cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
To Know and to Teach: Mathematical Pedagogy from a Historical Context

Historical texts tell us much about how mathematical concepts and techniques were conceived and evolved. But they can also tell us even more. Usually, their contents embody a pedagogy, specific organizational forms and methods used for teaching mathematics. This article isolates and examines several particular pedagogical techniques: the use of an instructional discourse; a logical sequencing of mathematical problems and exercises and employment of visual aids, evident in historical works. It concludes that much of present day mathematical pedagogy evolved from distant historical antecedents.
Emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus soft tissue infections

Abstract Purpose Our objective is to describe the changing incidence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) and its treatment within East Tennessee. Methods A retrospective chart review of 245 patients treated with incision and drainage of soft tissue infections from March 2000 to September 2005 was completed. Consent was obtained from our local institutional review board. Forty patients were excluded because no cultures were recorded or because they failed the criteria for the diagnosis of CA-MRSA. We examined our data using χ 2 analysis. P value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results The most common organism cultured was CA-MRSA (33%; 67 of 205). Non–CA-MRSA accounted for 4% (9 of 205). The age of patients ranged from 1 month to 21 years, with a mean age of 6.5 years. Stratified by year, the incidence of positive cultures for CA-MRSA has increased 159% since 2004 and 868% since 2003. In addition, the average age of patients has decreased from 8.3 years in 2000 to 6.1 years in 2005. Conclusions Community-acquired MRSA has emerged as the dominant source of soft tissue infection requiring incision and drainage regardless of site in East Tennessee. This has caused a change in the choice of empiric antibiotic treatment of soft tissue abscesses in our region. These infections now account for the third most common reportable disease to the Department of Health in East Tennessee.
SMG‐5, required for C.elegans nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay, associates with SMG‐2 and protein phosphatase 2A

mRNAs that contain premature stop codons are degraded selectively and rapidly in eukaryotes, a phenomenon termed ‘nonsense-mediated mRNA decay’ (NMD). We report here molecular analysis of smg-5, which encodes a novel protein required for NMD in Caenorhabditis elegans. Using a combination of immunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybrid assays, we identified a series of protein–protein interactions involving SMG-5. SMG-5 interacts with at least four proteins: (i) SMG-7, a previously identified protein required for NMD; (ii) SMG-2, a phosphorylated protein required for NMD in worms, yeasts and mammals; (iii) PR65, the structural subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A); and (iv) PP2AC, the catalytic subunit of PP2A. Previous work demonstrated that both SMG-5 and SMG-7 are required for efficient dephosphorylation of SMG-2. Our results suggest that PP2A is the SMG-2 phosphatase, and the role of SMG-5 is to direct PP2A to its SMG-2 substrate. We discuss cycles of SMG-2 phosphorylation and their roles in NMD.
Coherence Properties of Blackbody Radiation. III. Cross-Spectral Tensors

In a recent paper, cross-spectra tensors of quantized stationary electromagnetic fields were introduced and some of their properties were discussed. In the present paper, closed expressions for the cross-spectral tensors of blackbody radiation are derived and their behavior is illustrated by a number of diagrams. It is found that the correlation distance of a spectral component of wavelength $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ is itself of the order of $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ and is therefore independent of the temperature of the radiation.
Plant Nutrient Uptake and Biomass Accumulation in a Constructed Wetland

ABSTRACT We examined the role of plants in the nutrient cycle of a 0.3 ha constructed wetland that received tile drainage water from agricultural fields. The objectives were to determine: 1) above- and below-ground production of wetland macrophytes; 2) production of algae; 3) accumulation and uptake rate of N and P by vegetation during the growing season; and, 4) role of wetland vegetation in the overall N and P budgets. Total biomass ranged seasonally from 12000 to 30000 kg ha−1 in the wetland, reaching a maximum in September, with roots accounting for 54 to 77% of the total. Above-ground macrophyte biomass ranged from 2000 to 5700 kg ha−1, and also reached a maximum in September. Algae were only present early in the growing season and had a maximum biomass of 233 kg ha−1 at the end of May. During the 1998 water year, tile input transported 715 kg ha−1 total N and 10 kg ha−1 total P into the wetland, whereas wetland output was 256 kg total N ha−1 (256 kg ha−1 in outlet flow and 120 kg ha−1 in seepage) an...
Tritiated Angiotensin: Preparation and Purification

THE preparation of tritiated angiotensin with a specific activity of 300 µc./mg in 40 per cent yield was reported earlier1. This peptide was purified by chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose followed by electrophoresis on paper at pH 2.1. While electrophoresis on paper gave a pure product, the procedure is tedious and time consuming, especially for the preparation of larger amounts. An improved method of purifying tritiated angiotensin substituting partition chromatography on ‘Sephadex G–25’ for paper electrophoresis permitting larger samples to be readily purified has been elaborated. A similar chromatographic procedure has been used by Yamashiro2 for purification of oxytocin. The procedure is illustrated with angiotensin tritiated by the Wilzbach technique3 rather than the spark discharge procedure used earlier1.
Allosteric Modulation of the Dopamine Receptor by Conformationally Constrained Type VI β-Turn Peptidomimetics of Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2

