cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Physiology of Insulin Release

The β cells of the islets of Langerhans play a primary role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus in man. Several lines of evidence obtained from clinical studies on diabetic subjects support this statement. Tolbutamide is an oral hypoglycemic agent which has been shown to stimulate insulin release from the β cell and to maintain normoglycemia in certain diabetic subjects. Thus tolbutamide apparently stimulates insulin secretion more effectively than glucose in these patients, which would suggest an impairment in glucose-induced insulin release in the β cells. Detailed studies on the pattern and rate of glucose-induced insulin secretion in maturity-onset diabetes and early stages of juvenile diabetes have shown a delay in the response of the β cells to glucose stimulation.1 These findings also indicate an impairment in the ability of the β cell to recognize glucose and to translate this recognition into the release of insulin. Transplantation of the whole pancreas has been accomplished in diabetic patients.2–4 During the period of survival of the transplant, the patients became normoglycemic and did not require exogenous insulin therapy, which clearly indicates that the primary defect is in the islet cells of the diabetic. The ultimate quest is to establish the identity of the defect or defects present in the β cells of diabetics. In order to search for these possible abnormalities, it is essential that basic information be obtained on the normal mechanisms for the formation, storage, and release of insulin by β cells. This chapter will be devoted to a review of the information available on the basic mechanism of insulin secretion as well as indicating potential sites for defects in this mechanism in diabetes mellitus.
Lean Technical Communication: Toward Sustainable Program Innovation.

There is no shortage of calls for innovation in higher education. In response to some catastrophic outside influence, whether it be budget cuts, an impending enrollment collapse, or the rapid expan...
Base editing: precision chemistry on the genome and transcriptome of living cells

RNA-guided programmable nucleases from CRISPR systems generate precise breaks in DNA or RNA at specified positions. In cells, this activity can lead to changes in DNA sequence or RNA transcript abundance. Base editing is a newer genome-editing approach that uses components from CRISPR systems together with other enzymes to directly install point mutations into cellular DNA or RNA without making double-stranded DNA breaks. DNA base editors comprise a catalytically disabled nuclease fused to a nucleobase deaminase enzyme and, in some cases, a DNA glycosylase inhibitor. RNA base editors achieve analogous changes using components that target RNA. Base editors directly convert one base or base pair into another, enabling the efficient installation of point mutations in non-dividing cells without generating excess undesired editing by-products. In this Review, we summarize base-editing strategies to generate specific and precise point mutations in genomic DNA and RNA, highlight recent developments that expand the scope, specificity, precision and in vivo delivery of base editors and discuss limitations and future directions of base editing for research and therapeutic applications.
Comprehensive Care for Persons with Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury results in multiple secondary comorbidities, which vary based on injury severity and other characteristics. Persons with spinal cord injury are at lifelong risk for many complications, most of which are at least partially preventable with proper medical care. The Veterans Health Administration Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders (SCI&D) System of Care offers these evaluations to all persons in their registries. Annual evaluations are performed at any of the 24 SCI&D Veterans Administration Centers nationwide. This allows veterans to receive the care from an interdisciplinary team that specializes in the care of veterans with spinal cord injury.
Mild Coronal Stem Malalignment Does Not Negatively Impact Survivorship or Clinical Results in Uncemented Primary Total Hip Arthroplasties With Dual-Tapered Implants.

Abstract Background Proper component positioning in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is crucial for implant fixation and hip stability. The purpose of this study is to assess if neutral coronal stem alignment (0° ± 3°) improved long-term survivorship in uncemented femoral components. Methods Between 2005 and 2010, 1028 primary THAs were performed with 2 contemporary dual-tapered, proximally coated uncemented stem types. Alignment was measured immediately postoperatively and at most recent follow-up. In total, 978 femoral stems (95%) were within 0° ± 3° of the neutral anatomic coronal axis, and the 50 stems (5%) outside that range were considered outliers (3.1° of valgus to 4.8° of varus). Outcomes analyzed included implant survivorship, Harris Hip Scores, and incidence of dislocation. Mean follow-up was 5 years. Results Survivorship free of aseptic femoral component loosening was 99.3% and 98.2% at 5 and 8 years in the neutral group vs 100% at 5 and 8 years in the outlier group (P = .98). Survivorship free of femoral component revision for any reason was 99.1% and 97.3% at 5 and 8 years vs 100% at 5 and 8 years, respectively (P = .80). Harris Hip Scores were similar (89 in both groups; P = .84) at most recent follow-up. The incidence of mild to moderate thigh pain was also similar in both groups (6.1% vs 6%, P = .85). The incidence of dislocation was 1.5% at 8 years, and similar between both groups (P = .77). Conclusion Slight malalignment of contemporary dual-tapered uncemented THA femoral components does not appear to negatively impact survivorship or clinical outcomes, which is in contrast to cemented femoral components. Level of evidence III Case-control study.
Childhood asthma inception and progression: role of microbial exposures, susceptibility to viruses and early allergic sensitization

