cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonstationary Markov Chains and Convergence of the Annealing Algorithm

We study the asymptotic behavior as timet → + ∞ of certain nonstationary Markov chains, and prove the convergence of the annealing algorithm in Monte Carlo simulations. We find that in the limitt → + ∞, a nonstationary Markov chain may exhibit “phase transitions.” Nonstationary Markov chains in general, and the annealing algorithm in particular, lead to biased estimators for the expectation values of the process. We compute the leading terms in the bias and the variance of the sample-means estimator. We find that the annealing algorithm converges if the temperatureT(t) goes to zero no faster thanC/log(t/t0) ast→+∞, with a computable constantC andt0 the initial time. The bias and the variance of the sample-means estimator in the annealing algorithm go to zero likeO(t−1+e) for some 0⩽e<1, with e=0 only in very special circumstances. Our results concerning the convergence of the annealing algorithm, and the rate of convergence to zero of the bias and the variance of the sample-means estimator, provide a rigorous procedure for choosing the optimal “annealing schedule.” This optimal choice reflects the competition between two physical effects: (a) The “adiabatic” effect, whereby if the temperature is loweredtoo abruptly the system may end up not in a ground state but in a nearby metastable state, and (b) the “super-cooling” effect, whereby if the temperature is loweredtoo slowly the system will indeed approach the ground state(s) but may do so extremely slowly.
Electrostriction effect contribution to high dynamic range optical limiters

We show that electrostriction can dominate the nonlinear refraction in CS/sub 2/ for nanosecond pulses. We use this effect in a new cascaded limiter geometry to make an extremely high performance optical limiter. We adopt an approach that uses two quite different nonlinear processes in separate focal planes. In one focal plane, we place a reverse saturable absorber (RSA) material. To protect this, we place a cell of CS/sub 2/ in another focal plane. Due to the strong electrostriction in CS/sub 2/ for ns pulses, the limiter performs well.
Introducing minority students to technological careers through computer programming

This paper describes a program for minority students which is being implemented by the College of Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. The intent of the program is to motivate minority students toward professional careers in engineering, technology and related areas. This is being accomplished by having the students come into contact with interesting elementary engineering problems at an early stage in their secondary education while there is still an opportunity to enroll in courses which will broaden their career choices. The particular tool being used is computer programming which is introduced at the junior high school level. The major expense items of the program include teacher training and the acquisition of equipment; both of which have a useful life of many years. One significant feature of the program is that once its feasibility is demonstrated, it can be easily transferred to other engineering schools.
The Hemolytic Streptococci of Human Feces

Although hemolytic streptococci have long been known to occur occasionally in the normal human intestine, little exact information exists on the subject. With the exception of Streptococcus pyogenes recovered from the feces of persons with scarlet fever and other throat infections, the hemolytic streptococci which have been isolated from feces in recent years have generally been vaguely identified with the nebulous "enterococcus." Since the availability of the Lancefield' serological technic, the only contribution to this subject, of which we are aware, is the excellent work of Hare and Maxted.2 These investigators found representatives of the Lancefield groups D, F and G, together with two cultures of group H, a new group which Hare3 had previously discovered as occurring in the human throat. Members of the Lancefield group A (Streptococcus pyogenes) were not obtained from feces of normal persons, though Streptococcus pyogenes was recovered from the feces of 20% of patients with scarlet fever. Our own purpose in making this study was primarily to get some first hand information about the various types of hemolytic streptococci which occur in normal human feces, and especially to determine more precisely the nature of the so-called "hemolytic enterococci." Although nothing startlingly new has been unearthed, representatives of the Lancefield groups B and C have been found in addition to those previously reported, while the "hemolytic enterococci" have not been found to consist of a heterogeneous group of diverse organisms but to be made up of only two distinct and clearly defined types Streptococcus zymogenes and Streptococcus durans.
Embolic stroke in aged rats.

Although stroke is a disorder associated with aging, experimental studies of stroke are conducted in young adult (2-4-month-old) animals (rat life span, 27-29 months). To determine whether histopathologic changes caused by cerebral infarction would be altered in aged animals, we produced embolic cerebral infarction in 17 aged (23-24-month-old) and 16 young (2-4-month-old) rats.The right common carotid artery was irradiated with a laser (632 nm, 200 mW/cm2, 15-20 minutes) after the intravenous injection of the photosensitizing dye Photofrin II (12.5 mg/kg). This produces a nonocclusive platelet thrombus that spontaneously embolizes to the brain. Animals were killed 4 days later.Analysis was done on 142 infarcts, 68 in aged rats and 74 in young rats. Hypercellularity, with infiltration of macrophages, was more common within small infarcts (less than 1 mm) in young than in aged rats (p = 0.002), and hypertrophy of astroglial fibers surrounding the infarcts was more prominent in young rats. Larger infarcts (g...
A habitat-based population model for the Great Lakes population of the piping plover (Charadrius melodus)

