cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in neural development and disease

Eukaryotes have evolved a variety of mRNA surveillance mechanisms to detect and degrade aberrant mRNAs with potential deleterious outcomes. Among them, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) functions not only as a quality control mechanism targeting aberrant mRNAs containing a premature termination codon (PTC), but also as a post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanism targeting numerous physiological mRNAs. Despite its well-characterized molecular basis, the regulatory scope and biological functions of NMD at an organismal level are incompletely understood. In humans, mutations in genes encoding core NMD factors cause specific developmental and neurological syndromes, suggesting a critical role of NMD in the central nervous system. Here, we review the accumulating biochemical and genetic evidence on the developmental regulation and physiological functions of NMD, as well as an emerging role of NMD dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases.
The Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act: Blowing Off Steam or Setting Wildfires?

This article considers Oklahoma’s recent experiment in immigration regulation and examines how it is that Oklahoma has found itself on the front lines of the illegal immigration debate. The article begins with a discussion of the rich history of immigration to and immigrants in Oklahoma. It then attempts to unpack the evolution of Oklahoma’s illegal immigration crisis and understand the genesis and the impacts of the state’s comprehensive but perhaps exaggerated response to the perceived crisis. Finally, using Oklahoma’s experience as an example, the article argues that a “steam valve” model of immigration federalism is no longer an apt description of sub-federal immigration lawmaking. Rather than allowing states to blow off their anti-immigrant steam, this article argues that allowing individual states to enact immigration control measures locally provides a dangerous mechanism for national anti-immigrant groups to accomplish through a state-by-state lobbying effort what they have been unable to achieve at the national level. Instead of acting as a steam valve, H.B. 1804 provides the match to ignite a growing wildfire of restrictive state legislation that puts pressure on the immigrant community and the federal legislature at the same time.
TEDIC: Neural Modeling of Behavioral Patterns in Dynamic Social Interaction Networks

Dynamic social interaction networks are an important abstraction to model time-stamped social interactions such as eye contact, speaking and listening between people. These networks typically contain informative while subtle patterns that reflect people’s social characters and relationship, and therefore attract the attentions of a lot of social scientists and computer scientists. Previous approaches on extracting those patterns primarily rely on sophisticated expert knowledge of psychology and social science, and the obtained features are often overly task-specific. More generic models based on representation learning of dynamic networks may be applied, but the unique properties of social interactions cause severe model mismatch and degenerate the quality of the obtained representations. Here we fill this gap by proposing a novel framework, termed TEmporal network-DIffusion Convolutional networks (TEDIC), for generic representation learning on dynamic social interaction networks. We make TEDIC a good fit by designing two components: 1) Adopt diffusion of node attributes over a combination of the original network and its complement to capture long-hop interactive patterns embedded in the behaviors of people making or avoiding contact; 2) Leverage temporal convolution networks with hierarchical set-pooling operation to flexibly extract patterns from different-length interactions scattered over a long time span. The design also endows TEDIC with certain self-explaining power. We evaluate TEDIC over five real datasets for four different social character prediction tasks including deception detection, dominance identification, nervousness detection and community detection. TEDIC not only consistently outperforms previous SOTA’s, but also provides two important pieces of social insight. In addition, it exhibits favorable societal characteristics by remaining unbiased to people from different regions. Our project website is: http://snap.stanford.edu/tedic/.
Deep reinforcement learning control of hydraulic fracturing

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a technique to extract oil and gas from shale formations, and obtaining a uniform proppant concentration along the fracture is key to its productivity. Recently, various model predictive control schemes have been proposed to achieve this objective. But such controllers require an accurate and computationally efficient model which is difficult to obtain given the complexity of the process and uncertainties in the rock formation properties. In this article, we design a model-free data-based reinforcement learning controller which learns an optimal control policy through interactions with the process. Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) controller is based on the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient algorithm that combines Deep-Q-network with actor-critic framework. Additionally, we utilize dimensionality reduction and transfer learning to quicken the learning process. We show that the controller learns an optimal policy to obtain uniform proppant concentration despite the complex nature of the process while satisfying various input constraints.
Resources in the Near-Surface Earth: An Introduction and Overview

Geophysics is now fundamental to the characterization and monitoring of the near surface, loosely defined here as the outermost shell of the Earth where humans interact with natural systems and often characterized by mobile pore fluids. The geophysical properties of porous media are exploited to characterize fundamental rock properties controlling fluid flow and transport; these properties are also used to locate mineral resources. Emerging areas of geophysical exploration of the near subsurface include monitoring of biogeochemical transformations, induced seismicity associated with advanced hydrocarbon extraction techniques, and the capture/release of greenhouse gasses. This chapter provides a broad overview of the current state of near surface geophysical research and identifies the major contributions of the technical chapters that constitute this new volume of the Treatise on Geophysics.
Clinical Comparison Between Multi-Ring Detector and Rotating Gamma Camera for Single Photon Tomography

