cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat flow at the proposed Appalachian Ultradeep Core Hole (ADCOH) Site: Tectonic implications

The heat flow in northwestern South Carolina at the Appalachian Ultradeep Core Hole (ADCOH) site area is approximately 55 mW/m². This data supplements other data to the east in the Piedmont and Atlantic Coastal Plain provinces where heat flows > 55 mW/m² are characteristic of post- and late-synmetamorphic granitoids. Piedmont heat flow and heat generation data for granites, metagranites, and one Slate Belt site, in a zone approximately parallel to major structural Appalachian trends, define a linear relation. Tectonic truncation of heat-producing crust at a depth of about 8 km (a depth equal to the slope of the heat flow-heat production line) is proposed to explain the linear relation. Using the value of reduced heat flow estimated from this empirical relation, and assuming thicknesses of heat-producing crust defined by new ADCOH seismic data, the heat flow and heat production at the ADCOH site are consistent with a depth to the base of the Inner Piedmont crystalline allochthon of about 5.5 km. Seismic data at the ADCOH site confirm that the Inner Piedmont is tectonically truncated at about 5.5 km by the Blue Ridge master decollement. Temperatures at 10 km at the ADCOH site are predicted to be less than 200 °C.
Lower bound for the number of nodes of cubature formulae on the unit ball

A lower bound for positive cubature formulae on the unit ball is given. For the Chebyshev weight function on the ball in R2, the new bound shows that a positive cubature formula of degree s with all nodes inside the ball will need at least Ns≥0.13622s2(1 + O(s-1)) number of nodes, in comparison with the classical lower bound of Ns≥0.125s2(1 + O(s-1)).
Soil formation as affected by pit and mound microrelief in Massachusetts, USA

Abstract The influence of pit and mound microrelief on soil formation was investigated by detailed observations of a cross-section through a pit and mound in a hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) forest in western Massachusetts, in the northeastern United States. Soil forming processes during the last 140 years have led to taxonomically different soils due to this microrelief. Part of the annual precipitation apparently does not infiltrate into the mound but moves laterally through organic surface layers into the pits. This resulted in more intensified translocation of Fe, Al and organic matter in the pit profile. The ensuing soil met the spodic horizon criteria as defined in Soil Taxonomy and was classified as a Lithic Haplorthod. Neighboring, undisturbed soils had pronounced E, Bhs, and Bs horizons, the latter qualifying as spodic horizons on the basis of chemical criteria. These soils, however, did not meet the minimum depth requirement of 12.5 cm for spodic horizons and therefore, were classified as Typic Dystrochrepts. The soil developed in the mound showed less horizon development and was classified as a Typic Dystrochrept. Taxonomic changes resulting from the pit and mound microrelief affected less than 6% of the area and appeared not to have a significant impact on the purity of map delineations.
In-situ determination of fiber strength and segment length in composites by means of acoustic emission

Abstract A method for in-situ determination of fiber segment length and fracture strength during the deformation of opaque composites is described. It utilizes acoustic emission wave arrival times to determine the fracture sites during tensile straining. At the same time, the accompanying load drops give the fiber strengths of each particular segment. A series of tension tests were performed on single fiber, single crystal SiC/Al specimens. Each fiber fracture produced a load drop and acoustic emission. The difference in arrival times of the acoustic emission stress waves at the specimen ends gave a typical source location accuracy of ±0·15 mm. The results are discussed in terms of a modified Weibull distribution.
Phosphorylation and activation of tyrosine hydroxylase in PC18 cells: a cell line derived from rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells

Abstract Treatment of rat pheochromocytoma PC18 cells (a variant subclone of PC12 cells) with forskolin produced increased activity and phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase. In contrast, treatment of the PC18 cells with 56 mM K + , A23187, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) or phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (PDB) did not affect the activity and only slightly increased the phosporylation of tyrosine hydroxylase. None of the treatments except forskolin increased cyclic AMP levels in PC18 cells. Furthermore, 45 Ca 2+ uptake into PC18 cells was not affected by 56 mM K + , PDB or forskolin; however, A23187 increased 45 Ca 2+ uptake 4-fold over basal uptake. Nevertheless, no activation and little increase in phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase was observed in PC18 cells treated with A23187. When tyrosine hydroxylase levels in PC18 cells were elevated by treatment with dexamethasone, activation of tyrosine hydroxylase by 56 mM K + , PDB or A23187 was still not observed. Both purified Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase catalyzed the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase purified from PC18 cells in vitro. Furthermore, crude cell extracts from PC12 cells and PC18 cells possessed Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity that catalyzed the phosphorylation of purified tyrosine hydroxylase. These results suggest that tyrosine hydroxylase activity in PC18 cells is regulated by a cyclic AMP-dependent mechanisms. However, due to a number of abnormalities the Ca 2+ -dependent mechanisms do not result in the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase and only slightly icrease the phosphorylation of the enzyme in PC18 cells.
Using stochastic petri nets for real-time nth-order stochastic composition

