cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract PHA04: A new somatic engineering-based model of small-cell lung cancer development

Defining the cancer genome is essential for understanding the pathogenesis, but it remains challenging due to the paucity of robust models for characterizing recurrent mutations found in cancer. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), an aggressive type of lung cancer initiated by inactivation of both RB and P53, it is important to determine the functional impact of recurrent mutations found in the patient tumors. To this end, we developed a somatic engineering approach, using a CRISPR/Cre hybrid tool that expresses guide RNA, Cas9 endonuclease, and Cre recombinase from a single adenoviral vector (Ad-target of gRNA-CRISPR/Cre). Intratracheal instillation of this recombinant virus causes mutation in a candidate tumor suppressor gene while recombining floxed alleles of Rb1, Trp53, and Rbl2 in the same epithelial cell. To determine functions of Ep300, Slit2, and Fhit, whose orthologous genes are frequently mutated in SCLC patient tumors, we infect the Rb1/Trp53/Rbl2 conditional mice with the viral vectors carrying gRNAs against these genes. The mice infected with Ad-Ep300-CRISPR/Cre or Ad-Fhit-CRISPR/Cre have higher tumor burden in the lungs than those infected with Ad-lacZ-CRISPR/Cre used as control. Although Slit2 is significantly mutated in SCLC, the mice infected with Ad-Slit2-CRISPR/Cre do not increase tumor burden relative to those with Ad-lacZ-CRISPR/Cre. These results for the first time validate the oncogenic impact of Ep300 and Fhit mutations. This study demonstrates the feasibility and robustness of a new somatic engineering-based model for characterizing candidate mutations, which will facilitate the discovery of key oncogenic drivers and pathways from the large number of novel somatic alterations in SCLC. Ongoing efforts with this new approach are focused on validation of functionally unknown mutations alone or in combinations. This abstract is also being presented as Poster A39. Citation Format: Kee-Beom Kim, Dong-Wook Kim, Kwon-Sik Park. A new somatic engineering-based model of small-cell lung cancer development [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Evolving Landscape of Cancer Modeling; 2020 Mar 2-5; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PHA04.
The workplace integration of veterans: Applying diversity and fit perspectives

Abstract Military veterans are a valuable part of the human capital resource pool. Nonetheless, veterans often struggle with their transition into civilian life and workplaces. This problem often limits the extent to which work organizations utilize their talents. Here, we briefly review relevant work from outside the management field and nascent work within the field to build a conceptual model for understanding the integration of veterans into the workplace. We do this by applying diversity and person-environment fit perspectives. A diversity standpoint helps us to understand veterans as a social group and their inclusion in the workplace, while the person-environment fit perspective helps us describe veterans’ compatibility with their work environments in terms of organizational demands and veterans’ needs. We intend for this conceptual model to guide future empirical research on veterans as human capital and their transition into civilian organizations as part of their societal reintegration, career development, and personal well-being.
Can the Oyster Speak? Pearling Empires and the Marine Environments of South India and Sri Lanka, c. 1600–1900

During the early modern and modern periods, three of the most powerful European commercial and military powers in a globalizing and interconnected world had surprisingly deep engagements with a humble bivalve mollusc in the shallow, fertile waters between India and Sri Lanka. This chapter examines the assemblage of scientific, political, and economic ideas that the Portuguese, Dutch, and British each brought to bear on the management of people and oysters in the Gulf of Mannar. It demonstrates that the pearl fishery not only was a source of jewels and revenue but also functioned as a space through which governmental power flowed, territorial sovereignty established, and scientific knowledge produced. In doing so, the oyster is understood not as a passive creature, but a live actor in a complex system formed by the relationship between animals, humans, and the natural world.
On-chip Parallel Photonic Reservoir Computing using Multiple Delay Lines

