cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-reported infertility diagnoses and treatment history approximately 20 years after fertility treatment initiation.

Infertility history may have important implications for clinical practice and scientific discovery. Previous research on the validity of self-reported infertility measurements has been limited in scope and duration (< 5 years). In this study, we validated self-reported infertility history measures 15–23 years after fertility treatment initiation among women who utilized assisted reproductive technology (ART). Women who received ART treatments from three Boston infertility clinics and who enrolled in a prior study (1994–2003) were re-contacted in 2018 for the AfteR Treatment Follow-up Study (ART-FS). Infertility history was collected from clinical records and two self-report questionnaires (at ART initiation and at ART-FS enrollment). Treatment history included specific details (fresh or frozen embryo transfers, number of cycles) and treatment recall prior to ART initiation. Self-reported infertility diagnoses included polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, uterine factor infertility, tubal factor infertility, diminished ovarian reserve/advanced maternal age, male factor infertility, and other/unknown. We compared self-reported measures from 2018 to self-reported and clinical data from prior study initiation, using Cohen’s kappa, sensitivity, specificity, and 95% confidence intervals. Of 2644 women we attempted to recontact, 808 completed the ART-FS, with an average follow-up of 19.6 years (standard deviation: 2.7). Recall of fertility treatment usage had moderate sensitivity (IVF = 0.85, Clomiphene/Gonadotropin = 0.81) but low specificity across different infertility treatment modalities (IVF = 0.63, Clomiphene/Gonadotropin = 0.55). Specific IVF details had low to moderate validity and reliability with clinical records. Reliability of recalled infertility diagnosis was higher when compared to self-report at ART initiation (PCOS K = 0.66, Endometriosis K = 0.76, Tubal K = 0.73) than when compared to clinical records (PCOS K = 0.31, Endometriosis K = 0.48, Tubal K = 0.62) and varied by diagnosis. The ability of women to recall specific IVF treatment details was moderately accurate and recall of self-reported infertility diagnosis varied by diagnosis and measurement method.
Deep conservation of Hid-like RHG gene family homologs in winged insects

Together with sickle (skl), the Drosophila paralogs reaper (rpr), head involution defective (hid), and grim (RHG) control a critical switch in the induction of programmed cell death. RHG homologs have been identified in other dipteran and lepidopteran species but not beyond. Revisiting this issue with a "taxon hopping" BLAST search strategy in current genome and transcriptome resources, I detected high confidence RHG homologs in Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (bees+wasps), Hemiptera (true bugs), termites, and cockroaches. Analyses of gene structure and protein sequence conservation revealed a shared ancestral splicing pattern and highly conserved amino acid residues at both the N- and C-terminal ends that identify hid as the most ancestrally organized RHG gene family member in Drosophila. hid-like RHG homologs were also detected in mosquitoes, redefining their michelob_x (mx) genes as an expansion of derived RHG homologs. Only singleton homologs were detected in the large majority of other insect clades. Lepidopteran RHG homologs, however, stand out by producing an evolutionarily derived splice isoform, identified in previous work, in addition to the newly detected hid-like isoform. Exceptional sequence diversification of select RHG homologs at the family- and genus-level explain their elusiveness in important insect genome model species like the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum and the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Combined, these findings expand the minimal age of the RHG gene family by about 100 million years and open new avenues for molecular cell death studies in insects.
Ambiguity, Investor Disagreement, and Expected Stock Returns

I set up a model in which two types of ambiguity-averse traders disagree on how to interpret a public signal. When traders first observe contradicting interpretations of the signal, they don't know whether to attribute the clash of opinions to different information processing or to information asymmetry, and thus treat the other type's interpretation as an ambiguous signal. This ambiguity decreases over time as traders gradually learn or form beliefs about the other type's interpretation. The model predicts a positive relation between investor disagreement (ID) and expected stock return, given that the public signal is very imprecise. Also, ID can be measured using the negative correlation coefficient between trading volume and absolute price change. I find that stocks in the highest ID decile outperform stocks in the lowest ID decile by 8.7 percent annually, adjusted for exposures to the market return as well as size, value, momentum, and liquidity factors. In addition, stocks with high ID prior to the earnings announcement experience significantly higher returns around the earnings announcement compared to stocks with low ID.
Basal glycogenolysis in mouse skeletal muscle: in vitro model predicts in vivo fluxes

A previously published mammalian kinetic model of skeletal muscle glycogenolysis, consisting of literature in vitro parameters, was modified by substituting mouse specific Vmax values. The model demonstrates that glycogen breakdown to lactate is under ATPase control. Our criteria to test whether in vitro parameters could reproduce in vivo dynamics was the ability of the model to fit phosphocreatine (PCr) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) dynamic NMR data from ischemic basal mouse hindlimbs and predict biochemically-assayed lactate concentrations. Fitting was accomplished by optimizing four parameters--the ATPase rate coefficient, fraction of activated glycogen phosphorylase, and the equilibrium constants of creatine kinase and adenylate kinase (due to the absence of pH in the model). The optimized parameter values were physiologically reasonable, the resultant model fit the [PCr] and [Pi] timecourses well, and the model predicted the final measured lactate concentration. This result demonstrates that additional features of in vivo enzyme binding are not necessary for quantitative description of glycogenolytic dynamics.
Rights Without Remedies

In Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community, the Supreme Court issued a critically important decision on tribal sovereign immunity denying Michigan a forum to enforce its alleged rights under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and under state law. The decision reminds me of Oklahoma Tax Commission v. Citizen Potawatomi Nation, where the Court held that Oklahoma could tax tribal smokeshops, but could not sue the tribe to force remittance of the tax revenue. And so for the second time in recent decades, the Court issued a decision that a state had a right under federal Indian law that was unenforceable against an Indian tribe due to sovereign immunity – in other words, a right without a remedy.The Supreme Court’s primary reasoning in the Bay Mills matter directly focuses the resolution of these kinds of disputes on Congress. Bay Mills did not simply reaffirm tribal immunity – the Court strongly reaffirmed something known as the clear statement rule. The reaffirmation of the clear statement rule could impact many areas of tribal governance beyond tribal sovereign immunity, including labor relations, treaty rights, tribal court jurisdiction, and of course Indian taxation. This paper parses out where the clear statement rule can by utilized by tribal interests for maximum effect, and where reliance upon the rule could generate signals to Congress.I conclude by identifying the logical outcome of reliance upon the clear statement rule – Congressional reconsideration of tribal immunities. Indian country’s focus on litigation may be forced to give way to the legislative arena. There, tribal interests may be confronted with the rhetoric of rights without remedies.
Isolation and Characterization of Rifampin-Resistant and Streptolydigin-Resistant Mutants of Bacillus subtilis with Altered Sporulation Properties

Mutants of Bacillus subtilis with altered deoxyribonucleic-dependent ribonucleic acid polymerase activity have been isolated and characterized. These mutants, selected as strains resistant to rifampin or streptolydigin, demonstrate drug-resistant in vitro ribonucleic acid synthesis. Sporeforming ability and support of phage infection are altered in many of the mutants. Mutations to rifampin and streptolydigin resistance have been located on the B. subtilis chromosome and ordered relative to the markers cysA14 and str.
Combining billing codes, clinical notes, and medications from electronic health records provides superior phenotyping performance.

Objective To evaluate the phenotyping performance of three major electronic health record (EHR) components: International Classification of Disease (ICD) diagnosis codes, primary notes, and specific medications. Materials and Methods We conducted the evaluation using de-identified Vanderbilt EHR data. We preselected ten diseases: atrial fibrillation, Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, gout, human immunodeficiency virus infection, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. For each disease, patients were classified into seven categories based on the presence of evidence in diagnosis codes, primary notes, and specific medications. Twenty-five patients per disease category (a total number of 175 patients for each disease, 1750 patients for all ten diseases) were randomly selected for manual chart review. Review results were used to estimate the positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, and F -score for each EHR component alone and in combination. Results The PPVs of single components were inconsistent and inadequate for accurately phenotyping (0.06–0.71). Using two or more ICD codes improved the average PPV to 0.84. We observed a more stable and higher accuracy when using at least two components (mean ± standard deviation: 0.91 ± 0.08). Primary notes offered the best sensitivity (0.77). The sensitivity of ICD codes was 0.67. Again, two or more components provided a reasonably high and stable sensitivity (0.59 ± 0.16). Overall, the best performance ( F score: 0.70 ± 0.12) was achieved by using two or more components. Although the overall performance of using ICD codes (0.67 ± 0.14) was only slightly lower than using two or more components, its PPV (0.71 ± 0.13) is substantially worse (0.91 ± 0.08). Conclusion Multiple EHR components provide a more consistent and higher performance than a single one for the selected phenotypes. We suggest considering multiple EHR components for future phenotyping design in order to obtain an ideal result.
Novel storage solutions to improve food security for subsistence farmers