A peptidomimetic of Pro-Leu-Pro-NH2, 7, possessing an indolizidinone type VI beta-turn mimic was synthesized via improved high-yielding protocols for the preparation and Cbz protection of alpha-allylproline. Bicyclic peptidomimetic 7 and spirobicylic peptidomimetic 8 enhanced the binding of [3H] N-propylnorapomorphine to dopamine receptors indicating that a type VI beta-turn is a possible bioactive conformation of the homochiral Pro-Leu-Pro-NH2 and Pro-Pro-Pro-NH 2 analogues of Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 at the dopamine receptor allosteric regulatory site.
Reactivity of Lithium toward Propylene Carbonate: Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy Studies in Ultrahigh Vacuum

The vibrational properties of vapor-deposited lithium films exposed to propylene carbonate (PC) vapors at room temperature have been examined by infrared reflection−absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) using a specially designed chamber. The sharply defined spectral features observed were found to be incompatible with those of either, lithium propoxide, lithium alkyl carbonate, lithium carbonate, or mixtures thereof. Instead, the IRAS spectrum of PC/Li/Ni was found to be identical to that obtained by exposing Li to 1,2-propanediol vapors under otherwise identical conditions and may thus be attributed to the corresponding alkoxide derivative.
Moduli and Stress Patterns Determined From Heterogeneous MRI-Based Strains

Characterization of stress and strain patterns in load-bearing tissue such as articular cartilage is key to developing successful treatment strategies for osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease affecting 27 million people in the United States alone [1]. Moreover, knowledge of the stress and mechanical properties of cartilage provides a more comprehensive characterization of tissue integrity during tissue degeneration or repair.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Scuba diving: What you and your patients need to know

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving continues to gain popularity. General practitioners need to know the health requirements and contraindications so they can counsel patients appropriately. SCUBA diving injuries may not be apparent immediately and require knowledge and understanding for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
A specific kinetic assay for phenylalanine hydroxylase

Abstract An assay procedure is given which is speedy, accurate, and specific, permitting direct recording of velocities, and obviating the use of reagents other than those necessary for the enzymatic reaction itself. The method is suitable for the study of enzyme mechanism and inhibition and also offers distinct advantages when used for other purposes, e.g., assay during purification of enzymes or for measurement of phenylalanine hydroxylase activity in the liver of hyperphenylalaninemics. The method is based on the phenylalanine-dependent change in absorbance of the tetrahydropteridine cofactor as it is oxidized to the dihydro form. The reaction rate measured by this procedure is linear over a wide range of enzyme concentration. The K m and V for both tetrahydropteridine and for phenylalanine were the same as the values determined by the old procedure. Measurement of the stoichiometry of the reaction showed that one dihydropteridine is formed per tyrosine formed, or per DPNH consumed. The rate of reaction was identical to that measured by a coupled assay using DPNH and purified dihydropteridine reductase.
The receptor-mediated, short-term activation of tyrosine hydroxylase in organ cultures of rat superior cervical ganglia.

Tyrosine hydroxylation, measured in situ in superior cervical ganglia from neonatal rats, is increased two-fold by the addition of carbachol. This increase occurs within one hour and is not due to the synthesis of new enzyme protein, nor to a direct effect of carbachol on the enzyme. The stimulation is blocked by atropine, but not by hexamethonium. This stimulation represents the first report of a receptor-mediated short-term action on this rate-limiting enzyme.
Characterization of obstructive sleep apnea before and after tongue-lip adhesion in children with micrognathia.

Objectives: To characterize airway obstruction before and after tongue-lip adhesion in children with micrognathia using polysomnography. Design: Retrospective pilot case series. Participants and Methods: Evaluation of all children with micrognathia who underwent tongue-lip adhesion and polysomnography before and after surgery from 2002 to 2007 (N = 8). Results: Eight children met inclusion criteria; six were girls. The mean interval between polysomnography and tongue-lip adhesion was 6 days (range, 2 to 13 days) preoperatively and 17 days (range, 5 to 32 days) postoperatively. Severe obstructive sleep apnea was identified in seven of eight (88%) children, with a mean preoperative obstructive apnea hypopnea index of 52.6 events per hour (range, 7.1 to 85.7 events per hour). None had significant central sleep apneas (>5 per hour). Tongue-lip adhesion resulted in a mean decrease of 34.5 events per hour (range, −65.8 to 71.6 events per hour). After tongue-lip adhesion, seven of eight (87.5%) patients had an...
Fibrillar Collagen is Equivalent to Stiff Matrix in Driving Marrow Stromal Cell Differentiation into a Matrix-Deficient, Myofibroblastic-Like Phenotype

