cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convolutional neural network (CNN) classification of breast cancer in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the performance of a convolutional neural network (CNN) that uses a novel A-line based classification approach to detect cancer in OCT images of breast specimens. Deep learning algorithms have been developed for OCT ophthalmology applications using pixel-based classification approaches. In this study, a novel deep learning approach was developed that classifies OCT A-lines of breast tissue. De-identified human breast tissues from mastectomy and breast reduction specimens were excised from patients at Columbia University Medical Center. A total of 82 specimens from 49 patients were imaged with OCT, including both normal tissues and non-neoplastic tissues. The proposed algorithm utilized a hybrid 2D/1D convolutional neural network (CNN) to map each single B-scan to a 1D label vector, which were derived from manual annotation. Each A-line was labelled as one of the following tissue types: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), adipose, and stroma. Five-fold cross-validation Dice scores across tissue types were: 0.82-0.95 for IDC, 0.54-0.75 for DCIS, 0.67-0.91 for adipose, and 0.61-0.86 for stroma. In a second experiment, IDC and DCIS were combined as a single tissue class (malignancy) while stroma and adipose were combined as a second tissue class (non-malignancy). In this setup, the experiment yielded five-fold cross-validation Dice scores between 0.89-0.93, respectively. Future work includes acquiring more patient samples and to compare the algorithm to previous works, including both deep learning and traditional automatic image processing methods for classification of breast tissue in OCT images.
Tutorial: Privacy for eDemocracy & eGovernment

Privacy has become an increasingly relevant topic in the field of social information systems. A recent book on Social Information Access (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90092-6_2) includes a chapter on this topic, authored by one the instructors of this tutorial. Arguably, privacy is all the more relevant in the fields of eGovernment and eDemocracy, which covers a wide array of sensitive topics such as eHealth, political discussion, and access to government services. Notably, eGovernment and eDemocracy applications increasingly gather tremendous amounts of user data as input to the democratic process, for political discussion, or for recommendation purposes. This data may pose a severe threat to user privacy, e.g. if accessed by untrusted parties, or used inappropriately. Hence, it is of paramount importance for system designers and service providers in eGovernment and eDemocracy to learn about ways to build systems that respect the privacy of their users. However, we count only two papers about privacy (including one by one of the instructors of this tutorial)at the three most recent installments of the ICEDEG conference! We therefore believe that it is time for a privacy-related tutorial at ICEDEG. In this tutorial, we overview the state of the art in online privacy and apply it to the fields of eGovernment and eDemocracy. We analyze common privacy risks imposed by eGovernment and eDemocracy systems, survey solutions, and discuss implications for users.
Largely Unchanged Annual Incidence and Overall Survival of Pleural Mesothelioma in the USA

Projections based on regulations curtailing asbestos use in the USA suggest that peak incidence of pleural mesothelioma would occur between 2000 and 2005 and then decline. We analyzed the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to assess current trends in disease incidence, patient demographics, cancer treatment, and survival. The NCDB was queried to identify patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma from 2004 through 2014. Clinical and pathologic characteristics, treatments, and survival were analyzed. Risk factors for death were identified by multivariable Cox regression. A total of 20,988 patients with pleural mesothelioma were reported to the NCDB. The number of cases per year increased from 1783 to 1961, accounting for roughly 0.3% of all reported cancers each year. The proportion of elderly patients increased from 75 to 80%, but distribution by sex remained constant (20% female). The proportion of patients undergoing treatment increased from 34 to 54%. One-year survival increased from 37 to 47% and 3-year survival from 9 to 15% (p < 0.001). Factors associated with improved survival included younger age, female sex, epithelioid histology, treatment in an academic center, health insurance, higher income, and multimodality therapy. The annual incidence of mesothelioma has not declined this century and remains stable. Reporting of histologic and clinical staging has improved. National trends suggest that survival is slowly increasing despite an aging cohort. Multimodal therapy and treatment at academic centers are modifiable risk factors associated with improved survival.
Developing Technology Training Videos

More and more, learners are looking for videos to help them learn technology skills. Sites like LinkedIn Learning (previously Lynda.com), Pluralsight, and even YouTube offer training videos that help people learn all types of tech skills, from Photoshop to Python. However, what if you want to create your own videos to help people learn basic technology skills? Well, it's not as daunting a task as you might think! With a specific idea of what you want to demonstrate, and the right tools, anyone can make a technology training video. In this presentation, you'll be introduced to video development workflows, tools for screen recording, and tips for easily making your videos accessible to all audiences.
Chapter 1 – Membrane Voltage