We created a stochastic habitat-based population model to compare the relative effectiveness of potential conservation strategies to increase the endangered Great Lakes population of piping plovers. Initial model parameters were based on an extensive 14-year dataset obtained by annual studies of breeding pairs in Michigan and 6 years of observations of color-marked individuals. Cumulative persistence probability curves and population trends were compared for scenarios with all possible combinations of the following: (1) empirical, medium and high site specific probabilities of reproductive success and (2) empirical, medium and high numbers of available breeding territories. Sites were also categorized according to land ownership to determine if long-term preservation of publicly owned lands is sufficient for population recovery under any of the scenarios. Only scenarios in which both reproduction and habitat availability were high and all ownership classes were included resulted in a model population that persisted for 100 years and was likely to reach the US Fish and Wildlife Service current population recovery goal (100 breeding pairs) for Michigan. The model was most sensitive to survival rates of adults and more sensitive to changes in reproductive parameters than to number of breeding sites or territories. Model results suggest that intensive measures to increase productivity alone are not sufficient for population recovery; increases in nesting densities or total number of available territories are also likely necessary. Given uncertainties about nesting densities possible at specific breeding sites, preservation of presently unoccupied habitat throughout the Great Lakes region and management of this habitat to encourage breeding by plovers are recommended. Use of techniques to augment the breeding population in conjunction with protection of habitat and reproduction may be warranted.
The Use of Electrohydrodynamic Spraying to Disperse Hydrophobic Compounds in Aqueous Media

Dispersing hydrophobic compounds in aqueous media is a challenging problem. Many methods and technologies have been, and continued to be developed to address this issue and in this article we explore electrohydrodynamic spraying (electrospray for short) as an alternative approach. In our work a model hydrophobic compound, cholesterol, was successfully dispersed into aqueous media in the form of nanoparticles via electrospray. In total, six cholesterol formulations were prepared via electrospray or bulk mixing methods. The effects of preparation methods on the appearance of the formulations, the final cholesterol concentration, and the loss of cholesterol during filter sterilization were investigated. The bioavailability of the cholesterol in the formulations was examined by culturing the cholesterol auxotrophic wild type NS0 cell line in chemically defined medium supplemented with the different cholesterol formulations. We have demonstrated that electrospray is an efficient and low energy technique to dis...
Carbon nanotubes from short hydrocarbon templates. Energy analysis of the Diels–Alder cycloaddition/rearomatization growth strategy

Molecular orbital calculations at the AM1 and B3LYP/6–31G* levels of theory have been used to analyze the Diels–Alder cycloaddition/rearomatization strategy for growing uniform diameter, single-chirality carbon nanotubes from short hydrocarbon templates (aromatic belts and hemispherical end-caps) by metal-free chemical methods. Bay regions on the rim of a [10,10]nanotube end-cap (15) are predicted to exhibit Diels–Alder reactivity comparable to that of bay regions in planar polyarenes that have previously been transformed into new benzene rings by reactions with “masked acetylene” dienophiles. The Diels–Alder reactivity of nanotube template rims was found to be relatively unaffected by the presence or absence of a cap on the other end.
Estrogen Receptor-alpha 36 Mediates the Anti-apoptotic Effect of Estradiol in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells via a Membrane-Associated Mechanism

17β-Estradiol can promote the growth and development of several estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancers. The effects are rapid and non-genomic, suggesting that a membrane-associated ER is involved. ERα36 has been shown to mediate rapid, non-genomic, membrane-associated effects of 17β-estradiol in several cancer cell lines, including triple negative HCC38 breast cancer cells. Moreover, the effect is anti-apoptotic. The aim of this study was to determine if ERα36 mediates this anti-apoptotic effect, and to elucidate the mechanism involved. Taxol was used to induce apoptosis in HCC38 cells, and the effect of 17β-estradiol pre-treatment was determined. Antibodies to ERα36, signal pathway inhibitors, ERα36 deletion mutants, and ERα36-silencing were used prior to these treatments to determine the role of ERα36 in these effects and to determine which signaling molecules were involved. We found that the anti-apoptotic effect of 17β-estradiol in HCC38 breast cancer cells is in fact mediated by membrane-associated ERα36. We also showed that this signaling occurs through a pathway that requires PLD, LPA, and PI3K; Gαs and calcium signaling may also be involved. In addition, dynamic palmitoylation is required for the membrane-associated effect of 17β-estradiol. Exon 9 of ERα36, a unique exon to ERα36 not found in other identified splice variants of ERα with previously unknown function, is necessary for these effects. This study provides a working model for a mechanism by which estradiol promotes anti-apoptosis through membrane-associated ERα36, suggesting that ERα36 may be a potential membrane target for drug design against breast cancer, particularly triple negative breast cancer.
Analgesia from opioids: the complex relationship between drug dose and effect.

