cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of sleep restriction on weight loss outcomes associated with caloric restriction.

Study objectives To examine the effects of moderate sleep restriction (SR) on body weight, body composition, and metabolic variables in individuals undergoing caloric restriction (CR). Methods Overweight or obese adults were randomized to an 8 week caloric restriction (CR) regimen alone (n = 15) or combined with sleep restriction (CR + SR) (n = 21). All participants were instructed to restrict daily calorie intake to 95 per cent of their measured resting metabolic rate. Participants in the CR + SR group were also instructed to reduce time in bed on five nights and to sleep ad libitum on the other two nights each week. Results The CR + SR group reduced sleep by 57 ± 36 min per day during SR days and increased sleep by 59 ± 38 min per day during ad libitum sleep days, resulting in a sleep reduction of 169 ± 75 min per week. The CR and CR + SR groups lost similar amounts of weight, lean mass, and fat mass. However, the proportion of total mass lost as fat was significantly greater (p = 0.016) in the CR group. This proportion was greater than body fat percentage at baseline for the CR (p = 0.0035), but not the CR + SR group. Resting respiratory quotient was reduced (p = 0.033) only in CR, and fasting leptin concentration was reduced only in CR + SR (p = 0.029). Conclusions Approximately 1 hr of SR on five nights a week led to less proportion of fat mass loss in individuals undergoing hypocaloric weight loss, despite similar weight loss. SR may adversely affect changes in body composition and "catch-up" sleep may not completely reverse it. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02413866).
Variationsprobleme mit Nebenbedingungen

Schon bei den klassischen Problemen wie dem der Dido oder der hangenden Kette treten in naturlicher Weise Nebenbedingungen auf: Maximiere die Flache bei gegebenem Umfang, minimiere die potentielle Energie der hangenden Kette bei gegebener Lange. Diese Nebenbedingungen gehoren zu der Klasse der isoperimetrischen Nebenbedingungen und sind vom gleichen Typ wie das zu maximierende oder zu minimierende Funktional.
A single-cell translocation and secretion assay (TransSeA).

Understanding biological heterogeneity at the single cell level is required for advancing insights into the complexity of human physiology and diseases. While advances in technological and analytical methods have afforded unprecedented glimpses of this heterogeneity, the information captured to date largely represents one-time “snap” shots of single cell physiology. To address the limits of existing methods and to accelerate discoveries from single cell studies, we developed a single-cell translocation and secretion assay (TransSeA) that supports time lapse analysis, enables molecular cargo analysis of secretions such as extracellular vesicles (EVs) from single cells, allows massively parallel single cell transfer according to user-defined cell selection criteria, and supports tracking of phenotypes between parental and progeny cells derived from single cells. To demonstrate the unique capabilities and efficiencies of the assay, we present unprecedented single cell studies related to cell secretions, EV cargos and cell intrinsic properties. Although used as examples to demonstrate the feasibility and versatility of the technology, the studies already provided insights into key unanswered questions such as the microRNAs carried by EVs, the relationships between EV secretion rates and gene expressions, and the spontaneous, trans-generational phenotypic changes in EV secretion between parental and progeny cells.
The Effectiveness of Resonant Harmonic Filters of Ac Arc Furnaces in Uneasy Mode

Resonant harmonic filters are commonly installed on the primary side of the arc furnace transformer, and conse-quently, the transformer is exposed to the furnace generated current harmonics, the furnace reactive and unbalanced currents. The effectiveness of resonant harmonic filters installed directly at the furnace terminals, i.e., on the secondary side of the furnace transformer, is investigated in this paper. Such filters operate in conditions of fast varying parameters of the furnace. This can cause a decline in the filter effectiveness of harmonics reduction and a decline in the effectiveness of the power factor improvement. This paper investigates the effectiveness of resonant harmonic filters in an uneasy mode of an arc furnace operation. This study should enable us to draw some quantitative conclusions on the usefulness of resonant harmonic filters installed directly on the furnace.
The influence of mindfulness and social support on stress reactivity during pregnancy.

Exaggerated stress reactivity can lead to negative health outcomes, which can be especially harmful during important periods of development such as pregnancy. Therefore, studies are needed to examine potential protective factors associated with lower perceived stress reactivity and lower cortisol awakening response (CAR) during pregnancy. The current cross-sectional study examined whether low-income women (n = 152) with higher mindfulness (attentiveness and awareness of the present moment) and more perceived social support had lower levels of perceived stress reactivity and a lower CAR during pregnancy. Women completed self-report measures of mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale), social support (Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Scale), and perceived stress reactivity (Perceived Stress Reactivity Scale) during their first trimester of pregnancy and collected saliva using the passive drool procedure at home (at awakening and at 30 min after awakening). Results showed that women with greater mindfulness and greater perceived social support had significantly lower perceived stress reactivity, but not a lower CAR. These results provide preliminary support for mindfulness and social support as potential protective factors of perceived stress reactivity and have implications for experimental studies aimed at improving pregnant women's mindfulness and social support for reducing their stress reactivity and potentially improving health outcomes.
An Integrated Biophysical and Economic Modeling Framework for Long-Term Sustainability Analysis

