cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endosomes Come of Age

In the late 1970s, a confluence of exciting observations triggered unprecedented interest in the functions and mechanisms of endocytosis. This activity, in turn, rapidly led to the identification of endosomes as a new and distinct organelle. Endosomes were first defined in 1983 by a simple statement that remains largely true even today (see above).1 Endosomes were appreciated not only as intermediates on the pathway to lysosomes, but also on the pathway of receptor recycling where they were seen as being the primary site for the dissociation of ligand-receptor complexes and the return of unoccupied receptors back to the plasma membrane. In addition, for those receptors subject to “down regulation”, endosomes were understood to be the place at which the crucial sorting decision was made between recycling and lysosomal transport. Many of these features were linked to the ability of endosomes to lower their internal pH via the activity of an ATP-dependent proton pump. Acidification was a key conceptual advance since it explained why many receptors discharged their ligands upon reaching endosomes and how incoming enveloped viruses fused with the endosomal membrane, initiating infection.
Political science: Partisans' science interests

People who purchase liberal books have distinct tastes for science compared with those who purchase conservative books. This raises questions about the existence of ‘echo chambers’ on matters where science can inform political debates.
Statistical Analysis of Latency Through Semantic Profiling

Most software profiling tools quantify average performance and rely on a program's control flow graph to organize and report results. However, in interactive server applications, performance predictability is often an equally important measure. Moreover, the end user is often concerned with the performance of a semantically defined interval of execution, such as a request or transaction, which may not directly map to any single function in the call graph, especially in high-performance applications that use asynchrony or event-based programming. It is difficult to distinguish functionality that lies on the critical path of a semantic interval from other activity (e.g., periodic logging or side operations) that may nevertheless appear prominent in a conventional profile. Existing profilers lack the ability to (i) aggregate results for a semantic interval and (ii) attribute its performance variance to individual functions.We propose a profiler called VProfiler that, given the source code of a software system and programmer annotations indicating the start and end of semantic intervals of interest, is able to identify the dominant sources of latency variance in a semantic context. Using a novel abstraction, called a variance tree, VProfiler analyzes the thread interleaving and deconstructs overall latency variance into variances and covariances of the execution time of individual functions. It then aggregates latency variance along a backwards path of dependence relationships among threads from the end of an interval to its start. We evaluate VProfiler's effectiveness on three popular open-source projects (MySQL, Postgres, and Apache Web Server). By identifying a few culprit functions in these complex code bases, VProfiler allows us to eliminate 27%--82% of the overall latency variance of these systems with a modest programming effort.
Detecting Global Navigation Satellite System Spoofing Using Inertial Sensing of Aircraft Disturbance

Vulnerability of Global Navigation Satellite System users to signal spoofing is a critical threat to positioning integrity, especially in aviation applications where the consequences are potentiall...
Phase I study of alpelisib (BYL-719) and T-DM1 in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer after trastuzumab and taxane therapy.

1026Background: Constitutive activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is a mechanism of trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Alpelisib (BYL-719) is the first oral PI3K inhibitor that selectively inhibits the PI3Kα isoform. We aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and activity of alpelisib with ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in HER2-positive MBC that failed standard therapy. Methods: In this phase I study, pts received alpelisib daily (cohort 1: 300 mg, (-1): 250 mg) and T-DM1 3.6 mg/m2 on Day 1 every 21 days using a 3+3 design with dose expansion at MTD. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as CTCAE Grade 3/4 adverse events (AE) during cycle 1. Data cut-off is Jan. 1, 2017. Results: 17 pts were enrolled. Median age was 53 (40-66). Median prior lines of therapy in metastatic setting was 4.5 (0-13) including 9 pts who progressed on prior T-DM1 (after median 8 cycles). Median number of metastatic sites was 2 (1-5...
Cognitive domain ontologies on the TrueNorth neurosynaptic system

Cognitive agents are typically utilized in autonomous systems for automated decision making. These systems interact at real time with their environment and are generally heavily power constrained. Thus there is a strong need for a real time agent running on a low power computing platform. This paper examines how some of the components of a cognitive agent can be mapped onto the IBM TrueNorth neurosynaptic system to achieve real time performance at low power. The agent examined is the Cognitively Enhanced Complex Event Processing (CECEP) architecture. This is an autonomous decision support tool that reasons like humans and enables enhanced agent-based decision-making. It has applications in a large variety of domains including autonomous systems, operations research, intelligence analysis, and data mining. One of the most time consuming and key components of CECEP is the mining of knowledge from a repository described as a Cognitive Domain Ontology (CDO). This paper looks at how CDOs can be mapped into neural form for realtime applications, and then examines their implementation on the IBM TrueNorth processor. The results show that the TrueNorth implementation generated correct answers for all the CDOs examined.
Transplantation of solid organ recipients shedding Epstein-Barr virus DNA pre-transplant: A prospective study.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) poses a significant threat to patient and graft survival posttransplant. We hypothesized that recipients who shed EBV at transplant had less immunologic control of the virus and hence were more likely to have active EBV infection and disease posttransplant. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a 5-year prospective study in primary solid organ transplant recipients. We measured EBV DNA in oral washes and blood samples by quantitative PCR before transplant and periodically thereafter for up to 4 years. Pretransplant samples were available from 98 subjects. EBV DNA was detected pretransplant in 32/95 (34%) and 5/93 subjects (5%) in oral wash and blood respectively. Recipients with and without detectable pretransplant EBV DNA were not significantly different demographically; and had no significant difference in patient and graft survival (P=0.6 for both comparisons) or posttransplant EBV viremia free survival (P= 0.8). There were no cases of EBV-related disease or posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in any of the patients with detectable EBV DNA pretransplant. In conclusion, detectable EBV DNA pretransplant was not associated with differences in patient/graft survival, posttransplant EBV viremia, or EBV-related diseases including PTLD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Implementing Recorded Lectures: Education Production Function Analysis in Economics Online Courses

