cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) Pilot Study: A Focus on Outcomes after Cancer in a Racially Diverse Patient Population.

Background:African Americans are often diagnosed with advanced stage cancer and experience higher mortality compared with whites in the United States. Contributing factors, like differences in access to medical care and the prevalence of comorbidities, do not entirely explain racial differences in outcomes. Methods:The Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) pilot study was conducted to investigate factors related to short and long term outcomes among cancer patients. Participants completed web-based surveys and mailed saliva specimens were collected for future genetic studies. Results:We recruited 1,000 participants with an overall response rate of 68%. Thirty-one percent completed the survey without any interviewer support and the remaining participated in an interviewer-administered survey. Seventy-four percent provided a saliva specimen and 64% consented for tumor tissue retrieval. African American survivors required more interviewer support (p<0.001), however their response rate (69.6%) was higher than non-Hispanic whites (65.4%). African Americans reported poorer overall cancer-related quality of life compared with non-Hispanic whites, measured by FACT-G score (p<0.001), however , this relationship was reversed after controlling for socioeconomic factors, marital status, and the presence of comorbidities. Conclusions:In this pilot study, we demonstrated that a web-based survey supplemented with telephone interviews and mailed saliva kits are cost-effective methods to collect patient-reported data and DNA for large studies of cancer survivors with a high proportion of minority patients. Impact:The preliminary data collected reinforces differences by race in factors affecting cancer outcomes. Our efforts continue as we expand this unique cohort to include more than 5,000 African American cancer survivors.-
Indonesia and global climate change negotiations

Abstract The author discusses factors likely to affect Indonesia's participation in global climate change mitigation negotiations. These include Indonesia's performance to date in the international arena and its track record for compliance with agreements; domestic challenges such as demographic pressures, economic growth, deforestation, and energy consumption; the institutional culture of the government; and the activities and limitations of the legal system, non-governmental organizations, and business. The author concludes that, while the Indonesian government may be a vocal advocate for ‘sustainable development’, it has little ability to follow through on large-scale commitments to international efforts because of issues it faces at home.
A 3-D structural model of the Saddle Mountains, Yakima Fold Province, Washington, USA: Implications for Late Tertiary tectonic evolution of the Columbia River Flood Basalt Province

Abstract The Yakima Fold Province (YFP) is a series of asymmetric, north-verging anticlines in the Columbia River Flood Basalt Province of south-central Washington. Ridges represent anticlinal folds produced by tectonically active thrust faults, and their proximity to the Hanford nuclear facility has motivated many studies on the timing and extent of Quaternary deformation within the folds; however, multiple generations of faults and folds in the region have recorded a history of deformation spanning ~50 Ma. In this work, we utilize ~44 km of seismic profiles, structural orientation measurements collected in the field, USGS geologic maps, and stratigraphic information collected from 13 well logs to investigate the subsurface structure of the Saddle Mountains in the northern section of the YFP. We developed a three-dimensional structural model of the mountain range and estimated displacement and strain accommodated by faulting and folding. Our resulting model requires a multi-stage deformational sequence, and indicates that ~1800 m of uplift is generated by two parallel listric faults, soling into decollements at ~4 and ~8 km depth. Patterns of displacement and orientations of strain suggest that the deeper fault is older and that it may reflect a history of clockwise rotation, making the YFP the shortening counterpart to the extensional northern Basin and Range. The model presented has implications for understanding deformation in flood basalt provinces more broadly, and the methodology can be applied to interpret multi-stage deformation and reactivation histories of long-lived fault systems.
Quality of IS in Services: Theory of Constructs for Service, Information, and System

In this paper, we investigate the theoretical inter-relationships among three important information systems (IS) quality constructs: information quality, system quality, and service quality. DeLone and McLean formulated information quality and system quality in their 1992 IS Success Model. Following suggestions from later IS service quality studies DeLone and McLean (2003) added service quality to form a triumvirate. Unfortunately, this addition has unintentionally revealed the overall lack of integrated and consistent theorization of the relationships between different IS quality constructs in IS studies to date. To address part of the research gap, we apply a marketing exchange perspective to examine how information quality, system quality, and service quality can be inter-related with each other under different service contexts involving IS. Finally, an integrated IS quality model is proposed for empirical testing. We hope this study can contribute toward coherent theory development of integrating IS quality elements.
DyCOCo: A Dynamic Computation Offloading and Control Framework for Drone Video Analytics

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drone systems equipped with cameras are extensively used in different surveillance scenarios and often require real-time control and highquality video transmission. However, unstable network situations and various transport protocols may result in impairments during video streaming, which in turn negatively impacts user’s quality of experience (QoE). In this paper, we propose a dynamic computation offloading and control framework, named DyCOCo, based on image impairment detection under various available network bandwith conditions. Our DyCOCo framework demo features IoT devices in a testbed setup on the GENI infrastructure. Our demo results show that our DyCOCo approach can efficiently choose the suitable networking protocols and orchestrate both the camera control on the drone, and the computation offloading of the video analytics over limited edge computing/networking resources.
Problems Concerning Use of Low Head Radial Gates

