cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative mutagenesis of the dumpy locus in Drosophila melanogaster. I. X-ray treatment of mature sperm--frequency and distribution.

Evidence is presented to support the view that the majority of x-ray- induced mutations at the dumpy locus are gene mutations not associated with multibreakage events. Nonvariegated mosaicism at the dumpy locus is usually free of detectable breakage events. Complete mutations (those affecting the entire body) form a mixed class of breakage events and gene mutations. The mutation frequency of the dumpy gene was not altered when sperm bearing a pre-existing dumpy mutation were used for irradiation. Gross mutation detected at the clot locus is one tenth that of the dumpy locus. Criteria are evaluated for determining the true gene mutation frequencies at both loci. The results of the x-ray analysis of the dumpy locus support a theory of mutagenesis proposed by Muller, Carlson, and Schalet (1961). (auth)
Clock-like Flow Replacement Schemes for Resilient Flow Monitoring

In the context of a collaborating surveillance system for active TCP sessions handled by a networking device, we consider two problems. The first is the problem of protecting a flow table from overflow and the second is developing an efficient algorithm for estimating the number of active flows coupled with the identification of "heavy-hitter" TCP sessions. Our proposed techniques are sensitive to limited hardware and software resources allocated for this purpose in the linecards in addition to the very high data rates that modern line cards handle; specifically we are interested in cooperatively maintaining a per-flow state with a low cost, which has resiliency on dynamic traffic mix. We investigate a traditional timeout processing mechanism to manage the flow table for per-flow monitoring, called Timeout-Based Purging (TBP), our proposed Clock-like Flow Replacement (CFR) algorithms using a replacement policy, called "clock", and a hybrid approach combining these two. Experiments with Internet traces show that our CFR schemes can significantly reduce both false positive and false negative rates regardless of whether the flow table is fully occupied or sufficiently empty, even under SYN flooding. Our hybrid scheme estimates the number of active flows accurately, and confines the heavy-hitters without storing packet counters.
Pressure Denaturation of Staphylococcal Nuclease Studied by Neutron Small-Angle Scattering and Molecular Simulation

We studied the pressure-induced folding/unfolding transition of staphylococcal nuclease (SN) over a pressure range of ∼1–3 kilobars at 25°C by small-angle neutron scattering and molecular dynamics simulations. We find that applying pressure leads to a twofold increase in the radius of gyration derived from the small-angle neutron scattering spectra, and P(r), the pair distance distribution function, broadens and shows a transition from a unimodal to a bimodal distribution as the protein unfolds. The results indicate that the globular structure of SN is retained across the folding/unfolding transition although this structure is less compact and elongated relative to the native structure. Pressure-induced unfolding is initiated in the molecular dynamics simulations by inserting water molecules into the protein interior and applying pressure. The P(r) calculated from these simulations likewise broadens and shows a similar unimodal-to-bimodal transition with increasing pressure. The simulations also reveal that the bimodal P(r) for the pressure-unfolded state arises as the protein expands and forms two subdomains that effectively diffuse apart during initial stages of unfolding. Hydrophobic contact maps derived from the simulations show that water insertions into the protein interior and the application of pressure together destabilize hydrophobic contacts between these two subdomains. The findings support a mechanism for the pressure-induced unfolding of SN in which water penetration into the hydrophobic core plays a central role.
Detection of a Large Arc of Ionized Hydrogen Far above the Cassiopeia OB6 Association: A Superbubble Blowout into the Galactic Halo?

The Wisconsin Hα Mapper Northern Sky Survey has revealed a loop of H II reaching 1300 pc from the Galactic midplane above the Cassiopeia OB6 association in the Perseus spiral arm. This enormous feature surrounds and extends far above the "W4 chimney" identified by Normandeau, Taylor, and Dewdney and appears to be associated with the star formation activity near the W3/W4/W5 H II region complex. The existence of this ionized structure suggests that past episodes of massive star formation have cleared the H I from an enormous volume above the Perseus arm, allowing Lyman continuum photons from O stars near the Galactic midplane to reach into the halo.
The Contribution of Behavioral Archaeology and the Research of Michael B. Schiffer to the Discipline

I evaluate the impact of Behavioral Archaeology within the discipline, focusing particularly on the contributions of Mike Schiffer who originally proposed the approach and has continued to be the primary advocate. I suggest that Behavioral Archaeology has made several key contributions over the last four decades. However, to answer most of the broad range of questions of interest to the discipline, a variety of complementary methodological and theoretical approaches must be employed.
Synergies and Competition Between Life in Cyberspace and Face-to-Face Communities

