cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gelatin methacrylamide hydrogel with graphene nanoplatelets for neural cell-laden 3D bioprinting

Nervous system is extremely complex which leads to rare regrowth of nerves once injury or disease occurs. Advanced 3D bioprinting strategy, which could simultaneously deposit biocompatible materials, cells and supporting components in a layer-by-layer manner, may be a promising solution to address neural damages. Here we presented a printable nano-bioink composed of gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA), neural stem cells, and bioactive graphene nanoplatelets to target nerve tissue regeneration in the assist of stereolithography based 3D bioprinting technique. We found the resultant GelMA hydrogel has a higher compressive modulus with an increase of GelMA concentration. The porous GelMA hydrogel can provide a biocompatible microenvironment for the survival and growth of neural stem cells. The cells encapsulated in the hydrogel presented good cell viability at the low GelMA concentration. Printed neural construct exhibited well-defined architecture and homogenous cell distribution. In addition, neural stem cells showed neuron differentiation and neurites elongation within the printed construct after two weeks of culture. These findings indicate the 3D bioprinted neural construct has great potential for neural tissue regeneration.
Explaining parental coviewing: The role of social facilitation and arousal

ABSTRACTThis study explores the relationship between parental coviewing and children’s psychophysiological responses to television exposure within a framework of social facilitation. A total of 88 children aged 6–13 years and one of each of their parents participated in a 2 (presence or absence of the parent) × 2 (exciting or non-exciting TV content) between-subjects experiment. Results indicated that the presence of a coviewing parent was associated with an increase in children’s arousal (higher skin conductance levels) and cognitive resource allocation (lower heart rate), especially for younger children who came from homes where parental coviewing was a relatively frequent activity. These findings suggest that the mere presence of a coviewing parent is sufficient to alter children’s processing of television messages.
Simulation results of a dual aperture gamma ray imager

We report on a hybrid radiation imaging system that combines the advantages of a multi-aperture mechanical collimator with electronic collimation. The combination offers both efficiency and good angular resolution, and is unique since a single gamma ray can contribute information to both modalities simultaneously. The mechanically collimated camera is most effective for imaging lower energy photons while electronic collimation uncouples spatial resolution from efficiency for higher energies. Our proposed dual aperture gamma imager (DAGI) combines a high-resolution URA coded aperture with a Compton scatter camera to provide a broader range of energy response suitable for a wider range of industrial applications (50 keV-2 MeV). The primary detector is a large area LaCl/sub 3/:Ce scintillator coupled directly to a Hammamatsu PSPMT, chosen to provide portability, efficiency and energy resolution. A pixellated CsI(Na)/PSPMT combination serves as the secondary absorption detector. Point and ring shaped radiation sources (140, 364, 662 and 1275 keV) are simulated. The results show that DAGI can cover a broad energy range of radiation and the combined dual collimation image, using the maximum likelihood method for image reconstruction, yields better images than either a mechanical or electronic image at intermediate energies. The sensitivity loss of the Compton imager due to the introduction of the mechanical collimator is discussed.
Oscillatory stratified flow over supercritical topography: Wave energetics and turbulence

Abstract Topographic features with steep, supercritical slope on the ocean bottom are sites of large energy conversion from the oscillating tide to internal waves according to linear theory. At the same time, they are also sites with potentially large local energy loss as is suggested by nonlinear waves and overturns found in field observations and two-dimensional simulations. Here, we investigate the internal wave dynamics and turbulence at an isolated supercritical obstacle using three-dimensional, high resolution large-eddy simulations (LES) conducted with a body conforming grid. An obstacle with a smoothed triangular shape having supercritical slope is considered as a laboratory-scale model for a two-dimensional ocean ridge. Three simulations are performed with constant Reynolds number and an excursion number ( Ex ) that varies from 0.066 to unity, corresponding to a large obstacle and a small obstacle, respectively. The dominant nonlinear flow feature is a downslope jet with intensified velocity whose length and thickness increase with increasing Ex . During the flow reversal phase, the downward jet encounters upward flow along the slope and the interaction creates a rebounding jet which distorts the density resulting in convective instability. Turbulence is generated predominantly by shear in the jet, convective instabilities from the rebounding jet, and breaking of transient lee waves. The active region of turbulence grows as Ex increases although the local normalized turbulent kinetic energy becomes smaller. Analysis of the baroclinic energy budget shows that, with increasing Ex , there is a substantial decrease of energy conversion ( C ) to the wave field as well as a substantial increase in local energy loss ( q ).
Extended use of perioperative antibiotics in head and neck microvascular reconstruction.

