cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of the tetraspan protein CD9 with integrins on the surface of S-16 Schwann cells

The cell surface glycoprotein CD9 is a member of a group of proteins known as the “tetraspan” or “transmembrane 4 superfamily.” Previous work with non-neural cells has shown that CD9 associates in cis with integrins and small GTP-binding proteins on the cell surface. To extend our recent findings showing that perturbation of CD9 alters Schwann cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration, as well as neurite outgrowth in sympathetic neurons, we have searched for CD9-associated proteins in S-16 Schwann cells. We demonstrate here that CD9 is specifically coprecipitated from S-16 cell extracts by antibodies against integrins α3, α6, and β1. In addition, double immunofluorescence labeling and co-capping experiments indicate that CD9 is specifically colocalized with these integrins on the cell membrane of S-16 Schwann cells.
Control of Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Susceptibility in Ionically Self-Assembled Films by pH and Ionic Strength

Ionically self-assembled monolayers have been recently shown to spontaneously produce the noncentrosymmetric ordering that is required for a second order nonlinear optical (NLO) response. The precise thickness of each monolayer is determined by variables such as the pH and ionic strength of the immersion solutions. We show here that the relationship between polymer conformation and layer thickness dramatically affects the magnitude of the NLO response. The largest χ(2) values are found in the thinnest films, indicating that the NLO response is determined primarily by chromophores located at the layer interfaces, as opposed to those within the bulk of a layer.
PUBLIC LIBRARY COOPERATION AS SEEN FROM A MULTISTATE NETWORK

Cooperation among libraries in the Pacific Northwest is of long standing and is an example of regional cooperation among public libraries and other libraries through interlibrary loan, union catalogs, union lists, cooperative cataloging, and telecommunications networks between two countries and over a large and sparsely populated region. Networking has resulted in increased services to library users and in increased efficiencies in library operations. It has also introduced a whole set of new problems that must be discussed in the forum provided as a result of the cooperative arrangements and the need to extend them into the future.
Changes in fracture aperture and fluid pressure due to thermal stress and silica dissolution/precipitation induced by heat extraction from subsurface rocks

Abstract The numerical model developed by Suresh Kumar and Ghassemi [Suresh Kumar, G., Ghassemi, A., 2005. Numerical modeling of non-isothermal quartz dissolution in a coupled fracture–matrix system. Geothermics 34, 411–439] is used to study fluid pressure and permeability changes in a fracture in a rock mass by taking into account the effects of thermal stresses and silica precipitation/dissolution, which is computed using linear reaction kinetics. Fluid flow in the fracture is calculated based on the cubic law. Solute transport mechanisms by advection and dispersion are included in the model. Mass exchange between the horizontal fracture and the rock matrix is accounted for by assuming diffusion-limited solute transport. Heat transfer between the fracture and the rock matrix is modeled considering only conduction, while heat transport within the fracture includes thermal advection, conduction, and dispersion in the horizontal plane. Pressures of the circulating fluid through the fracture are allowed to vary with time, while the flow rate is assumed to remain constant. A series of numerical experiments are carried out to simulate a fluid injection/production operation. The temporal variation of fracture aperture in response to the individual and combined effects of thermal stress and silica dissolution/precipitation is examined. The results show that, for lower initial fracture apertures, the significant increase in fracture permeability and the associated pressure drop at the injection point are mostly attributable to thermoelastic effects, while the increase in fracture aperture near the production well is mainly the result of silica dissolution. On the other hand, for larger initial apertures, the effects of silica precipitation/dissolution are minimal and thermoelastic effects are prevalent, as the intensity of coupling between the high-permeability fractures and the low-permeability rock matrix becomes weaker.
Optically pumped 15NH3 Raman FIR laser

Abstract 15 NH 3 has been optically pumped with the 9P branch of a ten-atmosphere CO 2 -TE laser to produce Raman laser oscillation between 111 and 118 μm. The pumping occurs via aR (5,K) transition in the v 2 rovibrational band, with K =1−5. Pumping with the CO 2 9R branch has also been used to produce laser emission bands near 67 μm and 81 μm, which correspond respectively to the sR (5, K =0−5) and aR(7,7) transitions in the v 2 band. Continuous linear tuning over a 30 GHz range was observed for the sR (5, K ) transitions. Output characteristics which we have measured for 16 additional emission bands in the 15 NH 3 and 14 NH 3 Raman FIR lasers are also presented in tabular form. The strongest FIR emission occurs near the aR (6, K =1−2) transitions of 14 NH 3 , where 4 mJ (80kW) superradiant emission pulses have been produced. All of the other FIR emission bands produce at least 0.1 mJ/pulse, and nine of them are stronger than 1.0 mJ/pulse.
Drag modulation flight control for aerocapture