Three principal hydraulic features of low head radial gates are discussed; general discharge equation, effect of gate seat location on discharge capacity and pressure distribution along spillway surface, and side and bottom seals.
Physical and microbiological properties of powdered Lactobacillus salivarius NRRL B-30514 as affected by relative amounts of dairy proteins and lactose

Abstract The objective of this study was to characterize physical and microbiological properties of powders prepared by mixing Lactobacillus salivarius NRRL B-30514 suspensions with skim milk powder (SMP), spray-dried lactose (SDL), milk protein concentrate (MPC), or MPC/SDL at a mass ratio of 1:2, 1:1 or 2:1 to understand the relative significance of proteins and lactose in bacterial survival. The probiotic viability and storage stability were significantly improved with the increase of dairy protein content. Based on water sorption isotherms and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, MPC was suggested to preferentially absorb water in cell suspensions, which inhibited the hydration of SDL and therefore lowered the hypertonic pressure to the adhered cells. The LIVE/DEAD® BacLight™ and CTC reduction assays detected higher membrane integrity and respiratory activity of bacteria for treatments with more proteins. Findings from the current study indicated the more significant role of milk proteins than lactose protecting bacteria during dehydration.
Additive manufacturing of dense WE43 Mg alloy by laser powder bed fusion

Abstract WE43 is a high-strength, corrosion-resistant Mg-alloy containing rare earths such as Y and Nb, and has potential for many lightweight structural or bioresorbable prosthetic applications. In this study, additive manufacturing of dense WE43 alloy by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) from gas atomized powders has been accomplished through studies involving single track scan of wrought WE43, parametric variation of LPBF, microstructural analysis and mechanical testing, both in compression and tension. The Archimedes method and image analyses from optical micrographs were employed to document the LPBF of dense (>99 % relative density) WE43 using optimum parameters of 200 W laser power, 1100 mm/sec scan speed, 0.13 mm hatch spacing, and 0.03 mm slice thickness. Moreover, the LPBF processing window for dense (>99 %) WE43 alloy was observed to exist for a range of power, 100 ∼ 250 W, using an energy density range of 32−37 J/mm3. The as-built microstructure consisted of fine ( β 1 -Mg3Nd precipitates and (Y,Zr)2O3 oxides. After the heat treatment, which consisted of solutionizing at 536 °C for 24 h and subsequent ageing at 205 °C for 48 h, the globular β 1 -Mg3Nd precipitates were observed to have dissolved and re-precipitate into thin sheets. The (Y,Zr)2O3 oxides were not found to dissolve or coalesce, but were agglomerated within α-Mg (hcp) matrix. Under compression, the as-built LPBF WE43 had, on average, yield strength of 224 MPa, compressive strength of 417 MPa and strain at failure of 9.5 %. In tension, the as-built LPBF WE43 had, on average, yield strength of 215 MPa, tensile strength of 251 MPa and strain at failure of 2.6 %. After the heat treatment, the LPBF WE43 had yield strength of 219 MPa, tensile strength of 251 MPa and strain at failure of 4.3 %. These values are comparable to those of WE43 design data specified by Magnesium Elektron.
Hematology in the Intensive Care Unit

Anemia is a problem that commonly complicates the course of critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. Approximately 85% of patients admitted to the ICU with a length of stay of >1 week are transfused with at least 1U of blood. Most of the transfusions in the ICU are not associated with acute blood loss; rather, ICU patients appear to have a constant transfusion requirement of 2 to 4U/wk. The cause of the anemia is multifactorial, with the following factors playing a role: inappropriately low erythropoietin levels, a blunted response to erythropoietin, blood loss due to venesection, blood loss due to gastric stress ulceration, coagulopathy associated with systemic inflammation, and reduced red cell life span.
The endless frontier of tRNA synthetases

Abstract This chapter calls out the following contributed articles, and gives a sense of why the tRNA synthetases are an endless frontier for scientific research and the unveiling of a vast world of new biology.
The protein domains of vertebrate species in which selection is more effective have greater intrinsic structural disorder

The effectiveness of selection varies among species. It is often estimated by means of an "effective population size" based on neutral polymorphism, but this is confounded in complex ways with demography. The strength of codon bias more directly pertains to how well adaptation at many sites can be maintained in the face of deleterious mutations, but past metrics that compare codon bias across species are confounded by among-species variation in %GC content and/or amino acid composition. Here we propose a new Codon Adaptation Index of Species (CAIS) that corrects for both confounders. Unlike previous metrics, CAIS yields the expected relationship with adult vertebrate body mass. As an example of the use of CAIS, we ask whether protein domains evolve lower intrinsic structural disorder (ISD) when present in more exquisitely adapted species, as expected given that ISD is higher in eukaryotic proteomes than prokaryotic proteomes. Using phylogenetically corrected linear models, we find, contrary to expectations, that the ISD of a given protein domain evolves to be higher when in well-adapted species. This effect is stronger in young protein domains but is also present in ancient domains.
Facilitators and Challenges to Health Promotion in Black and Latino Churches.

