cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Online Estimation of Geometric and Inertia Parameters for Multirotor Aerial Vehicles

Accurate knowledge of geometric and inertia parameters are a necessity for precise and robust control of aerial vehicles. We propose a novel filter that is able to fuse motor speed, inertia, and pose measurements to estimate the vehicle’s key dynamic properties online. The presented framework is able to estimate the multirotor’s moment of inertia, mass, center of mass and each sensor module’s relative position. Obtaining these estimates in-flight allow the multirotor to be precisely controlled even during tasks such as load transportation or after configuration changes on scene. We provide a nonlinear observability analysis, proving that the presented model is locally weakly observable. Experimental results validate the proposed approach, showing the ability to estimate the dynamic properties accurately and demonstrate its capability to do so even while additional loads are added. The framework is flexible and can easily be adapted to a wide range of applications, including self-calibration, object grasping, and single robot or multi-robot payload transportation.
H-cluster assembly intermediates built on HydF by the radical SAM enzymes HydE and HydG

[FeFe]-hydrogenase catalyzes the reversible reduction of protons to H2 at a complex metallocofactor site, the H-cluster. Biosynthesis of this active-site H-cluster requires three maturation enzymes: the radical S-adenosylmethionine enzymes HydE and HydG synthesize the nonprotein ligands, while the GTPase HydF provides a scaffold for assembly of the 2Fe subcluster of the H-cluster ([2Fe]H) prior to its transfer to hydrogenase. To delineate the assembly and delivery steps for the 2Fe precursor cluster coordinated to HydF ([2Fe]F), we have heterologously expressed HydF in the presence of HydE alone (HydFE) or HydG alone (HydFG), and characterized the resulting purified HydFE and HydFG using UV–visible, EPR, and FTIR spectroscopies and biochemical assays. The iron–sulfur clusters on HydF are modified by co-expression with HydE or HydG, as evidenced by the changes in the visible, EPR, and FTIR spectral features. Further, biochemical assays show that HydFE is capable of activating HydAΔEFG to a limited extent (~ 1% of WT) even though the normal source of CO and CN– ligands of [2Fe]H (HydG) was absent. Activation assays performed with HydFG, in contrast, exhibit no ability to mature HydAΔEFG. It appears that in the case of HydFE, trace diatomics from the cellular environment are incorporated into a [2Fe]F-like precursor on HydF in the absence of HydG. We conclude that the product of HydE, presumably the dithiomethylamine ligand of [2Fe]H, is absolutely essential to the activation process, while the diatomic products of HydG can be provided from alternate sources.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A great imitator

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an uncommon but serious inflammatory neoplasia that affects many organs, including the skin. Though uncommon, it should remain high on a clinician's differential diagnosis in treatment-resistant cases of conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis, diaper dermatitis, arthropod bites, and many more. A thorough history nd physical examination for each patient can aid in the diagnosis; however, if clinically suspicious for LCH, a punch biopsy should be performed. Histologic evaluation of LCH is often enough to differentiate it from the many clinical mimickers. Characteristic findings include a histiocytic infiltrate with "coffee bean"-cleaved nuclei, rounded shape, and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical stains, including CD1a, S100, and CD207 (langerin) are often needed for a definitive diagnosis. Electron microscopy also demonstrates the ultrastructural presence of Birbeck granules, but this is no longer needed due to immunohistochemical staining. Treatment is often necessary for LCH, if systemic involvement exists.
Evaluation of 1‐mm‐diameter endothelialized dense collagen tubes in vascular microsurgery

Although much progress has been made in engineering vascular grafts for large- and small-diameter arterial repair or bypass, the extension of these results to the microsurgical size scale has been challenging. Here, we evaluated the use of dense collagen tubes (outer diameter 1 mm, inner diameter 0.5 mm) for vascular microsurgery as interpositional grafts to the femoral artery of Lewis rats. These tubes were formed by dehydrating tubular collagen gels around a mandrel, crosslinking them with genipin, seeding with syngeneic endothelial cells, and culturing before implantation by suture anastomosis. The retention of a confluent endothelial lining inside the tubes after mock surgical handling depended strongly on the crosslinker concentration and culture time. Optimized preparation conditions enabled retention of endothelium after mock surgical handling in ~80% of tubes and maintenance of patency 7 days after implantation in ~40% of grafts. Histological analysis showed the development of granulation tissue and the presence of CD31-positive structures on the inner and outer surfaces of implants. This study provides a proof-of-principle demonstration that endothelialized dense collagen tubes can remain patent for up to 7 days after vascular microsurgery, and points to the importance of mild scaffold crosslinking for maintaining firm endothelial adhesion.
Medical Subspecialty Clinic Consultation-Liaison