Our clinical comparison of the multi-ring detector system and rotating gamma camera for single-photon tomography of the brain is based on over 200 studies performed on the Harvard multidetector system and over 30 studies performed on a single-headed rotating gamma camera system (GE-400T and Siemens 3700). The advantages of the multidetector system are: 1) improved sensitivity and resolution; 2) uniform resolution and sensitivity across the field of view; 3) absence of ring or rotation artifacts; 4) ease of setup for examination; and 5) short scan time.
Real-time fusion and Projection of network intrusion activity

Intrusion detection systems (IDS) warn of suspicious or malicious network activity and are a fundamental, yet passive, defense-in-depth layer for modern networks. Prior research has applied information fusion techniques to correlate the alerts of multiple IDSs and group those belonging to the same multi-stage attack into attack tracks. Projecting the next likely step in these tracks potentially enhances an analystpsilas situation awareness; however, the reliance on attack plans, complicated algorithms, or expert knowledge of the respective network is prohibitive and prone to obsolescence with the continual deployment of new technology and evolution of hacker tradecraft. This paper presents a real-time continually learning system capable of projecting attack tracks that does not require a priori knowledge about network architecture or rely on static attack templates. The intrusion projection system is framed as part of a larger information fusion and impact assessment architecture for cyber security.
Anomeric Specificity of the Alkaline Form of Fructose 1,6-Diphosphatase from Rabbit Liver

Abstract The preferred configuration of the active substrate for rabbit liver fructose 1,6-diphosphatase has been determined by techniques based on rapid quench kinetics to be the α anomer of fructose-1,6-P2. Utilization of the β anomer, however, is also catalyzed by the enzyme with a rate coefficient 5- to 10-fold less than that for the α anomer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRAIN OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS GROWN IN VIVO AND IN VITRO.

Abstract Beining, Paul R. (The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.) and E. R. Kennedy. Characteristics of a strain of Staphylococcus aureus grown in vivo and in vitro. J. Bacteriol. 85:732–741. 1963.—A comparative survey was conducted on the characteristics of a strain of Staphylococcus aureus after it had been grown in vitro (VSB) and after it had been collected from the peritoneal exudate of an infected guinea pig (GSB). Both VSB and GSB strains gave the same results when studied in an extensive series of tests, including bound and soluble coagulases, bacteriophage type, antibiotic-sensitivity pattern, the usual fermentation reactions, deoxyribonucleic acid base composition, and qualitative tests for hemolysins, deoxyribonuclease, ribonuclease, staphylokinase, staphyloprotease, lipase, and phosphatase. The in vivo strain differed significantly from the in vitro strain in respiratory rate, agar gel diffusion studies, agglutinability in tube tests, virulence tests in rabbits and mice, growth on tellurite-glycine agar, susceptibility to human γ-globulin in agar, and in the quantitative production of deoxyribonuclease, α-hemolysin, leucocidin, and hyaluronidase.
Advancement in modeling vapor pressure induced stresses in electronic packaging

Reliability defect associated with thermal and humidity environment is not a new issue in modern electronics packaging. Moisture entrapment causes localized vapor pressure build up and leads to pop-corning or delamination in the internal structures when subjected reflow temperature. It was normally assumed that moisture entrapped inside the polymeric material is in saturated vapor state where vapor pressure can raised up to ∼5MPa at 260°C which may and may not cause any resultant stress field change that leads to catastrophic failure. The approach proposed here utilized the Pressure-specific volume-Temperature (P-v-T) properties of water to determine the state of the water properties and corresponding vapor pressure induced. This open up the possibility that the pressure developed can be higher than 5MPa which can potentially explain the catastrophic failure such as pop-corning. The modeling framework leverage sequential moisture diffusion analysis and stress analysis with custom subroutine to incorporate vapor pressure induce strain in finite element computation. Two case studies demonstrated the feasibility of this advance methodology to describe the failure mechanism.
Increased incidence of carcinoma of the tongue in patients with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence of carcinoma of the tongue in a large cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: In total, 769 patients with SSc were prospectively followed over 16 years for the development of cancer. Patients with a diagnosis of carcinoma of the tongue were identified to determine the incidence of this cancer in SSc. The results were compared to the incidence of tongue cancer in the SEER cancer registries. RESULTS: A total of 3775 patient-years of followup of 769 patients with SSc (392 diffuse cutaneous, 377 limited cutaneous) prospectively evaluated for the occurrence of cancer disclosed 9 patients who were diagnosed with oral cavity and pharyngeal carcinomas. Six of these patients had squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. One of these had both pharyngeal and tongue squamous cell carcinomas within a 4-year period, and another had 3 separate squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue. The standardized incidence ratio of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue observed in this cohort of patients with SSc was 25-fold higher than that expected in an age adjusted population from the SEER cancer registries. All patients with SSc identified within this cohort with oral cavity carcinomas had the diffuse subset of the disease. CONCLUSION: There is a highly significant increase in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in patients with SSc. A remarkable observation was that all patients within this cohort who developed oral cancer had the diffuse subset of SSc. This suggests a relationship between the etiology or pathogenesis of the diffuse form of SSc and development of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in this group of patients.
Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Cerebrospinal Fluid Concentrations of Idarubicin and Idarubicinol in Pediatric Leukemia Patients: A Childrens Cancer Study Group Report

