cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Capital in Rural and Urban Communities

Abstract Conventional wisdom says that social capital is more common among families in rural communities than urban communities. Using data from the 1988 wave of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we compare the prevalence, type, and extent of social exchanges in these places. Results indicate that families living in rural areas are more likely to exchange exclusively with kin than are families living in urban areas. In particular, families living in rural areas are more likely to receive money help from kin than families in urban areas. Results on patterns of giving are more complex, with rural origin families with younger household heads more likely to give support to kin, and rural origin families with older heads less likely to provide such support, as compared to otherwise similar families of urban origin. Finally, only modest urban-rural differences in amounts exchanged (in dollars) are found among otherwise similar families. Overall, some of the urban-rural differences in patterns of exchange are explained by different family characteristics; however, key urban-rural differences remain, probably reflecting differences in norms and the availability of institutional support services in different areas.
B220: a B cell-specific member of the T200 glycoprotein family

T200, a major cell-surface glycoprotein on lymphoid cells, exists in several forms with different electrophoretic mobilities. These forms have been correlated with different classes of lymphoid cell. The smaller forms, with molecular weights (MWs) of congruent to 170,000 and 180,000 are found predominantly on T cells while the 220,000 MW form is associated with B cells. The polypeptide portions of each molecule may be identical or closely related as all three forms share the same allelic variations, and all reported herologous antisera and monoclonal antibodies to T200 precipitate all three forms. We report here a monoclonal antibody specific for the 220,000 MW form of T200 and show that it is expressed only on B cells and a subset of bone marrow cells which includes B cell precursors. We suggest that this form of the molecule be designated provisionally B220.
Impact of intensity-modulated radiation therapy on outcomes for malignant pleural mesothelioma treated with trimodality therapy

Objective This study aims to report on patients (pts) with potentially resectable pleural mesothelioma treated with induction chemotherapy (CT) followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and adjuvant intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
Quantitative methodology using CT for predicting survival in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma: a pilot study

Abstract Objective To develop a methodology which quantifies multiple changing lesion features resulting in an optimized computed tomography (CT) response score (CRS) for prediction of overall survival (OS) in response to treatment for metastatic colorectal carcinoma (MCRC). Subjects and Methods This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant, institutional review board-approved retrospective study evaluated multiple changing imaging findings and their correlation with OS with a new methodology comparing the baseline and first post-treatment CT scans in 38 MCRC patients on last-line chemotherapy (cetuximab and irinotecan). Tumor size/enhancement changes and interval development of new lesions were quantified with either Likert-type scales (all parameters) or Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) (size change only). The most predictive parameters for OS were used to generate the CRS with an overall range of −3 (complete disappearance) to +2 (definite tumor increase). The Cox Hazard Ratio was used to assess prediction of survival. Reader agreement was evaluated by the kappa statistic. Results Tumor size was the best predictor of OS using the Likert-type scale or RECIST. The CRS was not improved combining size change with other parameters. Use of the Likert-type scale resulted in predicting OS with a Cox hazard ratio of 1.697 ( P =.0004) and good agreement (kappa=0.73, 95% CI=0.41–1.10) between observers with no significant difference using RECIST. Conclusion The methodology produces a CRS for MCRC predicting OS resulting from therapy which expands standard RECIST guidelines to allow critical evaluation of multiple additional imaging parameters. Size change alone was found to be the best parameter of those considered in terms of maximizing agreement and prediction of OS.
Memory system characterization of big data workloads

Two recent trends that have emerged include (1) Rapid growth in big data technologies with new types of computing models to handle unstructured data, such as map-reduce and noSQL (2) A growing focus on the memory subsystem for performance and power optimizations, particularly with emerging memory technologies offering different characteristics from conventional DRAM (bandwidths, read/write asymmetries). This paper examines how these trends may intersect by characterizing the memory access patterns of various Hadoop and noSQL big data workloads. Using memory DIMM traces collected using special hardware, we analyze the spatial and temporal reference patterns to bring out several insights related to memory and platform usages, such as memory footprints, read-write ratios, bandwidths, latencies, etc. We develop an analysis methodology to understand how conventional optimizations such as caching, prediction, and prefetching may apply to these workloads, and discuss the implications on software and system design.
INHALED NITRIC OXIDE (NO) FOLLOWING RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY FOR CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE: FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVEMENT IN GAS EXCHANGE.† 157

