cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Signaling Complexes Associated with the Type I Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Receptor: Colocalization of Extracellularly Regulated Kinase 2 and GnRH Receptor within Membrane Rafts

Our previous work demonstrated that the type I GnRH receptor (GnRHR) resides exclusively and constitutively within membrane rafts in alphaT3-1 gonadotropes and that this association was necessary for the ability of the receptor to couple to the ERK signaling pathway. G(alphaq), c-raf, and calmodulin have also been shown to reside in this compartment, implicating a raft-associated multiprotein signaling complex as a functional link between the GnRHR and ERK signaling. In the studies reported here, we used subcellular fractionation and coimmunoprecipitation to analyze the behavior of ERKs with respect to this putative signaling platform. ERK 2 associated partially and constitutively with low-density membranes both in alphaT3-1 cells and in whole mouse pituitary. Cholesterol depletion of alphaT3-1 cells reversibly blocked the association of both the GnRHR and ERKs with low-density membranes and uncoupled the ability of GnRH to activate ERK. Analysis of the kinetics of recovery of ERK inducibility after cholesterol normalization supported the conclusion that reestablishment of the association of the GnRHR and ERKs with the membrane raft compartment was not sufficient for reconstitution of signaling activity. In alphaT3-1 cells, the GnRHR and ERK2 coimmunoprecipitated from low-density membrane fractions prepared either in the presence or absence of detergent. The GnRHR also partitioned into low-density, detergent-resistant membrane fractions in mouse pituitary and coimmunoprecipitated with ERK2 from these fractions. Collectively, these data support a model in which coupling of the GnRHR to the ERK pathway in gonadotropes involves the assembly of a multiprotein signaling complex in association with specialized microdomains of the plasma membrane.
Population genetic structure and disease in montane boreal toads: more heterozygous individuals are more likely to be infected with amphibian chytrid

Amphibians are more threatened than any other vertebrate group, with 41 % of species classified as threatened. The causes of most declines are not well understood, though many declines have been linked to disease. Additionally, amphibians are physiologically constrained to moist habitats and considered poor dispersers; thus, they may suffer genetic consequences of population isolation. To understand threats to the persistence of boreal toads (Bufo boreas) in Glacier National Park, USA, we genotyped 551 individuals at 11 microsatellite loci and used Bayesian clustering methods to describe population genetic structure and identify barriers to gene flow. We found evidence of two primary genetic groups that differed substantially in elevation and two secondary groups within the high elevation group. There was also evidence of further substructure within the southern high elevation group, suggesting mountain ridges are barriers to gene flow at local scales. Overall, genetic variation was high, but allelic richness declined with increasing elevation, reflecting greater isolation or smaller effective population sizes of high altitude populations. We tested for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the fungal pathogen which causes chytridiomycosis, and we found that 35 of 199 toads were positive for Bd. Unexpectedly, more heterozygous individuals were more likely to be infected. This suggests that dispersal facilitates the spread of disease because heterozygosity may be highest where dispersal and gene flow are greatest.
Transcription and expression of the Herpes simplex virus tk gene inserted into proviral sequences of feline leukemia virus

Abstract Recombinant DNA molecules containing the herpesvirus tk gene inserted near the middle of a cloned feline leukemia virus proviral genome, in the same transcriptional orientation as the long terminal redundancies (LTRs), were used to transform human tk− cells. Analysis of RNA from cloned lines indicates that the 5' LTR promotes a high level of transcription which, as a result of differing RNA splicing and polyadenylation pathways, results in three large, abundant RNAs, two of which contain the entire tk coding region. The tk promoter itself initiates transcription of a smaller, relatively rare tk mRNA, of the same length and abundance as found in cells transformed with the tk gene alone. Assays indicate that there is little if any thymidine kinase (TK) enzymatic activity contributed by the abundant LTR-promoted transcripts. This is presumably due to inefficient initiation of tk translation from the longer LTR-initiated transcripts because of upstream AUG codons in the viral sequences. RNA blots indicate that the viral LTR is stronger as a promoter than the tk promoter. The results also indicate that about one-third of the LTR-initiated transcripts are polyadenylated at the tk poly(A) site, while the rest use the poly(A) site of the 3 ' LTR.
Covert visual spatial attention in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Lateral effects, methylphenidate response and results for parents