Hypersonic deployable aerodynamic devices, both rigid and inflatable, have the potential to enable a broad spectrum of next-generation aeroassist missions by mitigating shape and size constraints on aeroassist vehicles and providing an in-flight reconfiguration capability. Such a capability provides new options for flight control during atmospheric flight, such as drag modulation. Drag modulation is an attractive flight control option for future aerocapture missions because it requires only minimal additional system complexity for vehicles with deployable aerodynamic devices, in contrast to more conventional lift-modulation steering methods. This study expands upon previous aerocapture drag modulation studies by extending the analysis of single-event jettison systems to Earth and Mars. A single-event jettison guidance algorithm was developed and used to evaluate the feasibility of real-time targeting of apoapsis altitude during flight. Results indicate that sufficiently large ballistic coefficient ratios provide adequate aerodynamic and guided corridors for future aerocapture missions. While the preliminary guidance algorithm demonstrates only modest insertion accuracy, this level of accuracy may be tolerable for certain missions.
Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerinfor patients with high-risk superficial bladder cancer

Abstract Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) was employed in the treatment of 55 patients with aggressive superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (cTa, cT1, cTis). All of the patients had a previous history of recurrent superficial disease, and 41 (75 &) were treatment failures following other intravesical therapy. Thirty-six (66 &) patients responded to treatment, and 19 (34 &) were treatment failures. Twenty-seven (66 &) of 41 patients with cTa-cT1 tumors and 9 (64 &) of 14 patients with cTis responded, with a mean follow-up period of 30.5 months. Disease progression was noted in 8 (15 &) of the patients and muscle invasive disease in 6. Patients with a history of three or more previous events of tumor recurrence, positive urinary cytology, and multicentric disease, all fared worse than patients without these characteristics (p
CORRELATION OF NEED FOR COGNITION AND MODERN RACISM

Survey results from 59 college students indicated that those low in need for cognition evidenced higher racial prejudice than respondents high in need for cognition.
Two-factor degeneracies and a stabilization of PARAFAC

Abstract Mitchell and Burdick (B.C. Mitchell, D.S. Burdick, An empirical comparison of resolution methods for three-way arrays, Chemom. Intell. Lab. Syst. 20 (1993) 149–161; B.C. Mitchell, D.S. Burdick, Slowly converging PARAFAC sequences: Swamps and two-factor degeneracies, J. Chemom. 8 (1994) 155–168.) uncovered an intriguing correspondence between the existence of PARAFAC swamps and the presence of two-factor degeneracies (2FDs). This observation, coupled with the recognition that post-swamp resolutions were generally better than pre-swamp resolutions allowed the user a method of detecting when a swamp had likely been encountered and, hence, when it was safe to assume that PARAFAC had converged to a suitable resolution. Still, this correspondence alone did not suggest how one might reduce the number of PARAFAC iterations required to move through a swamp. In this paper, it is noted that serious 2FDs must produce an identifiable ill-conditioning in the least squares estimation step in PARAFAC. Moreover, a serious 2FD is only one way this ill-conditioning may occur and, hence, it is more correct to say that swamps correspond to this ill-conditioning in general, rather than to the presence of 2FDs in particular. In an attempt to reduce the number of iterations that PARAFAC spends in a swamp, a particular method of stabilization is employed and results are presented which suggest that the number iterations can often be greatly reduced.
MEDIA SUPPLEMENTATION TO SUPPORT GROWTH OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI1

Growth of Helicobacter pylori is better on solid medium than in liquid medium. This investigation studied the growth of H. pylori in Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BHI) with 10% Fetal Calf (FCS) only, 10% PCS + 0.5 unit/ml OxyraseTM and 0.5 unit/mL OxyraseTM incubated microaerobically and aerobically. High populations (ca. 5.5 log CFU/mL) could be detected in aerobic incubation in broth when OxyraseTM was added. However, in BHI media without OxyraseTM after incubation for 24 h aerobically the numbers of H. pylori decreased from log 7.3 CFU/mL to none detectable. BHI with 10% PCS and BHI were adequate liquid enrichment media for the growth of H. pylori under microaerophilic conditions.
Left ventricular systolic performance in failing heart improved acutely by left ventricular reshaping.

Abstract Objective If the geometric distortion during dilated heart failure could be corrected, the tension on the myocytes would be decreased, thereby leading to an improvement in left ventricular systolic function. We tested the effects of the CardioClasp (CardioClasp Inc, Pine Brook, NJ), a left ventricular reshaping device, on the failing heart, and our empirical data were compared with computationally derived data. Methods Heart failure was induced by 4-week rapid cardiac pacing. At the terminal experiment, an isolated failing heart preparation (isovolumic contraction, n=5) or an intact failing heart in vivo (n = 7) was used. The effects of the reshaping device on left ventricular performance were assessed by the slopes (Ees) of the left ventricular end-systolic pressure-volume relations, hemodynamics, and echocardiograph before and after placing the CardioClasp on the heart. The change in Ees as the result of left ventricular reshaping was also estimated from computed theoretical analysis and compared with empirical data. Results There was a significant change in left ventricular dimension after placing the CardioClasp on the heart. In isolated heart preparation, Ees significantly increased from 1.40 ± 0.44 mm Hg/mL to 2.42 ± 0.63 mm Hg/mL after placing the device on the heart but returned to the baseline level (1.46 ± 0.27 mm Hg) after removing it. Left ventricular developed pressure and left ventricular fractional area shortening were significantly increased as the result of left ventricular reshaping. Ees derived from computed theoretical analysis was highly correlated with confirming empirical data. Conclusions The CardioClasp can reshape the left ventricle and improve left ventricular systolic performance in failing hearts. 17,22
Gould talking past Dawkins on the unit of selection issue.