This article questions three common assumptions: that (a) electronic forums will necessarily strengthen preexisting face-to-face territorial (and other intact) communities, (b) electronic forums will replace them with comparably prosocial forms, and (c) "market forces" will naturally foster prosocial electronic forums. It proposes a strong research program that examines how the social design/organization of electronic forums strengthens or weakens group life in workplaces and communities.
Information-Rich Environments: Single-Sense, Multisensory, and Interactive

This chapter defines information-rich environments, explains the range of information objects that constitute such environments, and outlines the learning affordances these objects offer as identified by decades of research in environments that largely predate the Internet and the World Wide Web. Although research interest in such “traditional” environments has waned in recent years, understanding how the characteristics of various information formats can support learning in their own unique ways is prerequisite to exploiting the full learning potential of today’s information-rich environments. The chapter surveys the learning affordances of single-sense, multisensory, and stand-alone interactive information formats both to explore how these formats can support learning in their own right and to provide a foundation for considering how they can support learning in the more complex and interconnected venues available today. Concluding with a focus on interactivity—the primary learning affordance of the twenty-first century’s most compelling learning environments—the chapter ties information to learning across the full range of information-rich environments.
Multicenter Study of Highly Cross-linked vs Conventional Polyethylene in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Despite substantial interest and use of highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), outcomes remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to compare HXLPE and conventional polyethylene at 4- to 5-year follow-up. Methods A prospective multicenter study of 307 posterior-stabilized TKAs (168 conventional and 139 HXLPE) was performed. Short-Form-6D, Short-Form 36, Knee Society Score, Lower Extremity Activity Score, health-related quality of life outcomes, and radiographs were collected preoperatively and at routine postoperative intervals. Results Two hundred twenty-four patients obtained a minimum 4- to 5-year follow-up for analysis. There were no osteolysis or polyethylene failures in either group. Although both conventional and HXLPE poly groups showed significant improvements in all measures from preoperative baselines ( P P = .04), Lower Extremity Activity Score ( P = .03), and Short-Form 36 Physical Composite Score ( P = .03) scores and a greater improvement in Short-Form 6D health-related quality of life of 0.16 points ( d = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.01-1.11) at latest follow-up. Conclusion The study findings support comparative safety and outcomes of HXLPE related to mechanical failure or osteolysis in the midterm. However, longer-term follow-up is warranted to assess whether wear and mechanical properties of HXLPE are maintained in vivo.
Can functional traits explain phylogenetic signal in the composition of a plant community

Phylogeny-based and functional trait-based analyses are two principle ways to study community assembly and underlying ecological processes. In principle, knowing all information about species traits would make phylogenetic information redundant, at least that component of phylogenetic signal in the distribution of species among communities that is caused by phylogenetically related species sharing similar traits. In reality, phylogenies may contain more information than a set of singular, discretely measured traits because we cannot measure all species traits and may misjudge which are most important. The extent to which functional trait information makes phylogenetic information redundant, however, has not been explicitly studied with empirical data in community ecology. Here, we use phylogenetic linear mixed models to analyze community assembly of 55 understory plant species in 30 forest sites in central Wisconsin. These communities show strong phylogenetic attraction, yet variation among sites in 20 environmental variables could not account for this pattern. Most of the 15 functional traits we measured had strong phylogenetic signal, but only three varied strongly among sites in ways that affected species' abundances. These three traits explained only 19% of variation in phylogenetic patterns of species co-occurrence. Thus, phylogenies appear to provide considerably more information about community assembly than the functional traits measured in this study, demonstrating the value of phylogeny in studying of community assembly processes even with abundant functional traits.
Expansion of Regulatory T Cells In Vitro and In Vivo by IL-33

Thymic-derived, regulatory T cells (Treg) represent a subset of CD4(+) T cells that are required for normal immune homeostasis and suppression of unwanted responses against self-antigens (Ags) that prevent autoimmunity. Their role as immune regulators and potent ability to suppress T cell responses has been the focus of intense investigations aimed at utilizing these cells therapeutically, particularly in the settings of autoimmunity and transplantation. Many methods for expanding Treg have been described; however, efforts to generate large numbers of Treg for use in vivo often compromise their suppressor function or rely on the induction of Treg rather than their expansion. Our recent studies have focused on the barrier tissue-derived cytokine IL-33, a recently described IL-1 family member. IL-33 has emerged as a multifunctional protein, with reported roles in driving potent Type 1 and Type 2 immunity, as well as facilitating profound Treg expansion in vitro and in vivo. IL-33-expanded Treg express the IL-33 receptor (R) ST2, and express classical markers associated with Treg phenotype and suppressor function. They suppress both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell proliferation and effector functions in vitro, and Treg expressing ST2 have been identified as important regulators of detrimental immune responses in vivo. In the present chapter, we detail methods for expanding significant numbers of Treg using IL-33 both in vitro and in vivo that may potentially be used to promote/maintain organ transplant tolerance or suppress autoimmunity.
How Objective is Peer Review? Evidence from Self-Regulation of the Accounting Profession

