cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Demonstration of p47phox-Dependent Superoxide Anion Production in Murine Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Background—Previous investigations provide evidence that an enzyme related to the phagocyte NADPH oxidase produces superoxide in the blood vessel wall. These data, however, are confounded by observations that both NADPH and NADH serve as substrates for superoxide production in vascular cells. To clarify this issue, we compared the superoxide-generating capabilities of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) derived from wild-type (p47phox+/+; phagocyte oxidase) mice with those from mice that lack p47phox (p47phox−/−; “knockout”), an essential component of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase. Methods and Results—VSMCs were derived from aortic explants harvested from p47phox+/+ or p47phox−/− mice. VSMCs from p47phox+/+ but not those from p47phox−/− mice produced superoxide after stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate. Consistent with this, p47phox was detected only in p47phox+/+ VSMCs. p47phox-transduced p47phox−/− but not enhanced green fluorescent protein–transduced p47phox−/− VSMCs generated significant levels of...
Analyzing Field Studies of Insect Dispersal Using Two-Dimensional Transport Equations

A variety of diffusion and convection-diffusion models were fit to field mark-recapture data for female cabbage root flies (Delia brassicae Bouche). Hawkes' hypothesis that anemotaxis is key to Delia's discovery of Brassica crops was tested by comparing the performance of different models. Whereas models lacking a convection term totally failed, models with a convection term explained 39–44%of the observed variance in Delia recapture density. The direction of the best-fit convection vector was toward Brassica and in almost perfect opposition to the prevailing winds. This suggests that Delia fly upwind in the presence of Brassica odors. The application of diffusion-convection models to insect dispersal is discussed in general, with special emphasis on parameter identification methods. These methods (new to the biological literature) allow one to find realistic dispersal models that describe field mark-recapture data.
Flooding versus eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy: relative efficacy has yet to be investigated--comment on Pitman et al (1996)

Abstract Pitman et al. recently published a pair of studies on the relationship between indicators of emotional processing and outcome in flooding therapy (Compr Psychiatry 1996;37:409–418) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR; Compr Psychiatry 1996;37:419–429). Among their conclusions, they asserted EMDR was found to be at least as effective flooding in the treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and produced fewer adverse consequences. Although this research constitutes an important contribution to the literature on psychosocial treatments for PTSD, their conclusions regarding the relative effectiveness of these two treatments are unwarranted. The bases of our objections are that (1) assignment of participants to treatment conditions was nonrandom, and (2) several significant procedural differences existed between the two studies in addition to the specific treatments under investigation. These include different inclusion and exclusion criteria, the confounding of psychological treatment with psychiatric medication status, and differences in assessment procedures. Since the two treatments were not compared in a single head-to-head controlled trial, we conclude that their relative efficacy has yet to be investigated.
Precipitation drives interannual variation in summer soil respiration in a Mediterranean-climate, mixed-conifer forest

Predictions of future climate change rely on models of how both environmental conditions and disturbance impact carbon cycling at various temporal and spatial scales. Few multi-year studies, however, have examined how carbon efflux is affected by the interaction of disturbance and interannual climate variation. We measured daytime soil respiration (Rs) over five summers (June–September) in a Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forest on undisturbed plots and plots manipulated with thinning, burning and their combination. We compared mean summer Rs by year with seasonal precipitation. On undisturbed plots we found that winter precipitation (PPTw) explained between 77–96% of interannual variability in summer Rs. In contrast, spring and summer precipitation had no significant effect on summer Rs. PPTw is an important influence on summer Rs in the Sierra Nevada because over 80% of annual precipitation falls as snow between October and April, thus greatly influencing the soil water conditions during the following growing season. Thinning and burning disrupted the relationship between PPTw and Rs, possibly because of significant increases in soil moisture and temperature as tree density and canopy cover decreased. Our findings suggest that Rs in some moisture-limited ecosystems may be significantly influenced by annual snowpack and that management practices which reduce tree densities and soil moisture stress may offset, at least temporarily, the effect of predicted decreases in Sierran snowpack on Rs.
Computational study of cycloaddition reactions on the SiC(1 0 0)-c(2 × 2) surface

Abstract Cycloaddition reactions between 1,3-butadiene and the C-terminated SiC(1 0 0)-c(2 × 2) surface have been addressed using quantum-chemical methods. The c(2 × 2) structure consists of CC bridges between underlayer Si atoms which themselves form SiSi bonds. Of various possible reaction products, the one formed by a [2 + 4] reaction with the CC bridge (giving a species resembling 1,4-cyclohexadiene) is the lowest in energy. Density functional calculations for the bare c(2 × 2) surface, using a cluster model with mechanical embedding, gave good agreement with structural parameters obtained in previous fully ab initio studies. Similar calculations for the cycloaddition product and for the transition state gave a reaction energy of −50.3 kcal/mol and an activation energy of +6.1 kcal/mol to form a planar ring structure lying normal to the surface. Detailed results for the frequency and infrared polarization behavior of adsorbate vibrational modes have also been obtained.
CD40 expression and function in murine B cell ontogeny.

