cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Iron Tris(bipyridine)-Centered Poly(ethylene glycol)-Poly(lactic acid) Star Block Copolymers

Block copolymers incorporating biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(lactide) (PLA) polymers and labile metal complexes can serve as stimuli responsive biomaterials. Bipyridine-centered PEG-PLA materials were prepared via ring opening polymerization of ethylene oxide and lactide (d,l and l). Macroligands and their iron complexes [Fe{bpy(PEG-PLA)2}3]Cl2 were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, 1H NMR, and UV−vis spectroscopy. Solvent and counterion effects were also explored by UV−vis spectroscopy. Extinction coefficients drop 3-fold in CH2Cl2; values typical for iron(II) tris(bipyridine) complexes are restored by addition of very small quantities of MeOH. Thermal properties of bpy(PEG-PLA)2 and [Fe{bpy(PEG-PLA)2}3]2+ were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, showing values typical for the polymer blocks and little effect of incorporated ligand or metal sites. Micelle-like nanoparticles of block copolymer macroligands and iron star polym...
Electron-impact excitation autoionization of helium in the S-wave limit

Excitation of the autoionizing states of helium by electron impact is shown in calculations in the S-wave limit to leave a clear signature in the singly differential cross section for the (e,2e) process. It is suggested that such behavior should be seen generally in (e,2e) experiments on atoms that measure the single differential cross section.
Explore the multihypothesis motion compensation in video coding

In this paper, different types of mutihypothesis techniques are studied. Based on the transform domain multihypothesis provided in redundant discrete wavelet transform (RDWT), other multihypothesis methods, such as spatial domain or temporal domain multihypothesis are added to improve the performance of a single multihypothesis scheme. Experimental results show that combining two types of multihypothesis motion compensation (MHMC) is promising. Choosing wisely, combining three MHMC methods is possible to get a gain. But as more and more multihypothesis involved, the room of improvement is getting smaller and smaller. At the same time, the increasement of the overhead burden also limits the gain of adding more hypothesis. Also the limitation of combining MHMC techniques along with the vector burden are discussed.
A prospective study of lymphocyte-initiated immunosuppression in normal pregnancy: evidence of a T-cell etiology for postpartum thyroid dysfunction.

Immune function in normal pregnancy and the postpartum period remains poorly defined. We hypothesized that a comparative study between pregnant women with normal and abnormal immune function would further our understanding of the immune mechanisms of pregnancy. We chose to study a cohort of pregnant women at risk for the development of postpartum thyroid dysfunction (PPTD) as well as a group of normal controls. We chose PPTD as the model for abnormal immune function because of the relative ease of monitoring disease development and the relatively high prevalence for PPTD reported in earlier studies. Five hundred and fifty-two women were screened for the presence of thyroid autoantibodies in the first trimester of pregnancy. Thirty-three thyroid autoantibody-positive women and 28 thyroid autoantibody-negative women were followed prospectively throughout pregnancy and 6 months into the postpartum period. Lymphocyte subset analyses, thyroid function tests, and thyroid autoantibodies (antihuman thyroglobulin ...
Threonine6-bradykinin: structural characterization in the presence of micelles by nuclear magnetic resonance and distance geometry.

The conformation of the natural peptide [Thr6]-bradykinin, Arg1-Pro2-Pro3-Gly4-Phe5-Thr6-Pro7-Phe8-Arg9, is investigated by NMR spectroscopy and computer simulations in an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles. The structural analysis of the peptide is of particular interest since it displays a different biological profile from bradykinin despite the high sequence homology (only one conservative substitution: Ser6/Thr6) and the fact that both peptides bind and activate common receptors. The SDS micelles provide a model system for the membrane−interface environment the peptide experiences when interacting with the membrane-embedded receptor and allow for the conformational examination of the peptide using high-resolution NMR techniques. The NMR spectra show that the micellar system induces a secondary structure in the otherwise inherently flexible peptide (as observed in benign aqueous solution). The distance geometry calculations indicate a β-turn of type I about residues 7−8 as the preferr...
Nephrotic syndrome in Saudi children clinicopathological study of 150 cases

The study includes 150 children with primary nephrotic syndrome (NS), aged 16 months to 13 years with a median age of 5 years. The male to female ratio was 2:1 and the familial occurrence was 6%. Amongst 48 biopsied patients, 19 (39%) had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, 17 (35%) had diffuse mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MesPGN) and 10 (21%) had minimal change nephropathy. About 90% of patients responded to the initial prednisolone therapy. Subsequently 45% of steroid-sensitive patients had frequent relapses, 23% had no relapses, 21% had infrequent relapses and 5% became steroid resistant. Saudi children with primary NS showed no differences as regards age at onset, male predominance and response to initial prednisolone therapy when compared with published data from other countries. However, the higher incidence of familial occurrence, the relatively high frequency of MesPGN, the rarity of infection-related NS and a decreasing incidence of serious infections with improving socio-economic status were all noteworthy.
The emergency medicine workforce study: More questions than answers*

Abstract [Augustine JJ, Kellermann AL. The emergency medicine workforce study: more questions than answers. Ann Emerg Med . July 2002;40:16-18.]
Flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery: an investigation of methods requiring further standardization.