Scars tend to be stiffer than normal tissue, which has prompted the use of stiff matrices as models of scars, but scars are also rich in fibrillar collagen-I. Here, we introduce a soft matrix embedded with distinctly fibrillar collagen type-I, and show that this is sufficient to drive bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) into a contractile, myofibroblastic-like phenotype – ‘myo-MSCs'. These cells have been reported to minimize scarring in a unique wound healing response, exemplified by their application to myocardial infarcts. Transcriptome analysis in response to matrix rigidity points to an upregulation of genes that participate in the cellular contractile machinery, notably α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), but a decreased expression of matrix protein genes for collagen types I and VI, and tenascin-C; TGFβ1 and TGFβRII, implicated in progressive fibrosis, are also downregulated. MSCs cultured on the embedded-fiber, soft matrix exhibit many similarities to cells on rigid substrates: higher SMA but lower collagen type I protein expression. Phosphorylation at serine-1943 (S1943) of non-muscle myosin IIA, which deactivates stress fiber assembly, is decreased on both fibrosis-like and rigid substrates but almost twice higher on a soft substrate. TGFβ is found to induce S1943 phosphorylation and SMA and collagen type I production. Surprisingly, inhibition of the TGFβ pathway perturbs matrix expression but not SMA, suggesting a response that is unique from those of myofibroblasts. Furthermore, these ‘myo-MSCs' hint that, unlike myofibroblasts, they do not become hyper-contractile. This supports the notion that MSC engraftment into wounded tissues suppresses fibrosis, highlighting the promise of these cells in restoring normal tissue function.
Energy cost of physical activities in 12-y-old girls: MET values and the influence of body weight.

BACKGROUND: Few data exist on the energy cost of specific activities in children. The influence of body weight on the energy cost of activity when expressed as metabolic equivalents (METs) has not been vigorously explored. OBJECTIVE: To provide MET data on five specific activities in 12-y-old girls and to test the hypothesis that measured MET values are independent of body weight. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 17 12-y-old girls, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and the energy expended while sitting, standing, walking on a flat treadmill at 3.2 and at 4.8 km/h, and walking on a treadmill at a 10% incline at 4.8 km/h were measured using indirect calorimetry. MET values were calculated by dividing the energy expenditure of an activity by the subject's RMR. The influence of body weight was assessed using simple linear regression. Results: The observed METs were more consistent with published values for similar activities in adults than those offered for children. Body weight was a statistically significant predictor of the MET of all three walking activities, but not the MET of sitting or standing. Body weight explained 25% of the variance in the MET value for walking at 3.2 km/h, 39% for walking at 4.8 km/h, and 63% for walking at a 10% incline at 4.8 km/h. CONCLUSION: METs for the three walking activities were not independent of body weight. The use of average MET values to estimate the energy cost of these three activities would result in an underestimation of their energy cost in heavier girls and an overestimation in lighter girls. These results suggest that the estimation of total energy expenditure from activity diary, recall, and direct observation data using average MET values may be biased by body weight.
An approximate likelihood ratio test for a normal mean vector with nonnegative components with application to clinical trials

SUMMARY A new multivariate statistic, designed to be sensitive to the alternative hypothesis that a mean vector lies in the positive orthant, rather than to all alternatives or to alternatives on a line (O'Brien, 1984), is proposed. The statistic is shown to approximate the likelihood ratio test statistic for such alternatives (Kud5, 1963; Perlman, 1969). Its null distribution is a special case of the chi-bar-squared distribution, which allows critical values to be obtained. Such a statistic may be used in two-armed clinical trials where we are interested in showing that one treatment is better than another with respect to several responses. As an example, a clinical trial is reanalyzed, with stronger conclusions than had been drawn originally.
Ordination of simulated complex forest succession: A new test of ordination methods

A model of a 1/12th ha forest stand, FORET, generated 10 000 years of simulated species succession. Approximately the first third of these results were analyzed by principal component analysis as if they were collected field data to give the trajectory of the community particle in a collapsed species space. The ordination axis orientation was performed on a dispersion matrix and correlation matrix between species. In both cases, however, the eigen vectors were applied to the data matrix which had not been transformed to unit species variance. This facilitated comparison of species dispersion and correlation structure; it emerged they were very different. Correlation structure gave large weights to understory species while dispersion emphasized the dominant overstory species. This implies a decomposition of simulated stand behavior into overstory and understory, even though such decomposition was not formally built into the model. This decomposition would seem to pertain to real vegetation.
Proton Affinity of Dipeptides Containing Alanine and Diaminobutyric Acid