This article presents a technique for using stochastic Petri nets for real-time realization of Nth-order stochastic compositions (a Markov process). The algorithm makes use of a data structure known as a stochastic Petri table. This table is compact and suitable for interactive performance on small computers. We also show how the inherently concurrent nature of Petri nets can be used to implement real-time MIDI processing. Since readers may be unfamiliar with Petri nets, we present a brief introduction to the basic ideas behind the Petri net and compare it with the finite-state machine.
How MBA Programs Are Using the GMAT's Analytical Writing Assessment

The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) was designed to serve two purposes: assess appli cants' ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas and aid MBA programs in diagnosing any deficiencies in accepted candidates in order to place them in appropriate classes. To determine how programs are using the AWA scores, we surveyed the 121 member schools of the Graduate Manage ment Council. Eighty-six percent of the fifty-nine respondents indicated that they do indeed use the scores to refine their admissions decisions, but only a few schools use the test diagnostically in making such other decisions as plac ing students in writing development courses, waving communication require ments, or granting assistantships.
A 10-20GHz Wide Locking Range Multi-Phase Generator PLL for 80Gb/s Serial Data Communication

An 8-phase 20 GHz PLL has been designed for a serial transceiver. The PLL has a wide locking range from 10 GHz to 20 GHz with a phase noise of -112 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset. The PLL uses a four-stage ring oscillator that has a wide tuning range with a feedforward interpolation topology for coarse frequency tuning and a varactor diode load capacitance variation for fine frequency tuning. The PLL is fabricated in 0.13-mum SiGe BiCMOS technology.
Direct control of antennal identity by the spineless-aristapedia gene of Drosophila

Loss-of-function mutations in the spineless-aristapedia gene of Drosophila (ssa mutants) cause transformations of the distal antenna to distal second leg, deletions or fusions of the tarsi from all three legs, a general reduction in bristle size, and sterility. Because ssa mutants are pleiotropic, it has been suggested that ss+ has some rather general function and that the ssa antennal transformation is an indirect consequence of perturbations in the expression of other genes that more directly control antennal or second leg identity. Here we test whether the ssa transformation results from aberrant expression of Antennapedia (Antp), a homeotic gene thought to specify directly the identity of the second thoracic segment. We find that Antp−ssa mitotic recombination clones in the distal antenna behave identically to Antp+ssa clones, and are transformed to second leg. This demonstrates that the ssa antennal transformation is independent of Antp+, and suggests that ss+ may itself directly define distal antennal identity. The results also reveal that Antp+ is not required for the development of distal second leg structures, as these develop apparently normally in Antp−ssa antennal clones. Because Antp− mutations cause deletions or transformations that are restricted to proximal structures, whereas ssa alleles cause similar defects that are distally restricted, we suggest that ss+ and Antp+ may play similar, but complementary, roles in the distal and proximal portions of appendages, respectively.
RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONCRETE JOINTLESS BRIDGES IN TENNESSEE

Experimental and analytical studies of two high-performance concrete (HPC) jointless bridges with integral abutments built in Tennessee as part of the FHWA's nationwide initiative to implement HPC in bridge structures are presented. Performance of the two bridges is observed through all stages of construction and service to date, via material testing, bridge instrumentation for both short- and long-term performance monitoring, and live-load testing. The up-to-date observed performance of the bridges reveals the success of such bridge construction. Local contractors were found to be capable of producing concrete to meet increased requirements in strength and durability parameters. In addition, new insights were derived about HPC behavior in such applications, identifying the areas requiring updating of current practice. Load test data revealed that load distribution among the girders is in marked difference from codes of practice. Thermal response of the bridges indicated longitudinal flexibility offered b...
Biological Markers of Acute Acrylonitrile Intoxication in Rats as a Function of Dose and Time

Three markers of acute acrylonitrile (AN) intoxication, namely, tissue glutathione (GSH), tissue cyanide (CN), and covalent binding to tissue protein, were studied as a function of dose and time. Doses administered and responses expected were 20 mg/kg (LD0), 50 mg/kg (LD10), 80 mg/kg (LD50), and 115 mg/kg (LD90). Liver GSH was the most sensitive marker of AN exposure. At 80 mg/kg AN, virtually complete depletion of liver GSH was observed within 30 min with no recovery through 120 min. Kidney GSH showed a similar, but less intense depletion; while blood and brain GSH were more refractory to AN. Whole blood and brain CN rose progressively during the first 60 min in a dose-dependent fashion. At the lowest dose, CN levels decreased thereafter, whereas, at the three higher doses, CN levels were maintained or continued to increase through 120 min. At the highest dose, blood and brain CN remained at acutely toxic levels through 240 min. Covalent binding increased rapidly in all tissues during the first 30 min at all doses. At the lowest dose, little additional covalent binding was observed beyond 30 min, while at the three higher doses, covalent binding increased, although at a slower rate. The data indicate that these three biologic markers of acute AN intoxication respond dramatically in a time-dependent manner in the toxic dosage range. Furthermore, the data provide evidence that AN toxicity is gated by GSH depletion in liver with the resultant termination of AN detoxification.
Inference of Population Hierarchical Cluster of Customer Needs