Instructor created recorded lectures were introduced to two principles of macroeconomics and two principles of microeconomics online courses to improve student outcomes. Using the education production function, both time spent and access were modeled using a first difference regression and Generalized Method of Moments estimators. Data for this study, covering nine weeks for each course, were collected from the course management system, book publisher and college registrar. Results show that more time spent in the course management system and book publisher’s homework system lead to increased grades while accessing recorded lectures had mixed results.
Current state of screening high-ACE youth and emerging adults in primary care.

AbstractBackground and purpose:Trauma comes in many forms, including interpersonal, community, and institutional trauma. The adverse childhood event (ACE) studies demonstrated that adverse experiences in childhood can have a profound, cumulative impact on the course of health and development over a
Effects of wrist wraps on throwing distance in highly skilled shot put athletes

Shot put throwing distances of 18 male Division I track and field athletes in the United States were compared among three wrist wrap conditions: 1) a large heavy wrist wrap, typically worn by athletes competing in the shot put event, 2) a small light wrist wrap and 3) no wrist wrap. The average and maximum throwing distances when the athletes were wearing the heavy wrist wrap (12.31 ± 1.699maximum; 11.92 ± 1.627average) were greater than when the athletes were not wearing a wrist wrap (12.05 ± 1.550maximum; 11.70 ± 1.457average). Performance increases exceeded criteria for the smallest worthwhile improvements in the shot put event, suggesting that heavy wrist wraps provide a competitive advantage. These results revealed previously undocumented, beneficial effects of taping and bracing on sports performance in the shot put throw.
Distance Learning Teaching Strategies in Registered Nurse to Baccalaureate Nurse Programs: Advancing Cultural Competence of Registered Nurses in Providing End-of-Life Care

Abstract In order to prepare nurses to effectively provide holistic nursing care to an increasingly diverse patient population, nurse educators must incorporate cultural care practices into the nursing curricula. Specifically, teaching culturally competent end-of-life care is essential but can pose challenges for distance education programs. The purpose of this article is to identify multiple learning strategies utilized in an online nursing program to teach students how to provide culturally competent end-of-life care.
Oral delivery of siRNA lipid nanoparticles: Fate in the GI tract

Oral delivery, a patient-friendly means of drug delivery, is preferred for local administration of intestinal therapeutics. Lipidoid nanoparticles, which have been previously shown to deliver siRNA to intestinal epithelial cells, have potential to treat intestinal disease. It is unknown, however, whether the oral delivery of these particles is possible. To better understand the fate of lipid nanoparticles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, we studied delivery under deconstructed stomach and intestinal conditions in vitro. Lipid nanoparticles remained potent and stable following exposure to solutions with pH values as low as 1.2. Efficacy decreased following exposure to "fed", but not "fasting" concentrations of pepsin and bile salts. The presence of mucin on Caco-2 cells also reduced potency, although this effect was mitigated slightly by increasing the percentage of PEG in the lipid nanoparticle. Mouse biodistribution studies indicated that siRNA-loaded nanoparticles were retained in the GI tract for at least 8 hours. Although gene silencing was not initially observed following oral LNP delivery, confocal microscopy confirmed that nanoparticles entered the epithelial cells of the mouse small intestine and colon. Together, these data suggest that orally-delivered LNPs should be protected in the stomach and upper intestine to promote siRNA delivery to intestinal epithelial cells.
Volume Exploration Made Easy Using Feature Maps

We present a framework that enables an intuitive, feature-centric exploration of segmented volumetric datasets. Our system is geared towards users familiar with the basic elements of volume rendering, but who seek to conduct volume exploration in a guided fashion. It provides the infrastructure to organize features and objects extracted from a volume dataset, via segmentation or otherwise, and provides the functionality to view these features with standard volume rendering tools. A novel aspect of our system is that it does not require a separate binary tag volume to indicate the presence of a feature (or object). Instead, we mark a feature by migrating its density range, including its smooth boundary, to a private interval. This avoids the aliasing problems associated with binary tag volumes as well as the extensive run-time costs incurred to resolve these. In addition, since the smooth boundaries of the features are preserved, any volume renderer can be used for data visualization, without modification.
Small carboranes: Four- to six-vertex clusters

The synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivities of the smallest carboranes are discussed, ranging from CB 3 H x , C 2 B 2 H X , and closo -C 2 B 3 H 5 to closo -C 2 B 4 H 6 and the nido -C n B 6-n H 10-x (n = 1-5) systems, as well as the monocarbon CB 5 H 7 and CB 5 H 6 − clusters.
Membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis.

The membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis (MIRL, CD59) is an 18 kDa glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane glycoprotein that inhibits complement-mediated lysis, at least in part by restricting the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC). MIRL is expressed by all peripheral blood hematopoietic cells, by endothelial cells, and by some cellular elements of the peripheral and central nervous systems. The erythrocytes of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) are deficient in MIRL, and the enhanced susceptibility of PNH erythrocytes to complement-mediated lysis is due primarily to this deficiency.
Validation of Rules of Two™ as a paradigm for assessing asthma control.

Assessing asthma control at each patient encounter is an essential task to determine pharmacologic requirements. Rules of Two (Ro2) was created from the original 1991 National Asthma Education Program guidelines to determine the need for controller therapy. This study determined the degree of agreement between Ro2 and the Expert Panel Report (EPR-3) definition of “in control” asthma and compared that value with the Asthma Control Test (ACT) in a group of asthmatics for the purpose of validating this tool. Patients with documented asthma were randomized to complete Ro2 or ACT prior to being assessed for asthma control by certified asthma educators using an EPR-3 template. Assessments occurred in either a specialty asthma clinic or at a local health fair. Patients were also queried for their personal assessment of asthma control. The primary statistical methodology employed was the degree of agreement (kappa) between each survey tool and the EPR-3 template. Of 150 patients, 72% did not have their asthma in control, based on the EPR-3 template. Ro2 identified 58% of patients not in control of their asthma, whereas ACT identified 36%, with kappa scores of 0.41 for Ro2 and 0.37 for ACT compared with the EPR-3 template. These were not significantly different. Of the 150 patients, 75% considered their asthma in control based on self-assessments, with a kappa of 0.23. In 14 of 73 ACT questionnaires, scores were not added or were misadded. Eliminating evaluation of static lung function significantly improved both kappa scores of Ro2 and ACT. In conclusion, Ro2 identifies patients with uncontrolled asthma as well as ACT and may be useful to the primary assessing clinician in determining asthma control.
Validation of Minnesota acute graft-versus-host disease Risk Score

Using multicenter data, we developed a novel acute graft-versus-host disease Risk Score which more accurately predicts response to steroid treatment, survival and transplant related mortality than other published risk scores based upon clinical grading criteria.1 To validate this Risk Score in a contemporary cohort, we examined 355 recent University of Minnesota patients (2007-2016) diagnosed with acute graft-versus-host disease and treated with prednisone 60 mg/m2/day for 14 days, followed by an 8-week taper. Overall response [complete response + partial response] was higher in the 276 standard risk versus 79 high risk graft-versus-host disease patients at day 14 (71% versus 56%, P<0.01), day 28 (74% versus 59%, P=0.02) and day 56 (68% versus 49%, P<0.01) after steroid initiation. Day 28 response did not differ by the initial graft-versus-host disease grade. In multiple regression analysis, patients with high risk graft-versus-host disease were less likely to respond at day 28 (odds ratio 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9, P<0.01) and had higher risks of 2 year transplant related mortality (Hazard Ratio 1.8, 95% CI, 1.0-2.1, P=0.03) and overall mortality (Hazard Ratio 1.7, 95% CI, 1.2-2.4, P<0.01) than patients with a standard risk graft-versus-host disease. This analysis confirms the Minnesota graft-versus-host disease Risk Score as a valuable bedside tool to define risk in patients with acute graft-versus-host disease. A tailored approach to upfront acute graft-versus-host disease therapy based upon the Minnesota Risk Score may improve outcomes and facilitate testing of novel treatments in these patients.
Modeling and Measurement of Ducted EM Propagation over the Gulf Stream

The study of atmospheric refractive conditions is essential in the shipboard radars and radio communication conditions in the maritime environment. Especially at low altitudes, as radio refractivity can vary considerably with both height and range, characterizing marine atmospheric boundary layer properties, ducting in particular, is thus crucial for air-sea interaction research. The numerical weather prediction model Navy Atmospheric Vertical Surface Layer Model (NAVSLaM) is used to estimate the refractive structure of the evaporation duct as a function of height and range using the environmental conditions in the region of the Gulf Stream, and the refractive profiles are used as input to Advanced Propagation Model (APM) for predicting the EM propagation across the Gulf Stream boundary. The data measured during the CASPER-East at-sea experimental campaign, which was conducted off the coast of Duck, NC, during October-November of 2015, are compared with the simulated propagation loss based on the range-dependent profile predicted from NAVSLaM.
Here-and-Then: Learning by Making Places with Digital Spatial Story Lines