Idarubicin (4-demethoxydaunomycin) is an anthracycline analogue with striking in vitro and in vivo activity against murine leukemias. Based on activity in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the Childrens Cancer Study Group initiated studies to evaluate idarubicin in children with leukemia in second or subsequent relapses. As part of those studies, we have characterized the plasma pharmacokinetics of idarubicin and the major circulating metabolite idarubicinol in 21 patients. Idarubicin plasma elimination was described by a three-compartment open model following i.v. infusion (10-15 mg/m2) on a schedule of weekly for 3 weeks and on a schedule of daily for 3 days every 3 weeks (total dose, 30-45 mg/m2). There was substantial variability in idarubicin elimination among patients, but no indication of dose-dependent or of schedule-dependent changes in pharmacokinetic parameters. The mean terminal half-life, total body clearance, and steady state volume of distribution were 17.6 h, 679 ml/min/m2, and 562 l/m2, respectively. Idarubicinol elimination was prolonged compared to that of the parent drug with a terminal half-life of 56.8 h. This metabolite clearly accumulated in plasma during the 3 days of treatment on the schedule of daily for 3 days. Urinary recoveries (48 h) of idarubicin and idarubicinol after a single dose of idarubicin were 2.4 and 10.1%, respectively. Idarubicin was detected in 2 of 21 cerebrospinal fluid samples obtained 18-30 h after administration. In marked contrast, idarubicinol was detected in 20 of those 21 samples. Concentrations in the 20 samples varied from 0.22-1.05 ng/ml with a mean value of 0.51 ng/ml.
Differential Induction of Topoisomerase I-DNA Cleavage Complexes by the Indenoisoquinoline MJ-III-65 (NSC 706744) and Camptothecin: Base Sequence Analysis and Activity against Camptothecin- Resistant Topoisomerases I

Camptothecin (CPT) and its derivatives target mammalian DNA topoisomerase I (top1) and are among the most effective novel anticancer drugs. However, the activity of CPTs is limited by several factors, including drug inactivation by lactone ring opening, tumor drug resistance, and toxicity in patients. Novel top1 inhibitors are being searched to overcome such limitations and expand the anticancer spectrum of camptothecins. MJ-III-65 (NSC 706744) is among the most promising indenoisoquinolines to date. In this study, we show that MJ-III-65 enhances top1 cleavage complexes by both inhibiting their reversal (religation) more efficiently than CPT and by enhancing their formation. The top1 DNA cleavage complexes induced by MJ-III-65 exhibit a different distribution pattern compared with CPT and exhibit different base sequence preferences immediately around the top1 cleavage sites. Although CPTs have a preference for thymine at the (−1) position and guanine at the (+1) position of the top1-mediated DNA cleavage sites, MJ-III-65 can accommodate different base pairs at the (−1), (+1), or (+2) position, with a preference for a cytosine at the (−1) position on the scissile strand. Another difference with CPTs is the activity of MJ-III-65 against CPT-resistant top1 enzymes, implying that the amino acid residue interactions with top1 are different for MJ-III-65 and CPTs. As with CPT, MJ-III-65 is inactive against vaccinia top1. This study shows the specific molecular interactions of MJ-III-65 with top1 and demonstrates that MJ-III-65 is a potentially useful top1 inhibitor that enhances and traps top1 cleavage sites not sensitive to CPTs.
Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 is overexpressed in erythroid precursors of myelodysplastic syndrome.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 is overexpressed in erythroid precursors of myelodysplastic syndrome
The Market at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Understanding the Culture of Poverty

Abstract As never before, the private sector can make a difference at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP). But little is known about who the poor really are, the environment in which they live, and how to create value for them. This also means that little is known about how to establish a business at the BOP that meets both development and profit goals. This article presents a segmentation approach embedded in a larger theory of the culture of poverty to help businesses focus on serving the BOP. I focus on examples from my research on the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and Patrimonio Hoy in Mexico to show examples of applications of segmentation theory to businesses at the BOP.
Factors Influencing Conformer Equilibria in Retro Models of Cisplatin−DNA Adducts As Revealed by Moderately Dynamic (N,N‘-Dimethyl-2,3-diaminobutane)PtG2 Retro Models (G = a Guanine Derivative)