We report three related studies of covert visual spatial orienting in child attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In Study 1, we examined covert visual spatial orienting in ADHD and comparison boys, Study 2 comprised a dose-response study of methylphenidate for the ADHD group, and Study 3 was an investigation of biological and adoptive parents. In contrast with comparison subjects (n = 17). ADHD boys aged 6-12 (n = 27) showed both slower reaction times overall and within-condition (lateral) asymmetries in reaction times. Specifically, boys with ADHD reacted more slowly to uncued targets in the left visual field than in the right visual field. Responses to stimuli in the two visual fields were differentially affected by methylphenidate for the ADHD group. Medication equalized visual field responses to the uncued targets, resulting in a significant cue x dose x visual field interaction. Further, medication altered the relative cue responsivity in the two visual fields, resulting in a significant dose x visual field interaction for the Validity Effect. Biological parents of ADHD boys (n = 16) also showed slower reaction times to uncued left visual field targets than to right visual field targets; in addition they showed slower response to invalidity cued targets in the right visual field. These literal effects were not observed in adoptive parents of ADHD boys (n = 12) or biological parents of comparison boys (n = 14). Possible abnormal hemispheric asymmetry of attention functions in boys with ADHD and their biological parents is discussed.
Excitability in high-Lewis number premixed gas combustion

Abstract The dynamical behavior of freely-propagating premixed gas flames in tubes is studied experimentally in the high-Lewis number (Le) regime using a mixture of butane and oxygen diluted with helium (Le ≈ 4.0). Steadily-propagating, stable flames develop traveling wave and spinning instabilities as the stoichiometry of the mixture approaches the lean flammability limit. These instabilities occur spontaneously and form target patterns and rotating spiral waves, bearing remarkable similarity with patterns observed in excitable media. Additional experiments are conducted on burner-stabilized flames and indicate that these instabilities also occur in three common air-diluted mixtures with smaller Le's than their helium-diluted counterparts. Specifically, the instabilities are observed in stoichiometric and lean mixtures of butane-air (Le ≈ 2.1), propane-air (Le ≈ 1.9), and stoichiometric and rich mixtures of methane-air (Le ≈ 1.1) at sufficiently low mixture flow rates. Both experiments confirm model predictions that increasing conductive loss lowers the critical Le required for onset of instability.
On the thermomechanical modeling of shape memory alloys

Abstract In this work, a general inelastic framework for the derivation of general three-dimensional thermomechanical constitutive laws for materials undergoing phase transformations is proposed. The proposed framework is based on the generalized plasticity theory and on some basic elements from the theory of continuum damage mechanics. More specifically, a new elaborate formulation of generalized plasticity theory capable of accommodating the multiple and interacting loading mechanisms, which occur during the phase transformations, is developed. Furthermore, the stiffness variations occurring during phase transformations are taken into account by the proposed framework. For this purpose, the free energy is decomposed into elastic and inelastic parts, not in a conventional way, but in one which resembles the elastic-damage cases. Also, a rate-dependent version of the theory is provided. The concepts presented are applied for the derivation of a three-dimensional thermomechanical constitutive model for Shape Memory Alloy materials. Numerical simulations to show qualitatively the ability of the model to capture the behavior of the shape memory alloys are also presented. Furthermore, the model has been fitted to actual experimental results from the literature.
Creep resistant Mg-Al-Ca alloys: Computational thermodynamics and experimental investigation

The thermodynamic properties of the ternary Mg-Al-Ca system are investigated in this article, based on the Al-Ca, Al-Mg, and Ca-Mg binary systems. The equilibrium phases in the Mg-Al-Ca alloys studied are the primary magnesium matrix and Cl5-Al2Ca, as indicated by the calculated ternary phase diagrams. The experimental results are in good agreement with the thermodynamic calculations using Thermo-Calc software.
Object-oriented segmentation and classification of wetlands within the Khalong-la-Lithuny a catchment, Lesotho, Africa

Wetlands in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho provide important ecosystem functions which are the basis for valued ecosystem services. However, those functions and values are threatened because of erosion. Assessing the extent of wetlands and their condition is fundamental to developing a strategy for restoration and management, but that's a difficult task given the inaccessibility of the region. Remote sensing is recognized as an effective tool to identify wetland areas and assess erosion. This study adopted object-oriented image segmentation and classification methods to identify wetlands in first-order watersheds forming the headwaters of the Matete River and evaluate ongoing erosion. The object-oriented method achieved an overall accuracy greater than 84%. The results proved that the existing wetland inventory which was built from SPOT 5 images by manual photo-interpretation method overestimated area of wetlands and did not capture the on-going erosion in wetlands. The object-oriented method was useful in determining that gullies are prevalent within the wetlands in each of the sampled watersheds.
Quenching of the fluorescence of quinoline derivatives by exciplex formation with heteroatom-containing compounds

The efficient fluorescence of 2-phenylquinoline compounds is readily quenched by heteroatom-containing compounds such as amines and sulfides. The mechanism of quenching involves the formation of an exciplex between the quencher and the quinoline; in a few cases a new, red-shifted emission from the exciplex was observed. The efficiency of quenching depends on the ionization potential of the quencher - the compounds having low ionization potentials quench the fluorescence at a diffusion-controlled rate.
Holographic Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals and Polymeric Photonic Crystals Formed by Holographic Photolithography

