cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Advantage of Newness: Learning by Entrants and Incumbents in US Commercial Banking

Entrants are often viewed as suffering from a “liability of newness” – at founding they rarely possess the knowledge and capabilities necessary to compete and survive. They can overcome such liabilities by learning vicariously from the knowledge of incumbent firms. But how do entrants learn from external knowledge when they lack the prior related knowledge that forms the basis of absorptive capacity? We address this question by theorizing that the process of internal experiential learning facilitates learning from external knowledge. We argue that entrants benefit disproportionately from this mechanism. To test this theory, we examine learning on a comprehensive set of firms in US commercial banking, including a full census of entrants. Our estimates suggest the share of vicarious learning realized via this mechanism is twice as large for entrants as incumbents. In this sense, entrants enjoy an “advantage of newness” in learning.
Echocardiographic evaluation of the effects of sacubitril-valsartan on vascular properties in heart failure patients.

Increased vascular stiffness is known to be an independent predictor of mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The effects of sacubitril–valsartan on vascular structure and function have not been systematically studied in this patient population. We hypothesized that aortic distensibility (AD) and fractional area change (AFAC), as assessed by 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), would improve over time in HFrEF patients on sacubitril–valsartan therapy, due to the vasodilatory properties of the medication. We prospectively studied 30 patients with HFrEF (25 < EF < 40%) on optimal guideline-directed medical therapy who were subsequently started on sacubitril–valsartan. Patients underwent serial 2D TTE imaging at baseline, 3 and 6 months following therapy initiation. Ascending aortic diameters were measured 3 cm above the aortic valve in the parasternal long-axis view and used to calculate AD and AFAC, two markers of vascular compliance. For reference, we also measured AD and AFAC in 30 healthy, age and gender-matched controls at a single time point. Normal controls had significantly higher values of AD and AFAC than HFrEF patients at baseline (AD: 4.0 ± 1.1 vs. 2.2 ± 0.9 cm2dyne−110−3, p < 0.0001 and AFAC: 18.8 ± 3.7% vs. 10.3 ± 4.3%, p < 0.0001). In HFrEF patients on sacubitril–valsartan, both indices of aortic compliance progressively improved towards normal from baseline to 6 months: AD from 2.2 ± 0.9 to 3.6 ± 1.5 cm2dyne−110−3 (p < 0.0001) and AFAC from 10.3 ± 4.3 to 13.7 ± 4.1% (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, AD and AFAC are decreased in patients with HFrEF and gradually improve with sacubitril–valsartan treatment. The echocardiographic markers used in this study may become a useful tool to assess the effectiveness of sacubitril–valsartan therapy in HFrEF patients.
Abstract P4-17-04: Male breast cancer: Clinico-pathological characteristics from the national cancer database (NCDB)

Background: Male breast cancer (BC) is a rare clinical diagnosis, representing Objective: This study aimed to describe the demographic and pathologic characteristics associated with a very large database of men treated for BC in the United States over the course of 12 years, using the National Cancer Database (NCDB), and to identify any significant disparities in demographic and clinical characteristics, between male and female breast cancer patients. Methods: We analyzed all male BC cases, diagnosed between the years 2004-2016, from the NCDB, that estimated to capture 70% of all diagnosed malignancies from all regions of the United States. Univariate and descriptive analyses were conducted in order to identify any epidemiologic trends over time, and to identify demographic characteristics associated with this population. Any significance was determined by a threshold of α Results: A total of n= 23,990 men were included in the analysis and were compared to a total sample of n=2,672,744 female patients with breast cancer. The mean age was 65 ±13.0 years for men and 61 ±13.3 years for women (distribution: 13% Conclusion: This study reports the clinical and pathological characteristics of a large cohort of male BC in the United States. Patients with male BC present at an older age, with more comorbidities, and exhibit later stages of disease compared to women. The data also suggests the annual diagnosis rate of male breast cancer has increased over time. These results may indicate an increased need for clinical education regarding the continued risks of breast cancer in the men. Citation Format: Elizabeth Blessing Elimimian, Leah Elson, Hong Liang, Zeina Nahleh. Male breast cancer: Clinico-pathological characteristics from the national cancer database (NCDB) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-17-04.
Prevalent root-derived phenolics drive shifts in microbial community composition and prime decomposition in forest soil

