cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of histone modifications and telomere alterations in the pathogenesis of diffuse gliomas in adults and children

Genetic profiling is an increasingly useful tool for sub-classification of gliomas in adults and children. Specific gene mutations, structural rearrangements, DNA methylation patterns, and gene expression profiles are now recognized to define molecular subgroups of gliomas that arise in distinct anatomic locations and patient age groups, and also provide a better prediction of clinical outcomes for glioma patients compared to histologic assessment alone. Understanding the role of these distinctive genetic alterations in gliomagenesis is also important for the development of potential targeted therapeutic interventions. Mutations including K27M and G34R/V that affect critical amino acids within the N-terminal tail of the histone H3 variants, H3.3 and H3.1 (encoded by H3F3A and HIST1H3B genes), are prime examples of mutations in diffuse gliomas with characteristic clinical associations that can help diagnostic classification and guide effective patient management. These histone H3 mutations frequently co-occur with inactivating mutations in ATRX in association with alternative lengthening of telomeres. Telomere length can also be maintained through upregulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression driven by mutation within the TERT gene promoter region, an alteration most commonly found in oligodendrogliomas and primary glioblastomas arising in adults. Interestingly, the genetic alterations perturbing histone and telomere function in pediatric gliomas tend to be different from those present in adult tumors. We present a review of these mutations affecting the histone code and telomere length, highlighting their importance in prognosis and as targets for novel therapeutics in the treatment of diffuse gliomas.
Emerging Market Environmental Influences on EMNCs: A Knowledge Based Typology of EMNC Strategies

Emerging markets are increasingly becoming important contributors to the global economy and account for a significant share of global foreign development investment outflows. Emerging market multin...
Exploring regional variability in utilization of antireflux surgery in children

Abstract Background There is significant variation surrounding the indications, surgical approaches, and outcomes for children undergoing antireflux procedures (ARPs) resulting in geographic variation of care. Our purpose was to quantify this geographic variation in the utilization of ARPs in children. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of the 2009 Kid's Inpatient Database was performed to identify patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease or associated diagnoses. Regional surgical utilization rates were determined, and a mixed effects model was used to identify factors associated with the use of ARPs. Results Of the 148,959 patients with a diagnosis of interest, 4848 (3.3%) underwent an ARP with 2376 (49%) undergoing a laparoscopic procedure. The Northeast (2.0%) and Midwest (2.2%) had the lowest overall utilization of surgery, compared with the South (3.3%) and West (3.4%). After adjustment for age, case-mix, and surgical approach, variation persisted with the West and the South demonstrating almost two times the odds of undergoing an ARP compared with the Northeast. Surgical utilization rates are independent of state-level volume with some of the highest case volume states having surgical utilization rates below the national rate. In the West, the use of laparoscopy correlated with overall utilization of surgery, whereas surgical approach was not correlated with ARP use in the South. Conclusions Significant regional variation in ARP utilization exists that cannot be explained entirely by differences in patient age, race/ethnicity, case-mix, and surgical approach. In order to decrease variation in care, further research is warranted to establish consensus guidelines regarding indications for the use ARPs for children.
Simultaneous impedance inversion and interpretation for an offshore turbiditic reservoir

AbstractBy using simultaneous impedance inversion, we obtained P- and S-wave impedance (Ip and Is) volumes from angle stacks at a siliciclastic turbidite oil reservoir offshore northwest Australia. The ultimate goal was to interpret these elastic variables for fluid, porosity, and mineralogy. This is why an essential part of our workflow was finding the appropriate rock-physics model based on well data. The model-corrected S-wave velocity Vs in the wells was used as an input to impedance inversion. The inversion parameters were optimized in small vertical sections around two wells to obtain the best possible match between the seismic impedances and the upscaled impedances measured at the wells. Special attention was paid to the seismically derived Ip/Is ratio because we relied on this parameter for hydrocarbon identification. Even after performing crosscorrelation between the angle stacks to correct for two-way traveltime shifts to align the stacks, these stacks did not indicate a coherent amplitude varia...
Cholesterol Evaluation in Young Adults: Absence of Clinical Trial Evidence Is Not a Reason to Delay Screening

The editorialists discuss the limitations of Patel and colleagues' study, which estimated the prevalence of elevated atherosclerotic risk among nondiabetic adults younger than 50 years. They also d...
Inhibition of Biodegradation of Hydraulic Fracturing Compounds by Glutaraldehyde: Groundwater Column and Microcosm Experiments

