cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Structure of Aluminosilicate Glasses: High-Resolution 17O and 27Al MAS and 3QMAS NMR Study

We investigate short-range order and local atomic configuration in charge-balanced aluminosilicate glasses as functions of composition, using 17O and 27Al MAS and triple-quantum magic angle spinning (3QMAS) NMR spectroscopy. Enhanced resolution in 17O and 27Al 3QMAS spectra, compared to MAS NMR, allows the quantification of the spectra and the extent of disorder using a semiempirical function relating 3QMAS efficiency to a quadrupolar coupling constant (Cq). The variations with the Si/Al ratio (R) in peak positions and widths in the isotropic dimension of 27Al 3QMAS NMR spectra in both Na- and Ca-aluminosilicate glasses can be ascribed to variations in the populations of Al sites with varying numbers of Al vs Si neighbors with composition. In the 17O 3QMAS spectra, variations of populations of three clearly resolved oxygen sites (Al−O−Al, Si−O−Al, and Si−O−Si) with R and cation field strength are consistent with the predictions given in our previous results from 29Si MAS NMR. The quadrupolar coupling prod...
First-principles theory of short-range order in size-mismatched metal alloys: Cu-Au, Cu-Ag, and Ni-Au

We describe a first-principles technique for calculating the short-range order (SRO) in disordered alloys, even in the presence of large anharmonic atomic relaxations. The technique is applied to several alloys possessing large size mismatch: Cu-Au, Cu-Ag, Ni-Au, and Cu-Pd. We find the following: (i) The calculated SRO in Cu-Au alloys peaks at (or near) the $〈100〉$ point for all compositions studied, in agreement with diffuse scattering measurements. (ii) A fourfold splitting of the $X$-point SRO exists in both ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{0.75}{\mathrm{Au}}_{0.25}$ and ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{0.70}{\mathrm{Pd}}_{0.30},$ although qualitative differences in the calculated energetics for these two alloys demonstrate that the splitting in ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{0.70}{\mathrm{Pd}}_{0.30}$ may be accounted for by $T=0$ K energetics while $T\ensuremath{\ne}0$ K configurational entropy is necessary to account for the splitting in ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{0.75}{\mathrm{Au}}_{0.25}.$ ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{0.75}{\mathrm{Au}}_{0.25}$ shows a significant temperature dependence of the splitting, in agreement with recent in situ measurements, while the splitting in ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{0.70}{\mathrm{Pd}}_{0.30}$ is predicted to have a much smaller temperature dependence. (iii) Although no measurements exist, the SRO of Cu-Ag alloys is predicted to be of clustering type with peaks at the $〈000〉$ point. Streaking of the SRO peaks in the $〈100〉$ and $〈1\frac{1}{2}0〉$ directions for Ag- and Cu-rich compositions, respectively, is correlated with the elastically soft directions for these compositions. (iv) Even though Ni-Au phase separates at low temperatures, the calculated SRO pattern in ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{0.4}{\mathrm{Au}}_{0.6},$ like the measured data, shows a peak along the $〈\ensuremath{\zeta}00〉$ direction, away from the typical clustering-type $〈000〉$ point. (v) The explicit effect of atomic relaxation on SRO is investigated and it is found that atomic relaxation can produce significant qualitative changes in the SRO pattern, changing the pattern from ordering to clustering type, as in the case of Cu-Ag.
Atomization of dilute polyisobutylene/mineral oil solutions

Atomization experiments, motivated by the need to suppress misting of machining oils, were conducted on dilute solutions of polyisobutylene (PIB) in mineral oil using a coaxial air blast atomizer and an optical (Fraunhofer diffraction) particle sizer. Polymer concentrations (0.1 to 1.0 kg/m3) and molecular weight (1.0 to 2.2 million) were varied to determine their effects on aerosol drop-size distributions. The pure oil and PIB - oil solutions were atomized at air/liquid mass ratios near 10 and atomizing air velocities of 150–270 m/s, producing droplet-size distributions with mass mean diameters (MMD) in the range of 7–15 μm for the pure oil. Under identical atomization conditions, the MMDs of PIB solutions were 20–200% higher than pure oil. These observed increases in MMD correspond to significant reductions in the fraction of droplets falling below 5 μm in diameter that constitute the misting problem in industrial machining applications. Observed effects of PIB on atomization are ascribed to the viscoelastic properties of PIB - oil solutions as characterized by the elongational viscosity ηE. This relationship is examined by correlating the change in MMD caused by PIB addition with the stress-dependent elongational viscosity of PIB-oil solutions as predicted by the FENE-P dumbbell kinetic theory. The increase in MMD due to PIB varies linearly with the predicted ηE at constant atomization tensile stress.
Multiplex real-time PCR assays for detection of four seedborne spinach pathogens