I test whether peer reviews performed under the AICPA's Peer Review Program were objective indicators of audit quality. Using PCAOB inspection opinions of audit firms as a neutral, independent benchmark of audit quality, I find that firms that themselves review other firms consistently receive more favourable opinions from peer reviews than from PCAOB reviews. Firms with peer reviewers who are less likely to be independent (or more likely to be friendly), such as smaller, non-competing firms and firms likely to be `peer review specialists', also receive significantly more favourable opinions from peer review than from the PCAOB. Also, while positive peer reviews from relatively independent reviewers are negatively related to the likelihood of Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Releases, positive peer reviews from more friendly reviewers are not. These findings suggest that not all peer reviews were objective or rigorous, and that some firms were able to control peer review outcomes by choosing friendly reviewers. However, it is unclear whether audit committees impounded the independence of peer review opinions when using these opinions in decisions to hire or fire auditors.
The Experience of Cancer in American Indians Living in Oklahoma.

Many cancers in American Indians (AIs) are not diagnosed early leading to effects on physical, social, and emotional well-being or quality of life (QOL). Little research has been done on QOL of AIs...
Transforming Library Instruction Through Creativity

In this conceptual paper, I provide ideas for challenging library traditions, including the habits of our institution and the habitats they occupy. As librarians, we can encourage play and manage failure through reflection and iteration rather than penalty and closure. Librarians can create a classroom environment that allows for mistakes and child-like inquiry. Once we are less afraid to make mistakes, we open up the environment for play and experimentation. As the stakes for student success in American universities rise, the university library has an opportunity to engage students in their learning through critical pedagogy and reflective information literacy. It is important to establish a sense of adventure in confronting new realities about higher education and the way students learn. As we seek creative solutions in the classroom to stimulate thinking and fuel a renaissance in education for the twenty-first century, the library can lead the way for cross-disciplinary germination.
What Are the Advantages of Hyperproof-like Reasoning Systems?

Hyperproof is one of the first systems to permit and encourage reasoning across heterogeneous media. Its advocates argue that it has merits over and above the obvious pragmatic and cognitive ones. This paper suggests analysing Hyperproof-like systems in terms of languages interpreted over a common conceptual scheme and translation relations between logical expressions in such languages. This analysis shows that, despite initial appearances, Hyperproof has no real theoretical merits apart from its admittedly important pragmatic advantages.
Successful Resuscitation With Intralipid After Marcaine Overdose.

The authors present the case of a 32-year-old woman who underwent concomitant abdominoplasty and mastopexy. Before discharge from the recovery room, she experienced cardiac arrest and seizures resulting from an accidental overdose of Marcaine, caused by failure of an intramuscular pain pump. The anesthesiologist initiated a rescue protocol with an Intralipid 20% bolus (1.5 mg/kg), followed by continuous intravenous infusion of 0.25 mg/kg for 60 minutes. The Intralipid intervention resulted in a successful outcome. This case emphasizes the importance of ensuring the availability of Intralipid 20% infusion in the operating room. Plastic surgeons who place postoperative pain pumps must be aware of this method of resuscitation and its effectiveness in treating possible cases of local anesthetic overdose or toxicity. Level of Evidence: 5 ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Comparison of spatial frequency domain features for the detection of side attack explosive ballistics in synthetic aperture acoustics

Explosive hazards in current and former conflict zones are a threat to both military and civilian personnel. As a result, much effort has been dedicated to identifying automated algorithms and systems to detect these threats. However, robust detection is complicated due to factors like the varied composition and anatomy of such hazards. In order to solve this challenge, a number of platforms (vehicle-based, handheld, etc.) and sensors (infrared, ground penetrating radar, acoustics, etc.) are being explored. In this article, we investigate the detection of side attack explosive ballistics via a vehicle-mounted acoustic sensor. In particular, we explore three acoustic features, one in the time domain and two on synthetic aperture acoustic (SAA) beamformed imagery. The idea is to exploit the varying acoustic frequency profile of a target due to its unique geometry and material composition with respect to different viewing angles. The first two features build their angle specific frequency information using a highly constrained subset of the signal data and the last feature builds its frequency profile using all available signal data for a given region of interest (centered on the candidate target location). Performance is assessed in the context of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves on cross-validation experiments for data collected at a U.S. Army test site on different days with multiple target types and clutter. Our preliminary results are encouraging and indicate that the top performing feature is the unrolled two dimensional discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of SAA beamformed imagery.
Monitor of schistosomiasis endemic situation in national surveillance sites of Hubei Province(2009-2010)