In order to establish a consistent method for brachial artery reactivity assessment, we analyzed commonly used approaches to the test and their effects on the magnitude and time-course of flow mediated dilation (FMD), and on test variability and repeatability. As a popular and noninvasive assessment of endothelial function, several different approaches have been employed to measure brachial artery reactivity with B-mode ultrasound. Despite some efforts, there remains a lack of defined normal values and large variability in measurement technique. Twenty-six healthy volunteers underwent repeated brachial artery diameter measurements by B-mode ultrasound. Following baseline diameter recordings we assessed endothelium-dependent flow mediated dilation by inflating a blood pressure cuff either on the upper arm (proximal) or on the forearm (distal). Thirty-seven measures were performed using proximal occlusion and 25 with distal occlusion. Following proximal occlusion relative to distal occlusion, FMD was larger (16.2 ± 1.2% vs. 7.3 ± 0.9%, p < 0.0001) and elongated (107.2 s vs. 67.8 s, p = 0.0001). Measurement of the test repeatability showed that differences between the repeated measures were greater on average when the measurements were done using the proximal method as compared to the distal method (2.4%; 95% CI 0.5–4.3; p = 0.013). These findings suggest that forearm compression holds statistical advantages over upper arm compression. Added to documented physiological and practical reasons, we propose that future studies should use forearm compression in the assessment of endothelial function.
How does the striate cortex begin the reconstruction of the visual world

The striate cortex transforms the topographic representation of visual space in the lateral geniculate body into a Fourier transform or frequency representation at the complex cell level via the intermediary simple cell stage of "strip integration." Each of these three stages contains essentially the same amount of information, which expresses a conservation of information principle; however, the form of the information is changed. In the transform domain, invariant descriptions of visual objects can be derived to serve as the basic sets required for pattern recognition and memory. We believe that our experimental and theoretical findings are fundamental for understanding the functional organization of the striate cortex.
Transforming Violence and Death in Marguerite De Navarre's Chansons Spirituelles

This article considers various representations of death and physical violence in Marguerite de Navarre's Chansons spirituelles. These include the impact of violence on one's spiritual life, on the experience of union with God, and on the shaping of the believer's will and identity. Marguerite employs violent images both as a critique of those who would use self-brutalization to feign humility, and as a sign authenticating a sincere desire for union with the divine. The negative use of asceticism to earn God's favour, leading to pride, gives way to a positive view of suffering and death deeply embedded in and indispensable to one's experience of the divine. By differentiating the source of violence, the poems reveal that even though suffering is painful, it is necessary to transform the believer's will. More than a simple metaphor, however, death and violence become the means to and textual expression of this metamorphosis.
Echocardiographic Characteristics in Patients ≥100 Years of Age

The centenarian population is increasing, and patients ≥100 years old are encountered more frequently in clinical practice. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in this subset of patients. We report the echocardiographic characteristics of 63 hospitalized centenarians. Patients ranged in age from 100 to 112 years and were admitted to the hospital for a variety of diagnoses. The mean left ventricular end-diastolic dimension was 3.9 ± 0.7 cm (2.8 to 5.8), the mean left ventricular end-systolic dimension was 1.8 ± 0.7 cm (0.8 to 3.5), the mean ventricular septal thickness was 1.2 ± 0.25 cm (0.8 to 1.9), the mean left ventricular posterior wall thickness was 1.1 ± 0.14 cm (0.8 to 1.6), the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 84% ± 11% (49% to 97%), the mean aortic root diameter at the level of the sinuses was 3.3 ± 0.4 cm (2.1 to 4.1), the mean left atrial dimension was 4.5 ± 0.7 cm (3.1 to 7), the mean right ventricular end-diastolic dimension was 3.4 ± 0.6 cm (2.0 to 4.8), and the mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 37 ± 14 mm Hg. Moderate or severe valvular lesions were common, including aortic stenosis (27%), aortic regurgitation (17%), mitral regurgitation (22%), and tricuspid regurgitation (28%). In conclusion, centenarian hearts have important differences from younger hearts, including more hypertrophied left ventricle, higher ejection fraction, higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and more prevalent significant valvular heart disease.
Adding Insult to Injury Partner Depression Moderates the Association Between Partner-Regulation Attempts and Partners’ Motivation to Resolve Interpersonal Problems

