cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of hybrid wick structures for extreme spreading in high performance vapor chambers

The demand for increasingly aggressive heat spreading in high power electronics has pushed the limits of existing vapor chamber wick technology. For optimal thermal performance, a vapor chamber wick must be able to provide enough capillary pressure to sustain fluid delivery while still maintaining a low thermal resistance. To minimize thermal resistance and increase capillary forces, small feature sizes are typically desired near the hotspot. The low porosity and permeability of these small feature size regions, however, often provide too much fluid resistance to sustain capillary driven flow through the entire wick. Hybrid and biporous wicks have therefore emerged as promising solutions where high permeability, high thermal resistance structures are used to feed fluid to low permeability, low thermal resistance structures located above the hotspot. In this study, a novel hybrid wick structure is investigated that increases the total heat transfer rate by repurposing typically low thermal performance fluidic routing structures as additional extended areas for heat transfer. A coupled semiemprical heat transfer and numerical fluid flow model is developed to optimize the total heat transfer and pressure drop for a variety of wick geometries and material properties.
The Intra-S Checkpoint Responses to DNA Damage

Faithful duplication of the genome is a challenge because DNA is susceptible to damage by a number of intrinsic and extrinsic genotoxins, such as free radicals and UV light. Cells activate the intra-S checkpoint in response to damage during S phase to protect genomic integrity and ensure replication fidelity. The checkpoint prevents genomic instability mainly by regulating origin firing, fork progression, and transcription of G1/S genes in response to DNA damage. Several studies hint that regulation of forks is perhaps the most critical function of the intra-S checkpoint. However, the exact role of the checkpoint at replication forks has remained elusive and controversial. Is the checkpoint required for fork stability, or fork restart, or to prevent fork reversal or fork collapse, or activate repair at replication forks? What are the factors that the checkpoint targets at stalled replication forks? In this review, we will discuss the various pathways activated by the intra-S checkpoint in response to damage to prevent genomic instability.
Academic Learning and Academic Achievement: Correspondence Issues

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a discussion of a fundamental addition to the between-group research designs that are used by many educational intervention researchers. The traditional between-group design was extensively used to assess differences among groups of students receiving differing instructional activities. When these between-group designs are used to assess student achievement, the data are typically reported in terms of grade-level averages in a subject for a particular school. This is a yearly assessment that reflects group differences between grade levels. The addition of a within-student design element also provides the basis for assessing educational change and individual differences in academic learning and academic achievement. The chapter reintroduces Dewey's pragmatic approach to scientific research into the current discussion of educational science. This theoretical approach was successfully used by psychologists to describe, predict, and explain adaptive human behavior. A pragmatic approach to data interpretation can be located on a continuum that reflects the limitations of data interpretation based on the nature of the data collection and analysis. From a pragmatic perspective, scientific methods in educational research are pluralistic. To make significant advances in educational reform, one must ask better questions and use both experimental and quasi-experimental design elements in the data collection efforts. A limited research repertoire for an aspiring educational researcher is as self-defeating as a limited repertoire for an aspiring musician.
Consequences of Treating the Solar Magnetic Field as a Dipole on the Global Structure of the Heliosphere and Heliosheath

We investigate the effect of including the heliospheric current sheet on global modeling of the heliosphere. Due to inherent numerical dissipation in the current handling of the heliospheric current sheet, models have chosen to remove it to avoid numerical problems. We compare a model where the polarity of the Parker spiral is the same in both hemispheres (unipolar) to a dipole description of the solar magnetic field, with the magnetic and rotational axes aligned forming a flat heliospheric current sheet. The flat current sheet is pulled into the northern hemisphere, which reduces the magnetic field strength at the Voyager 1 trajectory over the last 22% of the heliosheath. The decrease in magnetic field intensity is transferred into the thermal energy of the plasma causing the dipole model to predict an entirely thermally dominated heliosheath; this is a stark contrast to the magnetically dominated region ahead of the heliopause in the unipole model. We find that the two-lobe structure of the solar wind magnetic field persists within the dipole model, with the flat current sheet not able to fully erode the magnetic tension force. However, there is a large amount of magnetic dissipation in the tail between the lobes, which affects the structure of the plasma in the region. Furthermore, the draped interstellar magnetic field in the dipole model is strongly affected by reconnection at the nose of the heliosphere, yielding a distinctly different draping pattern than that observed at Voyager 1.
Approaching interoperability for heterogenous multiagent systems using high order agencies