This paper derives a long-term dynamic growth model that endogenously links biophysical and economic variables in a stock-flow consistent manner. The two industrial sector model enables exploration of interdependencies among resource extraction rate, the accumulation of population, capital, and debt, and the distribution of money flows within the economy. Using a post-Keynesian economic framework, we find that wage share declines after the model reaches its peak per capita resource extraction rate, with the level of investment and markup on costs determining the rate of decline. We show that this pattern is consistent with data for the United States. Further, the distribution of intermediate transactions within the model follows the same temporal pattern as in the post- World War II U.S. economy indicating that this framework enables realistic investigation of trade-offs between economic distribution, size, and resources consumption. It serves as a platform upon which to add features to explore long-term sustainability questions such as a transition to low-carbon energy.
How do data centers make energy efficiency investment decisions? Qualitative evidence from focus groups and interviews

The data center industry is one of the fastest growing energy users in the USA. While the industry has improved its energy efficiency over the past decade, engineering analyses suggest that ample opportunities remain to reduce energy use that would save firms money. This study explores whether and why data centers might limit investment in energy efficiency. Given the scarcity of empirical data in this context, we conducted focus groups and interviews with data center managers to elicit information about factors affecting their investments and used content analysis to qualitatively evaluate the results. Split incentives between departments within companies and between colocation data centers and their tenants, imperfect information about the performance of new technologies, and tradeoffs with data center reliability were the most pervasive factors discussed by participants. While we find some evidence that market failure explanations such as split incentives and imperfect information had a limited role in slowing adoption for participants, rival explanations such as the cost of acquiring context-specific information, and opportunity costs associated with alternate uses of funds or highly valued attributes played a larger role in slowing investment in energy efficiency.
Tear Fluid Pharmacokinetics Following Oral Prednisone Administration in Dogs With and Without Conjunctivitis

Abstract Purpose: To describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of prednisone and prednisolone in tear fluid of dogs receiving oral prednisone at anti-inflammatory to immunosuppressive doses and to assess ...
Dynamic ensemble models to predict distributions and anthropogenic risk exposure for highly mobile species

AIM: Advances in ecological and environmental modelling offer new opportunities for estimating dynamic habitat suitability for highly mobile species and supporting management strategies at relevant spatiotemporal scales. We used an ensemble modelling approach to predict daily, year‐round habitat suitability for a migratory species, the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), and demonstrate an application for evaluating the spatiotemporal dynamics of their exposure to ship strike risk. LOCATION: The California Current Ecosystem (CCE) and the Southern California Bight (SCB), USA. METHODS: We integrated a long‐term (1994–2008) satellite tracking dataset on 104 blue whales with data‐assimilative ocean model output to assess year‐round habitat suitability. We evaluated the relative utility of ensembling multiple model types compared to using single models, and selected and validated candidate models using multiple cross‐validation metrics and independent observer data. We quantified the spatial and temporal distribution of exposure to ship strike risk within shipping lanes in the SCB. RESULTS: Multi‐model ensembles outperformed single‐model approaches. The final ensemble model had high predictive skill (AUC = 0.95), resulting in daily, year‐round predictions of blue whale habitat suitability in the CCE that accurately captured migratory behaviour. Risk exposure in shipping lanes was highly variable within and among years as a function of environmental conditions (e.g., marine heatwave). MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Daily information on three‐dimensional oceanic habitats was used to model the daily distribution of a highly migratory species with high predictive power and indicated that management strategies could benefit by incorporating dynamic environmental information. This approach is readily transferable to other species. Dynamic, high‐resolution species distribution models are valuable tools for assessing risk exposure and targeting management needs.
A kinetic lattice Monte Carlo study of post-irradiation annealing of model reactor pressure vessel steels

Abstract Significant embrittlement in reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels can be caused by the formation of nanometer-scale Mn–Ni–Si precipitates (MNSPs) and annealing is a promising technique for reducing embrittlement. To achieve better understanding of the evolution of these precipitates at the atomic scale, a kinetic lattice Monte Carlo (KLMC) model, parameterized using CALPHAD and recent atom probe tomography (APT) data, is used to simulate post-irradiation annealing of MNSPs. The model predicts MNSP volume fractions, number densities and sizes that agree well with the experimental observations. The model also predicts that the initial structure of the precipitates may be B2 bcc phases with one sublattice occupied by Ni and the other sublattice occupied by Mn and Si, as well as shows a modest temperature dependence of the MNSP composition. The results show that the simple approach can be used to model MNSP evolution and supports that these precipitates are stable thermodynamic phases.
Targeted si-RNA mediated down-regulation of topoisomerase II α or β isozymes defines selectivity to inhibitors of the enzyme

