cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive immune determinants of viral clearance and protection in mouse models of SARS-CoV-2.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused more than 160 million infections and more than 3 million deaths worldwide. Although effective vaccines are currently being de...
DASH: Modularized Human Manipulation Simulation with Vision and Language for Embodied AI

Creating virtual humans with embodied, human-like perceptual and actuation constraints has the promise to provide an integrated simulation platform for many scientific and engineering applications. We present Dynamic and Autonomous Simulated Human (DASH), an embodied virtual human that, given natural language commands, performs grasp-and-stack tasks in a physically-simulated cluttered environment solely using its own visual perception, proprioception, and touch, without requiring human motion data. By factoring the DASH system into a vision module, a language module, and manipulation modules of two skill categories, we can mix and match analytical and machine learning techniques for different modules so that DASH is able to not only perform randomly arranged tasks with a high success rate, but also do so under anthropomorphic constraints and with fluid and diverse motions. The modular design also favors analysis and extensibility to more complex manipulation skills.
Investigating graduate student reasoning on a conceptual entropy questionnaire

Physics graduate students commonly think about entropy in relationship to a number of states, even in situations where such a connection is not directly relevant.
MEASURING THE Informativeness OF EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE ROLE OF EVENT Windows

Abstract This paper examines the informativeness of earnings announcements by focusing on the role of event windows within which the information content is measured. This focus on event windows is primarily motivated by recent trends towards the announcement of earnings during after-market hours. It is also motivated by a lack of any systematic and rigorous investigation into the length of the event window in which the informativeness of earnings is maximal. Using the Ball and Shivakumar’s (2008) abnormal R-Sq, Beaver et al. (2020) USTAT and other metrics to measure the informativeness of earnings announcements, we document that the narrower one-day event windows exhibit greater information content. However, unlike Beaver et al. (2020), we show that asymmetric windows not centered around the announcement period are more informative. Specifically, we find that for the aggregate sample and for after-hours announcements, the window of the after-hours announcement period into the following trading day has the maximum information content compared to that of the traditional three-day window. However, for daytime announcements, the window of maximum information content includes only the announcement trading day. This novel insight, that the event window which maximizes the informativeness of earnings is a function of the timing of earnings’ announcements (during non-trading versus trading hours), even after using calibrated announcements, is a key takeaway of this paper.
Prior-Free Clock Auctions for Bidders with Interdependent Values.

We study the problem of selling a good to a group of bidders with interdependent values in a prior-free setting. Each bidder has a signal that can take one of k different values, and her value for the good is a weakly increasing function of all the bidders’ signals. The bidders are partitioned into \(\ell \) expertise-groups, based on how their signal can impact the values for the good, and we prove upper and lower bounds regarding the approximability of social welfare and revenue for a variety of settings, parameterized by k and \(\ell \). Our lower bounds apply to all ex-post incentive compatible mechanisms and our upper bounds are all within a small constant of the lower bounds. Our main results take the appealing form of ascending clock auctions and provide strong incentives by admitting the desired outcomes as obvious ex-post equilibria.
Non-flow effects in correlation between harmonic flow and transverse momentum in nuclear collisions

Abstract A large anti-correlation signal between elliptic flow v 2 and average transverse momentum [ p T ] was recently measured in small collision systems, consistent with a final-state hydrodynamic response to the initial geometry. This negative v 2 – [ p T ] correlation was predicted to change to positive correlation for events with very small charged particle multiplicity N ch due to initial-state momentum anisotropies of the gluon saturation effects. However, the role of non-flow correlations is expected to be important in these systems, which is not yet studied. We estimate the non-flow effects in pp, pPb and peripheral PbPb collisions using Pythia and Hijing models, and compare them with the experimental data. We show that the non-flow effects are largely suppressed using the rapidity-separated subevent cumulant method (details of the cumulant framework are also provided). The magnitude of the residual non-flow is much less than the experimental observation in the higher N ch region, supporting the final-state response interpretation. In the very low N ch region, however, the sign and magnitude of the residual non-flow depend on the model details. Therefore, it is unclear at this moment whether the sign change of v 2 – [ p T ] can serve as evidence for initial state momentum anisotropies predicted by the gluon saturation.
The Distinction Between Persons & Things: An Historical Perspective

The author provides an historical account of the evolution of the civil law concepts of persons and things, which can be traced back through the pages of history to a single source: the Institutes of Gaius. For over a millennium after Gaius, the development of a more scientific understanding of the distinction between persons and things remained elusive. Not until the emergence of the new school of “natural law” theory in the 16 century, of whom the earliest representative is Grotius, did anyone do much to improve on the old Roman schema. The author identifies innovations in the schema during the early 19 century, when a number of scholars, most of them in Germany, provided something of a new “take” on the distinction and, in so doing, developed what many now call the “modern” understanding of persons and things. During the 20 century a number of thinkers within the civil law tradition (e.g. Kelsen) took yet another look at the distinction between persons and things. The author also explores some of the current challenges that the distinction faces due to new technologies and cultural needs.
The Real Effects of Mobile Money: Evidence from a Large-Scale Fintech Expansion

