cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enzyme blockade: a nonradioactive method to determine the absolute rate of cholesterol synthesis in the brain

The standard in vivo method to determine rates of brain cholesterol synthesis involves systemic injection of (3)H(2)O and measurement of incorporated radioactivity in sterols. Herein, we describe an alternative method ("enzyme blockade") that obviates the use of radioactivity. The method relies on the ability of AY9944, a potent and relatively selective inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, to cause the time-dependent accumulation of 7-dehydrocholesterol (DHC), a cholesterol precursor detected with sensitivity and specificity by reverse-phase HPLC-coupled spectrophotometry at 282 nm. To validate the method, adult AY9944-treated and control mice were injected with [(3)H]acetate. After 24 h, most of the radioactivity in brain sterols from treated mice accumulated in DHC, without significantly perturbing overall sterol pathway activity, compared with controls (where cholesterol was the dominant radiolabeled sterol, with no label found in DHC). When adult mice were treated continuously with AY9944, the time-dependent accumulation of DHC in brain was linear (after approximately 8 h) for 3 days. The rate of brain cholesterol synthesis determined by this method ( approximately 30 microg/g/day) closely agrees with that determined by the radioactive method. We also determined the cholesterol synthesis rate in different regions of adult mouse brain, with frontal cortex having the highest rate and cerebellum having the lowest rate.
Characterization of chlorophenol 4-monooxygenase (TftD) and NADH:flavin adenine dinucleotide oxidoreductase (TftC) of Burkholderia cepacia AC1100.

Burkholderia cepacia AC1100 uses 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, an environmental pollutant, as a sole carbon and energy source. Chlorophenol 4-monooxygenase is a key enzyme in the degradation of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and it was originally characterized as a two-component enzyme (TftC and TftD). Sequence analysis suggests that they are separate enzymes. The two proteins were separately produced in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized. TftC was an NADH:flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) oxidoreductase. A C-terminally His-tagged fusion TftC used NADH to reduce either FAD or flavin mononucleotide (FMN) but did not use NADPH or riboflavin as a substrate. Kinetic and binding property analysis showed that FAD was a better substrate than FMN. TftD was a reduced FAD (FADH2)-utilizing monooxygenase, and FADH2 was supplied by TftC. It converted 2,4,5-trichlorophenol to 2,5-dichloro-p-quinol and then to 5-chlorohydroxyquinol but converted 2,4,6-trichlorophenol only to 2,6-dichloro-p-quinol as the final product. TftD interacted with FADH2 and retarded its rapid oxidation by O2. A spectrum of possible TftD-bound FAD-peroxide was identified, indicating that the peroxide is likely the active oxygen species attacking the aromatic substrates. The reclassification of the two enzymes further supports the new discovery of FADH2-utilizing enzymes, which have homologues in the domains Bacteria and Archaea.
Capacity enhancement using adaptive arrays in an AMPS system

Adaptive arrays for an advanced mobile phone service (AMPS) system can significantly increase cell capacity, improve signal quality, and reduce transmitter power requirements. In this paper, we investigate the capacity improvement that can potentially be achieved using adaptive arrays at the base station of an AMPS system. For the analysis, we use two types of spatial filters at the base station: an ideal and flat-top beamformer. An ideal beamformer has a flat main lobe and no side lobes, while a flat-top beamformer has flat main and side lobes. Analysis includes calculation of outage probability when a beamformer is used at the base station, and then we calculate the capacity increase that can be offered by practical antenna arrays. In this paper, we show that spatial-division multiple access (SDMA), i.e., all the users in a cell occupying the same frequency, is impossible to achieve in an AMPS system. A cell-reuse factor of four can be easily achieved with a five-element uniform linear array (ULA) with /spl lambda//2 spacings, but to achieve a reuse factor of three, a ULA with eight elements is required.
Shilnikov type solutions under strong non-autonomous perturbation

We study the behaviour of solutions in a neighbourhood of the origin for a certain type of non-autonomous system of partial differential equations whose linear approximation is non autonomous.
DREAMWORK: Cell Phone Novelists, Labor, and Politics in Contemporary Japan

In 2007, the number of cell phone novels posted on the popular portal, Magic Island, reached one million—a figure that has puzzled observers worldwide. Although critics ubiquitously interpret the writing and reading of cell phone novels as an escapist pastime, I see the cell phone novel movement as a response of young people to their incorporation into a precarious labor regime and their exclusion from collectivities (e.g., workplace and family) that offered their parents key resources for self-determination. Building on textual analysis and interviews with cell phone novelists, acquisition editors at publishers, and creative professionals at cell phone novel portals, I make the following arguments. First, I claim that the cell phone novel phenomenon reveals a curious paradox. The more young people become part of a precarious workforce, the more they seek self-fulfilling work that they are willing to perform, even if they do not receive pay for the work. Second, I demonstrate that the digital-media economy capitalizes on this trend. Although Internet portals, such as Magic Island, promote the writing of cell phone novels as an opportunity to pursue self-fulfilling and potentially lucrative work, these portals only acclimate youth to accept precarious employment and unpredictable work conditions. Last, I conclude that young people recognize in cell phone novels the potential to function as the medium of the political. Cell phone novelists do not simply voice their generation's anguish over their disenfranchisement. Rather, by writing these novels, they produce a conjuncture at which writers and readers come to understand themselves as new collectivities and begin to develop critical insights about work, solidarity, and future. [youth, labor, politics, cell phone novels, digital media, Japan]
Engineering Enemy-free Space: An Invasive Pest that Kills its Predators

