cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetically tunable frustration controls allostery in an intrinsically disordered transcription factor

Proteins carry out most of the key tasks inside cells. To perform these roles, proteins must fold up to form complex three-dimensional structures. Researchers used to think that the useful parts of proteins all had set structures. However, we now know that ‘disordered’ proteins with variable structures are common and disordered parts of proteins can have vital roles. In a process called allosteric regulation, regulator molecules can increase or decrease the activity of a protein by binding to it. This binding was thought to work by changing the structure of the protein, but it was not clear how this works in disordered proteins. To investigate, Li et al. studied a disordered protein called glucocorticoid receptor, and found that disordered regions can have opposing effects on other regions of the protein. This creates a ‘tug-of-war’ that Li et al. term “energetic frustration”, whereby the activity of the protein results from the combination of the opposing interactions. Further investigation revealed that the glucorticoid receptor produces different versions of itself that have different degrees of energetic frustration, which alters how effectively the proteins perform their tasks. This means that the protein can regulate its own activity even in the absence of binding to regulator molecules. The concept of energetic frustration could enhance our understanding of the many different proteins that contain disordered regions. Eventually, this knowledge could be used to develop drugs that alter the activity of these proteins and so could form part of treatments for a wide range of conditions including autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus), cancers, and organ rejection for transplant patients. The results presented by Li et al. suggest where more research is needed to achieve this goal. For example, we need to understand more about the stability of disordered protein regions, and to identify which surfaces of the proteins interact with each other.
Analyzing spatial accessibility to foods in GIS: A case of Springfield, MO

Accessibility to healthy and nutritious foods is a crucial factor for public health outcome. This paper proposed a store square footage-to-population ratio as indicator of spatial accessibility to food stores. An enhanced floating catchment area method is used to compute the store footage-to-population ratio. The method adopts the Huff Model to model the people's selection on food stores and consider the impacts of both travel cost and store capacity for accessibility analysis. Furthermore, the relationships between spatial accessibility to food stores and income are explored by a grouping analysis. A case study of Springfield, MO at the census block group level showed that the method well revealed the spatial variations of spatial food accessibility, and results from grouping analysis uncovered the spatial patterns of spatial accessibility to food stores and income in the case study area.
Studies on the structure of collagen. I. The sequence analysis of peptides released by pronase.

Abstract Peptides released during the solubilization of native insoluble collagen by the action of pronase were separated by successive curtain electrophoresis and paper chromatography and analyzed. Of the 47 peptides and 8 free amino acids liberated, the sequences of 40 peptides have been determined. From this data the sequences of 12 larger peptides have been deduced and their relation to the structure of collagen α chains is discussed. These peptides are mainly from the C-terminal end of the constituent chains and have a composition dissimilar to collagen, i.e. glycine occurs in every second position. The presence of three ketoacids, α-ketoisovaleric, α-ketoglutaric and pyruvic acid, in the tropocollagen molecule is reported.
Femoral Mechanics, Mobility, and Finite Element Analysis

Traditional analyses of long bone morphology, e.g., applying beam theory to imaged cross sections of bone or investigating diaphyseal curvature, examine the effect of skeletal variables on structural integrity separately, an approach that does not incorporate information on the entire bone. Finite element analysis allows exploration of the structural integrity of complete bones under specific loading conditions, providing a more detailed picture of precisely how morphological differences affect a bone’s strength and patterns of stress and strain. Finite element analysis also allows complex variables such as differences in joint configurations between species to be modeled. Finite element models further allow the examination of how bones behave during simulations of particular activities, at various magnitudes of loading, and at different angles of excursion. Here I provide an overview of finite element analysis and examine how it contributes to studies of mobility using a case study of a human femur.
Can the Principle of Least Action Be Considered a Relativized A Priori

Hardly another principle of classical physics has to a larger extent nourished hopes into a universal theory and has simultaneously been plagued by mathematical counterexamples than the Principle of Least Action (PLA). I investigate whether the PLA can be interpreted as a historically relativized constitutive a priori principle of mathematical physics along the lines Michael Friedman has drawn in Dynamics of Reason, using the example of relativity theory. Such an interpretation suggests itself, historically, because two main advocates of the PLA, Max Planck and David Hilbert, considered relativity theory as a case in point for the PLA. But they were also aware of the mathematical pitfalls and that without physical specification the PLA only represented an empty form. I argue that the different levels required for a consistent application of the PLA in mathematical physics induce a stratification that bears close parallels to the one by which Friedman intends to overcome the joint challenges of epistemological holism and a relativist reading of Kuhnian incommensurability. Yet, two differences remain. First, the mathe matical and physical levels of the PLA are more intertwined than in Friedman's case. Second, although the PLA has survived quite a few scientific revolutions, so has the formulation of physical theories in terms of differential equations.
Regulation of Higher Plant Leaf and Reserve Tissue Starch Synthesis