Abstract Phenolic compounds perform various functions in soil ranging from microbial substrate to toxin and form the basis of several plant-mediated processes. The aim of this study was to investigate how phenolics commonly exuded by tree roots influence soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition and interact with other labile forms of carbon (C) abundant in root exudates. Therefore, we performed a 38-day incubation experiment and assessed whether phenolic compounds (benzoic acid, caffeic acid and catechin) facilitated or inhibited SOM decomposition in a glucose-amended forest soil. Changes in decomposition, substrate use, fungal and bacterial community composition, and microbial abundance and activity were measured over time using 13C-stable-isotope tracing, DNA-based molecular methods and enzyme assays. Our findings showed that phenolics inhibited microbial activity and abundance to varying degrees. Yet, benzoic acid was the only compound producing a substantial priming effect leading to a 21% increase in SOM decomposition, which was amplified in glucose-amended soils. This stimulation in microbial activity was associated with an increase in β-1,4-glucosidase activity and the bacterial genera Paraburkholderia and Caballeronia of the Burkholderiaceae family. Phenolics drove microbial community shifts in glucose-amended soils with negligible interactive effects. In conclusion, phenolic priming of SOM decomposition is associated with microbial community shifts and amplified in the presence of glucose. This evidence emphasizes the need for considering phenolics and interactions among root exudates as priming mechanisms in the rhizosphere and other soil environments where aromatics and phenolic compounds are abundant.
Autoantibody-positive healthy individuals with lower lupus risk display a unique immune endotype

Background Autoimmune diseases comprise a spectrum of illnesses and are on the rise worldwide. Although antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are detected in many autoimmune diseases, up to 20% of healthy women are ANA-positive (ANA+) and most will never develop clinical symptoms. Furthermore, disease transition is higher among ANA+ African Americans compared with ANA+ European Americans. Objective We sought to determine the immune features that might define and prevent transition to clinical autoimmunity in ANA+ healthy individuals. Methods We comprehensively phenotyped immune profiles of African Americans and European Americans who are ANA-negative (ANA−) healthy, ANA+ healthy, or have SLE using single cell mass cytometry, next-generation RNA-sequencing, multiplex cytokine profiling, and phospho-signaling analyses. Results We found that, compared with both ANA− and ANA+ healthy individuals, patients with SLE of both races displayed T-cell expansion and elevated expression of type I and II interferon pathways. We discovered a unique immune signature that suggests a suppressive immune phenotype and reduced CD11C+ autoimmunity-associated B cells in healthy ANA+ European Americans that is absent in their SLE or even healthy ANA− counterparts, or among African American cohorts. In contrast, ANA+ healthy African Americans exhibited elevated expression of T-cell activation markers and higher plasma levels of IL-6 than did healthy ANA+ European Americans. Conclusions We propose that this novel immune signature identified in ANA+ healthy European Americans may protect them from T-cell expansion, heightened activation of interferon pathways, and disease transition.
Post-Harvest Paraffinic Oil Dips to Disinfest Lychee Fruit of Lychee Erinose Mite

The lychee erinose mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae), is an important pest of lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.; Sapindaceae). Its recent interception in Lee County, Florida, USA, resulted in a quarantine whereby no lychee material, including fruit, can be transferred outside the county. Therefore, there is an urgent need for post-harvest treatments that can disinfest the fruit of the pest. Results of this study indicate that post-harvest dips in paraffinic oil solutions, 3 and 5%, for 60 s can achieve complete disinfestation of lychee fruit of A. litchii motile stages as well as other arthropods. In both ‘Mauritius' and ‘Brewster’ cultivars the treatments had a beneficial effect on fruit quality for the first 10 d after treatment. Post-harvest dips in paraffinic oil showed effective control of A. litchii without a noticeable reduction in fruit quality. Hence, this treatment might allow growers in Lee County to transport lychee fruit outside the quarantine zone.
Coronary atherosclerotic plaque progression: contributing factors in statin-treated patients.

Introduction: Coronary atheroma progression correlates with adverse cardiovascular events among individuals with coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis imaging, including coronary intravascular u...
Artificial intelligence in oncology: Path to implementation

In recent years, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in oncology has grown exponentially. AI solutions have been developed to tackle a variety of cancer-related challenges. Medical institutions, hospital systems, and technology companies are developing AI tools aimed at supporting clinical decision making, increasing access to cancer care, and improving clinical efficiency while delivering safe, high-value oncology care. AI in oncology has demonstrated accurate technical performance in image analysis, predictive analytics, and precision oncology delivery. Yet, adoption of AI tools is not widespread, and the impact of AI on patient outcomes remains uncertain. Major barriers for AI implementation in oncology include biased and heterogeneous data, data management and collection burdens, a lack of standardized research reporting, insufficient clinical validation, workflow and user-design challenges, outdated regulatory and legal frameworks, and dynamic knowledge and data. Concrete actions that major stakeholders can take to overcome barriers to AI implementation in oncology include training and educating the oncology workforce in AI; standardizing data, model validation methods, and legal and safety regulations; funding and conducting future research; and developing, studying, and deploying AI tools through multidisciplinary collaboration.
Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Damage in People with HIV and Chronic Pain