Shifting management of pediatric chronic illness from the acute setting to subspecialty clinics has occurred in parallel with a greater focus on a more comprehensive approach to chronic illness management. Several theories have been proposed to guide disease management and decrease deleterious health-related outcomes and increase quality of life. One of the most researched models, the Chronic Care Model, identifies several focal areas that align well with pediatric psychology practice within subspecialty clinics. Pediatric psychologists can serve several roles within subspecialty clinics including improving team collaboration and increasing patient self-management. The wide-ranging spectrum of opportunities, frequent collaboration, broad range of applied skills, and ability to often see patients over a longer period of time make the subspecialty clinic an evolving and exciting setting for consultation-liaison pediatric psychologists. Using a pediatric diabetes clinic as a model, this chapter addresses assessment and intervention strategies and describes requisite competencies and skills needed in subspecialty clinics employing the Chronic Care Model.
Epigenetics and imprinting in assisted reproduction

Abstract While DNA provides all the necessary information for normal cell development, the expression of specific genes varies in different body tissues and transcriptional program is determined by cell fate and function. The differences in the interpretation of DNA by different cell types within the same organism are largely mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic marks help determine how DNA is structurally organized and which sections are available for transcription, without causing a change in the DNA sequence. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs are major players of the cellular epigenetic machinery in mammals. Epigenetic changes are remarkably associated with reproductive aging in both males and females. They are also responsible for the phenomenon of genomic imprinting. This chapter highlights the most significant molecular features of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and how they can be studied. Furthermore, special emphasis is given on how and when major epigenetic events during embryo development overlap with assisted reproductive technology interventions and potential consequences. Moreover, this chapter also provides recent examples of how the epigenome can be exploited as a tool to improve clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive treatment.
Resilience and cognitive symptoms in cancer: An exploratory study.

e24079Background: One of the most common concerns of cancer survivors is cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), which affects an individual’s ability to return to work, school, or other life a...
Structural basis of Blastomyces Endoglucanase-2 adjuvancy in anti-fungal and -viral immunity

The development of safe subunit vaccines requires adjuvants that augment immunogenicity of non-replicating protein-based antigens. Current vaccines against infectious diseases preferentially induce protective antibodies driven by adjuvants such as alum. However, the contribution of antibody to host defense is limited for certain classes of infectious diseases such as fungi, whereas animal studies and clinical observations implicate cellular immunity as an essential component of the resolution of fungal pathogens. Here, we decipher the structural bases of a newly identified glycoprotein ligand of Dectin-2 with potent adjuvancy, Blastomyces endoglucanase-2 (Bl-Eng2). We also pinpoint the developmental steps of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T responses augmented by Bl-Eng2 including expansion, differentiation and tissue residency. Dectin-2 ligation led to successful systemic and mucosal vaccination against invasive fungal infection and Influenza A infection, respectively. O-linked glycans on Bl-Eng2 applied at the skin and respiratory mucosa greatly augment vaccine subunit induced protective immunity against lethal influenza and fungal pulmonary challenge.
Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Poly(d-glucose carbonate) Amphiphilic Block Copolymers in Mixed Solvents

We report the fibril formation of poly(d-glucose carbonate) (PGC)-based amphiphilic diblock copolymers using solution assembly. Unlike conventional cylindrical micelles constructed from amphiphilic...
A fast local embedded boundary method suitable for high power electromagnetic sources

High power sources of electromagnetic energy often require complicated structures to support electromagnetic modes and shape electromagnetic fields to maximize the coupling of the field energy to intense relativistic electron beams. Geometric fidelity is critical to the accurate simulation of these High Power Electromagnetic (HPEM) sources. Here, we present a fast and geometrically flexible approach to calculate the solution to Maxwell’s equations in vector potential form under the Lorenz gauge. The scheme is an implicit, linear-time, high-order, A-stable method that is based on the method of lines transpose (MOLT). As presented, the method is fourth order in time and second order in space, but the A-stable formulation could be extended to both high order in time and space. An O(n) fast convolution is employed for space-integration. The main focus of this work is to develop an approach to impose perfectly electrically conducting (PEC) boundary conditions in MOLT by extending our past work on embedded boundary methods. As the method is A-stable, it does not suffer from small time step limitations that are found in explicit finite difference time domain methods when using either embedded boundary or cut-cell methods to capture geometry. This is a major advance for the simulation of HPEM devices. While there is no conceptual limitation to develop this in 3D, our initial work has centered on 2D. The extension to 3D requires validation that the proposed fixed point iteration will converge and is the subject of our follow-up work. The eventual goal is to combine this method with particle methods for the simulations of plasma. In the current work, the scheme is evaluated for EM wave propagation within an object that is bounded by PEC. The consistency and performance of the scheme are confirmed using the ping test and frequency mode analysis for rotated square cavities—a standard test in the HPEM community. We then demonstrate the diffraction Q value test and the use of this method for simulating an A6 magnetron. The ability to handle both PEC and open boundaries in a standard device test problem, such as the A6, gives confidence on the robustness of this new method.
Co-optimization Model of Energy and Auxiliary Service Market Considering Opportunity Cost

