to PP-2A in vitro, suggesting the existence of fundamental differences in the phosphorylation of IκBα induced by the two different NF-κB inducers. However, induction of IκBα phosphorylation by both TNF-α and the phosphatase inhibitors is associated with the subsequent degradation of IκBα. We further demonstrate that TNF-α- and calyculin A-induced IκBα degradation exhibits similar but not identical sensitivities to a proteasome inhibitor. Together, these results suggest that phosphorylation of IκBα, mediated through both the TNF-α-inducible and the PP-2A-opposing kinases, may serve to target IκBα for proteasome-mediated degradation.
A Multielectrode Electrochemical and Scanning Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry Study of Methanol Oxidation on Electrodeposited PtxRuy

Methanol electro-oxidation was studied on a series of electrodeposited PtxRuy catalysts constructed as multielement band electrodes. A combination of electrochemical and scanning differential electrochemical mass spectrometry measurements were performed to evaluate the composition-dependence of methanol oxidation, methanol decomposition, CO2 current efficiency, and the product distribution at 25 and 50 °C. At 25 °C, cyclic voltammetry revealed that the presence of Ru led to enhanced methanol oxidation rates over that of pure Pt. Methanol decomposition showed a similar composition-dependence. Mass spectrometry measurements revealed the evolution of HCOOH and CO2 during methanol oxidation and allowed indirect determination of H2CO produced. Notably, these products were not observed during methanol decomposition. The most active electrode compositions and the highest instantaneous current efficiencies for the formation of CO2 were found to depend on several factors. At 25 °C, the maximum activity was ∼10% Ru...
Inadequate inferior cul-de-sac in the anophthalmic socket

A retrospective review of preoperative findings and postoperative results of conjunctival cul-de-sac fixation surgery performed on 12 patients with acquired anophthalmos and an inadequate inferior conjunctival cul-de-sac was performed. Patients with inadequate conjunctiva or other subconjunctival cicatricial shortening of the inferior cul-de-sac were not suitable candidates for conjunctival cul-de-sac fixation surgery and therefore were excluded from this retrospective study. Only those patients with adequate conjunctiva and loss of inferior cul-de-sac fixation to the lower eyelid retractor complex were selected. Clinical evaluation and theoretical anatomical analysis of this group preoperatively suggested that the absent inferior conjunctival cul-de-sac fixation could allow the intraconal orbital fat to migrate anteriorly, compromising the inferior fornix and prolapsing the conjunctiva of the cul-de-sac superiorly. Surgical correction required direct fixation of the conjunctival cul-de-sac to the periosteum immediately posterior to the inferior orbital rim. No externalized sutures or stents were needed to recreate the inferior conjunctival cul-de-sac. All 12 patients had improved ability to retain a prosthetic eye postoperatively. However, two patients had minimal postoperative lower eyelid retraction and an additional two patients had minimal lower eyelid entropion after surgery. Secondary surgery was not required in any patient.
Next generation microchannel plate detector technologies for UV astronomy

Objectives for the next generation of UV microchannel plate astronomical detectors include development of efficient photocathodes, including gallium nitride (GaN), and diamond, and optimization of silicon based MCPs. Goals include the development of GaN photocathodes in sealed tube and open detectors with >50% DQE in the UV (>110nm), with tunable cutoffs around 400nm. Activated diamond photocathodes with >40% DQE @ >110nm, cutoffs >200nm, and their application to Si MCPs are also of interest. GaN photocathodes have been developed with efficiencies >60% and cutoffs of ~380nm. Diamond photocathodes with ~40% efficiency at 40nm have been achieved, and Cs activation shows promise for high efficiencies (>20% at 180nm). Silicon based MCPs have qualities that make them preferable to glass MCPs (very low intrinsic background, low fixed pattern noise). Large 8cm Si MCPs have been fabricated with large open area ratio, good lifetest data has been obtained, and techniques for coating high temperature/robust photocathode layers have been explored. We also report on a novel MCP imaging readout scheme, the Cross Strip (XS). This anode uses charge division, and centroiding, of microchannel plate charge signals detected on two orthogonal layers of sense strips to encode event X-Y positions, time tags and signal amplitudes. The XS anode is fabricated as a multilayer ceramic/metal structure that can be implemented in a footprint that is not much larger than the active area, and may accommodate formats up to 10cm x 10cm. To date the XS scheme has been tested with a 32 mm x 32 mm prototype anode and customized electronics. This has demonstrated excellent resolution (<7μm FWHM, ~5k x 5k resolution elements (limited by the MCP pore size)) using low MCP gain (~4 x 105), with anode & electronics resolution of ~3μm FWHM.
DNA-protein cross-linking via guanine oxidation: dependence upon protein and photosensitizer.

