cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystallography - Energetically Innovative at 100

The United Nations has proclaimed 2014 as the International Year of Crystallography, “Considering that the impact of crystallography is present everywhere in our daily lives, in modern drug development, nanotechnology and biotechnology, and underpins the development of all new materials, from toothpaste to aeroplane components. Considering also the significance of the scientific achievements of crystallography, as illustrated by twenty-three Nobel Prizes awarded in the area, and that crystallography is still fertile ground for new and promising fundamental research. Considering further that 2014 marks the centenary of the beginning of modern crystallography, and its identification as the most powerful tool for structure determination of matter.” Having been in protein crystallography for 50 of those years, I will touch on a few personal-favorite highlights leading up to the exciting methodologies and spectacular structure results of the primary talks in this symposium.
The educational sequelae of a randomized prospective study

Abstract Five hundred and thirty surgeons were contacted using a blinded questionnaire to determine the educational sequelae of a randomized prospective study. The participants were chosen randomly to represent three distinct variables: (1) those involved with the original study, (2) those who heard the study results presented, and (3) surgeons who would be interested in the subject (colon trauma) but without controlled exposure or participation. While response varied, it was clear that behavior modification was most affected by involvement with a randomized study as a participant. Source recognition, despite evidence of changes in practice patterns, was low among nonparticipants, suggesting that the dissemination of study results occurs without conscious effort or remembrance of procedural methodology.
Analysis of thin-walled anisotropic frames by the direct stiffness method

The stiffness matrix for a one-dimensional beam element for use in a direct stiffness matrix method for analysing thin-walled anisotropic frames is presented in this paper. Thin-walled beams are widely used as structural components and stiffeners in aerospace and civil engineering applications. The stiffness matrices for two 2-noded 12 degrees of freedom beam elements, one of which accounts for warping and anisotropic coupling only and called a "warping superelement", and the other a "non-warping element", are developed numerically. The warping superelement is used in the region of the beam where warping is considered critical. The length of this region, which is dependent on the geometric and mechanical properties of the beam cross-section, is determined using a technique that utilizes equivalent one-dimensional mechanical properties of the composite material panels in the cross-section. The non-warping element is used outside of this critical region. Numerical examples of a thin-walled space frame structure are presented to demonstrate the use of the beam model. Results obtained using the proposed model are compared with numerical results obtained from 2-D finite element analysis.
Temporal Trends in Antiplatelet/Antithrombotic Use in Acute Coronary Syndromes and In-Hospital Major Bleeding Complications

Antithrombotic and antiplatelet agents are essential for the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). These pharmacologic agents have the potential for increased risk of bleeding. It is not clear if the increased uptake of these therapies has resulted in a clinically evident increase in bleeding complications over time. In this study, we included 3,193 consecutive patients who were admitted to the University of Michigan with an ACS (unstable angina or myocardial infarction) between January 1999 and December 2004. These patients were analyzed for temporal trends in antithrombotic and antiplatelet agent use, thrombolytic therapy, cardiac catheterizations, percutaneous coronary interventions, and major bleeding complications (including gastrointestinal, vascular access, and intracranial hemorrhage). We found a decreasing temporal trend in the incidence of major in-hospital bleeding complications (p
Measurements of laminar mixed convection flow adjacent to an inclined surface with uniform wall heat flux

Abstract Measurements of laminar mixed convection flow adjacent to an inclined heated flat plate with uniform wall heat flux are reported. Laser-doppler velocimeter and cold wire anemometer were used to measure simultaneously the velocity and temperature distributions, respectively. Measurements of the air velocity and temperature distributions are presented for a range of buoyancy parameters 0⩽ ξ ⩽2.91. It was found that both the mixed convection local Nusselt number and local friction coefficient increase as the buoyancy force increases (under the buoyancy assisting condition). The velocity field was found to be more sensitive to the buoyancy force than the thermal field. Predictions from both local similarity and local nonsimilarity models agree well with the experimental results for the thermal field, but only the predictions from the local nonsimilarity model agree favorably with the measured values for the flow field.
Clinical and MRI features of neurological complications after influenza A (H1N1) infection in critically ill children

Influenza A (H1N1) can cause severe neurological complications. The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical and MRI features of neurological complications after H1N1 infection in critically ill children. We retrospectively analyzed clinical and neuroimaging findings in 17 children who were hospitalized in an intensive care unit with severe neurological complications after H1N1 infection in South China between September 2009 and December 2011. All children underwent pre- and post-contrast-enhanced brain MRI. Postmortem studies were performed in two children. Six children died, five because of acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) and one because of intracranial fungal infection. Eleven recovered; their manifestations of H1N1 were meningitis (3), encephalitis (1) and influenza encephalopathy (7). MRI features of ANE included multiple symmetrical brain lesions demonstrating prolonged T1 and T2 signal in the thalami, internal capsule, lenticular nucleus and pontine tegmentum. Postmortem MRI in two children with acute necrotizing encephalopathy showed diffuse prolonged T1 and T2 signal in the bilateral thalami, brainstem deformation and tonsillar herniation. Fatal neurological complications in children after H1N1 infection include ANE and opportunistic fungal infection. MRI is essential for identification of neurological complications and for clinical evaluation.
Helical motion of the cell body enhances Caulobacter crescentus motility