Abstract Thermochemical properties, including the proton affinity, the gas-phase basicity, and the protonation entropy, were determined for the acetylated unnatural amino acid, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, AcDab and two isomeric dipeptides containing alanine (Ala) and Dab, AcAlaDab and AcDabAla. The experiments were carried out using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The extended Cooks kinetic method was applied to determine the values of the proton affinity. The proton affinities for the three compounds were determined to be 235.1 ± 2.0 kcal/mol (AcDab), 244.7 ± 2.0 kcal/mol (AcAlaDab), and 242.0 ± 2.0 kcal/mol (AcDabAla). The gas-phase basicities (GB) and the protonation entropies (ΔpS) for these peptides were determined accordingly. The results suggested that the dipeptides were more basic than the single amino acid by about 7 kcal/mol, and the C-terminal Dab peptide, AcAlaDab, was more basic than the N-terminal Dab peptide, AcDabAla, by about 2.5 kcal/mol. Computational studies were carried out via a series of steps including conformational search using the MMFF force field, followed by geometry optimization and energy calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level of theory. Theoretically predicted proton affinities were in reasonably good agreement with the experiments. The higher basicity of the C-Dab dipeptide was likely due conformational effect that stabilized the charged C-Dab peptide more efficiently than the N-Dab peptide.
Quantitative Densitometry in Situ of Lipids Separated by thin Layer Chromatography

Abstract Operating parameters are described for a densitometric method to determine in situ eight lipid classes separated by thin layer chromatography. The separated lipids, visualized on the TLC plate by a cupric acetate-phosphoric acid charring method, were quantitatively determined by spectrodensitometry using the Shimadzu CS-910 Dual Wavelength TLC Scanner. Plates were scanned in either a linear scanning mode or in a zigzag scanning mode (flying spot). Reproducibility of a) sample application (spotting) and b) the lipid separation procedure was determined by scanning. Transmittance measurements yielded response areas that were 2.8 X higher than reflectance measurements. Operating parameters such as scanning direction, wavelength, single and dual-wavelength measurement, scanning speed, and slit geometry were studied. Optimal conditions were established for quantitative densitometry of lipids on thin layer plates.
Surface representation for the graphical display of structured data

In many applications one has a set of discrete points at which some variable such as pressure or velocity is measured. In order to graphically represent and display such data (say, as contours of constant pressure), the discrete data must be represented by a smooth function. This continuous surface can then be evaluated at any point for graphical display. Sometimes data are arbitrarily located except that they occur along non-intersecting “lines”, an example occurring in wind tunnel tests where data are recorded at “plug taps” on an aircraft body. An algorithm is developed for this type of “structured” data problem and illustrated by means of color computer graphics.
E.s.r. imaging of dynamic oxidation processes in solid coal

The electron spin resonance imaging (e.s.r.i.) technique was applied for the first time to the study of free radical distributions during moderate oxidation of two cylindrical coal samples, PSOC-1469 and PSOC-1515. As oxidation proceeded, the e.s.r. signal intensity across the sample first increased, reached a maximum, and then decreased to a steady state level. By employing e.s.r.i., two-dimensional cross-sectional images were made over the course of this oxidation at 150 °C. A generally homogeneous radical concentration distribution was obtained across the cylindrical coal samples. It is believed that oxygen diffusion and its interaction with coal structure played important roles in these oxidation processes.
Appendix A—Progress report of the subcommittee on permeability

A variety of units and names of units relating to permeability have been used and are being used by different investigators. This Sub-Committee was recently organized to provide an open forum for persons of different background and experience to present their views in an orderly manner. Thirteen members representing diverse fields of activity have been chosen. To these, L. K. WENZEL, Chairman, by memorandum dated December 2, 1943, proposed three questions for consideration as an initial effort of the Sub-Committee: (1) Should the coefficient of permeability depend only on the structure of the material, or should some other name be used to express this property in view of the fact that, as now generally used, the coefficient of permeability is not independent of properties of the fluid or the combined properties of the fluid and the material; (2) should a name be coined, or is there a suitable one in existence, for expressing the combined properties of the material and fluid for practical application in one local area; (3) what are the parameters that should be included in the equation of flow of fluids that relate only to the structure of the material.
High-Resolution Record of Pyrogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Deposition during the 20th Century

A high-resolution record of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) deposition in Rhode Island over the past ∼180 years was constructed using a sediment core from the anoxic Pettaquamscutt River basin. The record showed significantly more structure than has hitherto been reported and revealed four distinct maxima in PAH flux. The characteristic increase in PAH flux at the turn of the 20th century was captured in detail, leading to an initial maximum prior to the Great Depression. The overall peak in PAH flux in the 1950s was followed by a maximum that immediately preceded the 1973 Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil embargo. During the most recent portion of the record, an abrupt increase in PAH flux between 1996 and 1999 has been found to follow a period of near constant fluxes. Because source-diagnostic ratios indicate that petrogenic inputs are minor throughout the record, these trends are interpreted in terms of past variations in the magnitude and type of combustion processes. For ...
Infants' perception of substance and temporal synchrony in multimodal events*

Four-month-old infants can detect a relationship between the soundtracks and films of rigid and elastic objects in motion. When movies of these two kinds of objects were shown side by side along with the soundtrack to one of them, infants predominately watched the sound films. Three subsequent studies explored the basis of this intermodal perception. It was found that infants detected bimodal temporal structure specifying object rigidity and elasticity, and temporal synchrony between the sights and sounds of object impact. These results support the view that the development of intermodal perception is based on the detection of invariant relations in visual and acoustic stimulation.
Scheduling network flowshops so as to minimize makespan