2402 The type I and type II topoisomerases are essential enzymes involved in altering DNA topology for the processing of genetic material. In humans the type II enzymes consist of two highly homologous isozymes, topoisomerase (topo) IIα and topo IIβ of molecular weight 170 and 180 kDa, respectively. The interaction of these enzymes with DNA, make them important targets for cancer therapeutic agents. In vitro the topo IIα and β isoforms catalyze similar enzymatic reactions and do not differ in their ability to form a stable DNA cleavable complex with topo II targeting drugs. However, tumor models expressing different levels of topo IIα or topo IIβ following selection for resistance to specific topo II inhibitors are reported to differ in their response to clinically active topo II targeting drugs. In this study we used an isogenic model system, in which the topo IIα or the topo IIβ proteins were selectively down-regulated by stable transfection of the respective siRNAs in human leukemia HL-60 cells, to determine whether different topo II inhibitors target distinct topo II isoforms. The siRNA targeting topo IIα (sitopo IIα ) and topo IIβ (sitopo IIβ ) cloned into a pBabe vector led to a >20-fold and >30-fold stable down-regulation of the respective protein in HL-60 cells. A control transfection with green fluorescent protein (GFP) siRNA (siGFP) was also carried out. Comparison of drug-stabilized topo II-DNA cleavable complex (DNA-CC) formation in the siRNA transfected cells revealed that etoposide and amsacrine induced significantly (p=0.05) lower DNA-CC in cells transfected with sitopo IIα and sitopo IIβ , respectively as compared to those transfected with siGFP. In contrast, DNA-CC with camptothecin, a topo I-targeting drug, did not differ in these cells (p=0.30). Determination of drug induced cytotoxicity, measured by the soft-agar colony assay, revealed that sensitivity to etoposide was significantly (p=0.002) lower only in sitopo IIα transfected cells as compared to sitopo IIβ and siGFP transfected cells. In contrast, sensitivity to amsacrine and mitoxantrone, but not doxorubicin, was significantly (p=0.001) lower in sitopo IIβ transfected cells as compared to sitopo IIα and siGFP transfected cells. Induction of apoptosis by mitoxantrone was also attenuated only in sitopo IIβ transfected cells. These results suggest that the DNA damaging and down-stream cytotoxic effects of etoposide are dependent on adequate expression of topo IIα protein levels. In contrast, the anti-tumor effects of amsacrine and mitoxantrone are dependent on adequate expression of topo IIβ . Model systems with targeted down-regulation of topo II isoforms could be useful for testing novel topo II inhibitors. Further, profiling of patient tumors for differential expression of the topo II isozymes, α and β , could be a useful strategy to improve anti-tumor activity of clinically active topo II targeting drugs.
TGF-β Receptor Kinase Inhibitor LY2109761 Reverses the Anti-Apoptotic Effects of TGF-β1 in Leukemic Cells Co-Cultured with Stromal Cells.

Abstract Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is an essential regulator of cell proliferation, survival, and apoptosis, depending on the cellular context. TGF-β1 is also known to affect cell-to-cell interactions between tumor and stromal cells through production of the extracellular matrix and stimulation of integrin receptors. We investigated the role of TGF-β1 in the survival of human leukemic cells growing in the context of bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, and the anti-leukemia effects of the novel TGF-β receptor inhibitor LY2109761. BM-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) produced TGF-β in an autocrine fashion. Treatment with rhTGF-β1 (2ng/mL) inhibited the spontaneous and Ara-C-induced apoptosis in U937 cells (% AnnexinV(+), control 34.5±8.4; TGF-β1 18.4±4.5; Ara-C 88.6±3.0; Ara-C/TGF-β1 60.4±8.0, p=0.04). These effects were more prominent in U937 cells co-cultured with MSC (% AnnexinV(+), control 19.4±2.8; TGF-β1 3.5±1.0; Ara-C 69.0±3.6; Ara-C+TGF-β1 24.9±3.3; p=0.01). In U937 cells co-cultured with MSC, rhTGF-β1 conferred higher cell protective effects on leukemia cells attached to MSC than on floating cells. Conversely, the pro-survival effects of TGF-β1 were inhibited by 5mM LY2109761 (%AnnexinV(+); MSC(−), control 31.8±2.3, TGF-β1 19.5±3.0, LY 28.4±4.4, TGF-β1+LY 37.7±2.0; MSC(+), control 22.1±1.7, TGF-β1 7.8±0.9, LY16.1±2.6, TGF-β1+ LY 18.0±1.1, p
Configuration Modeling of a Soft Robotic Element with Selectable Bending Axes

This paper presents an approach for modeling new soft robotic materials which possess the ability to control directional stiffness. These materials are inspired by biological systems where movements are enabled by variable stiffness tissue and contraction of localized muscle groups. Here a low-melting-point (LMP) material lattice embedded in an elastomer serves as a rigid skeleton that may be locally melted to allow bending at selectable joint locations. The forward kinematics of the lattice has been modeled using the product of exponentials method with the incorporation of bending axis selectivity. In this paper, we develop this model to account for torques imposed by tendons, and we model the elastomer’s resistance to bending as a torsional spring at the selected joints. Thus we obtain a two-way relationship between tendon forces and joint angles/axes. The concept of applying traditional robot modeling strategies to selectively compliant robotic structures could enable precise control of dexterous soft robots that satisfy stringent safety criteria.
Prediction of conical collimator collision for stereotactic radiosurgery.