Inappropriate responses to respiratory viruses, especially rhinovirus, and early allergic sensitization are the strongest contributors to the inception and persistence of early onset asthma. The ORMDL3 asthma locus in chromosome 17q seems to exert its effects by increasing susceptibility to human rhinovirus in early life. Being raised on animal farms is highly protective against the development of asthma, and this protective effect is mediated by exposure to microbes. Two trials in high-risk young children, one to prevent wheezing lower respiratory tract illness using bacterial lyophilizates and another using anti-immunoglobulin E to prevent asthma progression, are already under way.
Quantitative digital pathology reveals association of cell-specific PNPLA3 transcription with NAFLD disease activity.

Background & Aims The I148M variant (rs738409) in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) is by far the most important genetic determinant of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, in the context of NAFLD, the transcriptional regulation of PNPLA3 in human liver cells is not known. In this study, we aimed to define the relationship between PNPLA3 transcription and disease characteristics of human NAFLD. Methods The abundance of PNPLA3 and collagen 1α (COL1α) transcripts was quantified in situ at single-cell resolution using RNAscope® in 87 patients with NAFLD. We examined the association of PNPLA3 and COL1α transcript levels with NAFLD disease severity, defined by histology. Results While the majority of PNPLA3 transcripts were found in hepatocytes, approximately 7% of PNPLA3-positive cells co-express COL1α, representing activated myofibroblasts. There is no association between the rs738409 genotype and the level of PNPLA3 transcript. The overall PNPLA3 transcript abundance is lower in zone 1 hepatocytes, patients with higher body mass index, and those with advanced liver fibrosis. The negative association between the PNPLA3 transcript levels and liver fibrosis is largely driven by COL1α-positive cells. A significant proportion of PNPLA3 mRNA is seen in the nucleus. The cytoplasmic-to-nuclear PNPLA3 mRNA ratio is inversely associated with NAFLD disease activity. Conclusions PNPLA3 transcript abundance and nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation are negatively associated with hepatic steatosis and NAFLD disease activity, while its abundance in activated myofibroblasts is inversely associated with the stage of liver fibrosis. Lay summary A genetic variant in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (or PNPLA3) is the most important genetic determinant of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, it is not known how transcriptional regulation of the PNPLA3 gene contributes to the disease characteristics of human NAFLD. Herein, we show that the mRNA levels of PNPLA3, particularly in the cytoplasm, are negatively associated with the severity of NAFLD in humans.
(Z)-2-Thiophen-3-ylmethylene-1-aza- bicyclo(2.2.2)octan-3-one

The crystal structure of C12H13NOS, which was obtained in a base-catalysed condensation reaction of thio­phene-3-carbox­aldehyde with 1-aza-bi­cyclo­[2.2.2]­octan-3-one, is presented. The title compound, which contains a double bond connecting an aza­bicyclic ring system to a thio­phen-3-yl­methyl­ene moiety, crystallizes from solution in methanol and has a thienyl ring-flip disorder.
Therapists’ Subjective Experience during Improvisational Moments in the Clinical Encounter-Discussion of I’mprovisation

With this discussion, I reflect on the limitations of this pilot qualitative research. These include how categories of observation are established and the generalizability of the reported results b...
Design and test of a curved superconducting dipole magnet for proton therapy

Abstract We report on the design and test of a curved superconducting magnet completed as part of a collaborative project between Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Paul Scherrer Institute, and Varian Medical Systems focused on developing compact, lightweight gantries for proton therapy. An overview of the magnet design is given first, showing two Nb–Ti Canted-Cosine-Theta (CCT) layers producing a dipole field of 2.4 T in a clear bore of 290 mm diameter, with bend radius of 0.9 m, and magnetic bend angle of 50 degrees. The magnet fabrication process is then presented with a focus on the challenges associated with curved CCT mandrel manufacturing, winding, and assembly. Finally, quench training and magnetic field measurements are reported from a first test in liquid helium during which the magnet reached the design field of 2.4 T.
Characterizing the Effects of Random Subsampling on Lexicase Selection