The biological invasion of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata, into French Polynesia presents a novel threat to Pacific Island ecosystems. Widely known as an agricultural pest because of its role as a vector of numerous lethal plant diseases, H. coagulata may pose a substantial and immediate risk to arthropod predators on invaded islands in French Polynesia. Controlled feeding experiments revealed that island spiders can be killed following predation on H. coagulata. Spider mortality appeared to result from lethal intoxication, although no form of chemical defense has been reported in H. coagulata. In the two spider species tested, approximately half of all individuals that attacked H. coagulata nymphs or adults died. As populations of this insect increase in size and range on invaded islands in French Polynesia, H. coagulata will increasingly encounter these and other arthropod predators, raising the possibility of population-level impacts on susceptible predator species. Field surveys of island spiders across nine sites on H. coagulata-invaded and H. coagulata-uninvaded islands suggest that this insect may already have adversely impacted an endemic spider on at least one island. Work is needed to identify the nature of the lethal agent harbored within H. coagulata and the taxonomic and geographic breadth of predators vulnerable to it. The generality of H. coagulata-lethality and the capacity of afflicted predator species for population-level adaptation or learned avoidance in response to this spreading pest will determine the magnitude of the threat H. coagulata poses in the South Pacific.
Some aspects of the pathogenesis and comparative pathology of toxoplasmosis.

Turner G.V.S. Some aspects of the pathogenesis and comparative pathology of toxoplasmosis. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association (1977) 49 No.1, 3-8 (En) Dept. Vet. Prevo Med., College of Vet. Med., Ohio State University, 1900 Coffey Rd., Columbus 43210, Ohio, USA. Some aspects of the pathogenesis and comparative pathology of toxoplasmosis are described. The general pattern of infec­ tion, with or without necrosis, and tissue cyst formation as it occurs in all species is dealt with. The wide pathological mani­ festations of toxoplasmosis as seen in sheep, cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, chinchillas and man are reviewed. Entero-epithelial cycle: The feline host is infected by the ingestion of tissue cysts (containing bradyzoites) or proliferative forms (tachyzoites) in tissues during acute infection or by the ingestion of sporulated oocysts originating from feline faeces. Multiplication takes place in the epithelial cells of the small intestine with the eventual formation of oocysts. The oocysts are detached from the intestinal epithelium and are discharg~d with the faeces. The 00- cysts are non-infective when unsporulated, with sporu­ lation taking 1 to 5 daysl 11 12 19 20 25 27 28 32 50 68 70 71. Millions of oocysts may be shed in a single stool and may remain infective for a year in warm, moist climates or longer in cooler climates20 21 29324053 75.
Effectiveness Analyses of Flexible Pavement Preventive Maintenance Treatments with LTPP SPS-3 Experiment Data

AbstractThe present study analyzes the effectiveness of preventive maintenance (PM) treatments of flexible pavements utilizing data obtained from the specific pavement study 3 (SPS-3) of the long-term pavement performance (LTPP) program online database. The PM treatments included in this study are thin hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay, chip seal, slurry seal, and crack seal. International roughness index (IRI), rutting, fatigue cracking, longitudinal cracking, and transverse cracking were selected as indicators of pavement performance. Initial roughness change, long-term roughness change, and weighted distresses are used as measures of effectiveness. The logistic regression model is employed to investigate the influence of pretreatment roughness condition, pretreatment surface condition, and several other factors on the performance of PM treatments. Results from this study indicate that only thin overlay and chip seal are effective in retarding fatigue cracking. Thin overlay was also the only treatment effec...
Stimulation of taurocholate and glycocholate efflux from the rat hepatocyte by arginine vasopressin

Vasopressin induces alterations in the transmembrane distribution of the bile salts taurocholate and glycocholate but not of cholate, chenodeoxycholate, or chenodeoxycholate derivatives in isolated rat hepatocytes in suspension. Studies were conducted to define the specific transport events modulated by vasopressin. Unidirectional uptake of cholate, taurocholate, and glycocholate, monitored within a 15-s time frame, is not altered by vasopressin. Km values for cholate, taurocholate, and glycocholate influx were found to be 57, 12, and 26 microM, respectively. Vmax values for influx of cholate, taurocholate, and glycocholate were 1.7, 1.8, and 2.4 nmol.mg protein-1.min-1, respectively. At half-maximal effective concentrations, arginine vasopressin increases unidirectional efflux of taurocholate by 34% (EC50 = 1.5 X 10(-9) M) and glycocholate by 17% (EC50 = 5 X 10(-9) M). In the presence of 0.05 microM arginine vasopressin, the apparent Km value for taurocholate efflux decreases from 1.57 mM (control) to 0.94 mM; for glycocholate, the apparent Km decreases from 5.19 mM (control) to 3.22 mM. Vasopressin does not significantly change the Vmax values for taurocholate and glycocholate efflux (0.40 and 1.05 nmol.mg protein-1.min-1, respectively). These studies suggest that modulation of bile salt efflux by vasopressin may be utilized to probe bile salt transport pathways in the rat hepatocyte.
Automatic Identification of Salient Acoustic Instances in Couples Behavioral Interactions using Diverse Density Support Vector Machines