Abstract Purpose Many head and neck surgical procedures are considered clean-contaminated wounds and antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended. Despite prophylaxis, the incidence of surgical site infections remains significant – especially in the setting of free tissue transfer. The antibiotic course is often of a longer duration after free tissue transfer than the recommended 24 hour post-operatively. Currently, there is no consensus on appropriate antibiotic regimen or duration at this time. This study investigates the outcomes of a 7-day perioperative antibiotic regimen after microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck at our institution. Materials and methods A retrospective review was performed of 72 patients undergoing microvascular free tissue at our institution between 09/2011 and 03/2014. The antibiotic regimen, post-operative surgical (including surgical site infections) and medical complications were noted. Our rates of complications and adverse events were compared to all surgical patients, as well as all inpatients hospital-wide with use of the University Health System Consortium database. Results Seventy-two subjects met inclusion criteria for this study. The majority of subjects received cefazolin/metronidazole (69.4%). Subjects with beta-lactam allergy received clindamycin (12.5%). The remainder received an alternative regimen (18.1%). All received at least 7 days of antibiotics. The rate of hospital acquired C. difficile diarrhea was 0.57% hospital-wide, 1.13% in Otolaryngology patients, and 1.4% in this study. There were no instances of a multi-drug resistant infection or any adverse reactions to the administration of antibiotics. When compared with other antibiotic regimens, clindamycin was associated with a significantly increased rate of either medical or surgical infections (OR 14.38, p = 0.02) and longer hospital stay (average = 18 days, p Conclusion The use of a 7-day prophylactic antibiotic regimen is not associated with an increased risk of antibiotic-associated infections, multi-drug resistant infections, or antibiotic-associated complications. The use of clindamycin is associated with increased risk of medical and surgical infections post-operatively and should be avoided in the prophylactic perioperative phase after free tissue transfer of the head and neck.
Less money, more problems: how changes in disposable income affect child maltreatment

A number of research studies have documented an association between child maltreatment and family income. Yet, little is known about the specific types of economic shocks that affect child maltreatment rates. The paucity of information is troubling given that more than six million children are reported for maltreatment annually in the U.S. alone. This study examines whether an exogenous shock to families' disposable income, a change in the price of gasoline, predicts changes in child maltreatment. The findings of a fixed-effects regression show that increases in state-level gas prices are associated with increases in state-level child maltreatment referral rates, even after controlling for demographic and other economic variables. The results are robust to the manner of estimation; random-effects and mixed-effects regressions produce similar estimates. The findings suggest that fluctuations in the price of gas may have important consequences for children.
Tech startups: realistic software engineering projects with interdisciplinary collaboration

Team projects in software engineering courses can contextualize practical software development experience and help students transition into related careers. However, the traditional academic environment is not particularly conducive to realistic software development. Consequently, we developed a model for collaboration between students in Computer Science and Entrepreneurship programs to cultivate development of real software products. This paper describes our partnership and illustrates how courses teaching agile software development and lean startup methodologies complement each other to foster realistic, interdisciplinary "Tech Startup" team projects.
Association analysis of salt tolerance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) at germination and seedling stages

This is the first report on association analysis of salt tolerance and identification of SNP markers associated with salt tolerance in cowpea. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is one of the most important cultivated legumes in Africa. The worldwide annual production in cowpea dry seed is 5.4 million metric tons. However, cowpea is unfavorably affected by salinity stress at germination and seedling stages, which is exacerbated by the effects of climate change. The lack of knowledge on the genetic underlying salt tolerance in cowpea limits the establishment of a breeding strategy for developing salt-tolerant cowpea cultivars. The objectives of this study were to conduct association mapping for salt tolerance at germination and seedling stages and to identify SNP markers associated with salt tolerance in cowpea. We analyzed the salt tolerance index of 116 and 155 cowpea accessions at germination and seedling stages, respectively. A total of 1049 SNPs postulated from genotyping-by-sequencing were used for association analysis. Population structure was inferred using Structure 2.3.4; K optimal was determined using Structure Harvester. TASSEL 5, GAPIT, and FarmCPU involving three models such as single marker regression, general linear model, and mixed linear model were used for the association study. Substantial variation in salt tolerance index for germination rate, plant height reduction, fresh and dry shoot biomass reduction, foliar leaf injury, and inhibition of the first trifoliate leaf was observed. The cowpea accessions were structured into two subpopulations. Three SNPs, Scaffold87490_622, Scaffold87490_630, and C35017374_128 were highly associated with salt tolerance at germination stage. Seven SNPs, Scaffold93827_270, Scaffold68489_600, Scaffold87490_633, Scaffold87490_640, Scaffold82042_3387, C35069468_1916, and Scaffold93942_1089 were found to be associated with salt tolerance at seedling stage. The SNP markers were consistent across the three models and could be used as a tool to select salt-tolerant lines for breeding improved cowpea tolerance to salinity.
A Blocker-Tolerant RF Front End With Harmonic-Rejecting $N$ -Path Filter