Abstract My general aim is to clarify the foundational difference between Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins concerning what biological entities are the units of selection in the process of evolution by natural selection. First, I recapitulate Gould’s central objection to Dawkins’s view that genes are the exclusive units of selection. According to Gould, it is absurd for Dawkins to think that genes are the exclusive units of selection when, after all, genes are not the exclusive interactors: those agents directly engaged with, directly impacted by, environmental pressures. Second, I argue that Gould’s objection still goes through even when we take into consideration Sterelny and Kitcher’s defense of gene selectionism in their admirable paper “The Return of the Gene.” Third, I propose a strategy for defending Dawkins that I believe obviates Gould’s objection. Drawing upon Elisabeth Lloyd’s careful taxonomy of the various understandings of the unit of selection at play in the philosophy of biology literature, my proposal involves realizing that Dawkins endorses a different understanding of the unit of selection than Gould holds him to, an understanding that does not require genes to be the exclusive interactors.
Designing alginate hydrogels to maintain viability of immobilized cells

Hydrogel-forming materials have been widely utilized as an immobilization matrix and transport vehicle for cells. Success in these applications is dependent upon maintaining cell viability through the gel preparation process. We hypothesized that the high viscosity of pre-gelled solutions typically used in these applications may decrease cell viability due to the high shear forces required to mix cells with these solutions. Further, we proposed this harmful effect could be mediated by decreasing the molecular weight (Mw) of the polymer used to form the gel, while maintaining its gel-forming ability. To investigate this hypothesis, alginate was used as model system, as this copolymer consists of cross-linkable guluronic acid (G) blocks and non-cross-linkable blocks. Decreasing the Mw of alginate using irradiation (e.g., irradiating at dose of 2 Mrad) decreased the low shear viscosity of 2% (w/w) pre-gelled solutions from 1000 to 4 cP, while maintaining high elastic moduli, once cross-linked to form a gel. Importantly, the immobilization of cells with these polymer hydrogels increased cell viability from 40% to 70%, as compared to using high Mw polymer chains to form the gels. Furthermore, the solids concentration of gels formed with the low Mw alginate could be raised to further increase the moduli of gels without significantly deteriorating the viability of immobilized cells. This was likely due to the limited increase in the viscosity of these solutions. This material design approach may be useful with a variety of synthetic or naturally occurring block copolymers used to immobilize cells.
Unemployment in inner-city renal transplant recipients: Predictive and sociodemographic factors

Abstract Studies of dialysis patients report unemployment rates of 60% to 75%; however, it is generally believed that following transplantation, improvement in well-being and removal of time constraints imposed by the dialytic regimen afford improvement in employment status. We studied 58 stable renal transplant recipients attending an outpatient transplant clinic by questionnaire, administered anonymously. Only 25 (43%) of the patients were currently employed. Employed and unemployed patients did not differ when compared for age, gender, race, cause of renal disease, type of transplant or prior dialysis, time on dialysis or time since transplantation, years of education, or prestige score or classification ("blue collar " v "white collar") of prior job. In the employed group, 24 (96%) patients had worked before developing kidney disease compared with 23 (70%) patients in the unemployed group ( P P P = 0.005, chi-squared test). Unemployment remains a significant problem for our population of inner-city renal transplant recipients. Attention to job retention or retraining during the early renal disease and dialysis therapy period may promote better rehabilitation following transplantation. However, for this population, with limited employment opportunities, removal of disincentives to work, including loss of insurance and inability to pay for medications, will be necessary before we can provide optimal rehabilitation for renal transplant recipients from all social strata.
Recent Developments in Restorative Dental Ceramics

Since the introduction of porcelain jacket crowns in the early 1900s, dental ceramics have been praised for their esthetic appearance. But there's more to consider: other benefits, longevity, limitations. This review addresses major developments in modern dental ceramics and metal-ceramics.
Item Selection in Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Testing-Gaining Information from Different Angles

Over the past thirty years, obtaining diagnostic information from examinees’ item responses has become an increasingly important feature of educational and psychological testing. The objective can be achieved by sequentially selecting multidimensional items to fit the class of latent traits being assessed, and therefore Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Testing (MCAT) is one reasonable approach to such task. This study conducts a rigorous investigation on the relationships among four promising item selection methods: D-optimality, KL information index, continuous entropy, and mutual information. Some theoretical connections among the methods are demonstrated to show how information about the unknown vector θ can be gained from different perspectives. Two simulation studies were carried out to compare the performance of the four methods. The simulation results showed that mutual information not only improved the overall estimation accuracy but also yielded the smallest conditional mean squared error in most region of θ. In the end, the overlap rates were calculated to empirically show the similarity and difference among the four methods.
STUDIES OF MEMBRANE FORMATION IN TETRAHYMENA PYRIFORMIS : II. Isolation and Lipid Analysis of Cell Fractions