Behavioral coding focuses on deriving higher-level behavioral annotations using observational data of human interactions. Automatically identifying salient events in the observed signal data could lead to a deeper understanding of how specific events in an interaction correspond to the perceived high-level behaviors of the subjects. In this paper, we analyze a corpus of married couples’ interactions, in which a number of relevant behaviors, e.g., level of acceptance, were manually coded at the sessionlevel. We propose a multiple instance learning approach called Diverse Density Support Vector Machines, trained with acoustic features, to classify extreme cases of these behaviors, e.g., low acceptance vs. high acceptance. This method has the benefit of identifying salient behavioral events within the interactions, which is demonstrated by comparable classification performance to traditional SVMs while using only a subset of the events from the interactions for classification. Index Terms: behavioral signal processing, multiple instance learning, diverse density, support vector machines
Elastomer Rheology and Processing

Abstract The handling of raw elastomers in processing and fabricating equipment has been an important industrial operation for 150 years. It was an integral part of a sizable industry several decades before the molecular structure of rubber itself was realized or complex deformation-induced phase transitions and mechanochemical degradation reactions were thought to occur in these materials during processing. The rubber industry was already established when the classical organic chemical industries came into being and predates its sister plastics and synthetic fiber industries by three quarters of a century or more. It is ironic and rather unfortunate that the scientific study of rubber processing operations has been generally neglected while the basic processes of newer and sometimes smaller industries have received considerable attention, and even found their way into university engineering curricula. This is undoubtedly due to pecularities of the industry. Considerable amounts of fillers, oils, and othe...
Investigating the clinical significance of body composition changes in patients undergoing chemoradiation for oropharyngeal cancer using analytic morphomics.

The purpose is to investigate the clinical significance of body morphomics changes in stage III–IV oropharyngeal cancer patients during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Fifty patients who underwent CRT were selected for body composition analyses by either availability of pre/post treatment DEXA scans or a novel CT-based approach of body morphomics analysis (BMA). BMA changes (lean psoas and total psoas area) were compared to total lean body mass changes by DEXA scans using two-sample t tests. Pearson correlation was used to compare the BMA measures to head and neck specific quality of life outcomes. Cox hazards model was used to predict mortality and tumor recurrence. Clinically significant declines in total psoas area and lean body mass of similar magnitude were observed in both BMA and DEXA cohorts after CRT. Loss of psoas area (P < 0.05) was associated with greater frailty and mobility issues (3 out of 15 UWQOL domains). Total psoas area is more sensitive for local recurrence than weight changes and T-stage on multivariate analyses. BMA specifically evaluating psoas area appears to correlate with head and neck cancer quality of life physical domains. Pre- and post-treatment total psoas area at L4 appears prognostic for tumor recurrence.
A comparison of clinical features between rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infection in lower respiratory tract in children

Objectives To compare the clinical features between rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infection in lower respiratory tract in children. Methods From December 2012 to May 2013, direct immunofluorescence assay was performed to test RSV in 1 037 nasal aspirate specimens with LRTIs. RT-PCR method was used to test HRV RNA. The medical records of patients with a positive test of HRV or RSV were reviewed and compared. Results The isolating rate for HRV and RSV was 8.78%(91/1 037) and 17.16%(178/1 037) respectively. The frequency of co-infection of HRV with other virus was 18.68%, higher than that of RSV(7.30%, χ2=7.867, P=0.005). The age distribution had significant difference between children infected with HRV and RSV(Z=5.40, P0.001). 78.38% patients with HRV infection were younger than 3 years old, and 83.03% patients with RSV infection were younger than 1 year old. Dyspnea, hyoxemia and wheezing were more common in patients with RSV infection. Admission occurred much later in the course of the HRV infection(P0.01). Leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and an elevated total serum IgE were more common in patients with HRV infection(P0.05). Conclusions HRV is one of the important causes of LRTIs in Suzhou. The susceptible population, clinical presentation and laboratory results of HRV infections are different from that of RSV infections.
Leiomyosarcoma of the Penis

AbstractA case is reported of leiomyosarcoma of the penis. The patient with this rare entity was treated aggressively with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Adherence in Other Dermatologic Conditions

Adherence is integral to patient health [1]. Moreover, when patients fail to comply with suggested measures, it is economically taxing to the medical community at large [2]. These ideas make it crucial to understand adherence-related behavior. By better understanding compliance, mechanisms geared toward improvement might be established. This chapter discusses adherence in two ways: prevention and treatment. The first manner through which to examine compliance behavior will be in relation to sun-induced skin damage (specifically skin cancer, premature aging, and actinic keratosis), while the second concerns a specific connective tissue disorder, localized scleroderma.
Generalizations of the Catenoid and the Helicoid

In this lecture we will discuss various generalizations of the catenoid and the helicoid as well as related differential geometric notions including minimality, quasi-umbilicity and conformal flatness.
Mindful Eating Reduces Impulsive Food Choice in Adolescents and Adults.