The rapid expansion of unconventional oil and gas development has raised concerns about the potential contamination of aquifers; however, the groundwater fate and transport of hydraulic fracturing fluid compounds and mixtures remains a significant data gap. Degradation kinetics of five hydraulic fracturing compounds (2-propanol, ethylene glycol, propargyl alcohol, 2-butoxyethanol, and 2-ethylhexanol) in the absence and presence of the biocide glutaraldehyde were investigated under a range of redox conditions using sediment-groundwater microcosms and flow-through columns. Microcosms were used to elucidate biodegradation inhibition at varying glutaraldehyde concentrations. In the absence of glutaraldehyde, half-lives ranged from 13 d to >93 d. Accurate mass spectrometry indicated that a trimer was the dominant aqueous-phase glutaraldehyde species. Microbial inhibition was observed at glutaraldehyde trimer concentrations as low as 5 mg L–1, which demonstrated that the trimer retained some biocidal activity. ...
The Combination of Stem Cell Factor (SCF) and Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) in Repairing the Brain Post-acute Stroke

Stroke represents the leading cause of long-term disability in adults worldwide. Most stroke survivors suffer from lifelong neurological deficits. Developing a pharmaceutical approach to enhance brain repair and improve functional outcomes post-acute stroke is a very important but less investigated area in stroke research. Stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) are the well-characterized vital hematopoietic growth factors for regulating hematopoiesis. Increasing evidence supports that SCF and G-CSF also play roles in the nervous system. Over the past decade, preclinical studies have demonstrated that SCF in combination with G-CSF synergistically enhances stroke recovery in the subacute or chronic phase. In this chapter, we have reviewed the biological function of SCF and G-CSF in hematopoiesis, neural plasticity, and neurogenesis, and summarized the preclinical studies illustrating the neurorestorative effects of SCF and G-CSF post-acute stroke.
Assembly and turnover of neurofilaments in growing axonal neurites.

ABSTRACT Neurofilaments (NFs) are thought to provide stability to the axon. We examined NF dynamics within axonal neurites of NB2a/d1 neuroblastoma by transient transfection with green fluorescent protein-tagged NF-heavy (GFP-H) under the control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter. Immunofluorescent and biochemical analyses demonstrated that GFP-H expressed early during neurite outgrowth associated with a population of centrally-situated, highly-phosphorylated crosslinked NFs along the length of axonal neurites (‘bundled NFs’). By contrast, GFP-H expressed after considerable neurite outgrowth displayed markedly reduced association with bundled NFs and was instead more evenly distributed throughout the axon. This differential localization was maintained for up to 2 weeks in culture. Once considerable neurite outgrowth had progressed, GFP that had previously associated with the NF bundle during early expression was irreversibly depleted by photobleaching. Cessation of expression allowed monitoring of NF turnover. GFP-H associated bundled NFs underwent slower decay than GFP-H associated with surrounding, less-phosphorylated NFs. Notably, GFP associated with bundled NFs underwent similar decay rates within the core and edges of this bundle. These results are consistent with previous demonstration of a resident NF population within axonal neurites, but suggest that this population is more dynamic than previously considered.
High wall-plug efficiency blue III-nitride LEDs designed for low current density operation

Commercial LEDs for solid-state lighting are often designed for operation at current densities in the droop regime (~35 A/cm2) to minimize costly chip area; however, many benefits can be realized by operating at low current density (J ≈1 - 5 A/cm2). Along with mitigation of droop losses and reduction of the operating voltage, low J operation of LEDs opens the design space for high light extraction efficiency (LEE). This work presents detailed ray tracing simulations of an LED design for low J operation with LEE ≈94%. The design is realized experimentally resulting in a peak wall-plug efficiency of 78.1% occurring at 3.45 A/cm2 and producing an output power of 7.2 mW for a 0.1 mm2 emitting area. At this operation point, the photon voltage Vp=hνq exceeds the forward voltage (V), corresponding to a Vp/V = 103%.
Abstract 20271: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Hospital-Level Appropriateness, Episode Costs and Outcomes for Assessing Value in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Statewide Analysis

Introduction: Appropriate patient selection, good outcomes, and low episode costs are important dimensions of high value care in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Understanding the interrel...
Everywhere messaging

By "everywhere messaging" we refer to the ability to send and receive electronic communication at any time and through a variety of means, including wired and wireless computer networks, voice telephones, and pagers. Our goal is to design messaging systems in which the receiver is always "on" and available, and messages are correctly chosen for unintrusive delivery. But even in the office, and especially out of it, message arrival must compete in the real world with other activities that place demands on users' cognition and for which message alerting may itself be a distraction. In this paper we consider four experimental projects in terms of their ability to meet everywhere messaging requirements of minimizing interruption, adaptation to the user, location awareness, and unintrusive user interfaces. These projects demonstrate message filtering, location-specific delivery, flexible auditory alerting, and operation in, and monitoring of, a heterogenous networking environment.
Escarabajos descortezadores y ambrosiales (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae, Platypodinae) de Sonora, México