Typical cis-PtA2G2 models of key DNA lesions formed by cis-type Pt anticancer drugs are very dynamic and difficult to characterize (A2 = diamine or two amines; G = guanine derivative). Retro models have A2 carrier ligands designed to decrease dynamic motion without eliminating any of three possible conformers with bases oriented head-to-tail (two: ΔHT and ΛHT) or head-to-head (one: HH). All three were found in NMR studies of eight Me2DABPtG2 retro models (Me2DAB = N,N‘-dimethyl-2,3-diaminobutane with S,R,R,S and R,S,S,R configurations at the chelate ring N, C, C, and N atoms, respectively; G = 5‘-GMP, 3‘-GMP, 5‘-IMP, and 3‘-IMP). The bases cant to the left (L) in (S,R,R,S)-Me2DABPtG2 adducts and to the right (R) in (R,S,S,R)-Me2DABPtG2 adducts. Relative to the case in which the bases are both not canted, canting will move the six-membered rings closer in to each other (“6-in” form) or farther out from each other (“6-out” form). Interligand interactions between ligand components near to Pt (first-first s...
Isolated Left Superior Vena Cava to the Left Atrium With Situs Solitus and Dextrocardia: Extracardiac Repair Facilitated by Juxtaposition of the Atrial Appendages

We describe an extremely unusual case, with isolated left superior vena cava to the left atrium, normal intracardiac anatomy, and left juxtaposition of the atrial appendages. Surgical repair was performed without cardiopulmonary bypass by anastomosing the left superior cava to the superior aspect of the right atrial appendage, and was facilitated by the ectopic location of the appendage.
External and internal factors influencing happiness in elite collegiate athletes.

When under conditions of high demand and allostatic load, are happiness and satisfaction in four domains (family, friends, academics, recreation) influenced more by external or internal factors? Do student-athletes who lead exceedingly complicated lives report happiness as a function of athletic achievement or internal disposition? Stanford student-athletes (N = 140) were studied with a standardized questionnaire which examined internal factors ((1) locus of control, (2) mindfulness, (3) self-restraint, and (4) self-esteem) to see whether they better account for happiness than external factors (playing time, scholarship). As predicted, internal factors were more powerful correlates of happiness when holding constant demographics. Regression models differed for different aspects of happiness, but the main postulated result of internal versus external was maintained throughout. These findings have implications for how well athletes cope with adversity which, in turn, could shed light on the development of traits that may provide a buffer against adversity and build resilience.
Seizure detection using digital trend analysis: Factors affecting utility

Summary Background EEG monitoring is important for the early detection of seizures during the course of critical illness. However, the logistics of real time EEG interpretation is challenging for the neurophysiology and critical care medicine teams. This study evaluated factors affecting the utility of digital trend analysis (DTA) for rapid seizure identification in children. Methods Digital EEG files of seizures in critically ill children were retrieved for DTA. The envelop trend (ET) and compressed spectral array (CSA) were applied to the raw EEG data and presented to an experienced and inexperienced user for interpretation who were blinded to conventional EEG findings. The EEG findings with and without presence of seizures and features of seizures were analyzed. Results We found that a number of factors affected accurate seizure detection including factors related to interpreter's experiences, display size and type of DTA methods used for analysis in addition to baseline EEG findings. ET was more dependent on user experience, furthermore, display size and multimodal DTA application (CSA and ET combined) increased the sensitivity of seizure detection for the experienced user compared to inexperience users. The artifacts were reported as seizures regardless of experience without presence of conventional EEG recording. The maximum spike amplitude, seizure duration, and seizure frequency were other important determinants for accuracy. Electrographic seizures with shorter duration were better detected by ET, and the maximum spike amplitude was important for both the ET and CSA. Repetitive seizures are readily detected by both digital trending methods. Artifacts may be reported as seizures regardless of experience if conventional EEG recording is not available for the interpretation. Conclusion DTA applied to the raw EEG data does produce a graphic display that facilitates identification of seizures. The actual characteristics of the electrographic seizure may predict which DTA method is better and the overall accuracy of seizure detection may increase when multimodal trending is used simultaneously. Application of DTA alone with display of conventional EEG is beneficial for rapid interpretation of EEG findings regardless of experience.
Is laparoscopic single-stage biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch safe in super morbidly obese patients?

Abstract Background It has been hypothesized that the morbidity and mortality of laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) are likely to increase with increasing body mass index (BMI), especially with BMI>50 kg/m 2 . Therefore, a 2-stage approach to this procedure has been advocated in super morbidly obese patients. The authors hypothesized that a BMI≥50 kg/m 2 does not significantly influence the morbidity and mortality perioperatively associated with this procedure. Methods A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent laparoscopic BPD-DS between January 2009 and September 2011 was performed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with BMI 2 and those with BMI>50 kg/m 2 . Patient characteristics, perioperative variables, 30-day outcomes, and complications were analyzed and compared. Results A total of 226 patients underwent laparoscopic BPD-DS. Mean patient age was 44.9 years (range: 20–72 yr). Male to female ratio was 59 to 170 patients (75% versus 25%), respectively. Mean BMI was 50.2 kg/m 2 (range: 37.2–68.8 kg/m 2 ). A total of 127 patients had a BMI 2 (Group 1), and 99 patients had a BMI≥50 kg/m 2 (Group 2). The length of procedure in Groups 1 and 2 was 296 minutes and 287 minutes, respectively ( P = .25). The rate of conversion to open BPD-DS was 1.5% in Group 1 and 3% in Group 2 ( P = .65). Two leaks occurred in Group 1; no patient in Group 2 developed this complication. One patient in Group 2 developed pulmonary embolism. The rates of all other complications resulting in a longer length of stay were 11% in Group 1 and 8% in Group 2 ( P = .50). The 30-day reoperation rate was 3% in Group 1 and 1% in Group 2 ( P = .39). The mean length of stay was 3.97 days for Group 1 and 3.67 days for Group 2 ( P = .34). No mortality occurred in this series. Conclusion In the present study, BMI≥50 kg/m 2 did not increase intraoperative or postoperative complications at 30 days after laparoscopic PBD-DS. No significant differences were noted between patients with BMI≥50 kg/m 2 and patients with BMI 2 . A single-stage laparoscopic BPD-DS procedure can be safely offered to the super morbidly obese patients.
Yeast protein phosphatase active with acidic ribosomal proteins.