Intimates regularly confront their partners to motivate them to change undesirable behaviors. Nevertheless, contextual perspectives suggest that qualities of the partner may determine the implications of such attempts. Consistent with these ideas, a pilot study of romantic relationships, an observational study of newlyweds, and a diary study of married couples demonstrated that partner depression moderates the association between confrontational partner-regulation behaviors and partners’ motivation, such that confrontational behaviors were associated with marginally greater motivation to resolve problems among partners who were experiencing relatively few depressive symptoms, but significantly less motivation among partners who were experiencing relatively more depressive symptoms. Furthermore, Study 2 provided evidence for the mechanism of these effects—relationship self-efficacy. Finally, these studies also demonstrated that benevolent behaviors were particularly motivating for partners who were experiencing more depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the important roles played by depression, relationship self-efficacy, and context in interpersonal communication.
Polarimetric Calibration of Mimir and the Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey (GPIPS)

Methods and observations are described for the full field of view (FOV) polarimetric calibration of the Mimir near-infrared imaging polarimeter in support of the Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey and other applications. Polarimetric calibration consisted of three steps: (1) flat fielding using in-dome images obtained with the compound zero-order half-wave-plate (HWP) in the 16 position angles employed in polarimetric observations, (2) mapping and removing the remaining instrumental polarization via observations of globular cluster stars, and (3) using polarization standard stars to convert instrument-based polarization position angles to equatorial and to determine the linear polarimetric efficiency. For Mimir, the polarization flat fielding reduced systematic variations of the polarization efficiency across the FOV by a factor of 20. The 151 observations of eight globular clusters yielded 40,000 stars for measuring the remaining 0.05%-0.45% instrumental polarization to uncertainties of 0.02%-0.04%. After these corrections, the 444 observations of 23 polarized stars enabled equatorial polarization position angles to be determined to typical uncertainties of 0.{sup 0}5, and the on-axis (corrected to full FOV) polarization efficiency of 91.1% {+-} 0.4% to be determined. Fully corrected standard star observations showed excellent agreement with published values of polarization percentage and position angle. Additionally, the observations of four skymore » fields containing Whittet et al. 'primary' polarization standard stars were analyzed to yield 30 new 'secondary' standards. These are fainter than the primaries, allowing use with larger telescope apertures. The secondary standards have polarization position angle uncertainties under 5 Degree-Sign and range in degree of polarization from 0.4% to 8.5%.« less
Emergency Surgical Pulmonary Embolectomy

Surgical pulmonary embolectomy has a definite role to play in the management of selected patients with acute, Major pulmonary embolism. Rapid noninvasive diagnostic modalities allow proper patient selection based on anatomic location of the emboli, right heart function, and contraindications to thrombolysis. Operative results are a direct reflection of the preoperative hemodynamic status, the degree of underlying cardiopulmonary disease, and attention to minimizing surgical trauma and protecting the right heart. An operative mortality of 10% or less and excellent long-term outcomes can be expected if the procedure is performed, before cardiovascular collapse, as part of a multidisciplinary strategy that emphasizes careful patient selection, rapid diagnosis, triage, and transport.
Effects of urethane on hippocampal unit activity in the rat

The effect of urethane on hippocampal single unit activity in rats paralyzed with gallamine triethiodide was examined to determine possible influences of urethane as an anesthetic for electrophysiological recordings. With intravenous injections of urethane (1.0 g/kg body weight), hippocampal units responded initially with a substantial decrease in spontaneous firing rate. Activity in some cells recovered partially after a period of approximately 45 min. The activity of the remainder of cells recorded remained depressed for periods of time up to 1.5 hr. Longer periods of depression were observed in some cells. The difference in susceptibility to urethane in the population of hippocampal cells may offer a selective alteration in patterns of spontaneous activity in the hippocampus and systems efferent to the hippocampus. A knowledge of such alterations may prove important in interpreting the results of electrophysiological recording in preparations under urethane anesthesia.
Saturn's Atmospheric Temperature Structure and Heat Budget