The CD40 antigen, a member of the nerve growth factor/tumor necrosis factor receptor family, is expressed on all mature B lymphocytes and plays a crucial role in B cell activation, T celldependent antlgen-drlven isotype switching and germinal center formation. We have analyzed CD40 expression and function during mouse B cell development by examining B cell precursors In normal mice and In transgenic animals in which B cell development is frozen at discrete stages. These models included RAG-2"^ mice, and transgenic litter mates that express a u heavy chain and/ or the bcl-2 proto-oncogene transgene. CD40 was undetectable at the pro-B cell stage, but was expressed, although at low levels, on pre-B cells. However, pre-B cells failed to respond to CD40 triggering either by expression of CD23 or by proliferation in the presence of IL-4. Overexpresslon of bcl-2 increased the density of CD40 expression on pre-B cells: these cells respond to CD40 llgatlon by expressing CD23 and by proliferating In the presence of IL-4.
Feasibility of Keying Data from Screen-Displayed Facsimile Images in an Ongoing Trial: The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study

As part of an ongoing clinical trial, we conducted an experiment to assess the feasibility and to determine the reliability of data entry from a computer screen display of images of data collection forms transmitted by facsimile (fax) machines directly into a computer for paper forms designed without consideration of fax or image display requirements. Feasibility was assessed on the basis of accuracy and reliability of data entry and on operator satisfaction. During a 2-week period, half of the forms received at the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) coordinating center were key-entered twice, using the paper forms as the source (paper source entry). The remaining forms were entered once using paper source and were later reentered using the screen display of images of the faxed forms as the source (image source entry). The latter group of forms, or 50% of all forms received, were entered a third time, using the image source entry. Two data entry operators participated in the experiment. Discrepancy rates between and within data entry operators were calculated for both modes of entry. A total of 50,861 keystrokes (28,095 items) across 1122 records were checked for consistency. The overall discrepancy rate associated with double paper source entry was approximately 21 per 10,000 keystrokes (20 per 10,000 items). Discrepancy rates associated with paper source versus image source entry (53 per 10,000 keystrokes [57 per 10,000 items]) and double image source entry (57 per 10,000 keystrokes [47 per 10,000 items]) were similar in magnitude. Image source entry of forms received by facsimile may provide an acceptable alternative to paper entry in ongoing multicenter clinical trials where the costs of converting existing forms and systems to automated data capture may be unacceptable. This experiment confirmed the feasibility of such an alternative and suggested that improved screen displays and changes in equipment to facilitate entry of data from the screen display may enhance accuracy of entries.
Response to Letters Regarding Article, “Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Death Following Application of Shocks From a TASER Electronic Control Device”

I thank the authors of the Letters to the Editor for their interest in my article. As Drs Nanthakumar and Waxman indicate, the left ventricular epicardium becomes inexcitable during ischemia (such as would be provoked by ventricular fibrillation [VF]), whereas Purkinje fibers and endocardial muscle remain fully responsive.1 In fact, one can record asystole in some ECG leads when VF is actually still present in others.2 I agree that determining the response to a TASER shock that induces rapid capture and VF is critical. I am glad they think the article sheds light on a complicated issue. Drs Vilke, Chan, and Karch question the “clinically healthy” wording I explained in a published correction for my article3 to mean clinically healthy from a cardiovascular standpoint without manifest cardiovascular symptoms. They suggest that several people may have had cardiac pathology. If true, underlying heart disease or substances such as alcohol and some drugs would likely facilitate electrical induction of VF from the TASER shock. If the pathology were the cause of the VF, one would have to assume it triggered VF precisely at the time of the TASER shock, an improbable coincidence. They indicate that one case had long QT “on the day of his TASER activation.” This was …
Venture migration: a quest for a low-hanging fruit?