Aims To develop multiplex TaqMan real-time PCR assays for detection of spinach seedborne pathogens that cause economically important diseases on spinach. Methods and Results Primers and probes were designed from conserved sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (for Peronospora farinosa f. sp. spinaciae and Stemphylium botryosum), the intergenic spacer (for Verticillium dahliae) and the elongation factor 1 alpha (for Cladosporium variabile) regions of DNA. The TaqMan assays were tested on DNA extracted from numerous isolates of the four target pathogens, as well as a wide range of nontarget, related fungi or oomycetes and numerous saprophytes commonly found on spinach seed. Multiplex real-time PCR assays were evaluated by detecting two or three target pathogens simultaneously. Singular and multiplex real-time PCR assays were also applied to DNA extracted from bulked seed and single spinach seed. Conclusions The real-time PCR assays were species-specific and sensitive. Singular or multiplex real-time PCR assays could detect target pathogens from both bulked seed samples as well as single spinach seed. Significance and Impact of the Study The freeze-blotter assay that is currently routinely used in the spinach seed industry to detect and quantify three fungal seedborne pathogens of spinach (C. variabile, S. botryosum and V. dahliae) is quite laborious and takes several weeks to process. The real-time PCR assays developed in this study are more sensitive and can be completed in a single day. As the assays can be applied easily for routine seed inspections, these tools could be very useful to the spinach seed industry.
Embryonal Adenoma of Kidney in Adult: Case Report

Benign epithelial embryonal renal neoplasms are rare in adults and children. We report the pathological and cytogenetic analysis of an embryonal adenoma removed from an adult. CASE REPORT A 41-year-old woman presented with vague abdominal pain. A 6.5 X 5 cm. solid mass in the lower pole of the left kidney was noted on abdominal ultrasonography. Computerized tomography with intravenous contrast material demonstrated moderate enhancement of this lesion and no evidence of metastatic disease. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no evidence of renal vein involvement (fig. 1). Left radical nephrectomy was performed. The patient is radiographically free of tumor 4 months after surgery. Grossly the mass was solid, tan in color, well circumscribed and without areas of hemomhage or necrosis. Histologically the tumor was composed of uniform small cells with scant cytoplasm and nuclei with finely stippled chromatin. The tumor abutted the normal kidney without evidence of compression or capsular invasion. No mitoses were identified (fig. 21 and a Ki67 stain to detect proliferating cells stained less than 1% of the cells. The tumor was grown in tissue culture
Reduction of voltage gated sodium channel protein in DRG by vector mediated miRNA reduces pain in rats with painful diabetic neuropathy

Background: Painful neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. Previous studies have identified significant increases in the amount of voltage gated sodium channel isoforms NaV1.7 and NaV1.3 protein in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. We found that gene transfer-mediated release of the inhibitory neurotransmitters enkephalin or gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) from DRG neurons in diabetic animals reduced pain-related behaviors coincident with a reduction in NaV1.7 protein levels in DRG in vivo. To further evaluate the role of NaVa subunit levels in DRG in the pathogenesis of pain in diabetic neuropathy, we constructed a nonreplicating herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vector expressing a microRNA (miRNA) against NaVa subunits. Results: Subcutaneous inoculation of the miRNA-expressing HSV vector into the feet of diabetic rats to transduce DRG resulted in a reduction in NaVa subunit levels in DRG neurons, coincident with a reduction in cold allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical hyperalgesia. Conclusions: These data support the role of increased NaVa protein in DRG in the pathogenesis of pain in diabetic neuropathy, and provide a proof-of-principle demonstration for the development of a novel therapy that could be used to treat intractable pain in patients with diabetic neuropathy.
Regulation of insulin‐like growth factor binding protein synthesis and secretion in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) secrete insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), a family of polypeptides which modulate the actions of the insulin-like growth factors. RPE cells secrete two IGFBPs with Mr estimates of 34,000 and 46,000, respectively. Treatment of RPE cells with IGF-I markedly stimulated the secretion of the 46,000 Mr form. This stimulation occurred via an IGF-I receptor independent mechanism because both [QAYL]IGF-I (an IGF-I analogue with decreased affinity for the IGFBPs but normal affinity for the IGF-I receptor) and alpha-IR3 (a blocking monoclonal antibody against the IGF-I receptor) had no effect on IGF-I stimulated increases in IGFBPs. Additionally, [QAYL]IGF-I enhanced RPE cell proliferation to the same magnitude as IGF-I. Treatment with IGF-I, [QAYL]IGF-I, or alpha-IR3 had no effect on steady-state levels of the 2.5 kb IGFBP-3 or the 1.3 kb IGFBP-6 mRNA transcripts as measured by Northern blotting and quantitative autoradiography. Forskolin and a group of candidate growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor, modestly increased IGFBP secretion when compared to untreated cells, but these effects were small when compared to IGF-I treatment. Fetal calf serum enhanced the presence of the 2.5 kb IGFBP-3 mRNA transcript in a dose-dependent fashion but had no effect on the 1.3 kb IGFBP-6 mRNA transcript. IGF-I, forskolin, and the candidate growth factors had no effect on either IGFBP-3 or IGFBP-6 mRNA. These data suggest that the production of IGFBPs in human RPE cells is regulated by distinct mechanisms which include (1) an IGF-I receptor independent interaction of IGF-I with secreted IGFBPs and (2) de novo synthesis of IGFBPs by serum-containing factors.
CAUSATIVE FACTORS OF COLOR DETERIORATION IN STRAWBERRY PRESERVES DURING PROCESSING AND STORAGE