Churches are important assets for the African American and Latino communities. They can play a critical role in health promotion, especially in areas that are under-resourced and in which residents have limited access to health care. A better understanding of health promotion in churches is needed to support and maintain church collaborations and health initiatives that are integrated, data-driven, and culturally appropriate. The purpose of this study is to identify churches’ facilitators and challenges to health promotion and to contrast and compare Black and Latino churches of different sizes ( 200 members). We interviewed leaders of 100 Black and 42 Latino churches in South Los Angeles to assess their history of wellness activities, resources, facilitators, and challenges to conduct health promotion activities. Eighty-three percent of African American and 86% of Latino church leaders reported at least one health activity in the last 12 months. Black and Latino churches of different sizes have similar interests in implementing specific health promotion strategies and face similar challenges. However, we found significant differences in the composition of their congregations, number of paid staff, and the proportions of churches that have a health or wellness ministry and that implement specific wellness strategies. Fifty-seven percent of African American and 43% of Latino church leaders stated that they needed both financial support and professional expertise for health promotion. Our findings highlight the importance of conducting a readiness assessment for identifying intervention content and strategies that fit the intervention context of a church.
Contributions of cytosolic and mitochondrial acetyl-CoA syntheses to the activation of lipogenic acetate in rat liver.

Acetate derived from ethanol oxidation is activated by cytosolic and mitochondrial acetyl-CoA synthetases before contributing to the extra-mitochondrial processes of fatty acid and 3-β-hydroxysterol synthesis. Mitochondrially-generated acetyl-CoA is transferred to the cytosol via citrate and ATP-citrate lyase; this transfer is blocked by (-)-hydroxycitrate. Rats were injected IV with 3.3 mmol/kg of [2-3H,2-14C] acetate and IP with either 0.5 mmol/kg hydroxycitrate or saline. After one hour, the rats were killed and the incorporation of label was measured in liver fatty acids and 3-β-hydroxysterols. The 3H/14C ratio was increased by 12 and 13% in the fatty acids and 3-β-hydroxysterols of the hydroxycitrate-treated group. The lower ratio in the fatty acids and 3-β-hydroxysterols derived from mitochondrially-generated acetylCoA is ascribed to a loss of 3H in the citrate synthase reaction. The data showed that (1) fatty acids and 3-β-hydroxysterols syntheses use the same pool of cytosolic acetyl-CoA; and (2) in the absence of an isotope effect in the citrate synthase reaction, mitochondrially-generated acetyl-CoA contributes about 36% to lipogenesis from acetate.
A first presentation of multiple sclerosis with concurrent COVID-19 infection

Infection from SARS-CoV-2 virus has developed into a worldwide pandemic. Potential neurological complications include meningitis, encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, cerebrovascular disease, seizures, and demyelinating disease. In this paper, we describe a case of newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis co-occurring with active COVID-19 infection.
Nonlinear elastodynamic behavior of intact and fractured rock under in-situ stress and saturation conditions

Abstract We probe mechanisms controlling the nonlinear elastodynamic response of intact and fractured rock under both fluid-saturated and dry conditions. We present the results of dynamic acoustoelastic testing (DAET) on Westerly granite in three states: dry-intact, dry-fractured and saturated-fractured to study the influence of in-situ stress, fracture and saturation state on nonlinear elastodynamic behavior. Each sample is tested at effective normal stresses from 10 to 20 MPa. Dynamic stresses of prescribed amplitudes (0.2 – 1.0 MPa) and frequencies (0.1, 1 and 10 Hz) are superimposed on the static stress field, while pulsed ultrasonic waves transit the sample and monitor stress-induced changes in wave velocity and spectral amplitude to infer sample's elastodynamic nonlinearity. Surprisingly, dry-intact rock exhibits higher nonlinearity than dry-fractured sample at all stress levels. We use numerical simulations to argue that the reduced nonlinearity is a result of the non-uniform strain field post fracture with highly strained regions on the fracture plane and weakly-strained regions in the surrounding host-rock, both leading to a nonlinearity reduction. In addition, we demonstrate that the saturated sample is less nonlinear than the dry intact except at 10 MPa normal stress, where the fracture is fairly open. The expected decrease in nonlinearity is due to increased fracture stiffness by the presence of fluid within the fracture interface. The reported in-situ measured nonlinear elastic properties along with their frequency dependencies will be of practical importance in predicting poromechanical properties of rock masses and will facilitate comparisons between the observations made in the laboratory and field scales.
Presence: A Review

Virtual reality technology is emerging as a valuable tool for a variety of disciplines, including psychological research and theory, therapy, training, communication, medicine, education, and enter...
Navigating Contested Harms and Competing Metaphysics: Humility and Ethics Consultation

Baby A1 was born prematurely with severe encephalopathy, injured brainstem, and a potentially injured spinal cord. He had no response to pain or other external stimuli. The neonatal team unanimousl...
Performance of three polymerase chain reaction-based assays for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in different upper respiratory tract specimens.