We resolve the 3D trajectory and the orientation of individual cells for extended times, using a digital tracking technique combined with 3D reconstructions. We have used this technique to study the motility of the uniflagellated bacterium Caulobacter crescentus and have found that each cell displays two distinct modes of motility, depending on the sense of rotation of the flagellar motor. In the forward mode, when the flagellum pushes the cell, the cell body is tilted with respect to the direction of motion, and it precesses, tracing out a helical trajectory. In the reverse mode, when the flagellum pulls the cell, the precession is smaller and the cell has a lower translation distance per rotation period and thus a lower motility. Using resistive force theory, we show how the helical motion of the cell body generates thrust and can explain the direction-dependent changes in swimming motility. The source of the cell body precession is believed to be associated with the flexibility of the hook that connects the flagellum to the cell body.
Singular Functions of Tachyon Field Theories

We construct the singular functions of tachyon field theories in two dimensions and in four dimensions. Specifically, we give Poincar\'e-invariant solutions of the inhomogeneous Klein-Gordon equation with unit point source (the Green's functions), and the corresponding solutions of the homogeneous Klein-Gordon equation.
A note on the power of strong ground motion during the January 17, 1994 earthquake in Northridge, California

Abstract Variations of average and maximum power of strong earthquake ground motion during the 1994 Northridge, California earthquake were gradual and smooth over distances as large as tens of kilometers. Correlation of the contours of recorded power with the depth of sediments and vertical offsets of the basement rocks along the faults in the Los Angeles basin implies a horizontal flow of earthquake wave energy through the deep waveguides of this basin. If the fault-to-station distances were to be measured along the three-dimensional wave paths through these sedimentary waveguides, rather than along straight lines emanating from the source, as is common in empirical studies of strong motion amplitudes, the accuracy of empirical-scaling equations for the prediction of the power of strong shaking could improve significantly.
Perturbation analysis of shear strain localization in rate sensitive materials

Abstract The localization of deformation into a shear band is discussed for rate dependent plastic materials. A shear layer model is proposed and the assumption is made that the material considered exhibits strain softening behavior in shear. The results of the shear layer model show that even small material rate sensitivity retards significantly the localization process. A linearized perturbation analysis underestimates the excess strain in the band, but it does provide a qualitative description of strain localization.
Understanding Anion Transport in an Aminated Trimethyl Polyphenylene with High Anionic Conductivity

Abstract : An alkaline exchange membrane (AEM) based on an aminated trimethyl poly(phenylene) is studied in detail. This article reports hydroxide ion conductivity through an in situ method that allows for a more accurate measurement. The ionic conductivities of the membrane in bromide and carbonate forms at 90 deg C and 95% RH are found to be 13 and 17 mS cm(expn -1) respectively. When exchanged with hydroxide, conductivity improved to 86 mS cm(expn -1) under the same experimental conditions. The effect of relative humidity on water uptake and the SAXS patterns of the AEM membranes were investigated. SAXS analysis revealed a rigid aromatic structure of the AEM membrane with no microphase separation. The synthesized AEM is shown to be mechanically stable as seen from the water uptake and SAXS studies. Diffusion NMR studies demonstrated a steady state long-range diffusion constant, D1 of 9.8 x 10(expn -6) cm(expn 2) s(expn -1) after 50 100 ms.
When everyday life, routine politics, and protest meet

Based on archival research and ethnographic fieldwork, this article exam- ines the continuities between everyday life, routine politics, and contentious action. Focusing on a case study, the 6-day road blockade in the Argentine Patagonia in June 1996, the article dissects these connections through a thick description of (a) the intersection of this episode of popular protest with the biography of one of its key participants, and (b) the modes in which routine politics and local history have an impact on the origins and shape of the protest and on the activated identities of the actors who collectively voice their discontent during the protest.
Detectives: detecting coalition hit inflation attacks in advertising networks streams

Click fraud is jeopardizing the industry of Internet advertising. Internet advertising is crucial for the thriving of the entire Internet, since it allows producers to advertise their products, and hence contributes to the well being of e-commerce. Moreover, advertising supports the intellectual value of the Internet by covering the running expenses of publishing content. Some content publishers are dishonest, and use automation to generate traffic to defraud the advertisers. Similarly, some advertisers automate clicks on the advertisements of their competitors to deplete their competitors' advertising budgets. This paper describes the advertising network model, and focuses on the most sophisticated type of fraud, which involves coalitions among fraudsters. We build on several published theoretical results to devise the Similarity-Seeker algorithm that discovers coalitions made by pairs of fraudsters. We then generalize the solution to coalitions of arbitrary sizes. Before deploying our system on a real network, we conducted comprehensive experiments on data samples for proof of concept. The results were very accurate. We detected several coalitions, formed using various techniques, and spanning numerous sites. This reveals the generality of our model and approach.
SOCIAL CLASS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.