The present article describes the experimental and theoretical observations on the formation of holographic, polymer-dispersed, liquid crystals and electrically switchable, photonic crystals. A phase diagram of the starting mixture of nematic liquid crystal and photo-reactive triacrylate monomer was established by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and cloud point measurement. Photolithographic patterns were imprinted on the starting mixture of LC/triacrylate via multi-beam interference. A similar study was extended to a dendrimer/ photocurative mixture as well as to a single component system (tetra-acrylate). Theoretical modeling and numerical simulation were carried out based on the combination of Flory-Huggins free energy of mixing and Maier-Saupe free energy of nematic ordering. The combined free energy densities were incorporated into the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau (Model C) equations coupled with the photopolymerization rate equation to elucidate the spatio-temporal structure growth. The 2-D photonic structures thus simulated were consistent with the experimental observations. Furthermore, 3-D simulation was performed to guide the fabrication of assorted photonic crystals under various beam-geometries. Electro-optical performance such as diffraction efficiency was evaluated during the pattern photopolymerization process and also as a function of driving voltage.
Synthesis and Characterization of Photocurable Elastomers from Poly(glycerol-co-sebacate)

Elastomeric networks are increasingly being investigated for a variety of biomedical applications including drug delivery and tissue engineering. However, in some cases, their preparation requires the use of harsh processing conditions (e.g., high temperature), which limits their biomedical application. Herein, we demonstrate the ability to form elastomeric networks from poly(glycerol-co-sebacate) acrylate (PGSA) under mild conditions while preserving a wide range of physical properties. These networks presented a Young's modulus between 0.05 and 1.38 MPa, an ultimate strength from 0.05 to 0.50 Mpa, and elongation at break between 42% and 189% strain, by varying the degree of acrylation (DA) of PGSA. The in vitro enzymatic and hydrolytic degradation of the polymer networks was dependent on the DA. The copolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate with PGSA allowed for an additional control of mechanical properties and swelling ratios in an aqueous environment, as well as enzymatic and hydrolytic degradation. Photocured PGSA networks demonstrated in vitro biocompatibility as judged by sufficient human primary cell adherence and subsequent proliferation into a confluent monolayer. These photocurable degradable elastomers could have potential application for the encapsulation of temperature-sensitive factors and cells for tissue engineering.
Lipid-induced aggregation of phospholipase A2: sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and crosslinking studies

The aggregation behavior of cobra venom (Naja naja naja) phospholipase A2 in the presence of lipids and Ca2+ was examined using ultracentrifugation and crosslinking techniques. Velocity sedimentation experiments were performed in sucrose gradients. The sedimentation coefficients of the cobra phospholipase A2 and various controls, including bovine serum albumin (BSA), malate dehydrogenase, carbonic anhydrase and pancreatic phospholipase A2, were calculated both in the presence and absence of ligands. The monomeric phospholipid, diheptanoylphosphatidylcholine, and the phospholipid analogue, dodecylphosphocholine (DPC), increased the sedimentation coefficient of the cobra phospholipase A2 from 2.2 S to 2.9 S, a value that is consistent with the formation of an enzyme dimer. The control proteins were unaffected by the presence of phospholipid, except for BSA, which apparently binds large amounts of DPC. Crosslinking experiments with glutaraldehyde showed that in the presence of diheptanoylphosphatidylcholine or DPC, the amount of crosslinked enzyme increased. Ca2+ had no effect on the aggregation state of the enzyme as measured by either technique. Both the ultracentrifugation data and crosslinking data are consistent with the hypothesis that the cobra venom phospholipase A2 exists as a dimer or higher-order aggregate in the presence of lipid substrate, although it is yet to be determined whether the functional subunit is a monomer, dimer or higher-order oligomer.
Incidence and remission of urinary incontinence in middle-aged women.

Objective The objective of the study was to describe changes in urinary incontinence in middle-aged women. Study Design A prospective analysis of 64,650 women aged 36-55 years in the Nurses’ Health Study II. Participants reported urine leaking in 2001 and 2003. Two-year incidence and remission proportions were estimated. Results The 2-year incidence of incontinence was 13.7%. Incidence generally increased through age 50 years and then declined slightly in older women. Among women with incident incontinence at least weekly, the incidence of stress incontinence increased through age 50 years (2-year incidence 1.7%), and the incidence of urge incontinence was stable across age groups (2-year incidence 0.4%). Also, a minority (38%) mentioned leaking to their physician. Complete remission of symptoms occurred in 13.9% of women with incontinence at baseline. Conclusion We found that incontinence occurs frequently in middle-aged women. Yet few women mentioned incontinence to their physicians; thus, it may be important to initiate conversations about urinary symptoms even among younger patients.
Integrated Assessment of Behavioral and Environmental Risk Factors for Lyme Disease Infection on Block Island, Rhode Island