Con base a trabajo de campo reciente y revision de ejemplares en museos se conocen 70 especies de escarabajos descortezadores y ambrosiales en el estado de Sonora. De estas, 43 se reportan por primera vez del estado. Especies sociadas a bosques templados de montana (pinos y encinos) formaban el grupo mas diverso con 30 especies, seguido por las de bosques tropicales secos con 23especies. En ambos grupos las especies incluidas tienen distribuciones mas amplias fuera de la region. Hubo 15 especies asociadas a comunidades deserticas y matorrales, 9 de las cuales se pueden considerar endemicas al Desierto Sonorense. Dos especies exoticas estan asociadas a ecosistemas dominados por humanos. Independiente de la comunidad biotica, casi todas las especies encontradas eran fleofagas y especialistas respecto a hospederas.
Distributed input observers to integrate satellite data with 3-D atmospheric models

Abstract Chemical transport models (CTMs) simulate the concentration of gas pollutants and particulate matter in the atmosphere. Most CTMs include significant model mismatch from the true atmosphere due to uncertainty in the inputs like meteorology and emission fields, extrapolation and simplification of experimentally-derived relationships for the process dynamics, and possibly un-accounted for atmospheric processes. In this paper we estimate uncertain parameters by utilizing daily satellite measurements of aerosol optical depth, related to particulate matter. A passivity-based input observer (PBIO) projects the high-dimensional CTM to a set of inventory variables. The passive system, in which the input and output is based on the inventories, is stable with proportional feedback. We integrate distributed PBIOs with a 3D CTM to estimate time-varying sea spray emission scaling factors across the Southern Ocean band. We find the measurement error decreases from 305% to 55% by utilizing distributed PBIOs.
Transfusion Requirements Following Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Preexisting Blood Dyscrasia.

Introduction There is a paucity of studies investigating the incidence of transfusions in various blood dyscrasias after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was: 1) to compare the incidence of transfusion post-TKA in patients with and without blood dyscrasia; 2) to compare the post-TKA transfusion incidence of patients with the various individual blood dyscrasias; and 3) to stratify the findings based on gender and age. Materials and methods A retrospective review of a Medicare database for patients with preexisting blood dyscrasia was conducted. Patients who underwent TKA and had a blood transfusion were identified by current procedural terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) ninth revision codes. We compared the incidence of transfusion post-TKA in patients with and without blood dyscrasia as well as transfusion incidence for various individual blood dyscrasias. We stratified these findings based on gender and age of the patients. Results There was a higher incidence of postoperative transfusion in patients who had a blood dyscrasia, when compared to those who did not (5.8% vs. 2.7%). The most common type of blood dyscrasia was iron deficiency anemia (81,897). Patients who had aplastic anemia had the highest incidence of transfusion (16.9%). Females were more likely to be anemic (69.1%) compared to males (30.1%); however, the incidence of transfusion was significantly higher in males (6.9%) compared with females (5.5%). Conclusion The incidence of transfusion was higher in patients with blood dyscrasia. In addition, certain types of blood dyscrasias were associated with higher rates of transfusion. Aplastic anemia had the highest transfusion rate. There was a higher rate of blood transfusions in men when compared to women, although women had a higher prevalence of blood dyscrasias. Future studies need to be conducted to further educate patients and practitioners and optimize TKA blood management care.
Aging influences cerebrovascular myogenic reactivity and BK channel function in a sex-specific manner.

Aims The myogenic reactivity of the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) protects the brain by altering the diameter in response to changes in lumen pressure. Large conductance potassium (BK) channels are known to regulate the myogenic reactivity, yet, it is not clear how aging alters the myogenic reactivity via the BK channel in males and females. Thus, we hypothesize that age-associated changes in BK channel subunits modulate the myogenic reactivity in a sex-specific manner. Methods and results We used vascular reactivity, patch-clamp, and biochemical methods to measure myogenic reactivity, BK channel function, and expression, respectively in cerebral vessels of adult and aged male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Our results suggest that aging and ovariectomy (OVX) exaggerated the myogenic reactivity of MCA in females but attenuated it in males. Aging induced outward eutrophic remodelling in females but inward hypertrophic remodelling in males. Aging decreased total, Kv, BK channel currents, and spontaneous transient outward currents (STOC) in vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from females, but not in males. Aging increased BKα subunit mRNA and protein both in males and females. However, aging decreased BKβ1 subunit protein and mRNA in females only. In males, BKβ1 mRNA is increased, but protein is decreased. Iberiotoxin-induced MCA constriction is lower in aged females but higher in aged males. Activation of BKα (10 µM NS1619) and BKβ1 (10 µM S-Equol) subunits failed to increase STOCs and were unable to decrease the myogenic reactivity of MCA in aged female but not in aged male rats. OVX decreased, but chronic supplementation of oestradiol restored BK channel expression and function. Conclusion Overall our results suggest that aging or OVX-associated downregulation of the BKβ1 expression and function in females results in exaggerated myogenic reactivity of MCA. However, age-associated increase in BK channel function in males attenuated myogenic reactivity of MCA.
Effects of Two Training Conditions on the Emergence of Novel Intraverbals: An Extension of Perez-Gonzalez et al. (2008).