To meet the testing demands and overcome supply chain issues during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many clinical laboratories validated multiple SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing platforms. Here, we compare three different molecular assays for SARS-CoV-2 that received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In order to determine the agreement among Roche cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Test (Cobas), Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 assay (ART), and Mayo Clinic Laboratory SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Detection Assay (Mayo LDT), 100 each of anterior nares (AN), nasopharyngeal (NP), oropharyngeal (OP), and NP+OP swabs were tested on each platform. The consensus result was defined as agreement by 2 or more methods. Furthermore, 30 positive NP swabs from each molecular platform (n = 90 total) were tested on the three platforms to determine the PPA among positive samples. ART platform called more specimens positive than the other two platforms. All three assays performed with greater than 90% agreement for NP specimens throughout the study.
Book Review: Achieving Social Equity: From Problems to Solutions by Mary E. Guy and Sean A. McCandless

The recent publication of Achieving Social Equity: From Problems to Solutions, edited by Mary E. Guy and Sean A. McCandless (2020), sparks a move forward in the literature about social equity. To date, much of the literature on social equity has focused on its overall importance (see Frederickson, 2010), as well as the conditions of inequality within the discipline (see Bodkin & Fleming, Forthcoming; Thomas, 2019) and within practice (see Blessett et al., 2019). Despite the attention that has been given to social equity, the National Academy of Public Administration recently included the need to foster social equity as one of the grand challenges for public administration (Gerton & Mitchell, 2019), suggesting that it may be time to move the research on social equity into a new era. Guy and McCandless do just that. Rather than discussing the presence of social equity issues with public organizations, the text seeks to advance our understanding by connecting the literature on social equity with the practicality of the situations that administrators face. This is accomplished over a masterfully curated set of 13 chapters, each which focuses on a unique, but vital perspective on social equity.
Benchmark calculations on the nuclear quadrupole-coupling parameters for open-shell molecules using non-relativistic and scalar-relativistic coupled-cluster methods

Quantum-chemical computations of nuclear quadrupole-coupling parameters for 24 open-shell states of small molecules based on non-relativistic and spin-free exact two-component (SFX2C) relativistic equation-of-motion coupled-cluster (EOM-CC) as well as spin-orbital-based restricted open-shell Hartree-Fock coupled-cluster (ROHF-CC) methods are reported. Relativistic effects, the performance of the EOM-CC and ROHF-CC methods for treating electron correlation, as well as basis-set convergence have been carefully analyzed. Consideration of relativistic effects is necessary for accurate calculations on systems containing third-row (K-Kr) and heavier elements, as expected, and the SFX2C approach is shown to be a useful cost-effective option here. Further, it is demonstrated that the EOM-CC methods constitute flexible and accurate alternatives to the ROHF-CC methods in the calculations of nuclear quadrupole-coupling parameters for open-shell states.
Stage III colon cancer prognosis prediction by tumor gene expression profiling

A88 Purpose. This study aimed to assess the possibility to build a microarray-based prognosis predictor (PP) for stage III colon cancer that could be used to guide postoperative chemotherapy.Material and methods. Thirty-six patients, who have been operated on for a stage III colon cancer and postoperatively treated by a 6-month chemotherapy (fluorouracil + levamisole), were included. Eighteen patients have subsequently developed a liver metastasis, while the other 18 have remained disease-free for at least 5 years. Tumor mRNA samples were profiled using the Affymetrix HGU133A GeneChip . Patients were repeatedly and randomly divided into 10,000 training (TS) and validation sets (VS) of 10 different sizes. For each TS/VS split, a 30-gene prognosis predictor (PP), identified on the TS by selecting the 30 most differentially expressed genes and applying diagonal linear discriminant analysis, was used to predict the prognoses of VS patients.Results. The 10,000 30-gene PP yielded the following average prognosis prediction performance measures: 72.9% accuracy, 72.2% sensitivity, 73.6% specificity. Improvements in prognosis prediction were observed with increasing TS size (76.1% accuracy, 75.2% sensitivity, and 77.1% specificity for TS of size 32). The 30-gene PP were found to be highly-variable in composition across TS/VS splits. A total of 7,096 genes were included in the 10,000 PP; the higher number of selections for a gene was 5,896.Conclusions. Microarray gene expression profiling is able to predict the prognosis of stage III colon cancer patients and, thus, might be used to guide adjuvant chemotherapy regimen.
Nutritional effects on vaccination.