The effective temperature of Saturn from 30°S to 10°N is 96.5 ± 2.5 K. This value is 1.9 K higher than our preliminary estimate (Ingersoll et al., 1980). The atmospheric mole fraction of H_2 relative to H_2 + He is 90 ± 3%. This value is derived by comparing infrared and radio occultation data (Kliore et al., this issue) for the same latitude. The high value of the effective temperature suggests that Saturn has an additional energy source besides cooling and contraction. The high mole fraction of H_2 suggests that separation of heavier He toward the core may be supplying the additional energy. Atmospheric temperatures in the 60- to 600-mbar range are 2.5 K lower within 7° of the equator than at higher latitudes. An almost isothermal layer exists between 60 and 160 mbar at all latitudes.
Possible correlation of sirolimus plasma concentration with sinusoidal obstructive syndrome of the liver in patients undergoing myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Study Objectives To determine the frequency of sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS) in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation who received graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with sirolimus and tacrolimus, and to assess whether the occurrence of SOS correlates with immunosuppressant levels. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Hematopoietic cell transplant unit at an academic medical center. Patients Fifty-nine adults who received myeloablative preparative regimens for transplantation of any hematologic malignancy and received sirolimus and tacrolimus for GVHD prophylaxis between January 1, 2007, and May 1, 2009; all donors and transplant recipients were human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched for at least HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DRB1. Measurements and Main Results The primary outcome was the occurrence of SOS after hematopoietic cell transplantation. Plasma concentrations of sirolimus and tacrolimus and the summative levels of sirolimus and tacrolimus were then compared in patients who developed SOS with those who did not develop SOS. Trough levels were measured from blood samples collected 30–60 minutes before the morning doses of sirolimus and tacrolimus on days 0–35, or until the development of SOS. Of the 59 patients, 12 (20%) developed SOS. The mean sirolimus level was significantly higher in patients who developed SOS relative to those who did not develop SOS (10.5 vs 8.7 ng/ml, p=0.003). The mean summative trough level of sirolimus and tacrolimus was also significantly higher in those who developed SOS compared with those who did not (19.7 vs 17.1 ng/ml, p=0.003). The mean ± SD time to the occurrence of SOS was 28 ± 8.7 days. The median time to death was 101 days for patients who developed SOS compared with 433 days for patients who did not develop SOS (p=0.002). Conclusion Sirolimus plasma concentration may correlate with the development of delayed SOS; however, further research is needed to prospectively evaluate the role of sirolimus exposure in the pathogenesis of SOS.
A multi-UAV targeting algorithm for ensemble forecast improvement

This paper presents an algorithm for targeting a team of UAVs as sensor platforms to ensure the improvement in the forecast at a separate verification time and location within the ensemble forecast framework. The information gain at the verification time/space is used as a metric of the forecast uncertainty reduction, and a computationally ecient backward selection method forms the backbone of the targeting approach. This paper presents the optimal targeting problem, which is complex because it must account for vehicle limitations, such as maximum and minimum flying speed, and the full impact of sensing at a given location. This impact includes a modification of the covariance information used in the targeting, which thus further impacts the future targeting solutions. A cut-o heuristic based on the sparse approximation of the covariance structure is proposed for this full optimization, and it is shown to significantly save computation time by reducing the number of measurement candidates to be consided in payo calculation. Several further approximations that decompose the computation and decision making into dierent topologies and choices on the planning horizon are also presented. These are shown to avoid the combinatorial explosion of the computation time, and the optimality of the decomposition schemes is shown to be highly dependent on the existence of agent-wise sharing of the up-to-date covariance information. Numerical simulations using the two-dimensional Lorenz-2003 chaos model are performed to validate the proposed algorithm and compare the suggested decomposition schemes.
A continuous kinematic model of plate-tectonic motions

SUMMARY One of the many problems in the study of plate-mantle coupling is the disparity between the theory of mantle dynamics—which involves continuum physics—and the theory of plate tectonics—which employs discontinuous plates. This discordance causes a variety of difficulties in geodynamic models, e.g. infinite tractions between the plates and mantle. As motions of the Earth's surface do not involve discontinuous plates (i.e. intraplate deformation is significant and plate margins have finite width), it is necessary to adjust the plate-tectonic model to allow for continuous surface motions. Here we present a model of plate motions on a sphere using analytically continuous (i.e. infinitely differentiable) functions to describe both plate geometry and plate margin width. We first apply this model to the idealized system of a single ‘rectangular’ plate to examine the influence of plate geometry and size on kinetic-energy partitioning of plate motions on a sphere. The ratio of toroidal (strike slip and spin) kinetic energy to poloidal (convergent-divergent) kinetic energy is affected not only by the relative lengths of strike-slip and convergent-divergent margins, but also on plate size, which controls the magnitude of plate spin. For large plates, spin toroidal motion contributes a major portion of the net toroidal energy. Basic concepts from this simple illustrative model are then expanded to derive an analytically continuous model of present-day plate-tectonic motions. The plate boundary for any given plate is smoothed and expressed as a single-valued differentiable function; this function is employed to generate the analytically continuous shape function of the plate. The shape function is then used to model the plate's motion about its contemporaneous Euler pole. This technique is carried out for all the plates and their motions are superposed to yield a complete yet simplified model of present-day plate motions. We use this model to examine the influence of plate margin width on energy partitioning for the Earth's plates; this approximately indicates the extent to which energy partitioning is influenced by intraplate deformation. The calculations indicate that the introduction of finite margin width allows spin vorticity to make a larger contribution to the toroidal energy. Depending on margin width, the partitioning of energy is possibly reversed, with toroidal energy assuming a larger proportion of the net kinetic energy. The model of continuous plate motions proposed here may not only ease the disparity between the theories of plate tectonics and mantle convection, but is a first simple step toward incorporating intraplate deformation into plate tectonics.
Allometry of cells and tissues within leaves