A protein phosphatase dephosphorylating acidic ribosomal proteins was purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosome-free extract. It was shown that phosphoproteins from both P1 and P2 subfamilies as well as 60S “core” P0 protein were substrates for the enzyme. The phosphatase can dephospho-rylate ribosomes as well as histones and casein but the two last substrates with significantly lower efficiency. It was found that the enzyme activity is Mn 2+ -dependent and inhibited by okadaic acid, tautomycin, cantharidin and nodularin at concentrations typical for protein phosphatase type 2A. The possible implications of those findings in the control of ribosome phosphorylation and therefore in the control of translation is discussed.
The Relationship Between Sexual Minority Verbal Harassment and Utilization of Health Services: Results from Countywide Risk Assessment Survey (CRAS) 2004

In this article we examine the prevalence of and associations between sexual orientation–based verbal harassment and reported utilization of health services across levels of sexual orientation in a diverse sample of adult recipients of Los Angeles County–funded HIV-related health and social services. Thirty-two percent reported they had experienced verbal harassment, the majority (80.3%) of whom identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB). Those who reported being verbally harassed received significantly more services overall than those who were not verbally harassed, and service utilization varied by sexual orientation. These findings inform future efforts to identify and assess social discrimination in health and social service settings.
Grating acuity and visual‐field development in children with intraventricular hemorrhage

Visual development was studied in 171 preterm children who had intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and in 73 healthy preterm (HPT) children who did not develop IVH. Binocular grating acuity was assessed at age 1 month; monocular grating acuity and binocular visual-field extent were assessed at 4, 8, 12, 17, 24, 30, 36, and 48 months; and monocular H, O, T, V letter recognition acuity was tested at 36 and 48 months. A significantly greater proportion of IVH subjects than HPT subjects had ocular abnormalities. IVH subjects had significantly poorer grating acuity than HPT subjects at 1, 4, 8, 36, and 48 months, poorer recognition acuity than HPT subjects at 36 and 48 months, and smaller average field extent than HPT subjects at 4, 12, and 17 months. Acuity deficits were not related to grade of IVH or to the presence of periventricular leukomalacia, but may have been associated with the presence of ocular abnormalities or cerebral palsy in some IVH subjects.
Plate tectonics. The Antarctic connection

There are two parts to Antarctica, East and West. A central question in reconstructing global plate-tectonic history has been what amount of movement there has been between them in the past 80 million years or so. New data from geophysical surveys allows firm bounds to be put upon the extent of motion, and thereby more rigorous estimates to be incorporated into the ‘plate-motion circuit’ used to calculate the Earth's tectonic history.
Neutron magnetic resonance experiments

Abstract Neutron magnetic resonance experiments are reviewed from the first experiments of Alvarez and Bloch on the neutron magnetic moment published in 1940 to the most recent neutron electric dipole moment measurements with bottled neutrons. The first measurements on the neutron magnetic moment were accurate to 1 part per 100 whereas the latest neutron beam magnetic resonance experiment at the ILL in Grenoble gives μn = 1.04066884(26) × 10-3μB where μB is the Bohr magne ton, a result good to 0.25 parts per million. Early neutron beam magnetic resonance experiments setting a low upper limit tot he neutron electric dipole moment are also described. The latest and most sensitive electric dipole measurements are with neutrons stored for up to 80 s in a beryllium oxide cylindrical bottle with Be lids. With such an apparatus a value of (0.3±4.8) × 10-25e cm has been measured at Grenoble and with a somewhat different apparatus at Leningrad a value of (2.3±2.3) × 10-25e cm has been found. Plans for even more sensitive measurements are described. Finally, experiments are described for measuring parity non-conserving rotations of the neutron spin on passage through Sn, Pb and La.
AB-initio studies of N-O-F compounds. Internal rotation in hydroxylamine and its fluorinated derivatives