The purpose of this study is to predict the collision clearance distance of stereotactic cones with treatment setup devices in cone-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The BrainLAB radiosurgery system with a Frameless Radiosurgery Positioning Array and dedicated couch top was targeted in this study. The positioning array and couch top were scanned with CT simulators, and their outer contours of were detected. The minimum clearance distance was estimated by calculating the Euclidian distances between the surface of the SRS cones and the nearest surface of the outer contours. The coordinate transformation of the outer contour was performed by incorporating the Beam's Eye View at a planned arc range and couch angle. From the minimum clearance distance, the collision-free gantry ranges for each couch angle were sequentially determined. An in-house software was developed to calculate the clearance distance between the cone surface and the outer contours, and thus determine the occurrence of a collision. The software was extensively tested for various combinations of couch and arc angles at multiple isocenter locations for two combinations of cone-couch systems. A total of 50 arcs were used to validate the calculation accuracies of the software for each system. The calculated minimum distances and collision-free angles from the software were verified by physical measurements. The calculated minimum distances were found to agree with the measurements to within 0.3 ± 0.9 mm. The collision-free arc angles from the software also agreed with the measurements to within 1.1 ± 1.1° with a 5-mm safety margin for 20 arcs. In conclusion, the in-house software was able to calculate the minimum clearance distance with <1.0 mm accuracy and to determine the collision-free arc range for the cone-based BrainLab SRS system.
A Platform for Monolithic Back End of Line III-V Integration

Heterogeneous integration of high-quality crystalline semiconductor materials and devices compatible with the back end of line (BEOL) CMOS wafers are fundamentally limited by two factors: (i) the lack of a crystalline growth surface and (ii) the <400 ° C thermal budget. Here, we demonstrate a platform for monolithic integration III-V devices directly on amorphous substrates at a growth temperature of 300 ° C by low temperature templated liquid phase (LT-TLP) method. Furthermore, we demonstrate that degenerately doped materials can also be directly grown at <400 °C via LT-TLP, establishing the building blocks for high performance back end devices.
An Unusual Presentation of Aggressive Primary Invasive Adenocarcinoma of Lung

Bilateral diffuse infiltrates on chest imaging can present a diagnostic challenge due to a broader differential diagnosis which includes pulmonary and non-pulmonary causes. Malignancy is generally not considered under differential diagnosis at the time of initial presentation. Here we present a case of primary adenocarcinoma of lung manifesting as diffuse bilateral infiltrates on imaging. Our case is unique in regards to its acute presentation, rapid progression to respiratory failure, ultimately leading to the demise of the patient. This indicates the aggressive nature of this malignancy and its variable presentation, like male gender and young age, thus emphasizing the importance of entertaining malignancy in such presentations, especially if there is no response to conventional antibiotic therapy.
Influence of maxillary lateral incisor width ratio on perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists and laypersons.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyze the impact of different maxillary lateral incisor width ratios on the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists and laypersons. METHODS A smile photograph of a male subject showing the lips and gingival margins was selected. The smile was standardized for maxillary central incisor width proportions and ideally perceived smile esthetics. The maxillary lateral incisor width was symmetrically modified in increments of ratios of the central incisor from a ratio of 4:10 to a ratio of 8:10. The images were analyzed by 283 laypersons and 83 orthodontists who ranked the level of attractiveness using a visual analog scale. RESULTS There were significant differences between the esthetic perception of the five different width ratios, and between the orthodontists and laypersons in their evaluations of esthetics (P < 0.0004). There were no significant differences in esthetic evaluations between genders. CONCLUSIONS For orthodontists, the most attractive width ratio was 5.7:10, while the highest ranked ratio among laypersons was 8:10, although laypersons ranked all ratios very similarly. Both groups ranked the width ratio of 4:10 the lowest. Orthodontists were more critical in their assessment of esthetics. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE To what proportions or protocol should a peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisor or missing lateral, that is, to be replaced with an implant/crown be restored? This is an important clinical question that is often encountered by the orthodontist and the restoring dentist. The literature suggests that orthodontists and laypeople have different perceptions of smile esthetics, and it is important to have patient centered goals when treatment planning. Further research is necessary to identify the width ratio of which the lateral incisor is perceived to be esthetic as well as the ideal ratio to consider when restoring lateral incisors. This research assessed and compared the perception that orthodontists and laypeople have on smile esthetics regarding different width ratios of lateral incisors.
Integrating Inter-Node Communication with a Resilient Asynchronous Many-Task Runtime System