In product development, engineers first collect customer needs and then group similar needs to identify a small number of representative needs. Engineers transfer these representative needs to target product requirements and develop products that fulfill these requirements. In grouping similar needs, engineers use affinity diagram, which is a popular consensus-based method, or subjective clustering, which is a statistical method. This paper applies bootstrap to subjective clustering in order to assist engineers make an inference about the population cluster of customer needs. This paper presents a procedure for bootstrap application to subjective clustering, a preliminary experiment, and an illustrative example.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
A tool to analyze the performance of multithreaded programs on NUMA architectures

Almost all of today's microprocessors contain memory controllers and directly attach to memory. Modern multiprocessor systems support non-uniform memory access (NUMA): it is faster for a microprocessor to access memory that is directly attached than it is to access memory attached to another processor. Without careful distribution of computation and data, a multithreaded program running on such a system may have high average memory access latency. To use multiprocessor systems efficiently, programmers need performance tools to guide the design of NUMA-aware codes. To address this need, we enhanced the HPCToolkit performance tools to support measurement and analysis of performance problems on multiprocessor systems with multiple NUMA domains. With these extensions, HPCToolkit helps pinpoint, quantify, and analyze NUMA bottlenecks in executions of multithreaded programs. It computes derived metrics to assess the severity of bottlenecks, analyzes memory accesses, and provides a wealth of information to guide NUMA optimization, including information about how to distribute data to reduce access latency and minimize contention. This paper describes the design and implementation of our extensions to HPCToolkit. We demonstrate their utility by describing case studies in which we use these capabilities to diagnose NUMA bottlenecks in four multithreaded applications.
Successful therapy of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Treatment objectives of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma can be achieved with a variety of modalities applied to the variable presentations of the disease. In this review, the goals of therapy are presented and each therapy is summarized in terms of its use to achieve those goals. After reviewing the modalities, the strategies are summarized in reference to each presentation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
The density algorithm for pairwise interaction testing: Research Articles

There are many published algorithms for generating interaction test suites for software testing, exemplified by AETG, IPO, TCG, TConfig, simulated annealing and other heuristic search, and combinatorial design techniques. Among these, greedy one-test-at-a-time methods (such as AETG and TCG) have proven to be a reasonable compromise between the needs for small test suites, fast test-suite generation, and flexibility to accommodate a variety of testing scenarios. However, such methods suffer from the lack of a worst-case logarithmic guarantee on test suite size, while methods that provide such a guarantee at present are less efficient or flexible, or do not produce test suites that are competitive in size for practical testing scenarios. In this paper, a new algorithm establishes that efficient, greedy, one-test-at-a-time methods can indeed produce a logarithmic worst-case guarantee on the test suite size. In addition, this can be done while still producing test suites that are of competitive size, and in a time that is comparable to the published methods. It is deterministic, guaranteeing reproducibility. It generates only one candidate test at a time, permits users to ‘seed’ the test suite with specified tests, and allows users to specify constraints of combinations that should be avoided. Further, statistical analysis examines the impact of five variables used to tune this density algorithm for execution time and test suite size: weighting of density for factors, scaling of density, tie-breaking, use of multiple candidates, and multiple repetitions using randomization. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kitchen Antics: The Importance of Humor and Maintaining Professionalism at Work

The role of humor in workplace organizing is examined through a year-long ethnography of a hotel kitchen. An institutional and communicative frame reveals how the chefs use everyday humor to make sense of and shape their labor processes and to maintain their professional autonomy and identity and to resist managerial control of their craft.
In vitro characterization of the drug-drug interaction potential of catabolites of antibody-maytansinoid conjugates.