Perez-Gonzalez, Herszlikowicz, and Williams (2008) demonstrated the emergence of novel intraverbal responses following the training of several intraverbals. The present study replicated and extended that study by separating two training conditions that were combined in the previous study. Nine typically developing children ages 6–7years were first taught A-B and B-C verbal relations and then probed on 12 A-B, B-C, B-A, C-B, A-C, and C-A verbal relations. If novel intraverbal relations did not emerge, each participant received either category-name training or exemplar-name training. If novel intraverbals did not emerge after training in one of those conditions, the participant was exposed to the other training condition. Emergence of all novel intraverbals was observed for 4 of the 6 participants who received category- and exemplar-name training, but only after they had completed both training conditions. An error analysis suggested that errors following A-B and B-C training were attributable to lack of contextual control over the vocal responses.of the establishment of equivalence classes, has been reported in a number of studies within the area of stimulus equivalence research. In this study, we trained 3 classes of potentially 3 members, with arbitrary stimuli in a one- to-many training structure in 5 adult participants, using a touch screen and software-based recordings. After training the conditional relations, a limited hold (LH) was calculated for each of the 5 participants based on actual RT. Training with a titrating LH in 100-ms steps was conducted until all the participants responded within 1.2 s. Finally, programmed consequences were thinned before testing. We arranged an LH of 2.5 s during the testing for emergent relations. 1 of the 5 participants was found to demonstrate stimulus equivalence. The pattern of increasing RT from baseline trials to symmetry and equivalence test trials was not found.
Collective Tensor Completion with Multiple Heterogeneous Side Information

Tensor completion has been successfully applied to many real-world applications. In a wide variety of situations, data utilized in many learning tasks are of high dimensions, usually extracted from multiple heterogeneous sources. Therefore, data can be represented by a primary tensor and multiple matrices generated from multi-view side information or metadata. Joint analysis of tensors and matrices has great potential to gain better understanding of the underlying relationships among these multiple heterogeneous sources. The existing tensor completion methods, which recover the missing elements of a partially known tensor with single view side information, can yield interpretable results for large-scale datasets. However, their limitations up to now are lack of modeling multi-view heterogeneous data and suitably learning the low-rank property of tensor. In this study, we fill this gap by developing a novel collective tensor completion method, which tightly fuses multi-view heterogeneous data sources. Our method exploits special common latent structures from the primary tensor and multiple side matrices through coupled tensor-matrix decomposition, in which the common latent structures can compactly represent all the data. In addition, rank estimation of a tensor is a challenging task due to its discrete nature. Instead of approximating the rank by widely used trace norm or nuclear norm, we directly utilize Schatten p-norm on the latent structures to better approximate the rank and to enhance its robustness to noise.
Hypoplasia of cerebellar afferent networks in Down syndrome revealed by DTI-driven tensor based morphometry.

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations of brain anatomy in children and young adults with Down syndrome (DS) are limited, with no diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies covering that age range. We used DTI-driven tensor based morphometry (DTBM), a novel technique that extracts morphometric information from diffusion data, to investigate brain anatomy in 15 participants with DS and 15 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) controls, ages 6–24 years (mean age ~17 years). DTBM revealed marked hypoplasia of cerebellar afferent systems in DS, including fronto-pontine (middle cerebellar peduncle) and olivo-cerebellar (inferior cerebellar peduncle) connections. Prominent gray matter hypoplasia was observed in medial frontal regions, the inferior olives, and the cerebellum. Very few abnormalities were detected by classical diffusion MRI metrics, such as fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity. Our results highlight the potential importance of cerebro-cerebellar networks in the clinical manifestations of DS and suggest a role for DTBM in the investigation of other brain disorders involving white matter hypoplasia or atrophy.
Human gut microbiome composition and tryptophan metabolites were changed differently by fast food and Mediterranean diet in 4 days: a pilot study

Diets rich in animal source foods vs plant-based diets have different macronutrient composition, and they have been shown to have differential effects on the gut microbiome. In this study, we hypothesized that diets with very different nutrient composition are able to change gut microbiome composition and metabolites in a very short period. We compared a fast food (FF) diet (ie, burgers and fries) with a Mediterranean (Med) diet, which is rich in vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, and fish. Ten healthy subjects participated in a controlled crossover study in which they consumed a Med diet and FF diet in randomized order for 4 days each, with a 4-day washout between treatments. Fecal DNA was extracted and the 16S V4 region amplified using polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq. Plasma metabolites and bile acids were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Certain bile-tolerant microbial genera and species including Collinsella, Parabacteroides, and Bilophila wadsworthia significantly increased after the FF diet. Some fiber-fermenting bacteria, including Lachnospiraceae and Butyricicoccus, increased significantly after the Med diet and decreased after the FF diet. Bacterially produced metabolites indole-3-lactic acid and indole-3-propionic acid, which have been shown to confer beneficial effects on neuronal cells, increased after the Med diet and decreased after the FF diet. Interindividual variability in response to the treatments may be related to differences in background diet, for example as shown by differences in Bilophila response in relationship to the saturated fat content of the baseline diet. In conclusion, an animal fat-rich, low-fiber FF diet v. a high-fiber Med diet altered human gut microbiome composition and its metabolites after just 4 days.
Chapter 2.8 – Biohydrometallurgy