ADP-glucose is the glucosyl donor in the synthesis of starch and its synthesis is catalyzed by ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (reaction I, E.C. 2.7.7.27; ATP: α-D-glucose-1 -phosphate adenylyltransferase). Reaction II, catalyzed by starch synthase (E.C. 2.4.1.21) ADP-glucose; 1,4-α-D-glucan 4-α-glucosyltransferase, transfers the glucosyl residue from the sugar nucleotide to elongate the 1,4-α-D-glucan chain. Reaction III is catalyzed by branching enzyme (E.C. 2.4.1.18) 1,4-α-D-glucan 6-α-(1,4-α-glucano)-transferase and forms the branched chains found in amylopectin.
Biform Games

Both noncooperative and cooperative game theory have been applied to business strategy. We propose a hybrid noncooperative-cooperative game model, which we call a biform game. This is designed to formalize the notion of business strategy as making moves to try to shape the competitive environment in a favorable way. (The noncooperative component of a biform game models the strategic moves. The cooperative component models the resulting competitive environment.) We give biform models of various well-known business strategies. We prove general results on when a business strategy, modelled as a biform game, will be efficient.
Surface nuclear magnetic resonance observations of permafrost thaw below floating, bedfast, and transitional ice lakes

ABSTRACTLakes in Arctic systems contribute to hydrologic storage, biogeochemical cycling, and permafrost thaw. Here, we have used surface nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on lakes of A...
Structural considerations of folded protein import through the chloroplast TOC/TIC translocons.

Protein import into chloroplasts is carried out by the protein translocons at the outer and inner envelope membranes (TOC and TIC). Detailed structures for these translocons are lacking, with only a low-resolution TOC complex structure available. Recently, we showed that the TOC/TIC translocons can import folded proteins, a rather unique feat for a coupled double membrane system. We also determined the maximum functional TOC/TIC pore size to be 30-35 A. Here, we discuss how such large pores could form and compare the structural dynamics of the pore-forming Toc75 subunit to its bacterial/mitochondrial Omp85 family homologs. We put forward structural models that can be empirically tested and also briefly review the pore dynamics of other protein translocons with known structures.
Comparing Predictive Accuracy and Computational Costs for Viscoelastic Modeling of Spinal Cord Tissues

The constitutive equation used to characterize and model spinal tissues can significantly influence the conclusions from experimental and computational studies. Therefore, researchers must make critical judgements regarding the balance of computational efficiency and predictive accuracy necessary for their purposes. The objective of this study is to quantitatively compare the fitting and prediction accuracy of linear viscoelastic (LV), quasi-linear viscoelastic (QLV), and (fully) non-linear viscoelastic (NLV) modeling of spinal-cord-pia-arachnoid-construct (SCPC), isolated cord parenchyma, and isolated pia-arachnoid-complex (PAC) mechanics in order to better inform these judgements. Experimental data collected during dynamic cyclic testing of each tissue condition were used to fit each viscoelastic formulation. These fitted models were then used to predict independent experimental data from stress-relaxation testing. Relative fitting accuracy was found not to directly reflect relative predictive accuracy, emphasizing the need for material model validation through predictions of independent data. For the SCPC and isolated cord, the NLV formulation best predicted the mechanical response to arbitrary loading conditions, but required significantly greater computational run time. The mechanical response of the PAC under arbitrary loading conditions was best predicted by the QLV formulation.
DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS ON THE DECLINE IN OLDER ADULTS: BIRTH COHORT ANALYSES FROM THE RUST BELT

Introduction Many older adults with depressive symptoms have adverse health outcomes and reduced quality of life, but do not meet the clinical threshold for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Studies suggest that prevalence of MDD and depressive symptoms is increasing in children and younger adults, but little is known about population trends in depressive symptoms in older adults over age 65. Methods We pooled data from two large prospective community-based epidemiological studies of older adults in southwestern Pennsylvania between 1987-Present. We identified four birth cohorts of sufficient sample size: 1902-1911 (n=305), 1912-1921 (n=1202), 1922-1931 (n=1051), 1932-1941 (n=669). In both studies, a modified Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (mCESD) was used to determine presence of symptomatic depression (≥5 symptoms) at each wave of examination. The percentage of participants in each birth cohort who had at least one study visit with symptomatic depression varied by age but ranged between 22.9-23.1% for the 1902-1911 cohort, 19.5-26.0% for the 1912-1921 cohort, 9.8-17.0%% for the 1922-1931 cohort, and 12.2-15.4% for the 1932-1941 cohort. To minimize potential bias due to the association between depression and attrition, we fit a shared parameter model that jointly modeled depressive symptoms and attrition. Results The 1922-1931 and 1932-1941 cohorts were significantly less likely to report ≥5 depressive symptoms than the 1902-1911 cohort (p Conclusions Understanding trends in older adult depression will help identify relevant subgroups and factors which will improve ability to plan better mental health services for our aging population. This research was funded by This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health (R01 AG023651, U01 AG06782, R01 AG07562, P30 AG053760, P30 AG008017 and T32 AG000181).
β 2 -Adrenergic Receptor Gene Affects the Heart Rate Response of β-Blockers: Evidence From 3 Clinical Studies.