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF THE STUDY Allometric relationships among the dimensions of leaf cells, cell walls, and tissues, and whole-leaf thickness and area are likely to have key implications for leaf construction and function, but have remained virtually untested, despite the explosion of interest in allometric analysis of numerous plant properties at larger scales. • METHODS Using leaf transverse cross sections and light microscopy, we measured leaf dimensions, tissue thicknesses, mesophyll and xylem cell sizes, and cell wall thicknesses for 14 diverse angiosperm species of wet and dry habitats and tested hypothesized allometric relationships based on geometric scaling due to development and/or function. • KEY RESULTS We found strong novel allometries relating the dimensions of cells, cell walls, tissues, and gross leaf form. Cell sizes and cell wall thicknesses tended to scale isometrically across mesophyll tissues within the leaf, such that species with large cells or thick cell walls in one tissue had these also in the other tissues; however, leaf vein xylem conduit sizes were independent of those of other cell types. We also found strong geometric scaling of cell wall thicknesses with cell sizes throughout the mesophyll, but not in the leaf vein xylem. Further, leaf thickness scaled with cell sizes, cell wall thicknesses and the thicknesses of component mesophyll tissues, but leaf area was independent of anatomical traits across species. • CONCLUSIONS These novel allometries suggest design rules operating at the smallest scales of leaf construction and the possibility of applying these relationships to better characterizing the basis for differences among species in leaf form and functional traits.
HLA alleles determine differences in human natural killer cell responsiveness and potency.

Epidemiological studies have associated certain human disease outcomes with particular killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) and HLA genotypes. However, the functional explanation for these associations is poorly understood, because the KIRs were initially described as natural killer (NK) cell inhibitory receptors with specificity for HLA molecules on their cellular targets. Yet resolution of infections is often associated with genotypic pairing of inhibitory KIRs with their cognate HLA ligands. Recent studies in mice indicate a second role for MHC-specific inhibitory receptors, i.e., self-MHC recognition confers functional competence on the NK cell to be triggered through their activation receptors, a process termed licensing. As a result, licensed NK cells with self-MHC-specific receptors are more readily activated as compared with unlicensed NK cells without self-MHC-specific receptors. Such results predict that human NK cells may undergo a similar process. Here, we examined the human NK cell subset expressing KIR3DL1, the only known KIR specific for HLA-Bw4 alleles. The KIR3DL1+ subset in normal donors with two HLA-B-Bw4 genes displayed increased responsiveness to tumor stimulation compared with the KIR3DL1+ subset from individuals with only one or no Bw4 genes. By contrast, NK cells lacking KIR3DL1 showed no differences. Therefore, these data indicate that particular KIR and HLA alleles are associated with more responsive NK cells, strongly suggesting that human NK cells are also subjected to NK cell licensing, and providing a potential functional explanation for the influence of KIR and HLA genes in disease as well as interindividual differences in NK cell potency.
Mechanisms of photoluminescent quenching of oxidized porous silicon applications to chemical sensing

Abstract Silicon can be caused to photoluminesce in the visible by rapid anisotropic etching of bulk samples to form a porous material. Both electrochemical and chemical etching procedures based on an HF reagent have been developed for this purpose. Porous silicon is found to contain nanoscopic silicon particles which have been identified as the luminescent species. The observed photoluminescence is very sensitive to the surface preparation of the porous silicon. Light oxidation of the porous silicon substrate produces a material which is selectively sensitive to Bronsted bases, sulfur dioxide, and halogens. Selective quenching of oxidized porous silicon is associated with the presence of specific types of dangling bond surface states (Pb0 and Pb1) at the silicon/silicon oxide interface. Interfaces of this type can be fashioned into environmental sensors. Using this approach a gas phase sulfur dioxide sensor has been demonstrated.
Quantitative classification of primary progressive aphasia at early and mild impairment stages