Objective To identify the schistosomiasis situation of Hubei province in 2009-2010,so as to provide evidence for schistosomiasis contro1.Methods The surveillance was carried out in 16 national surveillance sites of Hubei Province according to the national surveillance protocol.Data of the two years were analyzed.Results In the 16 national surveillance sites in 2009 and 2010,the infection rate of residents was 1.03% and 0.89% respectively.As compared with 2009,it dropped 13.59% in 2010.Fisherman had the highest infection rate among all the professionals.The average infection rate of cattle was 1.98% and 1.41% respectively.The density of infected snails and the snail infection rate descended obviously,which were 53.66% and 57.55% respectively.In 2010 the live average density had an increase of 10.43%,as compared with that in 2009. Conclusions In the surveillance sites the infection rate of both human and cattle dropped persistently,however,in a few surveillance sites the infection rate of snails remained high.Therefore,it is necessary to strengthen snail control,and promote the effect of snail eradication.
Analysis on College P.E. Teachers' Cultural Literacy under the Horizon of Teacher Professionalization

This article analyses college P.E. teachers' cultural literacy under the horizon of teacher professionalization with the methods of literature material, logic analysis and induction. Results are that: under the horizon of teachers' professionalization, college P.E. teachers' cultural literacy is a complex process of dynamic development, which can highlight their personality charm and technique charm with hidden quality of multiple cultural knowledge and dominant qualities of individual techniques, organizational ability, research ability, innovation ability, ability to collect information, and so on; facing different teaching objects, P.E. teachers can organize physical education classes successfully with flexible physical education teaching modes.
Patient-reported symptoms and adequacy of dialysis as measured by creatinine clearance

A patient-reported checklist was used to assess adequacy of dialysis as measured by 24-hour creatinine clearance in 40 patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis. The checklist consisted of 13 symptom...
Recent and changing concepts of hyperbilirubinemia and its management in the newborn.

Because indirect hyperbilirubinemia is potentially toxic to the newborn, it must be dealt with aggressively in terms of differential diagnosis and specific therapy. The use of phototherapy is evaluated in detail.
Sinagua and Salado Similarities as Seen from the Verde Valley

A brief sketch of the cultural history of the Verde Valley is presented, considering the Upper and Lower Verde separately. Similarities between the Sinagua and Salado relative to architecture, buri...
Sizing a common habitat for multiple environments and mission durations

A human mission to Mars and other deep space destinations will require a consistent habitation strategy that applies to disparate environments preferably using multiples of identical hardware. The crew will endure high-g forces during launch, microgravity during transit, and various partial gravities on the destination planet, moon, or asteroid. Habitable volume will likely need to be broken up into smaller modules that do not exceed the capacity of launch vehicles and entry-descent-landing technologies. Though it may be possible to design a different unique, optimized habitat for each environment that the crew may encounter, it is more likely that space agencies and other mission sponsors will only have the resources to develop and produce single multi-use hardware that can be used equally well in all environments, with minimal adaptation by the crew. When sizing habitable volume, mission duration and number of crew become important factors to consider. For example, a pressurized rover cabin may only need to support two crew members for a few days at a time, requiring less volume than a habitat that must support the same number of persons for an entire year. In this study the authors consider constraining factors such as launch vehicle capacity, mission duration, crew size, and Mars lander capacity and study how to divide total pressurized volume, subsystems, equipment, consumables, and supplies into multiple manifests. Preference has been given to solutions that use multiples of identical modules over unique optimized volumes. For example at one extreme, can all the habitat pressure vessels, logistic modules, Mars ascent stage cabins, rover cabins, and airlocks be constructed from multiples of the same small-diameter cylindrical modules? On the other extreme, can logistics, habitation volume, mobility, all be enclosed in a single monolithic volume habitat design? Though there may be advantages and disadvantages to either extreme, the conclusion of this study is that most functions can be distilled into two sizes for hardware: multiples of large diameter modules that generally stay in one place, and multiples of smaller volume cabins that can be moved around or function as cockpits for ascent stages, support vehicles, rovers, airlocks, and logistics delivery.
Enhanced emissive and lasing characteristics of nano-crystalline MAPbBr3 films grown via anti-solvent precipitation

Control of the nano-scale crystal size distribution in films of organic-inorganic lead-tri-bromide perovskites is achieved through a recently reported solution-based, anti-solvent treatment method [H. Cho et al., Science 350, 1222 (2015)]. The treated films are shown to be high quality, optically smooth with excellent emissive and optical gain properties including higher photoluminescence yield and reduced threshold for laser action. The improved lasing is shown to originate from a synergistic combination of a reduction in waveguide losses and a decrease in the non-radiative decay rate of the excited state population, compared to untreated films. The net gain is increased by a factor of two upon anti-solvent treatment and reaches a respectable value of ≈300 cm−1.
Tuning of loop cache architectures to programs in embedded system design

Adding a small loop cache to a microprocessor has been shown to reduce average instruction fetch energy for various sets of embedded system applications. With the advent of core-based design, embedded system designers can now tune a loop cache architecture to best match a specific application. We developed an automated simulation environment to find the best loop cache architecture for a given application and technology. Using this environment, we show significant variation in the best architecture for different examples. The results support the need for future fast synthesis of tuned loop cache architectures.
Valproic Acid Selectively Inhibits STAT3 Phosphorylation.