Lexicase selection is a proven parent-selection algorithm designed for genetic programming problems, especially for uncompromising test-based problems where many distinct test cases must all be passed. Previous work has shown that random subsampling techniques can improve lexicase selection’s problem-solving success; here, we investigate why. We test two types of random subsampling lexicase variants: down-sampled lexicase, which uses a random subset of all training cases each generation; and cohort lexicase, which collects candidate solutions and training cases into small groups for testing, reshuffling those groups each generation. We show that both of these subsampling lexicase variants improve problem-solving success by facilitating deeper evolutionary searches; that is, they allow populations to evolve for more generations (relative to standard lexicase) given a fixed number of test-case evaluations. We also demonstrate that the subsampled variants require less computational effort to find solutions, even though subsampling hinders lexicase’s ability to preserve specialists. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find any evidence of systematic loss of phenotypic diversity maintenance due to subsampling, though we did find evidence that cohort lexicase is significantly better at preserving phylogenetic diversity than down-sampled lexicase.
Income Inequality Is Associated With Low Cumulative Antiretroviral Adherence in Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Background The adherence biomarker tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) in dried blood spots (DBS) is associated with viral suppression and predicts future viremia. However, its association with social determinants of health (SDoH) in people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) remains unknown. Methods Dried blood spots for TFV-DP were longitudinally collected from a clinical cohort of PWH receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based therapy (up to 3 visits over 48 weeks) residing in 5 Colorado counties. To assign SDoH, zip codes at enrollment were matched with SDoH data from AIDSVu (https://aidsvu.org/). The SDoH included household income, percentage living in poverty, education level, and income inequality (quantified using Gini coefficient, where 0 and 1 represent perfect income equality and inequality, respectively). Log-transformed TFV-DP concentrations were analyzed using a mixed-effects model to estimate percentage change (95% confidence interval) in TFV-DP for every significant change in the SDoH and adjusted for relevant covariates including age, gender, race, estimated glomerular filtration rate, body mass index, hematocrit, CD4+ T-cell count, antiretroviral drug class, and 3-month self-reported adherence. Results Data from 430 PWH totaling 950 person-visits were analyzed. In an adjusted analysis, income inequality was inversely associated with TFV-DP in DBS. For every 0.1 increase in the Gini coefficient, TFV-DP concentrations decreased by 9.2% (-0.5 to -17.1; P = .039). This remained significant after adjusting for human immunodeficiency virus viral suppression, where a 0.1 increase in Gini was associated with a decrease of 8.7% (-0.3 to -17.9; P = .042) in TFV-DP. Conclusions Higher income inequality was associated with lower cumulative antiretroviral adherence. These findings support the need for further research on how SDoH impact adherence and clinical care.
GR chaperone cycle mechanism revealed by cryo-EM: reactivation of GR by the GR:Hsp90:p23 client-maturation complex

Abstract Hsp90 is a conserved and essential molecular chaperone responsible for the folding and activation of hundreds of ‘client’ proteins1,2. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a model client that constantly depends on Hsp90 for activity3. Previously, we revealed GR ligand binding is inhibited by Hsp70 and restored by Hsp90, aided by the cochaperone p234. However, a molecular understanding of the chaperone-induced transformations that occur between the inactive Hsp70:Hsp90 ‘client-loading complex’ and an activated Hsp90:p23 ‘client-maturation complex’ is lacking for GR, or for any client. Here, we present a 2.56A cryo-EM structure of the GR-maturation complex (GR:Hsp90:p23), revealing that the GR ligand binding domain is, surprisingly, restored to a folded, ligand-bound conformation, while simultaneously threaded through the Hsp90 lumen. Also, unexpectedly, p23 directly stabilizes native GR using a previously uncharacterized C-terminal helix, resulting in enhanced ligand-binding. This is the highest resolution Hsp90 structure to date and the first atomic resolution structure of a client bound to Hsp90 in a native conformation, sharply contrasting with the unfolded kinase:Hsp90 structure5. Thus, aided by direct cochaperone:client interactions, Hsp90 dictates client-specific folding outcomes. Together with the GR-loading complex structure (Wang et al. 2020), we present the molecular mechanism of chaperone-mediated GR remodeling, establishing the first complete chaperone cycle for any client.
Psychostimulants may block long-term memory formation via degraded sleep in healthy adults.

Abstract Sleep is vital for biological function and long-term memory formation, with preferential enhancement of emotionally laden content. A growing trend in healthy young adults is the non-medical use of psychostimulants, or “smart drugs”, to prevent sleep and, hopefully, enhance cognition. However, the effect of these drugs on sleep-dependent memory processes are unclear. Here, in a within-subject, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, we investigated the impact of morning administration of dextroamphetamine on memory retention of negative and neutral pictures after 1) 12 h of wake, and 2) 24 h with sleep. After 12-hrs of wake, stimulants increased hit rate for neutral, but not negative, pictures, compared to placebo. No differences in memory discrimination were found. In addition, stimulants impaired nighttime sleep and significantly reduced memory for neutral pictures at 24-hrs, compared to placebo. Again, no performance differences between drug conditions were found for negative pictures. Together, these findings suggest that stimulants impairment of nighttime sleep likely leads to next day memory costs.
Controlled Analyses of Social Biases in Wikipedia Bios