The co-optimization of energy market and auxiliary service market can achieve the best economic efficiency in consideration of security constraints. Opportunity cost should be considered when a resource that provide energy market only is backed down to provide both energy and auxiliary service market. This paper first gives the definition and calculation method of opportunity cost. On this basis, considering market demand and unit output constraints, a co-optimization model considering opportunity cost is constructed. Then, this co-optimization model is transformed into an equivalent mixed integer linear programming model. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model base on the IEEE 39 system. The results demonstrate that the proposed model reflects the real price in the regulation market and increases market efficiency.
Expanded scope of Griesbaum co-ozonolysis for the preparation of structurally diverse sensors of ferrous iron

Sterically shielded 1,2,4-trioxolanes prepared by Griesbaum co-ozonolysis have been utilized as chemical sensors of ferrous iron in several recently described chemical probes of labile iron. Here we report optimized conditions for co-ozonolysis that proceed efficiently and with high diastereoselectivity across an expanded range of substrates, and should enable a new generation of labile iron probes with altered reaction kinetics and physicochemical properties.
New Conditions for the Stability and Instability of Feedback Systems

In this paper we derive some new and useful conditions on the open loop transfer function, necessary for closed loop stability. The derivation is based on imposing the sign-invariance of the closed loop characteristic polynomial evaluated on the real axis. Although this is a simple necessary condition for closed loop stability, it leads to fairly stringent requirements on the open loop transfer function. Also, the results can be stated only in terms of the numbers of real poles and zeros of the open loop system even though the system may have complex poles and zeros. Using the same approach new necessary conditions for stabilizability by P, PI and PID controllers as well as by arbitrary controllers are also presented.
Radio Telescopes in High Places

An entirely new generation of radio telescopes has sprung up at very high altitudes, not least of which is ALMA, at the astonishing altitude of 16,500 ft (5050 m) in the Chilean Andes, which is now beginning to bear cosmic fruit.
Risk and Protective Factors for Adolescent Delinquency

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of protective and risk factors with adolescent delinquency. Using nationally representative data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) project, the delinquency level and the influence of individual characteristics, dyadic relationships in the family, school and peer variables on adolescent delinquency were examined by gender. Boys and girls differed in delinquency level with boys showing significantly higher delinquency than girls. The relative influence of protective and risk factors in individual, familial, peer, and school contexts differed by gender as well. More diverse variables influenced the delinquency level of girls than that of boys.
Vergleichende Untersuchungen über das periphere Nerven-Muskelsystem von Crustaceen

Mit kurz dauernden Gleichstromen wurde bei indirekter Reizung eine „schnelle Kontraktion“ erzi lt, die eine sehr eigentumliche Alles-oder-Nichts-Relation zu erkennen gibt. Die Reizzeitwerte wurden bestimmt nach Masgabe ihrer Lage auf. der Reizspannungskurve. Zu einer bestimmten Reihe von Werten (d. h. Strecke dieser Kurve) gehort jeweils eine einzige Zuckungshohe. Uberschreitet man die Grenze dieser Werte, so tritt ganz plotzlich eine hohere Kontraktion auf, die wiederum einer ganzen Zone von Reizwerten entspricht und innerhalb dieser Zone konstant bleibt. Es liesen sich auf diese Weise mehrere Stufen nachweisen. Wenn wir die Kontraktionen als Tetani also als Folge einer Summation auffassen, dann sehen wir, das diese Summation einer ganz bestimmten Quantengesetzmasigkeit der Reizintensitaten gehorcht.
Effect of the temperature on the chemical healing of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The effect of temperature on the chemical healing of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) – healing as a result of chemical reactions between neighboring macromolecules located in the interface surface — was studied. The healing process was carried out in vacuum on pressed partially overlapped strips of commercial PET, previously annealed at 258°C, at temperatures between 140 and 250°C for 24 h. It is demonstrated that the fracture behavior of the welded samples depends strongly on the healing temperature Th. At Th > 200°C the strips break beyond the contact area, at 160 < Th < 200°C debonding occurs, and at Th < 160°C no bonding is observed. It is assumed that the bonding effect is mainly a result of chemical reactions (solid state postcondensation and transreactions) taking place during the healing procedure.
Dissociation of μ-opioid receptor and CRF-R1 antagonist effects on escalated ethanol consumption and mPFC serotonin in C57BL/6J mice