Biohydrometallurgy is a field that encompasses the overlapping areas of biology and hydrometallurgy. Biology plays an important role in the natural environment. The variety of biological reactions and their relationships with metals in mineral and dissolved forms has resulted in the use of microorganisms in a wide range of metal extraction, metal recovery, and water treatment applications. This chapter provides general background information about biohydrometallurgy fundamentals and applications. It includes brief descriptions of biooxidation kinetics, nutrients, mineral degradation kinetics, general chemical reactions, and an overview of various commercial biohydrometallurgy applications for mineral dissolution and water treatment.
Enabling Precision Health Approaches for Symptom Science Through Big Data and Data Science

Big data and data science are essential to enabling precision health approaches for symptom science. In contrast to big data, which is defined by the attributes of the data, data science explicitly focuses on extraction of value from data. Consequently, data science requires a technical pipeline that is informed by a research question and supported by data governance policies. The pipeline typically includes sets of tools that support: (1) extraction/ingestion, (2) wrangling (pre-processing using semi-automated tools), (3) computation and analysis, (4) modeling and application, and (5) reporting and visualization. In this chapter, we describe how big data and data science can advance precision health approaches for symptom science, summarize current challenges to use of big data and data science methods, and present future research directions.
Metabolic and functional connections between cytoplasmic and chloroplast triacylglycerol storage

Neutral lipids in the form of triacylglycerol (TAG) have emerged as critical regulators of cellular energy balance, lipid homeostasis, growth, development and stress response in organisms ranging from plants to yeast. Although TAGs are mostly recognized as the main storage component in cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs), TAG-rich LDs with similar structural and functional characteristics to those found in the cytoplasm also exist in chloroplasts of microalgae and higher plants. Chloroplasts contain up to 70% of total lipids in photosynthetic cells, yet how organisms maintain chloroplast lipid homeostasis remains an under-investigated area of research. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge about the metabolism of TAG and its function in chloroplasts, with a focus on the enzymes catalyzing the final steps of TAG assembly and the role of TAG synthesis in protection against lipotoxicity. We also discuss emerging data regarding connections between cytoplasmic and chloroplast TAG metabolism and the role of autophagy in the degradation of chloroplast storage lipids.
Initial fetal to initial postnatal echocardiogram in uncomplicated atrioventricular septal defects: Do significant changes occur?

BACKGROUND Yield of serial echocardiography in fetuses with atrioventricular septal defects (fAVSD) has not been well defined. The goal of this study was to document if any major changes occurred from initial fetal to initial postnatal echocardiogram in uncomplicated fAVSD. METHODS fAVSD were excluded if initial fetal scan documented complex CHD or any concerns. Changes in ventricular function, valvular regurgitation, or diagnosis between first fetal and first postnatal echocardiogram were recorded. RESULTS Fifty-seven fAVSD met criteria. Ninety-six fetal echocardiograms were done in 57 patients. Initial fetal scan was performed at 24.3 ± 3.7 weeks of estimated gestational age. All fAVSD had normal function, 38 had no atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR), and 19 had mild AVVR. First postnatal echocardiogram was performed at 6.3 ± 15.3 days. Fifty-six patients had normal function, 1 patient had mild dysfunction, 16 patients had no AVVR, 36 had mild AVVR, and 5 had moderate AVVR. Three patients (5%) had an improvement in AVVR by one degree, 27 patients (47%) had no change in AVVR, 24 patients (42%) had an increase in AVVR by one degree, and 3 patients (5%) had an increase in AVVR by two degrees. There was no major missed anatomical diagnosis from first prenatal to first postnatal echocardiogram. CONCLUSION In fAVSD that had no concerns on their initial fetal echocardiogram, the majority of patients had no major changes noted between their initial fetal echocardiogram and their first postnatal echocardiogram. Repeat fetal echocardiograms may not necessarily be needed in this cohort of patients.
Abstract 14102: Prognostic Impact of Peak Systolic Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Nonagenarians: An Echocardiographic Study

Introduction: Recently, a low threshold of estimated peak systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (eSPAP) of 30 mm Hg was reported to be associated with mortality in the general population. However, l...
Pre-conference Workshop: Writing the TAPAC Self-Study Report

This ITAA pre-conference workshop was designed to provide attendees with information about writing the self-study report for accreditation by the Textile and Apparel Programs Accreditation Commission(TAPAC). Presenters were members of the TAPAC Board of Commissioners. The workshop was divided into two components: (1) Writing the self-study, and (2) break-out rooms for questions.
Functional amyloids in the human body.