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is integral to mitochondrial function and cellular energy production. Lack of protective histones and limited repair capacity make mtDNA fragile and susceptible to injury. HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy is associated with mitochondrial depletion and damage, likely due to oxidative stress. Mitochondrial damage has been implicated in widespread musculoskeletal pain among people with Fibromyalgia. Whether mtDNA depletion and damage is associated with chronic pain in people with HIV has not yet been addressed. Participants included 24 PWH and chronic pain and 22 PWH without chronic pain, who were recruited from an HIV Clinic at a major medical campus. Participants completed quantitative sensory testing (QST) that included thermal and mechanical noxious stimuli. Blood was drawn before and after QST. Assays of mtDNA copy number and damage were completed to examine whether differences could be detected, 1) following completion of QST (i.e., across the 2 time points), and/or 2) between the groups (i.e., PWH and chronic pain versus PWH without chronic pain). Repeated measures analysis demonstrated that mtDNA copy number significantly decreased following completion of QST for both PWH with and without chronic pain (p = .027). There was a significant interaction between mtDNA damage and chronic pain status (p=.006). Specifically, PWH and chronic pain demonstrated greater mtDNA damage following QST in comparison to PWH without chronic pain. This study provides novel evidence suggesting that mitochondrial depletion and damage may be associated with chronic pain in PWH. Further research is needed to confirm whether mitochondrial damage is causally implicated in the development of chronic pain and fatigue that frequently accompanies HIV. Oxidative stress-related to HIV infection and ART warrants further investigation as a potential physiological pathway linking mitochondrial function and chronic pain in PWH. UAB Center for AIDS Research (P30AI027767), NHLBI (R01HL147603).
A pigtailed macaque model for Kyasanur Forest disease virus and Alkhurma hemorrhagic disease virus

Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) and the closely related Alkhurma hemorrhagic disease virus (AHFV) are emerging flaviviruses that cause severe viral hemorrhagic fevers in humans. Increasing geographical expansion and case numbers, particularly of KFDV in southwest India, class these viruses as a public health threat. Viral pathogenesis is not well understood and additional vaccines and antivirals are needed to effectively counter the impact of these viruses. However, current animal models for KFDV do not accurately reproduce viral tissue tropism or clinical outcomes observed in humans. Here, we show pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) infected with KFDV or AHFV develop viremia that peaks 2 to 4 days following inoculation. Over the course of infection, animals developed lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes. Infected animals exhibited hallmark signs of human disease characterized by a flushed appearance, piloerection, dehydration, loss of appetite, weakness, and hemorrhagic signs such as epistaxis. Virus was commonly present in the gastrointestinal tract, consistent with human disease caused by KFDV and AHFV where gastrointestinal symptoms (hemorrhage, vomiting, diarrhea) are common. This work characterizes a nonhuman primate model for KFDV and AHFV that closely resembles human disease for further utilization in understanding host immunity and development of antiviral countermeasures. Author SummaryKyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) and Alkhurma hemorrhagic disease virus (AHFV) are tick-borne flaviviruses that cause viral hemorrhagic fevers in India and the Arabian Peninsula, respectively. Bonnet macaques and black-faced langurs are susceptible to KFDV infection, but these animals do not experience hemorrhagic signs as seen in human cases with KFDV. This work characterizes for the first time experimental infection of KFDV and AHFV in pigtailed macaques (PTMs). Infected PTMs can develop moderate to severe disease that mirrors many aspects of human disease, including some hemorrhagic signs. Together these data describe the PTM model for KFDV and AHFV as a valuable tool for future work to study viral pathogenesis and for assessing the efficacy of vaccines and antivirals.
ANDRE GIDE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING INFLUENCED

The important influence Andre Gide exerted on twentieth-century thought was recognised by Sartre in 1951, the yearofGide'sdeath.\ But it isGide's connection with influence of a different kind that this article will be highlighting. Its aim is to bring to the fore Gide' s own theoretical writings on influence, which are still relati vely disregarded, in order to demonstrate the extent of his interest in the subject of influence throughout his long life.2 The argument will be that Gide's own theories on influence were constantly of critical importance to him and that four of them in particular were indispensable in his encounters with others, through social intercourse or his readings, as well as at the moment of artistic composition, and that, together, they constituted a personal system of conduct to which he had frequent recourse and which he needed desperately to rely upon during the period of his maturity. 3 By pursuing such a line of argument, the full extent of Gide's interest in the question of influence should become clearer.
Uptake of aldehyde-treated erythrocytes by L2 cells: inhibition by anti-red cell antibody or by coating the erythrocytes with purified proteins.