In this chapter, we will focus on the main experimental approaches used to measure the electrical activity of individual neurons. The membrane voltage of a neuron describes its electrical state; brief spikes in the membrane voltage, called action potentials or simply spikes, represent the main electrical signal in the nervous system. These transient deflections in the membrane voltage are caused by ionic currents across the cell membrane. First, we will look at the two fundamental and complementary ways of measuring neuronal activity within a single cell. The first method is the current clamp recording that measures the membrane voltage. The second is the voltage clamp recording that measures ionic currents. We will also discuss the dynamic clamp, a derivative of these techniques. Then, we will discuss the specific experimental techniques to perform current and voltage clamp measurements and how these measurements differ from the theoretical case.
Chapter 1 – Introduction to membrane technology

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on membrane separation science and the latest developments in it. Membrane technology has progressed remarkably in recent years. Research is in progress for addressing fouling problems by designing new modules and membranes to increase membrane flux and performance, especially as possibilities of new applications are realized, and to tackle existing process problems. Several membrane technology areas have been identified recently that require special attention for improving membrane performance and reducing operating costs of water treatment plants are identified. These high priority research topics include developing membrane modules and configurations that minimize concentration polarization and upstream pretreatment for removing particulates, for example increasing cross-flow velocity, introducing Dean vortices and/or using back washable ultrafiltration (UF) or microfiltration (MF) systems.
Interpreting the American Midwest: A Review Essay

Review of: "Interpreting the American Midwest" edited by Richard Sisson, Christian Zacher, and Andrew Cayton.
Degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid by zero-valent iron nanoparticles under ultraviolet light

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is ubiquitous in the environment because of its wide applications in aqueous film forming foam, food packing, waterproof breathable fabrics, and Teflon products. Though it is resistant to biodegradation, photocatalytic degradation has been proven possible. In this study, zero-valent iron nanoparticles (Fe0 NPs), with or without 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating, were used for PFOA degradation under ultraviolet C (UVC) light for the first time. PFOA was degraded faster initially (e.g., < 13 h) with Fe0 NPs than without Fe0 NPs under UVC light. In addition, the degradation rate using Fe0 NPs without coating was higher than that with 1% PVP coating in the initial 6 h, although the difference was diminished afterwards. Both Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions were detected during the process. Shorter-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), i.e., PFHpA, PFHxA, PFPeA, and PFBA, were detected as main intermediates; fluoride ions (F−) were also detected. Rapid consumption of Fe3+ (plus the lower UV–vis absorption intensity observed for a mixture of PFOA and FeCl3 compared to the intensity observed for FeCl3 alone) indicated the possible formation of [C7F15COO-Fe]2+—a degradable complex. The UV/Fe0 system is superior, with low toxicity of iron and no introduction of other chemicals. Additionally, the cost of Fe0 NPs is low, and the recycle of Fe0 NPs is easy from the treated water by their magnetic properties. The study provided an innovative, environment-friendly, and low-cost method for PFOA degradation by Fe0 NPs under UVC light, which could be potentially applied for treatment of surface water and groundwater contaminated by PFOA.
Male rape in context: measures of intolerance and support for male rape myths (MRMs)

Research on myths about male rape victims and offenders indicates that men and heterosexual individuals tend to believe myths about male rape (MRMs), as do individuals with negative attitudes towar...
Pump-Probe Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy of Cyanobacteriochrome TePixJ Yields: Insights into Its Photoconversion

The bilin-containing photoreceptor TePixJ, a member of the cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) family of phytochromes, switches between blue-light-absorbing and green-light-absorbing states in order to drive phototaxis in Thermosynechococcus elongatus. Its photoswitching process involves the formation of a thioether linkage between the C10 carbon of phycoviolobilin and the sidechain of Cys494 during the change in state from green-absorbing to blue-absorbing forms. Complex changes in the binding pocket propagate the signal to other domains for downstream signaling. Here, we report time-resolved circular dichroism experiments in addition to pump-probe absorption measurements for interpretation of the biophysical mechanism of the green-to-blue photoconversion process of this receptor.
Pareto Optimal Projection Search (POPS): Automated Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning by Direct Search of the Pareto Surface

Objective: Radiation therapy treatment planning is a time-consuming, iterative process with potentially high inter-planner variability. Fully automated treatment planning processes could reduce a planner's active treatment planning time and remove inter-planner variability, with the potential to tremendously improve patient turnover and quality of care. In developing fully automated algorithms for treatment planning, we have two main objectives: to produce plans that are 1) Pareto optimal and 2) clinically acceptable. Here, we propose the Pareto optimal projection search (POPS) algorithm, which provides a general framework for directly searching the Pareto front. Methods: Our POPS algorithm is a novel automated planning method that combines two main search processes: 1) gradient-free search in the decision variable space and 2) projection of decision variables to the Pareto front using the bisection method. We demonstrate the performance of POPS by comparing with clinical treatment plans. As one possible quantitative measure of treatment plan quality, we construct a clinical acceptability scoring function (SF) modified from the previously developed general evaluation metric (GEM). Results: On a dataset of 21 prostate cases collected as part of clinical workflow, our proposed POPS algorithm produces Pareto optimal plans that are clinically acceptable in regards to dose conformity, dose homogeneity, and sparing of organs-at-risk. Conclusion : Our proposed POPS algorithm provides a general framework for fully automated treatment planning that achieves clinically acceptable dosimetric quality without requiring active planning from human planners. Significance: Our fully automated POPS algorithm addresses many key limitations of other automated planning approaches, and we anticipate that it will substantially improve treatment planning workflow.
On the Linear Convergence of Two Decentralized Algorithms