Abstract Approximate algorithms for the network flowshop scheduling problem, a generalization of the simple flowshop model which allows an arbitrary number of units at each stage of the flowshop, are presented. The objective is to minimize the makespan for a specified set of products. The basic heuristic strategy is to decompose the problem into two components: sequence generation and sequence evaluation. The sequence generation procedure, which attempts to find the sequence that minimized the makespan, calls the sequence evaluation procedure to determine unit assignments and completion times for a given processing sequence. Several different methods are presented for solving the sequence generation subproblem. These include local-search procedures, a “best-fit” heuristic and a “bottleneck-sequencing” approach. The sequence evaluation procedure uses a simple list-scheduling strategy to determine unit assignments. Numerical tests are used to compare the different sequence generation procedures. The results of these tests indicate the local-search procedures are an effective approach to the sequence generation subproblem.
Episodes in Tertiary Tectonic History of Saratoga-North Park Area, Wyoming and Colorado: ABSTRACT

A synclinal area between the Medicine Bow and Park ranges demonstrates several principles in the tectonic history of the southern Rocky Mountains. The area is of interest because: (1) it illustrates the episodic nature of tectonic events in this region; (2) the succession of fossiliferous Tertiary sediments are unusually complete and provide excellent clues to the timing and nature of these events; and (3) several structural elements in this area have trends independent of the regional structural patterns. Early Tertiary phases of tectonic activity were compressional in origin, but late Tertiary phases were both compressional and tensional. An early Tertiary compressional phase produced the bold outlines of the present ranges and basins and induced erosion of all sediments from the structurally elevated areas. Debris which formed the Paleocene Coalmont and equivalent formations filled the basins and overlapped the truncated edges of older formations. North Park basin continued to sink following this deposition. A second compressional episode involved Paleocene sediments in the movements, and culminated with extensive faulting during Eocene time. Although most of these thrusts parallel range flanks, the Independence fault which forms the north boundary of North Park basin displays evidence for movement of over 4 miles in a direction transverse to previous structural trends. The position of this fault within a complex zone between two regions possessing opposite structural asymmetry may explain, in part, its diverse trend. Normal faults, warps, and folds affecting late Miocene rocks, and probably concurrent with regional uplift, distinctly modified the geologic regime during a third tectonic episode. Horsts rose 800 feet along range flanks as adjacent wedges of late Miocene rocks were downfaulted and preserved in linear troughs. The North Park syncline formed athwart the axis of North Park basin and transected some pre-existent north-trending range flank structures. These late Tertiary movements should be stressed because they emphasize the probability that similar movements modified adjacent areas where late Tertiary sedimentary sequences are either less complete or absent. End_of_Article - Last_Page 794------------
Selection of sequences recognized by a DNA binding protein using a preparative Southwestern blot

We have tested the feasibility of using a preparative scale Southwestern blot to select DNA sequences specifically recognized by a DNA binding protein. We constructed a library of random 15-mer oligonucleotides and screened it using a preparative Southwestern blot with the transcriptional repressor, PRDI-BF1. Several sequences specifically recognized by PRDI-BF1 were isolated. All of these sequences are similar to PRDI, a regulatory element previously demonstrated to bind PRDI-BF1.
Comment on: Surgical revascularization for childhood moyamoya, Child's Nerv Syst 28: 1041-1048, 2012

Dear Editor: I enjoyed the article by Ng and colleagues “Surgical Revascularization for Childhood Moyamoya,” published in Child's Nervous System, volume 28:1041–1048, 2012. The article is a well-written summary of the experience at Great Ormond Street with this entity; I especially liked the comparison tables that the authors provided regarding other series in the literature, along with the time lines of their patients followed up for extended periods—an excellent graphic method for depicting the effect of surgery on control of symptoms in these patients, who appear to have a variable rate of progression of their arteriopathy. I do wish to gently object to the “mortality” figures that are provided in their table for referencing our article published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, volume 100:142–149, 2004. In that table, the authors state under mortality that two of our patients died. Both of these patients in fact represent long-term deaths, one occurring 5 years after her surgery for moyamoya from the invasive growth of a radiation-induced malignant meningioma and the second patient dying 6 years after surgery from the rupture of an untreatable lenticulostriate aneurysm. The reader might infer from reviewing the table that these patients represented operative deaths, when in fact our series and others in the literature demonstrate a negligible operative mortality rate.
Data-driven parallel production systems