Social biases on Wikipedia, a widely-read global platform, could greatly influence public opinion. While prior research has examined man/woman gender bias in biography articles, possible influences of confounding variables limit conclusions. In this work, we present a methodology for reducing the effects of confounding variables in analyses of Wikipedia biography pages. Given a target corpus for analysis (e.g. biography pages about women), we present a method for constructing a comparison corpus that matches the target corpus in as many attributes as possible, except the target attribute (e.g. the gender of the subject). We evaluate our methodology by developing metrics to measure how well the comparison corpus aligns with the target corpus. We then examine how articles about gender and racial minorities (cisgender women, non-binary people, transgender women, and transgender men; African American, Asian American, and Hispanic/Latinx American people) differ from other articles, including analyses driven by social theories like intersectionality. In addition to identifying suspect social biases, our results show that failing to control for confounding variables can result in different conclusions and mask biases. Our contributions include methodology that facilitates further analyses of bias in Wikipedia articles, findings that can aid Wikipedia editors in reducing biases, and framework and evaluation metrics to guide future work in this area.
Linking Coregulated Gene Modules with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Related Cancer Risk in the 3D Human Bronchial Epithelium

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) often occurs as complex chemical mixtures, which are linked to numerous adverse health outcomes in humans, with cancer as the greatest concern. The cancer risk associated with PAH exposures is commonly evaluated using the relative potency factor (RPF) approach, which estimates PAH mixture carcinogenic potential based on the sum of relative potency estimates of individual PAHs, compared to benzo[a]pyrene (BAP), a reference carcinogen. The present study evaluates molecular mechanisms related to PAH cancer risk through integration of transcriptomic and bioinformatic approaches in a 3D human bronchial epithelial cell model. Genes with significant differential expression from human bronchial epithelium exposed to PAHs were analyzed using a weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) two-tiered approach: first to identify gene sets comodulated to RPF and second to link genes to a more comprehensive list of regulatory values, including inhalation-specific risk values. Over 3000 genes associated with processes of cell cycle regulation, inflammation, DNA damage, and cell adhesion processes were found to be comodulated with increasing RPF with pathways for cell cycle S phase and cytoskeleton actin identified as the most significantly enriched biological networks correlated to RPF. In addition, comodulated genes were linked to additional cancer-relevant risk values, including inhalation unit risks, oral cancer slope factors, and cancer hazard classifications from the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). These gene sets represent potential biomarkers that could be used to evaluate cancer risk associated with PAH mixtures. Among the values tested, RPF values and IARC categorizations shared the most similar responses in positively and negatively correlated gene modules. Together, we demonstrated a novel manner of integrating gene sets with chemical toxicity equivalence estimates through WGCNA to understand potential mechanisms.
Measurement invariance of the Brief Sense of Community Scale across non-Hispanic, Black and Hispanic college students.

Ethnic-racial background may influence college students' psychological sense of community (PSOC). Thus, it is critical to examine whether this construct is conceptualized similarly between non-Hispanic, Black and Hispanic students. This study tested the measurement invariance of the Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) across the two groups. We used data from a self-administered online survey provided to college students in 2016 in a Northeastern urban university (non-Hispanic, Black = 307; Hispanic = 409). We tested the measurement invariance of the BSCS using a series of nested multigroup confirmatory factor analyses with increasingly restrictive sets of parameters. Measurement invariance of the BSCS across non-Hispanic, Black and Hispanic college students was achieved. The BSCS successfully measures the multidimensionality of PSOC across the two groups in a college setting. Students' score on the BSCS is not biased by measurement invariance related to cultural influences. When using the BSCS, community psychologists and researchers can have confidence that the observed differences in PSOC across non-Hispanic, Black and Hispanic college students are attributable to true differences rather than a cultural understanding of the construct.
Social Distancing Measures, Techniques and Bank Practices During the COVID-19 Era

This paper aims to contribute to the literature on social distancing measures, practices and techniques designed and implemented by banks during the COVID-19 outbreak as well as underline implications and consequences for bank practices in the era following the devastating outbreak. How will banks be able to adapt to practices requiring their employees to work from home during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak? How will they be accurately able to ascertain and determine those customers considered and categorized as “high risk customers” through the use of information, data techniques and tracing patterns which are used to determine how social or socially vulnerable their customers are? Highly social customers and those designated as being more high risk customers being deemed to have greater contacts with society and therefore more likely to pose greater risks in transmitting or actually contracting the virus. As well as addressing the above mentioned questions, this paper also aims to highlight the need to balance the need to respect customer privacy as well as the need to protect bank employees. Even though contact details, namely customer telephone and mobile contacts may help to discern the level of social contacts and the class in which to categorize customers – as well as a consideration of tracing techniques which can be deployed to facilitate such a task, thin lines between the need to respect customer privacy and the intrusion of such rights, could exist where appropriate and clear guidelines are not implemented. In contributing to the literature on the topic, the paper aims to highlight how techniques currently being implemented in advanced economies could be extended to developing countries which may not have adopted such practices and which particularly, may be in need of greater protection since such economies are medically less equipped and not as prepared to deal with the outbreak. Even though medical facilities by virtue of cost and availability of resources required to acquire and maintain such facilities, may serve as ongoing obstacles in developing countries, knowledge based capital, as well as transferrable knowledge in implementing bank techniques and practices which have been tested and implemented in more advanced or advanced economies, could serve as valuable human and knowledge based capital in averting potential outbreaks or second and subsequent waves.
Christology and Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark: Further thoughts “on the way”