OPOIDS ARE THE mainstay of drug therapy for postoperative pain management. However, we have all cared for patients who report less than optimal pain relief from opioids, despite the administration of appropriate doses of an intravenous (IV) agent such as morphine. The differences between patients in their response to a drug occur because of the complex relationship between a drug dose and its effect.
Habitat selection of a large carnivore, the red wolf, in a human-altered landscape

Large carnivores, with their expansive home range and resource requirements, are a good model for understanding how animal populations alter habitat selection and use as human densities and development increase. We examined the habitat selection of red wolves (Canis rufus) in North Carolina, USA, where the population of red wolves resides in a mosaic of naturally occurring and human-associated land cover. We used locations from 20 GPS-collared red wolves, monitored over 3 years, to develop resource selection functions at the landscape level. Red wolves selected for human-associated land-cover over other land-cover types. Red wolves also selected areas near secondary roads. However, red wolves avoided areas with high human density, and avoidance of natural land-cover types decreased as human density increased; this interaction was strong enough that red wolves selected for natural land-cover types over human-associated land-cover types at relatively high human density. Similarly, avoidance of natural land-cover types decreased when they were near secondary roads. These results suggest that red wolves will use human-associated landscapes, but modify their habitat selection patterns with increased human presence. Such findings suggest that large carnivores such as the red wolf may not strictly require habitats devoid of humans. In a world with rapid human-alteration of habitat, understanding how increasing human density and development impact habitat selection is vital to managing for population persistence of large carnivores and maintaining top-down ecological processes.
Reciprocal Cross-talk between Nod2 and TAK1 Signaling Pathways

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain of Nod2 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease, yet the function of Nod2 and regulation of the Nod2 pathway remain unclear. In this study, we determined that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) interacts with Nod2 and is required for Nod2-mediated NF-κB activation. The dominant negative form of TAK1 abolished muramyl dipeptide-induced NF-κB activation in Nod2-expressing cells. Nod2, acting in a reciprocal manner, inhibited TAK1-induced NF-κB activation in RICK-deficient embryonic fibroblasts. Nod2 appears to interact with TAK1 through its LRR region to exert its inhibitory effect on TAK1-induced NF-κB activation. Further, wild-type LRR more effectively suppressed NF-κB activation induced by TAK1 than LRR with a 3020insC mutation. Considered together, these findings demonstrate a critical role for TAK1 in Nod2-mediated innate immune responses and reveal a novel function for Nod2 in the regulation of the TAK1 signaling pathway.
Functional Morphology and Neural Control of Neck Muscles in Mammals

SYNOPSIS. Although the data described in this paper are from a traditional experimental animal, the cat, the problem addressed is applicable to many forms of motor control in a broad range of species. In general, we are trying to understand how the musculo-skeletal structure of a body component imposes constraints on how that component is controlled by the central nervous system. Our approach to this problem has been to develop a theoretical model of sensory-motor integration in complex systems where movement is produced by a large number of muscles and then to test whether that model can predict the patterns of neck muscle activity that underlie head movements. The resulting theoretical interpretation of physiological data sheds light on the organization of head movement control in the cat and also reveals a number of fundamental principles that must be considered in trying to characterize and understand any sensory-motor system.
THE PRIME DIRECTIVE FOR ORGANIZATIONS

Given the immense variety of organizations and their purposes, is there some shared underlying reason for their existence? That is, is there a prime directive behind all of this variety? This paper argues that there is such a prime directive: to ensure the welfare of the commons. A commons is the organization, itself, and as such, it produces and yields resources shared by the members in a dynamic interplay of its characteristics. There is a commons‐level set of factors involving its environments, its strategic direction, its implementing commons processes, its resources and technologies, and the results it produces. There is also a member level set of factors involving the member's orientation to the commons, the member's position means of participation, and the results for the members. These eight characteristics must be consistent to ensure the welfare of the commons. These characteristics are continually in flux and the prime directive becomes, in practice, the attaining and sustaining of the dynamic congruency among them. Dynamic congruency implies specific sets of relationships that require balancing in the midst of change. Dynamic congruency can be employed to both assess and improve an organization. The expression of the prime directive has been evolving along with our understanding of organizations. Seeking to attain and sustain dynamic congruency provides a framework for ensuring the welfare of the commons.
Output of an ultrasonic wave-driven nanogenerator in a confined tube

The output of an ultrasonic wave-driven nanogenerator (NG) has been found to depend on the excitation conditions and geometry. Incidence angle tests indicate that the effective area of an NG determines the amount of power that can be generated. The output power of an NG is also directly related to its distance from the ultrasonic source. A sinusoidal profile of the electrical output was observed when an NG was moved inside a long tube filled with water with the ultrasonic source located at one end. This is due to the oscillation of the wave intensity inside the tube as a function of the distance from the excitation source.
The Effects of Compression Ratio and Expansion Ratio on Engine Performance Including the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Results From a Cycle Simulation

