cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flash Formation of I-Rich Clusters during Multistage Halide Segregation Studied in MAPbI1.5Br1.5

Author(s): Babbe, F; Masquelier, E; Zheng, Z; Sutter-Fella, CM | Abstract: Wide band gap mixed halide perovskites such as MAPb(I1-xBrx)3 sparked great research interest because of their outstanding optoelectronic properties, ease of fabrication, and band gap tunability. Their application thus far is however limited by light-induced halide segregation in which microscopic clusters with a high iodide content are formed and act as recombination centers. The key mechanism(s) underlying this halide segregation process are still debated. Here, we present a study on the photoluminescence evolution in MAPb(I1.5Br1.5) perovskites with varying microstructures under constant illumination at room temperature and at elevated temperature. Our findings reveal a more complicated picture of the segregation mechanism occurring in three stages instead of two as commonly reported. The process starts with a flash formation of I-rich domains. Following is a rapid blue shift before the gradual and typically observed red shift occurs. The evolution of the three stages is fully reversible in the dark and is also present at elevated temperatures (50 °C). We explain the existence of multiple stages during light-induced halide segregation by natural compositional fluctuations of the halides and the formation of halide clusters with a dynamically changing distribution in I-Br content. The variation in the I-Br ratio depends on the grain size and film heterogeneity. These findings add further details in the quest of unraveling the underlying segregation mechanism(s), which need to be identified to stabilize halides in wide band gap perovskites.
Educational Informed Consent Video Equivalent to Standard Verbal Consent for Rhinologic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundInformed consent is an integral part of pre-operative counseling. However, information discussed can be variable. Recent studies have explored the use of multimedia in providing informed ...
Balloon assisted stent deployment in the cephalic arch (BASCA).

Abstract Cephalic arch stenosis causes repeated dysfunction and failure of arteriovenous access. Outcomes following balloon angioplasty alone in this location are unsatisfactory. Stent grafts have very good patency rates in this location. However, stent graft placement is technically challenging in this location due to the adverse angles and vectors of the cephalic arch. Stent graft deployment in this location is associated with a real risk of jailing the axillary vein, thereby precluding the use of that arm for future accesses and/or predisposes to venous edema. We describe a technique that was used to safely and effectively deploy a stent graft in the cephalic arch of a 65-year-old male patient.
The affective and conversational benefits of a walk in nature among mother-daughter dyads.

The emotional benefits of nature among children and adults are well documented. However, little is known regarding how nature exposure influences a parent and child walking together (Journal of Planning Literature, 2015, 30, 433). We examine how both environmental setting and social context influence affect and conversational content among mother-daughter dyads. Twenty-eight mother-daughter (aged 10-12) dyads participated in a within-subjects experimental design that included two counterbalanced conditions-a 20 minute walk outdoors and a 20 minute walk indoors. Self-reported positive affect and negative affect were collected before and after each condition, and audio-recorded observations were utilized to code expressed positivity, negativity, and conversational content during each condition. Results showed that 1) daughters self-reported positive affect increased after the outdoor walk and mothers and daughters reported decreased negative affect after both conditions, 2) mothers and daughters expressed less negativity during the nature walk and were more likely to influence each other's negative affect indoors, and 3) mothers and daughters talked more about the surrounding environment during the indoor walk and engaged in more neutral conversations during the outdoor walk. Findings from the study demonstrate the benefits of mother-daughter dyads walking together outdoors and highlight the importance of spending time outside as a way to promote positive family interactions.
Clinical Presentation and Management Approach in a Case of Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia Type 3 Due to APS21 Gene Mutation

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is a genetic disorder caused by dysfunctional calcium homeostasis. Thus far, three types of FHH are known to be caused by mutations inCASR (FHH1), GNA11 (FHH2), and AP2S1 (FHH3). The patient in this case report is a 36-year old male that initially presented for a second opinion after being diagnosed with Primary Hyperparathyroidism(PHPT) with subsequent parathyroidectomy done at another institute, and developed recurrent symptomatic hypercalcemia. Prior to considering this patient for further surgical options, he underwent genetic testing, which revealed he had c.43C>T (p.Arg15Cys) mutation in the AP2S1 gene diagnostic of Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia Type 3 (FHH3). The patient’s father and sister also have hypercalcemia, and have been offered genetic testing. There have been cases reported of patients with FHH3 that have symptomatic hypercalcemia and that have associated cognitive issues. Many patients with FHH can be misdiagnosed and may undergo unnecessary parathyroidectomy. This case report further elucidates the need to raise awareness of FHH.
161-LB: Role of Child Physical Activity and Sleep Efficiency in Relation to Prenatal Exposure to Gestational Diabetes on Adiposity