Solutions exist in developed countries to reduce post-harvest grain losses caused by insects to less than 1%. Yet developing countries can experience post-harvest losses of >20% (African Post Harvest Losses Information System (2011). Most solutions available to developed countries are not appropriate for developing country small farmers, who produce can account for a 50–75% of grain storage in these countries (Baloch, 1999). If these losses can be reduced, then hunger can be reduced and income and food security increased. Varied results have been shown when using commercial and traditional methods of controlling insects that include pyrethroids, diatomaceous earths, ash, and local repellents (Stathers et al., 2008). More recently, methods of creating oxygen-free environments using plastic bags and locally-available metal containers have been used (Murdock et al., 2003). These methods can be effective but can be too expensive for many farmers. Plastic bags also are vulnerable to damage by rodents. Our research group has investigated three innovative storage solutions using readily available materials: insecticide-treaded bed nets (ITNs), repellents, and creation of modified atmospheres in storage. ITNs are widely distributed in malaria endemic areas. We have shown in laboratory studies that if grain is stored in these bed nets that have been treated with permethrins, there was almost no insect infestation. However, grain stored in untreated nets became highly infested. We are also working with low-cost, food-safe repellent that has shown to be effective at preventing insect infestations in stored grain. This repellent can be produced locally and is effective at repelling other disease vectors that are common in developing countries. Thus, there could be multiple health benefits resulting from the application of this product. Finally, creating a modified atmosphere that kills insects can be achieved using CO 2 from composting material. As organic material decomposes, it produces CO 2 which can then be used to create an atmosphere unfavorable for insect survival. No special materials are needed for this low cost method of controlling insects, other than common plastic bags or metal contains to contain the grain and capture the CO 2. In summary, ITN's, novel repellents, and modified atmospheres can be low cost and effective solutions to controlling insects for small farmers in developing countries.
Seismological Constraints on Proposed Low-Yield Nuclear Testing in Particular Regions and Time Periods in the Past, with Comments on “Radionuclide Evidence for Low-Yield Nuclear Testing in North Korea in April/May 2010” by Lars-Erik De Geer

We have attempted to detect seismic signals from small explosions in North Korea on five specific days in 2010 that feature in scenarios proposed by De Geer. We searched the seismic data recorded by station MDJ in northeastern China, applying three-component cross-correlation methods using signals from known explosions as templates. We assess the capability of this method of detection, and of simpler methods, all of which failed to find seismic signals that would be expected if De Geer's scenarios were valid. We conclude that no well-coupled underground explosion above about a ton occurred near the North Korea test site on these five days and that any explosion would have to be very small (local magnitude less than about 2) to escape detection.
Why exercise capacity does not improve after pulmonary valve replacement.

Optimal timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) for pulmonary regurgitation is a debated topic. It is logical that maximal aerobic capacity (VO2peak) would decline when a PVR is needed, but a diminished VO2peak is not always present before PVR, and previous studies show no improvement in VO2peak after PVR. This study aimed to evaluate changes in resting spirometry from pre- to post-PVR sternotomy, to determine the limiting factors of VO2peak before and after PVR, and to determine whether changes in resting lung function after PVR may explain the lack of improvement in VO2peak after surgery. For 26 patients (age, 19.7 ± 7.8 years) with a history of right ventricular outflow tract revision, the study prospectively evaluated echocardiograms, resting spirometry, and maximal exercise tests before PVR and then an average of 15 months after PVR. Flow volume loops were reviewed by a pulmonologist and categorized as obstructive, restrictive, both obstructive and restrictive, or normal. Exercise tests were interpreted using Eschenbacher’s algorithm to determine the primary factors limiting exercise. No change in VO2peak or spirometry after PVR was observed. Before PVR, many patients had abnormal resting lung functions (85 % abnormal), which was unchanged after PVR (86 5 % abnormal). The majority of the patients had a ventilatory limitation to VO2peak before PVR (66.7 %), whereas 28.5 % had a cardiovascular limitation, and 4.8 % had no clear limitation. After PVR, 65.2 % of the patients had a ventilatory limitation, whereas 30.4 % had a cardiovascular limitation, and 4.4 % had no clear limitation to VO2peak. Pulmonary function did not change up to 15 months after surgical PVR. The frequency of pulmonary limitation to VO2peak after PVR did not increase. The effect of pulmonary function on exercise-related symptoms must be considered in this patient population. Improved cardiac hemodynamics are unlikely to improve VO2peak in a primarily pulmonary-limited patient.
Beyond Abstinence: An Examination of Psychological Well-Being in Members of Narcotics Anonymous

While a growing body of literature supports the role of mutual help organizations in helping members achieve abstinence, fellowships other than Alcoholics Anonymous and outcomes beyond abstinence have been studied far less often. The current study examined recovery-related correlates of psychological well-being in a sample of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) members. Participants (N = 128) were self-identified NA members from across the United States who completed an online survey assessing an array of psychosocial outcomes. Hierarchical regression models assessed whether abstinence duration and other recovery-related variables accounted for significant incremental variance in psychological well-being, over and above several covariates. As a block, abstinence duration and the recovery predictors accounted for significant incremental variance in three of four psychological well-being domains. As a complement to studies on short-term benefits of mutual help organizations, these data suggest ongoing recovery involvement may be positively associated with subjective psychological well-being in NA members.
High Speed Optical Measurement Techniques In Explosion Physics Experiments

In this paper, some main developments obtained during past thirty years in the studies of high speed photography and photonics application technology in explosion, shock and other fast process are presented. Key Words: photonics, High speed photography, explosion, optical diagnostic, image processing
Validation of loop shaping force feedback controller for nonlinear effective force testing