β-Blockers' heart rate (HR)-lowering effect is an important determinant of the effectiveness for this class of drugs, yet it is variable among β-blocker-treated patients. To date, genetic studies have revealed several genetic signals associated with HR response to β-blockers. However, these genetic signals have not been consistently replicated across multiple independent cohorts. Here we sought to use data from 3 hypertension clinical trials to validate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with the HR response to β-blockers. Using linear regression analysis, we investigated the effects of 6 SNPs in 3 genes, including ADRB1, ADRB2, and GNB3, relative to the HR response following β-blocker used in the PEAR (n = 757), PEAR-2 (n = 368), and INVEST (n = 1401) trials, adjusting for baseline HR, age, sex, and ancestry. Atenolol was used in PEAR and INVEST, and metoprolol was used in PEAR-2. We found that rs1042714 and rs1042713 in ADRB2 were significantly associated with HR response to both β-blockers in whites (rs1042714 C-allele carriers, meta-analysis β = -0.95 beats per minute [bpm], meta-analysis P = 3×10-4 ; rs1042713 A-allele carriers, meta-analysis β = -1.15 bpm, meta-analysis P = 2×10-3 ). In conclusion, the results of our analyses provide strong evidence to support the hypothesis that rs1042714 and rs1042713 in the ADRB2 gene are important predictors of HR response to cardioselective β-blockade in hypertensive patient cohorts.
Adsorption and Oxidation of CH4 on Oxygen-Rich IrO2(110)

We investigated the oxidation of CH4 on oxygen-pre-covered IrO2(110) surfaces using temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS) and density functional theory (DFT). Our TPRS results show th...
Enjoying Your Visiting Grad School Experience Abroad [Tech Travel]

Welcome to another "Tech Travel" column, in which I share a topic that is very close to my heart. I am scheduled to defend my thesis in November, and while working toward my four-year Ph.D. degree in bioengineering, I spent half of the time in my home country, Portugal, and the other half in Boston, Massachusetts. If you read the IEEE Potentials sports technology theme issue (May/June 2019), you can find my recollections about the sports events I attended in Boston.
Schwartz-Matsuo syndrome: An important cause of secondary glaucoma

Abstract Purpose We report a case of Schwartz-Matsuo syndrome that highlights the pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and management considerations of this rare disease. Observations 31-year-old man with a history of left eye cataract presented with left eye photophobia and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) of 64 mm Hg. Visual acuity 20/40. Open angles with an increased pigment of trabecular meshwork by gonioscopy, 2 + anterior chamber (AC) cell, superior retinal detachment, and 0.6 cup-to-disc ratio. Electron microscopy of AC fluid demonstrated outer segments of photoreceptors. IOP was lowered with oral and topical ophthalmic antihypertensives. Retinal detachment was treated with pars plana vitrectomy with endolaser, gas tamponade, and AC paracentesis. Follow-up VA 20/20 with normal IOP. Conclusions and importance Schwartz-Matsuo syndrome is characterized by elevated IOP with marked fluctuations, open angles, aqueous cells, and retinal detachment. Diagnosis is supported by electron microscopy of AC fluid with outer segments of photoreceptors. Treatment includes retinal detachment repair and antihypertensive therapy.
The pragmatics of discovery constrains children’s tendency to map novel labels onto novel objects:

When taught a label for an object, and later asked whether that object or a novel object is the referent of a novel label, preschoolers favor the novel object. This article examines whether this so...
Challenging gait leads to stronger lower-limb kinematic synergies: The effects of walking within a more narrow pathway

Abstract Previous studies using the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) analysis demonstrated that during the swing phase of gait, multi-joint kinematic synergies act to stabilize, i.e., minimize the variance of, the mediolateral trajectory of the swinging limb. Importantly, these synergies are strongest during midswing, suggesting that during gait, individuals may employ strategies to avoid collisions between the limbs at this instance. The purpose of the current study was to test this hypothesis by quantifying whether the synergy index (ΔV) during the middle period of the swing phase of treadmill walking was affected when the width of the treadmill belt was narrowed, a task expected to increase the risk of limb collisions. Eleven healthy young adults walked on a dual-belt treadmill under two conditions: (1) dual-belt – both belts of the treadmill moved at 1.2 m/s (total width: 62.5 cm) and the subject walked with one foot on each of the moving belts and (2) single-belt – one treadmill belt moved at 1.2 m/s while the other belt remained stationary and the subject walked with both feet on the moving belt (total width: 30.5 cm). During both conditions, motion capture recorded the positions of 22 passive reflective markers from which UCM analysis was used to quantify ΔV in the joint configuration space. Results indicate that ΔV during the middle-third of swing phase significantly increased by 20% during single-belt walking (p
Parainfluenza Virus Types 1-3 Infections Among Children and Adults Hospitalized with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