Infants undergoing reconstructive cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) may develop pulmonary hypertension due to reactive pulmonary vasculature despite technically successful surgery. Inhaled NO reduces pulmonary vascular resistance in this setting. However, optimal dose and duration of treatment have not been correlated with pretreatment status. We investigated if there was time dependency in NO-induced improvement in either arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2) or directly measured pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) and if duration of treatment was correlated with perioperative factors. Nine infants with complex CHD, median age 7 weeks(range: 1 day to 17 months), were treated with NO (20-40 ppm) for either severe oxyhemoglobin desaturation (n=7) or for elevated Ppa (n=2) following reconstructive surgery. Eight of nine patients responded, as defined by a rise in SaO2 of ≥ 5% or by decrease in Ppa of ≥ 10% of baseline. Time to peak SaO2 response is shown for the responders treated for decreased SaO2. There was no correlation between duration of need for NO (range of 48-200 hrs.) as determined by daily brief trials without NO and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (range: 60 to 210 minutes). There was also no correlation between the 0.5 hr. response to NO and the duration of need for NO. Two of nine patients died, including one with pre-treatment SaO2 of 20% who showed no response and one who demonstrated acute decrease in Ppa. No NO-related toxicity was detected. Inhaled NO can improve gas exchange and pulmonary hypertension acutely following surgery, but the maximum response to inhaled NO may not be achieved for several hours. Neither the initial response to NO nor CBP time predicts duration of need for NO. Table
Passover in the Soviet Union, 1917–41

(2001). Passover in the Soviet Union, 1917–41. East European Jewish Affairs: Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 61-76.
A Process of Original Cataloging of Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this article is to describe the reasoning, methodology, and impact behind a semi-automated cataloging process for electronic theses and dissertations, and to explain the importance of the retention and addition of cataloger-created metadata. The authors explain an automated process that is initiated by ProQuest and student (author) entered data, and through the addition of metadata by catalogers, including the subject headings, classification number, and so on. The study includes a survey of the public service librarians’ perceived usefulness of the cataloger- and ProQuest-generated metadata to describe theses and dissertations.
Mapping cyclic nucleotide-induced conformational changes in cyclicAMP receptor protein by a protein footprinting technique using different chemical proteases.

CyclicAMP receptor protein (CRP) regulates transcription of numerous genes in Escherichia coli. Both cAMP and cGMP bind CRP, but only cAMP induces conformational changes that dramatically increase the specific DNA binding activity of the protein. We have shown previously that our protein footprinting technique is sensitive enough to detect conformational changes in CRP by cAMP [Baichoo N, Heyduk T. 1997. Biochemistry 36:10830-10836]. In this work, conformational changes in CRP induced by cAMP and cGMP binding were mapped and quantitatively analyzed by protein footprinting using iron complexed to diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid ([Fe-DTPA]2-), iron complexed to ethylenediaminediacetic acid ([Fe-EDDA]), iron complexed to desferrioxamine mesylate ([Fe-HDFO]+), and copper complexed to o-phenanthroline ([(OP)2Cu]+) as proteases. These chemical proteases differ in size, charge, and hydrophobicity. Binding of cAMP to CRP resulted in changes in susceptibility to cleavage by all four proteases. Cleavage by [Fe-EDDA] and [Fe-DTPA]2- of CRP-cAMP detected hypersensitivities in the DNA-binding F alpha-helix, the interdomain hinge, and the ends of the C alpha-helix, which is involved in intersubunit interactions. [Fe-EDDA] and [Fe-DTPA]2- also detected reductions in cleavage in the D and E alpha-helices, which are involved in DNA recognition. Cleavage by [Fe-HDFO]+ of CRP-cAMP detected hypersensitivities in beta-strand 8, the B alpha-helix, as well as in parts of the F and C alpha-helices. [Fe-HDFO]+ also detected protections from cleavage in beta-strands 4 to 5 and their intervening loop, beta-strand 7, which is part of the nucleotide binding pocket, as well as in the D and E alpha-helices. Cleavage by [(OP)2Cu]+ of CRP-cAMP detected hypersensitivities in beta-strands 9 and 11 as well as in the D and E alpha-helices. [(OP)2Cu]+ also detected protections in the C alpha-helix , the interdomain hinge, and beta-strands 2-7. Binding of cGMP to CRP resulted in changes in susceptibility to cleavage only by [(OP)2Cu]+, which detected minor protections in beta-strands 3-7, the interdomain hinge, and the C alpha-helix. These results show that binding of cAMP causes structural changes in CRP in the nucleotide binding domain, the interdomain hinge, the DNA binding domain, and regions involved in intersubunit interaction. Structural changes induced by binding of cGMP appear to be very minor and confined to the nucleotide binding domain, the interdomain hinge, and regions involved in intersubunit interaction. Use of different cleaving agents in protein footprinting seems to give a more detailed picture of structural changes than the use of a single protease alone.
Post-buckling analysis of an elastically-restrained column

Abstract The nonlinear problem of the asymmetric snap-through buckling of a cantilever column that is restrained at its tip by a stiff, inclined wire, and is loaded laterally by a tip force, admits an exact solution which was determined previously. The structure was found to be imperfection-sensitive if one considers the combined extensional stiffnesses of the wire and of the column centerline to play the role of an imperfection. The same problem is now solved using the general Koiter method of analysis for the near post-buckling equilibrium. This present result for the post-buckling load vs. deflection relation for the “perfect structure” (infinite extensional stiffnesses) is shown to be an asymptotic representation of the corresponding exact result for vanishingly small deflection. At positive deflection, the approximate values for load in the asymptotic representation are less than the exact values. A similar conclusion is drawn for the buckling load vs. imperfection amplitude relation for the imperfect structure (finite extensional stiffnesses).
Soil Moisture and pH Control Relative Contributions of Fungi and Bacteria to N2O Production