Mobile money services have rapidly expanded across emerging and developing economies and enabled new ways through which households and firms can conduct payments, save and send remittances. We explore how mobile money use can impact economic outcomes in India using granular data on transactions from Paytm, one of the largest mobile money service provider in India with over 400 million users. We exploit the period around the demonetization policy, which prompted a surge in mobile money adoption, and analyze how mobile money affects traditional risk-sharing arrangements. Our main finding is that mobile money use increases the resilience to shocks by dampening the impact of rainfall shocks on nightlights-based economic activity and household consumption. We complement these findings by conducting a firm survey around a phased targeting intervention which incentivized firms to adopt the mobile payment technology. Our results suggest that firms adopting mobile payments improved their sales after six-months of use, compared to other firms. We also elicit firms' subjective expectations on future sales and find mobile payment adoption to be associated with lower subjective uncertainty and greater sales optimism.
Physics-constrained deep learning for ground roll attenuation

ABSTRACTWe have developed a method to combine unsupervised and supervised deep-learning approaches for seismic ground roll attenuation. The method consists of three components that have physical me...
StreamHover: Livestream Transcript Summarization and Annotation

With the explosive growth of livestream broadcasting, there is an urgent need for new summarization technology that enables us to create a preview of streamed content and tap into this wealth of knowledge. However, the problem is nontrivial due to the informal nature of spoken language. Further, there has been a shortage of annotated datasets that are necessary for transcript summarization. In this paper, we present StreamHover, a framework for annotating and summarizing livestream transcripts. With a total of over 500 hours of videos annotated with both extractive and abstractive summaries, our benchmark dataset is significantly larger than currently existing annotated corpora. We explore a neural extractive summarization model that leverages vector-quantized variational autoencoder to learn latent vector representations of spoken utterances and identify salient utterances from the transcripts to form summaries. We show that our model generalizes better and improves performance over strong baselines. The results of this study provide an avenue for future research to improve summarization solutions for efficient browsing of livestreams.
Ideal formulations for constrained convex optimization problems with indicator variables

Motivated by modern regression applications, in this paper, we study the convexification of a class of convex optimization problems with indicator variables and combinatorial constraints on the indicators. Unlike most of the previous work on convexification of sparse regression problems, we simultaneously consider the nonlinear non-separable objective, indicator variables, and combinatorial constraints. Specifically, we give the convex hull description of the epigraph of the composition of a one-dimensional convex function and an affine function under arbitrary combinatorial constraints. As special cases of this result, we derive ideal convexifications for problems with hierarchy, multi-collinearity, and sparsity constraints. Moreover, we also give a short proof that for a separable objective function, the perspective reformulation is ideal independent from the constraints of the problem. Our computational experiments with regression problems under hierarchy constraints on real datasets demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach in improving the relaxation quality without significant computational overhead.
MNS blood group system

This chapter discusses the MNS blood group system. The terminology, expression, GenBank accession numbers, and the carrier molecule related to the MNS blood group system are also reviewed. The MNS blood group was discovered in 1927 by Landsteiner and Levine, and was named after the first three antigens identified: M, N and S. GPA and GPB are single-pass membrane sialoglycoproteins (type I). GPA is cleaved by trypsin at residues 31 and 39 on intact (red blood cells) RBCs. GPB is cleaved by α-chymotrypsin at residue 32 on intact RBCs. The chapter presents the molecular basis of antigens involving single nucleotide mutations. The hybrid glycophorin molecules, phenotypes and associated low incidence antigens are also presented in a tabulated form. MNS antigens not numbered by the international society of blood transfusion (ISBT) working party include: Tm, Sj, M 1 , Can, Sext and Hu. These antigens are associated with atypical glycosylation.
Balloon catheter vascular injury of the alloxan-induced diabetic rabbit: the role of insulin-like growth factor-1.