Research activities in multiagent systems (MAS) continue to gain momentum. Implemented systems are also becoming more visible. The problem, however, is that these systems can operate only in their own environment and utilize their own knowledge bases. A framework design is developed whereby heterogenous multiagent systems can interoperate through an environment that enables their respective agents to engage in a collaborative problem solving, consult each other and share knowledge bases. This setup could potentially create a very powerful agency system that can handle more difficult problems and deliver better solutions at a shorter time. The framework is designed to work with new and existing MAS. Our high order agency approach also does not introduce unreasonable complexities in developing new MAS. This paper presents a high-level description of the framework design.
Abstract 2412: The nuclear homeoprotein NKX3.1, has a novel function in the mitochondria in regulation of prostate cancer initiation

An emerging hallmark of cancer is reprograming of energy metabolism, in which mitochondrial plasticity plays a central role. Mitochondrial plasticity, particularly in response to oxidative stress, is coordinately orchestrated by both mitochondrial- and nuclear-encoded genes. Recent reports highlight the association of mitochondrial dysfunction and prostate cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer and cancer-related death for men. One of the earliest events in prostate cancer etiology is loss of functional NKX3.1, a homeoprotein that is known to play essential roles in prostate differentiation and prostate cancer by regulation of nuclear-encoded genes. We now show that in response to oxidative stress, NKX3.1 is localized to the mitochondria where it directly protects against reactive oxygen species (ROS). NKX3.1 regulates mitochondrial function by directly binding to the D-loop (mitochondrial DNA control region) to specifically regulate mitochondrial genes coding for the electron transport chain. Moreover, we show that aberrant NKX3.1 function in the mitochondria leads to enhanced reactive oxygen species and DNA damage, both of which are reversed by metformin, a biguanide class of anti-diabetic drug that targets the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This uncovers the potential for metformin administration to individuals with NKX3.1 loss as a precision prevention approach against prostate cancer initiation. These observations highlight novel functions for homeoproteins as direct regulators of mitochondrial DNA, and demonstrate the critical role of the mitochondrial stress response in enabling prostate cancer initiation with potential novel therapeutic implications. > Citation Format: Aditya Dutta, Cory Abate-Shen. The nuclear homeoprotein NKX3.1, has a novel function in the mitochondria in regulation of prostate cancer initiation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2412.
Not Your Dumping Ground: Criminalization of Trafficking in Hazardous Waste in Africa

This Article examines how the African Union’s adoption of the Malabo Protocol seeks to improve upon the limitations of the international legal framework for regulating hazardous waste. The Malabo Protocol criminalizes trafficking in hazardous waste and envisions a regional forum for such prosecutions, which presents an opportunity for African states to alter the status quo in environmental protection. This Article examines how the troubling history of toxic colonialism in Africa helped to inform the attempt to criminalize the trafficking of hazardous waste and create a forum under the Malabo Protocol for combating dirty dumping. This Article explores how the inadequate international legal framework for regulating hazardous waste led to the attempt to create a more robust regional regime under the Bamako Convention, with the Malabo Protocol serving as the vehicle for regional enforcement. It evaluates whether the Protocol furthers the punitive objectives of the Bamako regime to punish and deter trafficking in hazardous waste. It does this by analyzing whether the regional prosecution of dirty dumping is consistent with the newer theories of punishment, as well as some of the more traditional goals of punishment. This Article also analyzes the implications of the regional prosecution of dirty dumping under the Malabo Protocol. It assesses the potential challenges that might arise in the attempt to regionally prosecute trafficking in hazardous waste and suggests ways these issues can be resolved through creative interpretation of the Malabo Protocol. Lastly, this Article concludes that the Malabo Protocol’s provision for a regional forum for the prosecutions of traffickers of hazardous waste presents another venue for African states whose domestic judiciaries and related institutions may have limited resources. If implemented, the Protocol could facilitate closing the global impunity gap for dirty dumping in Africa.
UV-Ozone Functionalization of 2D Materials

Integrating two-dimensional (2D) materials into the current nanoelectronic process requires control over the deposition of gate oxides onto these materials. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) relies on surface dangling bonds that are scarce for 2D materials. This review summarizes the advances made in understanding and controlling the nucleation of ALD oxides on these materials. As an example, we focus on ozone-based processes including UV-ozone pretreatments, which we have found to effectively functionalize the surface of molybdenum disulfide. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and limitations of various functionalization or seeding techniques, such as limits in scalability or damage to the 2D materials.
Plasma Renin Activity Is a Predictive Biomarker of Blood Pressure Response in European but not in African Americans With Uncomplicated Hypertension.