Peridomestic exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi-infected Ixodes scapularis nymphs is considered the dominant means of infection with black-legged tick-borne pathogens in the eastern United States. Population level studies have detected a positive association between the density of infected nymphs and Lyme disease incidence. At a finer spatial scale within endemic communities, studies have focused on individual level risk behaviors, without accounting for differences in peridomestic nymphal density. This study simultaneously assessed the influence of peridomestic tick exposure risk and human behavior risk factors for Lyme disease infection on Block Island, Rhode Island. Tick exposure risk on Block Island properties was estimated using remotely sensed landscape metrics that strongly correlated with tick density at the individual property level. Behavioral risk factors and Lyme disease serology were assessed using a longitudinal serosurvey study. Significant factors associated with Lyme disease positive serology included one or more self-reported previous Lyme disease episodes, wearing protective clothing during outdoor activities, the average number of hours spent daily in tick habitat, the subject’s age and the density of shrub edges on the subject’s property. The best fit multivariate model included previous Lyme diagnoses and age. The strength of this association with previous Lyme disease suggests that the same sector of the population tends to be repeatedly infected. The second best multivariate model included a combination of environmental and behavioral factors, namely hours spent in vegetation, subject’s age, shrub edge density (increase risk) and wearing protective clothing (decrease risk). Our findings highlight the importance of concurrent evaluation of both environmental and behavioral factors to design interventions to reduce the risk of tick-borne infections.
Forecasting probability of target presence for ping control in multistatic sonar networks using detection and tracking models

This paper describes the forecasting of probability of target presence in a search area (also referred to as the PT map) considering both detection and non-detection conditions. Tracking results are also incorporated to obtain a more accurate PT map under the detection condition. The probability of target presence is a suitable metric for real-time ping control for a submarine search mission, whose objective is to quickly identify and localize as many targets as possible within the search area. Existing formulations of the probability of target presence metric for ping control include an open-loop approach in which measurements are ignored or a semi-adaptive approach in which measurements are considered but without the true/false target investigation. Since false contacts are inevitable in practical applications and the true/false target investigation of the contacts is not immediate, tracking results must be considered in the PT map generation to obtain an accurate assessment of the present and projected operational pictures. We develop an approach to obtain the current and forecasted PT maps by incorporating a measurement model, a sonar performance model, Bayes theorem and a centralized Kalman-Filter based tracker. The PT map is composed of two portions: the portion which contains detected target probability and the portion which contains missed target probability. Each portion of the PT map is updated and propagated separately. The forecasted PT map at the next ping time is obtained by combining the two propagated PT maps. It will be demonstrated by simulations that the combined forecasted PT map represents an accurate multistatic operational picture and can be used with a sonar performance model to obtain a field metric for ping control optimization for the area search mission.
Comparative genomics of Steinernema reveals deeply conserved gene regulatory networks

Parasitism is a major ecological niche for a variety of nematodes. Multiple nematode lineages have specialized as pathogens, including deadly parasites of insects that are used in biological control. We have sequenced and analyzed the draft genomes and transcriptomes of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae and four congeners (S. scapterisci, S. monticolum, S. feltiae, and S. glaseri). We used these genomes to establish phylogenetic relationships, explore gene conservation across species, and identify genes uniquely expanded in insect parasites. Protein domain analysis in Steinernema revealed a striking expansion of numerous putative parasitism genes, including certain protease and protease inhibitor families, as well as fatty acid- and retinol-binding proteins. Stage-specific gene expression of some of these expanded families further supports the notion that they are involved in insect parasitism by Steinernema. We show that sets of novel conserved non-coding regulatory motifs are associated with orthologous genes in Steinernema and Caenorhabditis. We have identified a set of expanded gene families that are likely to be involved in parasitism. We have also identified a set of non-coding motifs associated with groups of orthologous genes in Steinernema and Caenorhabditis involved in neurogenesis and embryonic development that are likely part of conserved protein–DNA relationships shared between these two genera.
Behavior, Reinforcement and Utility

The standard economic assumption about human behavior is that it optimizes overall utility. But in many controlled experiments on behavioral allocation, it has been found that organisms allocate their behavior so as to earn equal average rates of reinforcement from all alternatives. Equalizing average rates of reinforcement is a principle of allocation that generically violates the assumption of optimality.
Clouds on Titan during the Cassini prime mission: A complete analysis of the VIMS data

We use data from the VIMS instrument on board the Cassini spacecraft to construct high sensitivity and high spatial-resolution maps of the locations of tropospheric clouds on Titan in the late northern winter season during which the Cassini prime mission took place. These observations show that, in this season, clouds on Titan are strongly hemispherically asymmetric. Mid-latitude clouds, in particular, occur only in the southern hemisphere and have not ever been observed in the north. Such an asymmetry is in general agreement with circulation models where sub-solar surface heating controls the locations of clouds and appears in conflict with models where perennial polar hazes prevent significant summertime polar heating from affecting the circulation. The southern mid-latitude clouds appear to be distributed uniformly in longitude, in contrast to some previous observations. Southern high-latitude clouds exhibit a significant concentration, however, between about 180° and 270°E longitude. A spatially and temporally uniform cloud always appears northward of ~50°N latitude. This cloud appears unchanged over the course of the observations, consistent with the interpretation that it is caused by continuous ethane condensation as air subsides and radiatively cools through the tropopause. The location of this cloud likely provides a direct tracer of elements of north polar atmospheric circulation, potentially allowing continuous monitoring of circulation changes as Titan passes through equinox into north polar spring and summer. We show that a similar analysis of this dataset by Rodriguez et al. (2009) contains substantial errors and should not be used.
Comparing probe-and router-based packet-loss measurement