A method has been devised to fractionate cells of Tetrahymena pyriformis, yielding pure or highly enriched preparations of cilia, cilia-associated soluble material, pellicles, mitochondria, microsomes, and postmicrosomal supernatant. The method prevents the destructive action of lipolytic enzymes commonly associated with this organism. Analysis of the membrane lipids of these fractions reveals significant differences in lipid composition. Most noteworthy are the high concentrations of phosphonolipid and tetrahymanol in the surface membranes.
Study of the reaction K+p → KOπ+p at 9 GeV/c

Abstract We present results on the study of the reaction K + p → K O π at GeV/ c . The reaction proceeds almost entirely through the production of K 890 ∗ , K 1420 ∗ and Δ 1236 ++ . The spin parity of the K 1420 ∗ is shown to be J P = 2 + , with 18% pseudoscalar and 72% vector exchange in its production, the same proportion as for K 890 ∗ production. The dependence of the cross sections on incident momentum for the reactions K + p → K 890 ∗ p , K 1420 ∗ p , and K O Δ 1236 ++ appear to fall somewhat more rapidly than the predictions of a simple Regge-pole-exchange model.
Attitudes of teenagers and their parents to Pennsylvania's graduated driver licensing system.

Objectives. To determine the attitudes of teens and parents in Pennsylvania (PA) towards the enhanced graduated driver licensing (GDL) system implemented in 2000, and to assess their understanding of teen crash risk. Methods. Cross-sectional survey of teen drivers and their parents. Eligible teens were 16 or 17 years old when they obtained their first learner's permits in 2000. A simple random sample of 2500 was obtained from 48,372 meeting inclusion criteria. Questions were based on previous surveys and pre-tested in focus groups. Analysis: Chi-square, McNemar, or t-tests, as appropriate. Results. A total of 1561 surveys (811 parents and 750 teens) were included in the analysis. There were no differences between the sample and teen respondents. Their junior license had been achieved by 735 (98%) teens and had been driving unsupervised for a mean of 14.1 months (SD 4.89). Greater than ninety percent (90%) of parents approved of the overall system, the six-month learner phase, and the requirement for paren...
Metal retention in human transferrin: consequences of solvent composition in analytical sample preparation methods.

The analysis of metal-binding proteins requires careful sample manipulation to ensure that the metal–protein complex remains in its native state and the metal retention is preserved during sample preparation or analysis. Chemical analysis for the metal content in proteins typically involves some type of liquid chromatography/electrophoresis separation step coupled with an atomic (i.e., inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy or -mass spectrometry) or molecular (i.e., electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry) analysis step that requires altered-solvent introduction techniques. UV-VIS absorbance is employed here to monitor the iron content in human holo-transferrin (Tf) under various solvent conditions, changing polarity, pH, ionic strength, and the ionic and hydrophobic environment of the protein. Iron loading percentages (i.e. 100% loading equates to 2 Fe3+ : 1 Tf) were quantitatively determined to evaluate the effect of solvent composition on the retention of Fe3+ in Tf. Maximum retention of Fe3+ was found in buffered (20 mM Tris) solutions (96 ± 1%). Exposure to organic solvents and deionized H2O caused release of ∼23–36% of the Fe3+ from the binding pocket(s) at physiological pH (7.4). Salt concentrations similar to separation conditions used for ion exchange had little to no effect on Fe3+ retention in holo-Tf. Unsurprisingly, changes in ionic strength caused by additions of guanidine HCl (0–10 M) to holo-Tf resulted in unfolding of the protein and loss of Fe3+ from Tf; however, denaturing and metal loss was found not to be an instantaneous process for additions of 1–5 M guanidinium to Tf. In contrast, complete denaturing and loss of Fe3+ was instantaneous with ≥6 M additions of guanidinium, and denaturing and loss of iron from Tf occurred in parallel proportions. Changes to the hydrophobicity of Tf (via addition of 0–14 M urea) had less effect on denaturing and release of Fe3+ from the Tf binding pocket compared to changes in ionic strength.
Mothers’ attitudes toward nutrition are related to daughters’ but not to sons’ plasma cholesterol levels

Abstract Objective To examine the relationship between parents' attitudes toward nutrition and plasma lipid levels of their children.
Microbial diversity of the hypersaline Sidi Ameur and Himalatt Salt Lakes of the Algerian Sahara