Decentralized algorithms solve multi-agent problems over a connected network, where the information can only be exchanged with the accessible neighbors. Though there exist several decentralized optimization algorithms, there are still gaps in convergence conditions and rates between decentralized and centralized algorithms. In this paper, we fill some gaps by considering two decentralized algorithms: EXTRA and NIDS. They both converge linearly with strongly convex objective functions. We will answer two questions regarding them. What are the optimal upper bounds for their stepsizes? Do decentralized algorithms require more properties on the functions for linear convergence than centralized ones? More specifically, we relax the required conditions for linear convergence of both algorithms. For EXTRA, we show that the stepsize is comparable to that of centralized algorithms. For NIDS, the upper bound of the stepsize is shown to be exactly the same as the centralized ones. In addition, we relax the requirement for the objective functions and the mixing matrices. We provide the linear convergence results for both algorithms under the weakest conditions.
Protein-assisted scalable mechanochemical exfoliation of few-layer biocompatible graphene nanosheets

A facile method to produce few-layer graphene (FLG) nanosheets is developed using protein-assisted mechanical exfoliation. The predominant shear forces that are generated in a planetary ball mill facilitate the exfoliation of graphene layers from graphite flakes. The process employs a commonly known protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), which not only acts as an effective exfoliation agent but also provides stability by preventing restacking of the graphene layers. The latter is demonstrated by the excellent long-term dispersibility of exfoliated graphene in an aqueous BSA solution, which exemplifies a common biological medium. The development of such potentially scalable and toxin-free methods is critical for producing cost-effective biocompatible graphene, enabling numerous possible biomedical and biological applications. A methodical study was performed to identify the effect of time and varying concentrations of BSA towards graphene exfoliation. The fabricated product has been characterized using Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The BSA-FLG dispersion was then placed in media containing Astrocyte cells to check for cytotoxicity. It was found that lower concentrations of BSA-FLG dispersion had only minute cytotoxic effects on the Astrocyte cells.
Biofilm Removal by Reversible Shape Recovery of the Substrate.

Bacteria can colonize essentially any surface and form antibiotic resistant biofilms, which are multicellular structures embedded in an extracellular matrix secreted by the attached cells. To develop better biofilm control technologies, we recently demonstrated that mature biofilms can be effectively removed through on-demand shape recovery of a shape memory polymer (SMP) composed of tert-butyl acrylate (tBA). It was further demonstrated that such a dynamic substratum can sensitize the detached biofilm cells to antibiotics. However, this SMP can undergo shape change only once, limiting its application in long-term biofilm control. This motivated the present study, which aimed to prove the concept that biofilm can be effectively removed by repeated on-demand shape recovery. Reversible shape memory polymers (rSMPs) containing poly(e-caprolactone) diisocyanatoethyl dimethacrylate (PCLDIMA) of varying molecular masses and butyl acrylate (BA) as a linker were synthesized by using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a thermal initiator. By comparison of several combinations of PCLDIMA of different molecular masses, a 2:1 weight ratio mixture of 2000 and 15000 g/mol PCLDIMA was the most promising because it had a shape transition (at 36.7 °C) close to body temperature. The synthesized rSMP demonstrated good reversible shape recovery and up to 94.3 ± 1.0% removal of 48 h Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm cells after three consecutive shape recovery cycles. Additionally, the detached biofilm cells were found to be 5.0 ± 1.2 times more susceptible to 50 μg/mL tobramycin than the static control.
Stimulant use in patients presenting with psychocutaneous disorders.