BACKGROUND Parainfluenza virus (PIV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections. Although there are several distinct PIV serotypes, few studies have compared the clinical characteristics and severity of infection among the individual PIV serotypes and between PIV and other pathogens in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. METHODS We conducted active population-based surveillance for radiographically confirmed community-acquired pneumonia hospitalizations among children and adults in eight United States hospitals with systematic collection of clinical data and respiratory, blood, and serological specimens for pathogen detection. We compared clinical features of PIV-associated pneumonia among individual serotypes 1, 2, and 3 and among all PIV infections with other viral, atypical, and bacterial pneumonias. We also compared in-hospital disease severity among groups employing an ordinal scale (mild, moderate, severe) using multivariable proportional odds regression. RESULTS PIV was more commonly detected in children (155/2354 [6.6%]) than in adults (66/2297 [2.9%]) (p<0.001). Other pathogens were commonly co-detected among PIV cases (110/221 [50%]). Clinical features of PIV-1, PIV-2, and PIV-3 infections were similar to one another in both children and adults with pneumonia. In multivariable analysis, children with PIV-associated pneumonia exhibited similar severity to children with other non-bacterial pneumonia; whereas children with bacterial pneumonia, exhibited increased severity (OR 8.42 [95% CI 1.88, 37.80]). In adults, PIV-associated pneumonia exhibited similar severity to other pneumonia pathogens. CONCLUSIONS Clinical features did not distinguish among infection with individual PIV serotypes in patients hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia. However, in children, PIV pneumonia was less severe than bacterial pneumonia.
Bleeding Risk Considerations Prior to Initiation and Duration of Anticoagulation Therapy for the Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism

Bleeding is a common complication during the initiation and extended use of anticoagulation therapy. It can be serious for both physicians and patients, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. It also limits the therapeutic use of anticoagulation therapy and this complication increases the length of hospital stay and medical care costs.
Exact theory for superconductivity in a doped Mott insulator

Because the cuprate superconductors are doped Mott insulators, it would be advantageous to solve even a toy model that exhibits both Mottness and superconductivity. We consider the Hatsugai–Kohmoto model1,2, an exactly solvable system that is a prototypical Mott insulator. Upon either doping or reducing the interaction strength, our exact calculations show that the system becomes a non-Fermi liquid metal with a superconducting instability. In the presence of a weak pairing interaction, the instability produces a thermal transition to a superconducting phase, which is distinct from the traditional state described by Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS) theory, as evidenced by a gap-to-transition temperature ratio exceeding the universal BCS limit. The elementary excitations of this superconductor are not Bogoliubov quasiparticles but rather superpositions of doublons and holons, composite excitations that show that the superconducting ground state of the doped Mott insulator inherits the non-Fermi liquid character of the normal state. An unexpected feature of this model is that it exhibits a superconductivity-induced transfer of spectral weight from high to low energies, as seen in the cuprates3, as well as a suppression of the superfluid density relative to that in BCS theory. The Mott insulator ground state is a crucial feature of high-temperature superconductors such as the cuprates. Here, the authors find an exactly solvable model that contains both superconductivity and Mottness.
A coordination mechanism for supplier selection and order quantity allocation with price-sensitive demand and finite production rates

Abstract We study a supplier selection and order quantity allocation problem in a two-stage supply chain, which is composed of a set of potential suppliers and a single buyer/retailer trading one product. The demand at the buyer's stage is price-sensitive and suppliers have finite production rates. Within this framework, the optimization of the supply chain is evaluated by considering the performance of both stages and guaranteeing their profitability through a coordination mechanism based on profit-sharing. Two mixed integer nonlinear programming models are presented under different lot-sizing policies to determine the optimal set of selected suppliers, retail price, and order quantity and number of orders per order cycle for each selected supplier. The structure of the models' solutions is examined by deriving properties of the optimal supplier selection and order quantity allocation scheme. Numerical examples are also provided to illustrate the applicability of the proposed models.
Correlation and analysis of smokeless powder, smokeless powder residues, and lab generated pyrolysis products via GC–MS

Abstract Following a shooting or explosive event, such as the explosion of an improvised explosive device, smokeless powders (SP) and smokeless powder residues (SPR) may be recovered as evidence. The analysis of SPR may allow for an association to the SP, which can provide an evidentiary link. In this study, the correlation between SP and SPR is explored via Sorensen-Dice similarity coefficients and Pearson correlation coefficients. Additionally, the Sorensen-Dice similarity coefficients between SPR and expected pyrolysis products, obtained from the burning of SP compound standards, are explored to determine whether SPR composition may be predicted based on initial SP composition. Results indicated that the similarity between SP and SPR is highly composition dependent, with samples containing diphenylamine along with nitroglycerin or 2,4-dinitrotoluene exhibiting higher similarity scores, as well as those containing dibutyl phthalate. Comparison of SPR to expected pyrolysis products indicated that the ability to predict SPR composition is also dependent on the initial SP composition. The complexity of burning a mixture, such as SP, compared to burning single components may contribute to the generally low similarity coefficients observed in this comparison.
Paleogeographic reconstruction of Mississippian to Middle Pennsylvanian basins in Nevada, southwestern Laurentia