Fungal N(2)O production has been progressively recognized, but its controlling factors remain unclear. This study examined the impacts of soil moisture and pH on fungal and bacterial N(2)O production in two ecosystems, conventional farming and plantation forestry. Four treatments, antibiotic-free soil and soil amended with streptomycin, cycloheximide, or both were used to determine N(2)O production of fungi versus bacteria. Soil moisture and pH effects were assessed under 65-90 % water-filled pore space (WFPS) and pH 4.0-9.0, respectively. Irrespective of antibiotic treatments, soil N(2)O fluxes peaked at 85-90 % WFPS and pH 7.0 or 8.0, indicating that both fungi and bacteria preferred more anoxic and neutral or slightly alkaline conditions in producing N(2)O. However, compared with bacteria, fungi contributed more to N(2)O production under sub-anoxic and acidic conditions. Real-time polymerase chain reaction of 16S, ITS rDNA, and denitrifying genes for quantifications of bacteria, fungi, and denitrifying bacteria, respectively, showed that fungi were more abundant at acidic pH, whereas total and denitrifying bacteria favored neutral conditions. Such variations in the abundance appeared to be related to the pH effects on the relative fungal and bacterial contribution to N(2)O production.
Identification of unsuspected thyroid carcinoma using immunoperoxidase for thyroglobulin

Two patients with poorly differentiated metastatic cancer were shown to have metastatic thyroid carcinoma. Each patient had poorly differentiated cancer and remaining thyroid tissue in the neck. The diagnosis was secured using the immunoperoxidase technique with an antibody against thyroglobulin. The proper evaluation of patients with carcinoma of unknown primary involves specific tissue identification using special techniques in pathology.
The Timing of Influenza Vaccination for Older Adults (65 Years and Older)

While studies have found influenza vaccination to be cost-effective in older adults (65 years or older), they have not looked at how the vaccine's economic value may vary with the timing of vaccine administration. We developed a set of computer simulation models to evaluate the economic impact of vaccinating older adults at different months. Our models delineated the costs and utility losses in delaying vaccination past October and suggest that policy makers and payors may consider structuring incentives (< or =$2.50 per patient) to vaccinate in October. Our results also suggest that vaccination is still cost-effective through the end of February.
Role of inflammatory mediators in the suppression of insulin receptor phosphorylation in circulating mononuclear cells of obese subjects

Aims/hypothesis Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and inflammation. The circulating human mononuclear cell (MNC) has been shown to respond to low-dose insulin infusion. We have now investigated whether in obesity: (1) phosphorylated insulin receptor beta subunit (p-INSR-β) is reduced in the MNC; (2) pro-inflammatory mediators including inhibitor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells-kinase beta (IKBKB), suppressor of cytokine signalling-3 (SOCS) and protein kinase C-beta 2 (PRKCB2) are increased and related to p-INSR-β; and (3) the reduction in MNC p-INSR-β is related to the reduction in insulin sensitivity.
Admicellar polymerization and characterization of thin poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl acrylate) film on aluminum alloys for in-crevice corrosion control.

Corrosion control of aluminum alloys in the aerospace industry has been of great interest in recent years, especially the aging of certain fleets in the United States Air Force. A thin film of poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl acrylate) (PTFEA) has been deposited on aluminum alloy coupons by admicellar polymerization for the purpose of in situ control of corrosion in narrow gaps. Polymerization conditions were chosen based on contact angle measurements, and the final product film was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Surface characterization studies have shown that the polymeric film is approximately 10 nm thick with nonuniform deposition at this scale. The modified surface is highly hydrophobic and able to delay salt solution uptake (3.5 wt % NaCl) for a period of up to 6 h in crevice corrosion tests. PTFEA films reduced the corroded area to 20% compared to 65% for a bare aluminum control and t...
1079 ISOLATION OF VIRUSES FROM THROAT SWABS SUBMITTED FOR DETECTION OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI

Throat swabs, collected from August to November 1980, and submitted for Group A streptococci detection by the fluorescent antibody (FA) technique were studied for isolation of viruses. Ninety-four percent of specimens were from patients < 15 years of age. Most were outpatients. CulturetteTM swabs were first processed for FA before inoculation of cell cultures for viral isolation in the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory. Of a total of 163 swabs, 23% yielded virus, 8% were positive for Group A streptococci, and 1% (2 specimens) were Group A streptocci and virus positive. Viral isolates included enteroviruses (60%), parainfluenza viruses (16%), herpes simplex viruses (13%), rhinoviruses (18%), and adenoviruses (3%). An enterovirus and a parainfluenza virus were obtained from the two streptococci/virus positive specimens. Forty-seven percent and sixty-six percent of viral isolates were identifiable by day 2 and day 3 post inoculation, respectively. These data demonstrate that 1) a single throat swab is suitable for both Group A streptococcal and viral surveillance studies; 2) pediatric patients with pharyngitis yield virus much more commonly that Group A streptococci; 3) simultaneous infection is uncommon. Furthermore, detection of viruses by day 2 or 3 may prevent unnecessary antibiotic therapy.
An Investigation of Preservice Teachers' Science Process Skills and Questioning Strategies Used during a Demonstration Science Discovery Lesson.