The characteristics of early and mild disease in primary progressive aphasia are poorly understood. This report is based on 25 patients with aphasia quotients >85%, 13 of whom were within 2 years of symptom onset. Word-finding and spelling deficits were the most frequent initial signs. Diagnostic imaging was frequently negative and initial consultations seldom reached a correct diagnosis. Functionality was preserved, so that the patients fit current criteria for single-domain mild cognitive impairment. One goal was to determine whether recently published classification guidelines could be implemented at these early and mild disease stages. The quantitative testing of the recommended core and ancillary criteria led to the classification of ∼80% of the sample into agrammatic, logopenic and semantic variants. Biological validity of the resultant classification at these mild impairment stages was demonstrated by clinically concordant cortical atrophy patterns. A two-dimensional template based on orthogonal mapping of word comprehension and grammaticality provided comparable accuracy and led to a flexible road map that can guide the classification process quantitatively or qualitatively. Longitudinal evaluations of initially unclassifiable patients showed that the semantic variant can be preceded by a prodromal stage of focal left anterior temporal atrophy during which prominent anomia exists without word comprehension or object recognition impairments. Patterns of quantitative tests justified the distinction of grammar from speech abnormalities and the desirability of using the 'agrammatic' designation exclusively for loss of grammaticality, regardless of fluency or speech status. Two patients with simultaneous impairments of grammatical sentence production and word comprehension displayed focal atrophy of the inferior frontal gyrus and the anterior temporal lobe. These patients represent a fourth variant of 'mixed' primary progressive aphasia. Quantitative criteria were least effective in the distinction of the agrammatic from the logopenic variant and left considerable latitude to clinical judgement. The widely followed recommendation to wait for 2 years of relatively isolated and progressive language impairment before making a definitive diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia has promoted diagnostic specificity, but has also diverted attention away from early and mild disease. This study shows that this recommendation is unnecessarily restrictive and that quantitative guidelines can be implemented for the valid root diagnosis and subtyping of mildly impaired patients within 2 years of symptom onset. An emphasis on early diagnosis will promote a better characterization of the disease stages where therapeutic interventions are the most likely to succeed.
Protein engineering of the pH dependence and substrate specific ity of glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori

To increase the optimal pH of glucoamylase, site-directed mutagenesis was used to construct five amino acid replacement mutations at residue Ser411. Although Ser411 is not a conserved residue, it hydrogen bonds to the general catalytic base Glu400. The mutations were designed to destabilize the carboxylate ion form of Glu400 by removing or weakening the hydrogen bond between Ser411 and GIu400 and thereby raising its ^K. The additional effects of polarity and both positive and negative charges were also studied by the substimtion of alanine, histidine and aspartate, respectively. Compared to wild-type glucoamylase, Ser41 l-»Gly glucoamylase was highly active with a slightly increased Km for the hydrolysis of isomaltose, maltose and maltoheptaose at pH 4.4. Ser41 l->Ala glucoamylase maintained 65 74% of wild-type catalytic efficiency (Acat/^m) with a slightly decreased ^cat and a slightly increased KmThe Ser41 l->Cys enzyme maintained 54 73% of wild-type catalytic efficiency with a decrease in both the and KmSer411 ->His and Ser411-^Asp glucoamylases had only about 6 -12% of wild-type catalytic efficiency with a seriously decreased Acat and an increased All five mutations increased the optimal pH in the enzyme-substrate complex, mainly by raising ^K\ values. Ser41 l->Ala is the best
PKC-ing Is Believing Targeting Protein Kinase C in Heart Failure

See related article, pages 1396–1400 Protein kinase C (PKC) exists as a family of serine/threonine kinases in which 9 different isoforms have been cloned and characterized.1 The conventional PKC isoforms, α, β, and γ, are distinguished by C1 and C2 binding domains in the amino terminal regulatory region of the protein. The C1 domain provides a diacylglycerol/phorbol ester–binding motif, whereas the C2 domain binds anionic phospholipids in a Ca2+-dependent fashion.2 Such features render conventional PKCs subject to downstream modulation by a myriad of receptors that couple to activation of phospholipase C, including G-protein–coupled receptors, growth factor receptors, and adhesion receptors. Indeed, there are established and putative roles for PKCs in multiple physiological and pathological conditions.3 Specific interest in PKCα regulation of cardiac function stems from several important findings in small animal studies. For example, transgenic myocardial expression of activated PKCα impaired β-AR signaling and cardiac contractility in mice.4 Moreover, genetic deletion of PKCα protected against pressure-overload heart failure (HF) and dilated cardiomyopathy in separate mouse models.5 Adenoviral delivery of dominant-negative PKCα also reversed HF progression in a rat cryoinfarct model,6 supplying concordant evidence for cardioprotection by means of PKCα …
Reflex Excitability Regulates Prepulse Inhibition

Presentation of a weak stimulus, a prepulse, before a reflex-evoking stimulus decreases the amplitude of the reflex response relative to reflex amplitude evoked without a preceding prepulse. For example, presenting a brief tone before a trigeminal blink-eliciting stimulus significantly reduces reflex blink amplitude. A common explanation of such data are that sensory processing of the prepulse modifies reflex circuit behavior. The current study investigates the converse hypothesis that the intrinsic characteristics of the reflex circuit rather than prepulse processing determine prepulse modification of trigeminal and acoustic reflex blinks. Unilateral lesions of substantia nigra pars compacta neurons created rats with hyperexcitable trigeminal reflex blinks but normally excitable acoustic reflex blinks. In control rats, presentation of a prepulse reduced the amplitude of both trigeminal and acoustic reflex blinks. In 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, however, the same acoustic prepulse facilitated trigeminal reflex blinks but inhibited acoustic reflex blinks. The magnitude of prepulse modification correlated with reflex excitability. Humans exhibited the same pattern of prepulse modification. An acoustic prepulse facilitated the trigeminal reflex blinks of subjects with hyperexcitable trigeminal reflex blinks caused by Parkinson9s disease. The same prepulse inhibited trigeminal reflex blinks of age-matched control subjects. Prepulse modification also correlated with trigeminal reflex blink excitability. These data show that reflex modification by a prepulse reflects the intrinsic characteristics of the reflex circuit rather than an external adjustment of the reflex circuit by the prepulse.
An Embedded Systems Curriculum Based on the IEEE/ACM Model Curriculum