An RF front end with a harmonic-rejecting $N$ -path filter is presented. It features tunable narrow-band filtering and high attenuation at the third- and fifth-order local oscillator (LO) harmonics at the LNA output, which improves the blocker tolerance at LO harmonics. The 0.2–1 GHz RF front end is implemented in a 65-nm CMOS process. The blocker 1-dB compression point (B1dB) is −2.4 dBm at a 20-MHz offset, and remains high at the third- and fifth-order LO harmonics. The reverse isolation of the LNA helps keep the LO emission below −90 dBm. A two-stage harmonic rejection approach offers a >51 dB harmonic-rejection ratio at the third- and fifth-order LO harmonics without calibration.
Educating beyond the classroom: alumni giving and the value of campus culture

This research considers a variety of independent variables to determine the school-based factors that can predict alumni giving. Data for this study are gathered from a top-tier liberal arts colleg...
Studies of idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction. II. Hereditary hollow visceral myopathy: family studies.

Twelve relatives of a 15-year-old girl with idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction were studied with esophageal manometry or cine-esophagography to determine whether the disease was genetically transmitted. Four maternal relatives, including the patient's mother, 13-year-old brother, one aunt, and one of that aunt's children had mild dysphagia and esophageal motor dysfunction. In addition, the patient's mother and 13- year-old brother had a flaccid bladder and bilateral ureteral reflux, respectively. The brother had abnormal bladder smooth muscle by light microscopy. We conclude that idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction in this family is secondary to a generalized disease of smooth muscle which is transmitted as a dominant trait of variable expressivity, manifested in some family members as a mild disorder of esophageal smooth muscle dysfunction, at times accompanied by bladder dysfunction. We suggest that this form of idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction be called "hereditary hollow visceral myopathy." Esophageal manometry may prove useful as a tool for studying the inheritance of this disorder.
Graphical Analysis: The Tangent Field

This chapter elaborates the yield and application of the tangent field. It is applicable to first-order ordinary differential equations. It yields a graphical representation the solutions corresponding to different initial conditions. The qualitative features of the solution of a first-order ordinary differential equation may be ascertained from the tangent field. Given a first-order ordinary differential equation in the form dy/dx = f ( x, y ), the procedure is to draw small line segments in th e ( x, y ) plane, such that the line segment that goes through the poin t ( x 0 , y 0 ) has the slope f ( x 0 , y 0 ). An approximate solution may be drawn by connecting up the line segments that originate from a given point.
The Challenge Model

Dr. Feingold’s diet (Feingold, 1975b) consisted of two classes of substances, artificial colors and “natural salicylates.” This latter category was included because some patients who are intolerant of aspirin (ascetylsalicylic acid) are also allergically reactive to the yellow food dye tartrazine (FD&C Yellow Dye #5). If one is constructing a diet which eliminates artificial colors then it would make sense to exclude substances which “cross-react” with food colors. Based on some German work done at the turn of the century that showed various degrees of concentrations of salicylates in fruits and vegetables, Feingold excluded a variety of these foodstuffs from his diet. There are several problems with this approach.
Joint Effects of Application Communication Pattern, Job Placement and Network Routing on Fat-Tree Systems

Among the high-radix and low-diameter networks, fat-tree topology is commonly used in high-performance computing (HPC) and datacenter systems. Resource and job management on HPC systems is critically important to mitigate application interference in order to achieve high system performance and utilization. Preliminary studies have shown the effect of job placement on parallel scientific applications performance in fat-tree network. In this work we explore the joint effects of job placement and network routing aware of applications communication pattern on fat-tree system. Applications can be classified into various groups according to the communication patterns. We further combine various job placement policies and routing algorithms and create six different configurations. The system performance is analyzed using communication, hops, traffic, and saturation data by performing fine-grained high-fidelity discrete event-driven simulation. Initial experimentation shows that the performance of HPC applications not only is related with the communication pattern, but also relies on the job placement and network routing on fat-tree systems.
Clinical Efficacy of Serum-Derived Bovine Immunoglobulin in Patients With Refractory Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can have autoimmunity and/or intestinal barrier dysfunction as part of pathophysiology and may be refractory to all available treatment options. Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin (SBI) binds microbial components with postulated downstream effects of normalized gut immune and barrier function, which may be useful for managing IBD. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SBI in the management of refractory IBD, particularly symptoms of chronic diarrhea and loose stools. Methods We retrospectively analyzed charts for patients diagnosed with IBD (n = 40) who were refractory to standard treatment. Patients received oral SBI 5 g daily for a period of at least 6 weeks. Twelve patients with IBD fulfilled study inclusion criteria. Each patient graded the severity and frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms before starting SBI and at 6 weeks of treatment using a standardized patient assessment form. Means and standard deviations for all symptom scores at baseline and week 6 of treatment were analyzed. Results Mean symptom scores decreased significantly for nausea (P = 0.02 for severity and P = 0.03 for mean symptom score) and diarrhea (P = 0.0006, P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0001 for severity, frequency and mean symptom score, respectively). Conclusions Therapy with SBI alleviated some refractory gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBD, including nausea and diarrhea. Increased duration, dosage and/or frequency of SBI might provide additional symptom improvement and could be tested through controlled clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up.
A Trauma-Informed Exploration of the Mental Health and Community Support Experiences of Transgender and Gender-Expansive Adults.