Venture migration, in addition to firm entry and exit, affects business stock in a region. This study draws on mainstream entrepreneurship and economic geography literatures to explore the factors explaining net venture migration. Using a data-set on 88 Ohio counties during 2000–2006, it suggests that venture migration is largely a quest for a low-hanging fruit. Relocating firms are drawn to areas with higher sales tax rates that give them access to interest-free financing, higher unemployment rates and better-qualified workforce as well as ample arbitrage opportunities. At the same time, innovative opportunities do not attract migrating ventures.
Macrophages in Kidney Repair and Regeneration

Appreciation of a central role for recruited monocyte-derived macrophages to repair organs after injury is gaining considerable momentum. In the past 2 years, monocyte-derived tissue leukocytes have been identified as orchestrators of repair in skin, muscle, gut, brain, and heart. Macrophages,
Implementing typeful program transformations

The notion of program transformation is ubiquitous in programming language studies on interpreters, compilers, partial evaluators, etc. In order to implement a program transformation, we need to choose a representation in the meta language, that is, the programming language in which we construct programs, for representing object programs, that is, the programs in the object language on which the program transformation is to be performed. In practice, most representations chosen for typed object programs are typeless in the sense that the type of an object program cannot be reflected in the type of its representation. This is unsatisfactory as such typeless representations make it impossible to capture in the type system of the meta language various invariants in a program transformation that are related to the types of object programs. In this paper, we propose an approach to implementing program transformations that makes use of a first-order typeful program representation formed in Dependent ML (DML), where the type of an object program as well as the types of the free variables in the object program can be reflected in the type of the representation of the object program. We introduce some programming techniques needed to handle this typeful program representation, and then present an implementation of a CPS transform function where the relation between the type of an object program and that of its CPS transform is captured in the type system of DML. In a broader context, we claim to have taken a solid step along the line of research on constructing certifying compilers.
The Effect of Prior Chilling Exposure on Supercooling Ability and Developmental Success in Third-Instars of Eurosta solidaginis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

ABSTRACT The ability to initiate freezing at elevated subzero temperatures is deemed an important adaptation in freeze-tolerant insects, as this phenotype allows them to avoid potentially lethal flash freezing and to conserve both body water and stored energy. We investigated the effects of recent freeze exposure on the subsequent supercooling points (SCPs) of overwintering freeze-tolerant larvae (third instars) of the dipteran Eurosta solidaginis Fitch. This large data set also allowed us to characterize the distribution profile for SCPs and the potential impact of body size on this parameter. Larvae having recent freeze exposure maintained their seasonally elevated SCPs, with one group, 2 d postfreeze, showing a significant (P 0.05) rise in their SCPs. Despite differences in total body water content among larvae of varying body sizes, there was not a significant (P>0.05) relationship between body mass...
Modeling and Prediction of Time-Dependent Deformations of the I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge

To properly identify anomalous data in a structural monitoring system, the expected behavior of the structure under changing environmental conditions must be accurately determined. The St. Anthony Falls Bridge, a post-tensioned concrete box girder bridge, was examined as a case study for testing a data normalization scheme for temperature- and time-dependent deformations of an in situ structure. A methodology based on linear regression was developed to extract time-dependent behavior from the measured data. An Arrhenius-adjusted time was proposed to correct for the slowing and accelerating creep and shrinkage rates during the winter and summer, respectively. The extracted time-dependent deformations were compared to estimates using the finite element method. Bayesian regression was used to update the finite element model predictions using the measured data, substantially narrowing the expected bounds and facilitating anomaly detection.
Canthaxanthin and Excess Vitamin A Alter α-Tocopherol, Carotenoid and Iron Status in Adult Rats

beta-Carotene and excess vitamin A have been shown to reduce plasma alpha-tocopherol when fed to young rats. The present study assessed the effects of beta-carotene, excess vitamin A and canthaxanthin (4,4'-diketo-beta-carotene) on carotenoid, alpha-tocopherol and iron status in adult retired breeder rats. Male 8- to 10-mo-old rats (10/group) were fed varying levels of vitamin A as retinyl palmitate, beta-carotene and canthaxanthin ad libitum for 8 wk. The AIN-76A diet was modified to contain 16% (wt/wt) fat and 50% carbohydrate (control) plus beta-carotene or canthaxanthin at 0, 0.048 (BC1 or CX1) and 0.2% (BC2 or CX2) of the diet. These compounds were fed with and without excess retinyl palmitate (RP, 220 mg/kg). Higher relative liver weights were observed in CX- and RP-fed groups. Plasma retinyl esters were detected in all RP-fed groups. Plasma retinyl palmitate was 1.6- and 1.5-fold higher in RP-BC and RP-CX groups, respectively, than in the RP groups. Plasma and liver beta-carotene and canthaxanthin were 11-54% and 26-74% lower, respectively, with excess retinyl palmitate feeding. Feeding canthaxanthin and retinyl palmitate but not beta-carotene, resulted in lower levels of plasma alpha-tocopherol. Liver non-heme iron levels were also lower in CX-fed rats irrespective of retinyl palmitate feeding. These results extend to adult rats previous findings that excess retinyl palmitate alters vitamin E and carotenoid status prior to the manifestation of clinical signs of hypervitaminosis A. Additionally, canthaxanthin feeding lowers alpha-tocopherol and iron status in adult rats.
Intraoperative assessment of parathyroid hormone