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the loop shaping force feedback controller for the effective force test method with nonlinear test structures. Using loop shaping techniques a force feedback controller is designed to compensate for the control-structure interaction and suppress the oil-column resonance of the hydraulic actuator. A series of effective force tests using historical earthquake ground motions are conducted to assess the performance and robustness of the loop shaping force feedback controller at the Johns Hopkins University, USA. The effective force tests were successfully performed beyond the linear range of the test structures, developing nonlinear hysteresis loops and residual displacements. Experimental results proved that the loop shaping force feedback controller provides robustness despite the nonlinearities of the test structures. However, the investigation also revealed that the loop shaping force feedback controller has limited capabilities to produce accurate forc...
On the irreversible inhibition of α-chymotrypsin, trypsin, pancreatic kallikrein', thrombin and elastase by N-(β-pyridylmethyl)-3,4 dichlorophenoxyacetamide-p-fluorosulfonylacetanilide bromide

Abstract 1. 1. Kinetic parameters and specificity characteristics have been determined for N -( β -pyridylmethyl)-3,4-dichlorophenoxyacetamide- p -fluorosulfonylacetanilide bromide (PDFA), a member of a new class of active-site-directed irreversible protease inhibitors where covalent bonding to the enzymes occurs outside the limits of the active site proper. The results establish PDFA as one of the most potent inhibitors of α-chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.4.5) with a second-order rate constant of inactivation of 5.41 · 10 4 M −1 · min −1 at pH 7.0 and 37 °C. 2. 2. PDFA is also a weak irreversible inhibitor of trypsin (EC 3.4.4.4), pancreatic kallikrein (EC 3.4.4.21), elastase (EC 3.4.4.7) and thrombin (EC 3.4.4.13), in this approximate descending order of effectiveness. The second-order rate constant of inhibition with trypsin (at pH 8.1) is more than 200 times lower than with α-chymotrypsin (at pH 7.0).
Garner plus five years: An examination of Supreme Court intervention into police discretion and legislative prerogatives

This paper examines legislative changes, state attorney general activities, and early federal case law following the 1985 United States Supreme Court holding inTennessee v. Gamer that laws authorizing police use of deadly force to apprehend fleeing, unarmed, non-violent felony suspects violated the Fourth Amendment. Only four of the 23 states apparently affected by this decision have brought their statutes into line with it. Only two of the attorneys general in the remaining 19 states have advised police of the decision. These findings indicate that control of police discretion in use of deadly force has been assumed by police administrators, and that criminal law definitions and the legal advice of attorneys general are largely irrelevant to effective control of police behavior
Online trust, trustworthiness, or assurance?

Every day, individuals around the world retrieve, share, and exchange information on the Internet. We interact online to share personal information, ½nd answers to questions, make ½nancial transactions, play social games, and maintain professional and personal relationships. Sometimes our online interactions take place between two or more humans. In other cases, we rely on computers to man- age information on our behalf. In each scenario, risk and uncertainty are essential for determining pos- sible actions and outcomes. This essay highlights common de½ciencies in our understanding of key con- cepts such as trust, trustworthiness, cooperation, and assurance in online environments. Empirical evi- dence from experimental work in computer-mediated environments underscores the promises and perils of overreliance on security and assurance structures as replacements for interpersonal trust. These con- ceptual distinctions are critical because the future shape of the Internet will depend on whether we build assurance structures to limit and control ambiguity or allow trust to emerge in the presence of risk and uncertainty.
Ratiometric Raman spectroscopy for quantification of protein oxidative damage

A novel ratiometric Raman spectroscopic (RMRS) method has been developed for quantitative determination of protein carbonyl levels. Oxidized bovine serum albumin (BSA) and oxidized lysozyme were used as model proteins to demonstrate this method. The technique involves conjugation of protein carbonyls with dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNPH), followed by drop coating deposition Raman spectral acquisition (DCDR). The RMRS method is easy to implement because it requires only one conjugation reaction, uses a single spectral acquisition, and does not require sample calibration. Characteristic peaks from both protein and DNPH moieties are obtained in a single spectral acquisition, allowing the protein carbonyl level to be calculated from the peak intensity ratio. Detection sensitivity for the RMRS method is approximately 0.33 pmol carbonyl per measurement. Fluorescence and/or immunoassay-based techniques only detect a signal from the labeling molecule and, thus, yield no structural or quantitative information for the modified protein, whereas the RMRS technique allows protein identification and protein carbonyl quantification in a single experiment.
Preparation and metabolism of 125-sulfobromophthalein

Metabolism of 125I-sulfobromophthalein (BSP) prepared by the chloramine-T method was studied in rats. 125I-BSP is removed rapidly from the circulation. However, as compared to BSP, its plasma clearance and biliary excretion are delayed, and its accumulation in the liver is prolonged. Although BSP and 125I-BSP show similar binding to albumin in serum, their binding properties to liver cytosolic proteins and to the liver cell plasma membrane organic anion binding protein (OABP) differ. In contrast to the X-, Y- and Z-protein binding of BSP, 125I-BSP binds predominantly to a high molecular weight protein and only a small proportion of 125I-BSP binds to OABP.
Real time control of critical intersections based on queue dynamics