Abstract Microbial populations within hypersaline lakes often exhibit high activities of photosynthesis, dissimilatory sulphate reduction and other processes and, thus, can have profound impacts on biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and other important elements within arid lands. To further understand these types of ecosystems, the physicochemical and biological properties of Sidi Ameur and Himalatt Salt Lakes in the Algerian Sahara were examined and compared. Both lakes were relatively neutral in pH (7.2–7.4) and high in salt, at 12% and 20% (w/v) salinity for Himalatt and Sidi Ameur Lakes, respectively, with dominant ions of sodium and chloride. The community compositions of microbes from all three domains (Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya) were surveyed through the use of 16S and 18S ribosomal gene amplification and clone library clustering using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) in conjunction with DNA sequencing and analysis. A high level of microbial diversity, particularly among the bacteria of the Himalatt Salt Lake and archaea of Sidi Ameur Lake, was found within these environments. Representatives from all known halophilic bacterial phyla as well as 6 different genera of halophilic archaea were identified. Moreover, several apparently novel phylotypes among both archaea and bacteria were revealed.
The MIMIC Model as a Method for Detecting DIF: Comparison With Mantel-Haenszel, SIBTEST, and the IRT Likelihood Ratio:

This study compares the ability of the multiple indicators, multiple causes (MIMIC) confirmatory factor analysis model to correctly identify cases of differential item functioning (DIF) with more established methods. Although the MIMIC model might have application in identifying DIF for multiple grouping variables, there has been little examination of how well the technique works in terms of correct and incorrect identification of DIF. A Monte Carlo methodology is used in this study, with manipulation of the number of items, number of examinees, differences between the mean abilities of the reference and focal groups, level of DIF contamination of the anchor items, and amount of DIF in the target item. Results indicate that the MIMIC model is effective for DIF identification for 50 items or when the two-parameter logistic model underlies the data but has a very high rate of incorrect DIF identification for 20 items with three-parameter logistic data.
The Largest Trans-nationals of Developing Economies

Industrial concentration is broadly defined as a few firms controlling a substantial share of assets or sales of the market. In the multinational industrial sector, this paper shows that the largest 50 and 100 in the developing economies control substantial amounts of assets and sales, both foreign and total. Two well known indexes of concentration were used, the Herfindahl and Theil’s entropy, to check the levels of concentration between 1994 and 2003 for the top 50 and between 2004 and 2006 for the top 100. It was found that although the sizes of the multinationals in assets and sales increased during the period, the relative concentration remained somewhat static.
Stability and exchange of subsurface ice on Mars

We seek a better understanding of the distribution of subsurface ice on Mars, based on the physical processes governing the exchange of vapor between the atmosphere and the subsurface. Ground ice is expected down to ∼49° latitude and lower latitudes at poleward facing slopes. The diffusivity of the regolith also leads to seasonal accumulation of atmospherically derived frost at latitudes poleward of ∼30°. The burial depths and zonally averaged boundaries of subsurface ice observed from neutron emission are consistent with model predictions for ground ice in equilibrium with the observed abundance of atmospheric water vapor. Longitudinal variations in ice distribution are due mainly to thermal inertia and are more pronounced in the observations than in the model. These relations support the notion that the ground ice has at least partially adjusted to the atmospheric water vapor content or is atmospherically derived. Changes in albedo can rapidly alter the equilibrium depth to the ice, creating sources or sinks of atmospheric H_2O while the ground ice is continuously evolving toward a changing equilibrium. At steady state humidity and temperature oscillations, the net flux of vapor is uninhibited by adsorption. The occurrence of temporary frost is characterized by the isosteric enthalpy of adsorption.
Wedge-issue dynamics and party position shifts: Chinese exclusion debates in the post-Reconstruction US Congress, 1879-1882

Even when the stakes of party-building are high, political parties often find their members divided over a key policy position. In post-Reconstruction America, the hot-button issue of excluding Chinese immigrant workers strengthened Democratic cohesion while splitting the ‘party of Lincoln’. Previous research has not completely investigated the role of party competition and cohesiveness in paving the way for passage of the Chinese exclusion laws. In this investigation of the legislative politics of banning the Chinese from 1879 to 1882, it is found that cross-pressured members sometimes facilitate party transformation. The evidence demonstrates that partisan responses to potential wedge issues are a previously unnoticed source of explanation of eventual party position changes.
Accommodation of Nonstandard Entries in a Serial List Made by Computer

The need to merge computerized lists of serials described with two major and apparently mutually exclusive forms of entry required special programs for automatic generation of alternative entry and cross-references. These programs made it possible to create a union list without losing the capability of using a different form of entry for special libraries, two of which were involved in this study.
Many-to-many game-theoretic approach for the measurement of transportation network vulnerability

The vulnerability of a transportation network is strongly correlated with the ability of the network to withstand shocks and disruptions. A robust network with strategic redundancy allows traffic to be redistributed or reassigned without unduly compromising system performance. High-volume edges with limited alternative paths represent system vulnerabilities—a feature of transportation networks that has been exploited to identify critical components. A mixed-strategy, stochastic game-theoretic approach is presented for the measurement of network vulnerability. This method is designed to incorporate all origins and destinations in a network in a computationally efficient manner. The presented method differs from previous efforts in that it provides a many-to-many measure of vulnerability and edge-based disruptions that may not reside on a common path. A game that considers all possible origin-destination pairs is constructed between a router, which seeks minimum cost paths for travelers, and a network teste...
Transport properties of nanoscale lubricant films