Immune-induced cachetic response is an example of a biological opportunity to develop technologies that ensure imporved performance in animal agriculture. We have estimated that reduced performance of immune stimulated animals, whether by exposure to conventional environments or through vaccination, results in more than U.S. $500 million in reduced productivity. Nontraditional methods to alleviate the adverse effects of the immune response provide an opportunity for those skilled in the art of vaccinology and immunology to develop new technologies and feeding practices. Too often, biologists are blinded by the limits of their disciplines and rarely venture to the fringe of their field to engage in collaborations that at first glance do not seem logical. The examples of CLA and antigastrointestinal peptides suggest that new opportunities await in ensuring that the cost of the immune response is minimized and that new approaches to animal agriculture await discovery.
Least-squares determination of molecular structures from gaseous electron-diffraction data: I. Slope and curvature criteria for background

Abstract In respect to molecular structure determinations by electron diffraction, least-squares analyses of radial distribution and reduced molecular intensity functions may introduce errors in the results because of uncertainty caused by a subjectively drawn background. In a new method, a criterion of smoothness of background is defined and the computer is programmed to refine the structural parameters so as to make the background smooth. Results of applying the new method to the structure determination of water are presented. This method is useful for structural studies on molecules having a short interatomic distance (as water) or undergoing internal rotation (as 1,2-dichloroethane) because the molecular structure determined is significantly dependent on the drawing of the background itself.
The shape of the ultraviolet continuum of quasars

We investigate the dependence of the UV spectral index (a) on luminosity, redshift, and radio properties of the quasar. We find that a is remarkably independent of luminosity. We confirm earlier results that there is a slight dependence of a on the radio properties and redshift, but believe that the latter is perhaps an optical selection effect. We find no evidence for intergalactic reddening.
Integrated solution for high speed data filtering using package-in-package approach

In addressing emerging high speed interface such as USB 2.0, IEEE1394, LVDS and DVI in electronic devices, discrete solution of using choke and ESD diodes is a common practice in the PCB assembly in eliminating the common mode noise and providing ESD protection to the electronice device [1]. However, this brings up the cost and cycle time as PCB manufacturers have to purchase several components and mount them separately on the PCB. Consequently, a larger PCB footprint is required. In this paper, we introduced the first-to-market integrated common mode filter with ESD protection using package-in-package technology in DFN platform. This is an integrated solution that offers cost savings and space reduction in responds to the needs of portable digital devices which are increasingly smaller and thinner. The attachment of passive component in a DFN package adds complexity to the existing assembly process. The use of lead free solder paste and its selection were discussed in this paper. Solder printing on lead frame was employed for the component placement due to its high process throughput compared to the conventional dispensing method. This paper also elaborated on the stencil design and solder printing characterization. It included the modification in lead frame design to enhance the product quality. The effect of solder reflow was also addressed in the paper. The final product was assembled with the newly established process flow and passed MSL 1 @ 260°C reliability test. The integrated package passed the reliablity stress tests and validated the concept of package-in-package in DFN platform.
Modeling a coniferous forest canopy

Abstract A naturally regenerated Douglas fir stand was modeled by assuming the canopy to be a composite of individual model crowns. The model crown was developed by normalizing total needle surface area per branch position with respect to the maximum foliage surface area and position in the crown. Because of the similarity of foliage distribution between the trees which were examined, it was assumed that all trees in the forest could be represented by this double normalized model crown. The model forest canopy was compiled by scaling model crowns to length of live crown and surface area representative of trees of the respective size classes. The composite forest canopy was obtained by multiplying the number of trees in each size class by its respective surface area (the scaled model crown) and then summing these products. The cumulative plant surface area obtained from the composite canopy was compared with wind profiles obtained within the forest. The results indicate that the plant surface area distributions, as obtained by this method, are valid in that they satisfactorily account for the shape of the wind profiles within the forest. It is suggested that this method of plant surface area determination may be satisfactory for many other types of vegetation.
Stability analysis of multilag and modified multilag methods for Volterra integrodifferential equations

Stability analysis of multilag and modified multilag methods for Volterra integrodifferential equations is presented, with respect to the nonconvolution test equation y'(t)=γy(t)+∫ t 0 (λ+μt+νs)y(s)ds (t≥0), where γ, λ, μ, and ν are real parameters. The application of these methods to this test equation leads to difference equations with variable coefficients which are of Poincare type. Usin the extension of the Perron theorem, the conditions under which the solutions to such equations are bounded are derived. As a consequence, a complete characterization of stability regions of multilag and modified multilag methods with respect to the above nonconvolution test equation is obtained
The contribution of knowledge management systems to interorganizational learning

Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) are thought to be useful in facilitating Interorganizational Learning (IOL) and in providing competitive advantage. Often these systems are shared across complex networked organizations and the relationships between the allied organizations may even depend on the quality of the systems they share. This paper presents a research-in-progress proposal which will consist of ten exploratory case studies as part of a program of doctoral research. The cases will examine IOL when a KMS is used to facilitate the partnership between the organizations.The cases all involve a partnership between Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) and the Value-Added Resellers/Consulting firms that represent several MBS product lines. Organizational transparency, organizational receptivity, relative absorptive capacity, intent of the partners and partner success will all be explored as to how they influence IOL in the context of a specific KMS provided by Microsoft.
The structure of the C949S mutant human alpha(2)-macroglobulin demonstrates the critical role of the internal thiol esters in its proteinase-entrapping structural transformation.