Factors responsible for the differences in color quality between preserves commercially manufactured from Hood and Tioga strawberry varieties were determined. Color analyses on Hood and Tioga preserves during a 26-wk storage period revealed that color deterioration occurred at a much faster rate in Tioga preserves than in Hood preserves, and that this deterioration was due to a faster rate of browning. Compositional analyses of fruit showed that the Tioga variety contained higher levels of leucoanthocyanins, flavanols and total phenolics while the Hood variety contained higher levels of anthocyanin pigment, ascorbic acid, and free amino acids. It is proposed that reactive phenolics (leucoanthocyanins, flavanols) play a major role in the color deterioration of strawberry preserves.
Upper respiratory tract disease, force of infection, and effects on survival of gopher tortoises

Upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) caused by Mycoplasma agassizii has been hypothesized to contribute to the decline of some wild populations of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). However, the force of infection (FOI) and the effect of URTD on survival in free-ranging tortoise populations remain unknown. Using four years (2003-2006) of mark-recapture and epidemiological data collected from 10 populations of gopher tortoises in central Florida, USA, we estimated the FOI (probability per year of a susceptible tortoise becoming infected) and the effect of URTD (i.e., seropositivity to M. agassizii) on apparent survival rates. Sites with high (� 25%) seroprevalence had substantially higher FOI (0.22 6 0.03; mean 6 SE) than low (,25%) seroprevalence sites (0.04 6 0.01). Our results provide the first quantitative evidence that the rate of transmission of M. agassizii is directly related to the seroprevalence of the population. Seropositive tortoises had higher apparent survival (0.99 6 0.0001) than seronegatives (0.88 6 0.03), possibly because seropositive tortoises represent individuals that survived the initial infection, developed chronic disease, and experienced lower mortality during the four-year span of our study. However, two lines of evidence suggested possible effects of mycoplasmal URTD on tortoise survival. First, one plausible model suggested that susceptible (seronegative) tortoises in high seroprevalence sites had lower apparent survival rates than did susceptible tortoises in low seroprevalence sites, indicating a possible acute effect of infection. Second, the number of dead tortoise remains detected during annual site surveys increased significantly with increasing site seroprevalence, from ; 1t o;5 shell remains per 100 individuals. If (as our results suggest) URTD in fact reduces adult survival, it could adversely influence the population dynamics and persistence of this late- maturing, long-lived species.
Mobilization of stem/progenitor cells by sulfated polysaccharides does not require selectin presence

Employing carbohydrate ligands, which have been extensively used to block selectin function in vitro and in vivo, we have examined the involvement of such ligands in stem/progenitor cell mobilization in mice and monkeys. We found that sulfated fucans, branched and linear, are capable of increasing mature white cells in the periphery and mobilizing stem/progenitor cells of all classes (up to 32-fold) within a few hours posttreatment in a dose-dependent manner. To elicit the effect, the presence of sulfate groups was necessary, yet not sufficient, as certain sulfated hexosamines tested (chondroitin sulfates A or B) were ineffective. Significant mobilization of stem/progenitor cells and leukocytosis was elicited in selectin-deficient mice (L−/−, PE−/−, or LPE−/−) similar to that of wild-type controls, suggesting that the mode of action of sulfated fucans is not through blockade of known selectins. Other mechanisms have been entertained, in particular, the release of chemokines/cytokines, including some previously implicated in mobilization. Significant increases were documented in the levels of seven circulating chemokines/cytokines within a few hours after fucan sulfate treatment and support such a proposition. Additionally, an increase was noted in plasma metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, which might independently contribute to the mobilization process by enzymatically facilitating chemokine/cytokine release. Mobilization by sulfated polysaccharides provides a distinct paradigm in the mobilization process and uncovers an additional novel in vivo biological role for sulfated glycans. As similarly sulfated compounds were ineffective in vivo, the data also underscore the fact that polysaccharides with similar structures may elicit diverse in vivo effects.
Triptolide-mediated cell death in neuroblastoma occurs by both apoptosis and autophagy pathways and results in inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B activity.