This study applied a trauma-informed care (TIC) framework to explore transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) adults’ experiences with mental health and community supports. Data were drawn from the q...
Hill–Sachs lesions are best treated with a surface replacement—Affirms

A Hill–Sachs lesion is a compression fracture of the humeral head in occurrence with anterior glenohumeral instability. Quantification of the “significance” of a Hill–Sachs lesion with regard to location, size, and depth in relation to the glenoid has helped guide indications for surgical management. The majority of significant Hill–Sachs lesions can be effectively managed without prosthetic replacement. The peer-reviewed literature is sparse with the outcomes of this treatment, and significant consideration must be given to both the age of the patient and the need for such management when other effective non-prosthetic options exist. In a patient with greater than half of the humeral head involved after instability, metallic surface replacement arthroplasty may be an option for restoring range of motion and stability.
Memory distortion for orthographically associated words in individuals with depressive symptoms

While major depressive disorder has been associated with increased veridical memory for negative information, prior false memory literature has linked high depressive symptoms to increased false memory for negative information. We tested whether these contradictory findings may be due to semantic and emotional cohesion inflating false alarm rates in the most commonly used false memory paradigm - the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM). In Experiment 1, healthy controls and depressive participants completed two emotional false memory tasks: the DRM, using semantically associated words, and an adaptation using orthographically associated words. Participants encoded words associated with neutral or negative critical lures. During subsequent recognition memory testing, errors were greater for negative than neutral semantic critical lures, but the opposite pattern was observed for orthographic critical lures. These findings support that orthographically associated stimuli provide a non-confounded method to test emotional false memory. In Experiment 2, we deployed the orthographic paradigm with simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and a state measure of negative mood (Positive and Negative Affective Scale) to better understand neurocognitive components of emotional false memory. Replicating Experiment 1, we found fewer false alarms for negative than neutral novel orthographically associated words. The EEG data showed significant differences in two memory-related event-related potentials: the familiarity-related N400, and the recollection-related late positive component (LPC). N400 amplitudes were larger for true versus false endorsements. For LPC, increasing depressive symptoms predicted greater amplitude differences for true versus false negative items and reduced differences for neutral items. However, increasingly negative mood predicted reduced amplitude differences for negative items, and greater amplitude differences for neutral items. Although depressive symptoms and negative mood state are highly correlated, they may inform differentially influence shifts in memory retrieval strategies, with depressive symptoms predicting reduced false alarms for negative information, and negative mood state predicting increased recollection errors for negative information.
Evaluating minirhizotron estimates of fine root longevity and production in the forest floor of a temperate broadleaf forest

The minirhizotron technique (MR) for in situ measurement of fine root dynamics offers the opportunity to obtain accurate and unbiased estimates of root production in perennial vegetation only if MR tubes do not affect the longevity of fine roots. Assuming fine root biomass is near steady-state, fine root production (g m−2 yr−1) can be estimated as the ratio of fine root biomass (g m−2) to median fine root longevity (yr). This study evaluates the critical question of whether MR access tubes affect the longevity of fine roots, by comparing fine root survivorship obtained using MR with those from a non-intrusive in situ screen method in the forest floor horizons of a northern hardwood forest in New Hampshire, USA. Fine root survivorship was measured in 380 root screens during 1993–1997 and in six horizontal minirhizotron tubes during 1996–1997. No statistically significant difference was found between estimates of survivorship of fine roots (<1 mm dia.) at this site from MR versus from in situ screens, suggesting that MR tubes do not substantially affect fine root longevity in the forest floor of this northern hardwood forest and providing greater confidence in measurements of fine root production using the MR technique. Furthermore, the methodology for estimating fine root production from MR longevity data was evaluated by comparison of fine root longevity and production estimates made using single vs. multiple root cohorts, and using root-number, root-length, and root-mass weighted methods. Our results indicate that fine root-length longevity estimates based on multiple root cohorts throughout the year can be used to approximate fine root biomass production. Using this method, we estimated fine root longevity and production in the forest floor at this site to be 314 days (or 0.86 yr) and 303 g m−2 yr−1, respectively. Fine root production in this northern hardwood forest is approximately equivalent to standing biomass and was previously underestimated by root in-growth cores. We conclude that the use of MR to estimate fine root longevity and production as outlined here may result in improved estimates of fine root production in perennial vegetation.
Excess dietary fructose does not alter gut microbiota or permeability in humans: A pilot randomized controlled study