Neointimal thickening following catheter injury is characterized, in part, by growth factor-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. It was hypothesized that a reduction in serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), characteristic of chemically-induced diabetes, would result in decreased VSMC proliferation and attenuate neointimal thickening. It was found that alloxan-treated New Zealand White rabbits exhibit varying degrees of glycemia. Rabbits classified as diabetic (glucose = 400 mg/dL) had significantly decreased serum concentration of IGF-1 (87.4 ± 14 nmol/L vs. 170 ± 14 nmol/L) and significantly decreased intimal/medial (I/M) ratios 2, 4, and 8 weeks after aortic injury compared to euglycemic rabbits (13.7 ± 2, 21.1 + mn; 2, 32.4 ± 3 in euglycemics and 6.6 ± 1, 14 ± 2, 19 ± 5 in diabetics, respectively). The I/M for high hyperglycemic animals (glucose 286-399 mg/dL) was comparable to diabetic animals yet their serum IGF-1 levels were normal rather than depressed. Vascular IGF-1 content similarly increased upon injury in both diabetic and euglycemic animals. In diabetic animals, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining was present by day 1 peaked by day 5 and returned to control by day 14. In euglycemic animals, staining by day 1 continued to increase through day 14. A similar increase in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity occurred from day 1 through day 5 in both diabetic and euglycemic animals. This is the first demonstration of an association between MAPK activity and VSMC proliferation following vascular injury in diabetic animals as previously reported in euglycemic animals. In conclusion, this study provides evidence against a direct effect of IGF-1 in the reduction in neointimal thickening, VSMC proliferation, and MAPK activity upon catheter injury in chemically-induced diabetic rabbits.
The Motion Induced by the Orthogonal Stretching of a Membrane Beneath a Quiescent Fluid-Saturated Porous Medium

The flow induced above an impermeable membrane undergoing orthogonal linear stretching beneath a quiescent fluid-saturated porous medium is investigated. The problem is governed by two parameters, a stretching ratio $$\alpha $$ and a dimensionless permeability parameter $$\beta $$ . Numerical solutions of the nonlinearly coupled governing ordinary differential equations are given for selected values of $$\beta $$ over a range of $$\alpha $$ and also for the case of radial stretching $$\alpha = 1$$ over a range of $$\beta $$ . Results are plotted for the wall shear stresses and the velocity induced into the boundary layer from the far field. Asymptotics for large $$\alpha $$ at $$\beta = 0$$ and large $$\beta $$ at $$\alpha = 1$$ are presented. Sample velocity profiles at $$\beta = 0,2$$ are presented as are profiles for a radially stretching disk at $$\alpha = 1$$ .
Exploiting a conceptual representation to integrate business and technology strategies

Technology strategies and business strategies are interrelated, but affected by different, sometimes contradictory, external forces. When several people are jointly responsible for concurrently addressing these complex, dynamic strategies as part of their responsibilities, maintaining a focus can be difficult. To integrate these strategies, the authors employ a conceptual representation of their interaction based on two intersecting, dynamic planes, each with individual characteristics and specific linkages and interfaces at multiple levels. They exploit the representation as both a means of forming a shared vision among individual R&D project leaders and of communicating goals for the overall R&D program. >
Composition of IgA immune complexes precipitated with polyethylene glycol: A model for isolation and analysis of immune complexes

Covalently cross-linked large and intermediate-sized IgA oligomers, prepared with IgA anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) and bis-DNP-pimelic acid ester, were used to examine the ability of different concentrations (3.5%, 5% and 7%, w/v) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to precipitate IgA immune complexes (IgA-IC). The size of the IgA-IC precipitated with PEG was determined by gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and quantitative autoradiography. The standard concentration of 3.5% PEG precipitated only a minor fraction (20%) of the IgA-IC. In contrast, 5% and 7% PEG precipitated 45% and 79% of the complexes, respectively. To test the influence of the antigen on the PEG assay. IgA-IC prepared with IgA anti-DNP and DNP conjugates of either bovine serum albumin or Ficoll were also used. Approximately 38% of these IgA-IC were precipitated with 3.5%, PEG. By comparison, the concentration of 5% and 7% PEG precipitated 60% and 76% of the IgA-IC, respectively. Distilled water rather than the standard borate-buffered saline was shown to be the optimal solvent for resolubilization of the PEG precipitates. Serum samples from 22 IgA nephropathy patients and 12 normal donors were tested with 3.5%, 5% and 7% PEG. Only the 7% PEG assay showed a significant difference between patients and controls (P less than 0.001) in the IgA levels of precipitates. Thus, the use of 7% PEG is recommended for the detection, isolation and analysis of large- and intermediate-sized IgA-IC.
An imperceptible and robust audio steganography employing bit modification