There is evidence that our nation's health and welfare enterprise is culture-bound; that it is directed by a middle-class-oriented technology which severely limits its availability and utility to impoverished individuals and families in need of professional services.
Performance of signature registers in the presence of correlated errors

In signature analysis, aliasing is usually examined under the independent or the q-ary symmetric error model. In contrast to the independent error model, the q-ary error model assumes space correlation among outputs. However, both independent and q-ary error models assume that the errors resulting from consecutive test vectors are independent over time. This assumption is reasonable for combinational circuits but certainly unrealistic for sequential logic circuits as the outputs of a sequential circuit depend on the previous state as well as the current input vector. For this reason a new error model, called the generalised time dependent q-ary (GTDQ) error model, is proposed. This error model extends the q-ary error model to consider both space and time correlation. A second parameter c is used to model the time correlation. By modelling the signature analyser as a Markov process the authors obtain a closed form expression for exact aliasing probability for arbitrary test length for a class of multiple-input linear automata signature registers (MILASRs). An easily verifiable criterion is given to determine whether a MILASR falls into this category. Finally, experimental results are provided for some real sequential circuits to validate the proposed error models.
Quasi-randomized path planning

We propose the use of quasi-random sampling techniques for path planning in high-dimensional configuration spaces. Following similar trends from related numerical computation fields, we show several advantages offered by these techniques in comparison to random sampling. Our ideas are evaluated in the context of the probabilistic roadmap (PRM) framework. Two quasi-random variants of PRM- based planners are proposed: 1) a classical PRM with quasi-random sampling; and 2) a quasi-random lazy-PRM. Both have been implemented, and are shown through experiments to offer some performance advantages in comparison to their randomized counterparts.
Differential Alteration in Intestinal Epithelial Cell Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 3 (TLR3) and TLR4 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Initiation and perpetuation of the inflammatory intestinal responses in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may result from an exaggerated host defense reaction of the intestinal epithelium to endogenous lumenal bacterial flora. Intestinal epithelial cell lines constitutively express several functional Toll-like receptors (TLRs) which appear to be key regulators of the innate response system. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression pattern of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5 in primary intestinal epithelial cells from patients with IBD. Small intestinal and colonic biopsy specimens were collected from patients with IBD (Crohn's disease [CD], ulcerative colitis [UC]) and controls. Non-IBD specimens were assessed by immunofluorescence histochemistry using polyclonal antibodies specific for TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5. Primary intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) of normal mucosa constitutively expressed TLR3 and TLR5, while TLR2 and TLR4 were only barely detectable. In active IBD, the expression of TLR3 and TLR4 was differentially modulated in the intestinal epithelium. TLR3 was significantly downregulated in IEC in active CD but not in UC. In contrast, TLR4 was strongly upregulated in both UC and CD. TLR2 and TLR5 expression remained unchanged in IBD. These data suggest that IBD may be associated with distinctive changes in selective TLR expression in the intestinal epithelium, implying that alterations in the innate response system may contribute to the pathogenesis of these disorders.
Brain imaging and cognitive neuroscience: Toward strong inference in attributing function to structure.

Cognitive neuroscience has emerged from the neurosciences and cognitive psychology as a scientific discipline that aims at the determination of "how brain function gives rise to mental activity" (S. M. Kosslyn & L. M. Shin, 1992, p. 146). While research in cognitive neuroscience combines many levels of neuroscientific and psychological analyses, modern imaging techniques that monitor brain activity during behavioral or cognitive operations have significantly contributed to the emergence of this discipline. The conclusions deduced from these studies are inherently localizationistic in nature; in other words, they describe cognitive functions as being localized in focal brain regions (brain activity in a defined brain region, phi, is involved in specific cognitive function, psi). A broad discussion about the virtues and limitations of such conclusions may help avoid the emergence of a mentalistic localizationism (i.e., the attribution of mentalistic concepts such as happiness, morality, or consciousness to brain structure) and illustrates the importance of a convergence with information generated by different research strategies (such as, for example, evidence generated by studies in which the effects of experimental manipulations of local neuronal processes on cognitive functions are assessed). Progress in capitalizing on brain-imaging studies to investigate questions of the form "brain structure or event phi is associated with cognitive function psi" may be impeded because of the way in which inferences are typically formulated in the brain imaging literature. A conceptual framework to advance the interpretation of data describing the relationships between cognitive phenomena and brain structure activity is provided.
Maraviroc: a review of its use in HIV infection and beyond