Achieving fault tolerance is one of the significant challenges of exascale computing due to projected increases in soft/transient failures. While past work on software-based resilience techniques typically focused on traditional bulk-synchronous parallel programming models, we believe that Asynchronous Many-Task (AMT) programming models are better suited to enabling resiliency since they provide explicit abstractions of data and tasks which contribute to increased asynchrony and latency tolerance. In this paper, we extend our past work on enabling application-level resilience in single node AMT programs by integrating the capability to perform asynchronous MPI communication, thereby enabling resiliency across multiple nodes. We also enable resilience against fail-stop errors where our runtime will manage all re-execution of tasks and communication without user intervention. Our results show that we are able to add communication operations to resilient programs with low overhead, by offloading communication to dedicated communication workers and also recover from fail-stop errors transparently, thereby enhancing productivity.
EurAAP WG GSM Antenna Model Validation

The European Association on Antennas and Propagation Software Working Group has found significant discrepancy between computer model and measurement of the RangeStar Ultima™ “World GSM” antenna. This work shows good agreement between our model and the Working Group model as well as with our measurement. It briefly explores several possible sources of error in the Working Group measurements.
“Bending the Curve” in Medically and Socially Complex Youth: Pilot of Novel Interventions in Children’s Health Care (NICH)

Importance: Contemporary health care reform strives to fulfill the “triple aim” by, 1) reducing costs, 2) improving the care experience, and 3) improving population health. There is great need for such reform in caring for pediatric patients experiencing medical complexity and social vulnerability given that this subset of patients makes up a disproportionately large percentage of total health care utilization and expenditures. Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH), a novel clinical behavioral health program, was developed to address the triple aim for pediatric patients experiencing both medical and social complexity. This study describes initial NICH pilot …
JILLDDER Special Issue: Sharing Library and Information Resources during a Global Pandemic Introduction from the Guest Editor

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt life, in large and small ways, around the world, library resource sharing specialists have been sharing information resources with library users, as al...
International Taxation of Electronic Commerce

This article submits proposals for taxing the digital economy on the basis of the benefits and single tax principles.
Off-the-Street Coaches

(1985). Off-the-Street Coaches. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 56, Buyers' Guide Issue, pp. 63-66.
Induction and Maintenance of Autonomous Flock House Virus RNA1 Replication

The nodavirus flock house virus (FHV) has a bipartite, positive-sense, RNA genome that encodes the catalytic subunit of the RNA replicase and the viral capsid protein precursor on separate genomic segments (RNA1 and RNA2, respectively). RNA1 can replicate autonomously when transfected into permissive cells, allowing study of the kinetics of RNA1 replication in the absence of either RNA2 or capsid proteins. However, RNA1 replication ceases ca. 3 days after transfection despite the presence of replication-competent RNA. We examined this inhibition by inducing the expression of RNA1 in cells from a cDNA copy that was under the control of a hormone-regulated RNA polymerase II promoter. This system reproduced the shutoff of RNA replication when DNA-templated primary transcription was turned off. Continued primary transcription partially alleviated the shutoff and maintained the rate of RNA replication for several days at a steady-state level approximately one-third that of the peak rate. After shutoff, RNA replication could be restored by transferring the resulting intracellular RNA to fresh cells or by reinducing primary transcription, indicating that cessation of replication occurred despite the competence of both the viral RNA and the cytoplasmic environment. These data suggest that there is a mechanism by which replication is shut off at late times after transfection, which may reflect the natural endpoint of the replicative cycle.
Overexpression of the α 1B -adrenergic receptor causes apoptotic neurodegeneration: Multiple system atrophy

Progress toward elucidating the function of alpha1B-adrenergic receptors (alpha1BARs) in the central nervous system has been constrained by a lack of agonists and antagonists with adequate alpha1B-specificity. We have obviated this constraint by generating transgenic mice engineered to overexpress either wild-type or constitutively active alpha1BARs in tissues that normally express the receptor, including the brain. All transgenic lines showed granulovacular neurodegeneration, beginning in alpha1B-expressing domains of the brain and progressing with age to encompass all areas. The degeneration was apoptotic and did not occur in non-transgenic mice. Correspondingly, transgenic mice showed an age-progressive hindlimb disorder that was parkinsonian-like, as demonstrated by rescue of the dysfunction by 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and considerable dopaminergic-neuronal degeneration in the substantia nigra. Transgenic mice also had a grand mal seizure disorder accompanied by a corresponding dysplasia and neurodegeneration of the cerebral cortex. Both behavioral phenotypes (locomotor impairment and seizure) could be partially rescued with the alpha1AR antagonist terazosin, indicating that alpha1AR signaling participated directly in the pathology. Our results indicate that overstimulation of alpha1BAR leads to apoptotic neurodegeneration with a corresponding multiple system atrophy indicative of Shy-Drager syndrome, a disease whose etiology is unknown.
Reliability engineering tools: bootstrapping and extreme value statistics