Off-lattice molecular dynamics simulations based on the coarse-grained bead-spring model via the Langevin equation were performed to simulate the dynamics of a confined nanoscale perfluoropolyether film (i.e., the self-diffusion and relaxation processes). The effects of molecular weight and solid surface attraction on the film diffusion coefficient were studied using the Green-Kubo formula. Via a stretched-exponential model, we investigated the relaxation process of nanofilms, and found that the relaxation spectra were stretched from the exponential decay process for functional endgroups and/or surface attraction.
Dietary fiber enhances TGF-β signaling and growth inhibition in the gut

Dietary fiber intake links to decreased risk of colorectal cancers. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, we found that butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid produced in gut by bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber, enhances TGF-β signaling in rat intestinal epithelial cells (RIE-1). Furthermore, TGF-β represses inhibitors of differentiation (Ids), leading to apoptosis. We hypothesized that dietary fiber enhances TGF-β's growth inhibitory effects on gut epithelium via inhibition of Id2. In this study, Balb/c and DBA/2N mice were fed with a regular rodent chow or supplemented with a dietary fiber (20% pectin) and Smad3 level in gut epithelium was measured. In vitro, RIE-1 cells were treated with butyrate and TGF-β1, and cell functions were evaluated. Furthermore, the role of Ids in butyrate- and TGF-β-induced growth inhibition was investigated. We found that pectin feeding increased Smad3 protein levels in the jejunum (1.47 ± 0.26-fold, P = 0.045, in Balb/c mice; 1.49 ± 0.19-fold, P = 0.016, in DBA/2N mice), and phospho-Smad3 levels (1.92 ± 0.27-fold, P = 0.009, in Balb/c mice; 1.83 ± 0.28-fold, P = 0.022, in DBA/2N mice). Butyrate or TGF-β alone inhibited cell growth and induced cell cycle arrest. The combined treatment of butyrate and TGF-β synergistically induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in RIE-1 cells and repressed Id2 and Id3 levels. Furthermore, knockdown of Id2 gene expression by use of small interfering RNA caused cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We conclude that dietary fiber pectin enhanced Smad3 expression and activation in the gut. Butyrate and TGF-β induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which may be mediated by repression of Id2. Our results implicate a novel mechanism of dietary fiber in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer development.
Reachability problems for sequential dynamical systems with threshold functions

A sequential dynamical system (SDS) over a domain D is a triple (G, F, π), where (i) G(V,E) is an undirected graph with n nodes with each node having a state value from D, (ii) F = {f1, f2,..., fn} is a set of local transition functions with fi denoting the local transition function associated with node vi and (iii) π is a permutation of (i.e., a total order on) the nodes in V. A single SDS transition is obtained by updating the states of the nodes in V by evaluating the function associated with each of them in the order given by π.We consider reachability problems for SDSs with restricted local transition functions. Our main intractability results show that the reachability problems for SDSs are PSPACE-complete when either of the following restrictions hold: (i) F consists of both simple-threshold-functions and simple-inverted-threshold functions, or (ii) F consists only of threshold-functions that use weights in an asymmetric manner. Moreover, the results hold even for SDSs whose underlying graphs have bounded node degree and bounded pathwidth. Our lower bound results also extend to reachability problems for Hopfield networks and communicating finite state machines.On the positive side, we show that when F consists only of threshold functions that use weights in a symmetric manner, reachability problems can be solved efficiently provided all the weights are strictly positive and the ratio of the largest to the smallest weight is bounded by a polynomial function of the number of nodes.
Integration of Endocannabinoid and Leptin Signaling in an Appetite-Related Neural Circuit

Recently developed therapeutics for obesity, targeted against cannabinoid receptors, result in decreased appetite and sustained weight loss. Prior studies have demonstrated CB1 receptors (CB1Rs) and leptin modulation of cannabinoid synthesis in hypothalamic neurons. Here, we show that depolarization of perifornical lateral hypothalamus (LH) neurons elicits a CB1R-mediated suppression of inhibition in local circuits thought to be involved in appetite and "natural reward." The depolarization-induced decrease in inhibitory tone to LH neurons is blocked by leptin. Leptin inhibits voltage-gated calcium channels in LH neurons via the activation of janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Leptin-deficient mice are characterized by both an increase in steady-state voltage-gated calcium currents in LH neurons and a CB1R-mediated depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition that is 6-fold longer than that in littermate controls. Our data provide direct electrophysiological support for the involvement of endocannabinoids and leptin as modulators of hypothalamic circuits underlying motivational aspects of feeding behavior.
High resolution discovery and confirmation of copy number variants in 90 Yoruba Nigerians