Abstract Ab-initio molecular orbital theory at both the minimal and extended basis set levels have been applied to the study of internal rotation in hydroxylamine and its fluorinated derivatives. The computed energies are analyzed in terms of a Fourier-type expansion of the potential function. The total potential function V(φ)can be dissected into onefold (V1), twofold (V2) and threefold (V3) components and plots of these components together with V(φ) are given for each of the molecules studied herein. Additionally geometry optimizations have been carried out as a function of the internal rotation angle φ (φ = : NOX dihedral angle) for H2NOH and F2NOF. For H2NOH geometry optimizations are found to be less important than for F2NOF. In general the fluorinated hydroxylamines prefer a trans -conformation (φ = 180°) while hydroxylamine itself adopts the cis -conformation (φ = 0°) largely as a result of a lower dipole interaction (V1 term) in the cis -conformation.
A randomized trial of intraoperative autotransfusion during aortic surgery

Abstract Purpose: The net benefit of routine intraoperative autotransfusion (IAT) in patients undergoing elective infrarenal aortic surgery was studied. Methods: One hundred patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair (n = 50) or aortofemoral bypass (AFB) for occlusive disease (n = 50) were randomized to IAT and control groups. This experience accounted for 58% of patients undergoing aortic surgery during the 16-month study period. Results: IAT and control groups were balanced for preoperative demographics, disease (50:50 split of AFB:AAA in each group), and risk factors. There were no significant differences between patients randomized to IAT and control patients in estimated blood loss (EBL), allogeneic blood transfusion (units administered intraoperatively, postoperatively, and total), proportion of patients not receiving allogeneic blood (34% of patients randomized to IAT and 28% of control patients), postoperative hemoglobin/hematocrit levels, and complications. IAT did not reduce allogeneic blood transfusion among all patients undergoing aortic surgery nor in any subgroups that might be more likely to benefit, such as those undergoing AAA repair, those with 1000 mL or more EBL, and those receiving larger volumes of IAT-processed blood. Conclusion: We could find no net benefit of IAT in patients undergoing elective, infrarenal aortic surgery. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:22-31.)
Brief Intermittent Cocaine Self-Administration and Abstinence Sensitizes Cocaine Effects on the Dopamine Transporter and Increases Drug Seeking

Although traditional sensitization paradigms, which result in an augmentation of cocaine-induced locomotor behavior and dopamine (DA) overflow following repeated experimenter-delivered cocaine injections, are often used as a model to study drug addiction, similar effects have been difficult to demonstrate following cocaine self-administration. We have recently shown that intermittent access (IntA) to cocaine can result in increased cocaine potency at the DA transporter (DAT); however, traditional sensitization paradigms often show enhanced effects following withdrawal/abstinence periods. Therefore, we determined a time course of IntA-induced sensitization by examining the effects of 1 or 3 days of IntA, as well as a 7-day abstinence period on DA function, cocaine potency, and reinforcement. Here we show that cocaine potency is increased following as little as 3 days of IntA and further augmented following an abstinence period. In addition, IntA plus abstinence produced greater evoked DA release in the presence of cocaine as compared with all other groups, demonstrating that following abstinence, both cocaine's ability to increase DA release and inhibit uptake at the DAT, two separate mechanisms for increasing DA levels, are enhanced. Finally, we found that IntA-induced sensitization of the DA system resulted in an increased reinforcing efficacy of cocaine, an effect that was augmented after the 7-day abstinence period. These results suggest that sensitization of the DA system may have an important role in the early stages of drug abuse and may drive the increased drug seeking and taking that characterize the transition to uncontrolled drug use. Human data suggest that intermittency, sensitization, and periods of abstinence have an integral role in the process of addiction, highlighting the importance of utilizing pre-clinical models that integrate these phenomena, and suggesting that IntA paradigms may serve as novel models of human addiction.
Glucagon-like peptide 2 function in domestic animals

Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a member of family of peptides derived from the proglucagon gene expressed in the intestines, pancreas and brain. Tissue-specific posttranslational processing of proglucagon leads to GLP-2 and GLP-1 secretion from the intestine and glucagon secretion from the pancreas. GLP-2 and GLP-1 are co-secreted from the enteroendocrine L-cells located in distal intestine in response to enteral nutrient ingestion, especially carbohydrate and fat. GLP-2 secretion is mediated by direct nutrient stimulation of the L-cells and indirect action from enteroendocrine and neural inputs, including GIP, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and the vagus nerve. GLP-2 is secreted as a 33-amino acid peptide and is rapidly cleaved by dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP-IV) to a truncated peptide which acts as a weak agonist with competitive antagonistic properties. GLP-2 acts to enhance nutrient absorption by inhibiting gastric motility and secretion and stimulating nutrient transport. GLP-2 also suppresses food intake when infused centrally. The trophic actions of GLP-2 are specific for the intestine and occur via stimulation of crypt cell proliferation and suppression of apoptosis in mucosal epithelial cells. GLP-2 reduces gut permeability, bacterial translocation and proinflammatory cytokine expression under conditions of intestinal inflammation and injury. The effects of GLP-2 are mediated by a G-protein-linked receptor that is localized to the intestinal mucosa and hypothalamus. The intestinal localization of the GLP-2R to neural and endocrine cells, but not enterocytes, suggests that its actions are mediated indirectly via a secondary signaling mechanism. The implications of GLP-2 in domestic animal production are largely unexplored. However, GLP-2 may have therapeutic application in treatment of gastrointestinal injury and diarrheal diseases that occur in developing neonatal and weanling animals.
Oxygen isotope evidence for subduction and rift-related mantle metasomatism beneath the Colorado Plateau–Rio Grande rift transition

