cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust variance estimation for random effects meta-analysis

In random effects meta-analysis, an overall effect is estimated using a weighted mean, with weights based on estimated marginal variances. The variance of the overall effect is often estimated using the inverse of the sum of the estimated weights, and inference about the overall effect is typically conducted using this 'usual' variance estimator, which is not robust to errors in the estimated marginal variances. In this paper, robust estimation for the asymptotic variance of a weighted overall effect estimate is explored by considering a robust variance estimator in comparison with the usual variance estimator and another less frequently used estimator, a weighted version of the sample variance. Three illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate and compare the three estimation methods. Furthermore, a simulation study is conducted to assess the robustness of the three variance estimators using estimated weights. The simulation results show that the robust variance estimator and the weighted sample variance estimator both estimate the variance of an overall effect more accurately than the usual variance estimator when the weights are imprecise due to the use of estimated marginal variances, as is typically the case in practice.Therefore, we argue that inference about an overall effect should be based on the robust variance estimator or the weighted sample variance, which provide protection against the practice of using estimated weights in meta-analytical inference.
An explanation for parallel electric field pulses observed over thunderstorms

[1] Every electric field instrument flown on sounding rockets over a thunderstorm has detected pulses of electric fields parallel to the Earth's magnetic field associated with every strike. This paper describes the ionospheric signatures found during a flight from Wallops Island, Virginia, on 2 September 1995. The electric field results in a drifting Maxwellian corresponding to energies up to 1 eV. The distribution function relaxes because of elastic and inelastic collisions, resulting in electron heating up to 4000–5000 K and potentially observable red line emissions and enhanced ISR electron temperatures. The field strength scales with the current in cloud-to-ground strikes and falls off as r−1 with distance. Pulses of both polarities are found, although most electric fields are downward, parallel to the magnetic field. The pulse may be the reaction of ambient plasma to a current pulse carried at the whistler packet's highest group velocity. The charge source required to produce the electric field is very likely electrons of a few keV traveling at the packet velocity. We conjecture that the current source is the divergence of the current flowing at mesospheric heights, the phenomenon called an elve. The whistler packet's effective radiated power is as high as 25 mW at ionospheric heights, comparable to some ionospheric heater transmissions. Comparing the Poynting flux at the base of the ionosphere with flux an equal distance away along the ground, some 30 db are lost in the mesosphere. Another 10 db are lost in the transition from free space to the whistler mode.
A Simple Model for Simulating Regional Short-Term Climatic Changes

Abstract A method is proposed for simulating the fluctuations on time scales from a month to a few years in climatic properties such as circulation strengths and temperatures in specific regions. The model represents explicitly the variables of interest, together with any variables that influence them and exhibit persistence. All variables not represented explicitly or specified are parameterized in terms of short-term random forcing. The validity of the model depends on the adequacy of this parameterization. All processes are parameterized in terms of the influence of one variable on another; this draws attention to the role of feedback in determining the statistics of the variables. Development of the model is illustrated by a pilot study. Physical guidance is used to propose a two-variable model with constant parameters to simulate the Southern Oscillation. Observed statistics require that the model be modified to include an annual variation in one parameter. The model fails to simulate the observed ne...
A module to estimate numerical values of hidden variables for expert systems

Abstract In the area of strategie decision-making, the objective often is to achieve one's own goals and to prevent the achievement of the adversaries' goal. To do so, the decision-maker needs to know, as precisely as possible, the values of the relevant variables at various times. Some of these variables, the open variables, are readily measurable at any time. Others, the hidden variables, can be measured only at certain times, either intermittently or periodically. We have implemented a module that can act as a decision-support tooi for a variety of expert systems in need of estimates of hidden variable values at any desired time. The estimation is based on generalized production rules expressing stochastic, causal relations between open and hidden variables. The quality of the estimates improves through a multi-level learning process as both the number and the quality of the rules increase. The modularity of these causal relations make incremental expansion and conflict resolution naturel and easy. Restricting the set and the domain of pattern formation rules to a reasonable size makes the system effective and efficient. Finally, the system can be easily employed for distributed database applications.
Perturbation analysis and measurements of building wakes in a stably stratified turbulent boundary layer

Abstract Velocity and temperature wakes behind obstacles deeply submerged in a stably stratified turbulent boundary layer with one face perpendicular to the flow direction were investigated using wind-tunnel tests and mathematical analysis. For stably stratified approach flow, the effects of a building wake characterized by momentum deficit are to decrease mean velocity and mean temperature but to increase turbulence intensity and temperature fluctuation intensity. On the other hand, along the centerline of a building wake, mean velocity and mean temperature increase and turbulent intensity and temperature-fluctuation intensity decrease in the presence of longitudinal horseshoe vortices. A perturbation technique for determining the temperature distribution in the wake of an isolated building was developed using momentum and vortex wake arguments. Hunt's theory for velocity distribution in a “momentum” and “vortex” wake and a modified method developed by the writers for temperature distributions agreed with measurements of mean velocity and temperature distributions.
Muscle Biopsy Evaluation in Neuromuscular Disorders