DNA−protein cross-links form when guanine undergoes a 1-electron oxidation in a flash−quench experiment, and the importance of reactive oxygen species, protein, and photosensitizer is examined here. In these experiments, a strong oxidant produced by oxidative quenching of a DNA-bound photosensitizer generates an oxidized guanine base that reacts with protein to form the covalent adduct. These cross-links are cleaved by hot piperidine and are not the result of reactive oxygen species, since neither a hydroxyl radical scavenger (mannitol) nor oxygen affects the yield of DNA−histone cross-linking, as determined via a chloroform extraction assay. The cross-linking yield depends on protein, decreasing as histone > cytochrome c > bovine serum albumin. The yield does not depend on the cytochrome oxidation state, suggesting that reduction of the guanine radical by ferrocytochrome c does not compete effectively with cross-linking. The photosensitizer strongly influences the cross-linking yield, which decreases in ...
Protein-binding domains of the tight junction protein, ZO-2, are highly conserved between avian and mammalian species.

The tight junction is composed of many proteins and includes three members of the MAGUK (membrane-associated, guanylate kinase-like) protein family: ZO-1, ZO-2, and ZO-3. ZO-2 was cloned and sequenced from embryonic chicken retina. Antibodies against a short ZO-2 peptide immunolabeled the outer limiting membrane (an adherens junction of the neural retina) and the apical junctional complexes of the retinal pigment epithelium. Each ZO family member contains a homologous series of protein-binding domains: three distinct PDZ domains and src homology 3 (SH3), guanylate kinase-like (GuK), and acidic domains. Compared with human and canine ZO-2s, the PDZ and SH3 domains are the most conserved (90-95% amino acid sequence identity). These domains are only 50-71% identical with the homologous domains of ZO-1 and ZO-3. Although the sequence is less conserved for regions that link the protein-binding domains, the length of those regions is conserved in ZO-2s. The postacidic (C-terminal) region is the least conserved. The evolutionary pressure to maintain the sequence of the protein-binding domains suggests that homologous domains have different functions in ZO-1, ZO-2, and ZO-3.
An optimized transformation protocol for Lipomyces starkeyi

We report the development of an efficient genetic transformation system for Lipomyces starkeyi based on a modified lithium acetate transformation protocol. L. starkeyi is a highly lipogenic yeast that grows on a wide range of substrates. The initial transformation rate for this species was extremely low, and required very high concentrations of DNA. A systematic approach for optimizing the protocol resulted in an increase in the transformation efficiency by four orders of magnitude. Important parameters included cell density, the duration of incubation and recovery periods, the heat shock temperature, and the concentration of lithium acetate and carrier DNA within the transformation mixture. We have achieved efficiencies in excess of 8,000 transformants/µg DNA, which now make it possible to screen libraries in the metabolic engineering of this yeast. Metabolic engineering based on this transformation system could improve lipogenesis and enable formation of higher value products.
Power law creep of a composite material containing discontinuous rigid aligned fibers

Abstract An asymptotic analysis is presented for the power law creep of a matrix containing discontinuous rigid aligned fibers. The fibers analysed have a high aspect ratio. As a result, the fiber length is much greater than both the fiber diameter and the spacing between neighboring fibers. For this situation, flow around the fiber ends can be neglected when the creep strength is being calculated. When the matrix is not slipping on the fiber surface or is nearly stuck, shearing flow dominates the behavior. The radial gradient of shear stress is balanced by the axial gradient of hydrostatic stress. Longitudinal, radial and circumferential deviatoric stresses are negligible. The resulting power law creep rate of the composite material is inversely proportional to the fiber aspect ratio raised to the power 1 + 1/n where n is the creep index. The fiber volume fraction also influences the creep rate. When the matrix slips freely on the fiber surface, or nearly so, stretching dominates the matrix flow. In this situation, the composite creep strength is not much better than the unreinforced matrix.
Insurgent Images: Genre Selection and Visual Frame Amplification in IWW Cartoon Art