Modification of bit values of samples in accordance with data to be embedded in audio steganography can have high payload at low complexity. Index of the bit modified in the stego signal, however, has a tradeoff with imperceptibility and robustness: hiding data at a lower bit index of samples has low audibility of change with high susceptibility of being affected by intentional or other alterations to the stego. By choosing cover samples that are above a threshold, in this paper we show that the embedding bit index can be raised reasonably with minimal change to noticeability of stego. Additionally, the threshold for embedding results in a stronger key for data hiding and oblivious retrieval. Measures using spectrograms and spectral distortion confirm the imperceptibility of the stego.
Alcohol screening results in elderly male veterans: association with health status and mortality.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between alcohol screening results and health status or mortality in elderly patients. Design: Cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort studies. Setting: Primary care clinics at seven Veterans Affairs medical centers. Participants: A total of 16,958 male patients aged 65 and older. Measurements: Alcohol screening questionnaires were used to divide patients into four mutually exclusive groups: drinkers who screened negative or positive for problem drinking and nondrinkers (in the previous year) who screened negative or positive for problem drinking. A subset of patients (n=12,491) completed a measure of health status, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36). All-cause mortality was ascertained using Veterans Affairs data over a mean follow-up of 2.8 years. Results: Forty-eight percent of participants reported drinking in the previous year. Half of the drinkers and nondrinkers screened positive for problem drinking. The SF-36 item scores were consistently higher for drinkers than for nondrinkers and for patients who screened negative for problems than for those who screened positive. Similarly, survival was consistently better in drinkers than nondrinkers (mortality hazard ratio (HR)=0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.68–0.82) and in patients who screened negative for problem drinking than in those who screened positive (mortality HR=0.87, 95% CI=0.80–0.95). Nondrinkers who screened positive for problem drinking had the poorest health status and survival, whereas drinkers who screened negative for problem drinking had the best health status and survival. Conclusion: Elderly patients who reported drinking alcohol and those who screened negative for problem drinking had consistently better health status and survival than those who did not drink and those who screened positive.
Considering Final Offer Arbitration to Resolve Public Sector Impasses in Times of Concession Bargaining

The U.S. recession which began in the fall of 2007 continues to severely affect many organizations in the private and public sectors. Many governmental entities and unions have been forced to negotiate during period of stagnant or declining tax revenues combined with continuously rising health insurance and pension costs. These economic realities have resulted in a substantial number of contract talks leading to impasse. In the public sector the laws providing for collective bargaining also often require certain forms of alternative dispute resolution to resolve impasse, primarily mediation and fact finding or advisory arbitration. Both of these methods however, contain major limitations – primarily no guaranteed settlement. Final-offer arbitration, also called “last, best offer” or “baseball” arbitration, has been used by some governments as an ADR method that guarantees a settlement. A new Indiana law covering public sector teachers and school employers contains some unique features that should be considered by public sector organizations seeking changes in their current impasse resolution method. This paper reviews the topic of public sector collective bargaining during the current recession, the new Indiana law, final-offer arbitration as a means of resolving impasse, and final-offer issues for consideration.
Efficient high-order methods for ODEs and DAEs

We present methods for the high-order differentiation through ordinary differential equations (ODEs), and more importantly, differential algebraic equations (DAEs). First, methods are developed that assert that the requested derivatives are really those of the solution of the ODE, and not those of the algorithm used to solve the ODE. Next, high-order solvers for DAEs are developed that in a fully automatic way turn an n-th order solution step of the DAEs into a corresponding step for an ODE initial value problem. In particular, this requires the automatic high-order solution of implicit relations, which is achieved using an iterative algorithm that converges to the exact result in at most n+1 steps. We give examples of the performance of the method.
Supplementation of dormant tallgrass-prairie forage: I. Influence of varying supplemental protein and(or) energy levels on forage utilization characteristics of beef steers in confinement.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of supplemental protein vs energy level on dormant forage intake and utilization. In Exp. 1, 16 ruminally cannulated steers were blocked by weight (avg wt = 242 kg) and assigned randomly to a negative control or to one of three isocaloric supplement treatments fed at .4% BW: 1) control, no supplement (NS); 2) 12% CP, low protein (LP); 3) 28% CP, moderate protein (MP); 4) 41% CP, high protein (HP). In Exp. 2 and 3, 16 ruminally cannulated steers were blocked by weight (avg wt = 332 kg, Exp. 2; 401 kg, Exp. 3) and assigned randomly to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The treatments contrasted low (LP) and high (HP) levels of supplemental protein (.66 g CP/kg BW vs 1.32 g CP/kg BW) with low (LE) and high (HE) levels of supplemental ME (9.2 kcal/kg BW vs 18.4 kcal/kg BW). In Exp. 1, forage DMI as well as ruminal DM and indigestible ADF fill at 4 h postfeeding were greater (P less than .10) with the MP and HP steers than with control and LP steers. Total DM digestibility increased (P less than .10) for supplemented steers (35.5% for control vs 47.3 for supplemented steers); however, LP depressed (P less than .10) NDF digestibility. In Exp. 2, forage DMI, indigestible ADF flow and liquid flow were depressed (P less than .10) in LP-HE supplemented steers. In Exp. 3, HP steers had greater (P less than .10) forage DMI, indigestible ADF fill values (4 h postfeeding), liquid volume and tended (P = .11) to have greater ruminal DM fill (4 h postfeeding). In summary, increased levels of supplemental protein increased intake and utilization of dormant tallgrass-prairie forage (less than 3% CP). Increasing supplemental energy without adequate protein availability was associated with depressed intake and digestibility.
Deposition of Gold on Rubbing Surfaces