BACKGROUND Interindividual variability in blood pressure (BP) response to antihypertensives has been reported. Although plasma renin activity (PRA) is a potential biomarker for personalizing antihypertensive therapy in European American (EA) and African American (AA) hypertensives, clinical utility of PRA-guided prescribing is incompletely understood. METHODS Using systematic-phased approach, PRA's clinical utility was assessed. After categorizing by baseline PRA, clinic systolic BP (SBP) responses to metoprolol and chlorthalidone were compared in 134 EAs and 102 AAs enrolled in the Pharmacogenomics Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses-2 (PEAR-2) trial. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted in EAs. Data from PEAR-2 AAs were used to estimate an optimal PRA cut point using multivariable linear regression models. The derived cut point in AAs was tested in a meta-analysis of 2 independent AA cohorts, and its sensitivity and specificity were assessed. RESULTS EAs with PRA < 0.65 ng/ml/hour had a greater decrease in SBP to chlorthalidone than metoprolol (by -15.9 mm Hg, adjusted P < 0.0001), whereas those with PRA ≥ 0.65 ng/ml/hour had a greater decrease in SBP to metoprolol than chlorthalidone (by 3.3 mm Hg, adjusted P = 0.04). Area under ROC curve (0.69, P = 0.0001) showed that PRA can predict SBP response among EAs. However, we observed no association between PRA and SBP response in PEAR-2 AAs. Among independent AA cohorts, those with PRA ≥ 1.3 ng/ml/hour (PEAR-2-derived cut point) responded better to atenolol/candesartan than hydrochlorothiazide (meta-analysis P = 0.01). However, sensitivity of the derived cut point was 10%. CONCLUSIONS PRA at the previously established 0.60-0.65 ng/ml/hour cut point is an effective predictive biomarker of BP response in EAs. However, we were unable to identify PRA cut point that could be used to guide antihypertensive selection in AAs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01203852, NCT00246519, NCT00005520.
The Comparative Effects of a Modified Self-Questioning Strategy and Story Mapping on the Reading Comprehension of Elementary Students with Learning Disabilities

An alternating treatments design was used to examine the effects of story mapping, a modified self-questioning strategy, and no intervention on literal and inferential reading comprehension of elementary students with learning disabilities. Immediate post-tests indicated that students attained significantly greater comprehension in the self-questioning and story mapping conditions over no intervention. Although students attained similarly high levels of overall comprehension when they used story mapping and self-questioning, students scored slightly higher on inferential comprehension questions in the self-questioning condition. Additionally, 4 out of the 5 students indicated a preference for the self-questioning strategy.
Quantitative Interrogation of the Human Kinome Perturbed by Two BRAF Inhibitors.

Oncogenic BRAF mutations contribute to the development of a number of cancers, and small-molecule BRAF inhibitors have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for anticancer therapy. In this study, we employed two targeted quantitative proteomics approaches for monitoring separately the alterations in protein expression and ATP binding affinities of kinases in cultured human melanoma cells elicited by two FDA-approved small-molecule BRAF inhibitors, dabrafenib and vemurafenib. Our results showed that treatment with the two inhibitors led to markedly different reprograming of the human kinome. Furthermore, we confirmed that vemurafenib could compromise the ATP binding capacity of MAP2K5 in vitro and inhibit its kinase activity in cells. Together, our targeted quantitative proteomic methods revealed profound changes in expression levels of kinase proteins in cultured melanoma cells upon treatment with clinically used BRAF inhibitors and led to the discovery of novel putative target kinases f...
Adaptive evolution of a rock-paper-scissors sequence along a direct line of descent

Non-transitivity - commonly illustrated by the rock-paper-scissors game - is purported to be common in evolution despite a lack of examples of non-transitive interactions arising along a single line of descent. We identify a non-transitive evolutionary sequence in the context of yeast experimental evolution in which a 1,000-generation evolved clone loses in direct competition with its ancestor. We show that non-transitivity arises due to the combined effects of adaptation mediated by the evolving nuclear genome combined with the stepwise deterioration of an intracellular virus. We show that multilevel selection is widespread: nearly half of all populations fix adaptive mutations in both the nuclear and viral genomes, and clonal interference and genetic hitchhiking occur at both levels. Surprisingly, we find no evidence that viral mutations increase the fitness of their host. Instead, the evolutionary success of evolved viral variants results from their selective advantage over viral competitors within the context of individual cells. Overall, our results show that widespread multilevel selection is capable of producing complex evolutionary dynamics - including non-transitivity - under simple laboratory conditions.
Histovariability in human clavicular cortical bone microstructure and its mechanical implications