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW, aka ‘Wobblies’) developed a rich, extensive movement culture. Focusing on one genre – cartoons – within the Wobbly cultural arsenal, we extend social movement theory in two interrelated ways. First, by asking why Wobblies were attracted to cartoons as a key cultural form of insurgent media, we open the question of genre selection for social movement scholars. In this, Wobblies deployed cartoon art extensively because it was a form widely available in prevailing popular culture, corresponded well with IWW oppositional culture, and fitted nicely with production, circulation, and consumption considerations. Second, we ask what sort of work cartoons performed for this movement. We highlight the use of visual arts of protest as an important vehicle for extending movement framing work and develop the concept of visual frame amplification. Drawing on more than 300 IWW cartoons printed in the Industrial Worker between 1909 and 1913, we show that Wobblies used cartoons to ...
Abstract 4856: Survivin packaging into exosomes is lipid raft-dependent

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA We have shown that Survivin is exported out of the cancer cell via exosomes despite its lack of a secretory signaling peptide. However, the mechanism of Survivin exosomal loading is not yet known. Exosomal protein sorting can be endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-dependent or ESCRT-independent. ESCRT dependent protein sorting requires monoubiquitination of the target protein, which serves as an exosome sorting signal. The ESCRT independent mechanism is through preferential aggregation of the proteins which is based on intrinsic physical properties to lipid-rafts present in exosomes. Our lab has recently shown that exosomal Survivin is associated with both Hsp70 and Hsp90, as well as PRDX1 which have also been shown associated with detergent-resistant lipid rafts. Here, we determine whether Survivin is lipid-raft dependent and whether Hsp70 and Hsp90 and/or PRDX1 are required for exosomal Survivin loading. Exosomes were collected from conditioned media taken from HeLaS cells and isolated by centrifugation. Colocalizations of Survivin with Hsp70, Hsp90 and PRDX1 in the cell and exosomes were detected by immnocytochemistry visualized by confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation. HeLaS cells were treated with increasing concentrations of methyl-β-cyclodextrin to disrupt lipid rafts as a way to determine protein lipid raft association. Hsp70, Hsp90 and PRDX1 knock-down using siRNAs will be accomplished to verify the requirement of these proteins for Survivin exosome loading and lipid-raft dependents. Here we show that Survivin colocalizes with Hsp70, Hsp90 and PRDX1 in HeLaS cells as well as their exosomes. Increasing concentrations of methyl-β-cyclodextrin disrupts lipid rafts in the HeLaS cells and releases exosomes which also subsequently contain decreasing PRDX1 and Survivin protein amounts. The release of Survivin into the tumor microenvironment is an important finding as this IAP may contribute to the aggressiveness of the cancer as well as the development of chemoresistance. Despite lacking a secretory signaling peptide, Survivin is being released into the extracellular space via exosomes using chaperones. Knowing how Survivin is exosomally packaged may prove useful in selecting patient specific treatment regimens. Citation Format: Malyn May Asuncion Valenzuela, Heather R. Ferguson Bennit, Carlos Joel Diaz Osterman, Salma Khan, Carlos Casiano, Nathan R. Wall. Survivin packaging into exosomes is lipid raft-dependent. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4856. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4856
An analysis of precipitation chemistry data from Alaska

The chemical composition of precipitation collected at Poker Flat, Alaska and at Point Barrow, Alaska was evaluated in conjunction with backward air trajectories to characterize the long-range transport of acidic materials to central Alaska. Volume weighted mean concentrations of major chemical constituents characterized the composition and acidity of precipitation associated with air parcels which arrive at Poker Flat from three major source regions, the Pacific ocean, local continental and the Arctic. Long-range trajectories from the south-west predominated during the spring and early summer. These air flow patterns originated in mid-latitudes and generated precipitation with moderate acidities (H+ = 9.9 μeq l−1). Weak flows, suggesting local airmasses, were important sources of precipitation during mid summer. Local storms corresponded to higher acidities (H+ = 12.7 μeql−1). During the late summer and early autumn, precipitation events were frequently associated with northerly flows and lower acidities (H+ = 7.8 μeql−1). H2SO4 was the most important source of acidity contributing, on a volume weighted basis, between 46 and 80% of free H+ in all samples. The higher concentration of SO42− relative to H+ in Arctic storms suggests long distance transport and neutralization of anthropogenic H2SO4 from the Polar region. Concentrations of excess SO42− measured in precipitation from Alaska were greater than those measured in precipitation from Greenland and less than those measured in precipitation from the Yukon of Canada.
Spatial Behavior in a Bahamian Resort