This study was an investigation of preservice elementary teachers’ science process skills and the questioning strategies used during a discovery science lesson. The Test of Integrated Process Skills II (TIPS II) was the instrument used to measure process skills. Two hypotheses were tested through the use of independent t-tests. In the first analysis, the High TIPS II group asked significantly more questions during the science lesson than did the Low TIPS II group. In the second analysis, the High TIPS II group asked significantly more divergent, high-level, and divergent/high-level questions than did the Low TIPS II group.
Grating parameter estimation using scatterometry

The trend towards smaller design geometries for microelectronics devices places unprecedented demands on the measurement of these small structures. Two sample problems are considered. In the first case we predict the shape of developed photoresist gratings from diffraction data obtained from an angle scanning scatterometer in which a detector tracks a particular diffraction order as the angle of incidence is varied. The second problem we consider is the prediction of depths of cylindrical cells etched into Silicon. A dome scatterometer is used to collect the 2-D diffraction signal and in this case the experimental data is used to construct a data base of scatter signals.
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor is a modulator of anti-viral immunity ☆

Although immune modulation by AhR ligands has been studied for many years, the impact of AhR activation on host defenses against viral infection has not, until recently, garnered much attention. The development of novel reagents and model systems, new information regarding anti-viral immunity, and a growing appreciation for the global health threat posed by viruses have invigorated interest in understanding how environmental signals affect susceptibility to and pathological consequences of viral infection. Using influenza A virus as a model of respiratory viral infection, recent studies show that AhR activation cues signaling events in both leukocytes and non-immune cells. Functional alterations include suppressed lymphocyte responses and increased inflammation in the infected lung. AhR-mediated events within and extrinsic to hematopoietic cells has been investigated using bone marrow chimeras, which show that AhR alters different elements of the immune response by affecting different tissue targets. In particular, suppressed CD8(+) T cell responses are due to deregulated events within leukocytes themselves, whereas increased neutrophil recruitment to and IFN-gamma levels in the lung result from AhR-regulated events extrinsic to bone marrow-derived cells. This latter discovery suggests that epithelial and endothelial cells are overlooked targets of AhR-mediated changes in immune function. Further support that AhR influences host cell responses to viral infection are provided by several studies demonstrating that AhR interacts directly with viral proteins and affects viral latency. While AhR clearly modulates host responses to viral infection, we still have much to understand about the complex interactions between immune cells, viruses, and the host environment.
Crew Structure, Automation and Communication: Interaction of Social and Technological Factors on Complex Systems Performance

The effects of automation and task group social structure on group communication and performance are investigated in a simulated flight experiment. Fifty, two-person crews flew a ninety minute mission in a fully instrumented, GAT-II simulator. Crews were composed to be either homogeneous or heterogeneous with respect to crew members' flight experience and age. Approximately half of the crews flew with the aid of automated control; the other half flew manually. All cockpit communications were recorded and subjected to content analysis. Based on the analysis of twenty-four transcripts, there was no overall difference in communication patterns as a function of crew composition. However, the results indicated that heterogeneous crews tended to exchange a higher ratio of task relevant to task irrelevant statements compared to homogeneous crews, but this tendency was moderated by automation level. This interaction corresponds to performance data that show enhanced performance for heterogeneous crews in the auto...
The surface charge and double layers of thin lipid films formed from neutral lipids.

Abstract 1. 1. The specific capacitance ( C m ) of thin lipid films formed from dispersions of glyceryl-1-monoolein in n- decane has been measured as function of NaCl concentration in the presence and absence of 2,4-dinitrophenol in order to examine the double layers and surface charge of films formed from neutral lipids. 2. 2. When 2,4-dinitrophenol is absent, plots of C m against NaCl concentration ( 10 −4 −10 −1 M ) accurately fit curves predicted by double layer theory (Everitt, C. T. and Haydon, D. A. (1968) J. Theor. Biol. 18, 371–379) assuming an adsorbed surface charge of 0.769·10−7 C/cm2 corresponding to 2.08·104 A2/charge. 3. 3. In the presence of 10−4 M 2,4-dinitrophenol, an adequate fit of the dtata to the theoretical curves is obtained if the surface charge is assumed to be 2.53·10−7 C/cm2 corresponding to 6.32·103 A2/charge. This finding supports the hypothesis of S. McLaughlin (J. Membrane Biol. 9 (1972) 361–372) that 2,4-dinitrophenol adsorbs to the surface of neutral bilayers and imparts a negative charge. 4. 4. The geometrical capacitance ( C g ) of the bilayer in the absence of 2,4-dinitrophenol is 0.4057±0.0067 (S.D.) μF/cm 2 if the NaCl concentration is 10−1 M or less. C g =0.4348±0.0071 (S.D.) μF/cm 2 in 1 M NaCl. This increase is probably a result of either a real or apparent decrease in hydrocarbon thickness of approx. 3 A. In the presence of 10−4 M 2,4-dinitrophenol, C g =0.3982±0.119 (S.D.) μF/cm 2 which is not statistically different from the value obtained in the absence of 2,4-dinitrophenol.
Nocodazole delays viral entry into the brain following footpad inoculation with West Nile virus in mice