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, has recently completed a major restructuring of its computer engineering curriculum. The main goal of this reform is to integrate a broad set of embedded systems concepts into the course sequence thereby creating an embedded systems focus throughout the curriculum. Breadth of embedded systems concepts is addressed by using the embedded systems component of the 2004 IEEE/ACM computer engineering model curriculum as the basis for the new curriculum content. Depth is attained by overlapping coverage of most topics using multiple courses and integrating forward and reverse references to these concepts among the courses. This paper presents the rationale behind the curriculum reform, the revised curriculum, lessons learned, and the results of a comprehensive assessment of its effectiveness.
Sensitization of Asthmatic Children to Common Environmental Allergens According to Their Residence

The medical records of 974 asthmatic children aged 1–14 years (mean 8.7 ± 3.9 years) who had been evaluated with skin prick tests (SPT) in two referral Children's Hospitals in Athens from 1975 to 1987 were analyzed. The children were grouped according to their residence into groups from urban area (UR), rural area (RU), and coastals (CO). The prevalence of positive SPT and the sensitizing allergens according to the residential area and the family atopic history were considered. It was found that 662/974 (68%) children had positive SPT with 63.6%, 70.7%, and 80.4% in UR, RU, and CO respectively. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of positive SPT between UR and CO. A positive family atopic history was more often accompanied by positive SPT in UR only. Sensitization to grass pollens was noted with higher prevalence in UR. The house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus sensitization was more prevalent in CO. Our results support the notion that the environment can influence the prevalence...
Competing values in software process improvement: an assumption analysis of CMM from an organizational culture perspective

The capability maturity model (CMM) approach to software process improvement is the most dominant paradigm of organizational change that software organizations implement. While some organizations have achieved various levels of success with the CMM, the vast majority have failed. In this paper, we investigate the assumptions about organizational culture embedded in the CMM models and we discuss their implications for software process improvement (SPI) initiatives. In this paper, we utilize the well-known competing values model to surface and analyze the assumptions underlying the CMM. Our analysis reveals contradictory sets of assumptions about organizational culture in the CMM approach. We believe that an understanding of these contradictions can help researchers address some of the difficulties that have been observed in implementing and institutionalizing SPI programs in organizations. Further, this research can help to open up a much-needed line of research that would examine the organization theory assumptions that underpin CMM. This type of research is important if CMM is to evolve as an effective organizational change paradigm for software organizations.
IRIDIUM satellite: A large system application of design for testability

Design for testability (DFT) efforts on large electronic systems, such as Motorola's IRIDIUM satellites, require a concurrent engineering team approach to be effective. Program DFT strategies and objectives are described that resulted in a combination of DFT techniques for the satellite including a satellite-wide multiple chain 1149.1 boundary scan architecture. >
Beneficence and Health Policy: Reduction of Risk-Taking

In Alison Lurie’s The War Between the Tates ([18], p. 271), a character says, “I was less morally ambitious than you; I didn’t aspire to do good. I only wanted not to be harm.” We commonly distinguish between doing good and not doing harm, the latter appearing to constitute the moral minimum in human interactions. Philosophers sometimes use ‘beneficence’ to refer to doing and ‘nonmaleficence’ to refer to not doing harm. Although not fully adequate, these terms are useful for shorthand purposes. I shall also distinguish ‘beneficence’ and ‘benevolence’, using ‘benevolence’ to refer to the will or disposition to benefit others, and ‘beneficence’ to refer to the act of benefitting others.
Behavioral Response Following Hypothalamic Hamartoma Treatment in Adults (P6.279)