THE deposition of a thin film of soft metal on one member of a sliding couple to prevent extensive wear or seizure in severe operating conditions is frequently used in practice. In time, however, the metal film becomes depleted and there is no way of replenishing it while the system is in operation. Thus one of the goals in lubrication science is the development of an additive that can deposit a film of soft metal on the rubbing surfaces in situ. Lubrication by a thin film of soft metal has the added advantage that it does not involve a chemical reaction with the metal substrate and the small but finite amount of chemical wear generally associated with most common load-carrying additives is thus avoided.
19-Hydroxy-prostaglandin e and infertility in human males☆

We measured the content of 19-hydroxy-prostaglandin E (19-OH-PGE) and prostaglandin E (PGE) in the semen of 10 infertile males by alkaline dehydration, thin layer chromatographic separation and ultraviolet spectrophotometry. 7 fertile males were also studied. In both groups the content of seminal 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) also was measured by thin layer chromatographic separation and highly specific radioimmunoassay. The amounts of 19-OH-PGE and PGE were significantly lower (p < .02, p < .05) in the infertile group than the fertile group. Differences in mean seminal 6-keto-F1 alpha were not significant. The uterine stimulatory actions of 19-OH-PGE demonstrable in the monkey may apply to fertility in man.
Serial Non-Invasive Assessment of Antibody Induced Nephritis in Mice Using Positron Emission Tomography

Mouse models of experimental anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) nephritis provide an analytical tool for studying spontaneous lupus nephritis. The potential of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) was evaluated using 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG) as a probe to monitor the progression of anti-GBM induced nephritis in a mouse model. The imaging results were compared to conventional measures of renal function and pathological changes. Serum and urinary vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels were used as measures of endothelial cell activation and inflammation. Following a challenge with anti-glomerular antibodies, mice exhibited peak changes in serum creatinine, proteinuria, and glomerulonephritis score at 14 days post-challenge (p.c.). In contrast, VCAM levels peaked at day 7 p.c. On dynamic PET images (0-60 min) of day 7, kidneys of the anti-GBM nephritis mice demonstrated a unique pattern of FDG uptake. Compared to the time activity curve (TAC) prior to challenge, a rightward shift was observed after the challenge. By day 10 p.c., kidney FDG uptake was lower than baseline and remained so until the study ended at 21 days p.c. During this time frame measures of renal dysfunction remained high but VCAM-1 levels declined. These changes were accompanied by an increase in kidney volume as measured by Computed Tomography (CT) and intra-abdominal fluid collection. Our results suggest that FDG-PET-CT can be used as a non-invasive imaging tool to longitudinally monitor the progression of renal disease activity in antibody mediated nephritis and the magnitude of renal FDG retention correlates better with early markers of renal inflammation than renal dysfunction.
532. Long-term efficacy of olanzapine in the control of psychotic and behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s dementia

(Campbell and Feinberg, 1995). Their action on sleep-endocrine regulation has never been studied in the elderly. We examined the effect of the natural NMDA-antagonist Mg in 12 elderly subjects of both gender (range 60–80 years) without sleep disturbances. A placebo controlled randomized crossover design with two treatment intervals of 20 days duration separated by 2 weeks washout was used. Mg was administered as effervescent tablets in a creeping dose of 10 mM and 20 mM each for 3 days followed by 30 mM for 14 days. At the end of each interval after an accommodation night a sleep EEG was recorded from 23.00 h to 7.00 h. Blood samples were taken every 20 min between 22.00 h and 7.00 h for the analysis of ACTH, C, R and AL. Mg led to an increase in SWS (16.5 6 20.4 min vs. 10.1 6 15.4 min, p , 0.05) and delta power. R(3.7 6 2.3 mM/ml 3 min vs. 2.3 6 1.0 mM/ml 3 min, p , 0.05) and AL(3.6 6 4.7 mM/ml 3 min vs. 1.1 6 0.9 mM/ml 3 min, p , 0.05) concentration increased throughout the night, whereas C showed a decrease in the first half of the night around the time of its nadir (8.3 6 2.4 mM/ml 3 min vs. 11.8 6 3.8 mM/ml 3 min, p , 0.01). ACTH remained unchanged. Our data suggest that Mg can reverse some age-related changes of sleep-endocrine activity, possibly via its NMDA-antagonistic effect.
Integrated Optic Components For An Optically Controlled Phased Array Antenna--System Considerations