Abstract Aldehyde-treated erythrocytes were taken up by mouse L2 cells grown on glass in MEM-10% fetal calf serum. Uptake was inhibited by anti-red cell rabbit serum or by IgG obtained from immune serum. Antiserum was inhibitory when either added to ingestion medium or used to pretreat the erythrocytes. Qualitative observations showed that the attachment of red cells to L2 cells was also decreased. Non-immune serum and non-immune IgG were not inhibitory. Inhibitory activity was sharply reduced by absorption with homologous erythrocytes but not with heterologous red cells or with L2 cells, indicating that the effect of antiserum was immunologically specific. Digestion of the immune IgG with pepsin decreased the inhibitory activity two fold, whereas digestion with papain led to a twenty fold decrease in activity. Thus, L2 cells, unlike macrophages, do not have surface receptors for antigen-bound immunoglobulin. Uptake of aldehyde-red cells coated with ovalbumin, plasma albumin or hemoglobin was likewise reduced when compared to that of non-coated erythrocytes. It is suggested that antibody, or the purified proteins, either mask the red cell surface sites that interact with the L2 surface or otherwise modify the particle surface so as to inhibit the attachment step of phagocytosis.
Optimal oil import tariffs: An international perspective for the 1980s

Abstract Since the oil price explosion of 1973–74, oil policy has focused on two problem areas: firstly, chronically high international oil prices and secondly, vulnerability to disruptions in oil supply. Until recently, many held that measures designed to reduce the level of oil imports would mitigate both of these problems. Oil import reductions would put downward pressure on world oil prices during normal supply conditions, while simultaneously reducing the importer's exposure to oil supply interruptions. By the end of the 1970s, however, several analysts had concluded that certain characteristics of the world oil market would minimize both of these potential benefits of oil import reductions. Now, after more than two years of glut on the world oil market, many doubt that policy-induced import reductions would have any beneficial effects at all. This paper assesses the value of oil import reduction policies during the oil market conditions that are expected to prevail during the 1980s. The conclusion is that there are still substantial benefits to be gained by implementing efficient import reductions. This conclusion is robust over a broad range of assumptions about OPEC objectives and other key determinants of world oil market behaviour.
Abstract 4107: Efficient delivery of dietary compound modulates mcp-1 in murine prostate cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Monocyte chemo-attractant protein (MCP-1) is a chemokine, which recruits monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in response to trauma and proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α. MCP-1 generally is not expressed in healthy individuals, but in response to various stressful stimuli it gets up-regulated, which in turn contributes to increased inflammation. MCP-1 has been implicated in mediating apoptosis by producing a proapoptotic protein designated MCP-induced protein (MCPIP). Resveratrol (RES), a polyphenolic compound found in the skin of red fruits, exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, and anti-proliferative characteristics. In this study, we hypothesized that the functionalization of RES with detonated nano-diamond (DND, hereafter called fDND) will enhance the effective delivery of RES to tumor cell and impact the modulation of molecular mechanisms in murine prostate cancer (PCa) cells. This hypothesis was tested on mouse PCa cell lines, derived from transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP), in C57/B6 mice. Interestingly, TRAMP-C1 and TRAMP-C2 form tumor while TRAMP-C3 fails to develop tumor. TRAMP cells were treated with different concentrations of fDND at different time points and analyzed for underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms such as cell viability/proliferation, mitochondrial membrane potential, cytokines and growth factors production. The initial results indicate that the fDND significantly induce molecular signatures in TRAMP-C3 cells in comparison with TRAMPC1 and C2. Interestingly, the level of MCP-1 was significant elevated in TRAMP C1 and C2 cells. Thus, suggesting a major role of MCP-1 in the regulation of cancer progression and clearance. This data also suggest that the functionality of dietary compounds can be enhanced by conjugating or functionalizing them with DND, which can be used as a therapeutic carrier. Citation Format: Manoj K. Mishra, James A. Stokes, Amanee Salaam, Elijah Nyairo, Udai Singh, Derrick Dean. Efficient delivery of dietary compound modulates mcp-1 in murine prostate cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4107. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4107
Optimal control of input constrained linear systems

Explicit, closed-form formulas of optimal and suboptimal control on finite time interval for stochastic, linear, input-constrained systems are derived. The formulas are given in terms of the state transfer matrix of the system, the input constraint, weights of a quadratic criterion and noise variance. For a general system, only implicit solutions can be derived. However, for systems with positive impulse response, an explicit closed-form solution is derived. The optimal control in this case is the control for an unconstrained system with limiting on the input. The limiting function is the random-input describing function of the saturation function. >
The Downside of High Water Marks: An Empirical Study