Abstract Background Neuroblastoma is an aggressive pediatric malignancy with significant chemotherapeutic resistance. We assessed triptolide as a potential therapy. Methods SH-SY5Y and IMR-32 neuroblastoma cell lines were treated with triptolide. Viability, intracellular calcium, caspase activation, protein, and mRNA levels were measured. Autophagy was evaluated with confocal microscopy. Nuclear factor–kappa B (NF-κB) activation was measured using a dual luciferase assay. Results Triptolide treatment resulted in death in both cell lines within 72 hours, with sustained increases in intracellular calcium. IMR-32 cells underwent cell death by apoptosis. Conversely, light chain 3II (LC3II) protein levels were elevated in SH-SY5Y cells, which is consistent with autophagy. Confocal microscopy confirmed increased LC3 puncta in SH-SY5Y cells compared with control cells. Heat shock pathway protein and mRNA levels decreased with treatment. NF-κB assays demonstrated inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α–induced activity with triptolide. Conclusions Triptolide treatment induces cell death in neuroblastoma by different mechanisms with multiple pathways targeted. Triptolide may serve a potential chemotherapeutic role in advanced cases of neuroblastoma.
Arabidopsis bZIP Protein HY5 Directly Interacts with Light-Responsive Promoters in Mediating Light Control of Gene Expression

The Arabidopsis HY5 gene has been defined genetically as a positive regulator of photomorphogenesis and recently has been shown to encode a basic leucine zipper type of transcription factor. Here, we report that HY5 is constitutively nuclear localized and is involved in light regulation of transcriptional activity of the promoters containing the G-box, a well-characterized light-responsive element (LRE). In vitro DNA binding studies suggested that HY5 can bind specifically to the G-box DNA sequences but not to any of the other LREs present in the light-responsive promoters examined. High-irradiance light activation of two synthetic promoters containing either the consensus G-box alone or the G-box combined with the GATA motif (another LRE) and the native Arabidopsis ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit gene RBCS-1A promoter, which has an essential copy of the G-box, was significantly compromised in the hy5 mutant. The hy5 mutation's effect on the high-irradiance light activation of gene expression was observed in both photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic tissues. Furthermore, the characteristic phytochrome-mediated red light- and far-red light-reversible low-fluence induction of the G-box-containing promoters was diminished specifically in hy5 plants. These results suggest that HY5 may interact directly with the G-box in the promoters of light-inducible genes to mediate light-controlled transcriptional activity.
Contribution of the Klebsiella pneumoniae Capsule to Bacterial Aggregate and Biofilm Microstructures

We studied the interaction between capsule production and hydrodynamic growth conditions on the internal and macroscopic structure of biofilms and spontaneously formed aggregates of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Wild-type and capsule-deficient strains were studied as biofilms and under strong and mild hydrodynamic conditions. Internal organization of multicellular structures was determined with a novel image-processing algorithm for feature extraction from high-resolution confocal microscopy. Measures included interbacterial spacing and local angular alignment of individual bacteria. Macroscopic organization was measured via the size distribution of aggregate populations forming under various conditions. Compared with wild-type organisms, unencapsulated mutant organisms formed more organized aggregates with less variability in interbacterial spacing and greater interbacterial angular alignment. Internal aggregate structure was not detectably affected by the severity of hydrodynamic growth conditions. However, hydrodynamic conditions affected both wild-type and mutant aggregate size distributions. Bacteria grown under high-speed shaking conditions (i.e., at Reynolds' numbers beyond the laminar-turbulent transition) formed few multicellular aggregates while clumpy growth was common in bacteria grown under milder conditions. Our results indicate that both capsule and environment contribute to the structure of communities of K. pneumoniae, with capsule exerting influence at an interbacterial length scale and fluid dynamic forces affecting overall particle size.
Novel Sorbents For Mercury Removal From Flue Gas

A laboratory-scale packed-bed reactor system is used to screen sorbents for their capability to remove elemental mercury from various carrier gases. When the carrier gas is argon, an on-line atomic fluorescence spectrophotometer (AFS), used in a continuous mode, monitors the elemental mercury concentration in the inlet and outlet streams of the packed-bed reactor. The mercury concentration in the reactor inlet gas and the reactor temperature are held constant during a test. For more complex carrier gases, the capacity is determined off-line by analyzing the spent sorbent with either a cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer (CVAAS) or an inductively coupled argon plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer (ICP-AES). The capacities and breakthrough times of several commercially available activated carbons as well as novel sorbents were determined as a function of various parameters. The mechanisms of mercury removal by the sorbents are suggested by combining the results of the packed-bed testing with ...
Heated Water Jet in Coflowing Turbulent Stream

The effects of ambient turbulence on temperature and salinity distributions of heated water and neutrally buoyant salt water jets were studied for a wide range of densimetric jet Froude numbers, jet discharge velocities, and ambient turbulence levels in a 4-ft wide channel. Estimates of vertical and lateral diffusivity coefficients for heat and for salt were obtained from salinity and temperature distributions taken at several stations downstream of the injection point. Readily usable correlations are presented for plume center-line temperature, plume width, and trajectory.
Correlation versus prediction in children's word learning: Cross-linguistic evidence and simulations.