Summary form only given. This tutorial provides practical information on two techniques that are of use to anyone doing statistical data analysis and making statistical inferences. Reliability engineers often base their decisions on fitting lifetime data to a particular type of distribution (e.g. lognormal, exponential, Weibull). Statistical bootstrapping is a tool that allows us to explore data and make useful inferences (e.g. mean, confidence intervals) about it without the need for assuming that the data is from a particular underlying distribution. Bootstrapping was introduced in the late 1970's and is a computationally intensive Monte-Carlo procedure that is simple to understand and implement. To bootstrap a statistic (e.g. the sample mean), we draw for example 1000 random resamples with replacement from the original sample data, calculate the statistic of interest (sample mean) for each resample, then estimate the overall sample mean by taking the average of all the 1000 resampled means. Inferences about our statistic can then be made by inspecting the resulting bootstrap distribution of our 1000 resampled values of the statistic of interest. The key idea here is that the bootstrap distribution approximates the sampling distribution of the statistic and we use it as a way to estimate the variation in a statistic based on the original data. The second topic of discussion in this tutorial was an introduction to extreme value statistics. Extreme values statistics have proven useful in ocean engineering (e.g. highest wave height), meteorology (highest amount of rainfall, maximum wind speed), and in investigating fatigue strength and corrosion. Here the focus was on the extremes of a measured parameter instead of the typical focus on centralized tendencies such as the mean or median. I believe that they could also prove useful in exploring electrical reliability issues such as the highest (lowest) use temperature for a metal line, maximum use current flow through a specific device, or the highest use voltage across a capacitor.
Phosphorylation of Pleckstrin Increases Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion by Mononuclear Phagocytes in Diabetes Mellitus

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of intracellular enzymes plays a crucial role in signal transduction for a variety of cellular responses of mononuclear phagocytes including phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and secretion. Alterations in the activation pathways of PKC in a variety of cell types have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the complications of diabetes. In this study, we investigated the consequences of PKC activation by evaluating endogenous phosphorylation of PKC substrates with a phosphospecific PKC substrate Ab (pPKC(s)). Phosphorylation of a 40-kDa protein was significantly increased in mononuclear phagocytes from diabetics. Phosphorylation of this protein is downstream of PKC activation and its phosphorylated form was found to be associated with the membrane. Mass spectrometry analysis, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting experiments revealed that this 40-kDa protein is pleckstrin. We then investigated the phosphorylation and translocation of pleckstrin in response to the activation of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). The results suggest that pleckstrin is involved in RAGE signaling and advanced glycation end product (AGE)-elicited mononuclear phagocyte dysfunction. Suppression of pleckstrin expression with RNA interference silencing revealed that phosphorylation of pleckstrin is an important intermediate in the secretion and activation pathways of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) induced by RAGE activation. In summary, this study demonstrates that phosphorylation of pleckstrin is up-regulated in diabetic mononuclear phagocytes. The phosphorylation is in part due to the activation of PKC through RAGE binding, and pleckstrin is a critical molecule for proinflammatory cytokine secretion in response to elevated AGE in diabetes.
Biomarker expression during oral carcinogenesis using an in vivo imaging approach.

A33 Background and Objective: Oral carcinogenesis is a multistep process in which genetic events cause disruption of the normal regulatory pathways controlling basic cellular function, Multiple genetic events lead to oral cancer, and various cellular genes are overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Goal of these studies was to image and quantify expression of specific biomarkers known to play a role in the vascular and extracellular matrix (ECM) changes. Study Design/Materials and Methods: In the hamster cheek model (30 hamsters) throughout carcinogenesis, in vivo multi-wavelength multi-photon (MPM) and second harmonic generated (SHG) fluorescence techniques were used to image surface and subsurface fluorescence prior to and after the injection of biomarkers: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF); urinase type Plasminogen Activator (uPA) and Inhibitor (PAI-1); Matrix Metalloproteinases 1,2,9 (MMPs). At 0,4,6,8,10,12 weeks, one animal was sacrificed., Histopathological sections were prepared and pathology evaluated on a scale of 0-6. Results: Carcinogenesis-related structural and vascular changes were clearly visible. Biomarker expression was clearly identified, localized and quantified at all timepoints throughout carcinogenesis, providing important new information on the carcinogenesis process. Conclusion: Time- and spatially-resolved determination of (1) specific biomarker expression, (2) vascular and ECM changes throughout oral carcinogenesis provide valuable information on mechanisms of dysplastic and malignant change. Supported by: CRFA 30003, NIH (LAMMP) P41 RR01192, AFOSR FA 9550-04-1-0101, CA TRDRP 445174-18079.
On compact symplectic manifolds with lie group symmetries

In this note we give a structure theorem for a finite-dimensional subgroup of the automorphism group of a compact symplectic manifold. An application of this result is a simpler and more transparent proof of the classification of compact homogeneous spaces with invariant symplectic structures. We also give another proof of the classification from the general theory of compact homogeneous spaces which leads us to a splitting conjecture on compact homogeneous spaces with symplectic structures (which are not necessary invariant under the group action) that makes the classification of this kind of manifold possible.
Change of particle size distribution during Brownian coagulation