The human clavicle (i.e. collarbone) is an unusual long bone due to its signature S-shaped curve and variability in macrostructure observed between individuals. Because of the complex nature of how the upper limb moves, as well as due to its complex musculoskeletal arrangement, the biomechanics, in particular the mechanical loadings, of the clavicle are not fully understood. Given that bone remodeling can be influenced by bone stress, the histologic organization of Haversian bone offers a hypothesis of responses to force distributions experienced across a bone. Furthermore, circularly polarized light microscopy can be used to determine the orientation of collagen fibers, providing additional information on how bone matrix might organize to adapt to direction of external loads. We examined Haversian density and collagen fiber orientation, along with cross-sectional geometry, to test whether the clavicle midshaft shows unique adaptation to atypical load-bearing when compared with the sternal (medial) and acromial (lateral) shaft regions. Because fractures are most common at the midshaft, we predicted that the cortical bone structure would show both disparities in Haversian remodeling and nonrandomly oriented collagen fibers in the midshaft compared with the sternal and acromial regions. Human clavicles (n = 16) were sampled via thin-sections at the sternal, middle, and acromial ends of the shaft, and paired sample t-tests were employed to evaluate within-individual differences in microstructural or geometric properties. We found that Haversian remodeling is slightly but significantly reduced in the middle of the bone. Analysis of collagen fiber orientation indicated nonrandom fiber orientations that are overbuilt for tensile loads or torsion but are poorly optimized for compressive loads throughout the clavicle. Geometric properties of percent bone area, polar second moment of area, and shape (Imax /Imin ) confirmed the conclusions drawn by existing research on clavicle macrostructure. Our results highlight that mediolateral shape changes might be accompanied by slight changes in Haversian density, but bone matrix organization is predominantly adapted to resisting tensile strains or torsion throughout and may be a major factor in the risk of fracture when experiencing atypical compression.
Self-Enhancing or Problem-Solving Top Managers? Low Performance, Task Complexity, and Change

Performance feedback theory is premised on the assumption that problem-solving decision makers faced with firm performance deterioration below aspiration pursue problemistic search and greater stra...
110th Anniversary: Using Data to Bridge the Time and Length Scales of Process Systems

In this paper, we review the role of data as a “bridge” connecting the different time/length scales of chemical processes in mathematical modeling and multiscale, integrated decision making. We argue that this is a fitting role of “big data” in the chemical industry, an area that comprises complicated yet deterministic physical systems. Such systems can be described using physical and chemical laws that are generally well understood. As such, data and their analysis are less likely to provide the unexpected and/or surprising insights that they have generated in other sectors (e.g., the transactional economy, social sciences). Nevertheless, historical operating data (which are often plentiful and available at little cost) can be converted to very useful information for multiscale mathematical modeling of chemical processes. Several examples of integration are provided, mapped on the continuum of time and length scales of process systems. Existing research challenges and potential directions for future work...
Deletion of neural tube defect‐associated gene Mthfd1l causes reduced cranial mesenchyme density

BACKGROUND Periconceptional intake of supplemental folic acid can reduce the incidence of neural tube defects by as much as 70%, but the mechanisms by which folic acid supports cellular processes during neural tube closure are unknown. The mitochondrial 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate synthetase MTHFD1L catalyzes production of formate, thus generating one-carbon units for cytoplasmic processes. Deletion of Mthfd1l causes embryonic lethality, developmental delay, and neural tube defects in mice. METHODS To investigate the role of mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism during cranial neural tube closure, we have analyzed cellular morphology and function in neural tissues in Mthfd1l knockout embryos. RESULTS The head mesenchyme showed significantly lower cellular density in Mthfd1l nullizygous embryos compared to wildtype embryos during the process of neural tube closure. Apoptosis and neural crest cell specification were not affected by deletion of Mthfd1l. Sections from the cranial region of Mthfd1l knockout embryos exhibited decreased cellular proliferation, but only after completion of neural tube closure. Supplementation of pregnant dams with formate improved mesenchymal density and corrected cell proliferation in the nullizygous embryos. CONCLUSIONS Deletion of Mthfd1l causes decreased density in the cranial mesenchyme and this defect is improved with formate supplementation. This study reveals a mechanistic link between folate-dependent mitochondrially produced formate, head mesenchyme formation and neural tube defects.
The integral bridge design concept for the third runway at Heathrow, UK

The Heathrow expansion project proposals comprise major works around Heathrow airport to allow the construction of new terminal buildings and the third runway. Owing to the critical nature of unint...
A mixed-methods evaluation of college student and provider perspectives on a smartphone application for help-seeking after violence.