Muscle biopsy is an important tool for the evaluation and diagnosis of patients presenting to clinic with acute or progressive weakness who are suspected of having an underlying neuromuscular disorder. Alongside the clinical examination, electrodiagnostic, laboratory and molecular genetic testing, muscle biopsy has a critical role, providing diagnostic evidence that either establishes a disease etiology or focuses the differential diagnosis. For example, in the setting of rapidly progressive muscle weakness, a muscle biopsy is the most expeditious diagnostic study to allow the clinician to distinguish between a necrotizing, metabolic or inflammatory myopathy and facilitate rapid, appropriate therapeutic management. Or, as in the case of a young boy who presents with progressive proximal weakness and hyperckemia, and whose genetic tests do not confirm a dystrophinopathy, immunohistochemical staining on the muscle biopsy specimen can often identify the pathologic protein defect and pave the way for genetic confirmation of the disease. The muscle biopsy itself is a fairly straight forward procedure with little risk. However, to get the full benefit of the procedure several experts need to be involved, including a surgeon, processing laboratory and pathologist which requires planning. Different from biopsies of other organs for which simple preservation in formalin is the routine procedure, a successful muscle biopsy requires optimal cryo-processing of the fresh specimen in order to preserve viable macromolecules for enzyme histochemistry and metabolic assays. Therefore, the ordering physician must orchestrate the collection, packaging, and processing of tissues to ensure the desired testing can be performed, and to avoid the need for a repeat procedure due to limited, inappropriate or poor sample quality. To this end, it is important that the ordering clinician is familiar with the procedure, knows the common pitfalls, and understands what each member of the team requires to provide an optimal outcome. While it is not within the scope of this article to provide the depth of knowledge required of a neuropathologist to read and interpret a muscle biopsy, it is our hope that it will provide the basic information needed to plan a biopsy procedure, instruct a team, get tissues successfully to the laboratory and interpret the report once it is in hand.
Integrating Address Geocoding, Land Use Regression, and Spatiotemporal Geostatistical Estimation for Groundwater Tetrachloroethylene

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based techniques are cost-effective and efficient methods used by state agencies and epidemiology researchers for estimating concentration and exposure. However, budget limitations have made statewide assessments of contamination difficult, especially in groundwater media. Many studies have implemented address geocoding, land use regression, and geostatistics independently, but this is the first to examine the benefits of integrating these GIS techniques to address the need of statewide exposure assessments. A novel framework for concentration exposure is introduced that integrates address geocoding, land use regression (LUR), below detect data modeling, and Bayesian Maximum Entropy (BME). A LUR model was developed for Tetrachloroethylene that accounts for point sources and flow direction. We then integrate the LUR model into the BME method as a mean trend while also modeling below detects data as a truncated Gaussian probability distribution function. We increase available PCE data 4.7 times from previously available databases through multistage geocoding. The LUR model shows significant influence of dry cleaners at short ranges. The integration of the LUR model as mean trend in BME results in a 7.5% decrease in cross validation mean square error compared to BME with a constant mean trend.
Lyα radiative transfer in a multi-phase medium

Abstract Hydrogen Lyα is our primary emission-line window into high redshift galaxies. Surprisingly, despite an extensive literature, Lyα radiative transfer in the most realistic case of a dusty, multi-phase medium has not received detailed theoretical attention. We investigate Lyα resonant scattering through an ensemble of dusty, moving, optically thick gas clumps. We treat each clump as a scattering particle and use Monte-Carlo simulations of surface scattering to quantify continuum and Lyα surface scattering angles, absorption probabilities, and frequency redistribution, as a function of the gas dust content. This atomistic approach speeds up the simulations by many orders of magnitude, making possible calculations which are otherwise intractable. Our fitting formulae can be readily adapted for fast radiative transfer in numerical simulations. With these surface scattering results, we develop an analytic framework for estimating escape fractions and line widths as a function of gas geometry, motion, and dust content. Our simple analytic model shows good agreement with full Monte-Carlo simulations. We show that the key geometric parameter is the average number of surface scatters for escape in the absence of absorption, N 0 , and we provide fitting formulae for several geometries of astrophysical interest. We consider two interesting applications: (i) Equivalent widths. Lyα can preferentially escape from a dusty multi-phase ISM if most of the dust lies in cold neutral clouds, which Lyα photons cannot penetrate. This might explain the anomalously high EWs sometimes seen in high-redshift/submm sources. (ii) Multi-phase galactic outflows. We show the characteristic profile is asymmetric with a broad red tail, and relate the profile features to the outflow speed and gas geometry. Many future applications are envisaged.
Effects of Water, Cations, and Structure on Energetics of Layer and Framework Phases, NaxMgyMnO2·nH2O