The ontological distinction between discrete individuated objects and continuous substances, and the way this distinction is expressed in different languages has been a fertile area for examining the relation between language and thought. In this paper we combine simulations and a cross-linguistic word learning task as a way to gain insight into the nature of the learning mechanisms involved in word learning. First, we look at the effect of the different correlational structures on novel generalizations with two kinds of learning tasks implemented in neural networks—prediction and correlation. Second, we look at English- and Spanish-speaking 2–3-year-olds’ novel noun generalizations, and find that count/mass syntax has a stronger effect on Spanish- than on English-speaking children’s novel noun generalizations, consistent with the predicting networks. The results suggest that it is not just the correlational structure of different linguistic cues that will determine how they are learned, but the specific learning mechanism and task in which they are involved.
Immunodominant antigens of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotype b in early-onset periodontitis patients.

Previous work with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strain Y4 (serotype b) indicates that the immunodominant antigen in high-responding patients (top 10%, 80% of which were black) is the serotype-specific antigen. In this study we examined the immunodominant antigens of A. actinomycetemcomitans strain Y4 in both black and white patients having a range of antibody titers. We sought to test the hypothesis that the immunodominant antigen in these subjects was the same antigen found in high responders. Seropositive white early-onset periodontitis (EOP) patients were selected from 99 EOP patients. Black subjects were then selected with comparable antibody titers. Double immunodiffusion and competition assays were used to determine whether reactive antibodies were A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype b-specific or whether the response was to serotype a or c. The immunodominant antigens were then determined for the patients reacting specifically to A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4 using limiting dilution analysis on Western blots. The immunodominant antigen for the A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4-specific patients appeared to be the serotype-specific carbohydrate for most subjects (19/20 or 95%, including: 13/14 black and 6/6 white patients). In conclusion, the immunodominant antigen for A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4 was the serotype-specific carbohydrate regardless of antibody titer for both black and while specifically reactive patients.
Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms and Pathways

More than 400,000 children were infected with (HIV-1) worldwide in 2008, or more than 1000 children per day. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1 is the most important mode of HIV acquisition in infants and children. MTCT of HIV-1 can occur in utero, intrapartum, and postnatally through breastfeeding. Great progress has been made in preventing such transmission, through the use of antiretroviral prophylactic regimens to the mother during gestation and labor and delivery and to either mother or infant during breast feeding. The timing and mechanisms of transmission, however, are multifactorial and remain incompletely understood. This article summarizes what is known about the pathogenetic mechanisms and routes of MTCT of HIV-1, and includes virologic, immunologic, genetic, and mucosal aspects of transmission.
Transient solvent dynamics and incoherent control of photodissociation pathways in I2− cluster ions

Detailed time-resolved photodissociation and caging dynamics in clusters are studied using I2−(OCS)11 as a model system. We report new observations of product channel-dependent properties of nuclear coherence in the dissociated chromophore, reflecting complex dynamics of the solvent cage. The coherence feature is most pronounced in the caged two-photon channels and its relative amplitude increases with the product size. Shorter delays, on the time scale of coherent I⋯I− motion, favor larger products, allowing for incoherent control of two-photon dissociation pathways by appropriately timing the two laser pulses. As an example of such control, I2−(OCS)2 is produced most effectively by a limited set of pump–probe excitations at short delays. We emphasize generality of these results that relate to caging dynamics in any cluster ions.
Compiler-Directed Instruction Duplication for Soft Error Detection

In this work, we experiment with complier-directed instruction duplication to detect soft errors in VLIW datapaths. Inthe proposed approach, the compiler determines the instruction schedule by balancing the permissible performance degradation with the required degree of duplication. Our experimental results show that our algorithms allow the designer to perform tradeoff analysis between performance and reliability.
Greedy construction of load-balanced virtual backbones in wireless sensor networks

Inspired by the backbone concept in wired networks, a virtual backbone is expected to bring substantial benefits to routing in wireless sensor networks WSNs. A connected dominating set CDS is used as a virtual backbone for efficient routing and broadcasting in WSNs. Most existing works focus on constructing a minimum CDS, a k-connect m-dominating CDS, a minimum routing cost CDS, or a bounded-diameter CDS. However, the load-balance factor is not considered for CDSs in WSNs. In this paper, a greedy-based approximation algorithm is proposed to construct load-balanced CDS in a WSN. More importantly, we propose a new problem: the Load-balanced Allocate Dominatee problem. Consequently, we propose an optimal centralized algorithm and an efficient probability-based distributed algorithm to solve the Load-balanced Allocate Dominatee problem. For a given CDS, the upper and lower bounds of the performance ratio of the distributed algorithm are analyzed in the paper. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate that our proposed methods extend network lifetime by up to 80% compared with the most recently published CDS construction algorithm. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Narrowing the knowledge gaps for melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma originates from pigment producing melanocytes or their precursors and is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. For the last 40 years, few treatment options were available for patients with late-stage melanoma. However, remarkable advances in the therapy field were made recently, leading to the approval of two new drugs, the mutant BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib and the immunostimulant ipilimumab. Although these drugs prolong patients' lives, neither drug cures the disease completely, emphasizing the need for improvements of current therapies. Our knowledge about the complex genetic and biological mechanisms leading to melanoma development has increased, but there are still gaps in our understanding of the early events of melanocyte transformation and disease progression. In this review, we present a summary of the main contributing factors leading to melanocyte transformation and discuss recent novel findings and technologies that will help answer some of the key biological melanoma questions and lay the groundwork for novel therapies.
Test data compression technique for embedded cores using virtual scan chains