Introduction: Little is known on the role of child physical activity (PA) and sleep in relation to maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and child adiposity. We explored these relationships using data collected from the BrainChild Study. Method: Data included 88 children (mean ± SD, age 9.5 ± 1.7 years; 52% GDM exposed; 56% female) born at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. GDM exposure was obtained from electronic medical records. Anthropometric measurements, time spent in moderate and vigorous PA and actigraphy-based sleep parameters were measured during daily life for 7 days using wrist-worn accelerometers. Results: GDM exposed vs. unexposed children had higher BMI z-scores (1.3 ± 1.0 vs. 0.7 ± 1.1, p=0.015), total body fat (29.7 ± 9.6 vs. 25.0 ± 8.3%, p=0.017) and waist to height ratios (WHR) (0.52 ± 0.08 vs. 0.47 ± 0.07, p=0.002). Linear regression showed that children who engaged in more VPA had lower measures of adiposity, independent of age and sex (BMI z-score: β=-0.39, p=0.033; body fat%: β=-3.25, p=0.037; WHR: β=-0.23, p=0.068). Further adjusting for sleep efficiency did not affect the results. Similar patterns were observed for MVPA but were not significant. There was no interaction between GDM exposure and PA on adiposity. Sleep efficiency was not associated with adiposity, but there was a significant interaction between GDM exposure and sleep efficiency on child adiposity (p=0.042). GDM exposed children who had better sleep efficiency had marginally lower body fat (β=-0.56, p=0.098), while this relationship was not observed in unexposed children (β=0.50, p=0.14). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that VPA is associated with lower child adiposity measures regardless of GDM exposure, and sleep efficiency is associated with lower adiposity among GDM exposed children. These findings suggest that strategies to increase VPA and improve sleep efficiency may be beneficial for ameliorating the adverse effects of GDM exposure on child adiposity. Disclosure J. M. Alves: None. A. W. Defendis: None. T. Chow: None. S. T. Nguyen-rodriguez: None. A. Xiang: None. K. A. Page: None. Funding American Diabetes Association (1-14-ACE-36 to K.A.P.); National Institutes of Health; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK116858)
ELLE-ments of Learning: A Framework for Analyzing Multimodal Technical Communication Strategies in an Educational VR Game

This paper provides a brief overview of technical communication following Peirce's [2] firstness (aesthetics), secondness (action promotion), and thirdness (explicit explanation), and identifies each of these categories in an educational language learning virtual reality (VR) game created at a university, ELLE-ments of Learning. The framework described here can help game researchers better understand, evaluate, and discuss the ways in which games communicate with players and can also be used by game designers and developers to ensure their games convey important and complicated information to players effectively in each of Peirce's three categories.
Nanomechanical and Optomechanical Coupling in Silicon Carbide / Hexagonal Boron Nitride Hybrid Resonator

This digest paper reports on the demonstration of a hybrid system consisting of a silicon carbide (SiC) microdisk cavity and a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanomechanical resonator. Strong mechanical coupling between the constituents is revealed in both optical interferometry measurements and finite element method (FEM) simulations, even with the thickness of h-BN scaled down to a few atomic layers. Numerical computations assess that the hybrid device will lead to an improvement of vacuum coupling rate by 454 Hz (∼47%) at the h-BN thickness of 36 nm, compared to the bare SiC microdisk. Understanding of the nanomechanical properties facilitates design and implementation of SiC/h-BN hybrid systems and opens a new door to coherent transduction between optics and mechanics on this platform.
Symptom and clinical recovery outcomes for pediatric concussion following early physical activity.

OBJECTIVE Recent research supports initiating physical activity as soon as 24 to 48 hours after concussion to reduce persistent postconcussive symptoms. However, this practice has not been widely adopted. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of early physical activity with patient-reported and functional outcomes for pediatric patients following a concussion. METHODS A retrospective cohort of patients who presented to a pediatric sports medicine clinic (48% female, mean age14.3 ± 2.6 years, and mean 9.8 ± 5.7 days postconcussion) were evaluated. Patients were grouped based on whether they reported engaging in physical activity prior to presenting to the clinic. Patient- and parent-reported symptom frequency (Health and Behavior Inventory), 11 different clinical outcomes (including missed school, memory recall, and balance assessments), the presence of symptoms persisting beyond 28 days, and a subgroup analysis of those patients receiving exercise versus symptom-limiting activity prescriptions were examined. Outcomes were compared between physical activity groups using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the chi-square test. To adjust for the effect of potential confounders, a logistic binary regression model was constructed. RESULTS In total, 211 pediatric patients were included, 35 (17%) of whom reported early physical activity. A greater proportion of the no physical activity group reported a headache (85% vs 60%, p = 0.001). The no physical activity group also reported higher patient-reported (23.1 ± 13.4 vs 15.0 ± 13.4, p < 0.001) and parent-reported (19.4 ± 12.7 vs 11.2 ± 10.3, p = 0.001) symptom frequency at the initial visit. The early physical activity group had a lower proportion of patients with persistent symptoms (44% vs 22%, p = 0.02) and a shorter time to symptom resolution (15.6 ± 12.4 days vs 27.2 ± 24.2 days, p = 0.02). After adjusting for potential confounders, early physical activity was associated with 5.8 lower odds of experiencing persistent symptoms (adjusted OR 5.83, 95% CI 2.05-16.61; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A significant association between early physical activity and decreased symptom burden was observed. A lower proportion of those patients who engaged in early physical activity experienced persistent symptoms 28 days postinjury. However, low rates of early physical activity prior to the initial clinic visit were also observed, indicating that this approach may not be well known by acute care or primary care providers, or is not widely adopted by patients and families.
Stress, coping and silver linings: How depressed perinatal women experienced the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract Background Research on perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic has largely focused on data from community samples. This study sought to understand the experiences of pregnant and postpartum women with histories of clinically elevated symptoms of depression. Methods Participants included 60 perinatal women who participated in wellness intervention trials for women with antenatal depression. We used a mixed methods approach, assessing depression, anxiety, stressors and coping behaviors, along with narrative responses to questions regarding COVID-specific effects on mental health. Results Over three-fourths of the sample indicated a worsening of mental health during the pandemic, with 31.7% of women endorsing clinically elevated depression symptoms and 36.7% screening positive for anxiety. Women reported negative impacts on their emotional wellbeing, especially a resurgence of mental health symptoms. Participants also articulated positive experiences during the pandemic, including an appreciation for increased time with family, especially infants. Women detailed numerous, mostly adaptive, coping strategies they had used to mitigate stress; self-isolation and spending time outdoors were associated with having depression above or below the clinical cut off, respectively. Limitations The study had a small sample, and the generalizability of findings may be limited, given that participants were clinical trial completers. Conclusions Although the pandemic upended many aspects of life for perinatal women and raised mental health concerns, many also reported adaptive means of coping and positive experiences or ‘silver linings’ related to pandemic restrictions. Some coping strategies that were utilized, including wellness-based behaviors, may have helped to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 related stress.
Capillaries in the olfactory bulb but not the cortex are highly susceptible to virus-induced vascular leak and promote viral neuroinvasion