To elicit feedback on the acceptability, usability, and dissemination options for the bMOREsafe smartphone application (app). Participants: Forty-nine students and six service-providers provided fe...
Pressure-Induced Spectroscopic Changes in a Californium 1D Material Are Twice as Large as Found in the Holmium Analog

In this study, the synthesis, characterization, and pressure response of a 1D californium mellitate (mellitate = 1,2,3,4,5,6-benzenehexacarboxylate) coordination polymer, Cf2(mell)(H2O)10·4H2O (Cf-...
Pharmacotherapy for Weight Loss in Cirrhosis and Liver Transplantation: Translating the Data and Underused Potential.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Thirty percent of patients with cirrhosis are obese and the prevalence of obesity increases after transplant to >40% post-transplant. There are currently four weight loss medications approved by the FDA for treatment of obesity (orlistat, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion, and liraglutide). The aim of this review was to investigate the data on the use of these weight loss medications and alternative medicines in patients with cirrhosis and in liver transplant recipients (LTRs). APPROACH AND RESULTS While there is paucity of data for these medications in patients with cirrhosis and LTRs, Liraglutide appears to be generally safe in view of its pharmacokinetic properties. Phentermine-topiramate seems to have the highest weight loss potential but special consideration should be given to neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiovascular comorbidities, and drug interactions. There are emerging data on use of alternative medicines for weight loss but more data are needed. CONCLUSIONS The use of weight loss medications is feasible in this patient population but the decision of which medication to prescribe should be individualized based on the degree of renal and hepatic impairment, other co-morbidities, and concomitant medications.
Recolonization of lake whitefish river spawning ecotypes and estimates of riverine larval production in Green Bay, Lake Michigan

Abstract Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) within the waters of Green Bay, Lake Michigan have recently shown a substantial increase in abundance. Furthermore, after over 100 years of extirpation, adult lake whitefish are found spawning within major Wisconsin tributaries to Green Bay. Many knowledge gaps still exist with respect to the chronology of adult river migrations, including the physical characteristics of upstream habitats selected for reproduction and the extent of larval production by these riverine ecotypes. Here, we use hydroacoustic imaging along with egg and larval surveys to evaluate this novel riverine spawning in 2017 and 2018. Highest abundance of adults was observed in the month of November as temperatures declined below 8 °C. Spawning areas consisted of cobble substrates, and site-specific fish densities were primarily correlated with river flows between 0.3 and 1.0 m/s, with specific values varying by tributary and year. Locations of egg deposition mirrored areas of high observed fish densities. Larval production was documented on each tributary using active trawl ichthyoplankton sampling, and larvae were observed outmigrating to open water environments. We estimated tributaries produced 452,000 larvae in 2017 and 721,000 larvae in 2018. To our knowledge, this represents the first documentation of successful lake whitefish larval production from Green Bay tributaries and suggests tributary spawning populations contribute to the greater abundance of lake whitefish observed in recent years.
Anesthetic Management for Small Bowel Transplantation

Small bowel transplantation has become the standard of care for irreversible intestinal failure in patients who are unable to continue total parenteral nutrition (TPN) therapy. The most common cause of irreversible intestinal failure is secondary to the surgical removal or congenital absence of a significant length (>70%) of small bowel leading to short-gut syndrome. The anesthesia provider plays a major role throughout the perioperative period. Involvement preoperatively is crucial in order to address any concerns, including venous patency, and medically optimize the patient. It is also important to be familiar with the different stages of the procedure and any intraoperative complications that could potentially arise. Postoperative complications should additionally be reviewed as well as the different pain management modalities available for these patients. Small bowel transplantation is an extremely involved procedure requiring a multidisciplinary team approach. Advancements in surgical technique, immunosuppressive agents, intraoperative anesthesia, and postoperative care have all helped to increase both the viability of small bowel grafts and the total number of transplants occurring worldwide.
Lack of association between either outpatient or inpatient glycemic control and COVID-19 illness severity or mortality in patients with diabetes.

Introduction To evaluate whether outpatient insulin treatment, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), glucose on admission, or glycemic control during hospitalization is associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) illness severity or mortality in hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in a geographical region with low COVID-19 prevalence. Research design and methods A single-center retrospective study of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from January 1 through August 31, 2020 to evaluate whether outpatient insulin use, HbA1c, glucose on admission, or average glucose during admission was associated with intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation (ventilator) requirement, or mortality. Results Among 111 patients with DM, 48 (43.2%) were on outpatient insulin and the average HbA1c was 8.1% (65 mmol/mol). The average glucose on admission was 187.0±102.94 mg/dL and the average glucose during hospitalization was 173.4±39.8 mg/dL. Use of outpatient insulin, level of HbA1c, glucose on admission, or average glucose during hospitalization was not associated with ICU admission, ventilator requirement, or mortality among patients with COVID-19 and DM. Conclusions Our findings in a region with relatively low COVID-19 prevalence suggest that neither outpatient glycemic control, glucose on admission, or inpatient glycemic control is predictive of illness severity or mortality in patients with DM hospitalized with COVID-19.
Efficiently learning halfspaces with Tsybakov noise