The energetics of 14 synthetic manganese dioxides, including framework phases with todorokite structure and layer phases with birnessite and buserite structures, were studied using high-temperature solution calorimetry in molten 3Na{sub 2}O{sub 4}{center_dot}MoO{sub 3} at 977 K. The composition of these phases with a general formula of Na{sub x}Mg{sub y}MnO{sub 2}{center_dot}nH{sub 2}O was systematically varied. Using the measured enthalpies of drop solution, the enthalpies of formation from oxides based on 1 mol of Na{sub x}Mg{sub y}MnO{sub 2}{center_dot}nH{sub 2}O at 298 K, {Delta}H{degree}{sub f (oxides)}, were obtained. The {Delta}H{degree}{sub f (oxides)} data show no obvious correlation with either content of charge-balancing cations or content of water for the layer and framework phases. Using a new parameter, the hydration number of the charge-balancing cations (N{sub (hyd)} = the number of water molecules per cation), all of the {Delta}H{degree}{sub f (oxides)} data can be linearly correlated. The linear correlations are {Delta}H{degree}{sub f (oxides)} = 16.5N{sub (hyd)} {minus} 73.3 for the layer phases, and {Delta}H{degree}{sub f (oxides)} = 11.7N{sub (hyd)} {minus} 64.4 for the framework phases. The average N{sub (hyd)} values for the birnessite, buserite, and todorokite phases are 2, 4, and 2, respectively.
Efficacy and compliance of a prehospital spinal immobilization guideline.

Prehospital spinal immobilization criteria are useful in identifying those at risk for spinal fractures, while reducing the number of patients unnecessarily immobilized. The use of immobilization criteria, without regard to mechanism of injury, has been shown to accomplish this task. The study’s purpose is to examine efficacy of a prehospital spinal clearance guideline and triage/management of these injuries. This was a retrospective study of traumatically injured patients based on a clinical clearance spinal immobilization guideline between January 2006 and January 2007. Two gold standards were used in the analysis (radiographic findings and physician clearance without radiographs). This project was approved by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board. The study included 942 patients documented to have a traumatic injury. Of these, 43 (4.6%) had an acute spinal fracture. The guideline allowed 558 (59.2%) patients to be cleared, and 1.3% (7/558) had fractures. The remaining 384 did not meet clearance criteria and accounted for 36 (9.4%, 36/384) fractures. The guideline correctly predicted 36 of 43 fractures. The median age of the 7 fractures not immobilized was 82 years and of the 36 patients with fractures that were immobilized was 48 years. When immobilization was indicated, caregivers were 77.6% (298/384) compliant. Of the noncompliant 22.4% (86/384) there were 9 fractures. This spinal guideline demonstrates efficacy in identifying those at risk for spinal fractures. An age extreme criteria may enhance this already effective guideline. Further analysis of compliance failures may improve the guideline’s ability for fracture prediction.
Shocks in spherically accreting black holes: a model for classical quasars

Spherically symmetric accretion onto black holes is thought to be very inefficient if the flow is nondissipative because of the inadequacy of compression heating and the short time available to radiate. It is shown that standing shock solutions exist where the downstream protons are heated to temperatures at which the fluid becomes almost collisionless. The material then moves inwards at the much slower diffusion rate given by the p-e energy exchange time scale. For a given accretion rate, a self-consistent shock radius is found by matching the flow equations above and below that value, showing that such shocks can be self-sustaining. Efficiencies reaching up to 0.1-0.3 can be achieved, with most of the luminosity in the hard X-ray and gamma-ray, as well as optical-IR ranges. This provides a new model for the classical (radio-quiet) quasars and active galactic nuclei and possibly for galactic sources such as Cyg X-1.
Characterization of Extended and Simplified Intelligent Water Drop (SIWD) Approaches and Their Comparison to the Intelligent Water Drop (IWD) Approach

This paper presents a simplified approach to performing the Intelligent Water Drops (IWD) process. This approach is designed to be comparatively lightweight while approximating the results of the full IWD process. The Simplified Intelligent Water Drops (SIWD) approach is specifically designed for applications where IWD must be run in a computationally limited environment (such as on a robot, UAV or small spacecraft) or where performance speed must be maximized for time sensitive applications. The SWID approach is described and compared and contracted to the base IWD approach.
STATISTICAL QUALITY CONTROL APPROACHES TO NETWORK INTRUSION DETECTION

In the study of network intrusion, much attention has been drawn to on-time detection of intrusion to safeguard public and private interest and to capture the law-breakers. Even though various methods have been found in literature, some situations warrant us to determine intrusions of network in real-time to prevent further undue harm to the computer network as and when they occur. This approach helps detect the intrusion and has a greater potential to apprehend the law-breaker. The purpose of this article is to formulate a method to this effect that is based on the statistical quality control techniques widely used in the manufacturing and production processes.
New bedfellows in the mammalian sex-determination affair