Viral neuroinvasion is a critical step in the pathogenesis of viral encephalitis. Multiple mechanisms of neuroinvasion have been identified, but their relative contribution to central nervous system (CNS) infection remains unclear for many viruses. In this study, we examined neuroinvasion of the mosquito-borne bunyavirus La Crosse (LACV), the leading cause of pediatric viral encephalitis in the USA. We found that the olfactory bulb (OB) and tract were the initial areas of CNS virus infection in mice. Removal of the OB reduced the incidence of LACV-induced disease demonstrating the importance of this area to neuroinvasion. However, we determined that infection of the OB was not due to axonal transport of virus from olfactory sensory neurons as ablation of these cells did not affect viral pathogenesis. Instead, we found that OB capillaries were compromised allowing leakage of virus-sized particles into the brain. Analysis of OB capillaries demonstrated specific alterations in cytoskeletal and Rho GTPase protein expression not observed in capillaries from other brain areas such as the cortex where leakage did not occur. Collectively, these findings indicate that LACV neuroinvasion occurs through hematogenous spread in specific brain regions where capillaries are prone to virus-induced activation such as the OB. Capillaries in these areas may be “hot spots” that are more susceptible to neuroinvasion not only for LACV, but other neurovirulent viruses as well.
Behavioral dissociations between C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice on learning and memory tasks : a hippocampal-dysfunction hypothesis

We recently demonstrated that C57BL/6 (C57) mice are capable of spatial learning in the Morris water task whereas DBA/2 (DBA) mice are impaired. There may be a number of reasons why the DBA mice are impaired in the Morris task. The main objective of this study was to understand the nature of the DBA impairment. First, we showed that DBA mice do not have a general learning impairment, since they can solve two different discrimination problems. Using a water-filled plus maze and a modified version of the Morris task, we showed that DBA mice can (1) see distal cues, (2) attend to the extramaze environment, and (3) learn the place of a hidden platform if training allows them to utilize only part of the distal environment. Probe data indicate, however, that in contrast to C57 mice, DBA mice do not form a complete representation of the extra-maze environment. Final experiments demonstrate that DBA mice are also impaired on a task that requires conditional learning but perform as well as C57 mice on a response-tendency task and a nonconditional learning task. The results of these and other studies suggest that learning and memory processes in DBA mice may be disrupted as a result of impaired hippocampal function.
Studies on cytotoxicity generated in human mixed lymphocyte cultures: III. Natural killer-like cytotoxicity mediated by human lymphocytes with receptors for IgM

Abstract Stimulation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes with allogeneic cells in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) results in increased NK-like cytotoxicity against K562 targets. The effector cells of this cytotoxicity were shown to include both Fcμ+ and Fcμ− cells, as shown by EAμ rosette separation and by combined rosette formation and single-cell analysis. Peak cytotoxic activity of Fcμ+ cells was found after 3 days of MLC stimulation. The Cytotoxicity against KS62 targets mediated by Fcμ+ cells could not be inhibited at all with alloantigen-bearing cells and could only be partially inhibited with another NK-sensitive target (MOLT- 4). This cytotoxicity could be generated from either Fcγ+ or FCγ− cells. These results indicate considerable heterogeneity of NK-like effectors and their precursors.
Effectiveness Of Relationship Marketing Tactics In A University Setting