Abstract A three-dimensional reconstruction of a protein-engineered mutant α2-macroglobulin (α2M) in which a serine residue was substituted for the cysteine 949 (C949S), making it unable to form internal thiol ester moieties, was compared with native and methylamine-transformed α2Ms. The native α2M structure consists of two oppositely oriented Z-shaped strands. Thiol ester cleavage following an encounter with a proteinase or a nucleophilic attack by methylamine causes a structural transformation in which the strands assume an opposite handedness and a significant portion of the protein density migrates from the distal ends of the molecule toward the center. The C949S mutant showed a protein density distribution very similar to that of transformed α2M, with a compact central region of protein density connected to two receptor-binding arms on each end of the molecule. Since no particle shapes characteristic of native or half-transformed α2Ms were seen in electron micrographs and the C949S mutant and α2M–methylamine structures are highly similar, we conclude that the intact thiol esters maintain native α2M in a quasi-stable state. In their absence, α2M folds into the more stable transformed structure, which displays the functionally important receptor-binding domains and contains the proteinase-entrapping internal cavity.
COCKROACH ALLATOSTATIN-IMMUNOREACTIVE NEURONS AND EFFECTS OF COCKROACH ALLATOSTATIN IN EARWIGS

A monoclonal antibody to allatostatin I of the cockroach Diploptera punctata was used to demonstrate the presence of allatostatin-immunoreactive cells and fiber tracts in the neuroendocrine system of the earwig Euborellia annulipes. The corpora cardiaca cells were not immunoreactive, nor were the neurosecretory endings of fiber tracts from the brain to the corpora cardiaca. No immunoreactive material was detected in the corpus allatum, although the corpus allatum contained neurosecretory endings, and some cells of the brain, including medial and lateral protocerebral cells, showed immunoreactivity. In addition, the recurrent and esophageal nerves were allatostatin-positive. The last abdominal ganglion contained immunoreactive somata, and immunoreactive axons of the proctodeal nerve innervated the rectum, anterior intestine, and posterior midgut. We did not detect reactive endocrine cells in the midgut. Allatostatin I at concentrations of 10–5 and 10–7 M did not inhibit juvenile hormone biosynthesis by E. annulipes corpora allata in vitro. This was true for glands of low activity from 2-day females and brooding females, as well as for relatively high activity glands from 10-day females. In contrast, 10–7 M allatostatin I significantly and reversibly decreased hindgut motility. Motility was decreased in hindguts of high endogenous motility from 2-day females and in those of relatively low activity from brooding females. These results support the notion that a primary function of allatostatin might be to reduce gut motility. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 38:155–165, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Spatial learning impairment in mice infected with Legionella pneumophila or administered exogenous interleukin-1-beta

The effect of interleukin-1 β (IL1 β) on spatial learning was examined: In one experiment, C57BL/6 mice were given daily injections (100 ng/mouse) of recombinant murine IL1 β prior to training on the Morris water maze. In another experiment, mice were infected with a sublethal dose of a gram-negative bacterium (Legionella pneumophila; Lp). Mice rendered ill by the infection were given either anti-IL1 β antibodies (100 μ g/mouse) or saline and then trained on the water maze. Results indicated that (1) exogenous IL1 β blocked acquisition of spatial learning, (2) Lp infection attenuated learning on this task, and (3) neutralizing circulating IL1 β in Lp-infected mice normalized learning despite the continuation of the illness. The data indicate that cognitive impairment may be a component of cytokine-mediated sickness behavior.
Mapping the edublogosphere: implications for literacy and teacher professional development

New Internet and communication technologies (ICTs) facilitate collaboration and professional development among teachers. This qualitative case study examines how one teacher develops her "teacher identity" through blog posts written throughout her first year of teaching. Using a new literacies perspective, this study also seeks to describe how teachers use the tools afforded by new ICTs. Data consists of the sociolinguistic multimodal narrative blog posts made by a new teacher throughout the 2006-07 school year. Anticipated findings from this study include themes of pedagogy, classroom management, and role of the blog in teacher development.
Reassessing morphine effects in cats: III. Responses of intact, caudate nuclei-lesioned and hemispherectomized animals following chronic administration and precipitated withdrawal