The employment of high speed fiber-optic distribution networks for large, complex millimeter wave systems, such as large aperture phased array antennas with active transmit/receive (T/R) modules, presents a formidable challenge. Experimental results of a fiber-optic link synchronizing a millimeter wave IMPATT oscillator of an active T/R module is discussed. In addition, a novel fiber-optic time delay element suitable for beam control and signal processing is introduced. The experimental results are incorporated into a system model and examined in terms of phased array applications. Further research directions in integrated and fiber optics, leading to the ultimate realization of an optically controlled phased array antenna, are discussed.
Secrets of a Secretase: N-Cadherin Proteolysis Regulates CBP Function

Presenilin (PS-1) is part of the protease γ-secretase that cleaves the membrane proteins APP and Notch. In this issue of Cell, Marambaud et al. report that PS-1 cleaves the cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin, releasing a C-terminal fragment that promotes degradation of the transcriptional coactivator CBP. Mutations in PS-1 associated with Alzheimer's disease interfere with CBP proteolysis, leading to abnormal transcription.
Follow up of low birth weight infants

Considerable reduction in mortality of low birth weight infants over the past two decades has been achieved in developed countries without an increase in the prevalence of major h andicaps in the survivors. In the 1980’s overall prognosis for infants above 800 gm birth weight remains good. Continued efforts for improved perinatal and neonatal care can be expected to further reduce the risk of premature birth. Worldwise effort for improved care of the pregnant women and the newborn can be expected to result in similar advances for infant survival and improved child health.
Product formulas and bounds for Jacobian elliptic functions with applications

Product formulas for Jacobian elliptic functions s n, s c, s d and their reciprocals are established. Applications to Legendre’s incomplete elliptic integral of the first kind and to the arc lemniscate sine function are given. Lower and upper bounds for elliptic functions and elliptic integrals mentioned above are also derived.
Decoupled Software Pipelining with the Synchronization Array

Despite the success of instruction-level parallelism (ILP) optimizations in increasing the performance of microprocessors, certain codes remain elusive. In particular, codes containing recursive data structure (RDS) traversal loops have been largely immune to ILP optimizations, due to the fundamental serialization and variable latency of the loop-carried dependence through a pointer-chasing load. To address these and other situations, we introduce decoupled software pipelining (DSWP), a technique that statically splits a single-threaded sequential loop into multiple non-speculative threads, each of which performs useful computation essential for overall program correctness. The resulting threads execute on thread-parallel architectures such as simultaneous multithreaded (SMT) cores or chip multiprocessors (CMP), expose additional instruction level parallelism, and tolerate latency better than the original single-threaded RDS loop. To reduce overhead, these threads communicate using a synchronization array, a dedicated hardware structure for pipelined inter-thread communication. DSWP used in conjunction with the synchronization array achieves an 11% to 76% speedup in the optimized functions on both statically and dynamically scheduled processors.
Porous particulate film deposition in the transition regime

Abstract We examine the formation of particulate films via Langevin dynamic simulations of monodisperse particle deposition onto flat substrates. In simulations, we consider particle inertia, thermal motion, and a constant advective force directing particles towards the substrate. These conditions effectively mimic the formation of dust cakes during filtration, as well as the production of nanostructured films at the outlet of gas phase synthesis reactors. Parameterization of the equations of motion shows that the movement of each particle depends only upon Kn D (the diffusive Knudsen number, proportional to the particle׳s mean persistence distance to its radius) and χ F (the ratio of the particle׳s translational energy at the advective velocity to the thermal energy). Use of these ratios is advantageous because one dimensionless number ( Kn D ) is independent of the advective velocity, while the second ( χ F ) is independent of background gas pressure. This is in contrast with the traditionally employed Peclet and Stokes numbers, both of which are dependent upon the advective velocity and gas pressure. The film structures resulting from simulations are quantified in terms of their porosities, and results are reported for simulations over a wide range of Kn D (10 −3 –10 1 ) and χ F (10 −4 –10 3 ), deposition areas 1000×1000 particle radii in size, and with more than 10 6 deposited particles. For each simulated deposit, three distinct regions are observed: (I) a region close to the substrate (within 50 primary particle radii), wherein the porosity begins at a minimum and increases to constant value; (II) a region where this constant porosity is maintained (which is dependent on Kn D and χ F ), constantly increasing in height and encompassing the majority of the film after sufficient deposition; and (III) the outer region, in which the film is still growing, and the porosity increases from the region II value to unity, spanning less than 100 particle radii in height in most circumstances. A regression equation is provided to describe the film porosity as a function of Kn D and χ F in region II, facilitating a priori predictions of film porosities from deposition parameters.
Support of the decision variable densities of the three-class ideal observer for bivariate trinormal data

Despite theoretical and practical difficulties, we are attempting to extend receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to tasks with more than two classes. Previously we investigated a univariate trinormal model for the underlying data of a three-class ideal observer. Although analytically tractable, this is less realistic than a multivariate data model. We have developed expressions for the region of support of the decision variable probability density functions for bivariate trinormal underlying data, given certain constraints on the underlying data covariance matrices. We hope these results will aid in developing computational methods for evaluating observer performance under such a model.
Locally ablative therapies for primary and metastatic liver cancer