The preceding study of discipleship in the gospel of Mark has been deliberately limited in scope. Not only has the inquiry been confined to passages occurring within the gospel's first six chapters, but it has also concluded at the precise point where Mark's portrait of discipleship takes a turn for the worse, as the evangelist for the first time overtly ascribes incomprehension to Jesus' followers: “For they did not understand concerning the loaves, for their hearts were hardened” (Mk. 6:52). Thus the interpretive aims of this project have been modest; rather than an exhaustive treatment of discipleship in Mark, I have attempted primarily to delineate the contours of discipleship as set forth from the gospel's outset , a pattern that in turn provides a platform against which we might assess the disciples' impending failures as the story progresses. Perhaps the most striking outcome of this study has been this: at least in the gospel's opening chapters, faithful discipleship can best be understood not as the correct appraisal of Jesus' Christological identity, but as the disciples' collective participation in Jesus' Christological mission. As a way of concluding this study, I shall review its results before noting their implications for the interpretation of Mark. Summary of findings After setting the terms of the ensuing exegetical study in Part I, Part IIhas explored in great detail two passages that are foundational for understanding Mark's portrait of discipleship. In chapter 2, I have examined Jesus' initial call to follow, extended to four fishers (Mk. 1:16–20).
The smoothing problem — a state space recursive computational approach: Applications to econometric time series with trends and seasonalities

Let y(n)=f(n)+e(n), n=1, ..., N with the e(n) i.i.d. from N(0,σ2), σ2 unknown and f(·) an unknown "smooth" function. The problem is to estimate f(n), n=1,...,N in a statistically satisfactory manner. This problem was proposed by Whittaker, 1919. Wahba and Wold, 1975, is an 0(N3) cubic spline solution; Akaike, 1979, is an 0(N2) marginal likelihood "smoothness priors" solution.
Opinions, Knowledge, and Current Practices of Culinary Arts Instructors and Professionals in Regards to Healthy Food Techniques

Culinary instructors and professional chefs control the flavor and the nutritional composition of the foods served up across the country. Instructors direct and influence the growing numbers of culinary arts students in the U.S. Culinarians are tasked with the responsibility of searching for and interpreting research-based, up-to-date nutrition information. Surveys from instructors and industry chefs (n = 327) from eight presentations across the country on current topics of food and health including: sodium, lipids, protein, and healthy food preparation have been analyzed and interpreted. Considerations for educators to share with future chefs include nutrition knowledge on issues and trends, skills and practices in the kitchen, and presentation of healthy menu choices for the consumer. Research at this foundational level will contribute to design and delivery of educational materials and sessions to support the culinary educator as well as industry chef in providing healthy meals for Americans.
A Reverse Depletion Method for Pressurized Water Reactor Core Reload Design

Low-leakage fuel management is currently practiced in over half of all pressurized water reactor (PWR) cores. The large numbers of burnable poison pins used to control the power peaking at the in-b...
Adaptive image quantization based on learning classifier systems

Summary form only given. The performance of a quantizer depends primarily on the selection of a codebook. Most of the quantization techniques used in the past are based on a static codebook which stays unchanged for the entire input. As already demonstrated successfully in lossless data compression, adaptation can be very beneficial in the compression of typically changing input data. Adaptive quantization has been difficult to accomplish because of its lossy nature. We present a model for distribution-free adaptive image quantization based on learning classifier systems which have been used successfully in machine learning. A basic learning classifier system is a special type of message-processing, rule-based system that produces output according to its input environment. Probabilistic learning mechanisms are used to dynamically direct the behavior of the system to adapt to its environment. The adaptiveness of a learning classifier system seems very appropriate for the quantization problem. A learning classifier system based adaptive quantizer consists of the input data, a codebook, and the output. When an input can not be matched, a new codebook entry is constructed to match the input. Such an algorithm allows us not only to deal with the changing environment, but also to control the quality of the quantized output. The adaptive quantizers presented can be applied to both scalar quantization and vector quantization. Experimental results for each case in image quantization are very promising.
Matrix elements and eigenfunctions of multidimensional oscillators by operational methods: Part II. Three dimensional isotropic harmonic oscillator

Abstract The matrix elements and eigenfunctions of a two dimensional isotropic harmonic oscillator have been obtained in a representation in which the Hamiltonian function and the angular momentum are diagonal by operational methods. A theorem concerning the construction of “raising” and “lowering” operators is given.
Making Ends Meet: How Single Mothers Survive Welfare and Low‐Wage Work

Making Ends Meet: How Single Mothers Survive Welfare and Low-Wage Work. Kathryn Edin and Laura Lein. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1997. 320 pp.
It's a Whole New Season at MilnER

Abstract This paper discusses the novel public relations and outreach efforts utilized by Milner Library, Illinois State University, which are aimed at dispelling the stereotypes of librarians found in popular culture, as well as attempting to make students-especially undergraduates-more aware of library services and more comfortable in their interactions with the public service librarians.
Does plasmapheresis desensitize kidney transplant recipients more effectively than high-dose immunoglobulin?