The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) enters target cells by binding its envelope glycoprotein gp120 to the CD4 receptor and/or coreceptors such as C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5; R5) and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4; X4), and R5-tropic viruses predominate during the early stages of infection. CCR5 antagonists bind to CCR5 to prevent viral entry. Maraviroc (MVC) is the only CCR5 antagonist currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the European Commission, Health Canada, and several other countries for the treatment of patients infected with R5-tropic HIV-1. MVC has been shown to be effective at inhibiting HIV-1 entry into cells and is well tolerated. With expanding MVC use by HIV-1-infected humans, different clinical outcomes post-approval have been observed with MVC monotherapy or combination therapy with other antiretroviral drugs, with MVC use in humans infected with dual-R5- and X4-tropic HIV-1, infected with different HIV-1 genotype or infected with HIV-2. This review discuss the role of CCR5 in HIV-1 infection, the development of the CCR5 antagonist MVC, its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug-drug interactions, and the implications of these interactions on treatment outcomes, including viral mutations and drug resistance, and the mechanisms associated with the development of resistance to MVC. This review also discusses available studies investigating the use of MVC in the treatment of other diseases such as cancer, graft-versus-host disease, and inflammatory diseases.
Exhaled nitric oxide identifies the persistent eosinophilic phenotype in severe refractory asthma

Background The fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FE NO ) is increased in asthma, correlates with eosinophilic inflammation, and decreases after steroid therapy. Objective We sought to examine whether persistent eosinophilia would be accompanied by an increased FE NO level despite steroid therapy in patients with severe refractory asthma (SRA) as manifestations of steroid resistance. Methods Subjects with SRA, subjects with mild-moderate asthma, and healthy control subjects had FE NO measured, followed by endobronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage. Tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage inflammatory cells were assessed for all subjects, and eosinophil status (EOS + /EOS − ) was determined for subjects with SRA. Results Twenty-four subjects with SRA, 15 subjects with moderate-mild asthma, and 17 healthy control subjects were studied. Subjects with EOS + SRA had significantly higher median FE NO levels compared with levels in subjects with EOS − SRA ( P = .0084) and all other groups. In subjects with SRA, FE NO levels correlated with tissue eosinophils ( r s = 0.54, P = .007), lymphocytes ( r s = 0.40, P = .003), and mast cells ( r s = 0.44, P = .05). FE NO levels of greater than 72.9 ppb were associated with a sensitivity of 0.56 and a specificity of 1.0 for EOS + status in subjects with SRA. Conclusion FE NO measurement identified the subgroup of subjects with SRA with persistent eosinophilia despite steroid therapy. Further studies are needed on the use of FE NO to monitor response to therapy over time in subjects with SRA.
Analytical approximations of translational subpixel shifts in signal and image registrations

ABSTRACT Analytical approximations of translational subpixel shifts in both signal and image registrations are derived bysetting the derivatives of a normalized cross correlation function to zero and solving them. Without the need ofiterative searching, this methods achieves a complexity of only O (mn ), given an image size of m × n . Withoutthe need to upsample, computation memory is also saved. Tests using simulated signals and images show goodresults.Keywords: Subpixel image registration, image superresolution 1. INTRODUCTION Subpixel image registration is an important topic and has a wide variety of applications, especially in the superresolution. Here we are concerned with registering two 1D signals or 2D images, with only rigid translationalsubpixel shifts. One approach is to upsample the original images and search for shifts with only integer numberof pixels between two upsampled images, 1 and thus, it is equivalent to search through a rational number subspacebetween 0 and 1. Increasing the upsampling factor will result in a ner search but a larger search space andmore memory to store upsampled images.What motivates this work are the following realizations. First, regardless how great or small the upsamplefactor is, we only have the same amount of independent information within all upsampled images. Thus, eventhough a ner search can be done with a greater upsample factor, its creditability also relies on the interpolationfunction,
Visual motion compensation using a neural shifter circuit

It was recently proposed that a neural shifter circuit could be responsible for compensating for image motion so as to produce an unblurred image in visual cortex. An analysis of the motion blur problem in the frequency domain is presented, and it is shown how a neural shifter circuit behaves as a filter within this domain in order to extract spatial information from moving images. From this analysis it is possible to formally compare the shifter circuit to other computational strategies for reducing motion blur, such as spatio-temporal filters. A control systems analysis of the shifter circuit that allows one to predict how neural time delays affect the performance of the system is provided. The results of a computer simulation of a shifter circuit are presented. >
Dissociation Between Delayed Alternation and Memory After Pediatric Head Injury: Relationship to MRI Findings

This study investigated the usefulness of a delayed alternation task in characterizing the cognitive sequelae of closed head injury in children and adolescents. Verbal learning and memory (Californ...
Managing Trusted Keys in Internet-Scale Systems

In this paper we examine open issues in deploying cryptographic protections for Internet scale systems, and explore a new direction dubbed Public Space to address the challenge of distributing and maintaining trusted keys.
Selective Protection by Anguidine of Normal versus Transformed Cells against 1-β-d-Arabinofuranosylcytosine and Adriamycin