OBJECTIVE: To review behavioral outcomes in patients following hypothalamic hamartoma treatment. BACKGROUND: Hypothalamic hamartomas are a pathological entity well known to cause medication-refractory seizures, cognitive impairment and behavioral disorders. Treatment, such as surgical intervention, is beneficial for seizure control, but little is known about effects on behavior. DESIGN/METHODS: We reviewed the charts of ten patients who underwent surgical intervention at the Barrow Neurological Institute between 2012 to 2014, who were 18 years of age or older. Behavioral outcomes were assessed via a follow-up questionnaire at 3-17 months, completed by caregivers or patients, asking whether there was significant, moderate, little, or no improvement or worsening of behavioral issues. RESULTS: The patients were 22 to 68 years of age at the time of the most recent treatment intervention. Three patients were female. All had medically refractory multiple seizure types, including gelastic seizures in nine patients and dacrystic seizures in one patient. Behavioral problems prior to the treatment were described as rage outbursts, low frustration threshold, aggression, anxiety, poor grooming, social detachment, or none. Seven patients underwent laser thermoablation, two had Gamma Knife radiosurgery, and one had endoscopic resection as the most recent intervention. Eight out of ten patients had previous interventions. Out of six patients who have completed the follow-up questionnaire, one had significant improvement, two had moderate improvement, two had little improvement, and the patient with no previous behavioral issues had no change. Four patients have yet to complete the questionnaire, but during follow-up visits, one patient verbally reported significant improvement, two reported no improvement, and one had no behavioral issues. CONCLUSIONS: Six of eight patients with behavioral difficulties had improvement after surgical/radiosurgical treatment, suggesting it has potential beneficial behavioral outcomes in adult patients with hypothalamic hamartomas. Study Supported by: N/A Disclosure: Dr. Vitorovic has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lehnhoff has nothing to disclose.
A probabilistic model for insulator flashover under contaminated conditions

This paper presents a probabilistic model for insulator flashover based on numerical electric field calculation and random walk theory. The advancement to the state-of-the-art lies in the ability of the model to consider realistic events like arc jumping between the sheds by evaluating the electric field on the insulator surface and in the immediate vicinity of the insulator in an efficient manner. For high ESDD values (above 0.1 mg/cm2), the results from the proposed model and deterministic model are not significantly different. For ESDD values in the range 0.01-0.1 mg/cm2, which represents the majority of locations, the values obtained by the statistical model are closer to experimental results than obtained from the deterministic model. The model presented is for insulators using non-hydrophobic materials, such as porcelain, glass and several polymers.
Identifying Likely Sales Prospects

This article describes a “user-nomination” research methodology for identifying nonusers of a product or service. The case history describing the technique is from a study by Opinion Research Corpo...
NMR Measurement of Exchange of Deuterium between Palladium–Deuteride and Deuterium Gas

Deuterium NMR is used to measure the rate of exchange of D between PdD x (x ≅ 0.7) and the surrounding D 2 gas at thermal equilibrium. In the presence of exchange, the very rapid longitudinal spin relaxation rate of the gas provides an additional path for spin relaxation of the PdD x , beyond the mechanisms intrinsic to the solid deuteride. The measurements reported here extend from -100 to 100°C, with exchange rates from the palladium phase to the gas varying from approximately 0.1 to 200 s -1 . Compared to the PdH x /H 2 system, the PdD x /D 2 system allows a wider range of exchange rates to be probed because of the very low rate of intrinsic longitudinal spin relaxation in PdD x . The activation energy for the exchange rate is found to be 0.32 eV ± 10%. The data from PdH x is reanalyzed, and a nearly equal energy is found.
Study of VO2 metal insulator transition (MIT) in thin films with femtosecond pulses and Raman spectroscopy

We study the dynamics of photo-induced MIT in VO2 films of different substrates with a pump-probe experiment at various temperatures, and also investigating the propagation of surface plasmons on VO2 in the metallic phase.
Steatorrhea During Aflatoxicosis in Chickens

Abstract Graded levels of dietary aflatoxin (0, .625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 μg/g) were tested for their effect on lipid excretion in feces of young broiler chickens. There was a highly significant (P
252. Using Cre-Dependent In Vivo Selection to Identify AAV Variants That Enable Efficient and Widespread Gene Transfer to the Adult Central Nervous System

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) are commonly used vehicles for in vivo gene transfer. However, the tropism repertoire of naturally occurring AAVs is limited, prompting the development of novel AAV capsids with more desirable transduction characteristics. We have developed a capsid selection method, called Cre-recombination-based AAV targeted evolution (CREATE), that enables the identification of AAV capsids that more efficiently transduce defined cell populations in vivo (Deverman et al. in press, Nature Biotechnology). We generated AAV capsid libraries and used CREATE to identify variants that cross the blood brain barrier and efficiently and widely transduce astrocytes in the mouse central nervous system (CNS) after intravenous injection. One variant, AAVPHP. B, transfers genes throughout the adult CNS with an efficiency that is 40- to 92-fold greater (depending on the CNS region) than that of the current standard, AAV9. It transduces the majority of astrocytes and neurons across multiple CNS regions, and in vitro, it transduces human neurons and astrocytes more efficiently than does AAV9. We are now evolving AAV-PHP.B for even greater transduction of specific CNS cell types as a means to both develop more effective vectors and to gain insight into the mechanism of enhanced transduction. Our identification of AAV-PHP.B and several other enhanced vectors after only two rounds of selection establishes CREATE as a powerful method to customize AAV vectors for biomedical applications.