Abstract Amyloids have long been associated with a variety of human degenerative diseases. Discoveries indicate, however, that there are several amyloids that serve functional roles in the human body. These amyloids are involved in a variety of biological processes ranging from storage of peptide hormones to necroptosis of cells. Additionally, there are distinct differences between toxic amyloids and their functional counterparts including kinetics of assembly/disassembly and structural features. This digest article surveys the biological roles of functional amyloids found in the human body, key differences between functional and toxic amyloids, and potential therapeutic applications.
Uniform Accuracy of the Quasicontinuum Method

This is a copy of the slides presented at the meeting but not formally written up for the volume. The accuracy of the quasicontinuum method is studied by reformulating the summation rules in terms of reconstruction schemes for the local atomic environment of the representative atoms. The necessary and sufficient condition for uniform first order accuracy and consequently the elimination of the ghost force is formulated in terms of the reconstruction schemes. The quasi-nonlocal approach is discussed as a special case of this condition. Examples of reconstruction schemes that satisfy this condition are presented. Transition between atom-based and element-based summation rules are studied.
Flora of the British Isles: illustrations

Flora of the British Isles: illustrations , Flora of the British Isles: illustrations , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی
On the Banks of Mulroy Bay: Stories and Songs about William Sydney Clements, the Third Earl of Leitrim

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: D. K. Wilgus and Eleanor R. Long-Wilgus Year: 2005 Pages: 301 Publisher: Chapel Hill Press ISBN: 1-59715-000-2 (hard cover). Prices: $29.95 USD(hard cover).
Preface 2013: The Capacity to Be Taxed Is the Capacity to Self-Destruct

This is the eighth Green Bag Almanac & Reader. This year is a special one, though, for reasons given after our customary salute to our diligent board and before our customary confessions of editorial error. There are two big problems with this Almanac. First, it is late — printed in September 2013, not in the winter of 2012-13, as it should have been. Second, it is relatively plain and boring — it lacks both the elaborate design and the voluminously numerous entertaining tidbits featured in previous Almanacs. (The exemplary legal writing is still excellent, of course, as are the annual reviews on pages 19-78 below.) Both problems are our own fault, because we screwed up the Green Bag, Inc.’s taxes. Permit me to explain. The Green Bag, Inc. — publisher not only of this Almanac but also of the Green Bag (a law journal) and several other publications, as well as producer of such works of scholarly artistry as the Supreme Court Sluggers trading cards and a series of bobbleheads of Supreme Court Justices — was a not-for-profit corporation blessed by the IRS with limited tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code. We received our 501(c)(3) determination in 1998, shortly after the company was formed. But in August 2010 we lost it. Like many not-for-profits, the Green Bag, Inc. had been stupidly failing to engage in the fairly simple process of filing the required tax forms. As a result, when the IRS launched its automatic revocation system in 2010, we were one of the roughly 275,000 not-for-profits whose tax exemptions were revoked. Since then, we have developed a deeper appreciation for the old adage about it being easier to get into trouble than to get out of it, as this preface illustrates.
Pedagogical Praxis Surrounding the Integration of Photography, Visual Literacy, Digital Literacy, and Educational Technology into Business Education Classrooms A Focus Group Study

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. May 2010. Major: Work and Human Resource Education. Advisor: Dr. James M. Brown. xii, 235 pages, appendices A-C.
Challenges in Concussion Detection Using Vocal Acoustic Biomarkers

Acoustic metrics extracted from speech have the potential to serve as novel biomarkers for a variety of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, as is evidenced by the rapidly growing corpus of research articles studying the links between brain impairments and speech. In this paper, we discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of speech biomarkers and the various challenges in the design and the implementation of portable speech-based diagnostic and assessment tools. Furthermore, we provide a case study, presenting our experiences in developing an assessment tool for the detection of mild traumatic brain injuries (concussions) and discuss the challenges in obtaining and analyzing large sets of speech recordings that can be used to study the impact of brain injuries on vocal features.
The DEFACTO system: training tool for incident commanders

Techniques for augmenting the automation of routine coordination are rapidly reaching a level of effectiveness where they can simulate realistic coordination on the ground for large numbers of emergency response entities (e.g. fire engines. police cars) for the sake of training. Furthermore, it seems inevitable that future disaster response systems will utilize such technology. We have constructed a new system, DE-FACTO (Demonstrating Effective Flexible Agent Coordination of Teams through Omnipresence), that integrates state-of-the-art agent reasoning capabilities and 3D visualization into a unique high fidelity system for training incident commanders. The DEFACTO system achieves this goal via three main components: (i) Omnipresent Viewer - intuitive interface, (ii) Proxy Framework - for team coordination, and (iii) Flexible Interaction - between the incident commander and the team. We have performed detailed preliminary experiments with DEFACTO in the fire-fighting domain. In addition, DEFACTO has been repeatedly demonstrated to key police and fire department personnel in Los Angeles area, with very positive feedback.
Hybrid approach for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum: early single center results and comparison to the standard surgical approach.