Empirical analysis of Internet traffic characteristics should not be biased by the measurement methodology used to gather data. We compare probe-(active) and router-based (passive) methods for measuring packet loss both in the laboratory and in a wide-area network. The laboratory case study demonstrates the accuracy of passive simple network measurement protocol (SNMP) measurements at low loss rates; the wide-area experiments show that active-probe loss-rate measurements don't correlate with those measured by SNMP from routers in a live network. This case study's findings also reveal that common methods for active probing for packet loss suffer from high variance and from the effects of end-host interface loss.
Dose response of sheep poisoned with locoweed (Oxytropis sericea).

Locoweed poisoning occurs when livestock consume swainsonine-containing Astragalus and Ox- ytropis species over several weeks. Although the clinical and histologic changes of poisoning have been de- scribed, the dose or duration of swainsonine ingestion that results in significant or irreversible damage is not known. The purpose of this research was to document the swainsonine doses that produce clinical intoxication and histologic lesions. Twenty-one mixed-breed wethers were dosed by gavage with ground Oxytropis sericea to obtain swainsonine doses of 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.0 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Sheep receiving $0.2 mg/kg gained less weight than controls. After 16 days, animals receiving $0.4 mg/kg were depressed, reluctant to move, and did not eat their feed rations. All treatment groups had serum biochemical changes, including depressed a-mannosidase, increased aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, as well as sporadic changes in lactate dehydrogenase, sodium, chloride, magnesium, albumin, and osmolarity. Typical locoweed-induced cellular vacuolation was seen in the following tissues and swainsonine doses: exocrine pan- creas at $0.05 mg/kg; proximal convoluted renal and thyroid follicular epithelium at $0.1 mg/kg; Purkinje's cells, Kupffer's cells, splenic and lymph node macrophages, and transitional epithelium of the urinary bladder at $0.2 mg/kg; neurons of the basal ganglia, mesencephalon, and metencephalon at $0.4 mg/kg; and cerebellar neurons and glia at $0.8 mg/kg. Histologic lesions were generally found when tissue swainsonine concentrations were o150 ng/g. Both the clinical and histologic lesions, especially cerebellar lesions are suggestive of neu- rologic dysfunction even at low daily swainsonine doses of 0.2 mg/kg, suggesting that prolonged locoweed exposure, even at low doses, results in significant production losses as well as histologic and functional damage.
Five-year results for endovascular repair of acute complicated type B aortic dissection

Introduction Despite a current lack of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the indication, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has replaced open surgical management for acute complicated type B aortic dissection due to promising short- and midterm data. However, long-term results, with a view toward durability and need for secondary procedures, are limited. As such, the objective of the present study is to report long-term outcomes of TEVAR for acute (≤2 weeks from symptom onset) complicated type B dissection. Methods Between July 2005 and September 2012, 50 consecutive patients underwent TEVAR for management of acute complicated type B dissection at a single referral institution. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained clinical database. Results Indications for intervention included rupture in 10 (20%), malperfusion in 24 (48%), and/or refractory pain/impending rupture in 17 (34%). One patient (2%) had both rupture and malperfusion indications. Ten (20%) patients required one or more adjunctive procedures, in addition to TEVAR, to treat malperfusion syndromes. In-hospital and 30-day rates of death were both 0%; 30-day/in-hospital rates of stroke, permanent paraplegia/paraparesis, and new-onset dialysis were 2% (n = 1), 2% (n = 1), and 4% (n = 2), respectively. Median follow-up was 33.8 months [interquartile range, 12.3-56.6 months]. Overall survival at 5 and 7 years was 84%, with no deaths attributable to aortic pathology. Thirteen (26%) patients required a total of 17 reinterventions over the study period for type I endoleak (n = 5), metachronous aortic pathology (n = 5), persistent false lumen pressurization via distal fenestrations (n = 4), type II endoleak (n = 2), or retrograde acute type A aortic dissection (n = 1). Median time to first reintervention was 4.5 months (range, 0 days-40.3 months). Of the 17 total reinterventions, six (35%) were performed using open techniques and 11 (65%) with endovascular or hybrid methods; there was no difference in survival between patients who did or did not require reintervention. Conclusions This study confirms the excellent short-term outcomes of TEVAR for acute complicated type B dissection and demonstrates the results to be durable and sustained over long-term follow-up. Although aortic reinterventions were required in one-quarter of patients, no aortic-related deaths were observed. These data support the use of TEVAR for acute complicated type B aortic dissection but also highlight the importance of life-long aortic surveillance by an experienced aortic referral center in order to identify and treat complications of the underlying disease process and treatment, as well as new aortic pathologies, as they arise.
Cognitive profiles of the carrier fragile X woman.