Both the opioid antagonist naltrexone and corticotropin-releasing factor type-1 receptor (CRF-R1) antagonists have been investigated for the treatment of alcoholism. The current study examines the combination of naltrexone and CP154526 to reduce intermittent access ethanol drinking [intermittent access to alcohol (IAA)] in C57BL/6J male mice, and if these compounds reduce drinking via serotonergic mechanisms in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Systemic injections and chronic intracerebroventricular infusions of naltrexone, CP154526 or CP376395 transiently decreased IAA drinking. Immunohistochemistry revealed CRF-R1 or μ-opioid receptor immunoreactivity was co-localized in tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH)-immunoreactive neurons as well as non-TPH neurons in the DRN. Mice with a history of IAA or continuous access to alcohol were microinjected with artificial cerebral spinal fluid, naltrexone, CP154526 or the combination into the DRN or the median raphe nucleus (MRN). Either intra-DRN naltrexone or CP154526 reduced IAA in the initial 2 hours of fluid access, but the combination did not additively suppress IAA, suggesting a common mechanism via which these two compounds affect intermittent drinking. These alcohol-reducing effects were localized to the DRN of IAA drinkers, as intra-MRN injections only significantly suppressed water drinking, and continuous access drinkers were not affected by CRF-R1 antagonism. Extracellular serotonin was measured in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) using in vivo microdialysis after intra-DRN microinjections in another group of mice. Intra-DRN CP154526 increased serotonin impulse flow to the mPFC while naltrexone did not. This suggests the mPFC may not be an essential location to intermittent drinking, as evidenced by different effects on serotonin signaling to the forebrain yet similar behavioral findings.
Some quantum P3s with one point

We study a certain 1-parameter family of non-commutative graded regular algebras of global dimension four which were introduced by Vancliff, Van Rompay and Willaert in [12]. Most members of the family have a singleton point scheme of multiplicity twenty. Our objective is to analyse the point scheme of these algebras and the coordinate ring of the point scheme. In particular, we prove that the point scheme determines the defining relations and that its coordinate ring is a Frobenius algebra.
Strong evidence for a new strange matrix element

Abstract I show that there exists a four quark operator O s involving strangequarks whose matrix elements 〈nπ 0 | O s |p〉 and 〈n| O s |p〉 may be computed as they are related by SU (3) symmetry to the weak nonleptonic hyperon decays. The matrix elements are large as a consequence of the ΔI = 1 2 rule, or octet enhancement. This computation provides the strongest evidence yet for large strange matrix elements in nonstrange particle states.
A study of flaw identification in adhesive bonds using a technique of impact modification

A small load transducer has been used to obtain force histories arising from the impact of steel spheres with flawed, laminated plates. The modification of the force-time record in the presence of the flaw is used for the detection of these force histories. Tests are reported for both bonded aluminum and glass-epoxy composite plates.
Winds of change

Beginning with this issue and going forward, you will notice new features and additions to Advances . Some of the changes arrive on the coat-tails of Hurricane Charley, who decided to join our August editors’ meeting near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Other changes result from the transformation
Active Rehabilitation in a Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patient

Decreased intensive care unit (ICU) mortality has led to an increase in ICU morbidity. ICU-induced immobilization plays a major role in this morbidity. Recently, ICU mobility has been shown to be safe and effective in adolescent and adult patients. We report the successful rehabilitation of an 8-year-old boy with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A child who is critically ill may safely perform active rehabilitation while on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The gains achieved through active rehabilitation and optimal nutrition can facilitate recovery from severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in select pediatric patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Self-Assembling Asymmetric Bisphenazines with Tunable Electronic Properties

This paper reports novel self-assembling T-shaped conjugated molecules based on asymmetric bisphenazines in which hexadecyloxy substituted bisphenazine is orthogonally fused with 1,4-bis(2-phenylethynyl)benzene. Tunability of one-dimensional (1D) self-assembly and electronic properties of the system was demonstrated by peripheral substitution with small functional groups. These functional groups (OCH3, H, CN) progressively reduced LUMO levels as predicted by theoretical calculations and experimentally verified by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Furthermore, the morphologies of 1D assembly were greatly influenced by the substituents. While conformational flexibility of methoxy hampered successful assembly, hydrogen and cyano substitution induced the formation of rigid microstrands and flexible nanofibers, respectively, using phase transfer methods. Detailed instrumental analyses of the 1D assembled clusters including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffractio...
Defective Thyroid Hormone Feedback Regulation in the Syndrome of Peripheral Resistance to Thyroid Hormone

We have previously described an inherited syndrome best explained as peripheral resistance to the action of thyroid hormone. So far, studies were carried out principally in two affected siblings, the third being too young. These studies concentrated on the demonstration of authenticity of the circulating thyroid hormones, their metabolism, the lack of metabolic response to the administration of supraphysiological doses of thyroid hormones and their analogs, and the abnormalities of the T3 nuclear receptors. The present communication deals with the youngest sibling and the T3 feedback regulation of his pituitary, which is not previously assessed. The complete syndrome, including all somatic defects, developed in the youngest sibling, who was suspected of being affected at birth. TSH responded normally to the administration of TRH despite the presence in serum of T4, free T4, and T3 in concentrations 3-fold above the mean normal range. The administration of T3, producing a further rise in the serum T3 conce...
An avidin-biotin ELISA assay for the measurement of de novo human IgE synthesis in culture supernatants