Objectives To examine acute and mid-term patient outcomes following the hybrid approach to pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS) compared with the standard surgical approach. Background A subset of PA-IVS patients with the prospect of biventricular circulation typically undergo surgical or transcatheter right ventricular (RV) outflow tract opening. A recently described hybrid procedure, involving perventricular pulmonary valve perforation, was shown to be safe and effective in single-center series. Methods A single-center retrospective review of all patient with PA-IVS who underwent either surgical or hybrid RV decompression between January 2002 and December 2011 was completed and acute and mid-term patient outcomes were compared between the surgical and hybrid cohorts. Additionally, a systematic literature review was completed to compare a transcatheter cohort to the hybrid cohort. Results Seven patients with PA-IVS underwent a hybrid procedure; the procedure was technically successful in all attempts, and none required CPB. No patients required surgical re-intervention prior to hospital discharge, and none died during the study period. Surgical RV decompression was performed in 17 patients with a median CPB time of 80 min. Patient outcomes were nearly identical between cohorts. By systematic review, the transcatheter approach has a procedural success of 75–95% but up to 75% of patients require operation in the neonatal period. Conclusions The hybrid approach is a safe and feasible alternative to the standard surgical and transcatheter approaches to PA-IVS. Acute and mid-term patient outcomes are comparable with those treated with a standard surgical approach and neonatal CPB is completely avoided. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MRI of the shoulder.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder is routinely used, especially in the evaluation of rotator cuff disease and glenohumeral instability. More recent studies have provided a more sophisticated understanding of what represents a pathologic rotator cuff. Similarly, there has been an increased focus on the role of the glenohumeral ligaments and their labral attachment sites in maintaining glenohumeral stability. There have been technical advances as well, including the increased use of magnetic resonance arthrography. In addition, newer studies have shed light on the pathophysiology of the long bicipital tendon and compression neuropathies involving the suprascapular and axillary nerves.
DETERMINANTS OF LDC MANDATED COUNTERTRADE

The increased use of government imposed countertrade (mandated countertrade) by developing nations (LDCs) to meet their economic goals has been of particular concern to international executives. Frequently, countertrade can be mandated by LDCs on transactions even with their long‐time trading partners. Firms therefore need to anticipate actions of their LDC trading partners to be competitive in the global market place. Inadequate preparation can result in repercussions such as exclusion from specific deals, to exclusion from a particular country‐market.
Students' attitudes towards suicide

Attitudes of 800 college students from nine institutions were assessed by means of a 100 item Suicide Opinion Questionnaire. The results indicate both wide heterogeneity and communality of attitudes. Students see depression but not mental illness as a predisposing aspect. They exhibit considerable individual differences and intraindividual indecision as to religious precepts vis-a-vis suicide, see suicide as a “cry for help,” but do not accept non-interference towards potential victims. One major implication is the need for greater education.
A comparison of local and non-local visitor information-seeking behavior by visitors to civil war-related US National Park Service sites.

Although previous research has documented differences between local and non-local visitors, the differences in the information sources referenced when planning trips have not been assessed in published studies. Differences in the sources used by local and non-local visitors to National Park Service Civil War conflict sites were examined, as were differences in ages and visitation characteristics. Although the vast majority of respondents had gathered information about the sites prior to visiting, differences existed in the type of sources used in general, sources used by locals as opposed to non-locals and sources used by visitors of different ages. Locals were more likely to be younger and to use past experience and the advice of acquaintances, whereas non-locals were more likely to be older and use impersonal sources. The results from this study can be used to target certain geographic or demographic populations with site information.
Efficacy and safety of subcutaneous amifostine in minimizing radiation-induced toxicities in patients receiving combined-modality treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose To report long-term data from a prospective trial of subcutaneous (s.c.) amifostine in patients who received chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Methods and Materials Patients ≥18 years of age with previously untreated Stage III/IV SCCHN received fractionated radiotherapy, 1.8–2.0 Gy/day, 5 days per week, to a total dose of 70–72 Gy, plus weekly paclitaxel (40 mg/m 2 ) and carboplatin (100 mg/m 2 ) administered intravenously (i.v.) for 6 weeks. All patients received 500 mg s.c. amifostine 30–60 min before radiotherapy with antihistamine and antiemetic prophylaxis. Results Twenty patients were evaluable (median age, 55 years). The incidence of Grade 2 xerostomia was 42% and 29% at 12 and 18 months, respectively; there were no reports of Grade ≥3 xerostomia. Grade ≥3 mucositis occurred in 30% of patients, with median time to resolution of 12.5 weeks (range, 5–17 weeks). Survival estimates at 1 and 2 years were 95% and 71%, respectively. All patients experienced Grade 2 weight loss; 7 patients (35%) experienced Grade ≤2 nausea/vomiting. There were no reports of Grade ≥3 amifostine-related adverse events. Conclusions Subcutaneous amifostine was well tolerated by patients receiving chemoradiotherapy for SCCHN, with lower rates of nausea/vomiting than reported in trials with i.v. amifostine. Xerostomia and mucositis rates were similar to those reported in trials with i.v. amifostine.
Phage display-based molecular methods in immunohematology