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasing cause of chronic liver disease that accompanies obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Excess fructose consumption can initiate or exacerbate NAFLD in part due to a consequence of impaired hepatic fructose metabolism. Preclinical data emphasized that fructose-induced altered gut microbiome, increased gut permeability, and endotoxemia play an important role in NAFLD, but human studies are sparse. The present study aimed to determine if two weeks of excess fructose consumption significantly alters gut microbiota or permeability in humans. Methods: We performed a pilot double-blind, cross-over, metabolic unit study in 10 subjects with obesity (body mass index [BMI] 30–40 mg/kg/m2). Each arm provided 75 grams of either fructose or glucose added to subjects’ individual diets for 14 days, substituted isocalorically for complex carbohydrates, with a 19-day wash-out period between arms. Total fructose intake provided in the fructose arm of the study totaled a mean of 20.1% of calories. Outcome measures included fecal microbiota distribution, fecal metabolites, intestinal permeability, markers of endotoxemia, and plasma metabolites. Results: Routine blood, uric acid, liver function, and lipid measurements were unaffected by the fructose intervention. The fecal microbiome (including Akkermansia muciniphilia), fecal metabolites, gut permeability, indices of endotoxemia, gut damage or inflammation, and plasma metabolites were essentially unchanged by either intervention. Conclusions: In contrast to rodent preclinical findings, excess fructose did not cause changes in the gut microbiome, metabolome, and permeability as well as endotoxemia in humans with obesity fed fructose for 14 days in amounts known to enhance NAFLD.
Wake characteristics of a freely rotating bioinspired swept rotor blade.

Rotor blades can be found in many engineering applications, mainly associated with converting energy from fluids to work (or electricity). Rotor blade geometry is a key factor in the mechanical eff...
On the arithmetic of Pfaffians

In this paper, we shall supply proofs to the results announced in [2], pp. 74-75: we shall prove the Siegel formula for the Pfaffian of degree n over an algebraic number field and also determine the zeta function of the Pfaffian. In the appendix, we shall briefly discuss the non-split case where the Pfaffian is replaced by the norm form of the simple Jordan algebra of quaternionic hermitian matrices of degree n .
The State of State Competition for Incorporations

The competition by states for incorporations has long been the subject of extensive scholarship. This article tries to deconstruct the state competition debates by showing that scholars are engaged in three separate debates that are only loosely connected to each other. The first, “directional” debate concerns whether firms, if given a choice, will chose corporate law rules that maximize shareholder value or managerial benefits. Resolution of this question is relevant regardless of whether states “compete.” All it takes to make this question important is for firms to have a meaningful choice among legal rules. The second, “competition” debate concerns whether, how, and which states compete for incorporations. Depending on what is meant by “competition”, competition can exist even in a regime where firms have no choice over where they incorporate and may not exist in a regime where firms have free choice. The third, “federalism” debate concerns the shape a mandatory corporate law would take if such a law were enacted. Separating these three conceptually distinct questions, and the evidence relevant to each, yields a better understanding of the arguments made by the partisans in the state competition debate and of the issues that remain unresolved.
Gα16 Couples Chemoattractant Receptors to NF-κB Activation

The guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein alpha-subunit, Galpha(16), is primarily expressed in hemopoietic cells, and interacts with a large number of seven-membrane span receptors including chemoattractant receptors. We investigated the biological functions resulting from Galpha(16) coupling of chemoattractant receptors in a transfected cell model system. HeLa cells expressing a kappaB-driven luciferase reporter, Galpha(16), and the formyl peptide receptor responded to fMLP with a approximately 7- to 10-fold increase in luciferase activity. This response was accompanied by phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha and elevation of nuclear kappaB-DNA binding activity, indicating activation of NF-kappaB. In contrast to Galpha(16), expression of Galpha(q), Galpha(13), and Galpha(i2) resulted in a marginal increase in kappaB luciferase activity. A GTPase-deficient, constitutively active Galpha(16) mutant (Q212L) could replace agonist stimulation for activation of NF-kappaB. Furthermore, expression of Galpha(16) (Q212L) markedly enhanced TNF-alpha-induced kappaB reporter activity. The Galpha(16)-mediated NF-kappaB activation was paralleled by an increase in phospholipase C-beta activity, and was blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and by buffering of intracellular Ca(2+). The involvement of a conventional PKC isoform was confirmed by the finding that expression of PKCalpha enhanced the effect of Galpha(16), and a dominant negative PKCalpha partially blocked Galpha(16)-mediated NF-kappaB activation. In addition to formyl peptide receptor, Galpha(16) also enhanced NF-kappaB activation by the C5a and C3a receptors, and by CXC chemokine receptor 2 and CCR8. These results suggest a potential role of Galpha(16) in transcriptional regulation downstream of chemoattractant receptors.
Phospholipids and glycolipids of sterol-requiring Mycoplasma.