In eutherian mammals, sex determination is defined as the initiation of testis development. This is because all subsequent sexual differentiation is dependent upon and secondary to this initial event, which is controlled by the presence or absence of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome 1. SRYis thought to exert its dominant effect by diverting the development of the indifferent gonad from the female (default) pathway to the male pathway of development. Several human loci not located on the Y chromosome have been known for many years to be associated with disturbances in gonadal development. Recently, genes have been isolated at two of these loci, both of which appear to exert their effect on sex determination through an altered dosage in XY individuals who carry a normal SRYgene on their Y chromosome. One of these genes maps to a locus on chromosome 17, SRA1, which is associated with the skeletal malformation syndrome campomelic dysplasia (CD), that is sometimes accompanied by a gradation of genital defects or primary gonadal dysgenesis 2. By cloning the breakpoints of several translocations associated with CD and sex reversal, soxg, a gene continuing an SRY-like HMG (high mobility group) box domain, has been identified at this locus 3. This gene was analysed by assaying for single-strand conformation polymorphisms and by direct sequencing for mutations in CD patients3,4. Mutations within the gene involving premature stop codons, amino acid substitutions, one splice acceptor and one donor alteration have been identified, and all are expected to result in loss of function of the SOX9 gene product. All the mutant individuals except one were heterozygous, carrying one normal allele of SOXg. These findings suggest that both CD and sex reversal result from a haploinsufficiency of the gene product rather than from a dominant negative effect. The second gene that has recently been isolated is DAX1, an X-linked gene responsible for adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) 5,6. This gene maps to Xp21, a critical interval of the X chromosome that has been known for some time to cause male to female sex reversal when it is duplicated 7. Mutational analysis of DAXI in patients with X-linked AHC has demonstrated that functional disturbance of this gene in the absence of any other detectable change in Xp21 also results in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HHG), and lends credence to the idea that DAX1 might be the gene responsible for the dosage-sensitive sex reversal associated with the DSS locus on Xp21.
NOX3 NADPH oxidase couples transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 to signal transducer and activator of transcription 1-mediated inflammation and hearing loss.

Abstract Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is implicated in cisplatin ototoxicity. Activation of this channel by cisplatin increases reactive oxygen species generation, which contribute to loss of outer hair cells in the cochlea. Knockdown of TRPV1 by short interfering RNA protected against cisplatin ototoxicity. In this study, we examined the mechanism underlying TRPV1-mediated ototoxicity using cultured organ of Corti transformed cells (UB/OC-1) and rats. Trans-tympanic injections of capsaicin produced transient hearing loss within 24 h, which recovered by 72 h. In UB/OC-1 cells, capsaicin increased NOX3 NADPH oxidase activity and activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1). Intratympanic administration of capsaicin transiently increased STAT1 activity and expression of downstream proinflammatory molecules. Capsaicin produced a transient increase in CD14-positive inflammatory cells into the cochlea, which mimicked the temporal course of STAT1 activation but di...
Meta-analysis: the adjuvant role of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor on immunological response to hepatitis B virus vaccine in end-stage renal disease.

Summary Background Chronic dialysis patients often fail to produce protective antibodies to hepatitis B virus surface antigen after vaccination towards hepatitis B virus (HBV). Several authors suggested a benefit for granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as an adjuvant to HBV vaccination in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, consistent information is still lacking. Aims To evaluate efficacy and safety of GM-CSF as adjuvant to hepatitis B vaccine in patients with ESRD by performing a systematic review with a meta-analysis of prospective controlled clinical trials (CCTs). Methods Only trials comparing the seroresponse rate in study (GM-CSF plus HBV vaccine) versus control (HBV vaccine alone) patients were included. We used the random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird, with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. The end-point of interest was the rate of patients showing seroprotective anti-hepatitis B titers at completion of HBV vaccine schedule in study versus control groups. Results We identified seven studies involving 187 unique patients with ESRD. Only prospective CCTs were included. Pooling of study results showed a significant increase in response rates among study (GM-CSF plus HBV vaccine) versus control (HBV vaccine alone) patients (pooled Odds Ratio, 4.63 [95% Confidence Intervals, 1.42; 15.14]). The P-value was 0.02 for our test of study heterogeneity. Conclusions Our meta-analysis showed improved seroprotection rates with HBV vaccine after GM-CSF administration.
Pseudodipolar and exchange broadening of NMR lines in GaP and GaAs

The pseudodipolar and exchange constants are measured for GaP and GaAs using pulsed NMR. The constants for GaP are derived from measurements of the second moment of $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ free induction decays (FID). A line-shape theory is used to eliminate quadrupolar contributions to the second moments of FID's in GaAs and simplify measurement of the coupling constants in that material. Results are discussed with reference to theoretical predictions based on an extension of the bond-orbital model (BOM) of tetrahedrally coordinated solids. A linear relationship between the exchange coupling constant and the static dielectric constant is found for the series GaP, GaAs, GaSb, as predicted by the BOM.
Cyclic AMP Protects Against Staurosporine and Wortmannin‐Induced Apoptosis and Opioid‐Enhanced Apoptosis in Both Embryonic and Immortalized (F‐11κ7) Neurons