Locally ablative therapies have an increasing role in the effective multidisciplinary approach towards the treatment of both primary and metastatic liver tumors. In patients who are not considered surgical candidates and have low volume disease, these therapies have now become established into consensus practice guidelines. A large range of therapeutic options exist including percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), cryoablation, percutaneous laser ablation (PLA), irreversible electroporation (IRE), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU); each having benefits and drawbacks. The greatest body of evidence supporting clinical utility in the liver currently exists for RFA, with PEI having fallen out of favor. MWA, IRE, SBRT and HIFU are relatively nascent technologies, and outcomes data supporting their use is promising. Future directions of ablative therapies include tandem approaches to improve efficacy in the treatment of liver tumors.
Surface energy of Parylene C

Abstract After measuring the mean value of the static contact angle on the smooth surface of a Parylene-C film as 92.3° and applying the Li–Neumann theory, we found the surface energy of bulk Parylene C as 27.64 × 10 − 3 J m − 2 .
Amadori-modified glycated serum proteins and accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes: pathogenic and therapeutic implications.

Diabetes confers a four-fold risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, manifest in the vessel wall as intimal thickening, smooth muscle hypertrophy, lipid accumulation, extracellular matrix expansion, and inflammatory cell infiltration (1). Although the exact mechanisms responsible for the accelerated atherosclerosis that occurs in patients with diabetes are incompletely defined, evidence is accumulating that Amadori-modified glycated serum proteins may play a substantive role. Numerous studies have indicated that serum proteins containing Amadori glucose adducts, which arise from the nonenzymatic condensation reaction between reducing sugar and susceptible amino groups that is increased in the diabetic state, acquire biologic properties that are strongly linked to the pathogenesis of vascular complications of diabetes. The Amadori-modification is structurally distinct from those associated with Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGE), which arise from subsequent oxidation, degradation and other spontaneous reactions and which also are implicated in the development of long-term sequelae of diabetes. Additionally, Amadori-modified proteins operate through receptors different from RAGE, the receptors mediating biologic effects of AGE. This review focuses on proatherogenic properties of Amadori-modified serum proteins, which are perhaps underappreciated contributors to atherosclerosis in diabetes. Although the diabetic state promotes the Amadori-modification of many circulating proteins (2), giving rise to concentrations of glycated proteins approximately one and a half to three times those found in non-diabetic individuals that reflect integrated glycemia to which the protein has been exposed during its residence time in the circulation, information on glycation-induced functional alterations and potential pathophysiologic consequences is most extensive regarding the major plasma constituents albumin and lipoproteins. In the discussion that follows, the terms glycated albumin and glycated lipoprotein, unless otherwise defined, refer to the Amadori constructs.
Clinical, Pathologic, and Molecular Characterization of Familial Eosinophilic Esophagitis Compared With Sporadic Cases

Background & Aims: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) occurs in families. Methods: Record review confirmed patient kinship and provided clinical information. Slide review confirmed the diagnosis (threshold peak number ≥24 eosinophils/high-power field). Results: Fifty-nine members (41 males, 18 females) of 26 families were 3 months to 47 years of age (mean age, 10.3 y) at diagnosis. The only recorded race was Caucasian. In 4 families a parent of an affected male had EE. The most common complaint at diagnosis was dysphagia (68% of patients). Endoscopy showed esophageal mucosal furrows (93% of patients) and exudates (44%). Fifty-one percent had asthma. Skin prick tests to food and aeroallergens were positive in 76% and 71%, respectively. Familial EE characteristics (clinical, endoscopic, pathologic, and global esophageal transcript expression profile analysis) were similar to sporadic EE, except among patients with mucosal furrows: familial patients had lower peak eosinophil counts in the distal esophagus ( P = .03) compared with sporadic patients. The basic characteristics of EE (eg, eosinophil levels, rate of atopy) did not vary with patient age. By using genome-wide microarray analysis, no significant differences ( P P = .02), and thickened mucosa was more common in males ( P = .006). Conclusions: These data support a familial pattern of inheritance of EE and a pathogenesis shared with sporadic EE. EE should be considered in symptomatic family members of patients who have EE.
On the pressure-volume relationship in circulatory elements.