Does plasmapheresis desensitize kidney transplant recipients more effectively than high-dose immunoglobulin?
Entrainment and Fine-Scale Mixing in a Continental Convective Cloud

Abstract Aircraft data from a penetration through several young, nonprecipitating, continental cumulus turrets are examined. Fine-scale measurements, some of a new type, show that mixing is highly nonuniform during the active stages of the turret development. The observations indicate that mixing involves both bulk entrainment, which produces a coarse mixture of cloud and clear air on a scale of meters or tens of meters, and fine-scale (molecular) mixing which changes the local microphysical properties. Both processes take place concurrently, and by the time fine-scale mixing has substantially diluted a cloud volume, bulk entrainment of clear air has broken it up into small patches. Dilution of droplet concentration to less than half of the adiabatic concentration is typically associated with patchy mixing on scales of the order of 10 m or less. These observations, if they can be generalized, have implications for large droplet production through mixing, as modeled in microphysical parcel models: if the a...
Hall Drag and Magnetodrag in Graphene

Massless Dirac fermions in graphene at charge neutrality form a strongly interacting system in which both charged and neutral (energy) modes play an important role. These modes are essentially decoupled in the absence of a magnetic field, but become strongly coupled when the field is applied. We show that this regime is characterized by strong magnetodrag and Hall drag, originating from long-range energy currents and spatial temperature gradients. The energy-driven effects arise in a wide temperature range, and feature an unusually strong dependence on field and carrier density. We argue that this mechanism accounts for the recently observed giant magnetodrag and Hall drag occurring at classically weak fields.
Classroom modification of elective mutism

Eight school children were selected whose rates of verbal behavior were so low as to warrant the designation of elective mutism. Four children were untreated and four experienced modification procedures suited to the individual child's problem and level of social development. Substantial verbal behavior change occurred in the treated group and these changes were maintained one year later.
A cybernetic big five theory for personality psychology

Cybernetics, the study of goal-directed systems, offers a framework in which to develop an integrative theory of personality. Personality traits describe individual differences in the frequency and intensity of various emotional, motivational, cognitive, and behavioural states. A major challenge for personality psychology is to link descriptive models of traits to the underlying psychological and biological processes that generate the relevant states. Focusing on characteristic adaptations, adequately defined as cybernetic constructs, can aid in meeting this challenge. Characteristic adaptations comprise three categories that together describe the informational contents of a cybernetic system: (1) goals, (2) evaluations and representations of the aspects of the world relevant to those goals, and (3) strategies, plans, and habits that allow movement toward those goals. In this theory, personality traits from the Big Five hierarchy can be explained in terms of the functional parameters of this system, related to goal pursuit, error detection, and exploration.
Practical learning from one-sided feedback

In many data mining applications, online labeling feedback is only available for examples which were predicted to belong to the positive class. Such applications includespam filtering in the case where users never checkemails marked "spam", document retrieval where users cannotgive relevance feedback on unretrieved documents,and online advertising where user behavior cannot beobserved for unshown advertisements. One-sided feedback can cripple the performance of classical mistake-driven online learners such as Perceptron. Previous work under the Apple Tasting framework showed how to transform standard online learners into successful learners from one sided feedback. However, we find in practice that this transformation may request more labels than necessary to achieve strong performance. In this paper,we employ two active learning methods which reduce the number of labels requested in practice. One method is the use of Label Efficient active learning. The other method,somewhat surprisingly, is the use of margin-based learners without modification, which we show combines implicit active learning and a greedy strategy to managing the exploration exploitation tradeoff. Experimental results show that these methods can be significantly more effective in practice than those using the Apple Tasting transformation, even on minority class problems.
Potential energy integrals in semiempirical MO methods

The two-center core-electron attraction integral VAB in zero-differential overlap semiempirical MO methods is examined. It is concluded that core-valence orthogonality and valence symmetrical orthogonalization effects must be considered, and that these effects provide justification for the CNDO/2 approximation VAB = ZBγAB.
Robustness evaluation for compliant assembly systems

A new method for evaluating the robustness of compliant assembly systems is developed based on previously developed variation simulation models. This method can be used for selecting a robust assembly system at product/process development stage. Examples are presented to illustrate the proposed method.
Olfactory recognition of individuals by male cavies (Cavia aperea)