Abstract Anguidine, a protein synthesis inhibitor, has been shown previously to induce a reversible arrest of cell progression through all phases of the mitotic cycle without inducing appreciable cell kill. This “frozen” cell cycle state provided protection of Chinese hamster ovary cells against the lethal effects of 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine, Adriamycin, hydroxyurea, 5-fluorouracil, and hyperthermia. We now report on the preferential induction of cytostasis by anguidine in normal WI-38 fibroblasts, occurring at one-tenth of the dosage required to inhibit the cycle progression of WI-38 VA13 cells, the SV40 transformant. Pretreatment with anguidine at a concentration producing effective inhibition of normal cell cycle traverse while permitting sustained proliferation of transformed cells resulted in almost complete protection of WI-38 normal cells against the growth-inhibitory effects of 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine and Adriamycin, without reducing the antiproliferative effects of these two agents against WI-38 VA13 transformed cells. Thus, this cytokinetic concept of preferential normal tissue protection should be explored in vivo to increase the therapeutic index of cancer chemotherapy.
Mitochondrial and Secretory Human Cytomegalovirus UL37 Proteins Traffic into Mitochondrion-Associated Membranes of Human Cells

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL37 exon 1 protein (pUL37x1), also known as vMIA, is the predominant UL37 isoform during permissive infection. pUL37x1 is a potent antiapoptotic protein, which prevents cytochrome c release from mitochondria. The UL37x1 NH2-terminal bipartite localization signal, which remains uncleaved, targets UL37 proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and then to mitochondria. Based upon our findings, we hypothesized that pUL37x1 traffics from the ER to mitochondria through direct contacts between the two organelles, provided by mitochondrion-associated membranes (MAMs). To facilitate its identification, we cloned and tagged the human phosphatidylserine synthase 1 (huPSS-1) cDNA, whose mouse homologue localizes almost exclusively in the MAM. Using subcellular fractionation of stable HeLa cell transfectants expressing mEGFP-huPSS-1, we found that HCMV pUL37x1 is present in purified microsomes, mitochondria, and MAM fractions. We further examined the trafficking of the full-length UL37 glycoprotein cleavage products, which divergently traffic either through the secretory apparatus or into mitochondria. Surprisingly, pUL37NH2 and gpUL37COOH were both detected in the ER and MAM fraction, even though only pUL37NH2 is preferentially imported into mitochondria but gpUL37COOH is not. To determine the sequences required for MAM importation, we examined pUL37x1 mutants that were partially defective for mitochondrial importation. Deletion mutants of the NH2-terminal UL37x1 mitochondrial localization signal were reduced in trafficking into the MAM, indicating partial overlap of MAM and mitochondrial targeting signals. Taken together, these results suggest that HCMV UL37 proteins traffic from the ER into the MAM, where they are sorted into either the secretory pathway or to mitochondrial importation.
Rapid extended range tuning of single-mode ring dye lasers.

A modification of commerially available single-mode ring dye lasers is described which allows scan repetition rates in excess sf 4 kHz and extends the objerved single-mode scanning range up to 75 GHz. (AIP)
Effects of Duty Hour Restrictions on Core Competencies, Education, Quality of Life, and Burnout Among General Surgery Interns

Objective To measure the implications of the new Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education duty hour regulations for education, well-being, and burnout. Design Longitudinal study. Setting Eleven university-based general surgery residency programs from July 2011 to May 2012. Participants Two hundred thirteen surgical interns. Main Outcome Measures Perceptions of the impact of the new duty hours on various aspects of surgical training, including the 6 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies, were measured on 3-point scales. Quality of life, burnout, balance between personal and professional life, and career satisfaction were measured using validated instruments. Results Half of all interns felt that the duty hour changes have decreased the coordination of patient care (53%), their ability to achieve continuity with hospitalized patients (70%), and their time spent in the operating room (57%). Less than half (44%) of interns believed that the new standards have decreased resident fatigue. In longitudinal analysis, residents' beliefs had significantly changed in 2 categories: less likely to believe that practice-based learning and improvement had improved and more likely to report no change to resident fatigue (P 2 tests). The majority (82%) of residents reported a neutral or good overall quality of life. Compared with the normal US population, 50 interns (32%) were 0.5 SD less than the mean on the 8-item Short Form Health Survey mental quality of life score. Approximately one-third of interns demonstrated weekly symptoms of emotional exhaustion (28%) or depersonalization (28%) or reported that their personal-professional balance was either “very poor” or “not great” (32%). Although many interns (67%) reported that they daily or weekly reflect on their satisfaction from being a surgeon, 1 in 7 considered giving up their career as a surgeon on at least a weekly basis. Conclusions The first cohort of surgical interns to train under the new regulations report decreased continuity with patients, coordination of patient care, and time spent in the operating room. Furthermore, suboptimal quality of life, burnout, and thoughts of giving up surgery were common, even under the new paradigm of reduced work hours.
Egg Dispersal in the Acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus dirus: Field Data