Background Copy number variants (CNVs) account for a large proportion of genetic variation in the genome. The initial discoveries of long (> 100 kb) CNVs in normal healthy individuals were made on BAC arrays and low resolution oligonucleotide arrays. Subsequent studies that used higher resolution microarrays and SNP genotyping arrays detected the presence of large numbers of CNVs that are < 100 kb, with median lengths of approximately 10 kb. More recently, whole genome sequencing of individuals has revealed an abundance of shorter CNVs with lengths < 1 kb.
Carbohydrate restriction improves the features of Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome may be defined by the response to carbohydrate restriction

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) represents a constellation of markers that indicates a predisposition to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other pathologic states. The definition and treatment are a matter of current debate and there is not general agreement on a precise definition or, to some extent, whether the designation provides more information than the individual components. We consider here five indicators that are central to most definitions and we provide evidence from the literature that these are precisely the symptoms that respond to reduction in dietary carbohydrate (CHO). Carbohydrate restriction is one of several strategies for reducing body mass but even in the absence of weight loss or in comparison with low fat alternatives, CHO restriction is effective at ameliorating high fasting glucose and insulin, high plasma triglycerides (TAG), low HDL and high blood pressure. In addition, low fat, high CHO diets have long been known to raise TAG, lower HDL and, in the absence of weight loss, may worsen glycemic control. Thus, whereas there are numerous strategies for weight loss, a patient with high BMI and high TAG is likely to benefit most from a regimen that reduces CHO intake. Reviewing the literature, benefits of CHO restriction are seen in normal or overweight individuals, in normal patients who meet the criteria for MetS or in patients with frank diabetes. Moreover, in low fat studies that ameliorate LDL and total cholesterol, controls may do better on the symptoms of MetS. On this basis, we feel that MetS is a meaningful, useful phenomenon and may, in fact, be operationally defined as the set of markers that responds to CHO restriction. Insofar as this is an accurate characterization it is likely the result of the effect of dietary CHO on insulin metabolism. Glucose is the major insulin secretagogue and insulin resistance has been tied to the hyperinsulinemic state or the effect of such a state on lipid metabolism. The conclusion is probably not surprising but has not been explicitly stated before. The known effects of CHO-induced hypertriglyceridemia, the HDL-lowering effect of low fat, high CHO interventions and the obvious improvement in glucose and insulin from CHO restriction should have made this evident. In addition, recent studies suggest that a subset of MetS, the ratio of TAG/HDL, is a good marker for insulin resistance and risk of CVD, and this indicator is reliably reduced by CHO restriction and exacerbated by high CHO intake. Inability to make this connection in the past has probably been due to the fact that individual responses have been studied in isolation as well as to the emphasis of traditional therapeutic approaches on low fat rather than low CHO.
Automated statistics collection in DB2 UDB

The use of inaccurate or outdated database statistics by the query optimizer in a relational DBMS often results in a poor choice of query execution plans and hence unacceptably long query processing times. Configuration and maintenance of these statistics has traditionally been a time-consuming manual operation, requiring that the database administrator (DBA) continually monitor query performance and data changes in order to determine when to refresh the statistics values and when and how to adjust the set of statistics that the DBMS maintains. In this paper we describe the new Automated Statistics Collection (ASC) component of IBM® DB2® Universal DatabaseTM (DB2 UDB). This autonomic technology frees the DBA from the tedious task of manually supervising the collection and maintenance of database statistics. ASC monitors both the update-delete-insert (UDI) activities on the data as well as query feedback (QF), i.e., the results of the queries that are executed on the data. ASC uses these two sources of information to automatically decide which statistics to collect and when to collect them. This combination of UDI-driven and QF-driven autonomic processes ensures that the system can handle unforeseen queries while also ensuring good performance for frequent and important queries. We present the basic concepts, architecture, and key implementation details of ASC in DB2 UDB, and present a case study showing how the use of ASC can speed up a query workload by orders of magnitude without requiring any DBA intervention.
Efficient and precise datarace detection for multithreaded object-oriented programs

We present a novel approach to dynamic datarace detection for multithreaded object-oriented programs. Past techniques for on-the-fly datarace detection either sacrificed precision for performance, leading to many false positive datarace reports, or maintained precision but incurred significant overheads in the range of 3x to 30x. In contrast, our approach results in very few false positives and runtime overhead in the 13% to 42% range, making it both efficient and precise. This performance improvement is the result of a unique combination of complementary static and dynamic optimization techniques.
Overcoming barriers among Israeli and Palestinian students via computer science

The Middle East Education Through Technology (MEET) program is a non-profit organization based in Jerusalem, that aims to empower future Israeli and Palestinian leaders by teaching them computer science and business. From the perspective of MEET's instructors, this paper describes how MEET uses computer science education to foster professional and personal contact among Israeli and Palestinian high school students, two groups who otherwise would have little or no interaction with each other. MEET's primary method of overcoming the barrier is teamwork: students are divided into groups that include both Israelis and Palestinians and are assigned software engineering tasks. We believe that the techniques used by MEET can serve as examples for other computer science programs that overcome barriers between groups in the United States and other countries.
Analysis and design of circular antenna arrays by matrix methods

The antenna arrays considered in this paper consist of identical parallel dipoles equally spaced around and perpendicular to a circle. Application of the "method of moments" to the analysis problem yields a matrix description of the array. Economies of computation are achieved by exploiting the array symmetries. The matrix description of the array leads to a network description for feed design and a relationship between principal H -plane pattern synthesis and pattern synthesis for an array of point sources. Some classes of pattern synthesis problems are considered and calculated examples presented.
Current treatment and outcomes of perinephric abscesses.