Objective The present study tested the extent to which age and obesity predicted impulsive choices for food and monetary outcomes and tested how a brief mindful-eating training would alter delay discounting for food and money choices compared with control groups. Method First, 172 adolescents (Mage = 13.13 years) and 176 (Mage = 23.33 years) adults completed the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) and Monetary Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) as measures of food and money delay discounting, respectively. Then, participants returned to the lab and were randomly assigned to complete a brief mindful-eating training, watch a DVD on nutrition, or serve as a control. Participants completed the FCQ and MCQ again as a postmanipulation measure. Results Participants with high percent body fat (PBF) were more impulsive for food than those with low PBF. Adults with high PBF were also more impulsive for money compared with adults with low PBF; no PBF-related differences were found for adolescents. Participants in the mindful-eating group exhibited more self-controlled choices for food, but not for money. The control conditions did not exhibit changes. Conclusion The study suggests that individuals with high PBF make more impulsive food choices relative to those with low PBF, which could increase the risk of obesity over time. It also is the first to demonstrate shifts in choice patterns for food and money using a brief mindful-eating training with adolescents. Mindful eating is a beneficial strategy to reduce impulsive food choice, at least temporarily, that may impede weight gain. (PsycINFO Database Record
Effect of a "Look-Ahead" Problem on Undergraduate Engineering Students' Concept Comprehension.

In an effort to motivate undergraduate engineering students to prepare for class by reviewing material before lectures, a ‘Look–Ahead’ problem was utilized. Students from two undergraduate engineering courses; Statics and Electronic Circuits, were assigned problems from course material that had not yet been covered in class. These assignments were collected and assessed. Grades from the ‘Look–Ahead’ problems, collected over a sixteen-week semester, were compared to overall exam performance. In addition, exam problem scores from specific correlating concepts/topics were compared with ‘Look–Ahead’ problem scores. Surprisingly, the data show very low correlation between student performance on ‘Look–Ahead’ problems and exams.
The role of Nrf2 and ATF2 in resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy

Nrf2 and its role in controlling levels of the AKR family of aldo–keto reductases which have been implicated in resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy was studied in ovarian, cervical and lung cell lines. Nrf2 shRNA knockdowns of cells from different tumor origins were prepared to determine the role of this factor in producing resistance to platinum chemotherapy. Nrf2 knockdowns resulted in marked decreases in AKR1C1, AKR1C2 and to a lesser extent AKR1C3. Additionally, all other candidate enzymes GSTπ and TRX1 were decreased, but their role was difficult to correlate to cytotoxicity. Nrf2 knockdowns exhibited marked increases in mitochondrial membrane depolarization and ROS production following cisplatin treatment, with the cervical ME180R knockdowns exhibiting the greatest effect (AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 levels were decreased in the ME180R and SKOV3 cells to near zero). Oxaliplatin tended to parallel cisplatin, except it markedly stimulated O2 − production not $$ {\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{2}$$ by oxaliplatin treatment of the ME180R cells. The pJNK/p38 pathway has been implicated in cisplatin cytotoxicity, and significant phosphorylation of pJNK was observed in the SKOV3 and ME180R and p38 in the SKOV3 knockdowns. Phosphorylation of ATF2 was decreased in the Nrf2 knockdowns (Crf38, Srf6, Arf5) which could affect its interaction with JNK and p38. Oxaliplatin treatment showed minimal effects on the JNK/p38 pathway, showing that its mode of action is different although ROS generation appeared an initial step with both drugs. Nrf2 controls a multitude of different candidate genes; however, it did markedly modulate cisplatin resistance through the AKR family. This involved ROS production and activation of the pJNK/p38 pathway with involvement of ATF2.
The tumor promoter-activated protein kinase Cs are a system for regulating filopodia.