We test the correlation between student perception of three university relationship-building tactics - commercial friendships, preferential treatment, and tangible rewards - with university student satisfaction. We also test whether two student characteristics - enduring involvement with education and sense of entitlement - have a moderating effect on the aforementioned relationship between university relationship-building behaviors and student satisfaction. Results revealed positive correlations between perceived relationship tactics and overall satisfaction. Correlations between the relationship-building behaviors and satisfaction were also greater among highinvolvement students than among their lesser-involved cohorts. Students who felt a sense of entitlement were more likely to believe that they were recipients of relationship-building behaviors, but they didn’t always appreciate them more than students who felt less entitled.
Optical Methods in Cell Physiology

The sections in this article are: 1 Physiological Questions 2 Approaches 2.1 Fixed Cells 2.2 Living Cells 3 Optical Signal Detection and Analysis 3.1 Overview 3.2 Fluorescent Microscope Imaging Methods 3.3 Defectors 3.4 Image Visualization and Analysis 4 Note Added in Proof
Time‐domain evolution equation for dispersive nonlinear Rayleigh waves

Korteweg‐de Vries (KdV) and Benjamin‐Ono (BO) equations are often cited as time‐domain models for nonlinear Rayleigh waves in a dispersive medium such as a coated substrate. However, these canonical equations do not account for the nonlocal nonlinearity that is a hallmark of surface acoustic waves. In this paper, a time‐domain evolution equation derived for nonlinear Rayleigh waves in nondispersive isotropic media [Hamilton, Il’insky, and Zabolotskaya, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97, 891–897 (1995)] is extended to include dispersion due to thin‐film coating. It is demonstrated that a class of soliton‐like solutions resembling Mexican hats satisfies the evolution equation for the case of KdV‐type dispersion, a result obtained previously by Eckl et al. [Phys. Rev. E 70, 046604 (2004)] from a frequency‐domain form of the evolution equation.
Diversity and origin of Desulfovibrio species: phylogenetic definition of a family.

The different nutritional properties of several Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strains suggest that either the strains are misclassified or there is a high degree of phenotypic diversity within the genus Desulfovibrio. The results of partial 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA sequence determinations demonstrated that Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 27774 and "Desulfovibrio multispirans" are closely related to the type strain (strain Essex 6) and that strains ATCC 7757, Norway 4, and El Agheila Z are not. Therefore, these latter three strains of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans are apparently misclassified. A comparative analysis of nearly complete 16S rRNA sequences in which we used a least-squares analysis method for evolutionary distances, an unweighted pair group method, a signature analysis method, and maximum parsimony was undertaken to further investigate the phylogeny of Desulfovibrio species. The species analyzed were resolved into two branches with origins deep within the delta subdivision of the purple photosynthetic bacteria. One branch contained five deep lineages, which were represented by (i) Desulfovibrio salexigens and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans El Agheila Z; (ii) Desulfovibrio africanus; (iii) Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 27774, Desulfomonas pigra, and Desulfovibrio vulgaris; (iv) Desulfovibrio gigas; and (v) Desulfomicrobium baculatus (Desulfovibrio baculatus) and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans Norway 4. A correlation between 16S rRNA sequence similarity and percentage of DNA relatedness showed that these five deep lineages are related at levels below the minimum genus level suggested by Johnson (in Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, vol. 1, 1984). We propose that this branch should be grouped into a single family, the Desulfovibrionaceae. The other branch includes other genera of sulfate-reducing bacteria (e.g., Desulfobacter and Desulfococcus) and contains Desulfovibrio sapovorans and Desulfovibrio baarsii as separate, distantly related lineages.
TRIM28 Controls Genomic Imprinting through Distinct Mechanisms during and after Early Genome-wide Reprogramming

Genomic imprinting depends on the establishment and maintenance of DNA methylation at imprinting control regions. However, the mechanisms by which these heritable marks influence allele-specific expression are not fully understood. By analyzing maternal, zygotic, maternal-zygotic, and conditional Trim28 mutants, we found that the transcription factor TRIM28 controls genomic imprinting through distinct mechanisms at different developmental stages. During early genome-wide reprogramming, both maternal and zygotic TRIM28 are required for the maintenance of methylation at germline imprints. However, in conditional Trim28 mutants, Gtl2-imprinted gene expression was lost despite normal methylation levels at the germline IG-DMR. These results provide evidence that TRIM28 controls imprinting after early embryonic reprogramming through a mechanism other than the maintenance of germline imprints. Additionally, our finding that secondary imprints were hypomethylated in TRIM28 mutants uncovers a requirement of TRIM28 after genome-wide reprogramming for interpreting germline imprints and regulating DNA methylation at imprinted gene promoters.
Expression Cloning of a Pseudomonas Gene Encoding a Hydroxydecanoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein-Dependent UDP-GlcNAc Acyltransferase