A very sensitive (100 pg/ml) solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) for the determination of human IgE has been developed. This assay incorporates the avidin-biotin system to increase sensitivity and can detect as little as 100 pg/ml (10 pg/test) of human IgE. The assay is highly specific and allows quantitative determination of human IgE in supernatants of peripheral blood lymphocytes as well as in serum. The very high sensitivity of the assay was accomplished by optimizing concentrations of the following reagents: (1) affinity-purified rabbit anti-human IgE coating antibodies; (2) biotin-conjugated goat anti-human IgE; (3) avidin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate. In summary, the assay described is rapid (6 h), reproducible, isotype specific, and has the sensitivity of radioimmunoassays usually employed for the quantification of IgE. This assay may be utilized in establishing concentrations of in vitro IgE levels synthesized by human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL).
Urinary biomarkers of renal disease in dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy.

Background Sensitive and specific biomarkers for early tubulointerstitial injury are lacking. Hypothesis The excretion of certain urinary proteins will correlate with the state of renal injury in dogs with chronic kidney disease. Animals Twenty-five male colony dogs affected with X-linked hereditary nephropathy (XLHN) and 19 unaffected male littermates were evaluated. Methods Retrospective analysis of urine samples collected every 2–4 weeks was performed. Urine proteins evaluated were retinol binding protein (uRBP/c), β2-microglobulin (uB2M), N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (uNAG/c), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL/c), and immunoglobulin G (uIgG/c). Results were correlated with serum creatinine concentration (sCr), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine protein : creatinine ratio, and histopathologic analysis of serial renal biopsies. Analytical validation was performed for all assays; uNAG stability was evaluated. Results All urinary biomarkers distinguished affected dogs from unaffected dogs early in their disease process, increasing during early and midstages of disease. uRBP/c correlated most strongly with conventional measures of disease severity, including increasing sCr (r = 0.89), decreasing GFR (r = −0.77), and interstitial fibrosis (r = 0.80), P < .001. However, multivariate analysis revealed age, sCr, uIgG/c, and uB2M, but not uRBP/c, as significant independent predictors of GFR (P < .05). Conclusions and Clinical Importance All urinary biomarkers were elevated before sCr increased, but typically after proteinuria developed in dogs with progressive glomerular disease because of XLHN. uRBP/c measurement might be promising as a noninvasive tool for diagnosis and monitoring of tubular injury and dysfunction in dogs.
Contribution of hospital characteristics to the volume-outcome relationship: dislocation and infection following total hip replacement surgery.

Objective Mortality and complication rates after total hip replacement (THR) are inversely associated with the volume of THRs performed at hospitals and by individual surgeons. It is not clear, however, why a higher volume of such procedures is associated with better outcomes. We evaluated the contribution of hospital structural characteristics to the volume–outcome relationship in THR by examining the rates and predictors of postoperative complications. Methods We analyzed data pertaining to 5,211 Medicare patients who underwent primary THR in 1995 or 1996 at 167 hospitals in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Data were derived from several sources, including Medicare Part A and Part B claims, the American Board of Medical Specialties, a hospital survey regarding institution-specific characteristics and structural aspects of the care setting, and the American Hospital Association 1995 Annual Survey. Multivariate models were constructed to determine whether hospital structure or surgeon-associated factors may underlie the relationship between volume of THRs and the occurrence of perioperative orthopedic adverse events, defined as deep wound infection or hip dislocation within 90 days of surgery. Results Of the patients studied, 2.6% experienced an orthopedic adverse event after THR. Sixty-nine percent fewer events occurred in hospitals where >100 THRs in Medicare patients were performed annually, compared with hospitals where ≤25 THRs were performed. In univariate analyses, several hospital-level factors were associated with a reduced (∼50%) risk of adverse events, including private (versus public) ownership, membership in the Council of Teaching Hospitals, presence of any residency training program, availability of a dedicated orthopedic nursing unit, and existence of operating rooms with laminar flow exhaust systems. However, the only hospital-level factor associated with adverse events in multivariate models was the use of laminar flow exhaust systems. When surgeon volume was added to the models, it was the strongest predictor of adverse events, with hospital volume and hospital-level factors having no appreciable association with adverse events. Conclusion Hospital-level factors were not independent predictors of the association between hospital volume and orthopedic adverse events. The volume of THRs performed by individual surgeons is the most important determinant of orthopedic complications and should be considered in efforts to improve THR outcomes.
Study of photon migration depths with time-resolved spectroscopy.