West Nile virus (WNV) infection in humans can cause neurological deficits, including flaccid paralysis, encephalitis, meningitis, and mental status change. To better understand the neuropathogenesis of WNV in the peripheral and the central nervous systems (PNS and CNS), we used a mouse footpad inoculation model to simulate a natural peripheral infection. Localization of WNV in the nervous system using this model has suggested two routes of viral invasion of the CNS: axonal retrograde transport (ART) from the PNS and hematogenous diffusion via a breakdown in the blood-choroid-plexus barrier. C57BL/6J mice were treated with nocodazole, a microtubule inhibitor that blocks ART, prior to infection with WNV. Nocodazole-treated WNV-infected mice developed a viremia 1.5 log(10) greater than untreated WNV-infected control mice at days 3 to 4 post infection (PI). Although viremia was greater in nocodazole-treated mice, detection of virus in brain tissue (spinal cord, cortex, brainstem, and cerebellum), as measured by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), did not occur until day 7. At these later time points (7 and 9 days PI), nocodazole-treated WNV-infected animals attained viral titers in these tissues similar to titers in the untreated WNV-infected control animals. These results demonstrate that a single dose of nocodazole delays, but does not block, WNV infection of the brain.
X-ray-induced reversion of the white-ivory mutant of Drosophila melanogaster.

Following X irradiation,wi reverts in oogonia and in spermatogonia. following treatment of adult females,wi reverts equally frequently in homozygotes and deficiency heterozygotes. Induced reversions are commonly recovered as clusters, indicating that they are of gonial origin. In contrast towi, two partial reversions recombine normally withwch. One of these has been tested for X-ray-induced reversion and found to be stable.
False to the Past: Charles Johnson's Parabiographical Fiction

ABSTRACT Due to their brevity, their formal and stylistic variety, and their evident basis in a didactic commercial project, the historical tales collected in Charles Johnson's Soulcatcher and Other Stories have been negatively reviewed and seldom analyzed in detail. Against this current in the criticism of Soulcatcher, this essay draws upon an important but overlooked strand in Johnson's thinking about the relationship between biography and fiction to develop an understanding of the stories' important historiographic insights. The stories merge two competing strains of contemporary fiction—metafiction and politico-historical narration—to form what the author refers to as “parabiographical fiction,” a genre that signifies on and diacritically re-presents the narratives of America's founders and founding. The author foregrounds the relation between race, gender, and literacy in three of the collection's stories to show how Johnson critiques the masculinist imperatives of both nationalist ideologies and the...
Arguments in the practical reasoning underlying constructed probability responses

Reasoning is an important cognitive activity in probability assessment, and one that has been understudied. This proposition motivates the paper's three general aims. First, based on research in rhetoric, we present a theoretical means of analyzing the arguments constructed during the reasoning that occurs in probability assessment. Second, from verbal protocol data, we establish that subjects constructed arguments in forming beliefs and assessing the associated probabilities. Third, we analyze the data for the structure of subject's arguments, including argument content and form. Subjects used a limited amount of relevant evidence and used a variety of argument forms that could be characterized by the nature of the knowledge that subjects brought to bear in forming the arguments. Subjects predominantly used causal reasoning, but also employed hierarchical category knowledge, resemblance relationships, and arguments from authority. These findings form a basis for expanding our accounts of probability assessment and for improving assessment practice.
Quantitative molecular analysis with molecular bands emission using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and chemometrics

The present work describes the first quantitative molecular prediction using laser-induced molecular bands along with chemometrics. In addition, this spectroscopic procedure has demonstrated the first complete quantitative analysis utilizing traditionally insensitive elements for pharmaceutical formulations. Atomic LIBS requires certain sensitive elements, such as Cl, F, Br, S and P, in order to quantitate a specific organic compound in a complex matrix. Molecular LIBS has been demonstrated to be the first successful approach using atomic spectroscopy to evaluate a complex organic matrix. This procedure is also the first quantitative analysis using laser-induced molecular bands and chemometrics. We have successfully applied chemometrics to predict the formulation excipients and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in a complex pharmaceutical formulation. Using such an approach, we demonstrate that the accuracy for the API and a formulation lubricant, magnesium stearate, have less than 4% relative bias. The other formulation excipients such as Avicel® and lactose have been accurately predicted to have less than a 15% relative bias. Molecular LIBS and chemometrics have provided a novel approach for the quantitative analysis of several molecules that was not technically possible with the traditional atomic LIBS procedure, that required sensitive elements to be present in both API and formulation excipients.
An ultra low power 3D integrated intra-chip silicon electronic-photonic link