This investigation quantified the effects of compression ratio and expansion ratio on performance, efficiency, and second law parameters for an automotive, spark-ignition engine. The well known increase in engine performance for increasing compression ratio and expansion ratio is demonstrated. These increases for brake engine performance are modest for compression ratios greater than about 10 for the conditions studied. The results demonstrated that the increasing friction and heat losses for the higher compression ratios are of the same order as the thermodynamic gains. Also, the results included the destruction of availability during combustion. For a part load condition, the availability destroyed decreased from about 23% for a compression ratio of 4 to about 21% for a compression ratio of 10. In addition, this study examined cases with greater expansion ratios than compression ratios. The overall cycle for these cases is often called an “Atkinson” cycle. For most cases, the thermal efficiency first increased as expansion ratio increased, attained a maximum efficiency, and then decreased. The decrease in efficiency after the maximum value was due to increased heat losses, increased friction, and ineffective exhaust processes (due to the reduced cylinder pressure at the time of exhaust valve opening). For part load cases, the higher expansion ratio provided only modest gains due to increased pumping losses associated with the constant load requirement. For the wide open throttle cases, however, the higher expansion ratios provided significant gains. For example, for a compression ratio of 10, expansion ratios of 10 and 30 provided brake thermal efficiencies of about 34% and 43%, respectively. Although the net thermodynamic gains are significant, large expansion ratios such as 30 may not be practical in most applications.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Bayesian Methods in Nonlinear Digital Image Restoration

Prior techniques in digital image restoration have assumed linear relations between the original blurred image intensity, the silver density recorded on film, and the film-grain noise. In this paper a model is used which explicitly includes nonlinear relations between intensity and film density, by use of the D-log E curve. Using Gaussian models for the image and noise statistics, a maximum a posteriori (Bayes) estimate of the restored image is derived. The MAP estimate is nonlinear, and computer implementation of the estimator equations is achieved by a fast algorithm based on direct maximization of the posterior density function. An example of the restoration method implemented on a digital image is shown.
Joint analysis of longitudinal and survival data measured on nested timescales by using shared parameter models: an application to fecundity data

We consider the joint modelling, analysis and prediction of a longitudinal binary process and a discrete time-to-event outcome. We consider data from a prospective pregnancy study, which provides day level information regarding the behaviour of couples attempting to conceive. Reproductive epidemiologists are particularly interested in developing a model for individualized predictions of time to pregnancy (TTP). A couple's intercourse behaviour should be an integral part of such a model and is one of the main focuses of the paper. In our motivating data, the intercourse observations are a long series of binary data with a periodic probability of success and the amount of available intercourse data is a function of both the menstrual cycle length and TTP. Moreover, these variables are dependent and observed on different, and nested, timescales (TTP is measured in menstrual cycles whereas intercourse is measured on days within a menstrual cycle) further complicating its analysis. Here, we propose a semiparametric shared parameter model for the joint modelling of the binary longitudinal data (intercourse behaviour) and the discrete survival outcome (TTP). Further, we develop couple-based dynamic predictions for the intercourse profiles, which in turn are used to assess the risk for subfertility (i.e. TTP longer than six menstrual cycles).
Comparison of Bulk and Bin Warm-Rain Microphysics Models Using a Kinematic Framework

This paper discusses the development and testing of a bulk warm-rain microphysics model that is capable of addressing the impact of atmospheric aerosols on ice-free clouds. Similarly to previous two-moment bulk schemes, this model predicts the mixing ratios and number concentrations of cloud droplets and drizzle/ raindrops. The key elements of the model are the relatively sophisticated cloud droplet activation scheme and a comprehensive treatment of the collision–coalescence mechanism. For the latter, three previously published schemes are selected and tested, with a detailed (bin) microphysics model providing the benchmark. The unique aspect of these tests is that they are performed using a two-dimensional prescribed-flow (kinematic) framework, where both advective transport and gravitational sedimentation are included. Two quasi-idealized test cases are used, the first mimicking a single large eddy in a stratocumulus-topped boundary layer and the second representing a single shallow convective cloud. These types of clouds are thought to be the key in the indirect aerosol effect on climate. Two different aerosol loadings are considered for each case, corresponding to either pristine or polluted environments. In general, all three collision– coalescence schemes seem to capture key features of the bin model simulations (e.g., cloud depth, droplet number concentration, cloud water path, effective radius, precipitation rate, etc.) for the polluted and pristine environments, but there are detailed differences. Two of the collision–coalescence schemes require specification of the width of the cloud droplet spectrum, and model results show significant sensitivity to the specification of the width parameter. Sensitivity tests indicate that a one-moment version of the bulk model for drizzle/rain, which predicts rain/drizzle mixing ratio but not number concentration, produces significant errors relative to the bin model.
Proteomic analysis of formalin-fixed celloidin-embedded whole cochlear and laser microdissected spiral ganglion tissues

AbstractConclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that proteomic analysis can be successfully performed on formalin-fixed celloidin-embedded (FFCE) archival human cochlear tissues. Objective: To investigate the feasibility of analyzing protein expression in archival cochlear tissues. Material and methods: A new methodology, referred to as Liquid TissueTM, was used to extract proteins from human cochlear tissue sections and spiral ganglion tissue isolated by laser microdissection (LMD). Protein identification was performed by bioinformatic analysis of high resolution tandem mass spectrometric data from fractionated tryptic peptide samples. Results: Twenty-six proteins were identified with a minimum of 2 unique peptides and 450 proteins were identified with 1 unique peptide at a confidence level of 95% in cochlear tissue. Ten proteins were identified with a minimum of 2 unique peptides and 485 proteins were identified with 1 unique peptide at a confidence level of 95% in spiral ganglion tissue.
Voltage pulses change neural interface properties and improve unit recordings with chronically implanted microelectrodes

Current neuroprosthetic systems based on electrophysiological recording have an extended, yet finite working lifetime. Some posited lifetime-extension solutions involve improving device biocompatibility or suppressing host immune responses. Our objective was to test an alternative solution comprised of applying a voltage pulse to a microelectrode site, herein termed "rejuvenation." Previously, investigators have reported preliminary electrophysiological results by utilizing a similar voltage pulse. In this study we sought to further explore this phenomenon via two methods: 1) electrophysiology; 2) an equivalent circuit model applied to impedance spectroscopy data. The experiments were conducted via chronically implanted silicon-substrate iridium microelectrode arrays in the rat cortex. Rejuvenation voltages resulted in increased unit recording signal-to-noise ratios (10%/spl plusmn/2%), with a maximal increase of 195% from 3.74 to 11.02. Rejuvenation also reduced the electrode site impedances at 1 kHz (67%/spl plusmn/2%). Neither the impedance nor recording properties of the electrodes changed on neighboring microelectrode sites that were not rejuvenated. In the equivalent circuit model, we found a transient increase in conductivity, the majority of which corresponded to a decrease in the tissue resistance component (44%/spl plusmn/7%). These findings suggest that rejuvenation may be an intervention strategy to prolong the functional lifetime of chronically implanted microelectrodes.
A predicate-transition net model for single agent planning

A predicate-transition net is proposed for modeling planning problems so that the size of the model is manageably small. As an analysis tool, a bidirectional means-ends search is proposed. This method is efficient and general purpose. The net model is graphical and easier to understand than other representations. >
mRNA quality control: Marking the message for life or death

A protein complex deposited upstream of exon-exon junctions after pre-mRNA splicing may serve a dual role in mRNA quality control by directing mRNA nuclear export and, possibly, serving as a downstream 'mark' for nonsense-mediated decay.
Applying decay strategies to branch predictors for leakage energy savings

With technology advancing toward deep submicron, leakage energy is of increasing concern, especially for large onchip array structures such as caches and branch predictors. Recent work has suggested that even larger branch predictors can and should be used in order to improve microprocessor performance. A further consideration is that the branch predictor is a thermal hot spot, thus further increasing its leakage. For these reasons, it is natural to consider applying decay techniques-already shown to reduce leakage energy for caches-to branch-prediction structures. Due to the structural difference between caches and branch predictors, applying decay techniques to branch predictors is not straightforward. This paper explores the strategies for exploiting spatial and temporal locality to make decay effective for bimodal, gshare, and hybrid predictors, as well as the branch target buffer Overall, this paper demonstrates that decay techniques apply more broadly than just to caches, but that careful policy and implementation make the difference between success and failure in building decay-based branch predictors. Multi-component hybrid predictors offer especially interesting implementation tradeoffs for decay.
Accurate reconstruction of the temporal order of mutations in neoplastic progression

The canonical route from normal tissue to cancer occurs through sequential acquisition of somatic mutations. Many studies have constructed a linear genetic model for tumorigenesis using the genetic alterations associated with samples at different stages of neoplastic progression from cross-sectional data. The common interpretation of these models is that they reflect the temporal order within any given tumor. Linear genetic methods implicitly neglect genetic heterogeneity within a neoplasm; each neoplasm is assumed to consist of one dominant clone. We modeled neoplastic progression of colorectal cancer using an agent-based model of a colon crypt and found clonal heterogeneity within our simulated neoplasms, as observed in vivo. Just 7.3% of cells within neoplasms acquired mutations in the same order as the linear model. In 41% of the simulated neoplasms, no cells acquired mutations in the same order as the linear model. We obtained similarly poor results when comparing the temporal order to oncogenetic tree models inferred from cross-sectional data. However, when we reconstructed the cell lineage of mutations within a neoplasm using several biopsies, we found 99.7% cells within neoplasms acquired their mutations in an order consistent with the cell lineage mutational order. Thus, we find that using cross-sectional data to infer mutational order is misleading, while phylogenetic methods based on sampling intra-tumor heterogeneity accurately reconstructs the evolutionary history of tumors. Additionally, we find evidence that disruption of differentiation is likely the first lesion in progression for most cancers, and should be one of the few regularities of neoplastic progression across cancers.
Seeing English Language Teaching and Learning through the Eyes of Japanese EFL and ESL Students.