The goal of the current Food and Drug Administration-sponsored workshop was to explore the feasibility of utilizing newly developed molecular approaches in the area of immunohematology. As stated by the workshop’s organizers, conventional methods for blood grouping and associated compatibility testing have served us well for many decades, yet blood incompatibility remains a significant problem in transfusion medicine. This is due, in part, to the variability in the performance characteristics of preparations of polyclonal or monoclonal antibody reagents as well as to certain inherent limitations in a detection scheme that is agglutination-based. Furthermore, in comparison with diagnostic testing performed in other areas of laboratory medicine, current pretransfusion-testing methods are extraordinarily labor-intensive, an order of magnitude more expensive, subjective with respect to the interpretation of assay results, and tend to defy the development of high-throughput automation. Another drawback, as expressed by the Food and Drug Administration, is that current blood bank testing is a “single ‘analyte’ per test kind of test,” in other words, one antibody/agglutination result per tube. The ability to get more than one result per test, that is, “multiplexing” blood
Alternatively Certified Teachers in Urban Small Schools: Where Policy Reform Meets the Road

In this study we explore the experiences of new teachers in urban schools at the intersection of three major policy agendas—alternative certification, new teacher retention, and the small schools movement. We examine alternatively certified teachers’ perceptions of the rewards and challenges of teaching in small schools, the support neophyte teachers seek and receive in these unique educational settings, and the reality of small school implementation in a modern urban environment. The findings have implications for policy-makers, urban school reformers, teacher educators and professional developers, administrators and teachers working to create and implement effective policy for twenty-first century urban schools.
Harmony search optimisation to the pump-included water distribution network design

This work is to present an optimisation model for the design of water distribution networks which include pumps. Pump-included water distribution networks have not been featured in the literature of hydrosystems optimisation as often as simple gravity-based water networks, which have gained popularity in the optimisation field. The optimisation model for the pump-included water network uses a music-inspired evolutionary algorithm, harmony search (HS), which mimics a music improvisation process in order to find better design solutions. Use of HS would obtain better results in terms of average design cost, number of function evaluations, and hydraulic simulation condition as compared to those of another evolutionary algorithm, simulated annealing.
INTEGRATION OF FACILITY MODELING CAPABILITIES FOR NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION ANALYSIS

Developing automated methods for data collection and analysis that can facilitate nuclear nonproliferation assessment is an important research area with significant consequences for the effective global deployment of nuclear energy. Facility modeling that can integrate and interpret observations collected from monitored facilities in order to ascertain their functional details will be a critical element of these methods. Although improvements are continually sought, existing facility modeling tools can characterize all aspects of reactor operations and the majority of nuclear fuel cycle processing steps, and include algorithms for data processing and interpretation. Assessing nonproliferation status is challenging because observations can come from many sources, including local and remote sensors that monitor facility operations, as well as open sources that provide specific business information about the monitored facilities, and can be of many different types. Although many current facility models are capable of analyzing large amounts of information, they have not been integrated in an analyst-friendly manner. This paper addresses some of these facility modeling capabilities and illustrates how they could be integrated and utilized for nonproliferation analysis. The inverse problem of inferring facility conditions based on collected observations is described, along with a proposed architecture and computer framework for utilizing facility modeling tools. After considering a representative sampling of key facility modeling capabilities, the proposed integration framework is illustrated with several examples.
Effect of potassium sorbate and citric acid sprays on growth of Listeria monocytogenes on cooked crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) tail meat at 4°C

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of citric acid (CA) or potassium sorbate (PS) spray treatments on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) tail meat stored at 4°C. The generation time for a 3 strain inoculum of L. monocytogenes was 28.5 h for untreated controls. Growth of the bacterium on crawfish treated with O.03 g/kg CA was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from untreated samples. PS at 0.03 g/kg extended the lag phase of the bacterium by 2 d; however, once exponential growth began a generation time (28.1 h) not significantly different (P > 0.05) from untreated crawfish was observed. These results indicate that spray application of 0.03 g/kg PS or CA would have little or no benefit in controlling L. monocytogenes on crawfish tail meat.
ESR of electron irradiated ZnO confirmation of the F + center

Abstract Irradiation of single crystals of ZnO with 2 MeV electrons produces a defect which has been identified by its ESR spectrum as an F + center. A correlation between this center and the radiation induced optical absorption has been observed.