Abstract Abstract 1720 Poster Board I-746 Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor (1), was found to enhance NK cell mediated antitumor activity by upregulating the surface expression of NKG2D ligands MICA and MICB on hepatoma cells (2). In contrast, VPA was found to impair NK cell antitumor activity by downregulating the surface expression of NKp30 and NKp46 on NK cells by blocking NFkB activation (3). Recently, we also found that VPA efficiently upregulates the surface expression of MICA, MICB, and ULBP family ligands on human osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma cells, but downregulates NKG2D surface expression on human NK cells. Similarly, the HDAC inhibitor MS275 efficiently upregulates expression of MICA, MICB, and ULBP family ligands on human osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma cells, but surprisingly, MS275 significantly upregulates NKG2D expression on NK cells. In addition, we found that VPA inhibited the cell growth of osteosarcoma cell lines more readily than MS275. To investigate the mechanism of these differing effects of VPA and MS275, we compared the effect of these HDAC inhibitors on Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) signaling, which are important signaling pathways in NK cells and many cancers. Here we show that VPA is a potent inhibitor of STAT3 phosphorylation at the tyrosine 705 residue in NK cells, whereas MS275 has no effect on STAT3 phosphorylation ( Figure A ). Moreover, this inhibition is highly specific, as VPA has no effect on STAT1 and STAT5 phosphorylation ( Figure B ). To further confirm VPA-mediated STAT3 inhibition, we detected STAT3 expression and the degree of tyrosine phosphorylation affected by VPA in a panel human osteosarcoma cells. We found that constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation is present in osteosarcoma SaOS2 and LM7 cells, but not in OS187 cells, which corresponded to the stronger growth inhibition caused by VPA in SaOS2 and LM7 cells compared to OS187 cells. These results are for the first to show that VPA, a HDAC inhibitor, is also a selective STAT3 inhibitor. VPA can upregulate NKG2D ligand expression on the tumor cell surface by HDAC inhibition, but may downregulate NKG2D expression on the NK cell surface by STAT3 inactivation. The antitumor activity of VPA may be via a mechanism of both HDAC inhibition and STAT3 inactivation. The knowledge of potent STAT3 inhibition by VPA is important for identifying potential new clinical applications for this drug. Download : Download high-res image (63KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Long-Term Outcome of Renal Insufficiency in Children

Long-term prospects for children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have improved tremendously over the past 40 years. Yet, the adjusted risk for premature death, especially at young adult age remains high. Historically, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been by far the most important cause of death among patients with childhood-onset ESRD. Recent long-term outcome data show a shift towards infections as predominant threat, probably due to more effective prevention of cardiovascular disease and increasing ESRD time fractions spent with a functioning renal graft, as CVD is strongly related to time on dialysis. Comorbidities are highly prevalent in middle-aged patients with childhood-onset ESRD, 20–30 % of whom suffer from motor disabilities affecting routine activities. Furthermore, the patients are at increased risk of developing malignancies; squamous cell skin carcinoma is extremely prevalent among transplanted patients. Childhood-onset ESRD also has an important impact on psychosocial life in early adulthood. Many patients show delay or underachievement on various key features of adult development. They tend to be relatively low educated, have difficulties in finding a partner, tend to stay living with their parents and have significant problems in obtaining paid work. However, patients older than 30 years appear to have a higher average educational level, are more frequently employed and have a significantly higher level of autonomy. Notably, adults with childhood-onset typically report a satisfactory quality of life, despite their frequently poor objective somatic condition. Most adverse outcomes are associated with extended dialysis periods, emphasizing the need to aim for transplantation at the earliest possible time. Immunosuppressive regimes should be individualized in order to reduce toxicity. If long-term dialysis is inevitable, frequent home hemodialysis regiments should be considered in order to reduce toxicity and enhance autonomy. All pediatric ESRD treatment centers should foster active psychosocial programs promoting education and autonomy.
Broadband seismic noise attenuation versus depth at the Albuquerque Seismological Laboratory