Abstract: To uncover possible barriers to effective communication and learning, this study explored how college-level Japanese English language learners in English-as-a-second-language (ESL) and English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) contexts viewed their English teachers and classroom activities. Analysis of 100 questionnaires incorporating quantitative and qualitative questions revealed that most Japanese students positively viewed teachers who were open, respectful of other cultures, and willing to adjust classroom content to meet students' needs. Among the differences between ESL and EFL students were ESL students' greater comfort with active participation in class, more time spent in class, physical proximity to teachers, and appreciation of student-centered behavior. On the other hand, EFL students appreciated teachers who provided native language support and avoided possible loss of face entailed by challenging and unexpected questions.
Nutritional Approaches to the Prevention of Prostate Cancer Progression

Prostate cancer is becoming an increasingly important public health problem in the United States. As our population ages, the number of patients with clinically significant prostate cancer will be expected to increase. Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men as well as the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in this country1. In 1995, an estimated 244,000 U.S. men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 40,000 men will die of the disease1. Despite extensive efforts to study its pathogenesis, the origins of prostate cancer and the factors that promote its progression are not well established 2. Nonetheless, there is a great deal of evidence suggesting that this disease is the result of genetic and environmental interactions. One of the most widely accepted risk factors for prostate cancer is the race-ethnicity background3–4. African-American men have the highest prostate cancer rates in the world, whereas Japanese and Chinese men native to their countries have the lowest rate of prostate cancer4. However, Chinese and Japanese men who immigrate to this country have been found to have an increased risk of developing clinical prostate cancers within a generation to approach that of the U.S. average5. In addition, the incidence of prostate cancer in Japan has been increasing at a time when Western diets and lifestyles are being adopted into that country6–7. These epidemiologic data suggest that the diet consumed in Western industrialized nations may be among one of the most important environmental factors which affect the development of prostate cancer.
The Nonphysician “Medical Student Educator”: A Formal Addition to the Clerkships and Key Programs at an Academic Medical Center

Background: Medical school faculty members face increased clinical and academic demands, leaving less time for teaching, curriculum development, and assessment of learners. Description: The Keck School of Medicine has hired a dedicated medical student educator for each required clerkship. The medical student educator assists the clerkship director with clinical teaching, curriculum development, student and program evaluation, and administrative functions. Evaluation: The program has been well received by both students and faculty. Students believe that the medical student educators add value to their clinical experiences and support both their clinical education and personal and professional development. Preliminary data suggest that student performance has improved, and additional measures of quantitative impact are under way. Conclusions: Medical student educators have been a successful addition to the program at the Keck School of Medicine. This strategy should be considered at medical schools that are...
Synergistic Antimicrobial Activity of Metabolites Produced by a Nonobligate Bacterial Predator

A naturally occurring, gram-negative, nonobligate predator bacterial strain 679-2, exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that is due, in part, to the production of three extracellular compounds. Antimicrobial-activity-directed fractionation of a culture of strain 679-2 against a panel of microorganisms has led to the isolation of three compounds: pyrrolnitrin, maculosin, and a new compound, which we have named banegasine. Although pyrrolnitrin is well known in the literature, it has not been found in cells with the herbicide maculosin. Further, this is the first report of production of maculosin by a prokaryote. Both maculosin and banegasine, which displayed no antimicrobial activities alone, were found to potentiate the antimicrobial activity of pyrrolnitrin. Based on 16S rRNA sequence, cellular fatty acid composition, and biochemical and cultural characteristics, strain 679-2 appears to represent a new genus and species of eubacteria, Aristabacter necator. The potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of predator strain 679-2 may be due to synergism between metabolites.
Understanding and documenting QT intervals

Each wave deflection on the ECGrepresents a portion of the heart’selectrical activity and is labeled inthe same way it has been labeled forthe past 100 years: the P wave repre-sents atrial depolarization (contrac-tion), the QRS complex representsventricular depolarization, and theT wave represents ventricular repo-larization (relaxation). Atrial repo-larization occurs concurrently withventricular depolarization and istherefore masked within the QRScomplex (Figure 2).When reference is made to theQT interval, one is interested in thetime it takes for the ventricles to relax,or more accurately, the duration ofventricular repolarization. Length-ening of ventricular repolarization
Statins decrease levels of the estrogen receptor in human breast cancers