We study the problem of PAC learning homogeneous halfspaces with Tsybakov noise. In the Tsybakov noise model, the label of every example is independently flipped with an adversarially controlled probability that can be arbitrarily close to 1/2 for a fraction of the examples. We give the first polynomial-time algorithm for this fundamental learning problem. Our algorithm learns the true halfspace within any desired accuracy and succeeds under a broad family of well-behaved distributions including log-concave distributions. This extended abstract is a merge of two papers. In an earlier work, a subset of the authors developed an efficient reduction from learning to certifying the non-optimality of a candidate halfspace and gave a quasi-polynomial time certificate algorithm. In a subsequent work, the authors of the this paper developed a polynomial-time certificate algorithm.
Learnful L2 Gaming: The Wisdom of the Wild

This chapter discusses the informal practice of learnful L2 gaming, that is, playing a vernacular (commercial, non-educational) game for the intentional, sometimes incidental purpose of L2 use and practice. The introduction discusses the reasons for this widespread practice and the background section surveys associated theory and research, focusing specifically on informal learning, the notions of learnfulness and gamefulness, and L2 learning with games. The chapter then presents a descriptive study that surveys online, informal advice on learnful L2 gaming culled from three openly accessible online forums from 2014–2016: Reddit, Quora, and Duolingo. In brief, users suggested choosing the right game, playing it learnfully, and interacting with others through and around it, suggestions which mirror findings from research and formal practice. Further discussion of this ‘wisdom of the wild’ conclude the chapter, with implications for pedagogy.
Confirmatory Bias and Confirmatory Distortion

SUMMARY The author reviews research on confirmatory bias, discusses its role in evaluations of comparative custodial fitness, and creates a distinction between confirmatory bias and confirmatory distortion, in which there is an indisputably conscious endeavor to find and report information that is supportive of one's favored hypothesis. Information is provided concerning the dynamics of confirmatory bias and distortion, the ways in which these phenomena manifest themselves, and the ways in which they can be addressed by reviewers and by cross-examining attorneys.
Liquid Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry Analysis of DNA Polymerase Reaction Products

This unit describes experimental and analytical procedures for characterizing the efficiency and fidelity of translesion DNA synthesis across various DNA damages by DNA polymerases in vitro. This procedure utilizes primer extension assays followed by LC-MS and LC-MS/MS analysis of the extension products. Detailed explanations for the analysis of the LC-MS/MS data for deciphering the nucleotide sequences of the DNA fragments are also presented. This approach provides a significant improvement over conventional methods, as it allows detection of misincorporation, as well as frameshift products.
Targeted therapy in renal cancer

Renal cell cancer (RCC) has an increasing incidence internationally and is a disease for which there have been limited therapeutic options until recently. The last decade has seen a vastly improved understanding of the biological and clinical factors that predict the outcome of this disease. We now understand some of the different molecular underpinnings of renal clear cell carcinoma by mutation or silencing of the von Hippel Lindau (VHL) gene and subsequent deregulated proliferation and angiogenesis. Survival in advanced disease is predicted by factors (performance status, anemia, hypercalcemia, and serum lactate dehydrogenase, time from diagnosis to recurrence) incorporated into the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) criteria (also referred to as 'Motzer' criteria). These criteria allow classification of patients with RCC into good, intermediate and poor risk categories with median overall survivals of 22 months, 12 months and 5.4 months, respectively. Predicated upon these advances, six new targeted drugs (sorafenib, sunitinib, temsirolimus, everolimus, bevacizumab and pazopanib) have been tested in well-designed phase III trials, selected or stratified for MSKCC risk criteria, with positive results. All of these new drugs act at least in part through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mediated pathways with other potential therapeutic impact on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), raf kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. Importantly, data from each of these trials show a consistent doubling of progression-free survival (PFS) over prior standard of care treatments. In addition, sorafenib, sunitinib and temsirolimus, have demonstrated significant overall survival (OS) benefits as well; further follow-up is required to determine whether the disease control exhibited by everolimus and pazopanib will translate into a survival advantage. These drugs are generally well tolerated, as demonstrated by quality-of-life improvement in clinical trials, and result in clinical benefit for in excess of 70% of patients treated. They have challenged the traditional outcomes of clinical trial design by achieving their benefits with relatively few radiographic responses, but high rates of disease stability. The unique side-effect profile coupled with the chronicity of therapy requires increased vigilance to maximize exposure to the drugs while maintaining quality of life and minimizing toxicity. This review focuses on the background, clinical development and practical use of these new drugs in RCC.
Chapter 8 alternatives to mass spectrometry for quantitating stable isotopes: Application of nuclear magnetic resonance in brain metabolic research