This paper presents a design-for-test (DFT) technique to implement a "virtual scan chain" in a core that looks (to the system integrator) like it is shorter than the real scan chain inside the core. A core with a "virtual scan chain" is fully compatible with a core with a regular scan chain in terms of both the external test interface and tester program. The I/O pins of a core with a virtual scan chain are identical to the I/O pins of a core with a regular scan chain. For the system integrator, testing a core with a virtual scan chain is identical to testing a core with a regular scan chain (no special modes, control signals, or timing sequences are needed). The only difference is that the virtual scan chain is much shorter so the size of the scan vectors and output response is smaller resulting in less test data as well as less test time (fewer scan shift cycles). The process of mapping the virtual scan vectors to real scan vectors is handled inside the core and is completely transparent to the system integrator.
Prediction of Moisture Diffusivity in Granular Materials, with Special Applications to Foods

The effective diffusion coefficient of two granular starch materials was determined from drying experiments by using the method of slopes. A method was developed, which permits the combination of the diffusion coefficient of the solid phase and the binary diffusion coefficient of water vapor in air for the prediction of the effective moisture diffusivity of the system. Several structural models of the literature were used to predict the effective moisture diffusivity of the two granular starches in the ranges of moisture content 0.0-0.6 kg of water/kg of dry solids, porosity 0.0-0.6, and temperature 20–100 °C. The results showed that the structural models can be successfully used for the prediction of the effective moisture diffusivity, and especially the Behrens model showed considerable merit. The diffusion coefficient of the solid phase (granule) was estimated by fitting the theoretical model to the experimental data.
A proposal of Serbian names for dragonfly species (Insecta: Odonata) of the Balkan Peninsula, with the checklist of Odonata of Serbia

This work presents suggestions for Serbian nomenclature for 92 Odonata species which can be found in the states of the Balkan Peninsula and adjacent territories of Hungary and Romania. Sixty-seven species are chosen in particular because of written notes about their discovery on the territory of Serbia. Comments on the names suggested are made with the previously existing Serbian vernacular names for this group of insects in mind.
High-efficiency recovery of immature haematopoietic progenitor cells with extensive proliferative capacity from human cord blood cryopreserved for 10 years

Cord blood is enriched with haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells which have high levels of proliferative, replating and expansion capacity in vitro. Cryopreserved cord blood stored for up to a few years has been used as a source of transplantable cells for related and unrelated allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Information on retrieval of immature and mature subsets of viable haematopoietic progenitor cells from long-term cryopreserved cord blood is not yet available. We therefore assessed the recovery of cord blood cells stored frozen in liquid nitrogen for up to 10 years. Calculations of efficiency of recovery were possible because the exact same culture conditions were used for pre-freeze and post-thaw cells with the serum and growth factors presently used being of similar potency to those used for the studies 10 years ago. High efficiency recovery of immature and mature progenitors was found even though a relatively unsophisticated freezing procedure had been used. Recovery of nucleated cells averaged 88% and that of granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), erythroid (BFU-E) and multipotential (CFU-GEMM) progenitors averaged from 74 to 91% for different populations, with some samples in each category being recovered at 100%. Recovery of immature progenitors responsive to stimulation in vitro with a colony stimulating factor plus the potent co-stimulating cytokine, steel factor, was also demonstrated, although the per cent recovery of such cells could not be calculated directly as steel factor was not available 9-10 years ago when the cells were originally frozen. While the cell populations assayed are not considered to represent long-term narrow repopulating cells, the data presented demonstrate that cells with very high proliferative capacity can be stored long term in cryopreserved form.
Using Virtual Reality to Understand Astronomical Knowledge and Historical Landscapes at Preclassic Cerros, Belize

This investigation explores the emergence of ancient astronomical systems of knowledge at the site of Cerros, Belize. We argue that the ancient Maya of Cerros early on observed features in the coastal landscape that marked zenith events, and over time they constructed buildings to memorialize this observation point on a unique promontory at the site. As the site grew, the system of observation at Cerros developed into a form of architecture that only elites could access, thus creating a separate privileged form of knowledge. Later construction marked other important horizon events, most notably the spring equinox. The architecture itself became a form of landscape that helped mould their ceremonial activities. Using three-dimensional reconstructions of the site based on recorded archaeological data, we focus on how the Maya at Cerros developed an astronomically influenced cosmological system.
Characterizing the Spatial Dependence of Redox Chemistry on Plasmonic Nanoparticle Electrodes Using Correlated Super-Resolution Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Imaging and Electron Microscopy