Abstract Compilation of stratigraphic, sedimentological, and structural data on palinspastically restored maps reveals the Mississippian-Pennsylvanian paleogeography of Nevada in unprecedented detail, and has important implications for the development of the southwestern Laurentian margin. In contrast to previous interpretations of latest Devonian-earliest Mississippian tectonism, the maps show the major tectonic events to have been in late Middle Mississippian and Middle Pennsylvanian time. Regionally extensive unconformities mark both, with the deepest erosion in the northwest. Sub-unconformity structures record primarily NW-SE shortening, and synorogenic sediments were shed toward the east, southeast and south. These observations are consistent with protracted sinistral-oblique convergence in Nevada along the southwest Laurentian margin, rather than the W-E convergence invoked in previous interpretations. Terminology for late Paleozoic orogenies in Nevada must be revised accordingly.
Leisure and Consumer Behavior: A “Social Indicators” Update

It is reported that Americans have revised the traditional definition of success. According to that view, wasteful materialism is increasingly being rejected along with a lifelong competition for wealth and privilege. Instead, nonmaterial standards of personal growth and development are favored. Along with such a development, there is a growing skepticism of big governmental and private organizations. There is a growing recognition that social values, attitudes and beliefs will have a decisive influence on economic growth. Growth is no longer a dominant value and increasingly the public is concerned with the price tag of growth in terms of other values that are considered important. (Conrad Taeuber, 1981: viii)
Disfluent vs. fluent price offers: paradoxical role of processing disfluency

Conventional wisdom and prior research on processing fluency suggest that consumers prefer fluent information, such that it has positive effects on their purchase decisions. Challenging this conventional wisdom, and on the basis of recent research on processing disfluency, this study proposes that the increased effort required to process disfluent price information can lead to deeper information processing. If the advertised price offer represents a good value, it can enhance purchase decisions, even if customers prefer the disfluent display less. A series of studies in the field and lab demonstrate support for this positive impact of disfluent price information on purchase decisions.
Fluoxetine Potentiates Pentobarbital Lethality and Sedation in the Rat

The 5-hydroxytryptamine-transport inhibitor fluoxetine interferes with the hepatic metabolism of many drugs and can potentiate the effects of anaesthetics. Because of the significance of this behaviour and because previous reports are inconsistent, the effect has been further investigated. Rats given fluoxetine (15 mg kg−1, i.p.) for six days did not regain consciousness after sodium pentobarbital anaesthesia (65 mg kg−1, i.p.). Serum pentobarbital levels were increased by 50% by fluoxetine (10 mg kg−1, 24 and 16 h before pentobarbital, 30 mg kg−1), and fluoxetine (0–10 mg kg−1) dose-dependently (ED50 = 2·9±0·5 mg kg−1) increased nocturnal behavioural sedation induced by pentobarbital (50 mg kg−1, 4 h later). Gastrointestinal abnormalities and weight loss also were found after repeated fluoxetine administration, particularly intraperitoneally. These observations indicate that fluoxetine can lethally potentiate pentobarbital anaesthesia, and suggest additional adverse effects of repeated injections of high doses.
A Fusion of the EBV Latent Membrane Protein-1 (LMP1) Transmembrane Domains to the CD40 Cytoplasmic Domain Is Similar to LMP1 in Constitutive Activation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression, Nuclear Factor-κB, and Stress-Activated Protein Kinase

The EBV latent infection transforming protein, LMP1, has six hydrophobic transmembrane domains that enable it to aggregate in the plasma membrane and a 200-amino acid carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain (CT) that activates nuclear factor-κB and induces many of the phenotypic changes in B lymphocytes that accompany CD40 activation. Since the phenotypic effects of LMP1 are similar to those of activated CD40, we now compare signaling from the LMP1 CT with that from the CD40 CT fused to the LMP1 transmembrane domains. The LMPCD40 chimera was similar to LMP1 in nuclear factor-κB activation and in up-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor expression. CD40 ligation was known to activate the stress-activated protein kinase, and both LMPCD40 and LMP1 are now shown to induce stress-activated protein kinase activity in the absence of ligand. Deletion of the first four transmembrane domains of LMP1 abrogated LMP1 aggregation in the plasma membrane and nearly abolished signaling from LMP1 or the LMPCD40 chimera. These results highlight the role of LMP1 as a constitutively active receptor similar to CD40 and provide a novel approach for the generation of ligand-independent receptors.
The Effects of an Inclusive School Program on Students with Mild and Severe Learning Disabilities