A generalisation of the equation used bySalazar (1964) to fit the pressure-volume relationship of normal human lungs between FRC and TLC is found to fit the pressure-volume relationship of a variety of circulatory elements. The equation contains only two fundamental physiologic parameters: one a compliance constant k and the other a maximum element volume Vm. Fits of this equation to published atrial, ventricular, veneous, and arterial data are presented. Combined with the Poiseulle relationship, this equation is shown to fit data of flow resistance against transmural pressure for the pulmonary vascular system of a dog.
Construction costs for some aquatic plants

Abstract Resource allocation reflects a plant's response to its environment and affects its overall growth and performance in a particular habitat. We measured ash, C, N, and caloric content for various parts of Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, Potamogeton nodosus Poir., P. gramineus L., and P. pectinatus L. Mean ash content of vegetative propagules ranged from 2.96 to 5.46%, lower than values previously reported for aquatic plant shoots. Potamogeton propagule C and N contents were greater than those of Hydrilla propagules. Mean propagule caloric content ranged from 3753 to 4198 cal g−1 and construction costs from 1.00 to 1.12 g glucose g−1. They were similar to or slightly greater than those for shoots or leaves. Construction costs for leaves of eight aquatic species averaged 1.02 g glucose g−1. Vegetative propagules had sink strengths similar to those of shoots. H. verticillata, P. pectinatus, and P. gramineus were grown in a greenhouse with different levels of N in the water column. In this experiment, P. pectinatus and H. verticillata roots had higher construction costs than shoots whereas P. gramineus did not. Only the costs for P. pectinatus shoots and roots were affected by the N level in the water column. Construction costs for aquatic plant vegetative propagules, shoots, and roots were lower than similarly calculated values published for roots, stems and leaves of terrestrial plants, in agreement with expectations based on the structural characteristics of leaves and stems of aquatic plants.
Fundamental emission in three type III solar bursts

Three particularly clear type III bursts have been observed with a satellite instrument (Helios 2). The results show that, in the range 25-200 kHz, both fundamental and harmonic generation are present.
Essais thérapeutiques avec des peptides radiomarqués : où en est-on ?

Resume La radiotherapie interne vectorisee avec des peptides radiomarques (Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy, PRRT) est un traitement prometteur. Les analogues de la somatostatine radiomarques devraient jouer un role croissant dans la prise en charge de tumeurs neuro-endocrines (TNE), a cote des autres nouvelles therapies ciblees. L’ 90 Y-DOTATOC et 177 Lu-DOTATATE sont les radiopeptides les plus utilises, avec des taux de reponse tumorale objective jusqu’a environ 30 %. La PRRT semble avoir une bonne tolerance clinique avec peu d’effets secondaires graves, surtout pour les peptides marques au 177 Lu dont le 177 Lu-DOTATATE. Une perfusion d’acides amines reduit la toxicite renale. Les bons profils de tolerance et de reponse pourraient pousser ce type de traitement vers une option therapeutique de premiere ligne pour les TNE bien differenciees inoperables ou metastatiques, progressives. A ce jour, des essais randomises multicentriques pour prouver le benefice rendu ont commence. Parallelement, on essaie d’optimiser l’efficacite therapeutique en ameliorant le ciblage tumoral et en potentialisant l’efficacite radiobiologique (associations therapeutiques) tout en reduisant la dose absorbee par des organes critiques, responsable d’une toxicite limitante (des reins et de la moelle osseuse).
Leads for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Knowledge of the causative reasons for pulmonary arterial hypertension, a major category of pulmonary hypertension, has expanded dramatically over the past 10 years. This has led to heightened research across a range of potential new mechanistic approaches and resulted in the identification of further treatment options, together with several promising leads and prototypes. Objective: This review aims to summarise and assess the most relevant research fields, covering key publications and recent patent literature. Methods: Searching revealed in excess of 700 patents claiming uses that relate to pulmonary hypertension. These patents were filtered into key therapeutic approaches based on pharmacological reviews of the pulmonary arterial hypertension field. Results/conclusions: Endothelin antagonists and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors have emerged as recently approved treatment options and are proving extremely beneficial. Further new mechanistic approaches have yielded promising leads, some of wh...
Tissue-Specific Regulation of Peptidyl-Glycine α-Amidating Monooxygenase Expression

Abstract Peptidyl-glycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM; EC 1.14.17.3) is present in a variety of tissues, where it plays a vital role in the processing of numerous peptide substrates, often conferring bioactivity. PAM is present in high amounts in heart atrial myocytes and the pituitary gland, where activity is present in both soluble and membrane forms. We used AtT-20 cells, a mouse corticotrope tumor cell line, and primary heart atrial cultures to establish the occurrence of tissue-specific regulation of PAM expression. In the AtT-20 cells, PAM expression is regulated in parallel with the source of its peptide substrate, pro-ACTH/endorphin. PAM mRNA levels are increased to 132 ± 5% of control values by treatment with (Bu)2cAMP and decreased to 55 ± 72 of control values by treatment with dexamethasone. Treatment with (Bu)2cAMP decreases PAM specific activity in the AtT-20 cells to 68 ± 4% of the control value, presumably due to secretion of enzyme from the cells; dexamethasone treatment decreases PAM s...