The in vitro characterization of the inhibition potential of four representative maytansinoid species observed upon hepatic and/or tumor in vivo processing of antibody-maytansine conjugates (AMCs) with cleavable and noncleavable linkers is reported. We investigated the free maytansinoid species N(2')-deacetyl-N(2')-(3-mercapto-1-oxopropyl)-maytansine (DM1), (S)-methyl-DM1, and N(2')-deacetyl-N(2')-(4-mercapto-4-methyl-1-oxopentyl)-maytansine (DM4) as representative cleavable linker catabolites and Lysine-N(e)-N-succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxylate-DM1 (Lys-MCC-DM1) as the representative noncleavable linker catabolite. Studies with recombinant human cytochromes P450 (P450s) indicate CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 are the primary isoforms responsible for the oxidative metabolism of DM1, (S)-methyl-DM1, and DM4. Lys-MCC-DM1 was not metabolized by any of the P450 isoforms studied. DM1 was shown to be a reversible inhibitor of CYP2C8 (K(i) = 11 ± 3 μM) and CYP2D6 (K(i) = 14 ± 2 μM). Lys-MCC-DM1 and (S)-methyl-DM1 showed no reversible or time-dependent inactivation of any of the P450s studied. DM1 and DM4 inactivated CYP3A from human liver microsomes with K(i)/k(inact) values of 4.8 ± 0.9 μM/0.035 ± 0.002 min(-1) and 3.3 ± 0.2 μM/0.114 ± 0.002 min(-1), respectively. DM1 and DM4 inactivated recombinant CYP3A4 with K(i)/k(inact) values of 3.4 ± 1.0 μM/0.058 ± 0.005 min(-1) and 1.4 ± 0.3 μM/0.117 ± 0.006 min(-1), respectively. Because of instability in plasma, further characterization of the DM1 and DM4 intramolecular and intermolecular disulfide conjugates observed in vivo is required before an accurate drug-drug interaction (DDI) prediction can be made. AMCs with noncleavable thioether-linked DM1 as the cytotoxic agent are predicted to have no potential for a DDI with any of the major human P450s studied.
Turbulent diffusion in particulately fluidized beds of particles

Measuring the spreading of a tracer dye from a point source yields information on diffusion in glass-sphere beds fluidized in water. Particulately fluidized beds, which are here formed, are well described by the statistical turbulence equations of Taylor. Mixing parameters—eddy diffusivity, scale, and intensity of turbulence—are established. Transition of these variables is traced from fixed beds through fluidized beds in different degrees of bed expansion. Mixing characteristics of these “ideal” types of fluidization may provide a frame of reference for consideration of more complex systems.
A 3D Annotation Interface Using the DIVINE Visual Display

While systems such as CAVEs have been experimented with and used for a number of years, their deployment has been slow mainly due to their expense and space requirements. As such, researchers have been moving towards smaller and cheaper immersive systems. In this paper, we introduce an immersive interface for manipulating 3D objects using the DIVINE system
Synthesis of CuO and Cu2O crystalline nanowires using Cu(OH)2 nanowire templates

Crystalline CuO and Cu2O nanowires with an average diameter of about 10 nm and lengths of several tens of microns were successfully synthesized, depending on synthesis conditions, using precursor Cu(OH)2 nanowires as templates. The crystallinity, purity, morphology, and structural features of the as-prepared nanowires were characterized by powder x-ray diffraction, selected-area electron diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the precursor polycrystalline Cu(OH)2 nanowires served as both reactants for the growth of CuO and Cu2O nanowires, and as templates controlling the size and shape of the resulting nanowires.
Imperfect information flow

The view that computers are information processors is commonplace. They are used, for the most part successfully, throughout our society, as reliable links in the transmission of information and knowledge. Yet the formulation of a precise, qualitative conception of information and a theory of the transmission of information has proved elusive, despite the many other successes of computer science. The authors set out the motivation for and a skeleton of a new mathematical model of information flow, one that is compatible with less than perfect flow. >
Horizon line estimation in glacial environments using multiple visual cues

While the arctic possesses significant information of scientific value, surprisingly little work has focused on developing robotic systems to collect this data. For arctic robotic data collection to be a viable solution, a method for navigating in the arctic, and thus of assessing glacial terrain, must be developed. Segmenting the ground plane from the rest of the image is one common aspect of a visual hazard detection system. However, the properties of glacial images, namely low contrast, overcast sky, and cloud, mountain, and snow sharing common colors, pose difficulties for most visual algorithms. A horizon line detection scheme is presented which uses multiple visual cues to rank candidate horizon segments, then constructs a horizon line consistent with those cues. Weak cues serve to reinforce a selected path, while strong cues have the ability to redirect it. Further, the system infers the horizon location in areas that are visually ambiguous. The performance of the proposed system has been tested on multiple data sets collected on two different glaciers in Alaska, and compares favorably, both in terms of time and classification performance, to representative segmentation algorithms from several different classes.
The Pel Polysaccharide Can Serve a Structural and Protective Role in the Biofilm Matrix of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Bacterial extracellular polysaccharides are a key constituent of the extracellular matrix material of biofilms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a model organism for biofilm studies and produces three extracellular polysaccharides that have been implicated in biofilm development, alginate, Psl and Pel. Significant work has been conducted on the roles of alginate and Psl in biofilm development, however we know little regarding Pel. In this study, we demonstrate that Pel can serve two functions in biofilms. Using a novel assay involving optical tweezers, we demonstrate that Pel is crucial for maintaining cell-to-cell interactions in a PA14 biofilm, serving as a primary structural scaffold for the community. Deletion of pelB resulted in a severe biofilm deficiency. Interestingly, this effect is strain-specific. Loss of Pel production in the laboratory strain PAO1 resulted in no difference in attachment or biofilm development; instead Psl proved to be the primary structural polysaccharide for biofilm maturity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Pel plays a second role by enhancing resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics. This protection occurs only in biofilm populations. We show that expression of the pel gene cluster and PelF protein levels are enhanced during biofilm growth compared to liquid cultures. Thus, we propose that Pel is capable of playing both a structural and a protective role in P. aeruginosa biofilms.
Singlet scalars as Higgs imposters at the Large Hadron Collider