The mechanism by which opiates affect fetal development is unknown, but one potential target is the programmed cell death (apoptosis) pathway of neurons. Apoptosis was induced in both primary neuronal cultures from embryonic day 7 cerebral hemispheres of chick brain (E7CH) and the F-11kappa7 cell line (an immortalized mouse neuroblastoma x dorsal root ganglion hybrid stably transfected to overexpress kappa-opioid receptors) by either staurosporine or the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002. Cells pretreated with either the mu-specific opioid agonist morphiceptin (E7CH) or the kappa-specific opioid agonist U69,593 (F-11kappa7) for 24 h showed increased apoptosis in response to staurosporine or wortmannin when compared with non-pretreated cells. The effects of morphiceptin and U69,593 were time- and dose-dependent and antagonist-reversible, suggesting that they were receptor-mediated. Neither morphiceptin nor U69,593 by themselves had any measurable effect on cell viability or DNA fragmentation, and coaddition of opiates at the same time as staurosporine, wortmannin, or LY294002 did not enhance apoptosis. Time course studies indicated a maximal opioid effect at a time (16-24 h) when inhibition of adenylate cyclase had been maximal for many hours. Addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP either before or at the time of opioid addition protected against apoptosis and reduced fragmentation to levels seen for staurosporine plus dibutyryl cyclic AMP alone. The specificity for cyclic AMP was confirmed by showing protection with the specific agonist Sp-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate and increased killing with the antagonist Rp-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate. We conclude that the opioid enhancement of apoptosis is based on the inhibition of adenylate cyclase and that the effect is time-dependent.
Sex Differences in Female Teachers' Approval and Disapproval Behaviors as Related to Their Self-Definition of Sex-Role Type

Summary.--44 white female teachers were observed by two observers for six separate 20-min. periods for a total of 88 hr. The frequencies of approval and disapproval behaviors toward boys and girls were obtained. After ob servation, the Bern Sex-role Inventory was administered to the teachers, and four groups of 11 teachers ~ach were classified by a median split-procedure as androgynous, masculine, feminine, and undifferentiated. As predicted, masculine teachers were more approving of boys' behavior, feminine teachers were more approving of girls' behavior and less approving of boys' behavior. In total observations, types of teacher did not differ, but when approval or disapproval was considered, there were significant differences according to pupils' sex and rype of observation. Teachers' self-definition of sex-role type is likely to influence significantly their behavior toward middle-school bogs and girls. Historically, most teachers have had different behavioral standards for and treated boys and girls differently in the classroom. Traditionally, boys are socialized to be assertive and independent. "School culture" encourages and rewards docility and obedience, traits often associated with norms of feminine behavior. Meyer ( 1956), Spaulding ( 1963), Lippitt and Gold (1959), and Sexton (1970) have confirmed that teachers direct more disapproval toward behavior of boys. In recent years, Bem (1974) contested the notion that masculinity and femininity are opposite poles of a single dimension and has proposed the construct of psychological androgyny as combining the positive dimensions of masculinity (dominance, self-reliance, strong personality, etc.) and fernininicy (compassionate, gentle, understanding, etc.). To measure psychological androgyny, she constructed the Bern Sex-role Inventory, which permits classification of a group into four cate
Short-latency auditory evoked potentials in the monkey. II. Intracranial generators

Abstract The generators of the short-latency auditory evoked potentials (SLAEPS) in the monkey have been defined by intracranial mapping from cochlea to auditory cortex. SLAEP components other than 1a and the slow negatively (SN) following wave 7 derive from compound action potentials propagated in subcortical auditory pathways. The component generators are complex due to the presence of two bursts of activity in the eighth nerve, to the fact that the ascending auditory fibers both synapse on and bypass specific relay nuclei, and to the differences in orientation of segments of the auditory pathways. Most SLAEP components recorded at the surface reflect the summation of activity from multiple generators. However, much of the activity seen within subcortical structures cannot be traced to the surface of the brain. Component 1a is identified with the cochlea summating potential, while 1b reflects the initial afferent volley in the distal portion of the eighth nerve. Component 2 represents the initial depolarization of the eighth nerve terminals within the ipsilateral cochlear nucleus. Component 3h reflects the second volley of activity in the distal portion of the eighth nerve and the outflow of the cochlear nucleus which decussates in the trapezoid body. Component 3v represents the initial cochlear nucleus outflow volley ascending the lateral lemniscus. Component 4 principally reflects the second volley activity within the eighth nerve terminals, and outflow from the ipsilateral superior olivary complex ascending in thet lateral lemniscus, with a possible contribution from activity in the contralateral CNC. Component 5 represents the outflow of the contralateral superior olivary complex ascending in that lateral lemniscus. Component 6 reflects another volley from the ipsilateral superior olivary complex ascending in that lateral lemniscus, as well as outflow from both inferior colliculi propagating in their brachii. The generators of components 7 are the most complex encountered, representing volleys in both lateral lemnisci, activity of the contralateral inferior colliculus, and activity in both auditory radiations. A component that follows wave 7, seen best in mastoid-to-mastoid recording linkage, represents outflow from both inferior colliculi propagating in their brachia. Components 8 and 9 principally reflect propagated action potentials in the auditory radiations bilaterally, with an additional contribution from activity of both inferior colliculi. The SN mainly represents volume-conducted postsynaptic potentials from both inferior colliculi and cochlear nuclei.
TU‐D‐M100F‐09: Breathing Motion‐Induced Dose Delivery Error Evaluations as Applied to Tomotherapy Dose Delivery