Abstract: Among acanthocephalans, eggs are typically dispersed in the feces of definitive hosts. A recent laboratory-based study provided support for the hypothesis that some female acanthocephalans (Acanthocephalus dirus) carry eggs into the environment prior to dispersal. Here, we examined the potential occurrence of this relationship under natural conditions. Using 6 field surveys, we searched the sediment of a local stream to determine whether the bodies of A. dirus females could be located. We recovered the bodies of 24 intact A. dirus individuals from the stream sediment, of which 5 were mature females. All 5 of the mature females contained mature eggs, with 1 female carrying approximately 10,000. These results are consistent with the interpretation that eggs can be dispersed from the bodies of female A. dirus in nature. We also found that there was significant variation in the number of mature eggs present in the females, with 4 of the 5 females carrying fewer than 400 mature eggs. In addition, we ...
Correlation of USMLE Step 1 scores with performance on dermatology in-training examinations

Background Although United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 was not designed to predict resident performance, scores are used to compare residency applicants. Multiple studies have displayed a significant correlation among Step 1 scores, in-training examination (ITE) scores, and board passage, although no such studies have been performed in dermatology. Objective The purpose of this study is to determine if this correlation exists in dermatology, and how much of the variability in ITE scores is a result of differences in Step 1 scores. This study also seeks to determine if it is appropriate to individualize expectations for resident ITE performance. Methods This project received institutional review board exemption. From 5 dermatology residency programs (86 residents), we collected Step 1 and ITE scores for each of the 3 years of dermatology residency, and recorded passage/failure on boards. Bivariate Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess correlation between USMLE and ITE scores. Ordinary least squares regression was computed to determine how much USMLE scores contribute to ITE variability. Results USMLE and ITE score correlations were highly significant ( P Limitations This study had a relatively small sample size, with data from only 5 programs. Conclusions There is a moderate correlation between USMLE and ITE scores, with USMLE scores explaining ∼26% of the variability in ITE scores.
Theism and Epistemic Truth-Equivalences †

Examinant la notion d'equivalence de la verite epistemique chez Putnam, l'A. montre que celle-ci implique un theisme de proximite (near-theism) affirmant l'existence d'une communaute rationnelle et d'une communaute omnisciente. Malgre la validite de l'argmentation, l'A. conclut a la necessite de rejeter le concept de Putnam ou d'accepter la position theiste.
Biochemical and kinetic characterization of the glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis of immature CD4+CD8+ thymocytes.

We characterized kinetic and biochemical changes during glucocorticoid (GC)-induced apoptosis of immature CD8 F CD4 F double-positive (DP) thymocytes. A GC analog dexamethasone (Dex) induced rapid apoptotic commitment and a transient up-regulation of the NF-κB/RelA-p50-binding activity in DP cells. This required an early activation of proteasome, as judged by the ability of a specific proteasomal inhibitor, lactacystine, to delay apoptosis and to suppress Dex-dependent NF-κB activation. Dex-induced apoptotic commitment was preceded by the rapid (3 h) cleavage of both a typical caspase substrate, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and of nuclear transcription factors AP-1, NF-κB p50‐p50 and NUR-77. By contrast, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and/or ionomycin-induced apoptosis had much slower kinetics, were preceded by an early increase of NF-κB/RelA-p50, AP-1 and NUR-77 activities, and were insensitive to proteasome inhibition. Both the transgenic Bcl-2 and zVAD-fmk, an inhibitor of caspases, affected all features of Dex-induced apoptosis in a similar fashion, by inhibiting cell death and PARP cleavage, and by stabilizing AP-1, NF-κB p50‐p50 and NUR-77 levels. Furthermore, Bcl-2 prevented Dex-induced RelA-p50 activation. However, a higher gene dosage of the transgenic Bcl-2 was required for protection against Dex, compared to the PMA and/or ionomycin-induced apoptosis. These findings highlight the unique mechanistic features of GC-induced apoptosis.
Postpartum whistle production in bottlenose dolphins

Despite much research on bottlenose dolphin signature whistles, few have investigated the role of maternal whistles in early calf development. We investigated maternal whistle use in the first weeks postpartum for captive dolphins. The overall whistling rate increased by a factor of ten when the calves were born and then decreased again in the third week of the one surviving calf. Adult whistles were distinguished from calf whistles based on the extent of frequency modulation and were further classified into signature and non-signature whistles by comparison to a dictionary of known whistles. The average rate of maternal signature whistle production increased significantly from 0.02 whistles per dolphin-minute before the calves were born to 0.2 and 0.3 whistles in weeks 1 and 2, decreasing again to 0.06 in week 3 for the mother of the surviving calf. Percent maternal signature whistles changed similarly. Signature whistle production by non-mothers did not change when the calves were born. A likely function of this increase in maternal signature whistle production is that it enables the calf to learn to identify the mother in the first weeks of life.
SIMULATING THE WATER BUDGETS OF NATURAL CAROLINA BAY WETLANDS