An electroweak singlet scalar can couple to pairs of vector bosons through loop-induced dimension five operators. Compared to a Standard Model Higgs boson, the singlet decay widths in the diphotons and Z{gamma} channels are generically enhanced, while decays into massive final states like WW and ZZ are kinematically disfavored. The overall event rates into {gamma}{gamma} and Z{gamma} can exceed the Standard Model expectations by orders of magnitude. Such a singlet may appear as a resonant signal in the {gamma}{gamma} and Z{gamma} channels, even with a mass above the WW kinematic threshold.
Operating Characteristics of 18 Different Continuous-Flow Jet Nebulizers With Beclomethasone Dipropionate Liposome Aerosol

A study of 18 different commercially available continuous-flow, jet nebulizers was performed with a standard liposomal formulation of beclomethasone dipropionate (Bec-DP) prepared with dilauroyl phosphatidylcholine (Bec-DLPC). The analysis compared the total Bec-DP output from aqueous suspensions of Bec-DLPC containing an initial starting reservoir concentration of 0.5 mg/mL Aerosols from each nebulizer tested were characterized by the mass median aerodynamic diameter, geometric standard deviation, drug output, and the predicted percentage regional deposition of inhaled Bec-DLPC liposomes within the human respiratory tract These data can provide a basis for the selection of commercially available jet nebulizers for use with glucocorticoid liposome aerosols for treatment of asthma and other inflammatory lung diseases.
A New Equation for Potential Attenuation and Anode Current Output Projection for Cathodically Polarized Marine Pipelines and Risers

Abstract A first principles based equation for potential attenuation along a marine pipeline or riser that was cathodically polarized by multiple, equally spaced, identical galvanic anodes and that...
Multicenter study of clinical features of sudden-onset versus slower-onset asthma exacerbations requiring hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Asthma exacerbations differ in their speed of symptom onset. OBJECTIVE: To characterize and compare demographic factors, clinical risk factors, and clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients who presented with sudden-onset (≤ 3 h) versus slower-onset asthma exacerbations, across a wide age range. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of a random sample of 1,294 patients, ages 2–54 years, admitted in 30 United States hospitals, for acute asthma from January 1999 to May 2000. RESULTS: Data on duration of symptoms were available for 1,260 (97%) of the patients. Seventy-two patients (6%) had sudden-onset exacerbations. Sudden-onset patients were older than slower-onset patients (30 y vs 19 y, p = 0.03) but did not differ by other sociodemographic characteristics. Markers of chronic asthma severity were similar between the groups. The sudden-onset patients were more likely to present to the emergency department between midnight and 8:00 AM, to require intubation, and to be admitted to the intensive care unit (all p < 0.01). The higher risk of intensive care unit admission remained significant even after adjustment for 6 potential confounders (odds ratio 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.3–4.9). However, hospital stay was shorter in the sudden-onset patients (2.0 d vs 2.7 d, p = 0.01). There was no difference in peak expiratory flow at hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The sudden-onset patients were older and they more commonly presented to the emergency department between midnight and 8:00 AM with severe exacerbations that required intubation and intensive care unit admission. However, the sudden-onset group was discharged from the hospital earlier.
Silicon Oxynitride and Oxide-Nitride-Oxide Gate Dielectrics by Combined Plasma-Rapid Thermal Processing

We have used a combination of plasma and rapid thermal processing for the formation of thin gate-dielectric films. The bulk dielectric films investigated include silicon oxide, oxynitride and multilayer oxide-nitride-oxide heterostructures formed by plasma-assisted oxidation, remoteplasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition (remote-PECVD) followed by post-deposition rapid thermal annealing (RTA). Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR) have been used to study the chemistry of interface formation and the bulk dielectric chemical bonding, respectively. Electrical characterization of MOS capacitor structures incorporating these dielectrics was performed by conventional capacitance and current voltage techniques, C-V and I-V, respectively.
Transformation of human lymphocytes by Haemophilus influenzae somatic and polysaccharide antigens.