Purpose: We characterize the treatment and outcomes of perinephric abscesses in a contemporary cohort of patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the experience with perinephric abscesses at a single community based hospital. Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) was widely available during the study period and experience with radiographic guided percutaneous drainage was extensive. Therapy and intervention for individual patients were dictated by the treating physician. Results: Of the 25 patients identified with perinephric abscesses 3 (12%) ultimately died. Although 40% had multiple risk factors for perinephric abscesses only 35% were identified at presentation. Urine cultures were positive in 72% of patients and CT had a diagnostic sensitivity of 92%. Ten patients with a mean abscess size of 1.8 cm. were treated with antibiotics alone (mean hospitalization 10 days) while 11 with a mean abscess size of 11 cm. received antibiotics and initial percutaneous drainage (mean hospitalization 30 days). Of the 11 patients treated with percutaneous drainage 4 ultimately required surgical exploration and nephrectomy. Conclusions: The clinical characteristics of perinephric abscesses have not changed significantly but improved imaging with CT allows earlier diagnosis and treatment, which likely contributed to the reduced mortality in our cohort compared to historical series. With accurate staging and careful followup, a variety of treatments can be successful, including antibiotics alone or in conjunction with percutaneous drainage and urinary drainage. Open surgical drainage and nephrectomy may eventually be required in some patients and should be considered if adequate drainage is not achieved.
News Framing of the US Drone Program in Pakistani Newspapers: From Elite Discourse to Popular Opinion

The United States has conducted armed drone strikes in Pakistan since 2004. Despite recent work on Pakistani public opinion about drones, there is very little research on how Pakistan’s media characterize the US drone program. This is an important gap in understanding the determinants of Pakistani popular beliefs about this program. Decades of research has shown that “news framing,” a process by which certain aspects of a complex concept are emphasized in political communications while others are played down, influences individual cognition while forming political opinions (Lecheler et al. 2015). In this essay, we address this lacuna by assembling an unprecedented sample of editorials about the drone program from three English newspapers and one Urdu newspaper and analyzing the news frames within them. We next compare the trends in these news frames to public opinion data collected by Pew between the spring of 2009 and 2014. Initially, most Pakistanis were unaware of the drone program, media coverage of the program expanded as drone strikes increased in frequency. While Pakistanis became more cognizant of the U.S. drone strikes, even by 2014 large minorities remained unaware. Pakistani public opinion strongly reflected the top media frames, particularly those that are negative. This is an important finding suggesting that newspaper editorials are a good barometer of Pakistani opinions despite the fact that only information elites rely upon newspapers for political information.
Impact of XBRL on Adopters’ Financial Reporting Quality and Cost of Capital

This study investigates whether corporate governance quality affects differences in financial reporting quality and cost of capital of public companies associated with adoption of XBRL in the Voluntary Filing Program (VFP) launched by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in March 2005. Using the degree of earnings management to measure financial reporting quality and using the cost of equity capital measure proposed by Easton (2004) to estimate cost of equity capital, we hypothesize and find that voluntary adopters with superior corporate governance quality are more likely to have better financial reporting quality after their XBRL adoption, relative to those with weak corporate governance quality. We also find a significant interaction effect of corporate governance quality and XBRL adoption on companies’ cost of equity capital. These findings suggest that the impact of XBRL on its adopters’ financial reporting quality and cost of equity capital is contingent on adopters’ corporate governance quality.
Large-D Limit for N-Electron Atoms

The large-D limit for a many-electron atom is one in which the electrons assume positions which are fixed relative to one another and to the nucleus. Results at D = 3 can be obtained from this classical limit through use of a 1/D expansion. It is generally preferable, however, to modify the large-D hamiltonian so that it reflects the dominant finite-D effects. We describe a simple procedure for performing such a modification without destroying the classical character or analytic simplicity of the original large-D limit. The resulting “subhamiltonians” incorporate approximations to the kinetic terms analogous to those which the Hartree-Fock approximation invokes in the potential terms. Because of their complementary characters, the subhamiltonian and Hartree-Fock methods can be used to rectify each others’ deficiencies. In particular, subhamiltonians can be used to study correlation energies and effects. Total correlation energies for all neutral atoms with Z ≤ 118 have been obtained; there is good overall agreement with known values, though the breakdown of the energies indicates the presence of significant systematic errors. Dynamical effects of electron correlation can also be studied through analysis of the correlation-induced changes in the subhamiltonian interelectron distances.