A record low energy (250fJ/bit) intra-chip electronic-photonic link is demonstrated at 5Gb/s on a 3D-integrated wafer using through-oxide-vias (1.45fF-per-via) for the first time. The receiver sensitivity was −19.3dBm and the on-chip laser energy was 6fJ/bit.
Allergic cutaneous reactions to systemic corticosteroids

Contact allergic reactions to topical corticosteroids are common. Cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to systemically administered corticosteroids might occur though less frequently. The purpose of this literature review is to examine reported cases of cutaneous reactions to systemically administered corticosteroids. The data are presented considering route of administration, type of drug, type of reaction, and testing results. Corticosteroid classifications, cross-reactions, and allergy testing methods are also discussed.
Autism risk in small- and large-for-gestational-age infants

Objective We sought to determine whether small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) birthweights increase autism risk. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort analysis comparing children with autism (n = 20,206) within a birth cohort (n = 5,979,605). Stratification by sex and birthweight percentile (SGA, 10th to 95th percentile) preceded Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel analysis for GA effect, and multivariate analysis. Results Autism risk was increased in preterm SGA ( 95th percentile) infants 39-41 weeks (aOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08–1.26), but was decreased in preterm LGA infants 23-31 weeks (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.21–0.95). Conclusion SGA was associated with autism in preterm infants, while LGA demonstrated dichotomous risk by GA, with increased risk at term, and decreased risk in the premature infants. These findings likely reflect disparate pathophysiologies, and should influence prenatal counseling, pediatric autism screening, and further autism research.
Unbundling electric generation and transmission services

Abstract Today's typical vertically integrated utility sells electricity and associated services as a bundled product. These ancillary services support and make possible the provision of the basic services of generating capacity, energy supply, and power delivery. These ancillary services include the following: management of generating units; reserve generating capacity to follow variations in customer loads, to provide capacity and energy when generating units or transmission lines suddenly fail, to maintain electric-system stability, and to provide local area security; transmission-system monitoring and control; replacement of real power and energy losses; reactive-power management and voltage regulation; transmission reserves; repair and maintenance of the transmission network; metering, billing, and communications; and assurance of appropriate levels of power quality.
Microstructure, microchemistry and environmental cracking susceptibility of friction stir welded 2219-T87

Abstract The microstructure, the microchemistry and the environmental assisted cracking susceptibility was investigated for friction stir welded 2219-T87 plates. It was found that the coarsening of the Al2Cu intragranular precipitates occurring within the thermo-mechanically and the heat affected zones after friction stir welding correlates with a decrease in the hardness values. The regions with the lowest hardness are relatively narrow in size and are limited to the boundary between the thermo-mechanically affected zone and the nugget. The weld microzones exhibited a different microstructure but a similar environmental assisted cracking susceptibility. The environmental cracking susceptibility of the weld was generally low. The constant extension rate tensile tests were carried out in air and in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. For samples tested transverse to the welding direction failure occurred within the thermo-mechanically affected zone–nugget boundary. The thermo-mechanically affected zone–nugget boundary was also the softer region of the weld. The corrosion immersion tests indicated an increased resistance to corrosion for the friction stir welded region as compared to the weld unaffected parent metal.
Structures of nitroreductase in three states: effects of inhibitor binding and reduction.

The crystal structure of the nitroreductase enzyme from Enterobacter cloacae has been determined for the oxidized form in separate complexes with benzoate and acetate inhibitors and for the two-electron reduced form. Nitroreductase is a member of a group of enzymes that reduce a broad range of nitroaromatic compounds and has potential uses in chemotherapy and bioremediation. The monomers of the nitroreductase dimer adopt an α+β fold and together bind two flavin mononucleotide prosthetic groups at the dimer interface. In the oxidized enzyme, the flavin ring system adopts a strongly bent (16°) conformation, and the bend increases (25°) in the reduced form of the enzyme, roughly the conformation predicted for reduced flavin free in solution. Because free oxidized flavin is planar, the induced bend in the oxidized enzyme may favor reduction, and it may also account for the characteristic inability of the enzyme to stabilize the one electron-reduced semiquinone flavin, which is also planar. Both inhibitors bind over the pyrimidine and central rings of the flavin in partially overlapping sites. Comparison of the two inhibitor complexes shows that a portion of helix H6 can flex to accommodate the differently sized inhibitors suggesting a mechanism for accommodating varied substrates.
Spherical means and CR functions on the Heisenberg group