Several control schemes have been proposed in the past for optimal control of congested intersections but they have not been applied in real life situations partly because of the complex instrumentation required for their application and partly because they do not combine all control objectives at such intersections. Open and closed loop control policies minimizing total intersection delays subject to queue size constraints have also been proposed by the authors. All control policies, however, have the disadvantage that they are based on simple traffic models describing the effective size of the queues rather than the queue lengths. In this paper a new model is presented describing the queue dynamics at signalized intersections as a function of the demands, the intersection characteristics and the control decisions. A control policy combining the results of this model and control principles previously developed by the authors is also proposed.
Minimally invasive esophagectomy is safe in patients with previous gastric bypass

Abstract Background The prevalence of morbid obesity in the United States has been steadily increasing, and there is an established relationship between obesity and the risk of developing certain cancers. Patients who have undergone prior gastric bypass (GB) and present with newly diagnosed esophageal cancer represent a new and challenging cohort for surgical resection of their disease. We present our case series of consecutive patients with previous GB who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). Methods Retrospective review of consecutive patients with a history of GB who underwent a MIE for esophageal cancer between July 2010 and August 2012. Results Five patients were identified with a mean age of 57 years. Mean follow-up was 9.1 months. Four patients had undergone laparoscopic GB, and 1 patient had an open GB. Two patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced disease. Minimally invasive procedures were thoracoscopic/laparoscopic esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis in 4 patients and colonic interposition in 1 patient. Mean operative time was 6 hours and 52 minutes. Median length of stay was 7 days. There was no mortality. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients and included pneumonia/respiratory failure, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and pyloric stenosis. All patients are alive and disease free at last follow-up. Conclusions Minimally invasive esophagectomy after prior GB is well tolerated, is technically feasible, and has acceptable oncologic and perioperative outcomes. We conclude that precise endoscopic evaluation before bariatric surgery in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease is essential, as is the necessity for continuing postsurgical surveillance in patients with known Barrett's esophagitis and for early evaluation in patients who develop new symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease after bariatric surgery.
Effect of capsid proteins to ICG mass ratio on fluorescent quantum yield of virus-resembling optical nano-materials

We recently reported construction of a new type of optical nano-construct composed of genome-depleted plant infecting brome mosaic virus (BMV) doped with Indocyanine green (ICG), an FDA-approved chromophore. We refer to these constructs as optical viral ghosts (OVGs) since only the capsid protein (CP) subunits of BMV remain to encapsulate ICG. To utilize OVGs as effective nano-probes in fluorescence imaging applications, their fluorescence quantum yield needs to be maximized. In this study, we investigate the effect of altering the CP to ICG mass ratio on the fluorescent quantum yield of OVGs. Results of this study provide the basis for construction of OVGs with optimal amounts of CP and ICG to yield maximal fluorescence quantum yield.
Structure, Multiphase Systems and Yield Stress

We will discuss a new slotted-plate device to directly measure static yield stresses of complex multiphase systems. Possible wall effects associated with our earlier yield-stress plate instrument have been minimized. Our new setup avoids the disadvantages of the vane instrument. Yield stress values on a variety of systems have been obtained and have been compared with the values obtained via a variety of other methods.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Managing language barriers in the workplace: The roles of job demands and resources on turnover intentions

Abstract Immigrants are a considerable growing segment of the hospitality workforce, but with an overwhelming majority of immigrant workers having limited English speaking abilities, hospitality managers are often challenged with communication barriers. The purpose of the current study was to examine the influence of managers’ communication satisfaction with limited English speaking employees on three work-related outcomes that can be influenced by working with limited English employees: role ambiguity, role conflict, and turnover intentions. A survey was completed by 130 hotel and lodging managers. The results of a mediation model showed that satisfaction with the quality of communication with limited English speaking employees reduced role ambiguity and role conflicts, which led to lower turnover intentions. Managers’ turnover intentions are not necessarily a direct effect of the communication quality with their limited English speaking subordinates, but due to the job demands that manifest in an environment with communication barriers, such as confusion and conflicting misunderstandings.
The breakdown pattern of n-hepteane ion by photodissociation: an excellent thermometric ion

The abundances of the six most intense photofragment ions were measured for photodissociation of n-heptane parent ion C7H+16 over the wavelength range 670-485 nm, corresponding to an internal energy of the parent ion of 2.16–3.02 eV. Only the ions at m/z 43 and 71 showed a strong energy dependence, apparently owing to the sequential fragmentation reaction 100 a 71 a 43 which was recently characterized by fast-beam photodissociation. The m/z 71 and 43 ion abundances show strong energy dependence, and their relative abundances provide an exceptionally sensitive thermometric probe of the internal energy of the parent ion at the moment of dissociation.
Study of Electromigration-Induced Resistance and Resistance Decay in A1 Thin Film Conductors

