cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional cloning of TUG as a regulator of GLUT4 glucose transporter trafficking.

Insulin stimulates glucose uptake in fat and muscle by mobilizing the GLUT4 glucose transporter. GLUT4 is sequestered intracellularly in the absence of insulin, and is redistributed to the plasma membrane within minutes of insulin stimulation1,2. But the trafficking mechanisms that control GLUT4 sequestration have remained elusive. Here we describe a functional screen to identify proteins that modulate GLUT4 distribution, and identify TUG as a putative tether, containing a UBX domain, for GLUT4. In truncated form, TUG acts in a dominant-negative manner to inhibit insulin-stimulated GLUT4 redistribution in Chinese hamster ovary cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Full-length TUG forms a complex specifically with GLUT4; in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, this complex is present in unstimulated cells and is largely disassembled by insulin. Endogenous TUG is localized with the insulin-mobilizable pool of GLUT4 in unstimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and is not mobilized to the plasma membrane by insulin. Distinct regions of TUG are required to bind GLUT4 and to retain GLUT4 intracellularly in transfected, non-adipose cells. Our data suggest that TUG traps endocytosed GLUT4 and tethers it intracellularly, and that insulin mobilizes this pool of retained GLUT4 by releasing this tether.
Wavelength exchange in a highly nonlinear dispersion-shifted fiber: theory and experiments

With a suitable arrangement of two pumps and two signals with respect to the zero-dispersion wavelength of a fiber, simultaneous wavelength exchange between two signals can be realized by four-wave mixing in the fiber. We have demonstrated near-complete wavelength exchange between two signals at 1573.4 and 1579.9 nm with two 0.25-W pumps in a 1-km-long highly nonlinear dispersion-shifted fiber. We also have evaluated the bit-error-rate performance of wavelength exchange with a 10-Gb/s signal, and obtained a power penalty of less than 1 dB for the exchanged signal.
Stap using knowledge-aided covariance estimation and the fracta algorithm

In the airborne space-time adaptive processing (STAP) setting, a priori information via knowledge-aided covariance estimation (KACE) is employed in order to reduce the required sample support for application to heterogeneous clutter scenarios. The enhanced FRACTA (FRACTA.E) algorithm with KACE as well as Doppler-sensitive adaptive coherence estimation (DS-ACE) is applied to the KASSPER I & II data sets where it is shown via simulation that near-clairvoyant detection performance is maintained with as little as 1/3 of the normally required number of training data samples. The KASSPER I & II data sets are simulated high-fidelity heterogeneous clutter scenarios which possess several groups of dense targets. KACE provides a priori information about the clutter covariance matrix by exploiting approximately known operating parameters about the radar platform such as pulse repetition frequency (PRF), crab angle, and platform velocity. In addition, the DS-ACE detector is presented which provides greater robustness for low sample support by mitigating false alarms from undernulled clutter near the clutter ridge while maintaining sufficient sensitivity away from the clutter ridge to enable effective target detection performance
The political geography of campaign advertising in U.S. House elections

The extent to which elections are useful instruments of accountability is closely related to the ability of citizens to acquire and utilize information about candidates running in those contests. In this paper, I examine the visibility of campaigns for the United States House of Representatives by analyzing how candidates, political parties and interest groups strategically allocate campaign advertising in media markets and congressional districts across the United States. I show that this allocation is based not only on the competitiveness of the campaign, but also according to the cost and reach of the media markets that dominate congressional districts. Overall, the findings indicate the importance of political geographic considerations for understanding the substantial variation in advertising aired both across and within congressional districts during House campaigns.
Analysis of extended dislocation faults

The relative stability of standard extended dislocation dipoles and some new stable defects with lozenge-shaped cross sections have been numerically estimated. An earlier study of these defects in an isotropic fee structure has been extended to the anisotropic case to assess the effect of anisotropy on the calculations. The study is further extended to the case of the L12 crystal structure of the ordered alloy Ni3Al, where the Burgers vectors are large. Results indicate that the introduction of anisotropy has a small effect in determining the relative stability of extended dislocation faults. The results also show that the large values of the Burgers vectors stabilize the arrays in Ni3Al and that the most stable defect favored is the screw lozenge array LD.
Microspectrophotometric Analysis of Intact Chromatophores of the Japanese Medaka, Oryzias latipes

To investigate the possible photoprotective role of chromatophores in fish, the absorbances of four types of intact chromatophores in adult and larval Japanese medaka were analyzed using microspectrophotometric techniques. The absorbance spectrum of each chromatophore class was obtained from 300 to 550 nm. The absorbance spectra of intact leucophores, melanophores and xanthophores were very similar to the published absorbance spectra of the isolated pure pigments contained in each chromatophore type, pteridines, melanin and carotenoids or pteridines, respectively. Based on these absorbance spectra, leucophores and melanophores should provide the most ultraviolet (UV) photoprotection to fish since the compounds they contain, pteridines and melanin, correspondingly, have strong absorbances in the UV region of the spectrum. Xanthophores containing carotenoids are not likely to provide much protection to fish from UV-induced damage since carotenoids have low absorbances in the UV range. Xanthophores containing colored pteridines, however, may provide somewhat greater UV protection to fish, since pteridines absorb more light than carotenoids in the UV portion of the spectrum. The relative frequency, coverage and thickness of these two types of xanthophores should determine how much protection xanthophores as a chromatophore type would provide against UV-induced damage.
Micro-machined, polyimide stimulating electrodes with electroplated iridium oxide