The injectivity of the spherical mean value operator on the Heisenberg group is studied. Whenf ∈L P (Hn), 1 ≤p < ∞ it is proved that the spherical mean value operator is injective. When 1 ≤p ≤ 2,f(z, ·) ∈L P (ℝ) the same is proved under much weaker conditions in the z-variable. Some extensions of recent results of Agranovskyet al. regardingCR functions on the Heisenberg group are also obtained.
A Functional Six-Nucletide Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism in the CASP8 Promoter Region Protects Against Cutaneous Melanoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Purpose Caspase 8 is an apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase that is mainly involved in the death receptor (FAS/FASLG) pathway. Studies have shown that the CASP8 D302H minor variant genotypes protect against breast cancer risk in different ethnic groups and that the minor functional -652 6N del allele protected against several types of cancer in a Chinese population. This study was to identify such an association in Caucasians. Methods We conducted a hospital-based case-control study of 805 cutaneous melanoma and 1023 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and 1584 cancer-free controls to assess the association between two selected genetic polymorphisms (-652 6N ins/del and D302H) of the CASP8 gene and risk of melanoma and SCCHN. We genotyped these two polymorphisms by the PCR-based assays and estimated related haplotypes for all subjects and detected camptothecin-induced apoptotic cells in cultured lymphocytes from 170 cancer-free controls. We used multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis to calculate the odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals and assessed gene-environment interactions. Results We found that the CASP8 -652 6N del variant genotypes or haplotypes carrying the -652 6N del allele protected against risk of both melanoma (adjusted OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58 to 0.95) and SCCHN (adjusted OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.95), whereas CASP8 302H variant genotypes protected against risk of melanoma (adjusted OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.85) but not SCCHN (adjusted OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.87 to 1.30), compared to the common homozygous genotypes. We also found that the number of the CASP8 -652 6N del (but not 302H) variant tended to be correlated with increased levels of camptothecin-induced apoptosis. Conclusion The CASP8 -652 6N del variant is risk factor for the studies cancers in Caucasians and may have an effect on apoptosis in response to DNA damage through the mitochondrial pathway, in addition to the FAS/FASLG-mediated pathway. Further validation by population-based case-control studies and mechanistic studies are warranted.
Identification of Druggable Cancer Driver Genes Amplified across TCGA Datasets

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) projects have advanced our understanding of the driver mutations, genetic backgrounds, and key pathways activated across cancer types. Analysis of TCGA datasets have mostly focused on somatic mutations and translocations, with less emphasis placed on gene amplifications. Here we describe a bioinformatics screening strategy to identify putative cancer driver genes amplified across TCGA datasets. We carried out GISTIC2 analysis of TCGA datasets spanning 14 cancer subtypes and identified 461 genes that were amplified in two or more datasets. The list was narrowed to 73 cancer-associated genes with potential “druggable” properties. The majority of the genes were localized to 14 amplicons spread across the genome. To identify potential cancer driver genes, we analyzed gene copy number and mRNA expression data from individual patient samples and identified 40 putative cancer driver genes linked to diverse oncogenic processes. Oncogenic activity was further validated by siRNA/shRNA knockdown and by referencing the Project Achilles datasets. The amplified genes represented a number of gene families, including epigenetic regulators, cell cycle-associated genes, DNA damage response/repair genes, metabolic regulators, and genes linked to the Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, JAK/STAT, NF-KB and MAPK signaling pathways. Among the 40 putative driver genes were known driver genes, such as EGFR, ERBB2 and PIK3CA. Wild-type KRAS was amplified in several cancer types, and KRAS-amplified cancer cell lines were most sensitive to KRAS shRNA, suggesting that KRAS amplification was an independent oncogenic event. A number of MAP kinase adapters were co-amplified with their receptor tyrosine kinases, such as the FGFR adapter FRS2 and the EGFR family adapter GRB7. The ubiquitin-like ligase DCUN1D1 and the histone methyltransferase NSD3 were also identified as novel putative cancer driver genes. We discuss the patient tailoring implications for existing cancer drug targets and we further discuss potential novel opportunities for drug discovery efforts.
Apple Quality as Influenced by Fumigation with Methyl Bromide