In one study, using a habituation procedure, male South American cavies,Cavia aperea, distinguished individual differences in odors collected from three sources: perineal gland secretions, urine, and supracaudal gland secretions. In a second study, male cavies spent more noninvestigatory time and rested more on the side of a cage containing the odor of a familiar subordinate male as compared to the cage side containing the odor of a familiar dominant male. Since the odor source was a glass plate which had been left in the home cage of the donor males for three days, the actual odorous cue to which the test males responded is not known. These studies demonstrate that male cavies distinguish odors of individuals, that individual differences in odors are found in at least three different sources, and that cavies use chemical cues to distinguish between known individuals.
Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase-1 (ENPP1) Protein Regulates Osteoblast Differentiation

ENPP1 (ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase-1) is an established regulator of tissue mineralization. Previous studies demonstrated that ENPP1 is expressed in differentiated osteoblasts and that ENPP1 influences matrix mineralization by increasing extracellular levels of inorganic pyrophosphate. ENPP1 is also expressed in osteoblastic precursor cells when stimulated with FGF2, but the role of ENPP1 in preosteoblastic and other precursor cells is unknown. Here we investigate the function of ENPP1 in preosteoblasts. We find that ENPP1 expression is critical for osteoblastic differentiation and that this effect is not mediated by changes in extracellular concentration levels of phosphate or pyrophosphate or ENPP1 catalytic activity. MC3T3E1(C4) preosteoblastic cells, in which ENPP1 expression was suppressed by ENPP1-specific shRNA, and calvarial cells isolated from Enpp1 knock-out mice show defective osteoblastic differentiation upon stimulation with ascorbate, as indicated by a lack of cellular morphological change, a lack of osteoblast marker gene expression, and an inability to mineralize matrix. Additionally, MC3T3E1(C4) cells, in which wild type or catalytic inactive ENPP1 expression was increased, exhibited an increased tendency to differentiate, as evidenced by increased osteoblast marker gene expression and increased mineralization. Notably, treatment of cells with inorganic phosphate or pyrophosphate inhibited, as opposed to enhanced, expression of multiple genes that are expressed in association with osteoblast differentiation, matrix deposition, and mineralization. Our results indicate that ENPP1 plays multiple and distinct roles in the development of mineralized tissues and that the influence of ENPP1 on osteoblast differentiation and gene expression may include a mechanism that is independent of its catalytic activity.
Efficient funds for meager asset spaces

Abstract For finite state space models of securities markets, there exists a portfolio of traded securities on which conventional call (or put) options suffice to complete securities markets [28]. Moreover, these “efficient funds” are generic [2, 18]. The objective of this paper is to present a class of “larger” models of securities markets for which existence and genericity of efficient funds obtains. Conditions abstracted from the finite state space case serve to define a meager asset space . It is shown that for meager asset spaces (satisfying a separability condition) efficient funds exist and are generic in a category theoretic sense.
Intérêt d'un programme de dépistage par échodoppler carotidien pour la prévention des accidents vasculaires cérébraux

Introduction Bien que l'echodoppler (ED) puisse aisement identifier la progression d’une stenose carotidienne, la polemique concernant l'histoire naturelle des stenoses carotidiennes asymptomatiques ainsi que le recours et la frequence des ED de surveillance existe toujours. En outre, le consensus n'existe toujours pas dans la litterature chirurgicale concernant l'utilite, la rentabilite, ou la programmation de l’ED de surveillance apres endarteriectomie carotidienne (CEA). Le but de cette etude etait de determiner combien de fois un ED de surveillance pour une maladie carotidienne asymptomatique ou une stenose postoperatoire avait comme consequence une modification de la prise en charge clinique du patient, combien d’accidents vasculaires cerebral (AVC) etaient evites par un ED de surveillance, et le cout d'un tel programme d’ED de surveillance par AVC evite. Methodes Nous avons examine une base de donnees chirurgicale vasculaire de neuf ans afin d’identifier tous les patients inscrits dans un programme d’ED carotidien de surveillance pour une stenose carotidienne asymptomatique ou apres une CEA, entre le 1er janvier 2000 et le 31 decembre 2008. Le nombre d’ED et de CEAs realises chez ces patients a ete egalement determine en le mars 2010. Les resultats de l'etude Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study ont ete alors employes pour estimer le nombre d’AVCs evitees par CEA dans la population de l'etude. Les donnees de remboursement ont ete evaluees pour calculer le cout moyen de chaque ED et le cout du programme de surveillance par ED pour chaque AVC evite. Resultats Au cours de la periode de l'etude, il y a eu 11531 ED carotidiens realises sur 3003 patients (moyenne : 3,84 ED par patient) qui avait ete inscrit dans le programme de surveillance ED. La CEA pour stenose carotidienne asymptomatique a ete realisee chez 225 (7,5%) patients. Le programme de surveillance ED a evite approximativement 13 AVCs (871 ED par AVC evite). Le cout moyen de chaque ED etait de 332 ± 170$. Le cout global du programme de surveillance ED etait approximativement de 3830000$ ou 290000$ par AVC evite. Conclusions Bien qu'un programme de surveillance ED carotidien produise du revenu substantiel pour une installation en chirurgie vasculaire, il est couteux et inefficace. Une re-estimation de la « valeur » de la surveillance ED carotidienne sur la prevention de l’AVC est justifiee. Une attention devrait etre accordee a eliminer la surveillance systematique des carotides apres endarteriectomie en l'absence de la maladie controlaterale et a limite le nombre d’ED de surveillance en cas de maladie carotidienne asymptomatique.
Are virus infections triggers for autoimmune disease