In this article, we introduce and analyze learning experiences made possible by a teaching framework that we have developed and call digital spatial story lines (DSSLs). DSSLs offer a novel approac...
CS 0: Culture and Coding

In 2018, Colorado State University redesigned their CS-0 course to become a general education requirement for the university within Arts and Humanities, and a guaranteed transfer course across the state for a similar category in other universities. The first CS course in the State to be accepted as a GT-Pathway course. This redesign had to be carefully done due to a need to introduce liberal arts style topics such as CS History, Philosophy and Ethics and Inclusive Design issues, while maintaining current coding and student success standards that were already expected for the CS-0 at the university. We termed this combination as Culture and Coding. In order to add more without reducing retention, the course was redesigned around the Psychology of Learning and spacing of topics in a "Spiral" Manner. Each topic was briefly introduced, and throughout the semester, students would dive deeper into the topics. This allowed for a 50% reduction of time focused on teaching coding topics, with students performing equivalent on exams compared to previous models of the course that focused 100% of the time on coding topics. Furthermore, students taught by the spiral teaching method outperformed students taught using traditional methods in the follow-on course. Our evaluation suggests that the spiral model of teaching computer science may allow for greater retention of topics, allowing classes to either cover additional concepts or go more in depth on current topics.
Lung parenchymal and airway changes on CT imaging following allergen challenge and bronchoalveolar lavage in atopic and asthmatic subjects.

Background Computed tomography (CT) imaging findings in the lungs in the setting of an acute allergic response and following bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are not well established. Our goals are to characterize the pulmonary CT findings of acute allergic response in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic subjects and, secondarily, to characterize the pulmonary imaging findings following BAL. Methods In this prospective observational (cohort) study, we identified atopic, asthmatic (AA) and atopic, non-asthmatic (ANA) subjects. CT of the chest was performed following BAL and instillation of an allergen (AL) and of an inert diluent (DL). Two radiologists analyzed the CT examinations for airway and parenchymal changes. Results We had a cohort of 20 atopic subjects (AA=10, ANA=10; F=11, M=9; median age: 23.5 years, range: 18-48 years). Compared to diluent instillation and BAL, allergen instillation resulted in more significant bronchial wall thickening (AL=70%, DL=0%, BAL=0%, P<0.01), consolidations (AL=55%, DL=0%, BAL=15%, P<0.05), and septal thickening (AL=35%, DL=0%, BAL=0%, P<0.01). When present, consolidations tended to be more common in asthmatic subjects compared to non-asthmatics following instillation of the allergen, although this did not reach statistical significance (AA=80% vs. ANA=30%; P=0.07). BAL, on the other hand, resulted in more ground-glass opacities (BAL=15/20, 75% vs. AL=2/20, 10%, vs. DL=0/20, 0%; P<0.01). Conclusions Acute allergic response in the lungs can result in significant bronchial wall thickening, septal thickening, and consolidations in those with atopy, particularly those with asthma. Localized ground-glass opacities may be expected following BAL, and care should be taken so as to not misinterpret these as significant pathology.
Application of zinc ferrite reduction in the extraction of Zn, Ga and In from zinc refinery residue

Abstract Extraction of gallium and indium from zinc refinery residue (ZRR) has continued to attract attention because of different mineralogy of residues and occurrences of trace elements in ZRR. About 90% of gallium is currently extracted from Bayer liquor, whereas, ZRR has been a primary source for indium recovery. The primary production of gallium and indium in USA is currently zero. However, zinc residues are a promising resource for the extraction of critical metals such as gallium, germanium and indium. The major problem in ZRR is the concentration of zinc ferrite (ZF) which is refractory to leaching. The current study introduces a method to enhance the leaching kinetics of ZRR having ZF as major constituent. In this study, ZF was partially reduced with reducing gas containing 10% H2 and the roasting product was then leached under different conditions. The effect of reduction roasting was found to have a significant impact on the leaching kinetics of ZRR. The decomposition of ZF eased the leaching of zinc, gallium and indium. More than 90% extraction of the target elements was achieved with this process. The manuscript also discusses the characterization of ZRR using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA ICP-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and automated mineralogy.
COVID-19 and U.S. Schools: Using Data to Understand and Mitigate Inequities in Instruction and Learning

Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the United States, schools across the country had to enact significant, rapid changes to their instructional models, and schools varied widely in their access to the resources needed to support these efforts. Researchers across the U.S. quickly launched surveys, website reviews, and other data-collection methods to document these shifts. In this chapter, we draw on this research to describe the U.S. K-12 educational context, the policies states adopted, the practices and resources schools offered, and the potential effects on students’ academic, social, and emotional learning. In these discussions we draw particular attention to inequities in educational opportunities across schools serving different student populations. We then discuss how different sources of data will be needed to help identify educational needs and mitigate disparities in instruction and learning post-pandemic.
The effect of online quizzes in improving physical therapy students’ exam scores in a pharmacology course