Abstract The phospholipids of Mycoplasma hominis type 2 strain 07 are composed almost entirely of phosphatidyl glycerol. Traces of other glycerophospholipids may exist. No glycolipids are found. The phospholipids of Mycoplasma sp. avian strain J are composed of diphosphatidyl glycerol, which predominates in older cultures, a monoacyl glycerophosphoryl glycerophosphate, which may serve as a precursor of diphosphatidyl glycerol, and phosphatidyl glycerophosphate. This organism also contains cholesteryl glucoside and an unidentified glycolipid which appears to be similar to a monoglucosyl diglyceride. No turnover or radioisotope labeling of the phospholipids occurs during metabolism. This lack of turnover during growth is indicative of a structural role for these glycerophospholipids. A concomitant decrease of monoacyl glycerophosphoryl glycerophosphate and increase of diphosphatidyl glycerol occurs during growth.
Active learning for structured probabilistic models with histogram approximation

This paper studies active learning in structured probabilistic models such as Conditional Random Fields (CRFs). This is a challenging problem because unlike unstructured prediction problems such as binary or multi-class classification, structured prediction problems involve a distribution with an exponentially-large support, for instance, over the space of all possible segmentations of an image. Thus, the entropy of such models is typically intractable to compute. We propose a crude yet surprisingly effective histogram approximation to the Gibbs distribution, which replaces the exponentially-large support with a coarsened distribution that may be viewed as a histogram over M bins. We show that our approach outperforms a number of baselines and results in a 90%-reduction in the number of annotations needed to achieve nearly the same accuracy as learning from the entire dataset.
A role for host activation-induced cytidine deaminase in innate immune defense against KSHV.

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is specifically induced in germinal center B cells to carry out somatic hypermutation and class-switch recombination, two processes responsible for antibody diversification. Because of its mutagenic potential, AID expression and activity are tightly regulated to minimize unwanted DNA damage. Surprisingly, AID expression has been observed ectopically during pathogenic infections. However, the function of AID outside of the germinal centers remains largely uncharacterized. In this study, we demonstrate that infection of human primary naive B cells with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) rapidly induces AID expression in a cell intrinsic manner. We find that infected cells are marked for elimination by Natural Killer cells through upregulation of NKG2D ligands via the DNA damage pathway, a pathway triggered by AID. Moreover, without having a measurable effect on KSHV latency, AID impinges directly on the viral fitness by inhibiting lytic reactivation and reducing infectivity of KSHV virions. Importantly, we uncover two KSHV-encoded microRNAs that directly regulate AID abundance, further reinforcing the role for AID in the antiviral response. Together our findings reveal additional functions for AID in innate immune defense against KSHV with implications for a broader involvement in innate immunity to other pathogens.
Early Power Delivery Analysis of Bump Depopulation

In this paper, a modeling flow has been developed for the analysis of large-area die-package power delivery networks. The analysis is implemented in an early pathfinding phase of a product development cycle so that technology options such as bump pitch and pattern can be defined before the real physical design is completed. The flow utilizes a popular commercially available on-die power delivery simulator, combined with a suite of custom software developed internally, and delivers worst-case static and dynamic voltage drops across a sufficiently representative portion of the die (larger than 1mm2 and with full silicon metal stack). Scenarios of different bump depopulation are then compared and any potential power delivery risk is identified. The flow has been employed to analyze the power delivery problem of a realistic on-die region containing logics from graphics block, where the impact of increasing levels of bump depopulation due to encroachment from adjacent I/O circuits was studied. Results have shown the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed flow.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Interference of bluetooth and IEEE 802.11: simulation modeling and performance evaluation

The emergence of several radio technologies such as Bluetooth, and IEEE 802.11 operating in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed ISM frequency band may lead to signal interference and result in significant performance degradation when devices are co-located in the same environment. The main goal of this paper is to present a simulation environment for modeling interference based on detailed MAC and PHY models. This framework is then used to evaluate the impact of interference on the performance of Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11. We use several simulation scenarios and measure performance in terms of packet loss, residual number of errors, and access delay.
A Heuristic ISD Model for Designing Online Courses for Higher Education in Palestine