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-3-O-acyltransferase (UDP-GlcNAc acyltransferase) catalyzes the first step of lipid A biosynthesis (M. S. Anderson and C. R. H. Raetz, J. Biol. Chem. 262:5159-5169, 1987). We here report the isolation of the lpxA gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a library of Pseudomonas strain PAO1 expressed in Escherichia coli LE392 (J. Lightfoot and J. S. Lam, J. Bacteriol. 173:5624-5630, 1991). Pseudomonas lpxA encodes a 10-carbon-specific UDP-GlcNAc acyltransferase, whereas the E. coli transferase is selective for a 14-carbon acyl chain. Recombinant cosmid 1137 enabled production of a 3-hydroxydecanoyl-specific UDP-GlcNAc acyltransferase in E. coli. It was identified by assaying lysozyme-EDTA lysates of individual members of the library with 3-hydroxydecanoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) as the substrate. Cosmid 1137 contained a 20-kb insert of P. aeruginosa DNA. The lpxA gene region was localized to a 1.3-kb SalI-PstI fragment. Sequencing revealed that it contains one complete open reading frame (777 bp) encoding a new lpxA homolog. The predicted Pseudomonas LpxA is 258 amino acids long and contains 21 complete hexapeptide repeating units, spaced in approximately the same manner as the 24 repeats of E. coli LpxA. The P. aeruginosa UDP-GlcNAc acyltransferase is 54% identical and 67% similar to the E. coli enzyme. A plasmid (pGD3) containing the 1.3-kb SalI-PstI fragment complemented E. coli RO138, a temperature-sensitive mutant harboring lpxA2. LpxA assays of extracts of this construct indicated that it is > 1,000-fold more selective for 3-hydroxydecanoyl-ACP than for 3-hydroxymyristoyl-ACP. Mass spectrometry of lipid A isolated from this strain by hydrolysis at pH 4.5 revealed [M-H]- 1,684.5 (versus 1,796.5 for wild-type lipid A), consistent with 3-hydroxydecanoate rather than 3-hydroxymyristate at positions 3 and 3'.
Sindbis virus RNA-negative mutants that fail to convert from minus-strand to plus-strand synthesis: role of the nsP2 protein.

We identified mutations in the gene for nsP2, a nonstructural protein of the alphavirus Sindbis virus, that appear to block the conversion of the initial, short-lived minus-strand replicase complex (RCinitial) into mature, stable forms that are replicase and transcriptase complexes (RCstable), producing 49S genome or 26S mRNA. Base changes at nucleotide (nt) 2166 (G-->A, predicting a change of Glu-163-->Lys), at nt 2502 (G-->A, predicting a change of Val-275-->Ile), and at nt 2926 (C-->U, predicting a change of Leu-416-->Ser) in the nsP2 N domain were responsible for the phenotypes of ts14, ts16, and ts19 members of subgroup 11 (D.L. Sawicki and S.G. Sawicki, Virology 44:20-34, 1985) of the A complementation group of Sindbis virus RNA-negative mutants. Unlike subgroup I mutants, the RCstable formed at 30 degrees C transcribed 26S mRNA normally and did not synthesize minus strands in the absence of protein synthesis after temperature shift. The N-domain substitutions did not inactivate the thiol protease in the C domain of nsP2 and did not stop the proteolytic processing of the polyprotein containing the nonstructural proteins. The distinct phenotypes of subgroup I and 11 A complementation group mutants are evidence that the two domains of nsP2 are essential and functionally distinct. A detailed analysis of ts14 found that its nsPs were synthesized, processed, transported, and assembled at 40 degrees C into complexes with the properties of RCinitial and synthesized minus strands for a short time after shift to 40 degrees C. The block in the pathway to the formation of RCstable occurred after cleavage of the minus-strand replicase P123 or P23 polyprotein into mature nsP1, nsP2, nsP3, and nsP4, indicating that structures resembling RCstable, were formed at 40 degrees C. However, these RCstable or pre-RCstable structures were not capable of recovering activity at 30 degrees C. Therefore, failure to increase the rate of plus-strand synthesis after shift to 40 degrees C appears to result from failure to convert RCinitial to RCstable. We conclude that RCstable is derived from RCinitial by a conversion process and that ts14 is a conversion mutant. From their similar phenotypes, we predict that other nsP2 N-domain mutants are blocked also in the conversion of RCinitial to RCstable. Thus, the N domain of nsP2 plays an essential role in a folding pathway of the nsPs responsible for formation of the initial minus-strand replicase and for its conversion into stable plus-strand RNA-synthesizing enzymes.
Modeling of a new magnetorheological elastomer-based isolator

A variable stiffness and damping isolator (VSDI) is designed, developed and tested using a magnetorheological elastome (MRE). A double lap shear test is performed to characterize the MRE-based VSDI under the quasi-static shear loading. A phenomenological model that can capture the behavior of the VSDI is developed and related parameters are identified using experimental data.
Reinstatement of Initial Attitude and Forced-compliance Attitude Change.