Using a large sample of hedge funds, I study the effects of the high water mark (HWM) on fund performance, risk, and fund closure. I find that as funds fall below the HWM, the standard deviation of future returns increases, the future expected Sharpe ratio decreases, and the incidence of fund closure increases. In addition to supporting predictions from models in the literature, these results resonate well with economic intuition: HWM contracts function as if the fund manager holds call options on the fund's returns which have varying degrees of moneyness depending on how far the fund is from the HWM.
Anaktuvuk Pass goes to town

Voila longtemps que d’une maniere ou d’une autre, les Nunamiut d’Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska, vont en ville et ce, avant meme qu’ils n’aient abandonne, en 1949-1950, leur vie de nomades pour se sedentariser dans un village a 100 milles de la route la plus proche et a 250 milles de Fairbanks. Des annees avant qu’ils ne mettent pied en ville, quelques-uns avait deja des comptes crediteurs a la Northern Commercial Company. Au milieu des annees cinquante, quelques hommes du village furent recrutes pour participer a des experiences d’adaptation au froid menees par le Ladd AFB dans les environs de Fairbanks. Ce fut leur premier vol en avion et leur premiere experience de la vie citadine. Les urgences medicales —une epidemie de grippe, la tuberculose et d’autres maladies demandant soins medicaux— constituaient, dans les annees cinquante, l’autre ticket pour la ville, et dans ce cas, il fallait habituellement attendre l’arrivee du vol mensuel pour pouvoir etre transporte. Mais des les annees soixante, les services medicaux pour autochtones firent en sorte que les femmes d’Anaktuvuk venaient en ville pour accoucher a l’hopital. Aujourd’hui, Fairbanks n’est pas seulement un cabinet medical, c’est aussi un centre commercial et un supermarche pour les villages isoles comme Anaktuvuk Pass. C’est encore beaucoup d’autres choses pour les Nunamiut —le site des jeux olympiques annuels eskimos-indiens, le festival des arts autochtones de l’Universite d’Alaska a Fairbanks et la foire estivale de la vallee de la Tanana (Tanana Valley Fair). C’est la deuxieme avenue avec sa succession de bars defraichis. Cet article examine plus de 50 ans de voyages en ville, l’importance de la «ville» dans la vie des villageois et les associations variees que Fairbanks represente pour les Nunamiut.
Hybrid Simulation Improves Medical Student Procedural Confidence During EM Clerkship

ABSTRACT Background: Medical students have limited opportunities to perform and learn procedures on live patients. This is particularly concerning at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), where graduates may be assigned to an operational military unit immediately following completion of internship. The authors implemented a new hybrid simulation lab for fourth-year medical students at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences consisting of procedural skills training for seven core emergency medicine skills combined with complex patient cases using high fidelity simulators and standardized patients. Objectives: Measure changes in student procedural skills confidence due to the new hybrid simulation curriculum. Methods: This observational study used anonymous 5-point Likert-anchored questionnaires to measure student confidence at three different times: immediately before hybrid simulation training, immediately after training, and 3 weeks post-training. Results: Pre...
Changes in tree species composition and stand structure in a mature upland oak-dominated forest reflect differences in recruitment, survival, and longevity.

ABSTRACT: Poor regeneration of some species of oaks (Quercus spp.) within undisturbed closedcanopy forests is common throughout much of the eastern United States. Oak regeneration failure is often inferred from negatively skewed size-class distributions, but evidence of replacement by non-oaks requires investigation of changes in composition and size distributions. I examined how tree species composition and the log-transformed diameter distributions of oaks and non-oaks changed between 1999 and 2013 in an old-growth forest on the University of Mississippi campus. There was a general weak trend towards replacement of oaks by non-oaks. Oaks showed nonskewed or negatively skewed diameter distributions in 1999 and 2013. Diameter distributions of southern red oak (Quercus falcata) became significantly more negatively skewed, and the abundance of this species declined. However, there was no significant change in skewness of diameter distributions of the more fire-tolerant but longer-lived post oak (Q. stellata...
OR23 Elucidating the targetome of the HLA-B intron 4 derived miRNA, miR-6891 and allele specific miRNA isoforms