Objectives: This study aimed to measure the performance of physical therapy students in the pharmacology course by using pre-and post-lecture online quizzes.Methods: A total of 119 graduate student...
A Survey of Final Project Courses in Game Programs: Considerations for Teaching Capstone

Game design and development programs often include a final project or capstone course as a means of assessing the cumulative theory, processes and techniques learned by students through the program or department’s curriculum. While these courses are prevalent in programs around the world, there has yet to be a study of how, why, and to what end these courses are designed and run. We review the literature on capstone courses, discuss the findings of a long-form survey administered in early 2011, and propose a set of framing questions for the design and implementation of capstone courses. Survey findings include common goals of capstone courses, make-up of faculty teaching these courses, the support obtained and desired for the courses, the technologies used to create capstone projects, the methods of project management used in the courses and the expectations of faculty teaching the courses. These results can serve as a baseline for faculty and administrators looking to develop or improve their game design and development curricula.
Evaluation of the society of thoracic surgeons online risk calculator for assessment of risk in patients presenting for aortic valve replacement after prior coronary artery bypass graft: An analysis using the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database

Background Accurate risk assessment in patients presenting for aortic valve replacement (AVR) after prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is essential for appropriate selection of surgical versus percutaneous therapy. Methods We included 6,534 patients in The Society for Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (October 2009 through December 2013) who underwent elective, isolated reoperative AVR for aortic stenosis after prior CABG. Case-specific PROM was calculated and observed-to-expected ratios were inspected across the spectrum of risk. A cohort-specific recalibration equation was derived using logistic regression: = expit(−0.6453+0.6147*logit(PROM) −0.0709*logit(PROM) ˆ 2), where PROM is the predicted risk of mortality. The proportion of patients reclassified as low (PROM Results The STS online risk calculator overestimates risk for low, intermediate, and high risk categories. Using the recalibrated risk equation, a substantial proportion of patients were reclassified as the following: 25.5% from intermediate to low risk; 39.7% from high to intermediate risk; and 41.5% from very high to high risk. Comparison of the cohort-specific recalibration equation to the generic quarterly STS recalibration demonstrated very similar results. Conclusions In patients presenting for AVR after prior CABG, the STS online risk calculator overestimates risk for all but the highest risk patients. Using a cohort-specific recalibration equation, a substantial proportion of patients would be downgraded to lower risk categories. The cohort-specific recalibration correlates well with the existing generic quarterly STS recalibration. The findings of this study support recommendations for periodic recalibration of the online risk calculator in order to facilitate clinical decision making in real time.
Kinetic, quantitative, and functional analysis of multiple forms of the vesicular stomatitis virus nucleocapsid protein in infected cells.

Abstract Multiple forms of the vesicular stomatitis virus nucleocapsid protein N have been detected in infected cells. One form is complexed with the viral NS protein in a 1:1 molar ratio, and the other forms are distinguished by their more rapid sedimentation rates on glycerol gradients. I performed a series of experiments designed to analyze the relationships between these forms of the N protein. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrate that the N protein is made first as the form which binds to the NS protein, forming a 1-to-1 molar complex, and that with increasing times of chase it is either assembled into nucleocapsids or converted to the two higher sedimenting forms. Using a newly developed quantitative immunoblotting procedure, I have quantitated the three differentially sedimenting species of the N protein and have shown that at later times postinfection (6 to 7 h), the faster-sedimenting forms of the N protein account for as much as 50% of the soluble N protein in the cell. The activity of these forms has been assessed, with only the 1-to-1 molar N-NS complex demonstrating the ability to support the replication and encapsidation of viral genomic RNA. A model for the conversion of the N protein from the active N-NS complex into the other forms of the protein is presented, and the possible function of the N-protein self-complexes is discussed.
The conformational stability of bacteriochlorophyll-protein complex isolated from a green photosynthetic bacterium. II. The acion of detergents on the bacteriochlorophyll-protein complex.

The interactions of anionic, cationic, and nonionic detergents with bacteriochlorophyll-protein (Bchl-P)3 complex isolated from a green photosynthetic bacterium Chloropseudomonas ethylicum have been examined. The effects of the detergents on the Bchl-P complex have shown a considerable variation depending on the type of the polar head-group and the nonpolar group of the detergent molecules. The anionic detergents, sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, acting on Bchl-P, separate bacteriochlorophyll from the protein moiety and pheophytinize the Bchl by ligand bonding interaction. Pure Bchl is also converted into bacteriopheophytin by SDS. The interaction of a cationic or nonionic detergent with Bchl does not produce Bph. The Bchl-P complex is dissociated into Bchl and protein component by the cationic detergent, HTAB, or by a mixed solution of non-ionic detergent, Triton X-100, and 8 m urea. The ORD spectrum of Bchl-P in the uv range suggests that a significant change in protein conformation has taken place as a result of the detergent actions. Probable mechanisms for the combined action of Triton and urea on the complex are discussed.
Metal Deposits and Plate Tectonics — an Attempt at Perspective