Iridium oxide neural stimulating electrodes were formed by electroplating iridium oxide onto thin-film gold electrodes on a polyimide substrate. 18 million current pulses were applied to 4 electrodes over 7 days. 1 electrode delaminated on day 1. The remaining three electrodes showed characteristics altered by current pulsing. However, the electrodes maintained the ability to deliver large amounts of charge.
The Origins of Pictorial Competence

Pictorial competence, which refers to the many factors involved in perceiving, interpreting, understanding, and using pictures, develops gradually over the first few years of life. Although experience is not required for accurate perception of pictures, it is necessary for understanding the nature of pictures. Infants initially respond to depicted objects as if they were real objects, and toddlers are remarkably insensitive to picture orientation. Only gradually do young children figure out the nature of pictures and how they are used.
Idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: retrospective analysis of 9095 patients.

Summary Background Anti-TNFα biologics induce and maintain remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Also, they have been reported to induce or unmask idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (IIDD). Aim To determine if anti-TNFα biologics increased the risk of IIDD in a large cohort of patients with IBD. Methods We retrospectively identified adult patients referred to the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN for management of IBD from a five state capture area (Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa) between 1996 and 2010. IIDDs were identified in both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with and without anti-TNFα exposure using the 2010 McDonald MRI criteria. The risk of IIDDs in patients with and without anti-TNFα exposure was estimated for IBD; CD and UC groups separately. Results A total of 9095 patients with IBD were identified (4342 CD and 4753 UC). Four patients with CD with exposure to anti-TNFα agents (4/2054) and five patients with CD without anti-TNFα exposure (5/2288) developed a confirmed IIDD. One patient with UC with exposure to anti-TNFα agents (1/1371) and five patients with UC without anti-TNFα agents developed a confirmed IIDD (5/3382). The per cent of IIDDs in patients with and without anti-TNFα exposure was; IBD: 0.15% and 0.18% (RR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.28–2.42; P = 0.729); CD: 0.19% and 0.22% (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.24–3.31; P = 0.863); UC: 0.07% and 0.15% (RR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.06–4.22; P = 0.510). Conclusion Anti-TNFα biologics do not appear to impact the risk of developing clinical idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
OSHA update-/spl conint//spl conint/91910.137, 1910.269, and Subpart V [power system safety]

Section 1910.137 of OSHA standards covers electrical protective equipment. Section 1910.269 (commonly known as the "maintenance standard" in the electric utility industry) addresses the maintenance and operation of electric power generation, transmission and distribution installations. These two standards were published in the Federal Register on January 31, 1994. This paper presents an update of recent activities relating to those standards. It also gives a status report on related standards projects with a view towards what the future might bring.
Photosynthetic pathway diversity in a seasonal pool community

1. Photosynthetic pathway diversity was evaluated for the dominant species in a seasonally aquatic community in the south-western USA using 14C pulse-chase techniques. 2. Under submerged conditions, only about half of the species were clearly C3, three of the 15 dominants were CAM, one species was C4 and three were potentially assimilating carbon with both C3 and C4 fixation. 3. During the brief terrestrial stage in the life history of these amphibious plants, both the CAM and the C3 + C4 species switched to C3, whereas the C4 species did not switch. 4. Numerous variations were apparent; for example, the C4 species, while exhibiting a biochemical pathway indistinguishable from terrestrial C4 plants, lacked Kranz anatomy in the aquatic foliage. Also, despite well-developed CAM in several species, others exhibited low-level diel changes in acidity, apparently not indicative of CAM. 5. Species with C4 or CAM CO2 concentrating mechanisms lacked the capacity for bicarbonate uptake, an alternative CO2 concentrating mechanism found in certain C3 species in this community. 6. Rubisco/PEPC in aquatic foliage was higher in C3 species than in C4, CAM or putative C3 + C4 species. In the terrestrial phase, as expected, the switch from CAM or C3 + C4 to strictly C3 assimilation was associated with a substantial increase in Rubisco/PEPC. Quite unexpected, however, was the substantial increase in this ratio in terrestrial C3 foliage. It is hypothesized that submerged C3 plants utilize PEPC for recycling of respiratory CO2 and/or C4 phototrophism under field conditions of limited CO2 and O2 saturation, and this is lost in the terrestrial foliage.
Photomask array placement on slices in LSI processing