Aim Next generation sequencing of HLA loci facilitates the full characterization of HLA alleles at an unprecedented rate. However, little is known about the influence of HLA intronic sequence variation in the pathophysiology of transplant medicine or immune-mediated disease. Exploration of HLA intronic loci reveals that an annotated miRNA hairpin, miR-6891 is derived from intron 4 of HLA-B (Fig. 1), giving rise to two mature miRNA transcripts of unknown function. RNA-seq data reveals that miR-6891-5p is expressed in B lymphocytes, supporting the hypothesis that miR-6891 plays a role in B lymphocyte homeostasis. Utilizing computational approaches, we have identified significantly enriched targets of miR-6891-5p and enriched pathways of significant, targeted genes. Methods In silico RNA folding, multiple sequence alignment and sequence logo plots of annotated IMGT HLA-B intron 4 sequence variants were generated using MATLAB to identify energetically favorable pre-miRNA hairpins and visualize allele diversity. Twelve independent miRNA target prediction algorithms were run in order to identify significant miR-6891-5p targets (p ⩽ 0.05). Functional enrichment of miR-6891-5p targets was performed using DAVID. Results There are eight unique sequence variants of HLA-B intron 4, derived from 194 IMGT HLA-B alleles with fully characterized intron 4 sequences. Every sequence variant is found to form stable pre-miRNA hairpin structures with permissible free-energies. MiR-6891-5p harbors no polymorphisms across annotated alleles, whereas miR-6891-3p was found to harbor two polymorphic positions, including one at position 5 of the seed region. Focused interpretation of high confidence, 3’ UTR targets of miR-6891-5p reveals enrichment of both T-cell and B-cell receptor signaling pathways. Conclusions Our analysis reveals that the HLA-B intron 4 derived miRNA, miR-6891-5p plays a role in regulating T-cell and B-cell receptor signaling pathways through translational suppression of targeted mRNA transcripts. Download : Download full-size image
Intracellular trafficking of emerin, the Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy protein

Emerin is an integral protein of the inner nuclear membrane that is mutated or not expressed in patients with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy studies of the intracellular targeting of truncated forms of emerin, some of which are found in patients with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, show that the nucleoplasmic, amino-terminal domain is necessary and sufficient for nuclear retention. When this domain is fused to a transmembrane segment of an integral membrane protein of the ER/plasma membrane, the chimeric protein is localized in the inner nuclear membrane. The transmembrane segment of emerin is not targeted to the inner nuclear membrane. Fluorescence photobleaching experiments of emerin fused to green fluorescent protein demonstrate that the diffusional mobility (D) of emerin is decreased in the inner nuclear membrane (D=0.10+/-0.01 microm2/second) compared to the ER membrane (D=0.32+/-0.01 microm2/second). This is in agreement with a model where integral proteins reach the inner nuclear membrane by lateral diffusion and are retained there by association with nucleoplasmic components. Some overexpressed emerin-green fluorescent protein also reaches the plasma membrane of transfected cells, where its diffusion is similar to that in the inner nuclear membrane, suggesting that emerin may also associate with non-nuclear structures.
Weight loss in Alzheimer's disease: an international review of the literature

Alzheimer's disease affects an estimated 2 million elderly in the U.S. and challenges primary care physicians to assist caregivers in dealing with the daily management of these patients. To support the clinical observation of weight loss in Alzheimer patients despite adequate food intake, we reviewed the existing literature. To date, eight international studies have focused on nutrition in Alzheimer's disease and all have found weight loss. It is not clear whether this weight loss is a component of or a consequence of the disease. These findings suggest systemic, metabolic alterations in Alzheimer's disease. They require further investigation as to their nature and as to their appropriate recognition and management to retard the deteriorating effects of chronic weight loss and malnutrition. Finally, some reports lead to speculation that nutritional strategies may improve cognitive function.
Reliability-Driven ECC Allocation for Multiple Bit Error Resilience in Processor Cache

With increasing parameter variations in nanometer technologies, on-chip cache in processor is becoming highly vulnerable to runtime failures induced by “soft error,” voltage, or thermal noise and aging effects. Nondeterministic and unreliable memory operation due to these runtime failures can be addressed by: 1) designing the memory for worst-case scenarios and/or 2) runtime error detection and correction. Worst-case guard-banding can lead to overly pessimistic results for cell footprint and power. On the other hand, conventional error correcting code (ECC) used in processor cache has very limited correction capability, making it insufficient to protect memory in scaled technologies (sub-45 nm), which are vulnerable to multiple-bit failures in a word (64-bit). The requirement to tolerate multibit failures is accentuated with supply voltage scaling for low-power operation. We note that due to inter and intra-die parameter variations, different memory blocks move to different reliability corners. A uniform ECC protection for all memory blocks fails to account for the distribution of vulnerability across memory blocks. On the other hand, it can lead to overly pessimistic results if the worst-case vulnerability of a memory block is accounted for during ECC allocation. In this paper, we propose a reliability-driven ECC allocation scheme that matches the relative vulnerability of a memory block (determined using postfabrication characterization) with appropriate ECC protection. We achieve postfabrication variable ECC allocation by storing the check bits in the “ways” of an associative cache. We use shortened Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) cyclic code with zero padding, which provides high random error correction capability with modest amount of check bits. Moreover, we propose efficient circuit/architecture-level optimizations of the ECC encoding/decoding logic to minimize the impact on area, performance, and energy. Simulation results for SPEC2000 benchmarks show that such a variable ECC scheme tolerates high failure rates with negligible performance (four percent) and area (0.2 percent) penalty.
Limitations of linear control of thermal convection in a porous medium