Two decades have now passed since an integrated model of plate tectonics (Le Pichon 1968) changed forever the way in which earth scientists view the planet earth. In the interim period plate tectonic theory has grown considerably more complex in its details, but has not lost the elegant simplicity of its original tenets. In terms of providing a framework within which metal deposits can be classified, I would offer the foregoing chapters as manifest testimony to its utility. The concept of plate tectonics as a basic control for metallogenesis has had some detractors (Sangster 1979), but now that Archean and Proterozoic terranes are being increasingly interpreted in terms of accreted arc systems and collision events (e.g. Hoffman 1988) the utility of plate tectonic theory for understanding the space-time distribution of most metal sulfide deposits has, I believe, been validated.
Effect of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on seizure control in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and epilepsy

In patients with epilepsy, improvement in seizure control with treatment of coexisting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been reported, but there is lack of data on the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance on seizure control in these patients. We examined the variability in seizure frequency in patients who were CPAP compliant and those who were not CPAP compliant. We undertook a retrospective review of clinical and polysomnographic data of adult patients with OSA and epilepsy seen at the Boston University Medical Center Epilepsy and Sleep Clinics between 2000 and 2010. Data were reviewed for CPAP compliance and seizure frequency after at least 6 months of CPAP use. Only patients with no changes in antiepileptic drug regimens during CPAP trial were included. Of the 660 patients identified, 41 fulfilled inclusion criteria, of whom 28 were CPAP compliant and 13 were not CPAP compliant. In the compliant group, CPAP use led to decreased seizure frequency from 1.8 per month to 1 per month (p = 0.01). In the noncompliant group, no significant difference in seizure frequency was noted between baseline (2.1 per month) and at follow-up (1.8 per month, p = 0.36). Sixteen of 28 CPAP-compliant subjects were seizure free, whereas only 3 of 13 non-CPAP compliant subjects were seizure free [relative risk (RR) 1.54, p = 0.05]. Patients with epilepsy and OSA not compliant with CPAP treatment are at higher risk of seizures than are CPAP-compliant patients. To validate this observation, further prospective studies are warranted.
Site-directed mutation of noncatalytic residues of Thermobifida fusca exocellulase Cel6B.

Fifteen mutant genes in six loop residues and eight mutant genes in five conserved noncatalytic active site residues of Thermobifida fusca Cel6B were constructed, cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli or Streptomyces lividans. The mutant enzymes were assayed for catalytic activity on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), swollen cellulose (SC), filter paper (FP), and bacterial microcrystalline cellulose (BMCC) as well as cellotetraose, cellopentaose, and 2,4-dinitrophenyl-β-d-cellobioside. They were also assayed for ligand binding, enzyme processivity, thermostability, and cellobiose feedback inhibition. Two double Cys mutations that formed disulfide bonds across two tunnel forming loops were found to significantly weaken binding to ligands, lower all activities, and processivity, demonstrating that the movement of these loops is important but not essential for Cel6B function. Two single mutant enzymes, G234S and G284P, had higher activity on SC and FP, and the double mutant enzyme had threefold and twofold higher activity on these substrates, respectively. However, synergism with endocellulase T. fusca Cel5A was not increased with these mutant enzymes. All mutant enzymes with lower activity on filter paper, BMCC, and SC had lower processivity. This trend was not true for CMC, suggesting that processivity in Cel6B is a key factor in the hydrolysis of insoluble and crystalline cellulose. Three mutations (E495D, H326A and W329C) located near putative glycosyl substrate subsites −2, +1 and +2, were found to significantly increase resistance to cellobiose feedback inhibition. Both the A229V and L230C mutations specifically decreased activity on BMCC, suggesting that BMCC hydrolysis has a different rate limiting step than the other substrates. Most of the mutant enzymes had reduced thermostability although Cel6B G234S maintained wild-type thermostability. The properties of the different mutant enzymes provide insight into the catalytic mechanism of Cel6B.
The role of the first growth factor domain of human factor IXa in binding to platelets and in factor X activation.