(1971). Reinstatement of Initial Attitude and Forced-Compliance Attitude Change. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 84, No. 1, pp. 127-134.
Arteriographic demonstration of the release of coronary artery spasm by isosorbide dinitrate: A twenty-five-year retrospective

It has been 25 years since my colleagues and I were first approached to apply the then newly emerging technique of coronary arteriography to the study of the effects of the new vasodilator isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) on coronary arteries in vivo. Through a combination of careful patient assessment and serendipity, we were able to visualize the prompt release of coronary artery spasm by ISDN. Ensuing years have seen dramatic advances both in angiographic techniques and in the knowledge of ISDN efficacy. This review will briefly summarize the early work with ISDN and detail how the improvements in cineangiography have fostered better understanding of the actions of ISDN.
Parenting in the genomic age: the ‘cursed blessing’ of newborn screening

Abstract Newborn screening for genetic disorders is the most widely-used form of genetic testing in the United States, and the number of disorders for which infants are screened is now expanding rapidly. This article explores the dominant narratives structuring public understanding about the need for mandatory screening, and about screening programs' unprecedented practice of testing for non-infectious diseases without parental consent. Using primary data from a qualitative research study, the author also examines the experience of newborn screening from the perspective of mothers, with particular attention to how receipt of a genetic diagnosis at birth affects early parenting, mothers' perceptions of their babies, and the power dynamics between parents and their health care providers.
Parents' Perceptions of the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse and their Protective Behaviors: Findings from a Qualitative Study:

This study examined parents' perceptions of the risk of child sexual abuse and self-reported protective strategies. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 24 parents of preschool-age children, purposefully selected to be diverse in gender, race/ethnicity, age, and personal experience with sexual abuse victimization. The findings support earlier research showing little congruence between perceptions of risk for the general population and perceptions of personal risk. The qualitative methodology provided some reasons for the discrepancy: comparisons parents make between themselves and other parents, characteristics of sexual abuse that affect perceptions, and the tendency of parents to blur the boundaries of sexual abuse with other forms of victimization. Parents identified strategies they used to protect their children from abuse and their underlying thoughts regarding protection. The exploratory results indicate the importance of understanding parents' cognitive processes in estimating ris...
Vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) complexes of dipicolinic acid and derivatives. Synthesis, X-ray structure, solution state properties: and effects in rats with STZ-induced diabetes

Abstract Preparation and characterization of new vanadium compounds with insulin mimetic properties is important for investigations into the mechanism of action of these complexes. In this work, we report the synthesis of three new compounds related to the (dipicolinato)dioxovanadium(V) complex: (4-hydroxy-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylato)dioxovanadium(V), (diaqua)(4-hydroxy-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylato)oxovanadium(IV) and (4-amino-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylato)dioxovanadium(V), and present the first preliminary kinetic study of a vanadium dipicolinate system. One of these complexes, (4-hydroxy-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylato)oxovanadium(V), is investigated in greater detail with regard to chemistry, structure, kinetics and insulin-like properties in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Oral administration of [VO2(dipic-OH)]− was found to be effective in lowering both the hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia of diabetes. This is the first report of the effective lowering of diabetic hyperlipidemia by a vanadium(V) coordination complex.
Influence of Landau-level mixing on Wigner crystallization in graphene

Graphene, with its massless linearly dispersing carriers, in the quantum Hall regime provides an instructive comparison to conventional two-dimensional systems in which carriers have a nonzero band mass and quadratic dispersion. We investigate the influence of Landau-level mixing in graphene on Wigner crystal states in the $n\text{th}$ Landau level obtained using single-Landau-level approximation. We show that the Landau-level mixing does not qualitatively change the phase diagram as a function of partial filling factor $\ensuremath{\nu}$ in the $n\text{th}$ level. We find that the inter-Landau-level mixing, which is quantified by relative occupations of the two Landau levels, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{n+1}/{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{n}$, oscillates around 2% and, in general, remains small $(l4%)$ irrespective of the Landau-level index $n$. Our results show that the single-Landau-level approximation is applicable in high Landau levels, even though the energy gap between the adjacent Landau levels vanishes.
Tunable uniaxial vs biaxial in-plane strain using compliant substrates

In this letter, the relaxation of strained rectangular islands on compliant substrates is used to achieve semiconductor thin films with either uniaxial stress or uniaxial strain in the plane of the film over an area of tens of microns. The work is demonstrated using silicon and silicon–germanium alloy single-crystal thin films, with uniaxial strain values approaching 1%. The biaxially strained SiGe or SiGe∕Si films on borophosphorosilicate glass (BPSG) were fabricated by a wafer bonding and layer transfer process. When the viscosity of BPSG drops at high temperatures for short times, films patterned in a rectangular shape can move laterally to relieve stress only in one in-plane direction. Thus one can tailor the strain from biaxial to uniaxial in the thin films.
Long-term tolerance and outcomes for dose escalation in early salvage post-prostatectomy radiation therapy