Using an AC Bridge technique, the resistance of thin film (5000A thick) Al and (2000A thick)Al/5% Cu conductor stripes were monitored during high direct current density (1 X 106 A/cm2) stressing. The resistance was found to increase approximately linearly with time during stressing, which in this experiment was for periods of at least three hours, after which the current was turned off and the resistance continued to be monitored. The rate of the resistance increase was found to be thermally activated, but with an activation energy which varied considerably from sample to sample. Following stressing, an exponential decay in the resistance was observed which took place over a period of several hours. The decay appears to be characterized by more than one Characteristic thermally activated decay time (tau). The results are explained in terms of a model where electromigration induced vacancy supersaturations precipitate into defects and their subsequent decay.
Hyperphosphorylation of rat liver proteasome subunits: the effects of ethanol and okadaic acid are compared

In experimental alcoholic liver disease, protein degradation by the ATP-ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is inhibited. Failure of the proteasome to eliminate cytoplasmic proteins leads to the accumulation of oxidized and otherwise modified proteins. One possible explanation for the inhibition of the proteasome is hyperphosphorylation of proteasome subunits. To examine this possibility, the 26S proteasomes from the liver of rats fed ethanol and a pair-fed control were studied by isolating the proteasomes in a purified fraction. The effect of ethanol on the phosphorylation of proteasomal subunits was compared with the hyperphosphorylation of the proteasomes caused by okadaic acid given to rats in vivo. Ethanol ingestion caused an inhibition of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the purified proteasome. The 2D electrophoresis and Western blot analysis of the purified 20S and 26S proteasomes from the ethanol-fed rats indicated that hyperphosphorylation of proteasomal subunits had occured. The proteasomal alpha type subunits C9/α3 and C8/α7 were hyperphosphorylated compared to the controls. Chymotrypsin-like activity was also inhibited by okadaic acid treatment similar to ethanol feeding. The 26S proteasome fraction examined by isoelectric focusing gel revealed many hyperphosphorylated bands in the proteasomes from the okadaic acid treated and the ethanol fed rat livers compared with the controls. In conclusion hyperphosphorylation of the proteasome subunits occurs in the ethanol treated proteasomal subunits which could be one mechanism of the inhibition of the 26S proteasome caused by ethanol feeding.
Surgical antibiotic practices among pediatric urologists in the United States

Abstract Purpose We hypothesized that there are practice variations in the use of surgical antibiotics by pediatric urologists in the United States. Materials and methods A 31-question online survey was distributed to members of the Society of Pediatric Urology. The questionnaire examined physician preferences for surgical antibiotic use, including indications, antibiotic selection, timing of administration, and duration. Results 189 pediatric urologists responded to the survey. >85% of responders give antibiotics before open pyeloplasty, after hypospadias repair (when a urethral catheter is left in place), or perioperative or postoperative antibiotics for open neoureterocystostomy or bladder reconstructive surgery. >90% of responders do not give postoperative antibiotics to children who have undergone circumcisions, simple chordee repairs, herniorrhapies, or hydrocelectomies. For all other open, laparoscopic, and endoscopic operations, use of antibiotics varied significantly. Diverse opinions exist regarding antibiotic use, including the importance of costs, potential adverse reactions, reduction in infection risk, and antibiotic resistance. There are major differences in gentamicin dosing and timing of administration of perioperative antibiotics. Conclusions Perioperative and postoperative antibiotics are widely used by pediatric urologists. However, there is significant practice variation in surgical antibiotic administration with regards to most areas of pediatric urology, in particular laparoscopic, endoscopic and hypospadias surgery.
Magnetic Reversal Stratigraphy of the Lower Triassic Moenkopi Formation of Western Colorado

Oriented cores, taken at stratigraphic intervals of 9 to 12 inches, have been collected from the basal 500 feet of the Moenkopi Formation along the Dolores River in western Colorado. The NRM and the demagnetized data from these samples indicate that the Lower Triassic magnetic field is characterized by at least eleven reversals. Samples from the normal polarity intervals are initially well clustered and remain so after AC or thermal demagnetization. Samples with reversed polarity are initially scattered and remain so after AC demagnetization. However, after thermal demagnetization to 500° C, they become well clustered and have a direction approximately 180° from that of the normal intervals. All samples belong to either the normal or reversed groups, and no samples transitional between normal and reverse were observed. A tentative correlation of the resulting polarity reversal sequence with that from the Chugwater Formation of Wyoming is proposed. A magnetic anomaly pattern similar to this polarity reversal sequence is observed in magnetic profiles at sea, indicating that polarity reversal sequences may be a useful means of both regional correlation and calibration of the sea-floor spreading rates postulated for the ocean basins.
Some Protein Changes During Post-Mortem Tenderization in Poultry Meat

SUMMARY In both breast and leg muscle from 6-, 9-, and 12-month-old chickens, held for aging at 0°C, the buffer-extractable nitrogen rapidly decreased after death during the onset of rigor and gradually increased to a maximum value during post-rigor aging. Changes in extractable nitrogen occurred mainly as a result of changes in the solubility of myofibrillar proteins. Changes in sarcoplasmic and stroma protein fractions were small. In the nonprotein-nitrogen fraction, some of the amino-acid-containing polymers were removed during the onset of rigor mortis as a result of their interaction or aggregation with proteins. During the post-rigor tenderization period, amino acids and peptide increased in meat as a result of proteolysis. Different rates of post-mortem tenderization in breast and leg muscle appear to be related to the differences in stroma protein content of muscle. Proteolysis seems to weaken or break the bonds which bind myofibrils to the matrix of the muscle and causes protein changes that are responsible for post-rigor tenderization.
The molecular weight of insulin and the inactivation of insulin by fast charged particles.