Background Psychocutaneous disorders are often attributed to stimulant medications, yet this relationship has never been fully elucidated. Literature on psychocutaneous disorders largely focuses on clinical presentation and treatment rather than disease etiology or exacerbation. Objective To determine whether patients presenting with psychocutaneous disorders display high rates of stimulant use and psychiatric comorbidity. Methods We undertook a retrospective cohort study of patients with psychocutaneous disorders presenting to a single center. It was hypothesized that these patients would have high rates of stimulant use and psychiatric comorbidity. Following analysis of baseline demographics, the patients were assigned to 1 of 2 groups: those with a psychotic disorder and those with a neurotic disorder. Results Sixty percent of the patients (n = 317) with psychocutaneous disease had recently used a stimulant and more than 80% (270 of 317) carried an additional psychiatric diagnosis. The neurotic disorder group (n = 237) was younger and had higher rates of stimulant use. The psychotic disorder group (n = 80) had higher rates of psychosis, medical comorbidity, and illicit stimulant drug use. Limitations The predominantly Caucasian population may limit generalizability of findings as may the retrospective nature. Conclusions Patients with psychocutaneous disease have high rates of stimulant use and most have at least 1 psychiatric comorbidity.
Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms are Associated with Response to Blinatumomab in B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Blinatumomab is a bispecific T cell-engaging antibody approved for treatment of relapsed/refractory (r/r) ALL, with 40%-50% complete response (CR)/CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi). Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) as a major adverse effect after blinatumomab therapy. Here, we evaluated the possible association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes, disease response, and CRS in r/r ALL patients who received blinatumomab between 2012 and 2017 at our center (n = 66), using patients' archived DNA samples. With a median duration of 9.5 months (range: 1-37), 37 patients (56.1%) achieved CR/CRi, 54 (81.8%) experienced CRS (G1: n = 35, G2: n = 14, G3: n = 5), and 9 (13.6%) developed neurotoxicity. By multivariable analysis, after adjusting for high disease burden, one SNP on IL2 (rs2069762), odds ratio (OR) = 0.074 (95% CI: NE-0.43, P = .01) and one SNP on IL17A (rs4711998), OR = 0.28 (95% CI: 0.078-0.92, P = .034) were independently associated with CR/CRi. None of the analyzed SNPs were associated with CRS. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating a possible association between treatment response to blinatumomab and SNPs. Our hypothesis-generated data suggest a potential role for IL-17 and IL-2 in blinatumomab response and justify a larger confirmatory study, which may lead to personalized blinatumomab immunotherapy for B-ALL.
Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement versus redo surgical valve replacement for degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valve: An updated meta-analysis comparing midterm outcomes.

Background Redo surgical aortic valve replacement (redo SAVR) and valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV TAVR) are the two treatment strategies available for patients with severe symptomatic bioprosthetic aortic valve dysfunction. Herein, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing both early and mid-term outcomes of ViV TAVR versus redo SAVR in patients with bioprosthetic aortic valve disease. Methods PubMed, Cochrane reviews, and Google scholar electronic databases were searched and studies comparing ViV TAVR versus redo SAVR were included. The primary outcome of interest was mid-term (1-5 years) and 1-year all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included were 30-day all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, pacemaker implantation, stroke, acute kidney injury, major or life-threatening bleeding, and postprocedural aortic valve gradients. Pooled risk ratios (RR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for all outcomes using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. Results Nine observational studies with a total of 2,891 individuals and mean follow-up of 26 months met the inclusion criteria. There is no significant difference in mid-term and 1-year mortality between ViV-TAVR and redo SAVR groups with RR of 1.15 (95% CI 0.99-1.32; p = .06) and 1.06 (95% CI 0.69-1.61; p = .8). 30-day mortality rate was significantly lower in ViV-TAVR group with RR of 0.65 (95% CI 0.45-0.93; p = .02). ViV-TAVR group had lower 30-day bleeding, length of stay, and higher postoperative gradients. Conclusion Our study demonstrates a lower 30-day mortality and similar 1-year and mid-term mortality for ViV TAVR compared to redo SAVR despite a higher baseline risk. Given these findings and the ongoing advances in the transcatheter therapeutics, VIV TAVR should be preferred over redo SAVR particularly in those at intermediate-high surgical risk.
A Personal Perspective and Learning Experience on Living a Long, Healthy Life

This chapter provides various materials and described events the author has personally found helpful in threading together elements of adult and community health education and learning that have contributed to his vibrant health and length of life thus far at age 82. His understanding was that these writers cited did not focus on health. Rather, the author used the materials for helping him develop and maintain a long, healthy life. Many Bible passages are included because the author views them as the Word of God, which has helped him learn to live long and healthily. His beliefs, attitudes, values, and stages of life are all central to his perspective on health. Although he provides his personal story about learning to live long and healthy, he suggests that each reader consider developing and applying her/his own view of learning to live long and healthy.
A signal separation algorithm for fetal heart-rate estimation

In this paper we describe an adaptive algorithm for separating fetal and maternal heart beats from data containing both fetal and maternal QRS complexes. The algorithm classifies the combined heart-rate data as a series of fetal maternal, and noise events using a technique of template matching. Peak detection is first employed to locate the potential fetal and maternal QRS complexes (referred to as candidate events). Fetal and maternal templates are generated automatically from the candidate events in the initialization period, and are used to classify the remaining candidate events based on certain similarity criteria. Once the fetal and maternal complexes are successfully detected and separated, a counting mechanism can be utilized to derive the corresponding heart rates. Computer simulations using real data demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
Structural Approaches to Feminist Social Media Strategies: Institutional Governance and a Social Media Toolbox

Recently, there have been several prominent cases in which social media have been central in acts of gender-based harassment and violence. For example, the 2012 sexual assault of a girl in Steubenv...
Is lagged reserve accounting responsible for a variable money supply?: A skeptical note