PURPOSE To study the long-term outcomes and tolerance in our patients who received dose escalated radiotherapy in the early salvage post-prostatectomy setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS The medical records of 54 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy subsequently followed by salvage radiation therapy (SRT) to the prostate bed between 2003-2010 were analyzed. Patients included were required to have a pre-radiation prostate specific antigen level (PSA) of 2 ng/mL or less. The median SRT dose was 70.2 Gy. Biochemical failure after salvage radiation was defined as a PSA level >0.2 ng/mL. Biochemical control and survival endpoints were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to identify the potential impact of confounding factors on outcomes. RESULTS The median pre-SRT PSA was 0.45 ng/mL and the median follow-up time was 71 months. The 4- and 7-year actuarial biochemical control rates were 75.7% and 63.2%, respectively. The actuarial 4- and 7-year distant metastasis-free survival was 93.7% and 87.0%, respectively, and the actuarial 7-year prostate cancer specific survival was 94.9%. Grade 3 late genitourinary toxicity developed in 14 patients (25.9%), while grade 4 late genitourinary toxicity developed in 2 patients (3.7%). Grade 3 late gastrointestinal toxicity developed in 1 patient (1.9%), and grade 4 late gastrointestinal toxicity developed in 1 patient (1.9%). CONCLUSION In this series with long-term follow-up, early SRT provided outcomes and toxicity profiles similar to those reported from the three major randomized trials studying adjuvant radiation therapy.
A combined 2‐deoxyglucose and neurophysiological study of primate somatosensory cortex

The metabolic activity pattern produced in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) of primates by repetitive delivery of a tactile stimulus is distinctly patchy. The functional significance of these patches, however, remains obscure. This investigation sought to determine the correlation between neural and metabolic activity produced by tactile stimuli and to evaluate the relationship, if any, between the neural activity and metabolic patches evoked by similar stimuli. Experiments were undertaken in which extracellular microelectrode recordings were carried out in animals that subsequently underwent a 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) study. Three types of relations were identified. First, the receptive fields (RF) and modality properties of neurons sampled in locations at which patches of metabolic label were found matched the "place" and "modal" properties of the stimulus used to produce 2DG labeling. Second, in cortical locations where the RF and modality properties of the sampled neurons differed from either the place or modal properties of the stimulus used to evoke the 2DG label, no above-background increases in metabolic labeling were found. Finally, in some cortical locations at which the receptive field and modality properties of the neurons matched those of the 2-deoxyglucose mapping stimulus, no above-background increases in metabolic labeling were found. This outcome leads us to suggest that moment-to-moment changes in neural responsivity, which might remain undetected by conventional receptive field mapping methods, contribute to the patchy pattern of metabolic activity visualized by the 2-deoxyglucose method.
Shift of Néel Temperature and EPR Linewidth of KMn F 3 with Mg Doping

The EPR study of $\mathrm{K}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{f}{\mathrm{Mg}}_{(1\ensuremath{-}f)}{\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ single crystals with Mg doping of 0.0, 4.8, 9.8, 16.6, and 31.5 at.% has been made between 52 and 300 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The N\'eel temperature ${T}_{N}$ is observed to decrease as the Mg doping is increased, except for the 31.5 at.% Mg-doped sample where longrange ordering was not observed down to 52 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The high-temperature EPR linewidth also decreases with Mg doping. Both these effects are reasonably understood by assuming that the number of nearest magnetic neighbors of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{++}$ decreases with Mg doping. In all cases the EPR line narrows as the temperature is lowered towards ${T}_{N}$.
Two-Dimensional Correlation Optimized Warping Algorithm for Aligning GC×GC−MS Data

A two-dimensional (2-D) correlation optimized warping (COW) algorithm has been developed to align 2-D gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC/TOF-MS) data. By partitioning raw chromatographic profiles and warping the grid points simultaneously along the first and second dimensions on the basis of applying a one-dimensional COW algorithm to characteristic vectors, nongrid points can be interpolatively warped. This 2-D algorithm was directly applied to total ion counts (TIC) chromatographic profiles of homogeneous chemical samples, i.e., samples including mostly identical compounds. For heterogeneous chemical samples, the 2-D algorithm is first applied to certain selected ion counts chromatographic profiles, and the resultant warping parameters are then used to warp the corresponding TIC chromatographic profiles. The developed 2-D COW algorithm can also be applied to align other 2-D separation images, e.g., LC×LC data, LC×GC data, GC×GC data, LC×CE data, and CE×CE data.
Structural Equation Modeling for Analyzing Erythrocyte Fatty Acids in Framingham

Research has shown that several types of erythrocyte fatty acids (i.e., omega-3, omega-6, and trans) are associated with risk for cardiovascular diseases. However, there are complex metabolic and dietary relations among fatty acids, which induce correlations that are typically ignored when using them as risk predictors. A latent variable approach could summarize these complex relations into a few latent variable scores for use in statistical models. Twenty-two red blood cell (RBC) fatty acids were measured in Framingham (N = 3196). The correlation matrix of the fatty acids was modeled using structural equation modeling; the model was tested for goodness-of-fit and gender invariance. Thirteen fatty acids were summarized by three latent variables, and gender invariance was rejected so separate models were developed for men and women. A score was developed for the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) latent variable, which explained about 30% of the variance in the data. The PUFA score included loadings in opposing directions among three omega-3 and three omega-6 fatty acids, and incorporated the biosynthetic and dietary relations among them. Whether the PUFA factor score can improve the performance of risk prediction in cardiovascular diseases remains to be tested.
Idle speed control of a direct injection spark ignition stratified charge engine