Purpose: To develop a method for evaluating breathing motion‐induced dose delivery errors in Tomotherapy dose delivery. Methods and Materials: Dosimetric inaccuracy can result from breathing‐induced tumor motion in Tomotherapy treatment delivery. Patient breathing motion patterns were simulated using quantitative spirometry‐measured patient tidal volumes and converting the tidal volume to tumor motion by varying the ratio of tumor motion to tidal volume for 34 patients. Simulations of Tomotherapy deliveries were conducted modifying the previously published techniques by using measured beam profiles instead of step‐function fluences, and couch speeds typical of Tomotherapy treatments. Radiochromic film and our in‐house 4D phantom were used to verify the algorithm. Results: As expected, the breathing motion blurred the dose distributions, but slow drifts in the average tissue position caused detectable dose errors. The dose errors were expectedly largest with the smallest (1.0cm) field size, and could be >10% for motion amplitudes comparable to the field size. As the field width increased relative to the motion amplitude, and as couch‐speed (pitch) decreased, the error also decreased, and as such these settings may be preferable for patient treatments. These slow drifts occurred over time periods that were coincident with the amount of time required for the field to pass a stationary point. Measurements agreed with the simulation. Conclusions: Previous breathing motion studies did not use real patient breathing patterns and therefore did not consider the impact of slow, relatively small drifts in those patterns. The drifts change direction during the breathing measurement, causing dose errors that are both positive and negative. While the individual dose fraction errors can be >10%, they are unlikely to occur in the same place each day, so the average dose is likely to be consistent with earlier studies. Conflict of Interest: This work supported in part by a grant from Tomotherapy, Inc.
Indirect Immunofluorescence Microscopy for Direct Detection of Xylella fastidiosa in Xylem Sap

The plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa is the causative agent of a number of diseases of economically important crops, including Pierce’s disease that affects grapevines. Using a commercially available antibody specific for X. fastidiosa, we have established a protocol for microscopic identification of the bacterium by indirect immunofluorescence. This antibody clearly labels an uncharacterized antigen concentrated at a single pole of X. fastidiosa cells, but does not react with a non-Xylella control. This technique was also performed successfully on xylem exudates from several different plant genera and correlated well with standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. These results establish a novel method for in situ assessment of X. fastidiosa infection from host plants.
Corrigendum to “Predominant role for activation-induced cytidine deaminase in generating IgG anti-nucleosomal antibodies of murine SLE” [J. Autoimmun. 58 (2015) 67–77]

Unfortunately some text was missing from the Acknowledgments section We thank Desiree Straign for help with the Southern blots; Katja Aviszus, James B. St. Clair, Greg Kirchenbaum and Amanda Agazio for scientific discussion and Judith Spiegel for proofreading the manuscript. This work was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health: R01AI093822. The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors now wish to add the following and apologise for any inconvenience caused: “The authors thank Dr. Tasuku Honjo for the AID-deficient B6 mice that made this study possible.”
The theoretical maximum achievable dispersion of nanoinclusions in cement paste

Abstract A major challenge of successfully incorporating nanometric inclusions (nanoinclusions) within cement paste is achieving a uniform distribution of the nanoinclusions. Cement particles have a larger diameter than the average spacing between nanoinclusions when the nanoinclusions are fully dispersed, which means that the presence of cement particles in the fresh paste degrades the maximum achievable dispersion of the nanoinclusions in the hardened paste. To determine the significance of this effect, a novel method for dispersion quantification was implemented to calculate the theoretical maximum achievable dispersion of nanoinclusions in fresh cement paste. Three-dimensional simulations were performed for cement pastes with common values of water to cement ratio, nanoinclusion to cement ratio, and cement fineness. The results show that for cementitious nanocomposites simulated in this study, degradation of the maximum theoretical achievable dispersion of nanoinclusions due to the presence of cement particles is negligible as long as the cement particles are not agglomerated.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Induced Bleb-Niche Formation in Epithelial Cells Is Independent of Actinomyosin Contraction and Enhanced by Loss of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane-Conductance Regulator Osmoregulatory Function