Abstract A method is presented for determining the location of the photomask array placement on slices that realizes the maximum number of available bars per slice in integrated circuit manufacturing. This method takes into account the slice diameter and the flat length variation encountered in material. The variation in the radius of the usable area of the slice caused by processing (photolithography or metallization) is also explicitly taken into account. A simple method for locating the photomask array correctly on the slice is described. Results of calculations for 2- and 3-in. slices are presented. The optimized gain in bars per slice for 3-in. slices vs 2-in. slices is a factor of 2·3–2·7. There are preferred bar sizes if one wishes to reduce the potential variation in bars per slice caused by random array placement.
Cactin is essential for G1 progression in Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite whose rapid lytic replication cycles define its pathogenicity. We identified a temperature-sensitive growth mutant, FV-P6, which irreversibly arrests before the middle of the G1 stage of the tachyzoite cell cycle. This arrest is caused by a point mutation in a gene conserved across eukaryotes, Cactin, whose product localizes to the nucleus. To elucidate the role of TgCactin we performed genome-wide expression profiling. Besides the expected G1 expression profile, many genes associated with the extracellular state as well as with the bradyzoite cyst stage were identified. Consistent with these profiles were the expression of AP2 transcription factors typically associated with extracellular and bradyzoite stage parasites. This suggests a role for TgCactin in control of gene expression. As TgCactin does not contain any functionally defined domains we reasoned TgCactin exerts its function through interactions with other proteins. In support of this model we demonstrated that TgCactin is present in a protein complex and can oligomerize. Taken together, these results suggest that TgCactin acts as a pivotal protein potentially regulating gene expression at several transition points in parasite development.
The Distinctive City: Divergent Patterns in Growth, Hierarchy and Specialisation

With accelerated world market integration, cities compete with each other cities as sites of production and consumption, targeting firms and households as semi-autonomous location decision-makers. Distinction may be sought in productive structure, consumption and identity. In this paper, contradictory trends towards homogenisation and distinctiveness are theorised. Studying the occupational structure of 50 large US metropolitan areas, it is found that distinctiveness has been increasing in economic base occupations though some heavily blue-collar cities' edge is eroding. Employment in consumption activities has been growing faster than in the economic base and cities are becoming more alike in consumption structure. It is concluded that the search for niches in exporting sectors and related occupational mix is key to urban resurgence.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) using Intensity Modulation for Spine and Paraspinal Lesions: A Planning Comparison of RapidArc and Helical Tomotherapy

Purpose/Objective(s): Spinal SBRT is an effective palliative option for treating spinal and paraspinal lesions in order to provide rapid and durable pain relief. Volumetric arc-based intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has previously been shown to improve target dose distribution and normal tissue sparing compared to conventional fixed gantry IMRT using standard fractionation. Both RapidArc (RA) and helical TomoTherapy (HT) represent IMRT-based treatment modalities integrated within an arc geometry. The potential dosimetric benefits and limitation of SBRT were compared between RA and HT. Materials/Methods: Eight patients with spine and paraspinal lesions (2 cervical, 4 thoracic, and 2 lumbar lesions) previously treated on HT in accordance with an institutional protocol for SBRT were reviewed. Comparison plans were generated using a volumetric single arc (Varian RapidArc). Plans were prescribed 24 Gy in 3 fractions to cover 95% of the planning target volume (PTV). The adjacent spinal cord was defined by MRI fusion to include 6mm above and below the PTV. Plans were analyzed in terms of conformality index (CI100%), homogeneity index (HI), minimum significant target dose (D99%), maximum significant target dose (D1%), and doses to organs at risk (OARs). Conformality index assessment was based on the RTOG 0813 protocol for lung SBRT. All planning attempts were made to limit the maximum point dose to the spinal cord dose to <18 Gy. The number of monitor units (MU) and treatment time was used to assess treatment efficiency. Results: The median PTV volume was 43.44cc (range, 8.04-152.91). Target coverage and conformaltiy was equivalent between both treatment modalities. The mean D99% for HT and RA was 86.6 and 87.6, respectively (p=0.971). The mean D1% for HT and RA was 107.8 and 106.8, respectively (p=0.539). The mean CI100% for HT and RA was 1.37 and 1.28, respectively (p=0.573). Eighty-eight percent of plans met the conformality criteria of RTOG 0813. Mean plan homogeneity (D(5)/D(95)) was improved with RA (HI = 1.07) compared to HT (HI=1.27, p=0.0007). Both modalities met normal tissue constraints. The maximum point dose to the spinal cord was equivalent (p=0.879). RA significantly reduced the mean number of MU per fraction (mean MU=3165) required for delivery compared to HT (mean MU=14167, p=0.002) and therefore mean treatment time was also significantly shorter for RA (379sec) compared to HT (811sec, p=0.002). Conclusions: The treatment of spine and paraspinal lesions using SBRT can be adequately accomplished with both HT and RA based on established protocols for SBRT. Spinal cord sparing is equally efficacious for both treatment modalities. RA may be advantageous due to improved treatment efficacy.
Morphological evolution of some migratory Ficedula flycatchers