Abstract This paper shows that the introduction of optimal central bank behavior into a model of money supply determination largely eliminates the advantage of comtemporaneous over lagged reserve accounting in achieving monetary control.
Mean flowtime and inventory in production systems:: A finite time analogue to Little's Law

Abstract One of the most important results regarding flows in production systems is the well-known formula L =λ W , commonly referred to as “Little's Law”. Whereas the formula pertains to steady state averages, we show here that it has a finite analogue, i.e., there is another “law” for the case of a finite time interval. The analogue has practical economic value as it provides a precise reconciliation of average inventory and time-in-system over a finite time interval—sometimes more relevant than “steady state” averages. Examples of the usefulness of the law in practical managerial situations are provided. An additional result is to show how the analogue leads to a straightforward proof of Little's Law that requires minimal assumptions.
Resonant Links: A New Family of Converter Topologies for Solid State Power Conversion

This paper summarizes recent development on the resonant link power conversion family of power converters. These converters utilize a high frequency link to introduce zero voltage or zero current intervals. By switching at the zero crossings of the voltage or current, the converter switch losses can be greatly reduced, permitting at least an order of magnitude increase in the converter switching frequency. The converters can synthesize nearly sinusoidal currents on both input and output converters and can also maintain unity fundamental power factor at the system input.
Strategies for ultrahigh laser uniformity using zero-correlation phase masks

Phase plates have been used in holography and laser fusion to produce a well-defined far-field intensity envelope that is relatively independent of the input-beam profile. However, superposed on this envelope is unwanted, highly modulated speckle from the interference between different phase-plate elements. We have developed a technique for choosing the phase-plate elements (in combination with polarization rotation) such that these intensity fluctuations approach zero in the limit of plane-wave near-field irradiation. Strategies are discussed for reducing the sensitivity of these zero-correlation phase masks to phase aberrations and other near-field imperfections, with particular emphasis on laser-fusion applications.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Futures Markets and the Theory of the Firm under Price Uncertainty

This paper examines the behavior of a competitive firm under price uncertainty where a futures market exists for the commodity produced by the firm. Working with the Sandmo approach, we found that production decisions depend only on the futures market price and input costs; the subjective distribution of future spot price affects only the firm's involvement in futures trading. Conditions are then determined under which a firm will either hedge, speculate by buying futures contracts, or speculate by selling futures contracts. The results indicate that an important social benefit derived from the existence of a futures market is to eliminate output fluctuations due to variation in producers' subjective distributions of future spot price.
Attitudes towards European, Japanese and US Cars

The differences and similarities in US consumers' perceptions of cars produced in six countries was highlighted, helping to determine product differentiation and define the proper competitive position for a product. It looks closely at country‐of‐origin bases, and whether to fight them, compensate for them or capitalise on them. The European car image is found to be a positive one in the US, and could become the basis for a distinct positive advantage.
Correlation of Denitrification‐Accepted Fraction of Electrons with NAD(P)H Fluorescence for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Performing Simultaneous Denitrification and Respiration at Extremely Low Dissolved Oxygen Conditions

In cystic fibrosis airway infection, Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms a microaerobic biofilm and undergoes significant physiological changes. It is important to understand the bacterium's metabolism at microaerobic conditions. In this work, the culture properties and two indicators (the denitrification-accepted e- fraction and an NAD(P)H fluorescence fraction) for the culture's "fractional approach" to a fully anaerobic denitrifying state were examined in continuous cultures with practically zero DO but different aeration rates. With decreasing aeration, specific OUR decreased while specific NAR and NIR increased and kept Y(ATP/S) relatively constant. P. aeruginosa thus appeared to effectively compensate for energy generation at microaerobic conditions with denitrification. At the studied dilution rate of 0.06 h(-1), the maximum specific OUR was 2.8 mmol O2/g cells-h and the Monod constant for DO, in the presence of nitrate, was extremely low (<0.001 mg/L). The cell yield Y(X/S) increased significantly (from 0.24 to 0.34) with increasing aeration, attributed to a roughly opposite trend of Y(ATP/X) (ATP generation required for cell growth). As for the denitrification-accepted e- fraction and the fluorescence fraction, both decreased with increasing aeration as expected. The two fractions, however, were not directly proportional. The fluorescence fraction changed more rapidly than the e- fraction at very low aeration rates, whereas the opposite was true at higher aeration. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using online NAD(P)H fluorescence to monitor sensitive changes of cellular physiology and provided insights to the shift of e- -accepting mechanisms of P. aeruginosa under microaerobic conditions.
Molecular genetic characterization and comparative mapping of the human PCP4 gene.