Wetland restoration projects attempt to recreate the hydrology found in natural wetlands, but little is known of the water budgets associated with wetlands in their natural state. The objective of this study was to compute the water budgets of three natural Carolina bay wetlands in Bladen County, North Carolina, USA. DRAINMOD models of various locations in the bays were calibrated with measured water table depths over a 2-yr period using inputs of rainfall, air temperature, and soil physical properties. The models were successful in simulating water table depths at all well locations during the calibration period with average absolute deviations between simulated and measured water table depths of approximately 4 cm. Measured and simulated data revealed very shallow (< 0.1 m) water table depths at all of the bays. Groundwater inflow was a significant component of the water balance at locations near the perimeters of the bays, ranging from 3%–26% of the total water input for these sites during the study period. A semi-confined aquifer below one of the bays was likely the source of groundwater inflow for that bay. Meanwhile, locations near the centers of the bays did not have groundwater inflow as an input to their water budgets. Groundwater outflow for the centers of the bays ranged from 2%–21% of rainfall. Areas near the perimeters of the bays were recharge, discharge, or flow-through wetlands depending on hydrologic conditions at the sites. Areas near the centers of the bays exhibited characteristics of recharge wetlands only. These results were consistent across the three Carolina bays studied, and can be used to better understand the hydrology of natural Carolina bays, improving the success of restoration projects of similar sites.
Phase I trial of escalating doses of total marrow irradiation (TMI) with helical tomotherapy and peripheral blood progenitor cell rescue (PBPC) following high-dose melphalan and PBPC as part of tandem high-dose therapy (THDT) for patients with multiple myeloma (MM)

8121 Background: Attempts to combine total body irradiation (TBI) with high-dose melphalan (Mel) resulted in substantial organ toxicities and precluded optimal dosing of Mel. Helical tomotherapy may allow delivery of total marrow irradiation (TMI), while avoiding collateral toxicities. Methods: We designed a phase I/II study for patients (pts) with responding or stable stage I-III MM. Following PBPC mobilization, pts receive THDT first with Mel 200 mg/m2 and PBPC, and, ≥ 6 weeks later, escalating doses of TMI (starting dose: 200 cGy daily × 5 [1,000 cGy], up to 200 cGy twice daily × 5 days [2,000 cGy]) and PBPC. Maintenance consists of dexamethasone 40 mg/day × 4 days every 28 days and thalidomide 50–200 mg/day. Results: The median number of prior chemotherapy regimens is 2 (1- 4). The median duration from diagnosis to the HDT is 8 mos (4–13). Median age of pts is 53 (35–66). Sixteen pts with stages II (6) and III (10) MM have received Mel; 15 of 16 pts (8F/8M) have received treatment at dose levels 1–5 o...
DAQ: a new paradigm for approximate query processing

Many modern applications deal with exponentially increasing data volumes and aid business-critical decisions in near real-time. Particularly in exploratory data analysis, the focus is on interactive querying and some degree of error in estimated results is tolerable. A common response to this challenge is approximate query processing, where the user is presented with a quick confidence interval estimate based on a sample of the data. In this work, we highlight some of the problems that are associated with this probabilistic approach when extended to more complex queries, both in semantic interpretation and the lack of a formal algebra. As an alternative, we propose deterministic approximate querying (DAQ) schemes, formalize a closed deterministic approximation algebra, and outline some design principles for DAQ schemes. We also illustrate the utility of this approach with an example deterministic online approximation scheme which uses a bitsliced index representation and computes the most significant bits of the result first. Our prototype scheme delivers speedups over exact aggregation and predicate evaluation, and outperforms sampling-based schemes for extreme value aggregations.
Stability analysis and control of virus spread over time-varying networks

Virus models are used commonly for modeling and analysis of biological networks, computer networks, and human contact networks. The dynamic modeling of such systems in prior work has mainly been focused on networks with static graph structures, which we posit are unrealistic and/or oversimplified for the purpose of understanding and analyzing disease propagation of viruses. In this paper, we consider network models with dynamic graph structures, and investigate the propagation and inhibition of diseases in these systems. A stability analysis of the model we consider is performed, examining the disease free equilibrium conditions. Quarantine is proposed as one control technique. Various network simulations are presented and a number of conjectures are given based on these simulations.
Some Physical Factors Involved in Actinolichen Formation