In this study a light-shielding plate with a hole was placed in an intralipid emulsion. The probability distribution for photons emitted from a surface light source, passing through the hole at different depths, and reaching a surface detector at the other side of the plate was experimentally assessed. We provide qualitative verification for a model derived by Weiss et al. [J. Mod. Opt. 36, 349 (1989)] that the migration depths for the measured photons follow a distribution in depth and that this distribution has a maximum probability at a describable depth beneath the surface. This agreement, corroborated by a parallel study, suggests that we may have assessed the maximum migration depth distribution of photons that reached the detector and that the random walk model may describe the maximum migration depth distribution. The experimental results indicate that photons with the same path lengths within the medium reach a wide range of depths and suggest difficulties in resolving optical structure with time-resolved measurement. The results also provide experimental evidence that, for a given source–detector separation, the photons that migrate deeper have longer mean path lengths with larger variation in their path lengths.
Effect of Solvent Composition on Association between Small Organic Species

Effects of different organic solvents on the extent of complex formation in binary aqueous organic solvent mixtures were studied by means of spectrophotometry, spectropolarimetry, and solubility technique. In every instance, the stability constants of the complexes decreased as the ratio of organic solvent to water increased. The complexes were much less stable in aqueous dioxane mixtures than in similar mixtures of water and polyhydroxy compounds such as glycerin and sucrose. These studies strongly indicate the significant contribution made by hydrophobic bonding to these interactions and the major role of the water structure.
Transcriptomic landscape of breast cancers through mRNA sequencing

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with a poorly defined genetic landscape, which poses a major challenge in diagnosis and treatment. By massively parallel mRNA sequencing, we obtained 1.2 billion reads from 17 individual human tissues belonging to TNBC, Non-TNBC, and HER2-positive breast cancers and defined their comprehensive digital transcriptome for the first time. Surprisingly, we identified a high number of novel and unannotated transcripts, revealing the global breast cancer transcriptomic adaptations. Comparative transcriptomic analyses elucidated differentially expressed transcripts between the three breast cancer groups, identifying several new modulators of breast cancer. Our study also identified common transcriptional regulatory elements, such as highly abundant primary transcripts, including osteonectin, RACK1, calnexin, calreticulin, FTL, and B2M, and “genomic hotspots” enriched in primary transcripts between the three groups. Thus, our study opens previously unexplored niches that could enable a better understanding of the disease and the development of potential intervention strategies.
Harnessing endogenous growth factor activity modulates stem cell behavior

The influence of specific serum-borne biomolecules (e.g.heparin) on growth factor-dependent cell behavior is often difficult to elucidate in traditional cell culture due to the random, non-specific nature of biomolecule adsorption from serum. We hypothesized that chemically well-defined cell culture substrates could be used to study the influence of sequestered heparin on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) behavior. Specifically, we used bio-inert self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) chemically modified with a bioinspired heparin-binding peptide (termed “HEPpep”) and an integrin-binding peptide (RGDSP) as stem cell culture substrates. Our results demonstrate that purified heparin binds to HEPpep SAMs in a dose-dependent manner, and serum-borne heparin binds specifically and in a dose-dependent manner to HEPpep SAMs. These heparin-sequestering SAMs enhance hMSC proliferation by amplifying endogenous fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling, and enhance hMSC osteogenic differentiation by amplifying endogenous bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. The effects of heparin-sequestering are similar to the effects of supraphysiologic concentrations of recombinant FGF-2. hMSC phenotype is maintained over multiple population doublings on heparin-sequestering substrates in growth medium, while hMSC osteogenic differentiation is enhanced in a bone morphogenetic protein-dependent manner on the same substrates during culture in osteogenic induction medium. Together, these observations demonstrate that the influence of the substrate on stem cell phenotype is sensitive to the culture medium formulation. Our results also demonstrate that enhanced hMSC proliferation can be spatially localized by patterning the location of HEPpep on the substrate. Importantly, the use of chemically well-defined SAMs in this study eliminated the confounding factor of random, non-specific biomolecule adsorption, and identified serum-borne heparin as a key mediator of hMSC response to endogenous growth factors.
Inhibition of bacteriophage λ development by the klaA gene of broad-host-range plasmid RK2