Long-distance migration imposes physiological and morphological selection pressures on birds. The genus Ficedula, a lineage of Old World flycatchers, consists of long- and short-dis tance migratory species, as well as sedentary species. Members of each of these groups are not reciprocally monophyletic, yet each of the behavioral groups is morphologically distinguishable even when accounting for phylogeny. Long-distance migratory species have more pointed wings than either short-distance migratory or sedentary species, and migratory behaviors and wing pointed-ness are phylogenetically correlated. This suggests that migratory Ficedula species have converged on a migratory phenotype, and that migration may be a selective agent that has shaped the independently-derived migratory Ficedula species in similar ways.
Preferential Isolation of Fragmented DNA Enhances the Detection of Circulating Mutated k-ras DNA

In the course of studying the incidence of k- ras mutations in DNA in the circulation of patients with colorectal disease, we observed that our ability to detect mutated k- ras DNA in serum varied with the method of DNA isolation. Two methods of DNA isolation were used in this study. One was the QIAamp DNA Blood Midi Kit (Qiagen, Inc.), which has been widely used for isolating circulating DNA from serum or plasma (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). The other is the modified Guanidine/Promega Resin (G/R) method that was developed to isolate DNA from urine (6). To compare the applicability of the Qiagen and G/R methods for isolation of circulating DNA, we purified DNA from aliquots of serum from six patients with known mutant k- ras -positive colorectal disease (colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps) and analyzed it for the presence of mutated k- ras DNA. As negative controls, serum samples from six patients with no detectable k- ras mutations in their disease tissues were subjected to DNA isolation and subsequently analyzed for k- ras mutations. Briefly, DNA from two aliquots of serum from each patient was isolated by the Qiagen method according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by the G/R method, as follows. Two volumes of 6 mol/L guanidine thiocyanate were mixed with the serum by inverting the mixture eight times. One milliliter of resin (from the Wizard DNA isolation reagent set; Promega) was then added, and the mixture was incubated for 2 h at room temperature with gentle mixing. The resin–DNA complex was transferred to a minicolumn (provided in the reagent set) and washed, and the DNA was eluted with H2O. Isolated DNA was quantified by real-time PCR on a LightCycler (Roche Biochemicals) with human albumin primers (forward, 5′-CCG TGG TCC …
Interactions among Flood Predictions, Decisions, and Outcomes: Synthesis of Three Cases

To complement other flood mitigation measures, hydrometeorological predictions are often used in decisions leading up to and during floods. Understanding the role played by predictions in flood events can help forecasters provide more useful information, and it can help decision makers use this information more effectively as part of broader flood loss-reduction strategies. This article examines the interactions among predictions, decisions, and flood-related outcomes by analyzing three cases of severe flooding in the United States: the Red River basin flood of April 1997 in Grand Forks and Fargo, N.D.; the Fort Collins, Colo. flood in July 1997; and the Pescadero Creek basin, California flood in February 1998. The floods occurred in different hydrometeorological and societal circumstances, had different types of predictive information available, and had different societal impacts, providing an opportunity to compare and contrast lessons learned. Issues explored include the interplay between the floods and their hydrometeorological and societal context and the roles of predictions and predictive uncertainty in decisions and outcomes.
Sustained increase in gastric antral epithelial cell proliferation despite cure of Helicobacter pylori infection.

OBJECTIVE: Studies of the effect of Helicobacter pylori treatment on gastric mucosa proliferation have yielded inconsistent results. We compared gastric mucosa cell proliferation posttherapy and in uninfected controls. METHODS: Biopsies were obtained from patients with H. pylori infection before treatment and at intervals for up to 33 months. Epithelial cell proliferation was determined using Ki-67 immunostaining. The labeling index (LI) is the proportion of positively labeled cells with respect to the total number of cells. The proliferative index was calculated by multiplying the labeling index (LI) and the proliferation zone PZ (PZ 5 length of the area between the uppermost and lowest labeled cells). RESULTS: The study included 27 patients with H. pylori gastritis and 35 controls. Epithelial cell proliferation (LI) was greater with H. pylori infection than without in both the antrum and corpus (65 6 5 vs 91 6 8 in the antrum and 44 6 4 vs 72 6 8 in the corpus, for uninfected controls vs H. pylori gastritis, respectively) ( p 5 0.0001). In the antrum there was no significant decrease in epithelial cell proliferation after cure of the H. pylori infection despite follow-up for .2 yr (labeling index 5 83 6 10). In contrast, epithelial cell proliferation decreased in the corpus and became similar to that in controls after 7‐13 months. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with H. pylori infection have sustained high epithelial cell proliferation in the antrum compared to that in uninfected subjects. A continued increase in proliferation in the antrum after cure of H. pylori infection suggests continuing damage. (Am J Gastroenterol 2000;95: 930 ‐935. © 2000 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology)
Depression in Late-Life: a Focus on Prevention