SummarySomatic antigen prepared from either nontypable nonencapulated or type b encapsulated H. influenzae strains is effective in low concentration in causing transformation in vitro of nonfiber-adherent human lymphocytes. Capsular H. influenzae polyribose phosphate is an ineffective stimulant for human lymphocyte transformation in vitro. Significant transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from all normal adults tested was effected by the somatic antigen.The author thanks Bruce B. Cartwright and Sara E. Hieny for their excellent technical assistance.
Understanding the State Dependence of Voltage Sensor Toxin Action on Voltage Gated Sodium Channels

Voltage gated sodium (Nav) channels are responsible for initiation and propagation of action potentials in nerve and muscle. Due to their physiological roles, Nav channels are prime targets of natural toxins from a variety of organisms such as spiders, scorpions, snakes and cone snails. ProTx-II, from the tarantula Thrixopelma prurient, is a 30-residue peptide toxin that is a potent inhibitor of Nav channels. It binds to voltage sensor domains (VSDs) II and IV of human Nav1.7 channels. It is more than 100-fold selective for Nav1.7 versus all other human Nav channel isoforms. Magi-5, from Macrothele gigas, is a 29-residue peptide toxin that stabilizes an activated state of the domain II VSD of Nav channels. Both spider toxins share a structural fold stabilized by the same disulfide bridge network, yet they have opposite effects on Nav function: ProTx-II stabilizes a resting state of VSDII, while Magi-5 stabilizes an activated state. We use solid phase peptide synthesis to generate ProTx-II - Magi-5 chimeras by inserting loop regions between conserved cystines of Magi-5 into ProTx-II. Molecular modeling, protein-protein docking and electrophysiology techniques are used to identify critical residues responsible for opposite effects of ProTx-II and Magi-5 on Nav channel function. Our findings may be useful in the design of novel modulators of human Nav1.7 channel and may elucidate important structural determinants of VSD toxin activity.
Ergonomic analysis of primary and assistant surgical roles.

Abstract Background Laparoscopic surgery is associated with a high degree of ergonomic stress. However, the stress associated with surgical assisting is not known. In this study, we compare the ergonomic stress associated with primary and assistant surgical roles during laparoscopic surgery. We hypothesize that higher ergonomic stress will be detected in the primary operating surgeon when compared with the surgical assistant. Methods One right-hand dominant attending surgeon performed 698 min of laparoscopic surgery over 13 procedures (222 min primary and 476 min assisting), whereas electromyography data were collected from bilateral biceps, triceps, deltoids, and trapezius muscles. Data were analyzed in 1-min segments. Average muscle activation as quantified by maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC) was calculated for each muscle group during primary surgery and assisting. We compared mean %MVC values with unpaired t-tests. Results Activation of right (R) biceps and triceps muscle groups is significantly elevated while operating when compared with assisting (R biceps primary: 5.47 ± 0.21 %MVC, assistant: 3.93 ± 0.11, P Conclusions We used surface electromyography to quantify ergonomic differences between operating and assisting. Surgical assisting was associated with similar and occasionally higher levels of muscle activation compared with primary operating. These findings suggest that surgical assistants face significant ergonomic stress, just as operating surgeons do. Steps must be taken to recognize and mitigate this stress in both operating surgeons and assistants.
Absence of anti-HMG-CoA reductase autoantibodies in severe self-limited statin-related myopathy.

Introduction Patients with self-limited statin-related myopathy improve spontaneously when statins are stopped. In contrast, patients with statin-associated autoimmune myopathy have autoantibodies recognizing 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and usually require immunosuppressive therapy to control their disease. On initial presentation, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between these 2 diseases, as both present with muscle pain, weakness, and elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) levels. The goal of this study was to determine whether patients with severe self-limited statin-related myopathy also make anti-HMGCR autoantibodies. Methods We screened 101 subjects with severe self-limited cerivastatin-related myopathy for anti-HMGCR autoantibodies. Results No patient with severe self-limited cerivastatin-related myopathy had anti-HMGCR autoantibodies. Conclusion Anti-HMGCR autoantibody testing can be used to help differentiate whether a patient has self-limited myopathy due to cerivastatin or autoimmune statin-associated myopathy; these findings may apply to other statins as well. Muscle Nerve 54: 142-144, 2016.
EVALUATION OF CIRCUMFERENTIAL AND LONGITUDINAL STRAIN IN A RABBIT FETAL HEART MODEL USING 4D ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Strain determination in fetal hearts could provide important clinical information. We tested a new non-gated 4D echocardiography method for accuracy in strain computation. Fifteen rabbit hearts were studied. Each heart was mounted in a water tank to facilitate ultrasound scanning, connected to a
The effect of siblings on nest site homing by common tern chicks: A benefit of kin recognition