The ability of linear controllers to stabilize the conduction (no-motion) state of a saturated porous layer heated from below and cooled from above is studied theoretically. Proportional, suboptimal robust (H∞) and linear quadratic Gaussian (H2) controllers are considered. The proportional controller increases the critical Rayleigh number for the onset of convection by as much as a factor of 2. Both the H2 and H∞ controllers stabilize the linearized system at all Rayleigh numbers. Although all these controllers successfully render negative the real part of the linearized system’s eigenvalues, the linear operator of the controlled system is non-normal and disturbances undergo substantial growth prior to their eventual, asymptotic decay. The dynamics of the nonlinear system are examined as a function of the disturbance’s amplitude when the system is subjected to the “most dangerous disturbances.” These computations provide the critical amplitude of the initial conditions above which the system can no longer...
Serial changes in a patient with congenital cns toxoplasmosis as observed with CT

Abstract A case of congenital CNS toxoplasmosis is presented with emphasis on the serial changes observed in the CT findings.
Nicotine withdrawal upregulates nitrergic and galaninergic activity in the rat dorsal raphe nucleus and locus coeruleus

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), a major source of forebrain serotonin, mediates various neural functions including anxiety. The nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) is likewise involved in mediating central components of the stress response and anxiety. An anxiety-reducing effect is widely believed to underlie many cases of nicotine dependence. While much is known about nicotine-serotonin interactions, little is known about how nicotine engages the DRN non-serotonergic domain in specific physiological functions that influence organismal behavior. The aim of this study was to determine how chronic nicotine withdrawal influences neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS) and galanin immunoreactivity in the DRN and LC of adult rats. Compared with saline, nicotine increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase profiles within distinct DRN subregions and also enhanced intensity in nNOS and galanin cell bodies in the rostral DRN as well as galanin in the LC. Nicotine-induced nNOS/galanin staining of somata was abundant in the rostral ventromedial DRN. Galanin-positive terminals surrounded nNOS-containing cell bodies in the DRN lateral wing subregions. These observations suggest that the DRN NOS-galanin domain and galanin in the LC are engaged in the organism's neural adaptation to chronic nicotine exposure. Hence NO and galanin synthesized or released within the DRN and LC or at the respective target sites might regulate the whole animal behavioral response to nicotine exposure.
Amphetamine influences conditioned response timing and laterality of anterior cingulate cortex activity during rabbit delay eyeblink conditioning

Previous studies have shown that amphetamine can enhance learning in Pavlovian conditioning tasks, but little is known about the changes in neural activity accompanying these performance enhancements. We evaluated the effects of amphetamine (10micromol/kg) on delay eyeblink conditioning performance and single-neuron activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (area 24) of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Amphetamine produced little to no learning enhancement on our task but strongly influenced the conditioned response (CR), which peaked closer in time to the onset of the unconditioned stimulus (US). The overall ACC population response showed very weak stimulus-evoked modulations during the course of training, with the primary effect being an increase in inhibition. Group discrepancies in stimulus-evoked inhibition correlated with differences in learning performance, and this correlation was stronger when subjects were grouped according to learning performance, independent of drug treatment. ACC neuronal responses of both groups displayed hemispheric asymmetries (laterality), but amphetamine treatment altered this effect, in that activity within each hemisphere of the amphetamine group more closely resembled that of the contralateral hemisphere of controls. Our data suggest that amphetamine modulates CR timing, and influences the flow of sensory information to the two cortical hemispheres. Our observations are also consistent with the ACC's non-essential role in learning during delay eyeblink conditioning.
Radiance-ratio algorithm wavelengths for remote oceanic chlorophyll determination.

Two-band radiance-ratio in-water algorithms in the visible spectrum have been evaluated for remote oceanic chlorophyll determination. Airborne active-passive (laser-solar) data from coastal, shelf-slope, and blue-water regions were used to generate two-dimensional chlorophyll-fluorescence and radiance-ratio statistical correlation matrices containing all possible two-band ratio combinations from the thirty-two available contiguous 11.25-nm passive bands. The principal finding was that closely spaced radiance-ratio bands yield chlorophyll estimates which are highly correlated with laser-induced chlorophyll fluorescence within several distinct regions of the ocean color spectrum. Band combinations in the yellow, orange-red, spectral regions showed considerable promise for satisfactory chlorophyll pigment estimation in near-coastal Case II waters. Pigment recovery in Case I waters was best accomplished using blue-green radiance ratios in the 490/500-nm region.
Classroom notes A geometric application of complex numbers

The object of this paper is to present an elegant solution to a classical geometric problem by using the geometry of complex numbers.
Vibrational modes of He 4 and H 2 gases adsorbed on carbon nanotubes