The kil-kor regulon of broad-host-range plasmid RK2 is an unusual array of eight co-regulated operons that express at least 21 genes, including the plasmid replication initiator gene. Some of the operons were first identified as kil loci because uncontrolled expression in the absence of certain kor regulatory genes leads to death of the host cells. The functions of kilA, C and E are unknown, although co-regulation with the replication initiator gene suggests that they may have importance in the maintenance or host range of the plasmid. Here we report studies on the function of klaA, the first of three host-lethal genes in the kilA operon. We found that lambda pklaA-1, a lambda phage containing the klaA gene, is unable to form plaques unless the host expresses the KorA and KorB repressors needed to regulate transcription from the klaA promoter. The failure to form plaques depends on the klaA gene product and results from the inability of infected cells to produce viable phage particles. Transcription of early, delayed early and late genes or processing of lambda DNA are not affected by klaA overexpression, while cell lysis, lambda DNA replication and production of functional phage heads are reduced. However, the failure to produce viable phage is best explained by the inability to synthesize lambda tails. The finding that klaA strongly inhibits a specific morphogenetic step in the assembly of lambda phage particles has significance with respect to the function of klaA on plasmid RK2.
Outcomes of surgical and endovascular treatment of acute traumatic thoracic aortic injury

Background Acute thoracic aortic injury resulting from blunt trauma is a life-threatening condition. Endovascular therapy is a less invasive treatment modality that may potentially improve patient outcomes. We reviewed our experience with patients who sustained blunt thoracic aortic injuries distal to the left subclavian artery and presented for open surgical or endovascular repair. Methods Between August 1993 and August 2006, 62 patients sustained blunt thoracic aortic injuries distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery and proceeded to undergo open surgical (n = 48, 77%), or endovascular repair (n = 14, 23%). Revised trauma score (RTS), injury severity score (ISS), new injury severity score (NISS), individual associated traumatic injuries, as well as operative and postoperative outcomes were compared between open surgical and endovascular groups. Results Age, gender, race, and mechanism of injury did not differ between open surgical and endovascular groups. Additionally, RTS, ISS, and NISS values were not significantly different. The proportion of patients with sternal fractures (14% vs 0%), or unstable spinal fractures (36% vs 10%) was significantly greater in the endovascular group. Of the patients who received endografts, 93% (n = 13) were evaluated by a cardiothoracic surgeon and assessed to be prohibitive to operative intervention. Endografts utilized included commercially manufactured thoracic endografts (n = 6; 43%) and abdominal aortic endograft components (n = 8; 57%). Forty-one interposition grafts were placed in the open surgical group. Renal complications (32% vs 7%), and urinary tract infections (35% vs 7%) approached significance between surgical and endovascular groups ( P = .082 and P = .077, respectively). Intraoperative mortality for the surgical and endovascular groups was 23% and 0%, respectively ( P = .056). Endovascular repair was associated with significant reductions in operative time (118 vs 209 minutes), estimated blood loss (77 vs 3180 ml), and intraoperative blood transfusions (0.9 vs 6.1 units). No endoleaks were detected during a mean follow-up of 9.4 months in the endovascular group. Conclusion Endovascular repair of blunt descending thoracic aortic injuries utilizing thoracic or abdominal endographs is a technically feasible modality that is at least equivalent to open therapy in the short term and associated with a lower intraoperative mortality ( P = .056). Endovascular therapy has advantages in operative time, operative blood loss, and intraoperative blood transfusions.
Mitigating Error Vulnerability at the Transition of Care through the Use of Health IT Applications

Adverse drug events are largely considered to be errors in which the severity of effects could be lessened or even prevented through more effective medication reconciliation practices. Transitions of care, particularly at the time of discharge from the hospital, represent a time of heightened error vulnerability that contributes to medication discrepancy occurrences. The observed vulnerability can be attributed to communication and care continuity gaps across health care settings and can often lead to preventable errors. Health IT tools developed through research can identify factors which increase the risk of medication discrepancies. Additionally, the implementations of optimized clinical workflow processes to form effective transitions of care are approaches to decreasing medication discrepancies which may lead to adverse drug events. While federal policies and certifying organizations have implemented quality initiatives to increase focus on medication reconciliation practices in the hospital and primary care settings, the same practices must be implemented after a patient is discharged to their homes or another health care facility in order to mitigate error vulnerabilities that occur at the transition of care. This paper provides an overview of health IT system capabilities and their applications within and across health care delivery settings to facilitate care coordination to ensure continuity of care.
Relational reconciliation: Toward a more comprehensive model of relational development

On the basis of a developmental model of relational growth, this paper seeks to extend the model through an exploratory examination of relational reconciliation strategy use. Thirty‐six couples were interviewed and asked to describe their reconciliation experiences. Strategic statements were inductively derived and submitted to Q‐sort and cluster analysis. This provided a typology of seven strategy types: (1) Spontaneous Development; (2) Third Party Mediation; (3) High Affeet / Ultimatum; (4)Tacit I Persistence; (5) Mutual Interaction; (6)Avoidance; and (7)Vulnerable Appeals. The study finds that many of the strategies used in other relational contexts are used in reconciliation as well. However, sufficient variations in reconciliation strategies compared to maintenance / repair strategies suggest that reconciliation strategies are substantively different and may be indicative of an additional period of relational development.
Religious Affiliation, Marital Processes and Women's Educational Attainment in a Developing Society