Spinel lherzolite and pyroxenite xenoliths from the Rio Puerco Volcanic Field, New Mexico, were analyzed for oxygen isotope ratios by laser fluorination. In lherzolites, olivine d 18 O values are high (+5.5&), whereas d 18 O values for pyroxenes are low (cpx=+5.1&; opx=+5.4&) compared to average mantle values. Pyroxenite d 18 O values (cpx=+5.0&; opx=+5.3&) are similar to those of the lherzolites and are also lower than typical mantle oxygen isotope compositions. Texturally and chemically primary calcite in pyroxenite xenoliths is far from isotopic equilibrium with other phases, with d 18 O values of +21&. The isotopic characteristics of the pyroxenite xenoliths are consistent with a petrogenetic origin from mixing of lherzolitic mantle with slab-derived silicate and carbon- atite melts. The anomalously low d 18 O in the pyroxenes reflects metasomatism by a silicate melt from subducted altered oceanic crust, and high d 18 O calcite is interpreted to have crystallized from a high d 18 O carbonatitic melt derived from subducted ophicarbonate. Similar isotopic signatures of metasomatism are seen throughout the Rio Puerco xenolith suite and at Kilbourne Hole in the southern Rio Grande rift. The discrete metasomatic components likely originated from the subducted Fa- rallon slab but were not mobilized until heating associ- ated with Rio Grande rifting occurred. Oxygen diffusion modeling requires that metasomatism leading to the isotopic disequilibrium between calcite and pyroxene in the pyroxenites occurred immediately prior to entrain- ment. Melt infiltration into spinel-facies mantle (xeno- liths) prior to eruption was thus likely connected to garnet-facies melting that resulted in eruption of the host alkali basalt.
The Resilient Community: Implications for Out of School Programming

Out-of-school programs are often adult dominated, with minor involvement of youth in programming. Youth are seen as future citizens, not citizens of the present and expectations are set low for youth’s ability to lead. The combination of low expectations and lack of opportunities for youth to meaningfully participate fails to promote youth development and social responsibility. In contrast, out-of-school programs which act as resilient communities support youth autonomy, social competence, and problem solving skills. This article presents a case study of a resilient community. The findings from this cross sectional exploratory study suggest that this resilient community promotes positive youth development outcomes.
The choice of an optimum currency peg for a small, open country

Abstract This paper explores the choice of an optimal exchange rate system in a monetary context with rational expectations. It is related to the problem of the choice of an exchange rate regime (Heller (1978)) and some trade-oriented solutions (Black (1976), Branson and Katseli-Papaefstratiou (1978), Lipschitz (1979), Lipschitz and Sundararajan (1980)) but differs from these in that broad monetary considerations are stressed. It assumes that a country must choose to peg to one of two major currencies or to a basket of the two but cannot float independently for optimum currency reasons (Mundell (1961), McKinnon (1963)). In particular, the approach puts the accent on the notion of international competition between national monies (Tullock (1973), Klein (1975)) in a rational-expectations framework with national money demands and supplies causing changes in relative prices (Connolly and Taylor (1979), Dornbusch (1978)). The specific question asked is: To which, if any, of two reserve currencies, say the US dollar and the pound sterling, should a small open country peg in order to best insure domestic monetary stability (e.g. stable home prices)? Or, in general, is a basket peg composed of the two currencies preferable to a single currency peg?
Trouble with physics: Time to snare neutrinos?

These elusive particles could already have revealed themselves as the David to the standard model's Goliath, says Janet Conrad – undersized yet deadly
Phonological awareness of children with Down syndrome: Its role in learning to read and the effectiveness of related interventions

Phonological awareness (PA) is the ability to hear and manipulate the smallest units of sound in our language. It is key to learning to read for typically developing children. Some have suggested that this is not true for children with Down syndrome (DS). The purpose of this review was to provide a better understanding of the role PA plays for children with DS as they learn to read and to provide guidance on whether phonics-based reading instruction is likely to benefit these students. Results from a review of 20 studies indicate that children with DS rely on PA skills in learning to read and suggest that phonics-based reading instruction may be beneficial for at least some of these children.
Delivery of CdiA Nuclease Toxins into Target Cells during Contact-Dependent Growth Inhibition