Silicon-Photonics architectures have enabled high speed hardware implementations of Reservoir Computing (RC). With a delayed feedback reservoir (DFR) model, only one non-linear node can be used to perform RC. However, the delay is often provided by using off-chip fiber optics which is not only space inconvenient but it also becomes architectural bottleneck and hinders to scalability. In this paper, we propose a completely on-chip photonic RC architecture for high performance computing, employing multiple electronically tunable delay lines and micro-ring resonator (MRR) switch for multi-tasking. Proposed architecture provides 84% less error compared to the state-of-the-art standalone architecture in [8] for executing NARMA task. For multi-tasking, the proposed architecture shows 80% better performance than [8]. The architecture outperforms all other proposed architectures as well. The on-chip area and power overhead of proposed architecture due to delay lines and MRR switch are 0.0184mm^2 and 26mW respectively.
School Counselors and Unified Educator–Counselor Identity: A Data-Informed Approach to Suicide Prevention:

School counselors are vital in crisis prevention and intervention. In this article, we discuss the unified educator–counselor identity as it informs the suicide prevention work of school counselors...
Humane shelter at home: a call to reimagine a core pandemic intervention.

### Summary box The devastating second wave of India’s COVID-19 pandemic has understandably provoked international outcry to accelerate vaccine rollout in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). The global vaccine rollout is indeed paramount and represents the most promising path out of this pandemic. At the same time, India’s second wave shows that vaccine distribution may not happen fast enough to avert catastrophic COVID-19 surges in LMICs. As in India, countries as varied as Nepal, Tunisia, Malaysia and Uganda have experienced recent surges, with warnings of imminent health system collapse and oxygen shortages similarly reverberating.1–3 In the near term, LMICs will not be able to treat or vaccinate themselves out of surges without great loss of life. Instead, saving lives will require competent implementation of public health measures that have been mainstays of combating this …
How to Avoid Guardianship for Your Clients and Yourself

The loss of mental capacity among the elderly too often leads to the imposition of guardianship. That need not be the case. Guardianship is frequently the result of the lack of planning. The proper use of durable powers of attorney, inter vivos trusts, and advance health care directives can greatly reduce the likelihood that an individual will ever be in need of a guardian. Appropriate housing is another key component because guardianship may be needed to move an older individual into housing that is safer and meets the individual’s need for some degree of assistance.
Affinity chromatography of thermolysin and of neutral proteases from B. subtilis

Abstract Affinity chromatographic systems are described for the purification of neutral metalloendopeptidases on columns of acetyl- D -phenylalanine or succinyl- D -leucine covalently linked to Sepharose by spacers of various lengths. The neutral proteases of B. subtilis are separated in a single chromatographic procedure from all other proteins of the culture filtrates and subfractionated into two active species. An analogous chromatographic system is effective in the purification of thermolysin of B. thermoproteolyticus .
Modeling of Polymer Processing and Properties

Kinetic Monte-Carlo lattice models are presented for the study of the effect of processing conditions on polymer structure and properties. These models clearly reveal the importance of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and density of entanglements in controlling the drawability of flexible polymers in the solid state. They have also been used to describe the processes of coagulation and quenching of a polymer solution and they are able to reproduce the wide variety of different polymer structures that can be obtained. Finally, turning to the processing of fibers into planar fibrous materials such as papers and nonwovens, it is shown that kinetic Monte-Carlo models can be equally successful at predicting their mechanical and permeability properties. Keywords: model; monte-carlo; processing; properties; drawing; coagulation; quenching; non-wovens
Unpulsed X-rays from pulsars

Preliminary results of several programs to detect thermal X-ray emission from isolated neutron stars are presented. Results of Einstein pulsar surveys indicate that either the majority of supernovas which leave remnants do not produce neutron stars, or the cooling calculations are in need of substantial revision. When appropriate relativistic thermodynamics and updated high energy nuclear physics are included, the new calculations predict significantly lower temperatures for standard neutron star equations of state. X-ray results give strong evidence that five of the seven historical remnants and a large majority of the other remnants of less than 1000 yr do not contain radio pulsars. A survey of known radio pulsars is also presented, which is designed to test the heating mechanisms required by various theories of pulsar emission and neutron star structure, and consists of a survey of all known pulsars within 300 pc.
A Review of Eating Disorders in Athletes: Recommendations for Secondary School Prevention and Intervention Programs.