A lichen can be defined as a structurally-organized entity consisting of the permanent association of a fungus and an alga. Lichen-like associations of other plants can occur in which the criteria of unique structure and permanent association are fulfilled. It has been reported by Lazo (1964) that a species of Streptomyces and Chlorella xanthella form lichen-like associations under experimentally-controlled conditions. The present study was designed to investigate some physical conditions under which these "actinolichens" can be produced. materials and methods
Association of dopamine D2 receptor polymorphisms Ser311Cys and TaqIA with obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pima Indians.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether (a) variants within the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes in Pima Indians, and (b) whether variation in this gene could be responsible for previously observed linkage to these phenotypes, at chromosome location 11q23–24, in this population. DESIGN: Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), Ser311Cys and TaqIA, within the DRD2 gene were genotyped by allelic discrimination PCR in subjects who had provided evidence of linkage to diabetes and obesity in an autosome-wide scan. SUBJECTS: A total of 1187 subjects were genotyped, including 947 full heritage Pima Indians (80%). Descriptive statistics for all subjects analyzed, for whom clinical data were available, were (mean±s.d.): age at time of last exam=41±15 y; birth year=1950±14; age-sex-adjusted body mass index (BMI; adjusted to a mean age of 35 y)=36±8 kg/m2; male=44%; diabetic=57%. For full heritage Pimas only: age=43±15 y; birth year=1948±14; sex–age-adjusted BMI=36±8 kg/m2; male=43%; diabetic=59%. RESULTS: Neither polymorphism was significantly associated with diabetes in full heritage Pimas. Individuals with a ‘CG’ genotype at the Ser311Cys SNP had a higher BMI than those with a ‘CC’ genotype (36.7 vs 35.5 kg/m2, P=0.04). Linkage analysis of BMI, adjusted for either polymorphism, resulted in LOD scores that were similar to those obtained without adjustment. CONCLUSION: Heterozygotes at the Ser311Cys DRD2 polymorphism had a slightly higher BMI than homozygotes, however neither the Ser311Cys nor the TaqIA polymorphism accounted for the linkage with BMI on chromosome 11 in Pima Indians.
Reliability of Alcohol Intake as Recalled from 10 Years in the Past

The authors assessed the reliability of alcohol intake as recalled from 10 years in the past in a cohort of 2,907 US adults. Participants reported their drinking habits in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey interview during 1971-1975. During a follow-up interview in 1982-1984, they were asked to recall their drinking habits 10 years earlier and to report their current habits. In general, the correlation for recalled alcohol intake versus reported intake at baseline was good (r = 0.7). For all subgroups stratified by race, sex, education, smoking status, and disease status, the age-adjusted correlations for recalled alcohol intake versus baseline intake were equal to or higher than those for current alcohol intake versus baseline intake. The reliability of recall of alcohol intake in the past differs among subgroups with different age and education levels. Recalled alcohol intake was also highly correlated with current alcohol intake ; in particular, current heavier drinkers tended to underestimate their previous amount of drinking, an effect that was independent of other factors. These data suggest that although recalled alcohol intake is a better predictor of past intake than are reports of current intake, current drinking habits may be an important influencing factor in the estimation of alcohol intake as recalled from the distant past.
Persistence of Pinyon Pine Snags and Logs in Southwestern Colorado

We examined the persistence of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis Engelm.) standing snags and downed logs in southwestern Colorado pinyon-juniper woodlands. The time since death of pinyon pines killed by bark beetles, black stain root disease, or unknown causes in three study areas in southwestern Colorado was determined through monitoring of permanent plots and dendrochronological crossdating methods. The structural condition and form of the trees was recorded and related to the time since death. Pinyon snags may persist for up to 25 years, with persistence of intact snags averaging 8.4 years and broken snags averaging 13.2 years. Sound logs had been dead for a mean of 9.8 years, whereas more fragmented logs had been dead for a mean of 14.4 years. Extremely fragmented trees had been dead for 16.2 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the time since death for snags versus logs in similar condition classes. A simplified rating system to determine the number of years dead for pinyon pine based on form and condition is provided. West. J. Appl. For. 20(4):247-252.
The Expression and Modulation of Human Myeloid-Specific Antigens During Differentiation of the HL-60 Cell Line

Antigenic changes detected by myeloid-specific monoclonal antibodies on HL-60 cells induced to differentiate by various chemical mediators were investigated using flow cytometry. Antigen levels detected by monocyte-granulocyte-specific monoclonal antibodies AML-2-23, 61D3, and 63D3 increased dramatically after differentiation of HL-60 cells along the granulocytic pathway by the addition of dimethyl formamide (DMF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), or cis-retinoic acid. The expression of these same antigens also increased in conjunction with monocytoid differentiation when HL-60 cells were treated with supernatants from leukocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA-LCM) or with mixed lymphocyte conditioned medium (MLC). In contrast, treatment of HL-60 cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which also induced differentiation along the monocyte pathway, had no effect on the expression of these monocyte-associated antigens. The expression of antigens on HL-60 cells recognized by the granulocyte-specified monoclonal antibodies PMN 6 and PMN 29 decreased after treatment of HL-60 cells with PMA, but remained constant after treatment with DMF, DMSO, cis-retinoic acid, PHA-LCM, or MLC. These results suggest that normal myeloid differentiation may be dependent on various signals and that morphological and cell surface marker maturity may, under some conditions, be separable. The utility of the HL-60 cell line as a model of myeloid differentiation and for evaluation of inductive signals is discussed.