ABSTRACT The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can infect almost any site in the body but most often targets epithelial cell-lined tissues such as the airways, skin, and the cornea of the eye. A common predisposing factor is cystic fibrosis (CF), caused by defects in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane-conductance regulator (CFTR). Previously, we showed that when P. aeruginosa enters epithelial cells it replicates intracellularly and occupies plasma membrane blebs. This phenotype is dependent on the type 3 secretion system (T3SS) effector ExoS, shown by others to induce host cell apoptosis. Here, we examined mechanisms for P. aeruginosa-induced bleb formation, focusing on its relationship to apoptosis and the CFTR. The data showed that P. aeruginosa-induced blebbing in epithelial cells is independent of actin contraction and is inhibited by hyperosmotic media (400 to 600 mOsM), distinguishing bacterially induced blebs from apoptotic blebs. Cells with defective CFTR displayed enhanced bleb formation upon infection, as demonstrated using bronchial epithelial cells from a patient with cystic fibrosis and a CFTR inhibitor, CFTR(Inh)-172. The defect was found to be correctable either by incubation in hyperosmotic media or by complementation with CFTR (pGFP-CFTR), suggesting that the osmoregulatory function of CFTR counters P. aeruginosa-induced bleb-niche formation. Accordingly, and despite their reduced capacity for bacterial internalization, CFTR-deficient cells showed greater bacterial occupation of blebs and enhanced intracellular replication. Together, these data suggest that P. aeruginosa bleb niches are distinct from apoptotic blebs, are driven by osmotic forces countered by CFTR, and could provide a novel mechanism for bacterial persistence in the host. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen problematic in hospitalized patients and those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Previously, we showed that P. aeruginosa can enter epithelial cells and replicate within them and traffics to the membrane blebs that it induces. This “bleb-niche” formation requires ExoS, previously shown to cause apoptosis. Here, we show that the driving force for bleb-niche formation is osmotic pressure, differentiating P. aeruginosa-induced blebs from apoptotic blebs. Either CFTR inhibition or CFTR mutation (as seen in people with CF) causes P. aeruginosa to make more bleb niches and provides an osmotic driving force for blebbing. CFTR inhibition also enhances bacterial occupation of blebs and intracellular replication. Since CFTR is targeted for removal from the plasma membrane when P. aeruginosa invades a healthy cell, these findings could relate to pathogenesis in both CF and healthy patient populations.
Glaucoma and vitamins A, C, and E supplement intake and serum levels in a population-based sample of the United States

Glaucoma and vitamins A, C, and E supplement intake and serum levels in a population-based sample of the United States
Validation of MRI-based measurements of supraspinatus morphology

The goal of this study was to visualize the supraspinatus tendon three-dimensionally using fast spin-echo (FSE) MRI and validate the accuracy of measuring the dimensions of the supraspinatus tendon based on 3D reconstructed images. Nine cadaver shoulders (51–84 y/o, mean 70.0 y/o) were imaged at conventional T2-weighted spin-echo (CSE), gradient echo (GRE), and 3D T2-weighted FSE sequences. Each "object" of the supraspinatus muscle, tendon and scapula was three-dimensionally reconstructed using ANALYZE™ image data processing software. The FSE images revealed significantly higher contrast of the tendon and contrast-to-noise ratios of the fat-to-tendon and fat-to-muscle. The length of the anterior, middle, and posterior portions of the tendon were measured in two ways: (1) from the three-dimensional reconstructed images, and (2) directly from the cadaver specimen using calipers. No statistically significant differences were found between the ANALYZE™ and caliper measurements using a paired t-test for the anterior (p = 0.55), middle (p = 0.57) and posterior (p = 0.44) portions of the supraspinatus. The 3D FSE sequence exhibits higher spatial resolution, spends shorter acquisition time, and constructs a voxel data set. These advantages can prevent blurring artifacts when imaging the supraspinatus tendon of a human body. Tendon length measurements derived from three-dimensional reconstructions using ANALYZE™ were found to be good estimates of actual tendon length. Therefore, the combination of FSE sequence and 3D image data processing provides a method for noninvasive quantitative analysis of supraspinatus tendon morphology. The results lay the groundwork for future quantitative studies of cuff pathology.
Electron-electron scattering effects on high field transport at an AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction

Abstract A numerical simulation of high field electron transport at a modulation doped AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction has been carried out by combining Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulation techniques. The model incorporates the electron-remote impurity scattering and the electron-electron scattering in a very straightforward manner, that includes the real space correlations between electrons. The results show that higher drift velocities are obtained for transport parallel to the interface when the motion of electrons into the GaAs substrate is unrestricted. This is a consequence of electron-electron scattering. Our results are compared with experimental data and with alternative theoretical treatments of the problem.
Mechanism of sensitization to ultra-violet light of T1 bacteriophage by the incorporation of 5-bromodeoxyuridine or by pre-irradiation of the host cell.

Mechanism of Sensitization to Ultra-Violet Light of T1 Bacteriophage by the Incorporation of 5-Bromodeoxyuridine or by Pre-Irradiation of the Host Cell
Radial coherent states for central potentials: The isotropic harmonic oscillator.

We formulate radial coherent states for the isotropic harmonic oscillator from the unitary irreducible representations associated with the radial spectrum-generating group Sp(2) which is locally isomorphic to SU(1,1) and SO(2,1). We further consider the time evolution of a coherent-state wave packet and show that, in contrast to the ordinary oscillator coherent states, this wave packet does change its shape (periodically) as it evolves. This change of shape may be interpreted in terms of a generalized squeezing.
Dissociation of cycloheximide's effects on activity from its effects on memory.