-Studies of kin recognition in birds have rarely tested its adaptive value. We tested whether sibling recognition helps Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) chicks find their nests. The ability to discriminate the natal nest from neighboring nests is critical to survival in chicks of ground-nesting, colonial birds, such as the Common Tern. We temporarily moved 70 four-day old chicks 1 m from their nests and compared their ability to return home across the following treatments: siblings in natal nest, no chicks in nest, siblings in neighboring nest, and non-siblings in test chick's nest. With a sibling in the natal nest, test chicks returned within 20 min in 14 of 20 trials. In all other treatments, fewer than half of the chicks returned. When chicks did return, they typically did so within 5 min. Several additional factors may affect nest site homing, such as parental behavior, aggression by neighboring adults, and habitat type. To control for these factors, we restricted the dataset for analysis to 27 nests by excluding chicks led back to the nest by a parent, chicks attacked by neighboring adults, and nests on a rocky beach (most experiments were performed in grassy habitat). In the restricted dataset, seven of nine chicks with siblings in the nest returned. Two of five returned in the empty nest treatment, none of six with siblings at a neighboring nest returned, and one of seven with non-siblings in the nest returned. There was significant variation among treatments in the final distance of test chicks from their nests. Siblings appeared to affect nest site homing, even though parents usually returned quickly to the nest and were least likely to search for displaced chicks if siblings were home. We also tested the ability of singletons to return to the nest, using an identical protocol. Singletons returned to the nest in only two of 14 trials, in none of the six cases when the dataset was restricted. Received 15 September 2000, accepted 24January 2001.
Cascade PNN dynamic forecast model and its application

Aiming at the problem of nonlinear time-varying system dynamic indicators forecast in different stages,a dynamic forecast model and algorithm based on a cascade process neural network and phase space reconstruction technology are proposed in this paper.Taking into account the actual system variables have different roles and information transformation mechanism as well as the succession of system state in different stage,a cascade process neural network with some sub-networks is presented to establish the dynamic forecast model of actual system.At the same time,the theory of phase space reconstruction is applied to construct sample set so as to make up for the lack of training sample data and improve the utilization of actual sample data.The information processing mechanisms and learning algorithm of prediction model are also proposed in this paper.Taking tertiary oil recovery process of oil field development for example,the experimental result shows the effectiveness of the proposed model and method.
THE WORK OF JAUCH AND PIRON

This chapter focuses on the work of Jauch and Piron on hidden-variables theories starts out from some axiomatic considerations about quantum theory. In absence of the assumption that each proposition corresponds to a subspace in Hilbert space, Jauch and Piron need a number of axioms to establish some properties of propositions. As formulated by them, quantum theory assigns probabilities to propositions that form a lattice. Jauch and Piron give two different proofs that no dispersion free states can exist. From a mathematical point of view, Jauch and Piron's proofs are an improvement over the work of von Neumann. On the other hand, the result of Jauch and Piron is not very useful. They merely showed that their hidden-variables theory is a theory of the zeroth kind and therefore not worth further consideration.
Continued Decline of Indian Languages

Other schools on the Navajo Reservation imitated the educational model that Rock Point had developed, but in a sense the efforts to promote the Navajo language in schools were a race against time, as public demand grew for improved education in English. At the end of the twentieth century, “only a handful of schools” serving Navajo pupils had adopted instruction through Navajo, though others provided various supplemental instruction in Navajo language and culture; altogether, though, “only 10% of all K-12 Navajo students receive instruction in or about Navajo language and culture.” Even in those schools where the language is taught, a study found, “the teachers of Navajo language courses are … isolated and unsure how to teach a group of students that have a wide range in Navajo speaking and comprehension abilities. Most often, the teacher utilizes the more fluent students as tutors for more limited students, thereby limiting the more fluent students’ progress and development in Navajo.”1
Identification and pharmacological characterization of a novel inhibitor of autotaxin in rodent models of joint pain

Summary Objective Autotaxin is a secreted lysophospholipase that mediates the conversion of lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC) to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive lipid mediator. Autotaxin levels in plasma and synovial fluid correlate with disease severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The goal of this study was to develop and characterize a novel small molecule inhibitor of autotaxin to inhibit LPA production in vivo and determine its efficacy in animal models of musculoskeletal pain. Design Compound libraries were screened using an LPC coupled enzyme assay that measures the amount of choline released from LPC by the action of autotaxin. Hits from this assay were tested in a plasma assay to assess inhibition of endogenous plasma autotaxin and subsequently tested for their ability to lower plasma LPA levels upon oral dosing of rats. The best compounds were then tested in animal models of musculoskeletal pain. Results Compound screening led to the identification of compounds with nanomolar potency for inhibition of autotaxin activity. Studies in rats demonstrated a good correlation between compound exposure levels and a decrease in LPA levels in plasma. The leading molecule (compound-1) resulted in a dose dependent decrease in joint pain in the mono-sodium iodoacetate (MIA) and meniscal tear models and a decrease in bone fracture pain in the osteotomy model in rats. Conclusion We have identified and characterized a novel small molecule inhibitor of autotaxin and demonstrated its efficacy in animal models of musculoskeletal pain. The inhibitor has the potential to serve as an analgesic for human OA and bone fracture.
Assistance for Learning Design Community