Much effort has been expended on developing special architectures dedicated to the efficient execution of production systems. While data-flow principles of execution offer the promise of high programmability for numerical computations, it is shown that the data-driven principles can also be applied to symbolic computations. In particular, a mapping of the RETE match algorithm along the line of production systems is considered. Bottlenecks of the RETE match algorithm in a multiprocessor environment are identified and possible solutions are suggested. The modifications to the actor set as well as the program graph design are shown for execution on the tagged data-flow computer. The results of a deterministic simulation of this multiprocessor architecture demonstrate that artificial intelligence production systems can be efficiently mapped on data-driven architectures. >
Simple Unsupervised Grammar Induction from Raw Text with Cascaded Finite State Models

We consider a new subproblem of unsupervised parsing from raw text, unsupervised partial parsing---the unsupervised version of text chunking. We show that addressing this task directly, using probabilistic finite-state methods, produces better results than relying on the local predictions of a current best unsu-pervised parser, Seginer's (2007) CCL. These finite-state models are combined in a cascade to produce more general (full-sentence) constituent structures; doing so outperforms CCL by a wide margin in unlabeled PARSEVAL scores for English, German and Chinese. Finally, we address the use of phrasal punctuation as a heuristic indicator of phrasal boundaries, both in our system and in CCL.
3-D microwell culture of human embryonic stem cells

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the ability to proliferate indefinitely and differentiate into each of the embryonic cell lineages. Great care is required to maintain undifferentiated hESC cultures since spontaneous differentiation often occurs in culture, presumably resulting from soluble factors, cell-cell contact, and/or cell-matrix signaling. hESC differentiation is typically stimulated via generation of embryoid bodies (EBs) and lineage commitment of individual cells depends upon numerous cues throughout the EB environment, including EB shape and size. Common EB formation protocols, however, produce a very heterogeneous size distribution, perhaps reducing efficiency of directed differentiation. We have developed a 3-D microwell-based method to maintain undifferentiated hESC cultures for weeks without passaging using physical and extracellular matrix patterning constraints to limit colony growth. Over 90% of hESCs cultured in microwells for 2-3 weeks were viable and expressed the hESC transcription marker Oct-4. Upon passaging to Matrigel-coated tissue culture-treated polystyrene dishes (TCPS), microwell cultured hESCs maintained undifferentiated proliferation. Microwell culture also permits formation of hESC colonies with a defined size, which can then be used to form monodisperse EBs. When cultured in this system, hESCs retained pluripotency and self-renewal, and were able to be passaged to standard unconstrained culture conditions.
Interdisciplinary Research in Climate and Energy Sciences

Due to the complex nature of climate change, interdisciplinary research approaches involving knowledge and skills from a broad range of disciplines have been adopted for studying changes in the climate system as well as strategies for mitigating climate change (i.e., greenhouse gas emissions reductions) and adapting to its impacts on society and natural systems. Harnessing of renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels is widely regarded as a long-term mitigation strategy that requires the synthesis of knowledge from engineering, technology, and natural and social sciences. In this study, we examine how the adoption of interdisciplinary approaches has evolved over time and in different geographic regions. We conducted a comprehensive literature survey using an evaluation matrix of keywords, in combination with a word cloud analysis, to evaluate the spatiotemporal dynamics of scholarly discourse about interdisciplinary approaches to climate change and renewable energy research and development (RD it appears, however, that the nature, timing, and focus of these publications vary across countries and through time. Over the most recent three decades, the country-level contribution to interdisciplinary research for climate change has become more evenly distributed, but this was not true for renewable energy research, which remained dominated by the United Sates and a few other major economies. The research topics have also evolved: Water resource management was emphasized from 1990s to 2000s, policy and adaptation were emphasized from the 2000s to 2010–2013, while vulnerability became prominent during the most recent years (2010–2013). Our analysis indicates that the rate of growth of interdisciplinary research for renewable energy lags behind that for climate change, possibly because knowledge emanating from climate change science has motivated the subsequent upswing in renewable energy R&D. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Comparison of glycated albumin and hemoglobin A1c concentrations in diabetic subjects on peritoneal and hemodialysis.

BackgroundRelative to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), percentage of glycated albumin (GA%) more accurately reflects recent glycemic control in diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients.MethodsTo determine the ac...
Scintillation, density and turbulence in the interplanetary medium

Abstract An attempt is made to reconcile the different power laws obtained when relating, on the one hand, interplanetary scintillation (IPS) to solar-wind density and, on the other, density turbulence to density. A numerical experiment was performed using a 2-D magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) model to simulate the solar wind in the ecliptic plane and then generating IPS g values by line-of-sight integration through the model solar wind. This simulation showed that any breakdown of the assumptions implicit in comparing a line-of-sight integral with a time average made near Earth was insufficient to account for the difference.
Statins for the prevention of cerebrovascular disease: the rationale for robust intervention