Different protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms have distinct roles in regulating cell functions. The conventional (α, β, γ) and novel (δ, e, η, θ) classes are targets of phorbol ester tumor promoters, which are surrogates of endogenous second messenger, diacylglycerol. The promoter-stimulated disappearance of filopodia was investigated by use of blocking peptides (BPs) that inhibit PKC maturation and/or docking. Filopodia were partially rescued by a peptide representing PKC e hydrophobic sequence, but also by a myristoylated PKC α/β pseudosubstrate sequence, and an inhibitor of T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP). The ability to turn over filopodia was widely distributed among PKC isoforms. PKC α and η hydrophobic sequences enhanced filopodia in cells in the absence of tumor promoter treatment. With transcriptional knockdown of PKC α, the content of PKC e predominated over other isoforms. PKC e could decrease filopodia significantly in promoter-treated cells, and this was attributed to ruffling. The presence of PKC α counteracted the PKC e-mediated enhancement of ruffling. The results showed that there were two mechanisms of filopodia downregulation. One operated in the steady-state and relied on PKC α and η. The other was stimulated by tumor promoters and relied on PKC e. Cycles of protrusion and retraction are characteristic of filopodia and are essential for the cell to orient itself during chemotaxis and haptotaxis. By suppressing filopodia, PKC e can create a long-term 'memory' of an environmental signal that may act in nature as a mnemonic device to mark the direction of a repulsive signal. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Simulation Study Evaluating the Generalized Additive Model for Assessing Intervention Effects with Small Samples

Single subject (SS) designs are popular in educational and psychological research. There exist several statistical techniques designed to analyze such data and to address the question of whether an intervention has the desired impact. Recently, researchers have suggested that generalized additive models (GAMs) might be useful for modeling nonlinear effects that are common with SS designs. This study sought to extend the use of GAM from SS to a research design in which individuals may be placed in separate groups and receive different interventions. Results of the simulation study found that using a mixed model form of GAM (GAMM) resulted in higher power for detecting actual effects in the population than was true for either GAM or a Bayesian GAM estimator. Thus, GAMMs are recommended for use with SS designs when interventions are expected to induce nonlinear relationships between time and the outcome variable and individuals receive different treatments.
Gilvossius chichijimaensis Sakai, 2015 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea: Callianassidae), a junior subjective synonym of Paratrypaea bouvieri (Nobili, 1904)

Sakai (2015) erected a new callianassid ghost shrimp taxon Gilvossius chichijimaensis diagnosed on the basis of Komai & Tachikawa’s (2008) text and figures of a male specimen originally identified as Paratrypaea bouvieri (Nobili, 1904). A holotype was designated “CBM-ZC 7244, holotype male (cl 7.4 mm), Chichijima Island, Tokyo Prefecture”. This registration number appears to be a mistranscription from Komai & Tachikawa’s (2008) list of specimens which includes “Chichi-jima Island: … CBM-ZC 7422, 2 males (5.2 mm, 7.4 mm), 1 ovigerous female (cl 6.9 mm), Okumura River, rivermouth, tidal flat, 7 August 2002,”. It can be assumed that the second male was selected as the holotype. Although Sakai (2015) did not designate paratypes, he based his comparison of the new species on “the male specimen (CMNH-ZC 2422) identified by Komai & Tachikawa (2008) as Paratrypaea (= Gilvossius ) bouvieri ”, not the male he selected as holotype. By this he was probably referring to CMNH-ZC 2240.
Predicting Solubility/Miscibility in Amorphous Dispersions: It Is Time to Move Beyond Regular Solution Theories

The evolving challenges associated with the development of poorly soluble drug molecules have been met with major advances in drug solubilization. In particular, amorphous solid dispersion technology is becoming an increasingly important option to enhance oral bioavailability by creating prolonged drug supersaturation to maximize the driving force for intestinal absorption. A primary concern in the development of amorphous solid dispersions is their physical stability, leading to increasing interest in predictive methodologies to assess the propensity for drug crystallization under various storage conditions. For most drug-excipient combinations of pharmaceutical interest, hydrogen bonding is an important factor in determining miscibility, supersaturation potential, and the influence of water uptake during storage and after administration. The vast majority of publications to date have utilized mathematical models based on regular solution theory such as Flory-Huggins theory to predict drug-polymer miscibility, despite the fact that they were never intended to be applied to hydrogen-bonded systems. In this commentary article, regular solution theory is applied to simple hydrogen-bonded alcohol-alkane solutions to explore trends in the Flory-Huggins χ interaction parameter and possible pitfalls in its interpretation. More recent models that explicitly allow for specific interactions merit greater attention.
Synthesis of MoS2 from [Mo3S7(S2CNEt2)3]I for enhancing photoelectrochemical performance and stability of Cu2O photocathode toward efficient solar water splitting

Cu2O is a typical p-type semiconductor that can efficiently absorb visible light and has a high absorption coefficient due to its narrow forbidden band. Thus, it finds potential applications in solar energy conversion and photocatalysis. However, Cu2O photocathodes suffer from a major issue of chemical stability and sluggish proton reduction for splitting water using sunlight. We present here a facile method of coating a thin MoS2 layer onto Cu2O to significantly improve its stability and proton reduction efficiency. MoS2 coating on top of Cu2O is achieved by spin coating a [Mo3S7(S2CNEt2)3]I precursor combined with a thermal annealing process to obtain the optimal stoichiometry. MoS2 thin films synthesized using this method show good prospects as both a protection layer and an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) due to excellent stability and high electrocatalytic activity. The proton reduction performance of spin-coated MoS2/FTO electrodes is studied to determine the optimal synthesis conditions using various derivatives of MoS2 precursors. Our study suggests that the rate-limiting kinetic step of MoS2 synthesized in this method is the desorption of adsorbed hydrogen atoms to form molecular hydrogen, and that nanocrystalline MoS2 with copiously exposed S edges are more active for HER. Photoelectrochemical measurements demonstrate the highest activity for 3-layered (<40 nm thick) MoS2/Cu2O photocathode fabricated at 450 °C with a photocurrent density of ∼6.5 mA cm−2 at −0.2 V vs. RHE. Additionally, the MoS2 coating helps minimize the dark current of the Cu2O photocathode.
Supernova 1987A: Twenty Years After