Bacterial contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) is mediated by the CdiB/CdiA family of two-partner secretion proteins. CDI systems deploy a variety of distinct toxins, which are contained within the polymorphic C-terminal region (CdiA-CT) of CdiA proteins. Several CdiA-CTs are nucleases, suggesting that the toxins are transported into the target cell cytoplasm to interact with their substrates. To analyze CdiA transfer to target bacteria, we used the CDI system of uropathogenic Escherichia coli 536 (UPEC536) as a model. Antibodies recognizing the amino- and carboxyl-termini of CdiAUPEC536 were used to visualize transfer of CdiA from CDIUPEC536+ inhibitor cells to target cells using fluorescence microscopy. The results indicate that the entire CdiAUPEC536 protein is deposited onto the surface of target bacteria. CdiAUPEC536 transfer to bamA101 mutants is reduced, consistent with low expression of the CDI receptor BamA on these cells. Notably, our results indicate that the C-terminal CdiA-CT toxin region of CdiAUPEC536 is translocated into target cells, but the N-terminal region remains at the cell surface based on protease sensitivity. These results suggest that the CdiA-CT toxin domain is cleaved from CdiAUPEC536 prior to translocation. Delivery of a heterologous Dickeya dadantii CdiA-CT toxin, which has DNase activity, was also visualized. Following incubation with CDI+ inhibitor cells targets became anucleate, showing that the D.dadantii CdiA-CT was delivered intracellularly. Together, these results demonstrate that diverse CDI toxins are efficiently translocated across target cell envelopes.
The R and D contract and democratic theory

The purposes of this essay are to describe how federal research and development policy has altered authority relationships and to suggest a new concept of legitimacy in accord with the changed conditions. Research and development (R and D) creates an indeterminate future. Thus, the politics of research and development incorporates an apparent contradiction : political leadership demands that jobs be done which require creative and unpredictable actions on the part of private organizations, while it also demands that contractors be held responsible for fulfilling goals efficiently, avoiding deleterious secondary consequences, and refraining from abuses of power. The paradox can be resolved by creating norms of responsibility that allow for judgments on how a job is done rather than what is to be done. New institutions for technological assessment to check on unintended consequences of projects and citizen review boards to estimate the quality of life engendered by projects may provide such norms of responsibility.
The University of Virginia interprofessional education initiative: An approach to integrating competencies into medical and nursing education

Growing evidence supports the position that interprofessional education (IPE) and collaborative care are essential elements of healthcare education and practice (Institute of Medicine, 2003; World ...
Stroke and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

We describe the clinical presentation and course of two girls with cerebrovascular disease and mixed connective tissue disease. One developed rapid onset hemiparesis and aphasia secondary to left internal carotid artery occlusion. She experienced a complete recovery after treatment with prednisone and cyclophosphamide. The other patient was diagnosed as having mixed connective tissue disease but had acute neurologic deterioration. She died due to an intracerebral hemorrhage. Autopsy demonstrated small-vessel fibrinoid necrosis. Although cerebrovascular disease secondary to central nervous system vasculitis is a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, this is the first description of cerebrovascular disease as a primary sign in mixed connective tissue disease. These cases demonstrate the range of cerebrovascular disease observed in children with mixed connective tissue disease.
Formation and stabilization of ibuprofen nanoparticles in supercritical fluid processing

Rapid expansion of a supercritical solution into a liquid solvent (RESOLV) was applied to the nanosizing of ibuprofen particles in aqueous suspension. When the rapid expansion was into neat water, the initially formed nanoscale ibuprofen particles agglomerated into large aggregates. Various water-soluble polymers of different molecular weights were added to the aqueous receiving medium in RESOLV as stabilization agent for the produced nanoparticle suspension, and their effects on the properties of the harvested ibuprofen nanoparticles were evaluated. A conclusion is that the selection of stabilization agent in RESOLV may also be used to alter the sizes and morphology of the nanosized drug particles.
Shortwave and microwave diathermy for deep-tissue heating

A theory is developed to describe the heating of a planary skin-fat-muscle tissue combination by electromagnetic wave diathermy. Both shortwaves and microwaves are treated. All mechanisms of heat dissipation are taken into account. The effects of wave frequency, power input, ambient conditions, vasodilation and core boundary conditions on the thermal distributions in the tissues are determined. The theoretical results agree well within vivo temperatures recorded in human thighs. It is concluded that (a) microwaves at 2450 MHz yield peak temperatures in the skin layer, a superficial heating agent, (b) 900MHz radiation has a pronounced temperature rise and the highest peak value in the musculature, most attractive for deep issue heating, and (c) shortwaves at 27·12 MHz produce a wide plateau of elevated temperature in the muscle layer using a high power intensity.
The Complexity of Computational Circuits Versus Radix

The complexity of computational circuits versus radix is analyzed. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given that ensure that the complexity of certain computational circuits will be a monotonically decreasing function of radix. Mechanizations of a higher radix ripple carry adder, look-ahead adder, magnitude comparator, and parallel multiplier are given. Each mechanization is implemented using both I2L threshold logic and standard multiple-valued logic primitives and then tested against the necessary and sufficient conditions previously developed. A comparison is made of the relative effectiveness of I2L threshold logic versus logic primitives in realizing computational circuits whose complexity is a decreasing function of radix.