Super-resolution surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is used to investigate local surface potentials on plasmonic gold and silver colloidal aggregates using the redox-active reporter molecule, Nile Blue A. This molecule is electrochemically modulated between an oxidized emissive state and a reduced dark state. The diffraction-limited SERS emission from Nile Blue on the surface of a single plasmonic nanoparticle aggregate is fit to a two-dimensional Gaussian to track the position of the emission centroid as a function of applied potential. Potential-dependent centroid positions are observed, consistent with molecules experiencing site-specific oxidation and reduction potentials on the nanoparticle electrode surface. Correlated structural analysis performed with scanning electron microscopy reveals that molecules residing in nanoparticle junction regions, or SERS hot spots, appear to be reduced and oxidized at the most negative applied potentials as the potential is cycled.
Factor VII Deficiency In African American Individuals. Presentation, Diagnosis and Management.A Single Medical Center Experience

Background Factor VII (FVII), a vitamin K-dependent glycoprotein serine protease, is produced by the liver and plays a fundamental role in the activation of the extrinsic coagulation pathway. Hereditary factor VII deficiency is a rare coagulation disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance and an approximate prevalence of 1:500,000. Clinical manifestations vary from no symptoms to severe bleeding events and often correlate poorly with plasma levels of factor VII. Therapy for factor VII deficiency depends on the severity and the type of bleeding and includes fresh frozen plasma (FFP), antifibrinolytics and recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa). Recent data from the STER registry suggests that bleeding symptoms on presentation and factor VII activity level can be used to identify clinical variants and guide replacement therapy. The majority of patients enrolled in this registry were from European countries. Patients of African American origin remain poorly characterized. Aims We present our experience with diagnosis and management of patients, predominantly African American, in a large academic institution. We retrospectively reviewed the data on seven patients diagnosed with isolated factor VII deficiency and their management. Results Six of the seven patients followed in our institution were African American. Of them, three were female and three were male. A six month old girl was diagnosed during treatment for sepsis. She had no bleeding symptoms (FVII activity 27% on presentation, 32% one month later). The other two female patients presented with obstetrical bleeding (FVII <3% and 11% respectively). Of the male patients, two six year old twins had epistaxis (FVII activity 12%). Another six year old boy presented with trauma-associated hemorrhage, but had no prior history of bleeding (FVII 4%). Follow up data were available on five of the patients. Duration of follow up ranged from 6 months to more than 10 years. None of the patients had spontaneous bleeding, regardless of their presentation or level of FVII activity. The patients with bleeding and those who needed surgery received FFP (two patients prior to making the diagnosis) and rFVIIa (four patients). The doses used were 10-25mcg/kg in one or two applications. No bleeding and no thrombotic complications were observed with this therapy. None of the patients received antifibrinolytics. The one White Caucasian patient was a 25 year old male who presented with bleeding after trauma (FVII activity was 10%) and was managed with rFVIIa (25mcg/kg). Conclusion Our data demonstrates that, in African American patients, factor VII deficiency presents with variable clinical findings. There was poor correlation between the FVII levels and the clinical phenotype. Management with rFVIIa, used at the time of surgery or trauma at low to intermediate doses, was sufficient to prevent bleeding and was not associated with any significant complications. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
New and unusual infections in neutropenic patients

Medical practice lives with change. New advancements often bring unanticipated problems and new challenges. Thirty years ago the approach to fever in a granulocytopenic patient with acute leukemia was individualized, expectant, and based on microbiological documentation of the invading bacterial pathogen, with attribution of fever itself in large part to the underlying disease. The landmark paper of Schimpff et al. in 1971 [1] introduced the concept of empirical therapy with early administration of antibiotics directed against the most likely bacterial pathogens. This approach resulted in improved outcome from infectious episodes, and it has become the standard of therapy.
An integrated systems design of the intelligent network

An integrated system design is proposed and defined for the intelligent network. It is based on the integration of the Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) network with the conventional SCPs (service control points). This results in more effective introduction of new services. A call processing model that allows multiple application services to provide real-time behavior is proposed. An application of this model of call processing to the Private Virtual Network (PVN) application services is given. >
As a Nucleus Enters a Small Pore, Chromatin Stretches and Maintains Integrity, Even with DNA Breaks.