Abstract Two doses of cycloheximide (CYC) were used to dissociate the effect of this drug on locomotor activity from its effect on memory. Results indicated significant short-term (30′–40′) and long-term (24 hr) increases in locomotor activity occur at both CYC doses, whereas significant short- and long-term decreases in step-out latencies in a passive-avoidance task occur primarily at the higher CYC dose. Pargyline, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, significantly increases locomotor activity but does not decrease step-out latencies in the passive-avoidance task. It is concluded that the decreases in step-out latencies shown by CYC-treated animals in the passive avoidance task are the result of an amnesic effect of CYC rather than its effect on locomotor activity.
New compounds with extended structure latticesfrom the reactions of cuprous iodide with cyclicpolydisulfides

Abstract The reactions of CuI with 1,2,5,6-tetrathiacyclooctane, 1 SCH2CH2SSCH2CH2S and 1,2,5,6,9,10hexathiacyclododecane, 2 SCH2CH2SSCH2CH2SSCH2CH2S inacetonitrile solvent have yielded the new compounds [Cu2I2 (μ-SCH2CH2SSCH2CH2S) ] ∞, 3 and [CuI(μ-SCH2CH2SSCH2CH2SSCH2CH2S] ∞, 4 in yields of 75 and 61%, respectively. Both products werecharacterized crystallographically. Compound 3 contains a network of CuI double chains withstep ladder-like structures. The chains are linked by bridging η2-tetrathiacyclooctane ligands to form 2-dimensional sheets through coordination of the disulfidegroups to the copper atoms. Compound 4 contains isolated Cu2I2 groupswhich are linked by two bridging η2-hexathiacyclododecane ligands to form1-dimensional chains along the crystallographic b-direction. © 1998 Elsevier ScienceLtd
Social organization in a wild population of Callithrix jacchus. II: Intragroup social behavior

The social behavior of the common marmoset has been well studied in captivity, but little is known about the social dynamics of this species in its natural habitat. Social relationships were studied in three polygynous groups of common marmosets,Callithrix jacchus, in northeastern Brazil. Breeding adults appeared to be the center of social life and were the most frequent grooming partners or nearest neighbors for most adult group members. The observations of unidirectional agonistic interactions suggest that breeding adults were also dominant over all other group members, but that neither sex was dominant over the other. The dynamics of within-group social relationships are likely to be important determinants in the reproductive strategies employed by marmoset females.
ATP synthesis driven by a protonmotive force in Streptococcus lactis.

An electrochemical potential difference for hydrogen ions (a protonmotive force) was artificially imposed across the membrane of the anaerobic bacteriumStreptococcus lactis. When cells were exposed to the ionophore, valinomycin, the electrical gradient was established by a potassium diffusion potential. A chemical gradient of protons was established by manipulating the transmembrane pH gradient. When the protonmotive force attained a value of 215 mV or greater, net ATP synthesis was catalyzed by the membrane-bound Ca++, Mg++-stimulated ATPase. This was true whether the protonmotive force was dominated by the membrane potential (negative inside) or the pH gradient (alkaline inside). Under these conditions, ATP synthesis could be blocked by the ATPase inhibitor, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, or by ionophores which rendered the membrane specifically permeable to protons. These observations provide strong evidence in support of the chemiosmotic hypothesis, which states that the membrane-bound ATPase couples the inward movement of protons to the synthesis of ATP.
Synthetic Biology in Pursuit of Inexpensive, Effective, Anti-Malarial Drugs

One of the big success stories in synthetic biology is the re-engineering of an existing organism to produce the anti-malarial drug artemisinin. The drug is also found naturally in extracts of the plant Artemisia annua (Wormwood), but demand is far oustripping supply and extracting the drug from the plants is complex, time-consuming and expensive. In this lecture, Jay Keasling describes how he and his laboratory re-designed yeast microbes into living mini anti-malaria drug factories producing artemisinin more cheaply and efficiently. The lecture was given at the 12 May 2009 launch of the Imperial-based Centre for Synthetic Biology and Innovation—established in partnership with the London School of Economics and funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of a science and innovation award.
Representing discourse for collaborative interactive generation

The author's work has focused on one mode of collaborative natural language interaction. In this mode, the system is the primary speaker and the user is the primary listener. The Interactive Discourse Planner (IDP) is responsible for planning text to describe and/or justify a domain plan. The user collaborates by providing feedback that lets the system know how to extend the discussion in a way that satisfies the user and thereby achieves the system's goal. As a testbed for the model, IDP discusses driving routes as the domain plans. The primary insight that this work contributes is that it may be useful to identify modes of collaboration. Collaborative interactive modes are defined by the assignment of conversational roles and responsibilities to a computational system and a human. When building a model for an interactive mode, a designer can make assumptions that lead to simpler, computationally tractable systems that provide for efficient and effective interaction.
Genetic basis of lipoprotein disorders.

Les anomalies genetiques du transport des graisses exogenes, du transport des graisses endogenes et du transport du cholesterol