The estrogen receptor (ER-α) is a nuclear transcription factor important in the regulation of estrogen-responsive genes and is a target for breast cancer therapies. Alternates to pharmacological estrogen depletion with aromatase inhibitors or ER-α blockade with tamoxifen includes agents that alter the levels of ER-α Fulvestrant is an ER-α downregulator that is of therapeutic benefit in the treatment of ER-α positive breast cancer. We have investigated the effects of mevalonic acid depletion by the statins on the expression of ER-α in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. These cells were maintained in culture and incubated with combinations of lovastatin, tamoxifen, and fulvestrant. ER-α was detected by Western blot analysis (mouse anti-ER-α antibody 6F11, Novocastra). Lovastatin resulted in a time-dependent decrease in expression of ER-α, with partial effect seen at 15 hrs and maximal effect by 48 hrs. This effect was also seen in cells co-cultured in the presence of tamoxifen. This effect was comparable to that observed with treatment by fulvastrant. Mevalonic acid addition to lovastatin-treated cells restored the levels of ER-α. Northern blot analyses of cell lysates indicate that the statin effect on ER-α is at the level of decreasing of ER-α mRNA. These studies report the novel finding of the statins to decrease the level of the estrogen receptors and may lead to new approaches to the treatment of human breast cancers. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P45–P45; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.170
Evaluation of the VIIRS Land algorithms at Land PEATE

The Land Product Evaluation and Algorithm Testing Element (Land PEATE), a component of the Science Data Segment of the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP), is being developed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The primary task of the Land PEATE is to assess the quality of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Land data products made by the Interface Data Processing System (IDPS) using the Operational (OPS) Code during the NPP era and to recommend improvements to the algorithms in the IDPS OPS code. The Land PEATE uses a version of the MODIS Adaptive Processing System (MODAPS), NPPDAPS, that has been modified to produce products from the IDPS OPS code and software provided by the VIIRS Science Team, and uses the MODIS Land Data Operational Product Evaluation (LDOPE) team for evaluation of the data records generated by the NPPDAPS. Land PEATE evaluates the algorithms by comparing data products generated using different versions of the algorithm and also by comparing to heritage products generated from different instrument such as MODIS using various quality assessment tools developed at LDOPE. This paper describes the Land PEATE system and some of the approaches used by the Land PEATE for evaluating the VIIRS Land algorithms during the pre-launch period of the NPP mission and the proposed plan for long term monitoring of the quality of the VIIRS Land products post-launch.
What We Know: Findings That Every Theory of Schizophrenia Should Explain

The article summarizes the process used to distill schizophrenia science into 22 facts. These facts consist of 6 basic facts, 3 etiological facts, 6 pharmacological and treatment facts, 5 pathology facts, and 2 behavioral facts that were critically reviewed by the scholarly community through a special initiative in cooperation with the Schizophrenia Research Forum. A subset of 10 of these facts was selected to form a common set of findings to be explained from the different theoretical perspectives included in this special section of Schizophrenia Bulletin. The rationale for this exercise is to distinguish more precisely the areas of agreement and disagreement between theories of schizophrenia and to highlight where more thought and data can make the greatest impact for understanding this disease.
An agent-based approach to imagery and geospatial computing

This paper introduces a scalable, flexible agent-based architecture for imagery and geospatial processing. This architecture supports collaboration and reuse by defining a set of fine-grained imagery and geospatial processing agents and a combined knowledge encoding and Agent Communication Language called I-XML. Scalability and reuse are achieved by employing a collaborative communication structure. Agents do not communicate directly; rather, all collaboration and reuse goes through a shared page space that stores I-XML pages. We show how this approach simplifies system design and facilitates collaboration and information sharing among area experts. This architecture has been implemented in the Java environment using Jini middleware for agent communication and mobility, and COTS packages for processing functionality.
Measurement errors and their consequences in protein crystallography

This article analyzes the relative impact of various types of measurement uncertainties on different stages of structure determination. The treatment of errors is an important part of the experimental process and becomes critical when data quality is barely sufficient to solve and/or answer detailed questions about the structure. The sources and types of experimental errors are described and methods of minimizing their impact are discussed. Practical calculations of sigma estimates in DENZO and SCALEPACK are presented.
Catchment infiltration II: Contributing areas