Depression is a leading cause of disease burden, disability, and distress for millions of older adults. Thus, prevention of late-life depression is a priority research area. This article addresses the science of late-life depression prevention with the following: 1) an introduction to the Institute of Medicine framework of universal, selective, and indicated prevention as it pertains to late-life depression, with particular attention to successes of indicated and selective prevention in primary care; 2) a discussion of how biomarkers can be integrated into prevention research, using interferon-alpha-induced depression as a model; 3) an outline for expansion of prevention to nonspecialist care delivery systems in low- and middle-income countries, thus extending the reach of current successful approaches; and 4) a description of a novel approach to simultaneous testing of universal, selective, and indicated prevention in late-life depression, with emphasis on study design features required to achieve practi...
Release of histamine from rat peritoneal cells in vitro as an index of irritation potential

AbstractUsing mixed rat peritoneal cells, including mast cells, a technique was developed to assess the ability of test materials to cause histamine release. This release was determined fluorimetrically, and noted to be concentration-dependent. This allowed the test materials to be ranked in terms of their potential. An order of potency was observed as follows: triethanolamine lauryl sulfate > triethanolamine > propylene glycol, based upon determinations of the lowest concentration causing significant histamine release. Microscopic evidence supported the observation that histamine release occurred to a varying degree depending upon the test material and its concentration. These observations are in agreement with in vivo studies which have rated the primary irritation potential of these materials. Moreover, these findings agree with data assessing the effects of these materials upon membrane integrity of cultured rabbit corneal cells. This similarity of findings suggests that these irritants may act as mem...
Structure of the papillomavirus DNA-tethering complex E2:Brd4 and a peptide that ablates HPV chromosomal association

Many DNA viruses that are latent in dividing cells are noncovalent passengers on mitotic chromosomes and require specific viral-encoded and cellular factors for this activity. The chromosomal protein Brd4 is implicated in the hitchhiking of bovine papillomavirus-1 (BPV-1), and the viral protein E2 binds to both plasmids and Brd4. Here, we present the X-ray crystal structure of the carboxy-terminal domain of Brd4 in complex with HPV-16 E2, and with this information have developed a Brd4-Tat fusion protein that is efficiently taken up by different transformed cells harboring HPV plasmids. In cells treated with these fusion proteins for only 2 hr and arrested in metaphase, the HPV DNA, either HPV-16 or -31, is displaced from mitotic chromosomes. Mutant Brd4 peptides are deficient in ablating this association. We suggest that such peptides may lead to the development of inhibitors of latency for many, if not all, papillomaviruses.
City of Oranges: An Intimate History of Arabs and Jews in Jaffa – By Adam LeBron

Now sadly a shell of its former self, Jaffa, once a major commercial and cultural center, was the queen city of historic Palestine. This author has produced a welcome addition to the growing number...
Electronically Temperature Compensated Silicon Bulk Acoustic Resonator Reference Oscillators

The paper describes the design and implementation of an electronically temperature compensated reference oscillator based on capacitive silicon micromechanical resonators. The design of a 5.5-MHz silicon bulk acoustic resonator has been optimized to offer high quality factor (> 100 000) while maintaining tunability in excess of 3000 ppm for fine-tuning and temperature compensation. Oscillations are sustained with a CMOS amplifier. When interfaced with the temperature compensating bias circuit, the oscillator exhibits a frequency drift of 39 ppm over 100degC as compared to an uncompensated frequency drift of 2830 ppm over the same range. The sustaining amplifier and compensation circuitry were fabricated in a 2P3M 0.6-mum CMOS process.
Site-directed mutagenesis of dicarboxylic acids near the active site of Bacillus cereus 5/B/6 beta-lactamase II.

Abstract An amino acid residue functioning as a general base has been proposed to assist in the hydrolysis of beta-lactam antibiotics by the zinc-containing Bacillus cereus beta-lactamase II [Bicknell & Waley (1985) Biochemistry 24, 6876-6887]. Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of cloned Bacillus cereus 5/B/6 beta-lactamase II was used in an 'in vivo' study to investigate the role of carboxy-group-containing amino acids near the active site of the enzyme. Substitution of asparagine for the wild-type aspartic acid residue at position 81 resulted in fully functional enzyme. An aspartic acid residue at position 90 is essential for beta-lactamase II to confer any detectable ampicillin and cephalosporin C resistance to Escherichia coli. Conversion of Asp90 into Asn90 or Glu90 lead to the synthesis of inactive enzyme, suggesting that the spatial position of the beta-carboxy group of Asp90 is critical for enzyme function.
“A Circuitous Journey”: Parent Perspectives of Getting to Pediatric Resective Epilepsy Surgery (P6.281)