This investigation used a curriculum-based measure to examine the effects of an Inclusive School Program (ISP) on reading and math achievement of students with LD. Results revealed that students with LD in the ISP made significantly more progress in reading and comparable progress in math when compared to the students who were provided services in resource classes. Furthermore, significantly more students with mild LD who were educated in the ISP made progress in reading that was comparable to general education peers than did the students with mild LD who were educated in noninclusive settings. Students with severe LD made comparable progress in reading and math, regardless of the setting. The implications of these results for practice are discussed.
A modified wavelet transformation based method of linear object extraction

Edges can be characterized through the evolution of a wavelet transformation at different scale levels. A two-dimensional wavelet transformation of a given image is proportional to the gradient of a corresponding smoothed image. Each component of a normal two-dimensional wavelet transformation is in fact a one-dimensional wavelet transformation in one variable followed by a smoothing process in the other variable. The modified wavelet transformation of the given image gets rid of the smoothing process in each component since the magnitude of the wavelet transformation in the center part of a linear object may be increased by the big magnitudes of the wavelet transformation along the edges if the smoothing process is adopted, which makes it hard to isolate the centerline of the linear object. The modified wavelet transformation gives high magnitudes along the edges and low magnitudes in the center part of the linear objects in the wavelet-transformed image. In the image showing the magnitude of the wavelet transformation, there are high ridges along the edges of the linear objects and low grey level valleys bounded by the ridges. A suitable threshold can be used to extract the low grey level part of the image, such that the center parts of the linear objects are included. Since they are separated from other objects, they can be easily extracted in a post-processing.
Severe encephalopathy associated with ifosfamide administration in two children with metastatic tumors.

We studied two children with recurrent cancer, who during treatment with ifosfamide developed severe encephalopathy characterized by coma of several days duration. Ifosfamide was used as a single drug without mesna as an uroprotector. A 1-hour infusion of ifosfamide (1.8 g/m2) was given on days one and two of a planned 5-day course. Encephalopathy was associated with severe electroencephalographic abnormalities, e.g. slowing in delta range in one patient and electrographic seizures in another. Both, clinical and electroencephalographic features of encephalopathy were reversible.
Design and evaluation of a distributed asynchronous VLSI crossbar switch controller for a packet switched supercomputer network

A key component in a new high-speed prototype network, called the Multiple Crossbar Network (MCN) being developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory, is a crossbar switching core and its controller. This switching core allows for up to 32 (800 Mbit/second) connections to pass through it simultaneously. The motivation for this network is to allow visualization data to be sent at movie rate speeds to a users workstation from a supercomputer. This paper reviews the key concepts and components of the MCN, and then focuses on the behavioral level design of a distributed asynchronous VLSI controller chip set for the switching core. A unique design methodology is presented and then applied to the controller which uses an externally distributed chip set, and distributed asynchronous finite state machines internally.
Properties of new numerical approximations to the transport equation

Abstract Two new numerical methods are formulated for the solution of the Boltzmann transport equation. Both methods are designed to reduce distortion of angular flux distributions produced by conventional SN or discrete ordinates formulations. For the first method, in which the distribution function is represented by a set of discrete, discontinues, straight lines, a general formulation is given; and, as an example, finite difference equations are derived for two-dimensional rectangular geometry. The relationship to connected straight line and step function representations is shown, and an estimate of the relative truncation error of these schemes is given, showing that the new scheme has the potential of suppressing spatial oscillations without loss of second-order accuracy. By Fourier analysis of the line source problem, it is shown that the lowest order of the new approximation (CS2) compares favorably with the usual S4 discrete ordinates approximation in the suppression of ray effects. This result is confirmed by numerical comparisons. The second new method involves the conversion of two (or higher) dimensional discrete ordinates equations to angular moments equations to eliminate the directional streaming properties of discrete ordinates equations. Three approaches are examined for these conversions. In the first, the general formula is given for the artificial source needed to truncate the spherical harmonics moments equations derived from discrete ordinates equations in (x,y) rectangular geometry. While it is shown that the moments in these equations may not be the coefficients in the polynomial expansion of the discrete ordinates flux, numerical results from this conversion show greatly smoothed scalar fluxes. A second conversion formula, in which an artificial source is introduced to make the highest order spherical harmonics moments vanish, also produces smooth fluxes in numerical examples, but requires more iteration than the first method. In the third approach, artificial source corrections to convert discrete ordinates equations to angular moments equations with exact equivalence are given.
Risk factors for recurrent rejection in pediatric heart transplantation: a multicenter experience.

Abstract Background Cardiac allograft rejection remains as a primary cause of death in the first 3 years after pediatric heart transplantation. Multiple episode of acute rejection in adult heart transplant recipients may accelerate the development of graft vasculopathy. We sought to quantify the time-related probability of recurrent rejection and identify risk factors for the development of recurrent rejection. Methods We analyzed data from 847 pediatric recipients who underwent transplantation between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1998 at 22 centers in the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study (PHTS). Recurrent rejection and risk factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Five hundred fifty two patients had 1,072 rejection events and were the subject of the analyses. The highest risk of recurrent rejection occurs within 1 month after resolution of a previous rejection episode. Risk factors for recurrent rejection include the number of previous rejection events, the elapsed time since a previous rejection episode, and subjects of either Hispanic or African-American descent. Rejection associated with hemodynamic compromise and late rejection is associated with higher mortality. Conclusions Recurrent rejection is a risk factor for mortality, especially in the presence of hemodynamic compromise. This association appears independent of the time post-transplantation. Use of surveillance biopsies appears warranted throughout the life of the transplant individual. Retransplantation should be considered among these subjects with recurrent rejection.
Hepatitis B due to transfusion of mislabeled blood.