Abstract We have recently shown that thrombin-stimulated human platelets have specific, saturable receptors for factor IXa, occupancy of which promotes factor X activation (Ahmad, S. S., Rawala-Sheikh, R., and Walsh, P.N. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 3244-3251, 20012-20016; Rawala-Sheikh, R., Ahmad, S. S., and Walsh, P. N. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 2606-2611). To study the structural requirements for factor IXa binding to platelets, we have carried out equilibrium binding studies with human factor IXa after replacing the first epidermal growth factor (EGF) domain by the corresponding polypeptide region of factor X (Lin, S.-W., Smith, K. J., Welsch, D., and Stafford, D. W. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 144-150). The chimeric protein, factor IX(Xegf1), as well as the wild-type, factor IXwt, produced in embryo kidney cells, and factor IX isolated from human plasma were radiolabeled with 125I and activated with factor XIa. Direct binding studies with thrombin-activated platelets showed normal stoichiometry and affinity of binding of factor IXa(Xegf1) (566 sites/platelet, Kd = 0.69 nM) and factor IXawt (590 sites/platelet, Kd = 0.61 nM) in the presence of factor VIIIa (5 units/ml) and factor X (1.5 microM) compared to factor IXaN (558 sites/platelet, Kd = 0.67 nM). The concentration of factor IXaN, factor IXawt, and factor IXa(Xegf1) required for half-maximal rates of factor Xa formation were 0.63, 0.7, and 0.83 nM, indicating that the Kdapp for binding of factor IXa(Xegf1) to the factor X activating complex on activated platelets is normal. These studies suggest either that the EGF-1 domain of factor IXa is not involved in factor IXa binding to platelets or that the EGF-1 domain from factor X when inserted into factor IXa, suffices to promote normal factor IXa binding.
Some remarks on R\'{e}nyi relative entropy in a thermostatistical framework

In ordinary Boltzmann-Gibbs thermostatistics, the relative entropy expression plays the role of generalized free energy, providing the difference between the off-equilibrium and equilibrium free energy terms associated with Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy. In this context, we studied whether this physical meaning can be given to R\'{e}nyi relative entropy definition found in the literature from a generalized thermostatistical point of view. We find that this is possible only in the limit as $q$ approaches to 1. This shows that R\'{e}nyi relative entropy has a physical (thermostatistical) meaning only when the system can already be explained by ordinary Boltzmann-Gibbs thermostatistics. Moreover, this can be taken as an indication of R\'{e}nyi entropy being an equilibrium entropy since any relative entropy definition is a two-probability generalization of the associated entropy definition. We also note that this result is independent of the internal energy constraint employed. Finally, we comment on the lack of foundation of R\'{e}nyi relative entropy as far as its minimization (which is equivalent to the maximization of R\'{e}nyi entropy) is considered in order to obtain a stationary equilibrium distribution since R\'{e}nyi relative entropy does not conform to Shore-Johnson axioms.
Probabilistic assessment of cloud fraction using Bayesian blending of independent datasets: Feasibility study of a new method

[1] We describe and evaluate a novel method to blend two observed cloud fraction (CF) datasets through Bayesian posterior estimation. The research reported here is a feasibility study designed to explore the method. In this proof-of-concept study, we illustrate the approach using specific observational datasets from the U. S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program's Southern Great Plains site in the central United States, but the method is quite general and is readily applicable to other datasets. The total sky image (TSI) camera observations are used to determine the prior distribution. A regression model and the active remote sensing of clouds (ARSCL) radar/lidar observations are used to determine the likelihood function. The posterior estimate is a probability density function (pdf) of the CF whose mean is taken to be the optimal blend of the two observations. The data at hourly, daily, 5-day, monthly, and annual time scales are considered. Some physical and probabilistic properties of the CFs are explored from radar/lidar, camera, and satellite observations and from simulations using the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5). Our results imply that (a) the Beta distribution is a reasonable model for CF for both short- and long-time means, the 5-day data are skewed right, and the annual data are almost normally distributed, and (b) the Bayesian method developed successfully yields a pdf of CF, rather than a deterministic CF value, and it is feasible to blend the TSI and ARSCL data with a capability for bias correction.
Nanophotodetector array for near-field nano-imaging

A novel near-field nano-imaging device based on nanophotodetector (NPD) array is presented. Simulation shows the smallest obtainable resolution is 150 nm for 1.55 mum wavelength. Various photolithography, e-beam lithography, wafer bonding and etching back techniques have been developed to realize the thin-film based photodetector structures. A slab version NPD device has been successfully fabricated. The smallest pixel size is as small as 100 nm.
Political business cycles before the Great Depression

Abstract We test for the existence of political business cycles using annual data for the period from 1869 to 1929, finding only weak supportive evidence.
Navigating the Paradox of Student Ego.

If professors are to appropriately affirm Millennial students' egos, then those professors must understand the distinctions between ego entitlement and ego engagement.
Clinical comparison of automated auscultatory and oscillometric and catheter-transducer measurements of arterial pressure.