The current paper proposes a heuristic instructional system design model (ISD) for designing online courses. The main goal of ISD model is to organize the process of designing effective online courses or self-study materials for both higher education and K-12. The current paper proposes a heuristic instructional system model based on Kemp's model; ASSURE Model, and Keller's model, in addition to using the LORI instrument to evaluate the quality of the learning objects. Designing instructional material for Distance Learning in higher education is inherently different than face-to-face learning. This is because of the intervention of temporal, psychological and geographical distance between teacher and learner via a Web-based interface. The current model introduces new strategies for designing online courses based on creating learning objects. Using motivational strategies design is an essential part in designing these objects to sustain learners' attention on online courses. This paper further highlights the benefits of using this model and various challenges in designing learning objects and incorporating several components of the model.
The relation between the chloride status of the photosynthetic water splitting complex and the inhibitory effectiveness of amines.

The protective role of chloride ions (Cl−) against inhibition of the photosynthetic water splitting complex by amines was investigated with purified photosystem II membrane particles from tobacco chloroplasts. Seemingly competitive interactions occurred between Cl− (except at low concentrations) and Tris, but not between Cl− and NH3. The rate of Cl− release was not increased by the amines but, instead, may have been limited by a labilization under the experimental conditions of the extrinsic 23 kDa polypeptide. An additional detachment of the 18 kDa polypeptide was seen when SO42− ions were present. Tris induced changes of the thermoluminescence patterns of flash illuminated photosystem II particles were found to be different from those caused by either Cl− deficiency or high pH. It is concluded that the protective functions of Cl− are brough about not because it is bound to the target site of the inhibitory actions of Lewis bases like amines and hydroxyl ions. Instead, this effect of Cl− may be due to its influence on the tertiary and quaternary structures of the water oxidizing protein complex.
SHOC2 and CRAF mediate ERK1/2 reactivation in mutant NRAS-mediated resistance to RAF inhibitor.

ERK1/2 signaling is frequently dysregulated in tumors through BRAF mutation. Targeting mutant BRAF with vemurafenib frequently elicits therapeutic responses; however, durable effects are often limited by ERK1/2 pathway reactivation via poorly defined mechanisms. We generated mutant BRAFV600E melanoma cells that exhibit resistance to PLX4720, the tool compound for vemurafenib, that co-expressed mutant (Q61K) NRAS. In these BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K co-expressing cells, re-activation of the ERK1/2 pathway during PLX4720 treatment was dependent on NRAS. Expression of mutant NRAS in parental BRAFV600 cells was sufficient to by-pass PLX4720 effects on ERK1/2 signaling, entry into S phase and susceptibility to apoptosis in a manner dependent on the RAF binding site in NRAS. ERK1/2 activation in BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells required CRAF only in the presence of PLX4720, indicating a switch in RAF isoform requirement. Both ERK1/2 activation and resistance to apoptosis of BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells in the presence of PLX4720 was modulated by SHOC-2/Sur-8 expression, a RAS-RAF scaffold protein. These data show that NRAS mutations confer resistance to RAF inhibitors in mutant BRAF cells and alter RAF isoform and scaffold molecule requirements to re-activate the ERK1/2 pathway.
Nationalism in Western art music: a reassessment

Nationalism in Western art music has long been a source of intense controversy. Scholars have struggled to provide an adequate definition of the phenomenon with varying degrees of success; principally because it has always been assumed that the national in music must include purely musical elements in its definition. This assumption has led to often grossly inadequate ideas about how nationalism in music is created by a composer and perceived by a listener. A brief review and reassessment of traditional attempts to define nationalism in music may shed new light on the aesthetic realties of the national in music.
Linkage Between Dynamics and Assembly of Ribosomal Proteins

Assembly of the ribosome from its protein and RNA constituents has been studied extensively over the past 50 years, and experimental evidence suggests that prokaryotic ribosomal proteins undergo conformational changes during assembly. However, to date, no studies have attempted to elucidate these conformational changes. The present work utilizes computational methods to analyze protein dynamics and to investigate the linkage between dynamics and binding of these proteins played during the assembly of the ribosome. We studied the dynamics of three primary proteins from E. coli and T. thermophilus 30S subunits (S15, S17, and S20) with atomic molecular dynamic simulations, followed by a study of all r-proteins using elastic network models. We find that r-proteins contain a higher than average percentage of positive residues (Lys + Arg is 18.7% for E. coli and 21.2% for T. thermophilus). Also, positive residues constitute a large proportion of RNA contacting residues (39% for E. coli and 46% for T. thermophilus). This indicates the importance of charge-charge interactions in the assembly of the ribosome. Molecular Dynamics simulations show that solvent-exposed proteins (S15 and S17) tend to adopt more stable solution conformations than an RNA-embedded protein (S20). We also find protein residues that contact the 16S rRNA are generally more mobile in comparison with the other residues. This is because there is a larger proportion of contacting residues located in flexible loop regions. Using elastic network models, which are computationally more efficient, we show that this trend holds for most of the 30S r-proteins.
Purification and kinetic characterization of mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase from Aspergillus niger.