The use of methyl bromide (MeBr) did not detract from the firmness or skin color of‘Delicious’, ‘Golden Delicious’ or ‘Granny Smith’ apples. Fruit fumigation with MeBr resulted in a darkening of the objective and subjective internal flesh color of ‘Delicious apples, particularly unwaxed apples treated with 48g MeBr/m3 at 20°C for 2 hr. Internal flesh color of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples was not influenced at 48g MeBr/m3 at 6°C for 2 hr. Fumigation with 32g MeBr/ m3 at 20°C or 56g MeBr/m3 at 6°C for 2 hr did not detract from the firmness or internal color quality of ‘Delicious’, ‘Golden Delicious’ or ‘Granny Smith’ apples after 60 days in storage. MeBr-treated apples displayed greater acidity and less ethylene production than control fruit. Higher MeBr treatment temperature and the use of wax on fruit directly influenced the reaction of apples to MeBr fumigation.
Haplotype structure enables prioritization of common markers and candidate genes in autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that results in behavioral, social and communication impairments. ASD has a substantial genetic component, with 88–95% trait concordance among monozygotic twins. Efforts to elucidate the causes of ASD have uncovered hundreds of susceptibility loci and candidate genes. However, owing to its polygenic nature and clinical heterogeneity, only a few of these markers represent clear targets for further analyses. In the present study, we used the linkage structure associated with published genetic markers of ASD to simultaneously improve candidate gene detection while providing a means of prioritizing markers of common genetic variation in ASD. We first mined the literature for linkage and association studies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms, copy-number variations and multi-allelic markers in Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) families. From markers that reached genome-wide significance, we calculated male-specific genetic distances, in light of the observed strong male bias in ASD. Four of 67 autism-implicated regions, 3p26.1, 3p26.3, 3q25-27 and 5p15, were enriched with differentially expressed genes in blood and brain from individuals with ASD. Of 30 genes differentially expressed across multiple expression data sets, 21 were within 10 cM of an autism-implicated locus. Among them, CNTN4, CADPS2, SUMF1, SLC9A9, NTRK3 have been previously implicated in autism, whereas others have been implicated in neurological disorders comorbid with ASD. This work leverages the rich multimodal genomic information collected on AGRE families to present an efficient integrative strategy for prioritizing autism candidates and improving our understanding of the relationships among the vast collection of past genetic studies.
Emergency endometrial ablation for life-threatening uterine bleeding as a result of a coagulopathy

The clinician has few medical and surgical options for managing life-threatening uterine hemorrhage. Hormone therapy often fails to arrest the bleeding. Hysterectomy under these emergency circumstances is also not optimal. Emergency endometrial ablation was successful in stopping exsanguinating uterine hemorrhage in three women and may be an important alternative in management of this disorder.
Real-time content-aware video retargeting for tunnel vision assistance

Image and video retargeting technologies are effective means of resizing media for aspect ratio constrained applications. In this paper, a real-time video retargeting model is proposed for smartphone implementation and potential application to low vision assistance for individuals with tunnel vision. Seam carving is a content-aware retargeting operator which defines 8-connected horizontal or vertical paths, or seams of pixels. The optimality of these seams is based on a specific energy function. Seam removal permits changes in the aspect ratio while simultaneously preserving important regions. This paper introduces a video retargeting model that incorporates spatial and temporal considerations to preserve visual integrity. Face detection masks and salience maps are used to achieve more comprehensive results. Additionally, formulation of a novel temporal coherence measure is presented that allows for retargeting on streaming video in real-time. Integration of the model with a mobile platform emphasizes its portability.
Hepatitis C genotype 1 infection in HIV–Infected patients in the era of direct‐acting antiviral therapy

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Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in 10-nm filaments and microtubule preparations from bovine brain

Abstract Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity (3′:5′-cyclic-AMP 5′-nucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.17), which is activatable by Ca2+-dependent regulator protein (CDR), has been identified in cycled microtubule preparations from bovine brain. By using various methods to fractionate the microtubule preparation into subfractions (e.g., phosphocellulose chromatography to obtain purified 6S tubulin and soluble microtubule-associated proteins, and gel exclusion chromatography on Bio-Gel A-150m to obtain 10-nm filaments), we found that all the fractions exhibited some enzymic activity, but that most of the phosphodiesterase activity was localized in the 10-nm filament fraction. By using cyclic GMP as substrate, a specific activity of 921 ± 168 pmol/mg of filament protein·min was determined. Also, 10-nm filaments were prepared directly from brain homogenates by differential centrifugation and gel exclusion chromatography. This fraction also contained phosphodiesterase activity but of slightly lower specific activity (752 ± 9 pmol/mg of protein·min). The filament-associated enzymic activity was stable during storage (-70°C) and to several salt extractions at moderate ionic strength (0.5 M); the latter finding indicates that the phosphodiesterase is not adsorbed to the filaments via nonspecific electrostatic interactions. Although a chelating agent was present in the initial homogenization buffer and generally in all buffers used in preparing fractions, an activator of a smooth muscle phosphodiesterase was released upon boiling the 10-nm filaments. This activator obtained in the boiled supernatant was Ca2+-sensitive, trifluoperazine-sensitive, and stimulated smooth muscle phosphodiesterase to nearly the same extent as purified (exogenous) CDR; thus, it probably represents filament-associated CDR.
Journalistic Role Conceptions and Sourcing Practices: A Study of U.S. Citizen Journalists

A national online survey of U.S.-based citizen journalists is conducted to assess their journalistic role conceptions along with their sourcing practices. Findings reveal citizen journalists align their views moderately with five journalistic role conceptions identified in the literature — disseminator, interpreter, adversary and populist mobilizer — along with the civic function. Citizen journalists were found to most frequently rely on mainstream and online media reports. However, regression analyses reveal that mainstream and online media sources were negative predictors of the disseminator and civic roles while interpersonal connections and experiences emerged as positive predictors of these roles. Official sources were also found to function as a negative predictor of the adversary role. The importance of sourcing routines and patterns of citizen journalists are discussed in the context of developing citizen journalistic professionalism.