This study uses data from the 1993/94 Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) to explore the interrelationship between religious affiliation and women's educational attainment in one developing country - Ghana. To capture the interplay between state, religion and female educational achievement, logistic regression techniques were employed to assess whether religion influenced the acquisition of some education among women born during three different time periods: 1944-58, 1959-68, and 1969-78. The findings from the bivariate models confirm the importance of religion in educational attainment in Ghana. Similarly, in the multivariate analysis we observed that religion had an impact on whether a woman had an education or not, although the effects were not significant for access to higher education. Besides religion, childhood residence in an urban area, and later age at marriage were all associated with some schooling and higher levels of education. The policy implications of the findings are discussed
BOOK REVIEW: Sustainability on Campus: Stories and Strategies for Change

Sustainability on Campus: Stories and Strategies for Change. Peggy F. Barlett and Geoffrey W. Chase, eds. 2004. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA. 327 pp. $23.95 paperback. Will the 21st century see a transformation in American institutions, leading to a more sustainable future? Will our universities play a leading role in this “sustainability” movement? The authors of Sustainability on Campus argue in the affirmative that higher education has the potential to be the leverage point for change. Barlett and Chase attempt to justify their optimism through 16 stories in which 21 activist authors document their personal efforts to engage their respective campuses. The stated goal of this collection of narratives is to provide readers interested in greening their own universities not only with ideas, values, options, and theoretical perspectives but also with practical tools, skills, and motivation.
Waterborne and sediment-source toxicities of six organic chemicals to grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) and amphioxus (Branchiostoma caribaeum)

Grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) were exposed to either waterborne or sediment-source concentrations of fenvalerate, cypermethrin, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB), tributyltin oxide (TBTO), triphenyltin oxide, and di-n-butylphthalate in static or flow-through test systems. Similarly, amphioxus (Branchiostoma caribaeum) were tested with fenvalerate, TCB, and TBTO. The LC50 and no-effect and 100% mortality concentrations are reported from 96-hr and 10-day tests. The toxicity of contaminated sediments could be explained by chemical partitioning into overlying or interstitial water. Amphioxus is not recommended as a routine test species because of (1) difficulty in distinguishing severely affected from dead individuals, (2) inability to determine the status of burrowed animals without disrupting sediment, (3) their relative lack of sensitivity in acute exposures to toxic chemicals, and (4) difficulty in routine collection of sufficient numbers of animals. Grass shrimp, however, are useful as an epibenthic test species for waterborne and sediment-source toxicants.
Morphometric control of annual heat budgets in temperate lakes

Annual heat budgets of 71 lakes in the temperate zone are strongly correlated with mean depth and area. Depth and area influences taken together are responsible for an even higher degree of correlation between heat budgets and lake volumes. For lakes of a given volume, the deeper ones of lesser area appear to take up slightly more heat than the shallower ones of greater area. Dimictic lakes exhibit slightly higher heat budgets than warm monomictic lakes of similar size. Heat uptake appears to rise continuously with increasing lake dimensions, though at a decreasing rate, up to the largest dimensions observed.
A new metric for assessing group level participation in fluid teams

Equality of participation is an important factor in the success of multidisciplinary science teams. The typical measure, standard deviation, fails to provide unbiased estimates across groups of different sizes or within groups that change size over time. We propose a new metric of participation equality that takes into account real-world teams that have members come and go naturally over the course of a meeting. This new metric ranges from zero (entirely equal participation) to one (entirely dominated by a single person). This metric is at the group level and for whatever period of time the researcher specifies. Using 11 hours of transcribed utterances from informal, fluid, co-located meetings during the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission, we computed this metric for 549 blocks of time. We found that this metric had good convergent validity via having strong positive correlations with both a standard deviation metric of words spoken and participation equality as assessed by two independent coders. It also had good discriminant validity by being uncorrelated with positive and negative affect words, including anxiety and sadness words. Furthermore, when only fluid groups were examined, it maintained a strong correlation with coder-assessed participation. Future research can take advantage of this metric in other settings where team membership is fluid and equality of participation is of interest.
A proof of Julian West's conjecture that the number of two-stack-sortable permutations of length n is 2(3 n )!/(( n +1)!(2 n +1)!)

Abstract The Polya-Schutzenberger-Tutte methodology of weight enumeration, combined with about 10 hours of CPU time (of Maple running on Drexel University's Sun network) established Julian West's conjecture that 2-stack-sortable permutations are enumerated by sequence # 651 in the Sloane listing.
Greetings from the Guest Editor

I am honored to be the guest editor for this issue of Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education that is dedicated to the life and work of Leslie Williams, who died on Thanksgiving Day 2007. Lesl...