SUMMARY The current review aims to evaluate the literature on eating disorders and athletes with the purpose of making recommendations for sport psychologists and other relevant personnel on how to proceed in identifying, managing, and preventing eating disorders in school settings. Whereas the intention of this review is to make recommendations for secondary educational settings, research on other populations such as collegiate and young adult athletes was also reviewed where helpful or where information on adolescent athletes was not available. Recommendations for prevention and intervention include ongoing education of athletes and coaches regarding nutrition, body composition, and performance, using appropriate screening to detect eating disorders, and use of a sport management team to aid in athlete recovery.
Housing Finance GSEs: Who Gets the Subsidy?

Taxpayer subsidies that flow toward housing-finance GSEs are implicit in nature. This makes the size and distribution of subsidy values hard to measure directly. An array of indirect analyses indicates that incentive-conflicted GSE managers can and do extract substantial annual subsidies for GSE stockholders. Currently, stockholders are allowed to encourage managers to exploit taxpayers by tying incentive compensation implicitly to increases in the discounted present value of expected future subsidies. To counteract this inappropriate incentive, managers should be made accountable to taxpayers for returning all compensation that can be fairly attributed to increases in subsidies captured by GSE stockholders.
Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotrisphosphate) potentiates both thrombin- and platelet-derived growth factor-induced inositol phosphate release in permeabilized vascular smooth muscle cells. Signaling mechanisms distinguished by sensitivity to pertussis toxin and phorbol esters

We compared the mechanisms by which thrombin and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) activate phospholipase C in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. Thrombin caused a transient (less than 5 min) increase in inositol trisphosphate (IP3) while PDGF caused a sustained (greater than 10 min) increase. Both pertussis toxin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) inhibited the thrombin-induced increase in IP3 but neither agent affected the PDGF-induced increase in IP3. To examine the role of GTP binding (G) proteins in the activation of phospholipase C by these two hormones, GTP analogues were introduced into saponin-permeabilized cells. In the absence of hormones, guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotrisphosphate) (GTP gamma S) caused a progressive increase in IP3 release which was inhibited 55% by PMA (200 ng/ml). In the presence of thrombin, GTP gamma S caused synergistic increase in IP3 release. The synergism between GTP gamma S and thrombin was virtually eliminated by 10 min prior exposure to PMA (200 ng/ml). When PDGF was the hormonal agonist, GTP gamma S also caused synergistic increase in IP3 release and guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) blunted PDGF-induced IP3 release. However, in contrast to thrombin, the synergism between GTP gamma S and PDGF was unaffected by PMA. Thus, thrombin and PDGF activate phospholipase C by signal transduction systems which differ in kinetic properties and in sensitivity to PMA and pertussis toxin. Despite these differences, both systems appear to involve GTP binding proteins at some step.
Pseudoneoplasms of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Abstract Context.—The pathologist plays the leading role in distinguishing pseudoneoplasms from truly neoplastic lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. Objective.—This review was conducted to heighten awareness of pseudoneoplasms, to help differentiate among the various types of pseudoneoplasms, and to help distinguish pseudoneoplasms from malignancies. Data Sources.—This review is based on the medical literature on pseudoneoplasms in MEDLINE and the authors' own experiences. Reference lists of retrieved articles were also reviewed to identify additional articles. Conclusions.—A classification of pseudoneoplasms, according to the mechanism of injury to the gastrointestinal tract, morphologic patterns, and heterotopia, may be useful in providing a diagnostic framework in which ancillary techniques often have a diagnostic role. Several pseudoneoplasms may be closely associated with true neoplasms (eg, malakoplakia, prolapsetype lesions) because of the nonspecific nature of the response of the intestine to i...
Evaluation of genome-wide chromatin library of Stat5 binding sites in human breast cancer