The mousePcp4 gene is highly expressed in brain, primarily in cerebellar Purkinje cells. It maps to chromosome 16 (Chr 16), in a region of conserved synteny with human chromosome 21 (Chr 21). To further characterizePCP4 and its possible contribution to cerebellar hypoplasia in trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome (DS), we cloned and sequenced the full length human cDNA, isolated a YAC which carries the entire gene, determined the gene structure, and characterized its expression. The gene spans at least 55 kb and contains two introns, the placement of which is the same in mouse. Expression in the mouse brain during development was detected at embryonic day 10, and thereafter through development. ThePCP4 YAC was placed on the human Chr 21 YAC contig by a link to a YAC carrying the markersD21S15 andD21S349. This placement distal toETS2 was confirmed by mapping on a somatic cell hybrid panel of Chr 21 translocations. This position caused an apparent break in gene order with mouse Chr 16. However, mapping in the mouse was reassessed, andPcp4 and a linked marker,D16Mit71, were both moved distal toEts2, corresponding to the position ofPCP4 on Chr 21.
Expansion of epidermal progenitors with high p63 phosphorylation during wound healing of mouse epidermis

The transcription factor p63 plays an essential role in maintaining the proliferative potential of epidermal stem cells. We have shown recently that under homoeostatic conditions, phosphorylation of p63 increases during the early transition of stem cells to transit-amplifying cells in human epidermis. However, how p63 phosphorylation relates to the regenerative processes during wound healing remains unknown. In this study, we characterize epidermal cells that contribute to wound repair in mouse models using phosphorylated p63 as a marker for stem cell differentiation. Our studies reveal that epidermal progenitors with high p63 phosphorylation preferentially expand in response to wounding in both full-thickness wound and surface injury models. As phosphorylated p63 levels inversely correlate with the proliferative potential of epidermal progenitors, p63 phosphorylation may serve as a therapeutic target to modulate the function of these regenerative cells during wound healing.
Essential Spectral Inclusions for Operators on Banach Spaces

This paper centers on local spectral conditions that are both necessary and sufficient for the equality of the essential spectra of two bounded linear operators on complex Banach spaces that are intertwined by a pair of bounded linear mappings. In particular, if the operators T and S are intertwined by a pair of injective operators, then S is Fredholm provided that T is Fredholm and S has property (δ) in a neighborhood of 0. In this case, ind(T) ≤ ind(S), and equality holds precisely when the eigenvalues of the adjoint T* do not cluster at 0. By duality, we obtain refinements of results due to Putinar, Takahashi, and Yang concerning operators with Bishop’s property (β) intertwined by pairs of operators with dense range. Moreover, we establish an extension of a result due to Eschmeier that, under appropriate assumptions regarding the single-valued extension property, leads to necessary and sufficient conditions for quasi-similar operators to have equal essential spectra. In particular it turns out that the single-valued extension property plays an essential role in the preservation of the index in this context.
Do Advance Directives Provide Instructions That Direct Care

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the lack of effect of advance directives (ADs) on decision-making in SUPPORT might arise, in part, from the content of the actual documents. DESIGN: Advance directives placed in the medical records were abstracted for date of completion and content of additional written instructions. We examined directives with instructions to forgo life-sustaining treatment in the current state of health to determine whether care given was consistent with preferences noted in those directives. SETTINGS: Five teaching hospitals in the United States. PATIENTS: A total of 4804 patients with at least one of nine serious illnesses were admitted to five teaching hospitals in the 2 years following implementation of the Patient Self-Determination Act. Patients were part of a randomized controlled trial to improve decision-making and outcomes. RESULTS: From the medical records of 4804 patients, a total of 688 directives were collected from 569 patients. The majority of these directives (66%) were durable powers of attorney; in addition, 31% were standard living wills or other forms of written instructions (3%). Only 90 documents (13%) provided additional instructions for medical care beyond naming a proxy or stating the preferences of a standard living will. Only 36 contained specific instructions about the use of life-sustaining medical treatment, and only 22 of these directed forgoing life-sustaining treatment in the patient's current situation. For these, the treatment course was consistent with the instruction for nine patients. In two cases, patients may have changed an inconsistent directive after discussion with hospital staff. CONCLUSION: Advance directives placed in the medical records of seriously ill patients often did not guide medical decision-making beyond naming a healthcare proxy or documenting general preferences in a standard living will format. Even when specific instructions were present, care was potentially inconsistent in half of the cases.
HealthMpowerment.org: Building Community Through a Mobile-Optimized, Online Health Promotion Intervention

Background. Both young Black men who have sex with men as well as young Black transgender women (YBMSM/TW) continue to experience a significant increase in HIV incidence. HealthMpowerment.org (HMP) is a mobile phone-optimized, online intervention for both YBMSM/TW to build community and facilitate supportive relationships. Methods. To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes, a 1-month pilot trial of HMP among 15 YBMSM/TW was conducted. Results. Retention was 100%. Mean age was 26 years, 60% were HIV-infected, 87% earned <$21,000, and 67% were uninsured. Despite the small sample size and limited intervention length, statistically significant improvements were seen in social support (p = .012), social isolation (p = .050), and depressive symptoms (p = .045). Conclusion. The HMP pilot trial demonstrated feasibility and acceptability. Given the burden of the epidemic among YBMSM/TW, there is an imperative to develop, test, and scale up culturally appropriate interventions to both preve...
Isolation and characterization of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M.) chalcone synthase and its polyclonal antibodies.