Behavioral response to low doses of morphine (2.0 to 3.0 mg/kg, IP) administered for up to 15 days, and responses to subsequent naloxone challenges, were measured in intact, unilaterally and bilaterally caudate-lesioned (acaudate) cats, and in hemispherectomized cats using a video time-sampling method. For all groups minor tolerance to posture and movement activation patterns was seen, with a reciprocal increase in motor relaxation, which was somewhat more marked for acaudate cats. In contrast to this weak tolerance, all cats showed strong, typical withdrawal manifestations at the beginning of abstinence and a “mini withdrawal” could still be precipitated 15–30 days later when morphine was no longer detectable in the blood. The cats with the unilateral lesions showed whole body turning toward the lesioned side after morphine and away from the lesioned side following naloxone. Only hemispherectomized and acaudate animals showed significant physical deterioration (e.g., weight loss, decreased activity). The comparisons between weak tolerance development versus strong physical dependence and the possible mechanisms involved in shifting the turning biases are discussed. The potential of the cat as a model for studying opiate effects is stressed.
Investigations of self-consistent field, scf ci and virtual stateconfiguration interaction vibrational energies for a model three-mode system

Abstract Self-consistent field vibrational energy eigenvalues are reported for a model three-mode system considered previously by Noid et al. These eigenvalues and those from configuration interaction calculations based on true SCF wavefunctions and virtual state wavefunctions are compared with the previous semiclassical and exact quantum ones of Noid et al.
Glomerular tubular balance is suppressed in adenosine type 1 receptor-deficient mice

Glomerular tubular balance maintains a stable fractional solute and fluid reabsorption in the proximal tubule over a range of glomerular filtration rates. The mediators of this process are unknown....
Ethanol: a gonadal toxin in the mature rat of both sexes.

A diet containing 5% ethanol, accounting for 36% of the total calories or a similar diet in which dextrimaltose was isocalorically substituted for ethanol, was fed to sexually mature adult male and female rats to determine whether alcohol feeding of such animals could produce gonadal failure as it does in weanling animals. After 4 mo of such feeding, alcohol-fed animals of both sexes, when compared to isocalorically fed controls, demonstrated gonadal atrophy. Such atrophy was manifested by loss of ovarian (p < 0.05) and testicular (p < 0.01) mass, reduced sex steroid levels [progesterone in females and testosterone in males (both p < 0.05)], and atrophy of sex steroid responsive tissues. Such atrophy in the female rats studied was manifested by macroscopic and histologic evidence of loss of estrogen effect, while in the male only histologic evidence for loss of androgen stimulation could be demonstrated. In both male and female animals fed alcohol plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were not increased as would be expected in the presence of such gonadal failure. In contrast, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were significantly increased (p < 0.01) in all alcohol-fed animals when compared to isocalorically fed sex-matched controls. These findings confirm and extend our prior studies that demonstrate that alcohol is a gonadal toxin. Moreover, they demonstrate that alcohol feeding to sexually mature animals is associated with a central hypothalamic-pituitary defect in LH but not FSH secretion, as has been shown to exist previously in humans. Thus, alcohol is capable of producing gonadal injury in animals and presumably in man after, as well as before, puberty if ingested in sufficient quantities over a long enough interval.
Protective action of irradiated bone marrow cells

Wurdein vitro rontgenbestrahltes Knochenmark (475r, 950 r, 1425 r) in letal bestrahlte Mause (LD 100/11=950 r) injiziert, so ergab sich: Isologes Knochenmark, mit 950 r bestrahlt, besitzt noch beachtliche Schutzwirkung; bestrahltes homologes und heterologes Knochenmark war weniger oder ganz inaktiv.
THE PRESTHUS DEBACLE: INTRAPARTY POLITICS AND BARGAINING FAILURE IN NORWAY

Bargaining failure has been neglected in the study of interparty coalitions. I examine the unsuccessful attempt by three Norwegian nonsocialist parties to defeat a Labor party minority government in June 1987 when the majority opposition twice failed to agree on a simple vote to that end. This failure of coalition bargaining was facilitated by incomplete information, intraparty constraints and misdelegation of authority, and by anticipation of the impending parliamentary recess. Despite these complexities, simple noncooperative games like the war of attrition can shed considerable light on this and other unsuccessful negotiations. The “Presthus debacle” demonstrates that political parties bring many different objectives to the bargaining table and that the trade-offs between these objectives vary according to organizational and institutional conditions.
On the Road Again: A Conversation with Jill Emery

Purpose – To interview Jill Emery, Director of the Electronic Resources Program at the University of Houston.Design/methodology/approach – Ms Emery discusses licensing, electronic resource management systems, and the open access movement.Findings – Ms Emery takes a conservative approach to topics of open access and subscription rates, and the cost/benefit ratio of implementing electronic resource management systems.Originality/value – Provides substantive content on timely topics from a leader in the field.
DFT calculations of the thermochemistry and structures of tetrazine derivatives

Enthalpies of formation and standard state entropies were calculated for tetrazine, amino- and nitrotetrazines, and four extended ditetrazines using DFT programs. The derived values were corrected with the previously derived supplementary set of four parameters. The basic geometric structural features of the minimum energy states of the tetrazines are summarized.
Energetics in thermally activated dislocation motion in a spinodally modulated structure