Abstract The inactivation of dry amorphous insulin by deuterons and electrons indicates that the unit of hormonal activity is roughly spherical and of molecular weight 23,000. The changes in the absorption spectrum of dry insulin after deuteron bombardment are similar to those found with ultraviolet inactivation.
Understanding the effects of concussion using big data

A concussion is a poorly understood mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that alters the way the brain functions. Clinical practice guidelines suggest different algorithms that should be followed to evaluate TBI patients [11]. At different steps, the clinical guidelines ask for physical, cognitive, behavioral, imaging, and neuropsychological evaluations which result in dozens of measures that should be analyzed to better establish an understanding of the patient's condition. The complexity, multimodal, and subjective properties of many of these data combined with the overlapping symptoms of comorbid issues raise many challenges for physicians who must integrate these disparate measurements to develop a comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and for researchers trying to understand the effects of concussions. The complexity of determining the long-term effects of concussions as well as the data challenges faced by clinicians when trying to diagnose mTBI shows that research on the effects of concussion is a big data problem that only when large, comprehensive, and standardized clinical information are analyzed simultaneously, is when new knowledge can be obtained. This paper presents a large-scale informatics database that has been designed to enable research in the understanding of the effects of concussions. The database consists of millions of longitudinal clinical data points ranging from encounters, type of encounters, clinical notes, diagnosis codes, imaging findings, and other clinical information.
Identification of essential histidine residues in 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid 8-phosphate synthase: analysis by chemical modification with diethyl pyrocarbonate and site-directed mutagenesis.

The enzyme 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid 8-phosphate (KDO 8-P) synthase from Escherichia coli that catalyzes the aldol-type condensation of D-arabinose 5-phosphate (A 5-P) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to give KDO 8-P and inorganic phosphate (P(i)) is inactivated by diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC). The inactivation is first-order in enzyme and DEPC. A second-order rate constant of 340 M(-1) min(-1) is obtained at pH 7.6 and 4 degrees C. The rate of inactivation is dependent on pH and the pH-inactivation rate data imply the involvement of an amino acid residue with a pK(a) value of 7.3. KDO 8-P synthase activity is not restored to the DEPC-inactivated enzyme following treatment with hydroxylamine. Complete loss of KDO 8-P synthase activity correlates with the ethoxyformylation of three histidine residues by DEPC. KDO 8-P synthase is protected against DEPC inactivation by PEP and partially protected against inactivation by A 5-P. To provide further evidence for the involvement or role of the histidine residues in the aldol-type condensation catalyzed by KDO 8-P synthase, all six histidines were individually mutated to either glycine or alanine. The kinetic constants for the three mutants H40A, H67G, and H246G were unaffected as compared to the wild type enzyme. In contrast, H241G demonstrates a >10-fold increase in K(M) for both PEP and A 5-P and a 4-fold reduction in k(cat), while H97G demonstrates an increase in K(M) for only A 5-P and a 2-fold reduction in k(cat). The activity of the H202G mutant was too low to be measured accurately but the data obtained indicated an approximate 400-fold reduction in k(cat). Circular dichroism measurements of the wild-type and mutant enzymes indicate modest structural changes in only the fully active H67G and H246G mutants. The H241G mutant is protected against DEPC inactivation by PEP and A 5-P to the same extent as the wild-type enzyme, suggesting that the functionally important H241 may not be located in the vicinity of the substrate binding sites. The H97G mutant is protected by PEP against DEPC inactivation to the same degree as the wild-type enzyme but is no longer protected by A 5-P. In the case of the H202G mutant, both A 5-P and PEP protect the mutant against DEPC inactivation but to different extents from those observed for the wild-type enzyme. The catalytic activity of the H97G mutant is partially restored (20% --> 60% of wild-type activity) in the presence of imidazole, while a minor amount of activity is restored to the H202G mutant ( 4% of wild-type activity) in the presence of imidazole.
The NAL Booster-to-Main Ring Beam Transfer System