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses examples of how nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can be used to investigate cerebral metabolism and monitor both the progression of disease and treatment. The basis for the NMR phenomenon arises from an intrinsic property of nuclei having odd numbers of protons or neutrons, and unpaired nuclear spins. Such nuclei possess a net spin angular momentum. The proportion of spins aligned (lower energy) or opposed (higher energy) with the field can be described statistically and is given by the Boltzman distribution. Detection of an NMR signal involves a perturbation of the magnetization from equilibrium. The tiny oscillating magnetic field generated by the sample can be detected with a suitable antenna (loop of wire) oriented perpendicular to the direction of the static field. N -acetylaspartate (NAA) is highly concentrated in animal and human brain and is considered the most prominent metabolite resonance in the 1 H NMR spectrum. The concentrations of the high energy phosphates, phosphocreatine (PCr), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are substantial in brain and are readily detected using 31 P NMR. Cerebral hypoxia and ischemia leads to rapid depletion of high energy phosphates, elevation of P i , and cellular acidosis in animals and in patients with stroke.
On the role of groundwater and soil texture in the regional water balance: An investigation of the Nebraska Sand Hills, USA

[1] Partitioning of precipitation between evapotranspiration and runoff at the basin scale is primarily controlled by climate and basin characteristics. Here we use the Budyko hypothesis to investigate the impacts of soil texture and groundwater (e.g., baseflow) on annual and long-term mean annual water balances of basins in a semiarid region located in and around the Sand Hills region of Nebraska, USA. Native grasslands are dominant across the study area with soil textures dramatically different for the Nebraska Sand Hills (primarily sand deposits) and the adjacent regions (mainly less permeable silt loam). For each basin, long-term hydrologic and meteorological data are obtained, and a baseflow index is calculated using daily streamflow data to quantify the groundwater contribution to streamflow. We found sound field evidence that suggests the control of soil texture on mean annual water balance and the impact of groundwater storage on interannual variability of water balance at catchment scales, which is usually seen at plot scales and in theoretical models. Our results show that compared to the basins located in the adjacent regions, the Nebraska Sand Hills basins experience much higher long-term mean annual surface runoff ratios (/) and thus lower ratios of ( − )/, where is the long-term mean annual precipitation. The high baseflow index and its positive correlation with the ratio of / in the Sand Hills basins illustrate the role of lower (higher) evapotranspiration (recharge) rates. On annual time scales, the baseflow-dominated basins exhibit a negative relationship between annual (P − R) / P and annual aridity index (i.e., the ratio of annual potential evapotranspiration to annual precipitation), which deviates from the original Budyko hypothesis. Moreover, with decreasing baseflow index, this negative relationship gradually transits into a positive relationship that follows Budyko's curves. Our results suggest that soil textural differences may strongly modify the impact of climate on regional water balance. These findings may have important implications for managing water resources under a fluctuating climate.
An analysis of ribosomal protein during the development of Xenopus laevis

Conditions for the isolation and purification of ribosome proteins from developing Xenopus embryos have been established. The procedure involves the preparation of ribosome gradients, and from the monosomes and polysomes their protein. These proteins are purified by an ammonium chloride wash and are separated by electrophoresis. Results indicate that differences do not exist between monosome ribosome proteins from different developmental stages, but do exist between these monosomes and ribosomal protein from postgastrula polysomes. The possible role of the ribosome in translation-level control is discussed.
Lumber sympathetic blockade

Abstract Lumbar sympathetic blockade is indicated for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of painful and other conditions presumably associated with sympathetic nervous system dysfunction. Anatomy of the lumbar sympathetic chain and the rationale for the block are essential to know before performing the block. Different techniques have been described for the lumbar sympathetic blockade, with efficacy ranging from 13% to 80%, which varies according to the initial patient pathology. Genito-femoral neuralgia occurs in about 5% of patients after neurolytic block. Other potential complications are infection, hematomas, and somatic nerve damage. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Questioning as a Component of Scaffolding in Predicting Emotion Knowledge in Preschoolers.