I briefly review the story of the SN 1987A explosion, with special emphasis on the most recent findings. It appears that although this supernova was somewhat peculiar, the study of SN 1987A has clarified quite a number of important aspects of the nature and the properties of supernovae in general, such as the confirmation of the core collapse of a massive star as the cause of the explosion, as well the confirmation that the decays ^{56}Ni-^{56}Co-^{56}Fe at early times and ^{44}Ti-^{44}Sc at late times, are the main sources of the energy radiated by the ejecta. Still we have not been able to ascertain unambiguously whether the progenitor was a single star or a binary system, nor have we been able to detect the stellar remnant, a neutron star that should be produced in the core collapse process.
O-arm in Endonasal Endoscopic Cranial Base Surgery: Technical Note on Initial Feasibility

Background In transsphenoidal endoscopic cranial base surgery, a precise navigational support may be crucial. This is particularly evident when tumors extend to the parasellar region or in recurrent tumors whereas normal anatomy has been altered by previous surgery/radiotherapy. Methods Previous unsatisfactory experiences with various navigation techniques in this type of surgery encouraged us to perform an endoscopic endonasal approach with an O-arm (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) assisted technique for the surgical treatment of 4 patients affected respectively by an orbital tumor and 3 cases of relapse of nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma, 1 of them localized in the infrasellar-clival region. Results The system O-arm-StealthStation allows for merging intraoperative bone 3-D acquisition with preoperative computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging and provides the surgeon with an extremely reliable operative navigational tool. Conclusions This is the first report of an O-arm-assisted endoscopic surgery for cranial base tumors. Here we report on the feasibility and usefulness of such a new application of the O-arm: technical details, setting of the operating room, advantages, and limits of the method are also described. Our overall impression, considering the limited number of patients, is that use of the O-arm may be successfully extended to selected cases of cranial base tumors operated through an endoscopic endonasal approach.
Molten-Salt Reactor Chemistry

This document summarizes the large program of chemical research and development which led to selection of fuel and coolant compositions for the Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) and for subsequent reactors of this type. Chemical behavior of the LiF-BeF2-ZrF4-UF4 fuel mixture and behavior of fission products during power operation of MSRE are presented. A discussion of the chemical reactions which show promise for recovery of bred 233Pa and for removal of fission product poisons from a molten-salt breeder reactor is included.
Other Structural Systems

As explained in Chapter 1, it is possible to extend the concept of dynamic buckling to all structural systems regardless of their behavior under static application of the loads (see Figures 1.6–1.10). This extension is discussed in Section 1.3, and it is based on limiting the deflectional response of a structure (when loaded suddenly), which is in agreement with requiring boundedness of deflectional response. One should observe that in limiting the deflectional response, boundedness is automatically satisfied (in some cases enforced), while the reverse is not true.
Court Support for FDA Regulation of Drug Importation

U.S. regulations prohibit the importation of drugs from foreign countries by individuals and groups other than the manufacturer of the drugs. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
A fuzzy decision support system for pre-disaster budgeting

Estimating the potential loss from a disaster can be a difficult task due to the great uncertainty plus a lack of historical data. An integer programming budgeting system is developed for pre-disaster planning and mitigation funding where the loss parameters of the decision model are fuzzy numbers based on expert opinion. It allows for two options for representing the fuzzy numbers: the element with the highest grade of membership (the loss level that the expert feels about most strongly) and the element corresponding to the fuzzy average value at risk (AVaR) (a loss level with minimal support, but devastating consequences). A plan based on weighted preferences provides a compromise, using mitigation strategies based on maximum membership and strategies based on AVaR. Comparisons are made to illustrate how the budgeting model could be used to determine the best combination of strategies and weights for allocating mitigation dollars to balance overall risk.
Quality of life and cancer worry in a follow-up cohort of patients with asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies.