Cognitive deficits in females with fragile X [fra(X)] syndrome have been reported, but studies have rarely focused on women with normal intelligence, nor have they separated fra(X)-negative carriers from fra(X)-positive carriers. Questions specifically addressed here are: (1) is the degree of fragility predictive of IQ? (2) are cognitive patterns consistent across fragility levels? and (3) do consistent individual profiles exist? These questions were addressed with the help of 74 heterozygous women, 38 of whom were fra(X)-negative carriers. All women completed the WAISR, and full-scale IQ was normally distributed (mean = 99.65). A strong inverse relationship between IQ and fragility levels was found. Also, the group of fra(X)-positive women had a significantly different subtest pattern from that of the fra(X)-negative women. However, when results were analyzed individually, no consistent patterns emerged. The cognitive performance of fra(X)-negative carriers has probably been underestimated due to the lack of differentiation between positive and negative carrier females in previous studies. These women appear to be cognitively unimpaired and should be considered separately from fra(X)-positive women. Since consistent WAIS-R patterns are not observable on an individual basis, their use as a diagnostic/predictive tool appears to be inappropriate.
Design of optimal complex spreading codes for DS-CDMA using an evolutionary approach

The paper proposes a novel evolutionary approach to spreading code design in DS-CDMA. Specifically, a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm is used to generate complex spreading sequences that are optimized with respect to average mean square cross correlation and/or autocorrelation properties. A theoretical model is developed in order to demonstrate the optimality of the generated codes. The proposed algorithm enables spreading code design with no constraints on the code length. Furthermore, it is possible to generate K/spl ges/N codes of length N with very little cost in correlation properties. This results in significant capacity enhancement in DS-CDMA systems.
Writing on water, a lightweight soft-state tracking framework for dense mobile ad hoc networks

In a mobile ad hoc network, tracking protocols need to deal with-in addition to the mobility of the target- the mobility of the intermediate nodes that maintain a track toward the target. To address this problem, we propose the MDQT (Mobility-enhanced Distributed QuadTree) tracking framework. MDQT employs a static cell abstraction to mask the mobility of the nodes and provide the illusion of a logical static network overlaid on the mobile network. MDQT implements this virtual static network layer in a lightweight/communication-free manner by exploiting the soft-state principle and the snooping feature of wireless communication. Using simulations, we study the effects of the mobility speed and the percentage of mobile nodes on the performance of our MDQT framework. We find that even at very high mobility speeds (50 meters per second), low update rates (1 update per second), and 100% node mobility, the success rate of MDQT tracking is above 85% and the latency is comparable with that of static networks.
Mapping task graphs onto Network Processors using genetic algorithm

Network processors (NPs) are embedded system-on-a- chip multiprocessors that are optimized to perform simple packet processing tasks at data rates of several Gigabytes per second. They are the key components to build a performance-scalable and function-flexible network systems. To meet the performance demands of increasing link speeds and more complex network applications, NPs are implemented with several dozen of processor cores and run multiple packet processing applications in parallel. This trend makes it increasingly difficult for application developers to program NPs for high performance. This paper presents an automated task scheduling technique to address this parallel programming complexity. Our proposed technique is based on GA. By incorporating tasks dependency into scheduling list and encoding task scheduling list as a chromosome, GA can quickly remove the invalid mappings and evolve to the high quality solutions. This technique takes advantage of task-level and application-level parallelism to maximize system performance for a given NPs architecture. The simulation results show that this proposed technique can generate high quality mapping comparing to other heuristics by mapping some sample network applications. This work will also enable researchers and engineers to systematically evaluate and quantitatively understand the NPs system issues including application partitioning, architecture organizing, workload mapping and run-time operating.
Onboard contextual classification of 3-D point clouds with learned high-order Markov Random Fields

Contextual reasoning through graphical models such as Markov Random Fields often show superior performance against local classifiers in many domains. Unfortunately, this performance increase is often at the cost of time consuming, memory intensive learning and slow inference at testing time. Structured prediction for 3-D point cloud classification is one example of such an application. In this paper we present two contributions. First we show how efficient learning of a random field with higher-order cliques can be achieved using subgradient optimization. Second, we present a context approximation using random fields with high-order cliques designed to make this model usable online, onboard a mobile vehicle for environment modeling. We obtained results with the mobile vehicle on a variety of terrains, at 1/3 Hz for a map 25 × 50 meters and a vehicle speed of 1–2 m/s.
Lowering power consumption in concurrent checkers via input ordering