Transfusion of a misidentified and mislabeled unit of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive blood was recognized 18 hours after the transfusion episode. Within 24 hours of transfusion the recipient became HBsAg-positive, and antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was detected. Despite hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) administration of 28 hours after transfusion, the serologic markers persisted for at least one month. Clinically apparent hepatitis developed about two months after transfusion. At this time HBsAg could not be detected, but antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) was present and anti- HBc persisted. The recipient recovered and became a plasmapheresis donor for several hepatitis B research programs.
Concentration profile in plasma after transdermal drug delivery

Abstract The plasma profile of the drug concentration after transdermal delivery was stimulated on the basis of a dynamic mathematical model. The skin was assumed to be a bilayer membrane which consists of the stratum corneum and the viable epidermis. A conventional multi-compartment model was also assumed to describe the drug elimination/distribution in the body. The effects of the skin permeation kinetics as well as the body elimination/distribution on the plasma profile of the drug concentration were analyzed under various modes of application for the drug delivery system.
Multitasked Computation of 3-D Prestack Kirchhoff time Migration on the Gray Y-MP C90

SUMMARY I’his paper presents the implementation and the performance of I full three-dimensional prestack Kirchhoff time migration scheme on the multi-processor CRAY Y-MP C90 system. A :omputational algorithm is designed to maximize the processing availability in this new system. The very fast randomaccess SSD, solid-state storage device, is utilized to overcome the I/O difficulty. By applying task level parallelism, the parallel region is partitioned into tasks. The algorithm has been optimized, vectorized and microtasked; it achieves the initial goal of 7.99 GFLOPS with 13 CPUs on the Y-MP C90 supercomputer at Cray Research headquarters in Eagan, Minnesota. The algorithm has been tested at different microtasking levels. Performance results are tabulated for computational time analysis. The experimental results indicate that the implementation is feasible for performing a 3-D prestack Kirchhoff migration to efficiently image a targeted subregion of special interest.
A velocity profiler based on the principles of geomagnetic induction

Abstract A technique to determine the variations of horizontal velocity between the sea surface and bottom, based on the measurement of electric currents generated by the motion of the seawater through the Earth's magnetic field, has been developed. A freely-falling Electro-Magnetic Velocity Profiler, EMVP, senses the currents as a function of depth. Velocity is inferred as the equivalent velocities required to generate the observed electric currents in the local geomagnetic field. The inferred velocity profile is relative to an unknown, but depth-independent, velocity contribution. Hence, the profiles are of the depth-variable velocity components. The device is released from the surface, falls to a preset depth or to the sea floor and returns to the surface. Both descent and ascent take about 90 min in water 6000 m deep. The r.m.s. velocity errors are about 1 to 2 cm s−1 at the vertical resolution of independent methods, 50 m and larger. Simultaneous profiles by two identical EMVPs have r.m.s. velocity differences of less than 0.7 cm s−1 at a vertical resolution of 10 m. A second electric measurement on the instrument yields a velocity profile within 0.3 cm s−1 r.m.s. of the first electric measurement every 10 m. A performance level of ±1 cm s−1 at a vertical resolution of 10 m is indicated. This level is expected in the absence of strong magnetotelluric currents, which can produce errors as large as 10 cm s−1 during infrequent (10 to 20 times per year) periods of strong temporal fluctuations of the geomagnetic field. Temperature, electrical conductivity, pressure, and other variables are recorded twice each second. The digitally recorded data are processed aboard ship to obtain velocity and density profiles.
A Hg( ii )-mediated “signal-on” electrochemical glutathione sensor

We report the design and fabrication of a DNA-based electrochemical sensor for detection of glutathione. Sensor signaling relies on glutathione's ability to chelate mercury Hg(II), displacing it from the thymine–Hg(II)–thymine complex formed between the surface-immobilized DNA probes. Our results show that this sensor is sensitive and selective enough to be employed in saliva.
In vivo molecular imaging using nanomaterials: general in vivo characteristics of nano-sized reagents and applications for cancer diagnosis