Abstract Seismic noise induced by atmospheric processes such as wind and pressure changes can be a major contributor to the background noise observed in many seismograph stations, especially those installed at or near the surface. Cultural noise such as vehicle traffic or nearby buildings with air handling equipment also contributes to seismic background noise. Such noise sources fundamentally limit our ability to resolve earthquake‐generated signals. Many previous seismic noise versus depth studies focused separately on either high‐frequency (>1 Hz) or low‐frequency (
Rescuing Convergent Extension after Inhibition of an Aquaporin (Poster)

Much is known about how aquaporins function within individual cells. Aquaporins are membrane protein channels that are permeable to water and a subset, aquaglyceroporins, are also permeable to glycerol. Little research has been conducted on how they contribute to larger processes such as gastrulation. Gastrulation organizes cells into germ layers, which will later form different body tissues. Convergent extension cell movements are critical in driving gastrulation. During convergent extension, cells that folded into the embryo at the dorsal lip of the blastopore merge to help form the long body axis. An aquaglyceroporin, Aqp3b, is expressed during convergent extension. When it is inhibited using a morpholino oligonucleotide, convergent extension does not occur properly, which we assay using Keller tissue explants from gastrula embryos. The aquaporin aqp2 and aquaglyceroporins aqp7 and aqp9 were cloned in order to conduct rescue experiments to determine whether it is the water or glycerol permeability of Aqp3b that functions in convergent extension. I have successfully cloned the aqp7 coding region, but errors made by Taq polymerase introduced mutations into the aqp2 and aqp9 sequences. I am still working to resolve these issues. In the meantime, I have begun to determine how Aqp3b interacts with noncanonical Wnt signaling, the primary signaling pathway involved in convergent extension, utilizing the same techniques. The embryos are injected with the aqp3b morpholino oligonucleotide, as well as the mRNA for a protein involved in noncanonical Wnt signaling. If convergent extension is rescued in the explants, then Aqp3b acts though noncanonical Wnt signaling.
HNO Modifies Cysteines 41 and 46 in the Transmembrane Domain of Phospholamban Increasing SERCA2a Activity

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by perturbed myocyte Ca2+ handling. Altered SR Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) activity sizably contributes to impair Ca2+ cycling in the heart, affecting its contraction/relaxation. Strategies to rescue or improve SERCA2a expression/activity are being clinically tested in HF patients. Donors of nitroxyl (HNO) augment cardiac muscle performance in failing hearts, by modulating phospholamban (PLN) and SERCA2a interaction. They do so independently from β-adrenergic activation. In fact, HNO increases SERCA2a activity by promoting redox-dependent PLN oligomerization, thus reducing the amount of monomeric/inhibitory PLN. Yet, the precise sites (cysteines that are modified by HNO in PLN) and the chemical nature of these redox modifications (disulfide bond vs. sulfinamide formation) remain elusive. To fill this gap, we have applied our 15N-edited NMR method for sulfinamide detection and biochemical approaches to investigate HNO-derived modifications on PLN. We found that cysteines 46 and 41 are the sites of HNO action in PLN, and that sulfinamide formation is the major HNO-derived modification when HNO is in excess with respect to thiols. However, when HNO/thiol approach the 1:1 ratio (thus reflecting more physiological conditions), intramolecular disulfide bonds are expected to be the dominant HNO-induced species. To investigate the intramolecular disulfide bond formation further, we have started to employ fluorescence labeling methodologies. Present findings provide more mechanistic insight into the salutary actions of HNO donors that are currently tested for safety and efficacy in patients with acute decompensated HF.
TAKAYASU'S ARTERITIS: A RARE CAUSE OF HEART FAILURE IN CHILDREN

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is rare in children and more often presents with nonspecific constitutional symptoms than the classic pulseless presentation of adults. Previously healthy 11-year old female child was referred for evaluation of chest pain. She presented with several months of progressive
Imaging nanobubble nucleation and hydrogen spillover during electrocatalytic water splitting.

Nucleation and growth of hydrogen nanobubbles are key initial steps in electrochemical water splitting. These processes remain largely unexplored due to a lack of proper tools to probe the nanobubble’s interfacial structure with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution. We report the use of superresolution microscopy to image transient formation and growth of single hydrogen nanobubbles at the electrode/solution interface during electrocatalytic water splitting. We found hydrogen nanobubbles can be generated even at very early stages in water electrolysis, i.e., ∼500 mV before reaching its thermodynamic reduction potential. The ability to image single nanobubbles on an electrode enabled us to observe in real time the process of hydrogen spillover from ultrathin gold nanocatalysts supported on indium–tin oxide.
Quality: Metrics in Radiology