This study considers two issues of interest to the hydrologic and geographical information systems community. One deals with identifying the spatial distribution of infiltration and runoff contributing areas. The other addresses process modelling within a GIS framework. The study operates on the premise that partitioning of precipitation into runoff or infiltration depends on rainfall intensity and on soil properties. The problem is that neither local rainfall intensity, nor soil properties such as infiltration capacity and macroporosity are known well enough for all points of a catchment and need to be estimated. We infer local intensity from the interpolated distribution of cumulated rain depths over the catchment and record duration at the official met site. Measured values of sorptivity and hydraulic conductivity define infiltration. Negative head infiltration describes macroporosity. To scale-up measured point values to larger areas and to model infiltration and macropore continuity at a catchment scale we use geostatistical kriging and conditional simulation together with standard GIS techniques of overlay manipulation. Results delineate areas contributing to runoff and infiltration and relate them to macroporosity. By intersecting overlays of precipitation with those of infiltration we create alternate GIS masks targeting specific portions of the watershed as either runoff or infiltration contributing zones. Choice of cell size and time interval define the scales of averaging for the application. Kriged surfaces illustrate the distribution of catchment infiltration, while conditional simulation provides a mechanism to define model uncertainty.
Nutritional Interventions in Heart Failure: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is a major health care burden and there is a growing need to develop strategies to maintain health and sustain quality of life in persons with HF. The purpose of this review is to critically appraise the components of nutrition interventions and to establish an evidence base for future advances in HF nutrition research and practice. Methods and Results Cinahl, Pubmed, and Embase were searched to identify articles published from 2005 to 2015. A total of 17 randomized controlled trials were included in this review. Results were divided into 2 categories of nutrition-related interventions: (1) educational and (2) prescriptive. Educational interventions improved patient outcomes such as adherence to dietary restriction in urine sodium levels and self-reported diet recall. Educational and prescriptive interventions resulted in decreased readmission rates and patient deterioration. Adherence measurement was subjective in many studies. Evidence showed that a normal-sodium diet and 1-liter fluid restriction along with high diuretic dosing enhanced B-type natriuretic peptide, aldosterone, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin-6 markers. Conclusions Educational nutrition interventions positively affect patient clinical outcomes. Although clinical practice guidelines support a low-sodium diet and fluid restriction, research findings have revealed that a low-sodium diet may be harmful. Future research should examine the role of macronutrients, food quality, and energy balance in HF nutrition.
Diamond Chemicals Ltd. (B): Merseyside and Rotterdam Projects

These two cases consider the capital-investment decisions facing executives of this large chemicals firm in January 2001. The A case (UVA-F-1351) presents a go/no-go project evaluation regarding improvements to a polypropylene production plant. The B case reviews the same project but from one level higher, where the executive faces an either-or investment decision between two mutually exclusive projects. The objective of the two cases is to expose students to a wide range of capital-budgeting issues, including the identification of relevant cash flows; the critical assessment of a capital-investment evaluation system; the classic "crossover" problem, in which project rankings disagree on the basis of net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR); and the assessment of real-option value latent in managerial flexibility to change operating technologies.
PRMT5-mediated methylation of NF-κB p65 at Arg174 is required for endothelial CXCL11 gene induction in response to TNF-α and IFN-γ costimulation

Inflammatory agonists differentially activate gene expression of the chemokine family of proteins in endothelial cells (EC). TNF is a weak inducer of the chemokine CXCL11, while TNF and IFN-γ costimulation results in potent CXCL11 induction. The molecular mechanisms underlying TNF plus IFN-γ-mediated CXCL11 induction are not fully understood. We have previously reported that the protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 catalyzes symmetrical dimethylation of the NF-κB subunit p65 in EC at multiple arginine residues. Methylation of Arg30 and Arg35 on p65 is critical for TNF induction of CXCL10 in EC. Here we show that PRMT5-mediated methylation of p65 at Arg174 is required for induction of CXCL11 when EC are costimulated with TNF and IFN-γ. Knockdown of PRMT5 by RNAi reduced CXCL11 mRNA and protein levels in costimulated cells. Reconstitution of p65 Arg174Ala or Arg174Lys mutants into EC that were depleted of endogenous p65 blunted TNF plus IFN-γ-mediated CXCL11 induction. Mass spectrometric analyses showed that p65 Arg174 arginine methylation is enhanced by TNF plus IFN-γ costimulation, and is catalyzed by PRMT5. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays (ChIP) demonstrated that PRMT5 is necessary for p65 association with the CXCL11 promoter in response to TNF plus IFN-γ. Further, reconstitution of p65 Arg174Lys mutant in EC abrogated this p65 association with the CXCL11 promoter. Finally, ChIP and Re-ChIP assays revealed that symmetrical dimethylarginine-containing proteins complexed with the CXCL11 promoter were diminished in p65 Arg174Lys-reconstituted EC stimulated with TNF and IFN-γ. In total, these results indicate that PRMT5-mediated p65 methylation at Arg174 is essential for TNF plus IFN-γ-mediated CXCL11 gene induction. We therefore suggest that the use of recently developed small molecule inhibitors of PRMT5 may present a therapeutic approach to moderating chronic inflammatory pathologies.