8049Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) are monoclonal gammopathies that precede multiple myeloma (MM). Although considered asymptomatic, patients diagnosed with these conditions are at greatly increased risk of developing MM. There is currently limited to no information on quality of life (QOL) or cancer worry/anxiety burden for patients with MGUS and SMM. Methods: We implemented a longitudinal QOL and cancer-related worry assessment in an observational cohort study of MGUS and SMM patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center (expected total enrollment of N = 200). Questionnaires included the QLQ-C30 cancer QOL tool and the MY20 myeloma-specific module, as well as questions to measure cancer worry. In this preliminary data analysis, a total of 46 patients completed the baseline questionnaires (MGUS = 17; SMM = 29). Results: Overall, individuals with MGUS have a worse QOL compared to SMM patients with MGUS patients reporting a > 12 point lower Gl...
Cato Supreme Court Review 2008-2009: Introduction

This is the eighth volume of the Cato Supreme Court Review, the nation’s first in-depth critique of the Supreme Court term just ended. We release this journal every year on September 17, Constitution Day, about two and a half months after the previous term concludes and two weeks before the next one begins (though this year we will already have had the Citizens United campaign finance case reargument in early September). We are proud of the speed with which we publish this tome — authors of articles about the lastdecided cases have little more than a month to provide us full drafts — and of its accessibility, at least insofar as the Court’s opinions allow for that. This is not a typical law review, after all, whose prolix submissions use more space for obscure footnotes than for article text. Instead, this is a book about law intended for everyone from lawyers and judges to educated laymen and interested citizens. And we are happy to confess our biases: We approach our subject matter from a classical Madisonian perspective, with a focus on individual liberty, property rights, and federalism, and a vision of a government of delegated, enumerated, and thus limited powers. We also try to maintain a strict separation of politics (or policy) and law; just because something is good policy doesn’t mean it’s legal, and vice versa. Similarly, certain decisions must necessarily be left to the political process: We aim to be governed by laws, not lawyers, so just as a good lawyer will present all plausibly legal options to his client, a good public official will recognize that the ultimate buck stops with him.
DETECTION OF CLINICALLY UNSUSPECTED RETINAL NEOVASCULARIZATION WITH WIDE-FIELD OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY.

Purpose To evaluate wide-field optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) for detection of clinically unsuspected neovascularization (NV) in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods This prospective observational single-center study included adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of nonproliferative DR. Participants underwent a clinical examination, standard 7-field color photography, and OCTA with commercial and prototype swept-source devices. The wide-field OCTA was achieved by montaging five 6 × 10-mm scans from a prototype device into a 25 × 10-mm image and three 6 × 6-mm scans from a commercial device into a 15 × 6-mm image. A masked grader determined the retinopathy severity from color photographs. Two trained readers examined conventional and wide-field OCTA images for the presence of NV. Results Of 27 participants, photographic grading found 13 mild, 7 moderate, and 7 severe nonproliferative DR. Conventional 6 × 6-mm OCTA detected NV in 2 eyes (7%) and none with 3 × 3-mm scans. Both prototype and commercial wide-field OCTA detected NV in two additional eyes. The mean area of NV was 0.38 mm (range 0.17-0.54 mm). All eyes with OCTA-detected NV were photographically graded as severe nonproliferative DR. Conclusion Wide-field OCTA can detect small NV not seen on clinical examination or color photographs and may improve the clinical evaluation of DR.
Program Evaluation of Camp V.I.P: Promoting Self-confidence and Independence for Patients with Spina Bifida.

Abstract Purpose Camp V.I·P (Victory, Independence, Possibilities) was established by the Spina Bifida Association of Alabama in 2012. The goal is to provide children with spina bifida (SB) and their families a traditional-style summer camp focusing on self-empowerment and fostering independence in medical self-management. Design and methods Part 1 of this study describes Camp V.I·P. structure. Part 2 describes an online survey to caregivers of campers gauging camp effectiveness and value and evaluating perceptions of confidence/independence and family connections. Camper characteristics were compared to the overall SB clinic population. Results 63 children with SB, 81 siblings, and over 100 caregivers have attended camp. Campers are similar to the overall clinic population in race, gender, and ambulation status. At camp, there are significantly more children with myelomeningocele (versus other spinal dysraphism) and lumbar functional level (versus thoracic). Survey results show that confidence grew in 93% of campers, and 86% gained greater independence. Parents stated that they created lifelong friendships. The majority of caregivers (91%) indicated “certainty” that they would attend camp again. Conclusion Camp V.I·P is a family-centered environment that emphasizes respite, nurture, and the continuum between family and clinic. Our research shows that camp can be a useful tool to aid in independence, confidence, and social adaption. Practice implications Camp has become an integral part of our comprehensive care of children with SB and has been shown to reinforce what is taught through the clinic by creating trust between the care team and campers.
APP-Mediated Signaling Prevents Memory Decline in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its metabolites play key roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. Whereas short amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides derived from APP are pathogenic, the APP holoprotein serves multiple purposes in the nervous system through its cell adhesion and receptor-like properties. Our studies focused on the signaling mediated by the APP cytoplasmic tail. We investigated whether sustained APP signaling during brain development might favor neuronal plasticity and memory process through a direct interaction with the heterotrimeric G-protein subunit GαS (stimulatory G-protein alpha subunit). Our results reveal that APP possesses autonomous regulatory capacity within its intracellular domain that promotes APP cell surface residence, precludes Aβ production, facilitates axodendritic development, and preserves cellular substrates of memory. Altogether, these events contribute to strengthening cognitive functions and are sufficient to modify the course of AD pathology.
Spatial variability of airborne radar reflectivity and velocity measurements of tropical rain with application to spaceborne radar