This paper presents an efficient and scalable technique for lowering power consumption in checkers used for concurrent error detection. The basic idea is to exploit the functional symmetry of concurrent checkers with respect to their inputs, and to order the inputs such that switching activity (and hence power consumption) in the checker is minimized. The inputs of the checker are usually driven by the outputs of the function logic and check symbol generator logic-spatial correlations between these outputs are analyzed to compute an input order that minimizes power consumption. The reduction in power consumption comes at no additional impact to area or performance and does not require any alteration to the design flow. It is shown that the number of possible input orders increases exponentially in the number of inputs to the checker. As a result, the computational cost of determining the optimum input order can be very expensive as the number of inputs to the checker increases. This paper presents a very effective technique to build a reduced cost function to solve the optimization problem to find a near optimal input order. It scales well with increasing number of inputs to the checker, and the computational costs are independent of the complexity of the checker. Experimental results demonstrate that a reduction in power consumption of 16% on the average for several types of checkers can be obtained using the proposed technique.
Chronological development of Ceratomyxa shasta in the polychaete host, Manayunkia speciosa.

Abstract The life cycle from release of myxospore sporoplasm to mature actinospore for the myxozoan parasite Ceratomyxa shasta in the freshwater polychaete host is described. Infection was initiated through exposure to lab-infected waters. Mature myxospores were present in the gut of segment 4 by 2 hr post-exposure (PE). Migration of early developmental stages occurred from the gut epithelium, through the nervous system, and into the epidermis. Once the parasite reached the epidermis, development typically occurred in segments 6–10. Life stages in the epidermis included a proliferative stage (schizogony), development of a pansporocyst (gametogony), sexual reproduction (gametogamy), and spore formation (sporogony). At water temperatures averaging 17.3 C, schizogony began by 3 hr PE, gametogony by 14 days PE, gametogamy by 35 days PE, and sporogony between 35 and 49 days PE. Development of mature actinospores took approximately 49 days PE. Up to 13,650 ± 7,807 actinospores could be released from a single po...
Inhibitory capacity in adults with symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Abstract Adult participants for the current study were placed into one of two groups depending on whether they manifested either high or low symptom levels of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as determined by the Wender Utah Rating Scale. Participants were also assessed on a battery of cognitive tasks as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety and substance abuse. The ADHD symptom groups were comparable in age and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Adults with greater ADHD symptomatology performed more poorly on cognitive measures of response inhibition (the Stop-Signal task) and visual attention, compared to those with fewer ADHD symptoms. Regression analysis indicated the Stop-Signal task accounted for a greater proportion of the variance of ADHD symptomatology than any other cognitive variable. The conclusions from the findings are discussed in relation to Barkley’s (1997) self-regulation model of ADHD.
Borophosphosilicate Glass(BPSG) Fusion Using Rapid Thermal Annealing and Steam Reflow: Physical Properties and Device Implications

With decreasing device geometry to below sub micron dimensions, there is a greater emphasis on reducing the thermal budget by shortening and/or eliminating high temperature processing steps. The use of RTP for borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG) fusion/reflow process, which is conventionally performed in diffusion furnaces in temperature range of 850-900 °C, has gained some acceptance in recent years. BPSG films were prepared by an atmosphericpressure chemical vapor deposition(APCVD) process. BPSG film properties such as stress, shrinkage, dopant uniformity and surface stability, step coverage, and flow angle, have been examined as a function of densification/reflow cycle. We used RTP-only, furnace-only, and RTP/furnace reflow annealing cycles. The impact of various BPSG fusion scenarios on underlying Ti salicide and P-channel and N-channel devices is discussed.
Reverse Micelle Synthesis of Zirconia Powders: The Use of Hydrogen Peroxide as Washing Solvent

Yttria-stabilized zirconia nanopowders were synthesized using AOT/isooctane reverse micelles. XRD results showed that the powders were tetragonal with crystallite sizes ranging between approximately 1-50 nm depending on the thermal treatment given to the powders. BET surface area analysis of the powders gave a specific surface area of 230 m2/g for the assynthesized powders and 19.3 m2/g for the powders treated at 1000°C. This results in equivalent powder particle diameters of 4 nm and 52 nm, respectively. Washing of the powders is a very significant step for successful post-processing of powders obtained by AOT/isooctane reverse micelles. The use of ethanol and dry ether did not remove AOT, as determined from EDS measurements. Subsequent experiments showed that a novel solvent (hydrogen peroxide) was effective in removing AOT from the powders. The reason for the effectiveness of the new solvent is its capacity to decompose the AOT into weak acids, which are easily washed away with deionized water.
Choosing Treatments on the Basis of Cost: Can Clinicians Opt for Less Expensive Treatments?