The following study expands Denham and Auerbach's (1995. Mother-child dialogue about emotions and preschoolers’ emotional competence. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, 121, 313–337) findings, demonstrating a link between mothers’ talk about emotions and preschoolers’ knowledge of emotions. We investigate the maternal language and child emotion knowledge association by analysing all maternal questioning, not just questions specifically about emotions, during a mother–child interaction task. Questions are functionally different from other features of language because questions push children to think and formulate their own thoughts about the content, in our case, emotions, in order to generate an appropriate response. Twenty-eight transcripts of mother–child dialogue during a wordless storybook task with emotionally salient content were coded for mothers’ use of questions. Results show that mothers’ use of questions was associated with emotion knowledge, but only for girls. Our findings sh...
Citizens' Views on Using Alternate Reporting Methods in Policing

Most people agree that local police should continue to place a high priority on responding to violent and other felony crime. At the same time, departments are increasingly asked to assume more service-related responsibilities within the community, creating a situation of thinly spread resources. Some nonemergency problems might be handled in an alternate way to increase efficiency in the delivery of police services. To measure community perceptions of alternate reporting methods, we mailed a survey to 6,000 urban residents in Kansas City. Most citizens embraced phone reporting, but were less willing to use mail-in reporting and the Internet. Policy implications are discussed.
Bladder Dysfunction in the Elderly

Bladder dysfunction in the elderly is an enormous public health problem. Laboratory research using animal models has to date not yielded clinically useful new information. Demographic and urodynamic studies in selected elderly patients indicate that neurological disease and bladder outlet obstruction are the primary causes for voiding dysfunction. The effect of aging per se on the urinary bladder is not known. Elderly patients who have bladder dysfunction should be evaluated with a careful history and physical examination combined with a practical urodynamic evaluation rather than simply being labeled as having "bladder dysfunction in the elderly."
Recent progress in photorefractive polymers: materials and structures

A new class of photorefractive polymers is described in which an inert polymer binder is doped with a great molecule called a dual-function dopant, which has the dual functions of providing optical nonlinearity as well as charge transport as required for the photorefractive effect. These materials are the first photorefractive polymers to show both nondestructive readout as sufficiently low reading power and optical trap activation, in which pre-irradiation by a uniform light beam increases the concentration of deep trapping sites in the material. In the area of potential applications, a new sample configuration is described in which photorefractive polymers are fabricated into an electric field switchable stratified volume holographic structure. Individual layers may be activated by applied electric field leading to improved diffraction efficiency and angular selectivity.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The development of Laue techniques for single‐pulse diffraction of chemical complexes: time‐resolved Laue diffraction on a binuclear rhodium metal‐organic complex

A modified Laue method is shown to produce excited-state structures at atomic resolution of a quality competitive with those from monochromatic experiments. The much faster data collection allows the use of only one or a few X-ray pulses per data frame, which minimizes crystal damage caused by laser exposure of the samples and optimizes the attainable time resolution. The method has been applied to crystals of the α-modification of Rh2(μ-PNP)2(PNP)2 (BPh4)2 [PNP = CH3N(P(OCH3)2)2, Ph = phenyl]. The experimental results show a shortening of the Rh—Rh distance in the organometallic complex of 0.136 (8) A on excitation and are quantitatively supported by quantum-mechanical (QM)/molecular-mechanics (MM) theoretical calculations which take into account the confining effect of the crystal environment, but not by theoretical results on the isolated complex, demonstrating the defining effect of the crystal matrix.
A Comprehensive School‐Based Clinic: University and Community Partnership

purpose. To describe the evolution and current status of a university and community partnership engaged in operating an urban elementary school-based clinic (SBC) population. The children at the school who are eligible to receive care at the SBC include 500 elementary students and 200 adolescents who attend a magnet junior high school housed in the same building. The vast majority of the children attending the school are from families whose incomes are below the national poverty level. Eighty-five percent of the children are black. Fifteen percent are Hispanic, non-white. conclusions. A variety of services and programs are offered to the children and their families for the promotion of health and the prevention of mental disorders. Service, education, and research occur simultaneously to achieve the multiple goals of the partners and participants. practice implications. Advanced practice nurses can provide quality health and mental health care services for school-age children and their families through SBCs. Institutional partnerships, capitalizing on each other's strengths, can expand the availability of SBC offerings.
SMN, the Product of the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Gene, Binds Preferentially to Dimethylarginine-Containing Protein Targets

The survival of motor neurons protein (SMN), the product of the neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) gene, functions as an assembly factor for snRNPs and likely other RNPs. SMN binds the arginine- and glycine-rich (RG) domains of the snRNP proteins SmD1 and SmD3. Specific arginines in these domains are modified to dimethylarginines, a common modification of unknown function. We show that SMN binds preferentially to the dimethylarginine-modified RG domains of SmD1 and SmD3. The binding of other SMN-interacting proteins is also strongly enhanced by methylation. Thus, methylation of arginines is a novel mechanism to promote specific protein-protein interactions and appears to be key to generating high-affinity SMN substrates. It is reasonable to expect that protein hypomethylation may contribute to the severity of SMA.