Abstract The possibility of thermally activated motion of a glide dislocation in a spinodally modulated alloy is theoretically considered. It was found that a double kink similar to that in a Peierls-Nabarro potential field is formed in the dislocation during the activation process. The activation energy and activation volume are calculated numerically so that the activation process in the two-dimensional stress field can be discussed. The experimental observation of the temperature and strain rate independence of the age hardening in spinodal alloys can be well explained by the present study.
Safety of the One-Step Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Button in Children

Pediatric experience using the single-stage percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy button has been reported anecdotally. This 3-year prospective monocentric study, including 183 children, demonstrates that this technique is safe, with a low rate of infection, and compares favorably with the pull technique of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy while necessitating only one general anesthesia.
Commentary: Does pedicle screw density matter in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

COMMENTARY ON Bharucha NJ, Lonner BS, Auerbach JD, et al. Low-density versus high-density thoracic pedicle screw constructs in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: do more screws lead to a better outcome? Spine J 2013;13:375–81 ( in this issue ).
Hookah smoking and harm perception among asthmatic adolescents: findings from the Florida youth tobacco survey.

BACKGROUND Hookah tobacco smoking has increased in prevalence among Florida adolescents and is often viewed as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking by young adults. Asthmatic adolescents are at increased risk of the negative health effects of hookah smoking. The purpose of this study is to examine if hookah use and harm perception vary by asthma status. METHODS The Florida Youth Tobacco Survey was conducted in 2012 among 36,578 high school students. Secondary data analysis was conducted to compare the rates of hookah use among asthmatic youth to their nonasthmatic counterparts. Risk perception of hookah use compared to cigarette smoking was also assessed among asthmatic and nonasthmatic adolescents. RESULTS One in 5 high school students reported lifetime asthma. These asthmatic students have a significantly higher prevalence of hookah smoking and greater perception of hookah use as being less harmful than cigarette smoking, than their nonasthmatic counterparts. Among asthmatics, 12th graders and Hispanic students had the highest prevalence of hookah smoking. CONCLUSION Common misperceptions of hookah smoking as being less harmful than cigarette smoking are prominent among high school students in Florida and are greater among students with asthma than those students who do not have asthma. Efforts to increase education to dispel the myths surrounding hookah smoking as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking needs to exist at the high school level for both students with and without asthma.
Evaluation of different Rijndael implementations for high end servers

We present the results of our research on different hardware implementations of the Rijndael cryptographic algorithm. We have implemented variations of the substitution box (s-box) and compare the different implementations based on area and timing requirements, as well as pipelining capabilities. Additionally, the speed of the Rijndael hardware variants is compared to a hand optimized software implementation.
Application of Bretherton's interpretation of baroclinic instability in the presence of horizontal shear and compressibility

Abstract The stability of a non-Boussinesq-Eady model [Eady, E.T., 1949. Long waves and cyclone waves. Tellus 1, 33–52.] with constant horizontal meridional shear in a middle latitude channel is considered. The effects of compressibility and meridional shear can be interpreted in terms of sloping north-south boundaries in an otherwise Boussinesq-Eady problem. The focus is on the physical interpretation of these effects in a highly truncated two meridional mode solution. It is found that near the short-wave cutoff of Eady, the compressibility and the meridional shear contribute to an effective channel depth which reduces the penetration depth required for instability and these mechanisms therefore tend to destabilize the flow. Yet, compressibility provides a stabilization by attenuating the edge wave's phase speeds which disrupts the phase relationships required to maintain instability. The implications of these mechanisms for deep non-Boussinesq planetary atmospheres are discussed.
Development of an x-ray irradiation port for biomedical applications at the CUEBIT facility

Because of the importance of x-ray interactions in modern medicine, efforts must be made to combine the fields of biology and physics. This paper reviews the development of an x-ray irradiation port that allows us to study the interaction of x-rays generated by highly charged ions with biological material, such as stem and cancer cells. Our goal is to better understand these interactions in order to improve the techniques of x-ray therapy by narrowing and specifically selecting the range of radiation energies applied. Using the Clemson University Electron Beam Ion Trap (CUEBIT), the generation of quasi-monochromatic x- rays from highly charged ions is possible. In order to maintain the integrity of the cells being studied, the cell culture needs to be oriented horizontally during the irradiation process. This poses a problem, as the highly charged ion beam generated at the CUEBIT is also oriented horizontally. Therefore, we have designed a system that employs a quadrupole bender that directs the ion beam vertically, which allows for the production of x-rays directly under the cell culture. The experimental station consists of a vacuum chamber that attaches to the end of the beam line. This chamber houses the quadrupole bender, a beryllium window for generating x-rays, and the interface between the beryllium window and the cell culture. X-rays must transmit through the bottom of a flask before they interact with the cells. Hence, we implement a procedure to replace the bottom of the flask with a thin layer of Mylar, allowing x-rays to penetrate through easily. We will use this system to study the effects of monochromatic x- rays on stem cells, cancer cells, and their associated proteins.