Technological developments have significantly contributed to the rapid evolution of the surgical management of parathyroid disorders. The ability to physiologically determine the intraoperative status of the patient is now possible through the assessment of changing levels of intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) during surgery. In most patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, this method provides biochemical confirmation of hyperfunctional gland removal, and is predictive of a eucalcemic state and surgical cure. Patients with renal-induced disease (excluding tertiary hyperparathyroidism) do not follow the same kinetic decline in PTH and are therefore less likely to benefit from this modality. An emerging population of patients with primary disease and lower baseline levels of intact PTH appear to demonstrate a greater likelihood of manifesting multiple gland disease and do not follow a consistently predictable kinetic degradation profile. Although this category of patients will require further investigation, potentially resulting in modification of the utility of intraoperative determination of PTH levels, it is clear that this modality represents a very powerful technique which has significantly enhanced the surgical treatment of parathyroid disease.
Baseline monitoring of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larval response to benzoylhydrazine insecticides

A diet-incorporation larval bioassay was developed to measure the response of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), to the benzoylhydrazine insecticides tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide. The bioassay tested neonates and third, fourth, and fifth instars from a laboratory colony and neonates and fourth instars from a pooled population collected from five certified-organic apple orchards. Bioassays were scored after 6 and 14 d. No differences between the laboratory and field population were found for either insecticide. Significant differences were found in the response of third and fifth instars between the 6 and 14 d bioassays, primarily due to a high proportion of moribund larvae in the shorter assay. Larval age had a significant effect in bioassays and was more pronounced in 6- versus 14-d tests. Fifth instars were significantly less susceptible to both insecticides than other stages, while responses of third and fourth instars were similar. The response of neonates was significantly different from third and fourth instars to tebufenozide but not with methoxyfenozide in the 14-d test. Field bioassays excluded the use of fifth instars and were scored after 14 d. LC50s estimated for 18 field-collected populations varied five- and ninefold for tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide, respectively. The responses of all but six field-collected populations were significantly different from the laboratory strain. Five of these six populations were collected from orchards with no history of organophosphate insecticide use. The LC50 for methoxyfenozide of one field-collected population reared in the laboratory for three generations declined fourfold, but was still significantly different from the laboratory population. These data suggest that transforming current codling moth management programs in Washington from a reliance on organophosphate insecticides to benzoylhydrazines may be difficult.
Examining The Impact Of Sarbanes-Oxley On Non-Profit Health Care Organizations

This paper presented a proposal for research on how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 impacts a non-profit health care organization. The research study follows a qualitative research method of the case study. In this study, the researcher presented a brief introduction of the SOX act and discussed the research data collected in the case study. Qualitative case study method was used for analysis.
Mutation-Specific Cardiac Risk Assessment in LQT3

Long QT type 3 (LQT3) is a common form of LQT syndrome caused by mutations in the cardiac sodium channel. These mutations lead to an increase in the cardiac sodium current during the late phases of the cardiac action potential (AP), leading to cardiac arrhythmias. We attempted to predict mutation-specific cardiac event risk for LQT3 mutations using a combination of in vitro and in silico risk assessment. For that, we first characterized, using patch clamp, eight common mutations associated with LQT3. Using our data as an input to a cardiomyocyte computer model, we predicted action potential duration (APD) and early after-depolarization (EAD) susceptibility for these mutants, at different heart rates. Our risk predictions correlated well to the cardiac event risk observed in patients with these mutations. Second, we measured the effect of the late sodium blocker ranolazine for each of the mutants tested. We used the model to predict drug treatment efficacy. Interestingly, ranolazine showed mutation-specific effects, with some mutations showing strongly shortened APDs and decreased predicted risk, while little effect was observed in other mutants. Most importantly, for one of the mutations assessed, risk was predicted to be increased, despite shortening of APD. Thus, our results suggest that drug treatment efficacy is mutation-specific. In summary, our results show that mutation-specific in silico models may be an important new tool for clinical risk assessment in LQT3.
Influence of sediment grain size on the burrowing of bivalves; correlation with distribution and stratigraphic persistence of selected Neogene clams

Burrowing ability of 21 species of clams from Oregon, New Jersey, and Scotland was determined in each sieved sediment ranging from fine gravel to mud in half phi increments. A burrowing rate index (BRI), which normalizes burrowing time for specimen mass, was calculated for each species in each sediment. Skewness and kurtosis of the profile of average BRI's across the range of grain sizes was used to categorize species as substrate generalists, substrate sensitive, or substrate specialists. Substrate generalists (Anadara ovalis, Mercenaria mercenaria, Astarte sulcata, Venerupis decussata, Venus striatula, Venus casina, Mya arenaria] burrowed slowly into a wide range of grain sizes
Black Employment in Municipal Jobs: The Impact of Black Political Power