Cerebrovascular disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and places a huge burden on the healthcare system. The risk factors for cerebrovascular disease are, however, well established and largely modifiable. After blood pressure control, the reduction of serum cholesterol levels has the promise to provide the greatest benefit in reducing the risk of stroke. In particular, data from landmark trials have shown that lipid-lowering therapy with statins significantly reduces the risk of stroke in patients with existing coronary heart disease but no evidence of prior cerebrovascular disease. More recently, data have emerged suggesting that statin therapy is also beneficial in the secondary prevention of stroke, and ongoing trials, such as the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels study, will clarify this further. Statins are likely to reduce the risk of stroke by the stabilization and/or regression of plaque, but they also exhibit pleiotropic effects (for example, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties), which further justify their use in the primary and secondary prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.
Interactions of poult enteritis and mortality syndrome-associated reovirus with various cell types in vitro

An avian reovirus, ARV-CU98, has recently been isolated from poults experiencing poult enteritis and mortality syndrome (PEMS). To further understand ARV-CU98 and its role in PEMS, the current study investigates interactions of ARV-CU98 with various cell types in vitro. When macrophages, B cells, T cells, and liver cells of chicken or turkey origin were co-incubated with ARV-CU98, only cells of liver origin demonstrated cytopathic effects, the presence of viral antigen, and reduced metabolic activity over time. Furthermore, distinctive pockets of viral particles were evident in electron microscopic examination of a chicken hepatocellular carcinoma (LMH) cell line, but not in a chicken macrophage cell line (MQ-NCSU) co-incubated with virus. Additional evidence of viral replication in LMH, cells but not MQ-NCSU cells was demonstrated by the presence of two viral bands (43 and 145 kD size) in cell lysates from LMH cells exposed to ARV-CU98. Although not capable of being infected by ARV-CU98, MQ-NCSU cells do appear to be activated by the virus since IL-1 mRNA expression is increased in MQ-NCSU cells 2 h after addition of the virus. LMH cells exposed to the virus demonstrate a decrease in IL-1 mRNA expression by 8 to 10 h after addition of the virus, perhaps corresponding to the initiation of infection by the virus. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that ARV-CU98 actively infects and replicates in LMH cells, but not in lymphocytes or macrophages, suggesting that the liver may be a target and site of replication of ARV-CU98 in poults experiencing PEMS.
Theory of Structural and Electronic Properties of Silicon Nitride and Carbon Nitride

Using a first principles pseudopotential total energy approach with a localized basis for the electronic wave functions, we have investigated the structural and bonding properties of β-Si3N4 and β-C3N4, which is a proposed structure for carbon nitride. The latter system is used as a prototype for studying the properties of possible covalent C-N solids. For β-Si3N4, calculated structural properties such as lattice constant and bulk modulus are in excellent agreement with experimental values. This gives support for the predicted properties of β-C3N4. β-C3N4 is found to be a good candidate for a new low-compressibility solid, with compressibility comparable to diamond. Despite similarities between β-Si3N4 and β-C3N4 in terms of crystal structure and valency of constituent elements, differences are found in their electronic bonding properties. A comparison of the bonding in β-Si3N4 and β-C3N4 with other first and second row semiconductors is useful for understanding trends in the structural properties of these materials.
Structural Dissection and In Vivo Effectiveness of a Peptide Inhibitor of Porphyromonas gingivalis Adherence to Streptococcus gordonii

The interaction of the minor fimbrial antigen (Mfa) with streptococcal antigen I/II (e.g., SspB) facilitates colonization of the dental biofilm by Porphyromonas gingivalis. We previously showed that a 27-mer peptide derived from SspB (designated BAR) resembles the nuclear receptor (NR) box protein-protein interacting domain and potently inhibits this interaction in vitro. Here, we show that the EXXP motif upstream of the NR core α-helix contributes to the Mfa-SspB interaction and that BAR reduces P. gingivalis colonization and alveolar bone loss in vivo in a murine model of periodontitis. Substitution of Gln for Pro(1171) or Glu(1168) increased the α-helicity of BAR and reduced its inhibitory activity in vitro by 10-fold and 2-fold, respectively. To determine if BAR prevents P. gingivalis infection in vivo, mice were first infected with Streptococcus gordonii and then challenged with P. gingivalis in the absence and presence of BAR. Animals that were infected with either 10(9) CFU of S. gordonii DL-1 or 10(7) CFU of P. gingivalis 33277 did not show a statistically significant increase in alveolar bone resorption over sham-infected controls. However, infection with 10(9) CFU of S. gordonii followed by 10(7) CFU of P. gingivalis induced significantly greater bone loss (P < 0.01) than sham infection or infection of mice with either organism alone. S. gordonii-infected mice that were subsequently challenged with 10(7) CFU of P. gingivalis in the presence of BAR exhibited levels of bone resorption similar to those of sham-infected animals. Together, these results indicate that both EXXP and the NR box are important for the Mfa-SspB interaction and that BAR peptide represents a potential therapeutic that may limit colonization of the oral cavity by P. gingivalis.
Consistent multilabel classification