Abstract Change in particle size distribution due to Brownian coagulation in the continuum regime has been studied analytically. A simple analytic solution for the size distribution of an initially lognormal distribution is obtained based on the assumption that the size distribution during the coagulation process attains or can, at least, be represented by a time-dependent lognormal function. The results are found to be in a form that corrects Smoluchowski's solution for both polydispersity and size-dependent kernel. It is further shown that regardless of whether the initial distribution is narrow or broad, the spread of the distribution is characterized by approaching a fixed value of the geometric standard deviation. This result has been compared with the self-preserving distribution obtained by similarity theory.
Dramatic enhancement of hyperpolarized xenon-129 2D-NMR exchange cross-peak signals in nanotubes by interruption of the gas flow.

Recently we demonstrated how the exchange dynamics of gas atoms localized near the openings of self-assembled l-alanyl-l-valine (AV) nanotubes can be studied by continuous-flow hyperpolarized xenon-129 two-dimensional NMR exchange spectroscopy (2D-EXSY). We noted that the finite residence time of the hyperpolarized gas inside the sample space suppresses the cross-peak signals associated with any exchange processes involving the free gas. Here we demonstrate that the gas-phase diagonal-peak and exchange cross-peak signals in the hyperpolarized 2D-EXSY spectrum of Xe in AV are dramatically enhanced by interrupting the gas flow during the EXSY pulse sequence. This simple but highly effective modification of the standard continuous flow hyperpolarized 2D-EXSY method is expected to broaden the range of exchange and diffusion processes that can be interrogated in nanoporous materials.
Confidence Scores Measure (and Enhance?) Student Perceptions of Their Work*

The important skill of building confidence in one's analysis through sanity- and cross-checking is often poorly acquired by engineering students. An introductory circuit analysis class presents an ideal opportunity in which to emphasize and measure this skill, since problems can typically be worked with a number of different methods or worked “backwards” to provide cross-checks. This paper reports on a two-semester experiment in which students were required to provide a confidence rating for all exam and quiz answers. The structure allowed for expressing positive confidence (confidence that an answer is correct), negative confidence (confidence that an answer is incorrect), and neutral confidence. A confidence score that measured how well the students evaluated the correctness or incorrectness of their answers was combined with a traditional problem score to form the exam score. We present numerical results of this experiment, which yield potentially valuable conclusions regarding students' perceptions of the correctness of their answers.
A Logic of Expressive Choice. By Alexander A. Schuessler. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2000. 177p. $49.50 cloth, $16.95 paper.

An interesting aspect of life at Duke is the annual construction of our local Brigadoon. The well-ordered but ephemeral tent city is named “Krzyzewskiville,” after Duke's head basketball coach. K-ville appears once a year in the weeks before the game against UNC-Chapel Hill, our arch rival. So many students want to see this game that an elaborate nonprice rationing scheme, based on a queue, has evolved to allocate tickets. “Tenting” students may have to wait two weeks or more to get tickets. The game is in January or early February, so they sleeping outside and try to keep up with their school work despite rain, snow, and subfreezing temperatures at night. Random checks (even in the middle of the night) are conducted by student representatives; if a tent is empty too often it is taken down, and the residents lose their place in the queue.
Acid mucopolysaccharide composition of human-heart valve.

Abstract 1. 1. The content and fractional distribution of acid mucopolysaccharides in normal human-heart valves were studied. 2. 2. The acid mucopolysaccharide content was significantly different in the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves in the young age group. The aortic valve contained the highest amount of acid mucopolysaccharide and the tricuspid had the least. 3. 3. The content of acid mucopolysaccharide decreased with age in these three valves. The decrease was most marked in the aortic valve and the tricuspid showed the least change. 4. 4. Three kinds of acid mucopolysaccharide, namely hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate B and chondroitin sulfate A or C were found in these valves. Hyaluronic acid was the major component constituting approx. 60% of the total acid mucopolysaccharide. 5. 5. There was no remarkable change in the distribution of these three acid mucopolysaccharides during the aging process from 20 to 60 years or over.
Generalized plane strain analysis of a bimaterial composite containing a free surface normal to the interface

The elastic plane strain Green’s function calculated in earlier papers is modified to account for generalized plane strain and applied to calculating the stress and the displacement field in a bimaterial composite containing a free surface normal to the interface and subjected to an out-of-plane load. The result is obtained in terms of a closed integral representation which is evaluated numerically as well as analytically. The method is applied to a cubic solid containing a Σ-5 grain boundary and to fiber-reinforced laminated composites. The singularities in the stress are identified and discussed.
Koba-Nielsen-Olesen Scaling at Finite Energies