An analysis of affirmative action data regarding levels of black employment in the civil service of forty-three U.S. cities indicates that observed variations are mainly a function of the size of the black population and the presence of a black mayor. By interpreting the size of the black population as an indicator of potential bloc voting power and by making explicit the links between the mayor's office and the personnel system, we may conclude that civil service hiring represents one tangible benefit of black political po wer. Other possible hypotheses explaining variations in levels of black employment are less satisfactory, including the argument that minority employment is mainly a function of the expansion or contraction of the public sector. The research suggests that to some degree a politics of ethnicity which involves the distribution of divisible economic goods to a particular group as a consequence of that group's political power is still a possibility in American cities.
Abstract LB-281: Hodgkin Lymphoma requires stabilized NIK and constitutive RelB expression for survival

The REL family of transcription factors plays major roles in diverse cell processes and tumor etiology. Despite considerable evidence supporting the role of the REL members in the immune system and lymphomagenesis, it is not clear whether each REL controls unique targets in distinct subsets of B cell-derived lymphomas or whether each is redundant. We delivered specific shRNAs to knock down each REL member in representative non-Hodgkin (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cell lines. All NHL and HL cell lines were dependent on RelA and c-Rel for survival but only HL cells were sensitive to RelB depletion. ChIP-seq analysis uncovered an extensive nonoverlapping REL networks and that RelB directly controlled cell cycle regulators and apoptosis inhibitors including BCL2 and BCLx. However, the RelB shRNA in HL cells does not kill these cells by apoptosis. Electron microscopy revealed intact nuclei with considerable numbers of cytosolic vacuoles, indicative of autophagy. Secondly, ATG7, a key player in the autophagosomes development, is induced. We found that HL cell lines and primary tumors stably expressed NIK and that HL cell lines are missing either TRAF2 or TRAF3 protein (negative regulators of NIK). Unexpectedly, RelB shRNA resulted in the re-expression of TRAF2 and degradation of NIK protein. Lastly, both NIK shRNA and a small molecule inhibitor of NIK had the same phenotype as the relB shRNA. These data shed light on unexplored aspects of HL biology. We found that HL is the only GC B-cell derived malignancy that relies on RelB for viability, and thus differentiates Hodgkin lymphoma from non-Hodgkin lymphomas. These data argue that each REL member has specific and unique functions and gene targets, as we predicted from the lack of similarities in their transactivation domains. Furthermore, the RelB dependency in HL suggests that NIK is an attractive therapeutic target and the possibility of targeting NIK enzymatic activity in HL patients with diminishing side effects. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-281. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-281
Multimodal, multiplex Raman spectrometry for detection of ethanol in blood and tissue

We investigate the application of static, multimodal, multiplex spectrometers to the detection of the Raman spectrum of ethanol in blood and tissue. These spectrometers are optimized for use with weak, incoherent sources, and enable relatively high sensitivity in a completely integrated system.
Study of prediction method for contact resistance based on experiment constitutive relation

Contact resistance between bipolar plate and gas diffusion layer (B/D) is a key factor led to the power loss of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. It has important meaning for improving and optimizing the performance of PEM fuel cells by studying affected factors and formative rules of contact resistance and forecasting it accurately. Conception of contact resistance constitutive relation and forecast method of contact resistance based on experiment constitutive resistance were proposed. Experiment constitutive relation of contact resistance versus contact pressure of graphite-diffusion layer was obtained with experiment of flat compression. Contact resistance between graphite bipolar plate and diffusion layer under different clamping pressures was predicted with experiment constitutive relation,which was compared with experiment's result. As a result the forecast method of contact resistance based on experiment constitutive relation is feasible.
Drug therapy reviews: clinical pharmacology of antiepileptic drugs.

The absorption, distribution, biotransformation, excretion and clinical pharmacokinetics of antiepileptic drugs are reviewed. Six guidelines for the therapeutic use of these drugs are given: (1) when therapy with an antiepileptic drug is initiated or when dosage is raised or lowered, the new steady-state drug serum concentration and the full effect of the dosage change will not occur for five elimination half-lives; (2) a loading dose is usually necessary to immediately achieve a steady-state serum drug concentration equal to the usual maintenance steady-state serum drug concentration; (3) the choice of dosage intervals for antiepileptic drugs is determined in part by the range of fluctuation in drug concentration between doses that is acceptable; (4) addition of a drug to an existing antiepileptic regimen may raise or lower the serum concentration of prior drugs by inhibition or induction of their metabolism; (5) if possible, make only one change at a time in an antiepileptic drug regimen; and (6) antiepileptic drugs should not be given by the i.m. route in emergency situations.
Effects of neuraminidase on the regulation of erythropoiesis. III: Characterization of carbohydrate moieties on the surface of thymic regulatory cells that interact with erythroid colony-forming cells