The issue of quality is a radiology imperative. Some of you may not know that there are almost 75 various organizations in Radiology, which I call “balkanization” in the extreme. Nonetheless each year about 45 societies meet to discuss a particular topic, At a recent meeting quality was the subject. There the participants were placed in three large committees for the purpose of providing recommendations on metrics for quality. 78 proposals were proffered by the committees which were further distilled into 48 separate notions that could each frame a metric. Bear in mind that results of this meeting of minds should not be regarded as a document which stands on its own as authoritative. Really what it represents is a set of preliminary statements to engender focus on matters of quality. Whether these proposals will be implemented by the American College of Radiology or any other group depends upon a consensus about their pertinence and validity which frankly requires widespread rank and file Radiologist impact about their merits or lack thereof.
The alternatively spliced αeC domain of human fibrinogen-420 is a novel ligand for leukocyte integrins αMβ2 and αXβ2

The interaction of human plasma fibrinogen with leukocyte integrins alpha(M)beta(2) (CD11b/CD18, Mac-1) and alpha(X)beta(2) (CD11c/CD18, p150,95) is an important component of the inflammatory response. Previously, it was demonstrated that binding of fibrinogen to these integrins is mediated by gammaC, the globular C-terminal domain of the gamma chain. In this study, evidence was found of another fibrinogen domain that can serve as a ligand for the 2 leukocyte integrins: alpha(E)C, a homologous domain that extends the alpha chains in a recently discovered subclass of fibrinogen known as fibrinogen-420. Recombinant alpha(E)C supported strong adhesion and migration of cells expressing alpha(M)beta(2) and alpha(X)beta(2), including nonactivated and activated U937 and THP-1 monocytoid cells, and neutrophils. Cells transfected with complementary DNA for these integrins also bound alpha(E)C. The specificity of interaction was substantiated by inhibition of cell adhesion with antibodies against alpha(M), alpha(X), and beta(2) subunits. Also, neutrophil inhibitory factor, a specific inhibitor of alpha(M)beta(2) and alpha(X)beta(2) function, efficiently blocked cell adhesion to alpha(E)C. In alpha(M)beta(2) and alpha(X)beta(2), the I domain is the binding site for alpha(E)C, since alpha(E)C bound to recombinant alpha(M) I and alpha(X)I domains in a dose-dependent and saturable manner. Synthetic peptides that duplicated sequences gamma190 to 202 and gamma377 to 395, previously considered putative binding sites in gammaC, effectively inhibited alpha(M)beta(2)- and alpha(X)beta(2)-mediated adhesion to alpha(E)C, suggesting that recognition of alpha(E)C by the I domain involves structural features in common with those of gammaC. These findings identify alpha(E)C as a second domain in fibrinogen-420 that binds alpha(M)beta(2) and alpha(X)beta(2) and can mediate leukocyte adhesion and migration.
Nonenzymic Effects of Pesticides on Membranes

The title of this presentation is too general, for I shall only describe our findings on DDT in synthetic membranes. The intent of the DDT work is, however, not only to satisfy our curiosity about DDT’s action at the molecular level, but also to explore ways to study nonenzymic effects in membranes for toxicants in general.
Basic Principles of NMR

Energy states and population distribution are the fundamental subjects of any spectroscopic technique. The energy difference between energy states gives raise to the frequency of the spectra, whereas intensities of the spectral peaks are proportional to the population difference of the states. Relaxation is another fundamental phenomenon in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), which influences both line shapes and intensities of NMR signals. It provides information about structure and dynamics of molecules. Hence, understanding these aspects lays the foundation to understanding basic principles of NMR spectroscopy.
Toward a Culturally Robust Measure to Assess Marital Relationships

Despite the increased use of measures developed in the United States in countries with different cultural value orientations, researchers often do not examine whether scales show invariance across ...
Effect of Baseline Kidney Function on the Risk of Recurrent Stroke and on Effects of Intensive Blood Pressure Control in Patients With Previous Lacunar Stroke: A Post Hoc Analysis of the SPS3 Trial (Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes).

Background We conducted a post hoc analysis of the SPS3 (Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes) Trial to examine the association of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with recurrent stroke, a...
The Effects of Loading Frequency, Sensitization, and Crack Length on Corrosion Fatigue of AA5456-H116

The effects of fatigue loading frequency (f), sensitization, and crack length on corrosion fatigue crack growth rates (da/dN) were investigated for AA5456-H116 under full immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl....
Evaluation of Network Assisted Handoffs in Heterogeneous Networks