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to measure parent-reported barriers to timely receipt of pediatric epilepsy surgery. BACKGROUND: Although shorter time to pediatric resective epilepsy surgery is most strongly associated with greater disease severity, other non-clinical diagnostic and sociodemographic factors play a role. METHODS: We conducted 37 interviews of parents of children who previously had resective epilepsy surgery at UCLA (2006-2011); parents were recruited purposively oversampling those with longer times to surgery. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and systematically coded using thematic analysis by two independent coders and subsequently checked for agreement. Clinical data, including ‘time to surgery’ (age of epilepsy onset to age of surgery, mean 5.3 years, SD=3.8), and type of surgery (32[percnt] hemispherectomy, 43[percnt] lobar/focal, 24[percnt] multilobar), were abstracted from medical records. RESULTS: The more arduous and longer aspect of the journey to surgery was perceived to be experienced prior to presurgical referral. The time from second anti-epileptic drug failure to presurgical referral was 蠅1 year in 64[percnt] of children. Thematic analysis revealed four themes along the journey to surgery (with subthemes): (1) recognition: “something is wrong” (unfamiliarity with epilepsy, identification of medical emergency), (2) searching and finding: “a circuitous journey” (information seeking, finding the right doctors, multiple medications, insurance obstacles, parental stress) (3) surgery is a viable option: “the right spot” (surgery as last resort, surgery as best option, hoping for candidacy), (4) life now: “we took the steps we needed to” (a new life, giving back). CONCLUSIONS: Parents perceive a spectrum of parent-, provider- and health-system based barriers that influence the ease of getting to and the timeliness of receipt of pediatric epilepsy surgery. Multi-pronged interventions targeting parent-, provider- and system-based barriers prior to presurgical referral are needed to improve access to subspecialty care for children with medically refractory epilepsy and eligible for surgery. Epilepsy Foundation Grant 20111278 Disclosure: Dr. Baca has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pieters has nothing to disclose. Dr. Iwaki has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mathern has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vickrey has received personal compensation for activities with EMD Serono as a consultant.
How crabs enjoy a hot meal

![Graphic][1] Crabs are renowned for their cranky demeanor, but when one considers the extreme conditions under which they must survive, it becomes easier to sympathize with these crotchety crustaceans. One hardship that crabs must endure is changing temperature: a daily swing of 20°C is not
Law's Location in China's Countryside

The following article traces the steps taken by Chinese rural residents in one lawsuit and analyses how the choices made were dictated both by the constraints of market legal reforms and the resilience of customary norms. It posits that while the language of rights is easy to transport, the process of rights assertion is less so. Rather, efforts to establish legal formality in China may have led to the dominance of technocracy and a continuing reliance on the developmental state for resolution. The response from the Chinese state is the development of a multi-tracked civil dispute resolution system, with the Chinese state heavily involved in major litigation apart from the litigants’ preferences, formal procedures and party autonomy working in the “run of the mill” commercial litigation, but simplified procedures, informal mediation and petitioning the government as the preferred methods for residents in the countryside. Such a multi-tracked system, while borne of necessity, will instead serve to diffuse the potential of courts to serve democratic reforms.
The citrate content of teeth.

SummaryDentin and enamel from 13 species comprising the primate, canine, bovine, feline, porcine and the rodent were analyzed for citrate. A wide variation in citrate concentration of the dental tissues was found. The dentin and enamel of the teeth of man contained 0.880% and 0.100% citrate, respectively. Similar dental tissues of the monkey, another primate, contained 0.510% and 0.053% citrate, respectively. The dentin and enamel of the teeth of the pig contained 1/6 and 1/10 as much citrate, respectively, as the same dental tissues in the human. The dentin and enamel of the molars of the rodent contained more citrate than the corresponding tissues of the incisors. A 4- to 5-fold variation was seen in the citrate content of the dentin of molars and incisors among the 5 rodents. The white rat had the highest concentration of citrate in the dental tissues, namely, 0.470% and 0.054% in molar dentin and enamel, respectively, and 0.110% and 0.024% in incisor dentin and enamel, respectively. The dentin and ena...
The effect of a persuasive game on attitude towards the homeless

To investigate whether a persuasive game may serve as a way to increase attitude towards the homeless, this study examined the effects of persuasive mechanics in a video game designed to put the player in the shoes of an almost-homeless person. Data were collected from 5139 students in 200 middle/high school classes across four states. Classes were assigned to treatment groups based on matching. Two treatment conditions and a control group were employed in the study. All three groups attitude scores decreased from the immediate posttest but the game group was significantly different from the control group in a positive direction. Students who played the persuasive game sustained a significantly higher score on attitude after three weeks. Overall, findings suggest that when students play a video game that is designed using persuasive mechanics an attitude change can be measured empirically.
Race, Urban Regimes and Leadership Style: Post-Bradley Los Angeles

Urban regime theory came to prominence with the publication of Clarence Stone's study of Atlanta in 1989, although earlier work by Fainstein and Fainstein (1983) and Elkin (1987) has also been influential. Regime analysis has been helpful in resolving the debate about power in politics beyond the formal institutions of government. This investigation is particularly significant in Los Angeles, where extreme demographic shifts have re-shaped local politics (since the appointment of the city's first African American office holder, Gilbert W. Lindsay, Ninth District 1963). In this research we seek to document the ways in which a Black Elected Official's (BEO) leadership style is influence by race, racial politics, and informal actors. Regime theory argues that local actors shape city politics even though state government sets the rules under which urban players act. Are urban regimes influenced in systematic ways by particular kinds of bargaining environments? Ultimately, I am interested in the local actors and the conditions which influence the choice of one leadership style over another.
Bringing attention to the human costs of war: grievability, deliberation, and anti-war numbers