In this study we further define cell surface carbohydrate structures relevant to cellular interactions that regulate erythropoiesis. An analysis of thymocyte cell surface negativity was made using fluoresceinated poly-L-ornithine (FITC poly-L-ornithine) as a probe that binds to negatively charged sites (i.e., sialic acid residues) at the cell surface. Two distinct subpopulations are labeled, comprising both intensely as well as weakly fluorescent subpopulations of thymocytes. Prior treatment of thymocytes with Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase (VCN), which removes cell surface sialic acid residues, markedly reduced the FITC poly-L-ornithine surface labeling of these cells. Distinct enzymatic modifications of regulatory cell functions were also assessed by the ability of thymocytes to function as separate regulatory subpopulations. Confirming our previous observations, treating thymocytes with VCN impaired the enhancement activity but had little effect on thymocyte regulatory ability to suppress erythroid colony growth. In contrast, treatment of thymocytes with galactose oxidase (GAO) or beta-galactosidase (beta-GAL) removed suppressor activity either before or after VCN treatment. A further exposure of GAO-treated thymocytes to sodium borohydride or hydroxylamine, which reduce D-galactose residues, restores their suppressor function and prevents enhancement. These differential enzymatic effects on thymocyte regulatory cell functions suggest that different carbohydrate structures may be involved in helper and suppressor activities for erythroid colony formation. Sialic acid residues may be associated with certain cells that function to enhance erythropoiesis, and D-galactose residues may be associated with the suppressor subpopulation.
TH-CD-201-01: BEST IN PHYSICS (THERAPY): Assessment of Thin-Film CdTe as An Effective Detector for Microdosimety at Gold-Tissue Interface

Purpose: Presence of interfaces between high and low atomic number materials, often encountered in diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy, leads to radiation dose perturbation. This phenomenon is characterized by a very narrow region of sharp dose enhancement at the interface. The rapid fall-off of the dose enhancement over a very short distance from the interface makes the experimental dosimetry nontrivial. We use an in-house-built inexpensive thin-film Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) photodetector to study this effect at the gold-tissue interface and verify our experimental results with Monte Carlo (MC) modeling. Methods: Three micron thick CdTe photodetectors were fabricated in our lab. One, ten or one hundred micron thick gold foils placed in a tissue-equivalent-phantom were irradiated with a clinical Ir-192 high dose rate source and current measured with a CdTe detector in each case was compared against the current measured for all uniform tissue-equivalent phantom. Percentage signal enhancement (PSE) due to each gold foil was compared against MC modeled percentage dose enhancement (PDE), obtained from the geometry mimicking the experimental setup. Results: The experiment based PSEs due to 1, 10, and 100 micron thick gold foils at the closest measured distance of measurement (12.5 micron) from the interface were 42.6 ± 10.8, 137.0 ± 11.9 and 203.0 ± 15.4 respectively. The corresponding MC modeled PDEs were 38.1 ± 1, 164 ± 1 and 249 ± 1 respectively. The experimental and MC modeled values showed a closer agreement at the larger distances from the interface. Conclusion: The dose enhancement near the gold-tissue interface was measured using an in-house-built high-resolution CdTe-based photodetector and validated with MC simulations. A close agreement of the experimental results with the corresponding MC modeled results shows that CdTe detector can be utilized for mapping interface dose distribution encountered in the application of ionizing radiation.
Microfield dynamics in dense hydrogen plasmas with high-Z impurities.

We use large-scale classical molecular dynamics to determine microfield properties for several dense plasma mixtures. By employing quantum statistical potentials (QSPs) to regularize the Coulomb interaction, our simulations follow motions of electrons as well as ions for times long enough to track relaxation phenomena involving both types of particles. Coulomb coupling, relative to temperature, of different pairs of species in the hot, dense matter being simulated ranges from weak to strong. We first study the effect of such coupling differences, along with composition and QSP differences, on the roles of electrons and various mixture components in determining probability distributions of instantaneous, total microfields experienced by the ions. Then, we address two important dynamical questions: (1) How is the quasistatic part of the total field to be extracted from the time-dependent simulation data? (2) Under what conditions does the commonly used approximation of ions with fixed Yukawa-like screening by free electrons accurately describe quasistatic fields? We identify a running, short-time average of the total field at each ion as its slowly evolving, quasistatic part. We consider several ways to specify the averaging interval, and note the influence of ion dynamics in this issue. When all species are weakly coupled, the quasistatic fields have probability distributions agreeing well with those we obtain from simulations of Yukawa-screened ions. However, agreement deteriorates as the coupling between high-$Z$ ions increases well beyond unity, principally because the Yukawa model tends to underestimate the true screening of close high-$Z$ pairs. Examples of this fact are given, and some consequences for the high-field portions of probability distributions are discussed.
A Behavioral Biometrics Based Approach to Online Gender Classification