Nanoparticles present a new collection of contrast agents for the field of in vivo molecular imaging. This review focuses on promising molecular imaging probes for optical and magnetic resonance imaging based on four representative nanomaterial(s) platforms: quantum dots, upconversion phosphors, superparamagnetic iron oxides, and dendrimer-based agents. Quantum dots are extremely efficient fluorescent nanoparticles with size-tunable emission properties, enabling high sensitivity and greater depth penetration. Their heavy metal composition and long retention in the body, however, pose concerns for clinical translational applications. Upconversion phosphors generate excellent signal-to-background contrast because they emit light with higher energy than the excitation photons and autofluorescence signals. For MRI, iron oxide particles also generate excellent signal and have been used in liver imaging and for cell tracking studies. As they are metabolized through endogenous iron salvage pathways, they have already been introduced as clinical contrast agents. Lastly, dendrimers, a 'soft' nanoparticle, can be used as a structural basis for the attachment of small molecule imaging agents and/or targeting groups. This array of nanoparticles should offer insights into the uses and potentials of nanoparticles for the molecular imaging.
Electrophoretic fractionation of chloroplast fragments in a pH gradient

Durch Zentrifugierung isolierte Fraktionen fragmentierter Spinatchloroplaste von hoher Hill-Aktivitat wurden in einem pH-Gradienten elektrophoretisiert. Bei Citrat-Phosphat-Puffer vom pH-Gradienten zwischen 3,0 und 7,0 wurden drei photoaktive Bander von verschiedenem isoelektrischem Punkt gefunden. Dies deutet auf chemische oder strukturelle Differenzen in den Untereinheiten der Fraktion.
A Neural Network Method for Efficient Vegetation Mapping

Abstract This article describes the application of a neural network method designed to improve the efficiency of map production from remote sensing data. Specifically, the ARTMAP neural network produces vegetation maps of the Sierra National Forest, in Northern California, using Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data. In addition to spectral values, the data set includes terrain and location information for each pixel. The maps produced by ARTMAP are of comparable accuracy to maps produced by a currently used method, which requires expert knowledge of the area as well as extensive manual editing. In fact, once field observations of vegetation classes had been collected for selected sites, ARTMAP took only a few hours to accomplish a mapping task that had previously taken many months. The ARTMAP network features fast online learning, so that the system can be updated incrementally when new field observations arrive, without the need for retraining on the entire data set. In addition to maps that identify lifeform and Calveg species, ARTMAP produces confidence maps, which indicate where errors are most likely to occur and which can, therefore, be used to guide map editing.
A 40GS/s Track-and-Hold amplifier with 62dB SFDR3 in 45nm CMOS SOI

A 40GS/s Track-and-Hold amplifier with active cancellation capability is presented to mitigate the effect of leakage in transmission gate during the holding mode. A single-ended RF input signal is converted to a differential signal that feeds the active cancellation network. A record SFDR3 of 62dB with 40GS/s and 5GHz input frequency is reported in 45nm CMOS SOI. A droop voltage of 20μv/ns is measured. An isolation of 32dB at 1GHz between the holding and tracking modes is recorded.
Zoledronic acid decreased osteolysis but not bone metastasis in a nude mouse model of canine prostate cancer with mixed bone lesions.

BACKGROUND Bone metastasis is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced prostate cancer and is manifested primarily as mixed osteoblastic and osteolytic lesions. However, the mechanisms responsible for bone metastases in prostate cancer are not clearly understood, in part due to the lack of relevant in vivo models that mimic the clinical presentation of the disease in humans. We previously established a nude mouse model with mixed bone metastases using intracardiac injection of canine prostate cancer cells (Ace-1). In this study, we hypothesized that tumor-induced osteolysis promoted the incidence of bone metastases and osteoblastic activity.
Acute iodine toxicity from a suspected oral methamphetamine ingestion.

Background: Iodine is a naturally occurring element commercially available alone or in a multitude of products. Iodine crystals and iodine tincture are used in the production of methamphetamine. Although rarely fatal, iodine toxicity from oral ingestion can produce distressing gastrointestinal symptoms and systemic symptoms, such as hypotension and tachycardia, from subsequent hypovolemia. Objective: The objective of this case report is to describe a case of iodine toxicity from suspected oral methamphetamine ingestion. Case report: A male in his early 20’s presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, chills, fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea after orally ingesting a substance suspected to be methamphetamine. The patient had elevated levels of serum creatinine, liver function tests, and bands on arrival, which returned to within normal limits by day 4 of admission. Based on the patient’s narrow anion gap, halogen levels were ordered on day 3 and indicated iodine toxicity. This is thought to be the first documented case of iodine toxicity secondary to suspected oral methamphetamine abuse. Conclusion: Considering that the incidence of methamphetamine abuse is expected to continue to rise, clinicians should be aware of potential iodine toxicity in a patient with a history of methamphetamine abuse.
Modeling a Scientific Career: An Essential Component of the Mentorship Process

Abstract In the current interview article, Dr. John A. Williams shares his experiences, and provides career advice to junior investigators. Dr. Williams is one of the world's leading physiologists working on signal transduction mechanisms in pancreatic acinar cells. He is worldwide recognized for his contribution to many areas of pancreatology, especially the understanding of GI hormone regulation of pancreatic exocrine function.