As a cell pushes or pulls its nucleus through a small constriction, the chromatin must distort and somehow maintain genomic stability despite ever-present double-strand breaks in the DNA. Here we visualize within a living cell the pore-size dependent deformation of a specific locus engineered into chromosome-1 and cleaved. An mCherry-tagged nuclease targets the submicron locus, causing DNA cleavage and recruiting repair factors such as GFP-53BP1 to a large region around the locus. Aspiration of a cell and its nucleus into a micropipette shows that chromatin aligns and stretches parallel to the pore. Extension is largest in small pores, increasing >10-fold but remaining 30-fold shorter than the DNA contour length in the locus. Brochard and de Gennes' blob model for tube geometry fits the data, with a simple modification for chromatin crowding. Continuity of the highly extended, cleaved chromatin is also maintained, consistent with folding and cross bridging of the DNA. Surprisingly, extensional integrity is unaffected by an inhibitor of the DNA repair scaffold.
Efficacy of the Fun For Wellness Online Intervention to Promote Multidimensional Well-Being: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Subjective well-being refers to people’s level of satisfaction with life as a whole and with multiple dimensions within it. Interventions that promote subjective well-being are important because there is evidence that physical health, mental health, substance use, and health care costs may be related to subjective well-being. Fun For Wellness (FFW) is a new online universal intervention designed to promote growth in multiple dimensions of subjective well-being. The purpose of this study was to provide an initial evaluation of the efficacy of FFW to increase subjective well-being in multiple dimensions in a universal sample. The study design was a prospective, double-blind, parallel group randomized controlled trial. Data were collected at baseline and 30 and 60 days-post baseline. A total of 479 adult employees at a major university in the southeast of the USA were enrolled. Recruitment, eligibility verification, and data collection were conducted online. Measures of interpersonal, community, occupational, physical, psychological, economic (i.e., I COPPE), and overall subjective well-being were constructed based on responses to the I COPPE Scale. A two-class linear regression model with complier average causal effect estimation was imposed for each dimension of subjective well-being. Participants who complied with the FFW intervention had significantly higher subjective well-being, as compared to potential compliers in the Usual Care group, in the following dimensions: interpersonal at 60 days, community at 30 and 60 days, psychological at 60 days, and economic at 30 and 60 days. Results from this study provide some initial evidence for both the efficacy of, and possible revisions to, the FFW intervention.
On the Initiation of the 20 June 2015 Great Plains Low-Level Jet

AbstractExtensive measurements were made of the summertime Great Plains low-level jet (LLJ) in central Kansas during June and July 2015 as a component of the Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) field study. Here, the authors describe the early phase of the LLJ development on 20 June 2015. Half-hourly soundings were launched to monitor the progress of the jet. An airborne mission was also conducted using the University of Wyoming King Air research aircraft. Vertical sawtooth patterns were flown along a fixed track at 38.7°N between longitudes 98.9° and 100.3°W to document changes in the potential temperature and wind profiles. Ageostrophic winds during the LLJ formation were also assessed. In addition, a high-resolution numerical simulation of the 20 June 2015 LLJ case was conducted using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model. Observations and model results show that the early stage of development consisted of a rapid increase in wind speed in the hours just after sunset with less pronounced d...
Subpectoral Biceps Tenodesis Using an Expanding PEEK Device

In this Technical Note, we describe a method of mini-open long head biceps subpectoral tenodesis. The implant used is a threadless expanding PEEK (polyether ether ketone) interference device that fixes the biceps tendon in a drill hole in the humerus under the inferior border of the pectoralis major tendon. The diameter of the drill hole varies between 6 and 8 mm depending on the width of the tendon. The procedure can be performed through a 3-cm incision centered on the inferior border of the pectoralis tendon. Based on our experience, it is a quick, safe, and reliable tenodesis procedure.
Exposure to Advertisements and Marijuana Use Among US Adolescents.

INTRODUCTION This study examined whether exposure to marijuana advertisements was associated with current marijuana use and frequency of use among US adolescents in grades 8, 10, and 12. METHODS Weighted estimates of exposure to marijuana advertisements and marijuana use from the 2014 and 2015 Monitoring the Future studies were investigated. Factors associated with the prevalence and frequency of marijuana use were analyzed by using logistic regression and linear regression models, respectively. RESULTS Of all respondents (n = 12,988), 13.8% reported marijuana use in the past 30 days. Exposure to marijuana advertisements was prevalent among adolescents, with 52.8% reporting exposure from internet advertisements, 32.1% from television advertisements, 24.1% from magazine or newspaper advertisements, 19.7% from radio advertisements, 19.0% from advertisements on storefronts, and 16.6% from billboards. In the multivariable analysis, current use of marijuana among adolescents was associated with exposure to marijuana advertisements on storefronts (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.4, P < .001), magazines or newspapers (adjusted OR = 1.6, P < .001), billboards (adjusted OR = 1.4, P = .002), internet (adjusted OR = 1.8, P < .001), television (adjusted OR = 1.4, P < .001) and radio (adjusted OR = 1.7, P < .001). Exposure to marijuana advertisements from the internet was associated with increased use of marijuana (β = 0.3, P = .04). CONCLUSION Exposure to marijuana advertisements was associated with higher odds of current marijuana use among adolescents. Regulations that limit marijuana advertisements to adolescents and educational campaigns on harmfulness of illicit marijuana use are needed.
A View from the Bridge: A Brief Look at the Progression of Cases of Elder Financial Exploitation Prosecutions

Elder financial exploitation is a continuing problem in the United States, and the prosecution of elder financial exploitation has failed to keep up with modern problems and laws. In this Article, the Authors explore nearly three decades of appellate decisions from across the United States. In these examples, the Authors show how different courts have treated both victims and defendants through their appellate decisions. The Authors examine the basic elements that make up financial exploitation throughout the country. Cases from many courts, and of differing notoriety are explored, noting the difference in law and discretion across the United States. Finally, the Authors suggest resources for prosecutors and discuss how the United States can catch up with those who are taking advantage of an elderly population.