Gender is one of the essential characteristics of personal identity but is often misused by online impostors for malicious purposes. However, men and women differ in their natural aiming movements of a hand held object in two-dimensional space due to anthropometric, biomechanical, and perceptual-motor control differences between the genders. Exploiting these natural gender differences, this paper proposes a naturalistic approach for gender classification based on mouse biometrics. Although some previous research has been done on gender classification using behavioral biometrics, most of them focuses on keystroke dynamics and, more importantly, none of them provides a comprehensive guideline for which metrics (features) of movements are actually relevant to gender classification. In this paper, we present a method for choosing metrics based on empirical evidence of natural difference in the genders. In particular, we develop a novel gender classification model and evaluate the model’s accuracy based on the data collected from a group of 94 users. Temporal, spatial, and accuracy metrics are recorded from kinematic and spatial analyses of 256 mouse movements performed by each user. A mouse signature for each user is created using least-squares regression weights determined by the influence movement target parameters (size of the target, horizontal and vertical distances moved). The efficacy of our model is validated through the use of binary logistic regressions.
Study of bovine pericardium biochemical and biomechanical properties during collagenase degradation using fluorescence lifetime imaging (Conference Presentation)

Bovine pericardium (BP) exhibits distinct biochemical and biomechanical properties that are dominant by the structural protein collagen. The enzymatic degradation of collagen molecules is critical for in vivo incorporation and remodeling of BP in tissue engineering applications. A non-destructive method for monitoring BP during degradation would provide a valuable tool for quantifying functional changes initially in vitro and ultimately in vivo. In this study, we demonstrated the sensitivity of multi-spectral fluorescence lifetime imaging system (ms-FLIm) developed by our group to collagen content and compressive modulus of BP during collagenase degradation. A pairwise study was performed using bacterial collagenase to partially digest BP. We measured the biomaterials properties with ms-FLIm and destructive conventional measurements including collagen assay, compressive test and histology. A single factor study design was utilized. Test group samples were digested by bacterial collagenase for 0, 8, 16 and 24 hours, while control group samples were prepared in the Hank’s balanced salt solution to control for time in solution. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kendall τB correlation test. The results demonstrate that fluorescence parameters measured by ms-FLIm are significantly correlated with collagen content and compressive modulus (|τB| > 0.45, p < 0.05). Based on these findings, we aim to predict BP’s collagen content and mechanical properties using fluorescence metrics, and ultimately apply ms-FLIm for non-destructively monitoring of in vivo remodeling of BP.
Sensor Architectures for Interactive Environments

As microelectronics have escalated in capability via Moore’s Law, electronic sensors have similarly advanced. Rather than dedicate a small number of sensors to hardwired designs that expressly measure parameters of interest, we can begin to envision a near future with sensors as commodity where dense, multimodal sensing is the rule rather than the exception, and where features relevant to many applications are dynamically extracted from a rich data stream. This article surveys a series of projects at the MIT Media Lab’s Responsive Environments Group that explore various embodiments of such agile sensing structures, including high-bandwidth, wireless multimodal sensor clusters, massively distributed, ultra-low-power “featherweight” sensor nodes, and extremely dense sensor networks as digital “skins”. This paper also touches on other examples involving gesture sensing for large interactive surfaces and interactive media, plus overviews projects in parasitic power harvesting.
Long-term facilitation in obstructive sleep apnea patients during NREM sleep.

Repetitive hypoxia followed by persistently increased ventilatory motor output is referred to as long-term facilitation (LTF). LTF is activated during sleep after repetitive hypoxia in snorers. We ...
On Some External Characteristics of Brain-like Learning and Some Logical Flaws of Connectionism

This paper attempts to define some common, externally observed, properties of human learning, properties that are common to all types of human learning. It is expected that any theory/conjecture about the internal learning mechanisms of the brain should account for these common external properties. Characterization of an autonomous learning system such as the brain has been one of the “large” missing pieces in connectionism and other brain-related sciences. The external characteristics of learning algorithms have never been defined in these fields. They largely pursued algorithm development from an “internal mechanisms” point of view. This paper is an attempt to rectify that situation. This paper also argues that some of the ideas of connectionism are not only logical flawed, but also are inconsistent with some commonly observed human learning behavior. The paper does not present any new learning algorithms, but it is about learning algorithms and what properties they should exhibit.
The New Treatment Approach to Subclavian Vein Thrombosis