The process of transferring the 8 GeV proton beam from the rapid cycling booster synchrotron to the main accelerator at NAL is described in terms of overall system features and optical parameters. Recent tests of the transfer system, using a 1 GeV booster beam, have yielded successful beam extraction from the booster synchrotron of close to 100% efficiency, at low beam intensities (~l ma). Injection into the main accelerator has been accomplished with indications of good transverse matching and good overall control system stability.
Diameter and metallicity dependent redox influences on the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Recently, it has become possible to separate and/or enrich fractions of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) according to type (or otherwise termed “metallicity”) and diameter (dt). Exposure of acid-treated SWNTs to amines has shown such separation. In this contribution, we describe the underlying mechanism for this separation and provide a better description of the physicochemical properties of charge-stabilized SWNT dispersions in polar aprotic media, such as N,N-dimethylformide (DMF). With the establishment of the reversible nature of the redox chemistry, SWNTn+ + (n/2)H2O ⇌ SWNT + nH+ + (n/4)O2, amine-induced pH changes as well as variations in H2O and O2 concentration in DMF are shown to cause differential partial-reduction trends according to dt and metallicity. At a pH of 10, the (n,m)-SWNTs that resist complete reduction to their undoped state remain in suspension while the rest that lose their charges populate the precipitate. These dt- and metallicity-dependent redox and separation trends are mo...
Knowledge Construction and Negotiation of Leadership in Collaborative Talks among Multilingual Students

This article examines multilingual students' collaborative talks in a TESOL graduate seminar. A group of multilingual students discussed an assigned reading on language awareness and teaching methodology. The group discussion was video recorded and analyzed using a micro-ethnographic discourse analysis approach. The study investigated how multilingual students constructed academic knowledge and learning tool in group work. The author argues that knowledge is socially constructed through collaboration and dialogues among students with different linguistic, sociocultural, and educational backgrounds. This study also examined how multilingual students negotiated leadership in collaborative talks. The more experienced student, who is the native English speaker, assumed leadership through active participation. The less experienced students, who are non-native English speakers tried to gain leadership using their native language and cultural knowledge. It suggests that multilingual students, particular non-native English speakers, should actively participate in academic knowledge construction and bring in their linguistic and cultural resources to the classroom.
A report of three patients with an interstitial deletion of chromosome 15q24

Partial monosomy of the q2 region of chromosome 15 has been infrequently reported. Moreover, interstitial deletions involving 15q22-q24 have been described in only nine patients to date. The phenotype of these reported individuals is subject to the extent of the deletion but typically includes altered muscle tone and significant developmental delays. In addition, eye abnormalities, such as strabismus, microphthalmia, or colobomas, ear abnormalities including cleft earlobe and preauricular tags, and urogenital defects are common features. Congenital heart defects, diaphragmatic hernia, abnormalities of the central nervous system, and skeletal anomalies have been reported but appear to be less frequent clinical manifestations. In this report, we describe three new patients with interstitial deletions involving 15q24, two with cryptic deletions identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a probe for the PML gene and one with a cytogenetically visible deletion of 15q22.3-q24. The clinical presentation of these individuals is similar to those previously described and includes global developmental delays, hypotonia, and genital abnormalities in the males. The identification of these three cases demonstrates that the above clinical features are associated with a new cytogenetic deletion syndrome. Furthermore, we suggest that FISH analysis with a probe for the PML gene be performed in patients with these physical findings.
SU-F-18C-05: Characterization of a Silicon Strip Photon-Counting Detector in the Presence of Compton Scatter: A Simulation Study

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Compton scatter on detection efficiency and charge-sharing for a Si strip photon-counting detector as a function of pixel pitch, slice thickness and total pixel length. Methods: A CT imaging system employing a silicon photon-counting detector was implemented using the GATE Monte Carlo package. A focal spot size of 300 µm, magnification of 1.33, and pixel pitches of 0.1 and 0.5mm were initially investigated. A 60 kVp spectrum with 3 mm Al filter was used and energy spectral degradation based on a prototype detector was simulated. To study charge-sharing, a single pixel was illuminated, and the detector response in neighboring pixels was investigated. A longitudinally semiinfinite detector was simulated to optimize the quantum detection efficiency of the imaging system as a function of pixel pitch, slice thickness and depth of interaction. A 2.5 mm thick tungsten plate with a 0.01 mm by 1.5 mm slit was implemented to calculate the modulation transfer function (MTF) from projection-based images. A threshold of 15 keV was implemented in the detector simulation. The preliminary charge sharing investigation results considered only scattering effects and the detector electronics related factors were neglected. Results: Using a 15 keV threshold, 1% of the pixel charge migrated into neighboring pixels with a pixel size of 0.1×0.1 mm2. The quantum detection efficiency was 77%, 84%, 87% and 89% for 15 mm, 22.5 mm, 30 mm, and 45 mm length silicon detector pixels, respectively. For a pixel pitch of 0.1 mm, the spatial frequency at 10% of the maximum MTF was found to be 5.2 lp/mm. This agreed with an experimental MTF measurement of 5.3 lp/mm with a similar detector configuration. Conclusion: Using optimized design parameters, Si strip photon-counting detectors can offer high detection efficiency and spatial resolution even in the presence of Compton scatter.