ABSTRACTNumbers matter. Given the official administrative silence in public concerning civilian casualties during the so-called “war on terror,” the burden of counting in public has shifted to nongovernmental organizations. This article analyzes and critiques the rhetoric of two attempts to count civilian casualties in Iraq and, hence, to promote democratic deliberation over the human costs of war. Rhetorical critics need to focus on the rhetorical elements of numbers, particularly as these studies reveal how counting can increase the capacity to grieve an almost invisible Other. Anti-war voices reveal the tensions inherent in counting war dead and showcase two different—though not exhaustive—methods for making the numbers matter: the process of humanizing through naming and the numeration of massive totals of war dead.
Improved two dimensional electron mobility in asymmetric barrier delta-doped AlGaAs/GaAs inverted MODFET structures

We elucidate the effect of asymmetry in doping concentrations on electron mobility (μ) in a barrier delta (δ)-doped GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well based MODFET for high speed transistor applications. We show that higher doping concentration in the barrier towards the surface side compared to that in the substrate side yields larger electron mobility. We also show that the occurrence of drop in mobility at the occupation of second subband depends upon the difference of doping concentrations between the barriers. The impact of interface roughness scattering, which is normally prominent in the low well width regime, can be varied to enhance the mobility up to a larger well width by changing the doping concentration. Our analysis of structural asymmetry dependent electron mobility can be utilized for performance improvement of inverted MODFET structures.
E2A-PBX1 Remodels Oncogenic Signaling Networks in B-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoid Leukemia

There is limited understanding of how signaling pathways are altered by oncogenic fusion transcription factors that drive leukemogenesis. To address this, we interrogated activated signaling pathways in a comparative analysis of mouse and human leukemias expressing the fusion protein E2A-PBX1, which is present in 5%-7% of pediatric and 50% of pre-B-cell receptor (preBCR+) acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). In this study, we describe remodeling of signaling networks by E2A-PBX1 in pre-B-ALL, which results in hyperactivation of the key oncogenic effector enzyme PLCγ2. Depletion of PLCγ2 reduced proliferation of mouse and human ALLs, including E2A-PBX1 leukemias, and increased disease-free survival after secondary transplantation. Mechanistically, E2A-PBX1 bound promoter regulatory regions and activated the transcription of its key target genes ZAP70, SYK, and LCK, which encode kinases upstream of PLCγ2. Depletion of the respective upstream kinases decreased cell proliferation and phosphorylated levels of PLCγ2 (pPLCγ2). Pairwise silencing of ZAP70, SYK, or LCK showed additive effects on cell growth inhibition, providing a rationale for combination therapy with inhibitors of these kinases. Accordingly, inhibitors such as the SRC family kinase (SFK) inhibitor dasatinib reduced pPLCγ2 and inhibited proliferation of human and mouse preBCR+/E2A-PBX1+ leukemias in vitro and in vivo Furthermore, combining small-molecule inhibition of SYK, LCK, and SFK showed synergistic interactions and preclinical efficacy in the same setting. Our results show how the oncogenic fusion protein E2A-PBX1 perturbs signaling pathways upstream of PLCγ2 and renders leukemias amenable to targeted therapeutic inhibition. Cancer Res; 76(23); 6937-49. ©2016 AACR.
Archetypes, Stereotypes and Media Representation in a Multi-cultural Society

Abstract One of the challenges for a multi-cultural society is how to foster effective intercultural, or inter-group, relations. Since some members of a large country may have little to no interaction with some of the other groups in their society, mediated images may be the only way they can learn about each other. Thus, the media have a powerful role to play, and need to ensure that they neither continually reinforce negative stereotypes nor omit representation of all co-cultures in the mediated world. This paper discusses the problem and proposes one possible solution.
Adaptive repetitive visual-servo control of a low-flying unmanned aerial vehicle with an uncalibrated high-flying camera

This paper proposes a new adaptive repetitive visual-servo control system for a moving high-flying vehicle (HFV) with an uncalibrated camera to monitor, track, and precisely control the movements of a low-flying vehicle (LFV) or mobile ground robot. When deployed, a remote operator of the HFV defines the desired trajectory for the LFV in the HFV's camera frame (image frame). Due to the circulatory motion of the HFV, the resulting motion trajectory of the LFV in the image frame is periodic in time, thus an adaptive repetitive control system is exploited to improve the tracking precision from one operating period to the next. Not only is the adaptive control law able to deal with uncertainties in the camera's intrinsic and extrinsic parameters, but it can also tolerate uncertainties in the localization of the LFV. The design and stability analysis of the closed-loop control system is presented, where the Lyapunov approach is used to show stability. Simulations and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method for controlling the movement of a low-flying quadcopter vehicle. Results show good tracking performance for three simulated test cases, where the average maximum tracking error is reduced by approximately 75% compared to the performance of a standard adaptive visual-servo controller.
Performance analysis of spectrum sensing schemes based on fractional lower order moments for cognitive radios in symmetric α-stable noise environments