Viruses have been implicated in the initiation, progression, and exacerbation of several human autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. However, no single virus has been demonstrated as the etiologic agent. Multiple different infections may be involved, first in priming the immune system for autoimmunity and then in triggering the actual disease. A model based on experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis, has been developed, which shows that an initial early infection with a virus having molecular mimicry to self-epitopes can prime for disease that occurs after a subsequent non-specific immunologic stimulus, such as a different infection. The role of multiple infections in the development of autoimmune disease may explain why no one virus has been implicated.
Quantifying the processes controlling intraseasonal mixed-layer temperature variability in the tropical Indian Ocean

Spatial and temporal variation of processes that determine ocean mixed-layer (ML) temperature (MLT) variability on the timescale of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) in the Tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) are examined in a heat-conserving ocean state estimate for years 1993–2011. We introduce a new metric for representing spatial variability of the relative importance of processes. In general, horizontal advection is most important at the Equator. Subsurface processes and surface heat flux are more important away from the Equator, with surface heat flux being the more dominant factor. Analyses at key sites are discussed in the context of local dynamics and literature. At 0°, 80.5°E, for MLT events > 2 standard deviations, ocean dynamics account for more than two thirds of the net tendency during cooling and warming phases. Zonal advection alone accounts for ∼40% of the net tendency. Moderate events (1–2 standard deviations) show more differences between events, and some are dominated by surface heat flux. At 8°S, 67°E in the Seychelles-Chagos Thermocline Ridge (SCTR) area, surface heat flux accounts for ∼70% of the tendency during strong cooling and warming phases; subsurface processes linked to ML depth (MLD) deepening (shoaling) during cooling (warming) account for ∼30%. MLT is more sensitive to subsurface processes in the SCTR, due to the thin MLD, thin barrier layer and raised thermocline. Results for 8°S, 67°E support assertions by Vialard et al. (2008) not previously confirmed due to measurement error that prevented budget closure and the small number of events studied. The roles of MLD, barrier layer thickness, and thermocline depth on different timescales are examined.
A FRET-Based Assay for Monitoring Actions of Calcium Sensitizers on the Thin Filament

Cardiac troponin (cTn) is composed of troponins C, I, and T. cTnC is the Ca2+-dependent switch for cardiac muscle contraction. A decrease in calcium activation, and a subsequent decrease in cardiac contractility, has been linked to cardiac diseases such as familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Calcium sensitizers targeting cTn are a promising pharmacological approach to stimulating contractility through increased sensitization or stabilization of Ca2+-induced changes. We developed an in vitro assay to measure the actions of Ca2+ sensitizers on cTn within reconstituted regulated actin (rAc) (cTn, tropomyosin, f-actin). The assay utilizes fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to monitor structural changes of troponin as a function of pCa. A donor and acceptor fluorophore were covalently attached to the mobile domain of cTnI and the C-lobe of cTnC, respectively. The fluorophore positions were selected due to the large observed Ca2+-induced distance change (1.8 nm), allowing for an assay highly sensitive to pCa fluctuations and Ca2+-sensitizing effects. Steady-state calcium titrations were performed to monitor fluctuations in Ca2+ affinity in the presence of two Ca2+ sensitizers known to bind to cTnC: Levosimendan and bepridil. Bepridil was shown to increase Ca2+ sensitivity, while Levosimendan was shown to have little effect on Ca2+ sensitivity. Additionally, bepridil appeared to prevent troponin from closing under Ca2+-saturating conditions, a structural effect that may give insight into the mechanism of Ca2+ sensitization of cTn. This assay is a fast approach to monitor the effects of Ca2+ sensitizers on cTn within the thin filament.
Elemental composition of PM2.5 aerosols in Queens, New York: Evaluation of sources of fine-particle mass

Abstract As a part of the PM2.5 Technology Assessment and Characterization Study-New York (PMTACS-NY) daily aerosol samples were collected from July 2001 to December 2004 at three NY sites: urban Queens, and rural Pinnacle State Park, and Whiteface Mountain lodge. Sulfate was determined on all samples while the 2001 and 2002 samples also had 15 metals determined: Mg, Al, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sb, and Pb. This is the second of a set of papers that deals with the composition of fine particulate matter at the urban site in Queens, NY. We use the large daily elemental database to explore the inter-elemental relationships with statistical methods and air trajectories on a seasonal basis to glean insight into the regional and local area sources impacting Metropolitan NY.