The purpose of this study is to understand better the spatial behavior of tourists visiting spatially confined resort destinations. Based on a time-budget study of the intradestination travel patterns of 795 tourists visiting Paradise Island (Bahamas), the travel behavior of tourists was found to be heterogeneous. The spatial equivalent of the allocentric tourist seemed more likely to venture beyond the Paradise Island resort area during their stay. Only the psychocentric tourist seemed reluctant to leave the island under any conditions. In the context of international resort tourism, the space-time constraints are found to be more important than the socioeconomic descriptors in explaining the different typologies of spatial behavior.
How Nonlinear Optical Effects degrade Hong-Ou-Mandel Like Interference

Abstract Two-photon interference effects, such as the Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) effect, can be used to characterize to what extent two photons are identical [20] . Furthermore, these interference effects underly linear optics quantum computation. We show here how nonlinear optical effects, such as those mediated by atoms or quantum dots in a cavity, degrade the interference. This implies that, on the one hand, nonlinearities are to be avoided if one wishes to utilize the interference, but on the other hand, one may be able to measure or detect nonlinearities by observing the disappearance of the interference.
Precision livestock production: tools and concepts

Precision livestock production (PLP) is the augmentation of precision agriculture (PA) concepts to include all components of agroecosystems, particularly animals and plant-animal interactions. Soil, plants and soil-plant interactions are the subjects of PA or site-specific farming, where the main principle is to exploit natural spatial heterogeneity to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. For the most part, PA has been studied and developed for intensive cropping systems with little attention devoted to pastoral and agropastoral systems. PLP focuses on the animal component and exploits heterogeneity in space and among individual animals towards more efficient and environmentally friendly production. Within PLP, precision grazing consists of the integration of information and communication technologies with knowledge about animal behavior and physiology to improve production of meat, milk and wool in grazing conditions. Two main goals are to minimize overgrazing of sensitive areas and to maximize the quality of the product through enhanced traceability. An integrated precision grazing system is outlined with its components: sensors of animal position, behavior and physiological status, real-time transmission of information to a decision support system, and feed-back through a series of actuators. Control of animal movement and diets is based on knowledge about species specific responses to various stimuli within the paradigms of flavor aversions and operant conditioning. Recent advances in the technologies and instrumentation available are reviewed briefly and linked to current livestock identification systems. The precision grazing vision is presented in full and the areas that need further research and development are discussed.
Attitudes of IVF parents regarding the IVF experience and their children

Purpose: to assess parental attitudes regarding the IVF experience, the IVF pregnancy, and issues associated with raising their IVF child(ren).
Sensitive Ground Relay Protection for Complex Distribution Circuits

Protection engineers always have desired to obtain a system of ground fault protection that will discriminate and actually trip out only the ground faulted circuit of a complex distribution network. This has been a difficult chore because the magnitude of the ground current often varies so greatly as to be out of the range of the normal protective relay settings. A system is proposed here that not only has proper discrimination, but also operates on very low amounts of ground current with the maximum ground current held to such a low value that practically no harm or damage is done by the ground fault. This development was encouraged by the necessity of joint use of poles by lines of communication circuits and distribution circuits. This method comprises the installation of a small bank of grounding transformers at each of the stations where the lines originate or terminate. With these small ground banks the maximum ground fault current is very small. Adequate relays and systems are used to isolate only the faulted sections of line. The installation of one 11-kv and one 16.5-kv loop will be described. These two systems have had several years of successful operation.
Estimating root zone soil moisture at distant sites using MODIS NDVI and EVI in a semi-arid region of southwestern USA

Abstract This study investigates the potential of using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) to estimate root zone soil moisture at native in-situ measured sites, and at distant sites under the same climatic setting. We obtained in-situ data from Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) sites near the Texas-New Mexico border area, and NDVI and EVI products from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor on board the Terra satellite. Results show that soil moisture values of the same depth are highly correlated (r = 0.53 to 0.85) among sites as far as 150 km apart, and that NDVI and EVI are highly correlated at the same site (r = 0.87 to 0.91). Correlation based on raw time series of NDVI and soil moisture is in general higher than that based on deseasonalized time series at every depth. The correlation reaches maximum value when vegetation index (VI) lags soil moisture by 5 to 10 days. NDVI shows a slightly higher correlation with soil moisture than EVI does by using the deseasonalized time series of NDVI and soil moisture. It is found that deseasonalized time series of NDVI and soil moisture are correlated at native sites (r = 0.33 to 0.77), but not at sites where soil moisture is very low. Regression analysis was conducted using deseasonalized time series soil moisture and deseasonalized time series NDVI with a 5-day time lag. Regression models developed at one site and applied to a similar distant site can estimate soil moistures, accounting for 50–88% of the variation in observed soil moistures.