Abstract Mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase from Aspergillus niger catalyzes the NAD-dependent oxidation of mannitol-1-phosphate to fructose-6-phosphate. The enzyme, purified 800-fold to homogeneity has a molecular weight of 40,000 and appears to contain two subunits of equal molecular weight. The enzyme is highly specific for the substrates mannitol-1-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, NAD, and NADH. The kinetic mechanism is random Bi-Bi with two dead-end complexes. From the variation of kinetic parameters with pH it is concluded that the enzyme contains one amino acid residue with pKa 9–10 which is involved in binding of fructose-6-phosphate, and another amino acid residue with pKa about 8.2 which is involved in catalysis.
ADHD symptoms moderate the relation between ASD status and internalizing symptoms in 3-6-year-old children.

The current study sought to understand the relation between diagnostic status (autism spectrum disorders [ASD] versus typically developing) and internalizing problems in children with and without co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Participants were 88 children, ages 3:0–6:11, their parents and teachers. Findings indicated that ADHD symptoms moderated the relation between diagnostic status and depressive and somatic symptoms. High ADHD symptoms in children with ASD were associated with increased depressive and somatic symptoms compared to children with typical development. Findings suggest poor prognostic outcomes for children with ASD and co-occurring ADHD symptoms and highlight the need for early identification and targeted intervention.
Effect of Acute and Chronic Androgen Suppression by Glucocorticoids on Gonadotropin Levels in Hirsute Women

Hirsute women may have increased serum LH levels and increased ratios of LH to FSH in serum as well as increased serum androgen levels. Glucocorticoid therapy lowers serum testosterone (T) levels in some hirsute women, but no significant effects on gonadotropin levels have been reported. Sixty hirsute women had serum T, LH, and FSH levels measured before and after acute and chronic glucocorticoid administration. Both acute and chronic treatment resulted in significant suppression of T levels. Serum LH levels significantly decreased after chronic therapy. Significant direct correlations were found between T and LH or T and the LH to FSH ratio, both before and after therapy. In 11 women with normal T levels, acute or chronic glucocorticoid treatment did not produce a significant change in LH levels or LH to FSH ratios. Women (n = 26) with elevated T levels that were suppressed more than 50% during treatment had significant decreases in their mean LH levels and LH to FSH ratios. No significant change in mean LH or LH to FSH ratio occurred in women (n = 23) with elevated T levels that were not suppressed by 50%. These results demonstrate that chronic, but not acute, glucocorticoid-induced suppression of T levels in hyperandrogenic hirsute women results in lowering of LH and LH to FSH ratios.
Noncoordinate Expression of Odorant Receptor Genes Tightly Linked in the Zebrafish Genome

Abstract We have characterized the organization and expression of odorant receptor genes clustered within ∼100 kb of the zebrafish genome. Physical analysis of this genomic region reveals that the receptor genes are tightly linked in tandem arrays. The expression patterns of these genes were evaluated during development as well as in the adult olfactory epithelium. Highly related genes from this array are expressed individually in different olfactory neurons, suggesting that the discriminatory capacity of the vertebrate olfactory system has been maximized by segregating the most similar receptors into distinct cellular pathways. Furthermore, genes from this cluster are activated at different times of development. Together, these results indicate that genomically linked odorant receptor genes are not coordinately regulated.
Possible Linkage between α-Haptoglobin (Hp) and Depression Spectrum Disease

Depression spectrum disease is an unipolar depressive illness in which at least one member of the family has unipolar depression and at least one other first degree relative has alcoholism and/or antisocial personality; using this definition, 14 depression spectrum disease families are studied. Assuming, among other things, that variability in age of onset is environmentally caused and lognormally distributed, segregation analysis shows that the data are compatible with the dichotomy of 'affected' versus 'not affected' being due to an autosomal dominant gene. A simple environmental hypothesis in which the transmission of the illness does not depend upon the parents' type could be rejected (p less than 0.001). Linkage analysis is performed by the method of maximum likelihood, taking the best fitting Mendelian model found in the segregation analysis. The results show virtually no evidence of linkage between depression spectrum disease and C3, but suggestive evidence (lod score = 1.03) of linkage between depression spectrum disease and alpha-haptoglobin (both these linkages were previously suggested by significant results in sib-pair analyses).