The first step in treating Paget–Schroetter syndrome is to initiate anticoagulation in order to prevent further thrombus formation, and propagation into the distal arm as well as to prevent pulmonary thromboembolism. Once the diagnosis is made the patient should be placed on intravenous heparin peripherally using a high intensity regimen: a bolus of 100 u/kg intravenously in a vein of the non-affected arm, followed by continuous intravenous infusion at a rate preferably determined by monitoring the Xa which must reach a level of 0.3–0.7 to be effective. If the medical center is still using the PTT methodology (partial thromboplastin time) this should reach levels between 60 and 80. Before initiating heparin therapy platelet count must be obtained and monitored to detect the development of heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). The platelet count can drop drastically and rapidly if patients develop this syndrome. If this complication occurs, heparin must be immediately discontinued and a different anticoagulant employed.
Women-only spaces of open source

In this workshop paper, we present the preliminary results of an investigation into women-only spaces in Open Source Software (OSS) communities. We examined 355 OSS project websites, out of which only sixteen had women-centered spaces. We further investigated these sixteen websites and analyzed the content for identity, focus, activities and longevity of the women-centered online spaces. The results indicate that less than five percent of the examined communities have women-only spaces. Most of these women-only spaces welcome other minorities, including trans and ethnic or racial minorities. These spaces exist to provide a common forum for discussion, support, empowerment and engagement of minorities in OSS. Women-only spaces have been around for two decades, but not all the spaces that are created remain active. The active spaces have thousands of members and provide a combination of online and offline activities for improving women’s engagement, mentoring and networking.
The Many Lives of the Twisted Cubic

We trace some of the history of the twisted cubic curves in three-dimensional affine and projective spaces. These curves have reappeared many times in different guises. They have served as primary ...
Applications of NMR to Micellar Interactions and Catalysis

A short introduction to surfactant and micellar systems is given. A discussion of selected examples of micellar solubilization and catalysis studies with emphasis placed on nmr spectroscopic results is presented. The utility of nmr spectroscopy as well as its current status in investigations of micellar solutions is critically described.
Pharmacophore-Directed Retrosynthesis Applied to Rameswaralide: Synthesis and Bioactivity of Sinularia Natural Product Tricyclic Cores

A pharmacophore-directed retrosynthesis strategy applied to rameswaralide provided simplified precursors bearing the common 5,5,6 (red) and 5,5,7 (blue) skeleton present in several cembranoid and n...
Thinking Lean in Sonography

AbstractThinking LEAN is an informal way to continuously be aware of and look to improve the value of your surroundings. A sonography department has many moving parts or “steps.” Identification and...
Smells like home: The use of chemically-mediated rheotaxes by Limulus polyphemus larvae

Abstract The distribution of horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) larvae and early benthic juveniles is often non-random, with higher abundances typically found in areas of dense submerged vegetation (e.g., seagrass and algae) in coastal and estuarine nursery habitats. To determine if these distribution patterns are mediated by behavioral responses to chemical odors associated with potential settlement sites, we examined whether habitat chemical cues influence the swimming behavior (chemically-mediated rheotaxis) of horseshoe crab larvae at two different periods in their development: immediately after hatching (early-stage) and just prior to metamorphosis (late-stage). The hypothesis that larvae exhibit a positive rheotaxis (upstream movement) in the presence of chemical cues from submerged vegetation and negative rheotaxis (downstream movement) in response to odors from predators was tested in a laboratory T-maze. Larvae were exposed to seawater containing chemical odors from one of four sources: (1) water collected directly from the estuary, and odor water prepared with (2) aquatic vegetation, (3) potential predators, or (4) conspecifics. Behavioral responses of larvae varied with the source of the odor and the developmental stage of the larva. Both larval stages responded to estuarine water and water containing cues from the seagrass Halodule wrightii, a known nursery habitat, but response rates were greater for early-stage larvae. The response of larvae to H. wrightii odor was dose-dependent; upstream swimming response increased with increasing H. wrightii odor concentration. Though juvenile horseshoe crabs are also found within beds of Syringodium filiforme and Acanthophora spicifera, in our experiments early-stage larvae swam downstream away from both cues. In contrast, late-stage larvae exhibited a positive rheotactic response to the odor of A. spicifera. Conspecific odor had no effect on the rheotaxis of either developmental stage tested. Both larval stages unexpectedly responded to predator odors (blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus; killifish, Fundulus grandis) with a positive rheotaxis. When combined with a known positive cue (H. wrightii), killifish predator odor did not alter the rheotactic response of early-stage larvae; however, the addition of the predator odor reversed the upstream swimming behavior of late-stage larvae, likely indicating an alarm response to the presence of the predatory fish. Collectively, our results indicate that the distribution patterns of early benthic horseshoe crabs are a consequence of developmental shifts in oriented swimming behaviors (rheotaxes) that are mediated by chemical odors associated with settlement habitats. These behaviors should aid in the larva's ability to seek out and settle in advantageous habitat, thereby reducing predation and increasing survivorship.