Designing learning is a complex task. Researchers and teachers proposed many methodological issues to deal with it. Despite valuable technological advantages of machine-readable outcomes, most of the time these proposals are too complex to use, limiting the expressiveness, the sharing and reuse of learning scenario by the teachersâ community. Learning design processes support and guidance are often missing or insufficiently adaptable to the design context based on the needs of an association dealing with professional integration in charge with back-to-work programs named PARTAGE, we defined a design approach based on patterns and an editing tool to support the learning design activities and to help the sharing of pedagogical scenarios inside the teachersâ community of PARTAGE. In this work, we focus our attention on the assistance abilities of the editing tool. We highlight the possibility to generalize this approach to other learning design communities. We experiment this approach according to a participatory design approach with trainers of the association and the research team in charge with the study.
Redefinition and Systematic Revision of the East African Scorpion Genus Pandinoides (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae) With Critique of the Taxonomy of Pandinus, Sensu Lato

ABSTRACT The scorpion fauna of East Africa, encompassing Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, is more diverse than those of West and Central Africa, but a systematic survey has never been conducted and the distributions of its species remain poorly understood. A recent opportunity to examine two extensive collections of East African, and predominantly Kenyan, scorpions and new material acquired by the author permitted a reassessment of the fauna of the region. The present contribution, the first of several emanating from this research, comprises two parts. The first part presents a redefinition and revision of the scorpionid genus Pandinoides Fet, 1997, with a redescription of the type species, Pandinoides cavimanus (Pocock, 1888), a revalidation and redescription of Pandinoides militaris (Pocock, 1900), and a description of Pandinoides duffmackayi, sp. nov. Pending reassessment of the genera and subgenera of Pandinus, sensu lato, based on quantitative phylogenetic analysis, Pandinoides is restri...
Cooperation diversity for OFDM with iterative reception and independent CFO per node

In this paper, an optimized iterative destination node reception approach is introduced, suitable for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) cooperation diversity with packet-based Forward Error Correction (FEC). The scenario studied represents a multiple-input (MI) situation wherein the multiple inputs are all equal (i.e. repetition coding). Each of the cooperation-involved nodes presents independent carrier frequency offset (CFO) to the destination receiver. The optimized iterative destination receiver employs the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm for inner-loop detection, and an outer-loop Soft-Input Soft-Output (SISO) Viterbi algorithm. Thus, it iteratively estimates the doubly selective channels of the source and relay nodes, compensate for the multiple CFO, and decode the message. Due to the multiplicity of CFO present, the resulting detection algorithm becomes more involved. The novel receiver developed to successfully deal with this situation is termed Cooperative Optimized Independent per Node Receiver (CO-ICFO). The system employs M-ary Phase Shift Keying (MPSK) modulation. A minimum number of embedded pilots is used for initial channel estimation of each link through the Least Squares Estimation (LSE) algorithm. Both systems with and without Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) are considered. High cooperation diversity gains, on the order of 4 dB are achieved, without ARQ, while the gain with ARQ is reduced to about 3 dB. The presented results show that in general, cooperation offers high gains. Further, adding ARQ results in significantly better performance and more system flexibility.
Specialty Choice Among Sexual and Gender Minorities in Medicine: The Role of Specialty Prestige, Perceived Inclusion, and Medical School Climate.

Abstract Purpose: Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) in medicine experience unique stressors in training. However, little is known about SGM specialty choice. This study examined predictors of SGM specialty choice, associations between specialty prestige and perceived SGM inclusion, and self-reported influences on specialty choice. Methods: Medical trainees and practitioners (358 SGM, 1528 non-SGM) were surveyed online. We operationalized specialty choice at the individual level as respondents' specialty of practice; at the specialty level, as a percentage of SGM respondents in each specialty. We examined specialty prestige, perceived SGM inclusivity, and medical school climate as predictors of SGM specialty choice, and we compared additional influences on specialty choice between SGM and non-SGM. Results: The percentage of SGM in each specialty was inversely related to specialty prestige (P = 0.001) and positively related to perceived SGM inclusivity (P = 0.01). Prestigious specialties were perceived as...