Arterial pressure measurements recorded from a radial artery catheter-transducer (RAC) system were compared with similar data obtained from an automated sphygmomanometer that uses both oscillometric (OSC) and auscultatory measurement techniques. Data were obtained from 50 patients during and immediately after surgery. The fundamental frequency of the RAC system was 23.7 ± 6.7 Hz (mean ± SD; range, 13 to 40 Hz), and the damping coefficient was 0.26 ± 0.06 (mean ± SD; range, 0.15 to 0.34). Linear regression analysis of RAC against OSC values (n = 385) revealed the following correlations: (1) systolic pressure: OSC = 0.92(RAC) + 3.5, r = 0.91; (2) diastolic pressure: OSC = 0.92(RAC) + 1.3, r = 0.76; and (3) mean pressure: OSC = 0.96(RAC) + 0.68, r = 0.84. There were significant differences between each pair of pressure values; mean percent differences (RAC pressure minus OSC pressure) were 4.5 ±0.3%, 5.5 ± 0.7%. and - 2.7 ± 0.5% for systolic, diastolic, and mean values, respectively. Manual and automated auscultatory measurements closely agreed, and both correlated well with OSC values for systolic and diastolic pressure. However, both manual and automated auscultatory, as well as OSC measurements, underestimated RAC systolic and overestimated RAC diastolic pressure.
An Analysis Platform for Multiscale Hydrogeologic Modeling with Emphasis on Hybrid Multiscale Methods

One of the most significant challenges faced by hydrogeologic modelers is the disparity between the spatial and temporal scales at which fundamental flow, transport, and reaction processes can best be understood and quantified (e.g., microscopic to pore scales and seconds to days) and at which practical model predictions are needed (e.g., plume to aquifer scales and years to centuries). While the multiscale nature of hydrogeologic problems is widely recognized, technological limitations in computation and characterization restrict most practical modeling efforts to fairly coarse representations of heterogeneous properties and processes. For some modern problems, the necessary level of simplification is such that model parameters may lose physical meaning and model predictive ability is questionable for any conditions other than those to which the model was calibrated. Recently, there has been broad interest across a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines in simulation approaches that more rigorously account for the multiscale nature of systems of interest. In this article, we review a number of such approaches and propose a classification scheme for defining different types of multiscale simulation methods and those classes of problems to which they are most applicable. Our classification scheme is presented in terms of a flowchart (Multiscale Analysis Platform), and defines several different motifs of multiscale simulation. Within each motif, the member methods are reviewed and example applications are discussed. We focus attention on hybrid multiscale methods, in which two or more models with different physics described at fundamentally different scales are directly coupled within a single simulation. Very recently these methods have begun to be applied to groundwater flow and transport simulations, and we discuss these applications in the context of our classification scheme. As computational and characterization capabilities continue to improve, we envision that hybrid multiscale modeling will become more common and also a viable alternative to conventional single-scale models in the near future.
Aortic dissection involving a double aortic arch with a right descending aorta

We report the successful surgical treatment of a 67-year-old man with a double aortic arch, right descending aorta, and a subacute dissection of the descending thoracic aorta using hypothermic circulatory arrest.
FAST-Net optical interconnection prototype demonstration program

This paper reports progress toward the experimental demonstration of a smart pixel based optical interconnection prototype currently being developed under the Free-space Accelerator for Switching Terabit Networks (FAST-Net) project. The prototype system incorporates 2D arrays of monolithically integrated high- bandwidth vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and photodetectors (PDs). A key aspect of the FAST-Net concept is that all smart pixels are distributed across a single multi-chip plane. This plane is connected to itself via an optical system that consists of an array of matched lenses (one for each smart pixel chip position) and a mirror. The optical interconnect system implements a global point-to-point shuffle pattern. The interleaved 2D arrays of VCSELs and PDs in the prototype are arranged on a clustered self-similar grid pattern with a closest element pitch of 100 micrometers . The circular VCSEL elements have a diameter of 10 micrometers and the square PDs have an active region that is 50 micrometers wide. These arrays are packaged and mounted on circuit boards along with the CMOS driver, receiver, and FPGA controller chips. Micro-positioning mounts are used to effect alignment that is consistent with current MCM chip placement accuracy. Shuffled optical data links between the multiple ICs have been demonstrated in preliminary evaluation of this system. These results suggest that a multi-Terabit optically interconnected MCM module is feasible.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The use of 1-O-tosyl-d-glucopyranose derivatives in α-d-glucoside synthesis

Abstract 1-O-Tosyl- d -glucopyranose derivatives having a nonparticipating benzyl group at O-2 have been shown to react rapidly in various solvents with low concentrations of alcohols, either methanol or methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α- d -glucopyranoside. The stereospecificity of the glucoside-forming reaction could be varied from 80% of β to 100% of α anomer by changing the solvent or modifying the substituents on the 1-O-tosyl- d -glucopyranose derivative. 2,3,4-Tri-O-benzyl-6-O-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)-1-O-tosyl-α- d -glucopyranose in diethyl ether gave a high yield of α- d -glucoside. Kinetic measurements of reaction with various alcohols (methanol, 2-propanol, and cyclohexanol) show a high rate even at low concentrations of alcohol, and give some insight into the reaction mechanism. The high rate and stereoselectivity of their reaction suggest that the 1-O-tosyl- d -glucopyranose derivatives may be used as reagents for oligosaccharide synthesis.