One of the challenges in accurate estimation of rainfall from spaceborne radars is achievement of adequate spatial resolution with reasonable-sized antennas. Previous studies have shown that variability of precipitation within the radar beam can result in errors in rainfall and Doppler estimation from spaceborne radars. In designing these radars, it is therefore necessary to achieve a spatial resolution that reduces such errors to acceptable levels. In this work the author considers data acquired by airborne radar in the tropics or sub-tropics, over ocean. The author confirms many of the findings of previous studies, specifically large Ku-band reflectivity fluctuations and relatively short Ku-band reflectivity correlation lengths in convective areas. This study also examines similar statistics for Ku-band path integrated attenuation and for vertical motion, the latter of which is not widely discussed in the literature. Results from these observations are then applied to spatial resolution considerations for future spaceborne precipitation radars.
Pulmonary and Bronchiolar Involvement in Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by mononuclear cells (principally lymphocytes) infiltrating exocrine glands (e.g., salivary and lacrimal glands), leading to destruction of exocrine epithelial cells and dryness of mucosal surfaces. Cardinal symptoms are dry eyes (xerophthalmia) and dry mouth (xerostomia). Extraglandular sites are affected in 30 to 40% of cases of SS (particularly neurological, kidneys, skin, and lungs). B cell hyperactivity, autoantibody production, and hypergammaglobulinemia are cardinal features of SS. Primary SS is not associated with other autoimmune diseases. However, SS can complicate diverse autoimmune disorders (particularly systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma); this form is termed “secondary SS.” Pulmonary involvement is usually not a dominant feature of SS, but may be severe in some cases. In this review, we discuss specific tracheal, bronchiolar, and pulmonary complications of SS including xerotrachea, bronchiolitis, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, usual interstitial pneumonia, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, organizing pneumonia, acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia, pulmonary cysts, pleural effusions, pulmonary amyloidosis, and bronchus- or lung-associated lymphomas.
Validation of Proposed Go-Around Criteria Under Various Environmental Conditions

This paper evaluates the effects of environmental conditions on touchdown performance under varying approach states and validates proposed go-around criteria developed using data from a previously conducted study under these various environmental conditions. An experiment was conducted using Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A330-200 Level D full-flight simulators in which 24 pilots flew multiple approaches under different approach conditions and environmental variables. Pilots were instructed to always land the aircraft, even from conditions considered to be an unstable approach. Various touchdown performance metrics were analyzed. In addition, pilots’ perceptions of risk under the various unstable approach conditions and resulting landings were assessed. The results of the study revealed that wind speed/direction and visibility had a stronger effect on touchdown performance than the approach parameters. Specifically, wind had a highly significant effect on longitudinal and lateral touchdown point, as well as a significant effect on sink-rate at touchdown. Wind and visibility, along with localizer deviation, also had a strong effect on pilots’ perception of risk and workload ratings. Furthermore, the study confirmed that touchdown performance was similar among the runs with a 300-foot and 500-foot starting gate, as was found in the previously conducted experiment. These results support the previous finding that lowering the go-around decision gate to 300-foot might be acceptable, but suggest that certain environmental conditions might warrant altered thresholds of the proposed go-around criteria at this gate. Finally, the findings of this experiment highlight the importance of environmental factors in the assessment of risk of unwanted outcomes on approach and landing.
The Colonial/Imperial History of Insect Food Avoidance in the United States

Interest in edible insects has increased greatly since the 2013 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization demonstrated that insects offer an appealing option for a more sustainable livestock alternative. However, overcoming the cultural bias against insect consumption is necessary in order to see widespread adoption. In order to overcome the bias, it is important to first understand it. There is not a simple answer as to why westerners do not eat insects, but using the United States as an example, this paper works to untangle the history that western culture has with insects as food; a history that is stained by the colonial exploitation of native peoples. Notions that insects are a ‘primitive’ food source and the strong disgust response they trigger can be traced back to the 15th century and Age of Exploration. These ideas have persisted because of the perpetuation of European imperial attitudes and the unconscious transfer of the disgust emotion from parents to offspring for many generations. Fortunately, continued outreach events that normalize insects as food, especially those open to families, will be helpful in reprogramming mindsets that have been deeply rooted in our culture for centuries.
Yellow Circularly Polarized Luminescence from C 1 ‐Symmetrical Copper(I) Complexes

The synthesis of chiral C1 -symmetrical copper(I) complexes supported by chiral carbene ligands is described. These complexes are yellow emitters with modest quantum yields. Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) spectra show a polarized emission band with dissymmetry factors |glum |=1.2×10-3 . These complexes are the first reported examples of molecular copper(I) complexes exhibiting circularly polarized luminescence. In contrast with most CPL-emitting molecules, which possess either helical or axial chirality, the results presented show that simple chiral architectures are suitable for CPL emission and unlock new synthetic possibilities.