This paper describes a novel distributed mobility management (DMM) scheme for the "named-object" information centric network (ICN) architecture in which the routers forward data based on unique identifiers which are dynamically mapped to the current network addresses of a device. The work proposes and evaluates two specific handover schemes namely, hard hand-off with rebinding and soft handoff with multihoming intended to provide seamless data transfer with improved throughput during handovers. The evaluation of the proposed handover schemes using system simulation along with proof-of-concept implementation in ORBIT testbed is described. The proposed handoff and scheduling throughput gains are 12.5% and 44% respectively over multiple interfaces when compared to traditional IP network with equal share split scheme. The handover performance with respect to RTT and throughput demonstrate the benefits of clean slate network architecture for beyond 5G networks.
A Multi-Donor Ex Vivo Platelet Activation and Growth Factor Release Study Using Electric Pulses With Durations Up to 100 Microseconds

In vitro platelet activation is established in various clinical settings for wound healing and tissue regeneration. After separating platelet rich plasma (PRP) from whole blood, a biochemical activator, typically bovine thrombin (BT), is applied to activate PRP, which clots the PRP and releases growth factors beneficial for wound healing. BT’s drawbacks, particularly cost, availability, workflow challenges, and potential immune responses, motivated the development of ex vivo electrical activation of PRP using pulsed electric fields (PEFs) with durations on the order of hundreds of nanoseconds and electric field strengths from $\sim 10$ -100 kV/cm. PEFs permeabilize platelets to facilitate Ca2+ transport into the cells to induce platelet activation; however, membrane permeabilization does not require PEFs of such short duration and high intensity. This study demonstrates that 5- $100~\mu \text{s}$ duration PEFs effectively activate platelets. Treating PRP with ten different single pulse waveforms with durations between 5 and $100~\mu \text{s}$ induces similar or higher levels of platelet derived, vascular endothelial, and epidermal growth factor release compared to BT. These results indicate the potential clinical relevance of microsecond PEFs for platelet stimulation, which may reduce the expense and device footprint for PEF mediated platelet stimulation compared to nanosecond pulse generators, facilitating technology transition for clinical and trauma applications.
Rethinking Race, Ethnicity, and the Assessment of Intercultural Competence in Higher Education

This qualitative study aims to explore the limitations of using a cultural assessment tool in higher education with the goal of preparing students to thrive in a highly demanding, diverse, and global community. Colleges and universities are potentially important sites of cross-cultural and cross-racial engagement and socialization, and cultural competence is arguably one of the critical skills that many higher education institutions are embracing to prepare students for our diverse, but increasingly polarized, global society. In particular, this study discusses the use of the intercultural development inventory (IDI), a cultural assessment tool that has not been validated in the U.S. for racial, ethnic, or social class differences, and which leaves out the role of structural inequalities in intercultural relationships. Findings reveal that interview data from black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) did not align with their IDI results and that the tool dismisses the complex experiences of BIPOC students. These findings jeopardize the tool’s purpose and validity. Finally, this study reveals the importance of educating students about structural competence to improve empathy and understanding of a diverse student body.
Corporate Disclosure and Capital Markets

Corporate disclosures are critical for functioning of capital markets demanding financial information. Firms provide disclosures through structured and regulated reports, including financial statements, disclosure notes, management recommendations, other compliance filings. In addition, firms voluntarily communicate their proforma financial statements and business data arising from forecasts or corporate reports prepared for investors. Lastly, there are certain disclosures demanded by financial and market intermediaries, industry experts and media. This paper introduces questions and empirical methods that are pertinent to capital markets research in accounting (hereinafter, CMRA). In section II, the literature review is discussed. Forces giving rise to demand for disclosures in modern capital-market economy, and the institutions increasing the credibility of disclosures are addressed. In the same section, I inform about the main research topics used for studying of financial reporting and disclosures associated with capital markets. I use the disclosure framework to identify research questions within each topic. Empirical evidence and research methodology related with CMRA are reviewed in section III. Section IV discusses reflections on constraints of studying financial reporting issues and their impact on capital markets. Previous studies in CMRA documented disclosures associated with stock performance, bid-ask spreads, transactions, cost of capital, analyst coverage, executive compensation and institutional ownership (Healy, P. et al. 2001). Also, section IV evaluates the previous studies falling short due to endogeneity and measurement error problems and complicating the interpretation of research findings. This paper will aid potential researchers in identification of many open, i.e. unanswered, questions in the CMRA field. Section V summarizes the main ideas, methodology and desired results for the research. Finally, section VI lists bibliography used for the references.
Numerical modeling of multifrequency complex dielectric permittivity dispersion of clay-rich rocks

ABSTRACTDielectric permittivity measurements in sedimentary rocks are dominated by mineralogy, the volumetric concentration and spatial distribution of solids and fluids, and interfacial polarizati...
Mindfulness- and Acceptance-Based Interventions for Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis:

Objective:Mindfulness- and acceptance-based intervention (MABI) is an emerging evidenced-based practice, but no systematic review incorporating meta-analyses for MABIs in stroke survivors has been ...