Providers, payers, health systems, and other stakeholders need to continue to question the incremental value of new therapies.
STUDIES ON ANTIBODY PRODUCTION VIII. THE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF CHLORAMPHENICOL ON THE SYNTHESIS OF ANTIBODY IN TISSUE CULTURE

When lymph node fragments from previously immunized rabbits were stimulated in vitro to produce a secondary response, the continuous presence of 50 µg/ml (0.15 mM) of chloramphenicol in the medium during the entire incubation period of 15 to 21 days produced nearly complete suppression of the response. Concentrations as low as 5 µg/ml (0.015 mM) produced approximately 80 per cent suppression of the response. When 50 µg/ml of chloramphenicol was present during only the first 6 days of culture, the secondary response was reduced 90 per cent. When it was absent for the first 6 days but present for the next 9 to 15 days, the response was reduced only 40 per cent. Since over 95 per cent of the antibody of the secondary response in most experiments appeared in the medium after the 6th day, chloramphenicol apparently inhibits antibody production by interfering with some early phase of the response. It is suggested that this interference involves messenger RNA and that animal cells have appeared resistant to this drug only because their complement of messenger RNA present when the drug has been added is stable over the short periods during which protein synthesis has usually been studied.
L'identification, au stade prétumoral, de la prédisposition aux néoplasmes gastrointestinaux

La detection precoce du cancer colique permet d’ameliorer l’efficacite du traitement. Un certain nombre d’anomalies permettent d’identifier des individus davantage susceptibles de developper un cancer colique, et ceci, avant meme l’apparition des manifestations cliniques de la maladie. C’est a partir de groupes ayant une predisposition genetique pour le cancer colique qu’elles ont ete individualisees. L’auteur en rapporte les differentes donnees actuelles: anomalies dans la proliferation des cellules epitheliales coliques, identification de constituants anormaux du contenu fecal, susceptibles d’avoir une activite carcinogenique, anomalie de l’immunite cellulaire. Leur connaissance et les etudes actuelles ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives pour la detection precoce des populations a risque eleve.
Rethinking Intellectual Property Rights

One way to jumpstart WTO talks is to rethink how we protect intellectual property. Many analysts now fear the current approach hampers technological progress and may lead to information oligopolies. This article presents a grand bargain on IPR to help stimulate global development.
Nanoporous polymers from cross-linked polymer precursors via tert -butyl group deprotection and their carbon dioxide capture properties

A two-step synthetic strategy has been developed to achieve functionalized nanoporous polymers via the deprotection of the cross-linked polymer precursors containing tert-butyl carboxylate-functionalized stilbene or styrene and N-phenylmaleimide alternating sequences. Three different deprotection methods to generate nanoporosity were examined in this work. The resulting nanoporous polymers showed a significant increase in BET surface area. The effects of cross-linking density and the stiffness of the alternating sequences on the nanoporosity of these polymers were studied. The resulting nanoporous polymers were also investigated as potential CO2 sorbents.
The validity of retrospective breast-feeding-duration data: an illustrative analysis of data quality in the Malaysian Family Life Survey.

This paper analyzes the quality of retrospective reporting of breastfeeding duration through reference to data from the Malaysian Family Life Survey. Observed breastfeeding patterns were compared with the standard breastfeeding schedule developed by Lesthaeghe and Page. The distribution of observed durations of breastfeeding was converted to proportions still breastfeeding at exact months and the logit transformation was applied to this distribution. Although the median values for breastfeeding duration were slightly higher in the fitted model than in the observed schedules the overall trends and levels were similar for the 3 ethnic groups in Malaysia (Chinese Malay Indian) and the 5 birth cohorts (1950-74). The fit was best in the age range from birth to 12 or 18 months. This analysis suggests that the reported durations of breastfeeding in the Malaysian Family Life Survey data form a plausible set of distributions and that the accuracy of reporting is good. The survivorship curves share a common functional form with a standard curve. It is concluded that for the purposes of statistical analysis of the effects of breastfeeding on infant mortality the reported distributions of breastfeeding durations obtained from the Malaysian Family Life Survey birth records can be accepted as reflecting an underlying biologically plausible shape apparently free from systematic distortion.
Improving Multiobjective Multidisciplinary Optimization With a Data Mining-Based Hybrid Method

Multiobjective, multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) of complex system is challenging due to the long computational time needed for evaluating new designs’ performances. Heuristic optimization algorithms are widely employed to overcome the local optimums, but the inherent randomness of such algorithms leads to another disadvantage: the need for a large number of design evaluations. To accelerate the product design process, a data mining-based hybrid strategy is developed to improve the search efficiency. Based on the historical information of the optimization search, clustering and classification techniques are employed to detect low quality designs and repetitive designs, and which are then replaced by promising designs. In addition, the metamodel with bias correction is integrated into the proposed strategy to further increase the probability of finding promising design regions within a limited number of design evaluations. Two case studies, one mathematical benchmark problem and one vehicle side impact design problem, are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving the searching efficiency.Copyright © 2015 by ASME