Multilabel classification is rapidly developing as an important aspect of modern predictive modeling, motivating study of its theoretical aspects. To this end, we propose a framework for constructing and analyzing multilabel classification metrics which reveals novel results on a parametric form for population optimal classifiers, and additional insight into the role of label correlations. In particular, we show that for multilabel metrics constructed as instance-, micro- and macro-averages, the population optimal classifier can be decomposed into binary classifiers based on the marginal instance-conditional distribution of each label, with a weak association between labels via the threshold. Thus, our analysis extends the state of the art from a few known multilabel classification metrics such as Hamming loss, to a general framework applicable to many of the classification metrics in common use. Based on the population-optimal classifier, we propose a computationally efficient and general-purpose plug-in classification algorithm, and prove its consistency with respect to the metric of interest. Empirical results on synthetic and benchmark datasets are supportive of our theoretical findings.
Repair Time for Oncogenic Transformation in C3H/10T1/2 Cells Subjected to Protracted X-irradiation

With exponential cultures of C3H/10T1/2 cells, we have investigated the effect of X-ray dose protraction on oncogenic cell transformation in the dose range 0.25-2 Gy. Within a particular experiment a constant exposure time was used. In different experiments exposure time varied between 1 and 5h. Cell transformation was analysed using the linear-quadratic relation, gamma (D) = alpha 1D + alpha 2D2, between transformation frequency per surviving cell and X-ray dose. Based on values of the linear coefficients, we developed an empirical formula for relating slopes of dose induction curves obtained at high or reduced dose rate condition. Our estimate of repair half-time for cell transformation with 95 per cent confidence limits is 2.4 (1.8, 3.0) h.
Risk Stratification of pN+ Prostate Cancer after Radical Prostatectomy from a Large Single Institutional Series with Long-Term Followup.

Purpose: Lymph node positive (pN+) prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy has wide variability in long-term oncologic outcomes. We present a large institutional series with extended followup to create an oncologic risk stratification system that clarifies the prognostic heterogeneity for patients with pN+ disease after radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: Men with pN+ prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy during 1987 to 2012 were included in the study. Regression models were created to identify significant predictors of biochemical recurrence, metastasis, cancer specific mortality and overall mortality. A cancer specific mortality risk score was then created and internally validated to stratify patients in terms of risk of cancer specific mortality.Results: For our cohort of 1,011 men with a median followup of 17.6 years the 20-year rate of cancer specific mortality was 31%. On multivariate Cox regression modeling 3 or more positive nodes (HR 1.75, p=0.003), pathological Gleason score 7...
Translating Clinical Guidelines Into Practice Challenges and Opportunities in a Dynamic Health Care Environment

Clinical practice guidelines are evidence-based recommendations with the potential to improve population health, yet they remain inconsistently utilized. In this commentary we discuss barriers and drivers to implementing clinical practice guidelines. We also suggest ways to support their translation into practice.
Demographic pressures on health education and employment resources in the South Pacific region.

Population projections by age and sex are presented for Fiji Papua New Guinea Western Samoa the Solomon Islands Tonga and Vanuatu. These projections are used to generate projections of the school-age population and the potential labor force. Based on these population projections the nations under study are predicted to experience an increase of between 30 and 100 percent in demand for infant and child health services school places and jobs over the next twenty years. The success of each nation in meeting this challenge will be instrumental in its economic and social development. (EXCERPT)
The Translational Repressor 4E-BP1 Contributes to Diabetes-Induced Visual Dysfunction.

Purpose The translational repressor 4E-BP1 interacts with the mRNA cap-binding protein eIF4E and thereby promotes cap-independent translation of mRNAs encoding proteins that contribute to diabetic retinopathy. Interaction of 4E-BP1 with eIF4E is enhanced in the retina of diabetic rodents, at least in part, as a result of elevated 4E-BP1 protein expression. In the present study, we examined the role of 4E-BP1 in diabetes-induced visual dysfunction, as well as the mechanism whereby hyperglycemia promotes 4E-BP1 expression. Methods Nondiabetic and diabetic wild-type and 4E-BP1/2 knockout mice were evaluated for visual function using a virtual optomotor test (Optomotry). Retinas were harvested from nondiabetic and type 1 diabetic mice and analyzed for protein abundance and posttranslational modifications. Similar analyses were performed on cells in culture exposed to hyperglycemic conditions or an O-GlcNAcase inhibitor (Thiamet G [TMG]). Results Diabetes-induced visual dysfunction was delayed in mice deficient of 4E-BP1/2 as compared to controls. 4E-BP1 protein expression was enhanced by hyperglycemia in the retina of diabetic rodents and by hyperglycemic conditions in retinal cells in culture. A similar elevation in 4E-BP1 expression was observed with TMG. The rate of 4E-BP1 degradation was significantly prolonged by either hyperglycemic conditions or TMG. A PEST motif in the C-terminus of 4E-BP1 regulated polyubiquitination, turnover, and binding of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex containing CUL3. Conclusions The findings support a model whereby elevated 4E-BP1 expression observed in the retina of diabetic rodents is the result of O-GlcNAcylation of 4E-BP1 within its PEST motif.