We present calculations of the breathing mode phonon frequencies of $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ physically adsorbed on the outside surface of one or more carbon nanotubes. Two geometries are considered. The first is a single, isolated nanotube, upon which the gas is adsorbed as a commensurate phase. The second is a quasi-one-dimensional ``groove'' phase nestled between two nanotubes. While the computed breathing mode frequencies depend on nanotube radius and the adsorbate, in general, they are of the same order of magnitude as those of the bare nanotubes.
On the relation between state and adjoint variable initial conditions in optimum control theory

The algebraic relation between state and adjoint variable initial conditions for time-optimum control of a particular second order linear system is reported. The relation between adjoint initial conditions and switching time suggests that difficulties might arise when boundary-value search methods are employed to solve two-point boundary-value problems. These analytical results support the conclusions in a recent paper by Paynter and Bankoff.
Applications of focused ion beam machining to the characterization of carbide, nitride and oxide films

Abstract Focused ion beam (FIB) systems have become a useful tool in the failure analysis and modification of microelectronic devices having Si and GaAs structures. The potential of this technique in other areas, e.g. optical and wear-resistant coatings, has not been extensively explored. In this presentation, we report on the application of FIB-based techniques to the investigation of non-semiconductor materials. These materials include: multilayer optical oxide/nitride films, and hard carbide coatings on tool steels. We have found that procedures which are commonly applied for semiconductor materials will produce artifacts but can be applied with some modification to these oxide, carbide, and nitride films, as well as multiphase steel substrates.
Dextran protection of erythrocytes from low-pH-induced hemolysis

Low-pH-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes is inhibited by dextrans. The protective effect was observed with dextrans larger than 40 kDa. Electron microscopy showed dextrans of 150 kDa in a tight association with the erythrocyte membrane. These results indicate that dextrans stop the low-pH-induced hemolysis by interacting with the acid-induced defects in the erythrocyte membrane [(1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta, in press.
Digital mouse phantom for optical imaging

We present a method for design and use of a digital mouse phantom for small animal optical imaging. We map the boundary of a mouse model from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data through image processing algorithms and discretize the geometry by a finite element (FE) descriptor. We use a validated FE implementation of the three-dimensional (3-D) diffusion equation to model transport of near infrared (NIR) light in the phantom with a mesh resolution optimized for representative tissue optical properties on a computing system with 8-GB RAM. Our simulations demonstrate that a section of the mouse near the light source is adequate for optical system design and that the variation of intensity of light on the boundary is well within typical noise levels for up to 20% variation in optical properties and nodes used to model the boundary of the phantom. We illustrate the use of the phantom in setting goals for specific binding of targeted exogenous fluorescent contrasts based on anatomical location by simulating a nearly tenfold change in the detectability of a 2-mm-deep target depending on its placement. The methodology described is sufficiently general and may be extended to generate digital phantoms for designing clinical optical imaging systems.
Methylphenidate and cognitive therapy: a comparison of treatment approaches with hyperactive boys

This study of hyperactive boys evaluated the effects of three modes of treatment in relation to an untreated group. The treatments were administered over a 3-month period and included cognitive training, stimulant drug therapy (methylphenidate), and the two treatments combined. A follow-up assessment was conducted approximately 3 months after contact between the training staff and the child had ceased. Analyses of attentional deployment and cognitive style measures, tests of academic achievement, and behavioral ratings showed that only those children in the two medication treatment conditions demonstrated improvement in attentional deployment and behavioral ratings. In the cognitive therapy condition, there were changes only on measures of attentional deployment. The data did not provide evidence indicating that the combined medication and cognitive therapy condition was any more effective than that condition involving medication alone. Discussion provides future guidelines for evaluation of the relative effectiveness of stimulant drug therapy and other psychological treatment modalities.
Physical Constraints on Mining Explosions: Synergy of Seismic and Video Data with Three Dimensional Models

MOTIVATION Seismic networks provide a primary technology for monitoring compliance with a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The design goal of the network is the identification of possibly clandestine explosions detonated primarily below the earth's surface and, secondarily, in the oceans. Complementary technologies such as infrasonic, hydroacoustic, and radionuclide monitoring supplement the seismic monitoring covering explosions in the atmosphere and oceans ( Arms Control and Nonproliferation Technologies , Second Quarter, 1994). Seismic sources that will produce detectable signals will be both natural and man-made in origin. Naturally-occurring events include earthquakes, most of which are beneath the oceans or deeper than it is possible to drill, and volcanic eruptions. Accurate locations of such events to depths of beyond 10 km preclude further consideration of these events in the context of monitoring compliance. Man-made or induced events include the great range of applications using conventional explosives for mining and excavation, rock burst and collapses...