Abstract Chalcone synthase was isolated from illuminated buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum M.) hypocotyls and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using (NH) 4 SO 4 fractionation, gel filtration on AcA 44, ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Bio-Gel, and HPLC on hydroxylapatite. The properties of the enzyme were pH optimum, 8.0; M r ∼83,000 ± 1000; M r subunit, ∼41,500 ± 500; isoelectric point, pH 5.2; K m , 1 × 10 −6 m for malonyl-CoA, and 0.6 × 10 −6 m for p -coumaryl-CoA. Buckwheat chalcone synthase used p -coumaryl-CoA as substrate and also utilized caffeyl-CoA and ferulyl-CoA at 20 and 80%, respectively, of the rate of p -coumaryl-CoA in the chalcone synthase reaction. Antibodies against the buckwheat chalcone synthase were developed in a New Zealand white rabbit and characterized for specificity by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion, and Western blotting.
An Heir or a Rebel? Charles Grandison Finney and the New England Theology

Examines the contributions of Charles Grandison Finney to mid-nineteenth century theology. Finney's rejection of Calvinism; Critiques on Finney's theology by interpreters including William McLoughlin; Reference to the book `Memoirs'; Finney's perverse admiration of Jonathan Edwards; Development of the doctrine of perfection.
Continuous character control with low-dimensional embeddings

Interactive, task-guided character controllers must be agile and responsive to user input, while retaining the flexibility to be readily authored and modified by the designer. Central to a method's ease of use is its capacity to synthesize character motion for novel situations without requiring excessive data or programming effort. In this work, we present a technique that animates characters performing user-specified tasks by using a probabilistic motion model, which is trained on a small number of artist-provided animation clips. The method uses a low-dimensional space learned from the example motions to continuously control the character's pose to accomplish the desired task. By controlling the character through a reduced space, our method can discover new transitions, tractably precompute a control policy, and avoid low quality poses.
Fault-detection in networks

Abstract To find broken links in networks we use the cut-set space. Information on which nodes can talk, or not, to which other nodes allows reduction of the problem to that of decoding the cut-set code of a graph. Special classes of such codes are known to have polynomial-time decoding algorithms. We present a simple algorithm to achieve the reduction and apply it in two examples.
Drosophila CK2 regulates eye morphogenesis via phosphorylation of E(spl)M8

Abstract The Notch effector E(spl)M8 is phosphorylated at Ser159 by CK2, a highly conserved Ser/Thr protein kinase. We have used the Gal4-UAS system to assess the role of M8 phosphorylation during bristle and eye morphogenesis by employing a non-phosphorylatable variant (M8SA) or one predicted to mimic the ‘constitutively’ phosphorylated protein (M8SD). We find that phosphorylation of M8 does not appear to be critical during bristle morphogenesis. In contrast, only M8SD elicits a severe ‘reduced eye’ phenotype when it is expressed in the morphogenetic furrow of the eye disc. M8SD elicits neural hypoplasia in eye discs, elicits loss of phase-shifted Atonal-positive cells, i.e. the ‘founding’ R8 photoreceptors, and consequently leads to apoptosis. The ommatidial phenotype of M8SD is similar to that in Nspl/Y; E(spl)D/+ flies. E(spl)D, an allele of m8, encodes a truncated protein known as M8*, which, unlike wild type M8, displays exacerbated antagonism of Atonal via direct protein–protein interactions. In line with this, we find that the M8SD–Atonal interaction appears indistinguishable from that of M8*-Atonal, whereas interaction of M8 or M8SA appears marginal, at best. These results raise the possibility that phosphorylation of M8 (at Ser159) might be required for its ability to mediate ‘lateral inhibition’ within proneural clusters in the developing retina. This is the first identification of a dominant allele encoding a phosphorylation-site variant of an E(spl) protein. Our studies uncover a novel functional domain that is conserved amongst a subset of E(spl)/Hes repressors in Drosophila and mammals, and suggests a potential role for CK2 during retinal patterning.
ATTCO PIPELINE TANK FIRE: RESPONDING TO THE VOLCANIC INFERNO

ABSTRACT On a hot afternoon in June 1995, lightning struck a 55,000-barrel crude oil storage tank owned by ATTCO Pipeline Company in Addington, Oklahoma. The lightning strike subsequently caused a fire and explosion that ultimately resulted in the collapse of the tank. During the initial response efforts, specialized fire-fighting equipment and personnel were requested from Sheppard Air Force Base out of Wichita Falls, Texas. Unfortunately, efforts to extinguish the fire resulted in a tragic loss of life. This poster seeks to examine the sequence of events leading up to the loss of life and to discuss how these events affected the overall spill response efforts. It will include an analysis of the operational parameters established by ATTCO's Facility Response Plan that was in effect on June 10, 1995, and will also examine the state of preparedness and prevention efforts leading up to June 10, 1995. Ultimately, this poster will determine what effect, if any, the state of readiness had on the events of that...
Evaluating online conversation in an asynchronous learning environment: An application of Grice's cooperative principle