Abstract Spectrum sensing schemes based on fractional lower order moment (FLOM) are often used in impulsive noise environments in which traditional energy detectors are not applicable. The performance of FLOM-based detectors operating in an α-stable noise environment is difficult to evaluate. This is because α-stable random variables can usually only be modeled by the characteristic function since closed-form expressions are not available, except for the special values of the characteristic exponent that correspond to the Cauchy and Gaussian noise distributions. In this paper, we derive closed-form expressions for the probability density function (PDF) and corresponding complementary cumulative distribution function (CDF) for a symmetric α-stable random variable with an arbitrary characteristic exponent α (0
Feasibility of Cryo-EM for Structural Characterization of Small Membrane Proteins

Single-particle cryo-EM has recently emerged as a tool for characterization of protein structure at atomic resolution, with applications both to soluble and membrane proteins. Cryo-EM relies on computational alignment of single-particle images, permitting calculation of interpretable two-dimensional averages and three-dimensional reconstructions. Prior to data collection, cryo-EM samples are trapped in vitreous ice by plunge freezing, protecting biological macromolecules from radiation damage and high-vacuum, yet maintaining hydration and native structure. Soluble proteins are thus surrounded by water, which has a small electron scattering cross-section relative to the protein itself. However, membrane proteins in detergent or lipid nanoparticle systems (nanodiscs, saposin), are embedded in contrastive and predominantly unstructured material. The impact of this contrastive, unstructured mass on image alignment and three-dimensional reconstruction is unknown. Indeed, traditional cryoprotectants (glycerol) are not used in cryo-EM because their protein-like scattering is deleterious to particle contrast. Nevertheless, a growing number of membrane proteins have been characterized using cryo-EM. To date all such proteins bear large, soluble domains (often dwarfing the membrane bound component, e.g. nanodisc-anchored ribosomes), which are hypothesized to drive image alignment. Recent structures of TRPV1 (a tetrameric Ca2+ channel) reconstituted in lipid nanodiscs show that current cryo-EM pipelines can deliver high resolutions even when the ratio of structured to unstructured mass falls as low as 2:1. Here, we undertake to ascertain the limits to this ratio (if any), as well as the feasibility of reconstructing structures lacking any soluble extension.Starting from micrographs of TRPV1 in lipid nanodiscs, we use signal subtraction to simulate data for progressively smaller ratios of structured to unstructured mass, eventually eliminating all contributions from the soluble domains. Our results, including a 3.4 Angstrom structure of a hypothetical membrane protein with no soluble domain, suggest that high-resolution alignment and reconstruction is feasible for membrane proteins with no soluble extension, including when the ratio of structured to unstructured mass is less than 1:1. With continued technological development, it may be possible to adopt cryoprotectants that greatly enhance the formation of vitreous ice even during slow freezing. Finally, this work also serves as a tutorial for precise signal subtraction using open-source software, including creation of a suitable subtraction map, simulation of particle image contributions, recentering of subtracted particles, and per-particle normalization based on Fourier correlations.
Material dimensionality effects on the nanoindentation behavior of Al/a-Si core-shell nanostructures

Abstract The nanoindentation behavior of hemispherical Al/a-Si core-shell nanostructures (CSNs), horizontally-aligned Al/a-Si core-shell nanorods (CSRs) with various lengths, and an Al/a-Si layered thin film has been studied to understand the effects of geometrical confinement of the Al core on the CSN deformation behavior. When loaded beyond the elastic limit, the CSNs have an unconventional load-displacement behavior with no residual displacement after unloading, resulting in no net shape change after indentation. This behavior is enabled by dislocation activities within the confined Al core, as indicated by discontinuous indentation signatures (load-drops and load-jumps) observed in the load-displacement data. When the geometrical confinement of the core is slightly reduced, as in the case of CSRs with the shortest rod length, the discontinuous indentation signatures and deformation resistance are heavily reduced. Further decreases in core confinement result in conventional nanoindentation behavior, regardless of geometry. Supporting molecular dynamics simulations show that dislocations nucleated in the core of a CSN are more effectively removed during unloading compared to CSRs, which supports the hypothesis that the unique deformation resistance of Al/a-Si CSNs are enabled by 3-dimensional confinement of the Al core.
Public Health Meets the Problem of the Color Line.

The article discusses public health in relation to racism and health equity in America as of 2017, and it mentions scientific objectivity, racial injustice, and the views of the late African American politician Shirley Chisholm. Racial oppression in the U.S. is addressed, along with the attitudes of public health practitioners in the country. Poverty and communities of color in the U.S. are assessed, as well as solidarity and health promotion in places such as New York, New York.