SUMMARY Idle speed control is investigated for a direct injection, spark ignition, strati"ed charge (DISC) engine equipped with an electronic throttle. Such engines can be operated in multiple combustion modes. When operating in strati"ed charge combustion mode, they are very di!erent from conventional stoichiometric engines, creating new opportunities for improved speed control. With current after-treatment technology, simultaneous high fuel economy and emissions conversion e$ciency cannot be achieved by operating the engine in a steady-state manner: it must be cycled between running ultra-lean (for fuel economy) and rich (to service the after-treatment system). An idle speed control system is designed to meet the considerable feedback control demands required by these new engines. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrospinning of hyaluronic acid nanofibers from aqueous ammonium solutions

Abstract For several reasons, the electrospinning of nanofibrous mats comprised purely of biopolymers, such as hyaluronic acid (HA) has been difficult to achieve. Most notably, due to its polyelectrolytic nature, very low polymer concentrations exhibit very high solution viscosities. Thus, it is challenging to obtain the critical chain entanglement concentration necessary for biopolymer electrospinning to ensue. While the successful electrospinning of HA fibers from a sodium hydroxide:dimethylformamide (NaOH:DMF) system has been reported, the diameter of these fibers was well above 100 nm. Moreover, questions regarding the degradation of HA within the solvent system arose. These factors supported our ongoing research into determining an improved solvent system. In this study, the use of a less basic (pH 11) aqueous ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) solvent system, NH4OH:DMF, allowed for the fabrication of HA mats having an average fiber diameter of 39 ± 12 nm. Importantly, while using this solvent system, no degradation effects were observed and the continuous electrospinning of pure HA fibers was possible.
The red cell antigens A, B, D, U, Ge, Jk3 and Yta are not detected on human granulocytes

We report the inability to detect the following red blood cell antigens on human granulocytes: A, B, D, U, Gerbich (Ge), JkaJkb (Jk3) and Cartwright (Yta). To study each antigen, granulocytes were purified on density gradients, fixed in glutaraldehyde, and the uptake of specific antisera measured using two direct immunological techniques: 125I-staphylococcal protein A (125I-SPA) binding and avidin-biotin-complex (ABC) immunoperoxidase staining. Glutaraldehyde fixation was shown not to affect the antigenicity when the antisera were tested using red blood cells. Using three anti-A, three anti-B and three anti-A,B antisera, our 125I-SPA results of 47 tests with granulocytes from group A individuals and 39 tests with granulocytes from group B individuals indicate that A or B antigens are not expressed on human granulocytes. Tests using ABC were also negative with 37 and 36 granulocytes from group A or B individuals, respectively. In addition, no positive results using 125I-SPA were obtained with granulocytes from individuals having antigen positive red cells when tested with two anti-D (number of tests performed (n = 22), three anti-Ge (n = 22), three anti-U (n = 20), two anti-Jk3 (n = 17), and three anti-Yta (n = 25); control anti-NA1 or -NB1 antisera were invariably positive. Also, using these antisera, no positive results were obtained by ABC except with one anti-Yta antiserum which was positive with one of seven granulocytes tested. This anti-Yta was also positive with three of 10 granulocytes by 125I-SPA. This activity was shown to be due to a granulocyte-specific antibody; adsorption of the antiserum with human granulocytes removed all activity against granulocytes but did not reduce the activity against red cells. Thus, our results are in agreement with recent reports which demonstrated the absence of the A, B and D antigens on human granulocytes. However, we have been unable to confirm previous reports which indicated the presence of the U, Ge and Jk3 antigens on human granulocytes. Also, we have been unable to detect the Yta antigen on human granulocytes.
Freshmen, information literacy, critical thinking and values

Teaching information literacy and critical thinking to freshmenundergraduate students can be more successful if these concepts are demonstrated to be meaningful and valuable in the context of students’ daily lives. A proper context can help freshmen acknowledge the need for, develop, and value information literacy and critical thinking. As values, both can help counter the effects of the consumerism, superficiality, and knowledge fragmentation characterizing the postmodern condition. A case study of how a lifelong values‐based syllabus for teaching information literacy and critical thinking was incorporated into a university orientation course for first semester freshmen is presented.
Evidence for Late Devonian movement within the Roberts Mountains allochthon, Roberts Mountains, Nevada

New evidence allows better understanding of the sequence of formations and emplacement events during the Antler orogeny in the Roberts Mountains, Nevada. Lower to lower Upper Devonian strata were deformed and unconformably overlain by middle Upper Devonian siliceous shale and chert somewhere west of their present positions in the Roberts Mountains. During a younger episode of deformation, Vinini Group (Ordovician) rocks were thrust over the Devonian rocks that were still west of the present Roberts Mountains at the time of thrusting. Concurrent with this younger thrusting, the ?Webb formation accumulated at the toe of the moving allochthon in the Early Mississippian. As the basal Roberts Mountains thrust stepped eastward, it brought the whole allochthon to its present site above the ?Webb sometime in the Early Mississippian.