This study goes beyond student perceptions of online learning experiences, satisfaction, and attitudes, to examine the actual participation and dynamics that occur in online discussions and their relationship to student learning outcomes. A content analysis approach was used to investigate students' socio-cognitive processes in an online graduate-level English grammar class. Student postings were rated using a newly developed Gricean Cooperative Principle scoring rubric to assess student participation as determined by four maxims: Quantity, Quality, Relevance, and Manner. Results suggest that Quality is the most important criterion for predicting direct responses to a posting. Students with high average Quality scores also received higher final course grades than did their counterparts. In addition, students with high scores for Manner earned higher conference grades than did their counterparts.
Approximate solutions for the minimal revision problem of specification automata

As robots are being integrated into our daily lives, it becomes necessary to provide guarantees of safe and provably correct operation. Such guarantees can be provided using automata theoretic task and mission planning where the requirements are expressed as temporal logic specifications. However, in real-life scenarios, it is to be expected that not all user task requirements can be realized by the robot. In such cases, the robot must provide feedback to the user on why it cannot accomplish a given task. Moreover, the robot should indicate what tasks it can accomplish which are as “close” as possible to the initial user intent. Unfortunately, the latter problem, which is referred to as minimal specification revision problem, is NP complete. This paper presents an approximation algorithm that can compute good approximations to the minimal revision problem in polynomial time. The experimental study of the algorithm demonstrates that in most problem instances the heuristic algorithm actually returns the optimal solution. Finally, some cases where the algorithm does not return the optimal solution are presented.
703-6 Three-dimensional Echocardiographic Delineation of Myocardial Perfusion Territories: Description of a New 3-D Image Processing Approach with a New Ultrasound Contrast Agent

Previous work dealing with contrast echo evaluation of myocardial perfusion has relied only on 2-D echo images, which do not provide a comprehensive description of perfusion territories of the whole LV. Since every facet of LV perfusion is multidimensional, 3-dimensional assessment of perfusion territories would be more relevant clinically. 2 problems have hampered advances in this area: (1) Lack of image processing algorithms that can automatically segment out regions of contrast enhancement in volume-rendered 3DE, and (2) Lack of a stable contrast agent that would show persistent opacification allowing for acquisition of multiple 2DE slices required for 3DE. In this study we explored the feasibility of defining perfusion territories using newly developed 3DE segmentation and extraction software and a newer stable contrast agent FS069. In 8 anesthetized dogs, using a computer-driven motor, we obtained parallel (1 mm intervals) short-axis images of the heart, in base-line, and with a small dose of the contrast agent FS069 (MBI) injected in the aortic root. This process was repeated with administration of FS069 after occlusion and release of various coronary arterial branches. 3DE was performed from all collected data. Contrast enhancements and perfusion defects persisted long enough for 3DE data acquisition (average 2 min). FS069 demonstrated excellent contrast enhancement of the LV myocardium not only in 2DE but also in digitally reformatted 3DE data matrix. Contrast defects during coronary occlusion were crisply defined as well. In all the 3DE studies, recently developed image processing algorithms allowed extraction of myocardium alone and exclusion of contrast in the cavity. In addition, use of various thresholding and opacification schema permitted discrimination of perfused and non-perfused territories. When viewed against the baseline 3DE, hypoperfused regions appeared as gaps of missing myocardial regions. The hypoperfused regions could be extracted discretely and visualized separately in 3D (with retained gray scale data) in dynamic forms from different orientations. We conclude that the advanced 3DE image processing approach and the new generation contrast agent FS069 allow three-dimensional appraisal of myocardial perfusion territories.
Re-initiation of polypeptide synthesis and polarity in the lac operon of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Strains of Escherichia coli which contain two nonsense mutations of either the z and y genes or the z gene of the lac operon have been constructed and examined for levels of transacetylase activity. Comparison of the polarity of these double mutants to the polarity of the parent strains, which contain only one of the mutations, supports the following conclusions. (a) Expression of transacetylase activity by z − nonsense mutants depends upon translation of the y message. (b) Premature chain termination at nonsense triplets in the part of z closest to y (operator-distal region) is followed by re-initiation of polypeptide synthesis predominately at the start sequence for the y message. (c) Premature chain termination at nonsense triplets which map in the middle and first (operator-proximal) part of z is followed by re-initiation of polypeptide synthesis at sites within the z gene message. This interpretation is supported in part by the finding that nonsense mutants of the middle section of z produce a polypeptide corresponding to the C-terminal end of β-galactosidase. The nature of the re-initiation sites in z and their relationship to the polarity of z − nonsense mutants are discussed.