Since Slattery's analysis of the Serpukhov and National Accelerator Laboratory (NAL) multiplicity data shows Koba-Nielsen-Olesen (KNO) scaling behavior to remarkable accuracy, it is of interest to examine KNO scaling at finite energies. We discuss the fact that KNO's argument in favor of asymptotic scaling fails at any finite energy, and the corrections exceed the experimental limits at NAL energies. We show that energy conservation forbids exact moment scaling in any finite energy range, and we establish a sufficient condition for a distribution to obey scaling within the observed accuracy. We further point out the first two moments calculated by Slattery are independent. Finally, we produce a simple model showing how unitarity can generate the long-range correlations in the rapidity variable that KNO scaling implies. (auth)
The bei passive and its discourse motivations

This study examines the variation between the active and the bei passive in Mandarin Chinese from a probabilistic perspective. The variables considered include discourse continuity factors and adversity. Two different models were built for the active-agentless passive variation and the active-agentive passive variation. Four factors were found to have significant effect: agent thematicity, patient thematicity, adversity, and referential distance. In contrast, the effect of topic persistence and local environment is not significant. The accuracy of prediction for the active-agentless passive variation is significantly higher than the accuracy for the active-agentive passive variation. Overall, the bei passive, either agentless or agentive, is more likely to be chosen over its active counterpart, if it is adversative, has a non-thematic agent, a thematic patient, and a shorter referential distance for the patient.
The place of the other: A Lacanian challenge to humanistic psychology

Abstract This essay proposes a more intense exchange between humanistic psychology and Lacanian psychoanalysis. Certainly, the two fields are aware of one another but an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and superficial knowledge characterize their relationship. If we examine some of the suppositions governing each approach, there are points of similarity. Both see “psychology” in its truest meaning as defined by ethics. Both countenance the importance of the social and the unique individual (the particular for Lacan). There are also glaring differences on key questions. With respect to these differences, the author reads humanistic psychology through a Lacanian lens to indicate how Lacanian concepts can answer some of the recognized impasses of humanistic psychology (such as the question of evil) where humanistic psychology is other to itself.
A family of nonisomorphic Markov random fields

It was recently shown that there exists a family of ℤ2 Markov random fields which areK but are not isomorphic to Bernoulli shifts [4]. In this paper we show that most distinct members of this family are not isomorphic. This implies that there is a two parameter family of ℤ2 Markov random fields of the same entropy, no two of which are isomorphic.
Protein bound human growth hormone

Abstract C 14 -labeled (acetylated) human growth hormone has been prepared by a new method. This labeled hormone was shown to be biologically and antigenically identical, and electrophoretically similar to unlabeled hormone. During electrophoresis the labeled hormone migrates primarily in the gamma and beta fractions, but when mixed with human or rabbit serum it migrates in the beta and alpha-2 fractions. When electrophoresed after mixing with rabbit antiserum the labeled hormone migrated in the gamma fraction. These data strongly suggest that human and rabbit serum normally contain transport proteins for human growth hormone.
Accountability, Representation and the Communication Behavior of Trial Judges

ESEARCH on judges and judicial behavior has frequently employed role theory and the concept of accountability. Accountability has been central in work on the impact of different methods of selecting judges, since it is assumed that selection method is an operationalization of the degree to which judges are accountable to the public (Volcansek 1982). Research using role theory has suggested that judges' behavior is at least partially a function of their role orientations that is, how they believe it is appropriate for them to behave as governmental representatives and judicial decision-makers (e.g., Gibson 1980, 1981). Accountability and role orientation have generally been treated as independent or intervening variables, with judges' personal or professional characteristics, the substance of their decisions or the severity of their sentences as dependent. Relatively overlooked in the literature have been communication variables. Yet, to the degree that accountability and judges' role orientations as representatives imply linkage with constituents, communication would appear to be highly relevant. More specifically, variation in judges' feelings of accountability and concepts of appropriate representational behavior may affect their patterns of communication with the public. This article uses data from a survey of Wisconsin trial judges to explore the relationship between judges' feelings of accountability and representational role orientations and their communication behavior. Because the
The ultrastructure of angiosperm pollen from the Lower Cenomanian of the Morondova Basin, Madagascar

Samples collected from Cretaceous sediments of the Morondova Basin, southwest Madagascar yielded a palynoflora composed of spores of ferns and fern allies, pollen of gymnosperms and angiosperms, and dinoflagellates. In addition, a diverse fauna of ammonites was recovered along with the microflora. The species of dinoflagellates and ammonites suggest an Early Cenomanian age. Ninety-two percent of the microflora is comprised of fern spores and gymnosperm pollen. Approximately twenty species of angiosperm pollen comprise 3.6% of the flora, a majority of which are monosulcate and disulcate, including Clavatipollenites, Retimonocolpites, and Liliacidites. Single occurrences of tricolpates and tricolporates are also recorded. The low abundance of angiosperms, and the taxonomic position of the angiosperm pollen are more reminiscent of Lower Cretaceous palynofloras from the Barremian-Albian. The low abundance of angiosperms and high diversity relative to the ferns and gymnosperms suggest that angiosperms arrived ...
On a Dualization of Graphical Gaussian Models: A Correction Note

. We correct two proofs concerning Markov properties for graphs representing marginal independence relations.