There is considerable interest in identifying target genes and chromatin binding sites for transcription factors in a genome-wide manner. Such information may become useful in diagnosis and treatment of disease, drug target identification, and for prognostication. In cancer diagnosis, patterns of transcription factor binding to specific regulatory chromatin elements are expected to complement and enhance current diagnostic predictions of tumor behavior based on protein and mRNA analyses. Signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (Stat5) is a cytokine-activated transcription factor implicated in growth and progression of many malignancies, including hematopoietic, prostate, and breast cancer. We have explored immunoaffinity purification of Stat5-bound chromatin from breast cancer cells to identify Stat5 target sites in an unbiased, genome-wide manner. In this report, we evaluate the efficacy of a Stat5-bound chromatin library to identify valid Stat5 chromatin binding sites within the oncogenome of T-47D human breast cancer cells. A general problem with cloning of immunocaptured, transcription factor-bound chromatin fragments is contamination with non-specific chromatin. However, using an optimized strategy, five out of ten randomly selected clones could be experimentally verified to bind Stat5 both in vitro and in vivo as tested by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation, respectively. While there was no binding to fragments lacking a Stat5 consensus binding sequence, presence of a Stat5 binding sequence did not assure binding. A chromatin library coupled with experimental validation may productively identify novel in vivo Stat5 chromatin binding sites in cancer, including abnormal regulatory sites in tumor-specific neochromatin.
Detection of critical congenital heart defects: Review of contributions from prenatal and newborn screening

In 2011, statewide newborn screening programs for critical congenital heart defects began in the United States, and subsequently screening has been implemented widely. In this review, we focus on data reports and collection efforts related to both prenatal diagnosis and newborn screening. Defect-specific, maternal, and geographic factors are associated with variations in prenatal detection, so newborn screening provides a population-wide safety net for early diagnosis. A new web-based repository is collecting information on newborn screening program policies, quality indicators related to screening programs, and specific case-level data on infants with these defects. Birth defects surveillance programs also collect data about critical congenital heart defects, particularly related to diagnostic timing, mortality, and services. Individuals from state programs, federal agencies, and national organizations will be interested in these data to further refine algorithms for screening in normal newborn nurseries, neonatal intensive care settings, and other special populations; and ultimately to evaluate the impact of screening on outcomes.
Velocity measurements in natural porous rocks

In the petroleum industry, there is a general belief that there must be a correlation between porosity and permeability in oil field cores. This has been demonstrated using porosity and permeability values measured on large cores from the same oil field. Now, with MRI techniques for non-invasively measuring fluid flow velocities and porosities inside oil cores, it is possible to develop quantitative correlations between local porosity and fluid flow velocity inside single core samples. Since velocity and permeability are related, these results could eventually be extended to give empirical equations relating porosity and permeability within a particular core sample. MRI was used to obtain local values of the porosity and fluid flow velocity in Casper sandstone during water injection. The correlation between local fluid velocity and local porosity is shown graphically and indicates that the average velocity increases with porosity, with no velocity for porosity equal to zero, as expected. In addition, the average flow rate of the fluid through the cross-section, as measured by MRI, is calculated and compared to the actual flow rate through the core sample. The results indicate bypassing of fluid around the perimeter of the core, and this conclusion is supported by 1D projections of the flow velocities at different overburden pressures.
Robust estimators for quantal bioassay

SUMMARY Extensions of robust estimators for the location of a symmetric distribution are given for the quantal bioassay problem. Asymptotic properties of the estimators are derived. A comparison in terms of asymptotic efficiencies under different tolerance distributions is made between the Spearman-Karber estimator and the trimmed mean and Tukey biweight estimators.
Pitch memory: an advantage for the left-handed

In an auditory or musical task, subjects made pitch recognition judgments when the tones to be compared were separated by a sequence of interpolated tones. The left-handed subjects performed significantly better than the right-handed and also had a significantly higher variance. Further analysis showed that the superior performance was attributable largely to the left-handed subjects with mixed hand preference.
Should routine screening for prostate-specific antigen be recommended?

OUTINE SCREENINGfor prostate cancer remains a controversial topic. Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer of men in the United States and caused more than 30000 deaths in 1999. It involves a wide pathophysiologic spectrum, fromindolentdiseasetorapidgrowth and metastasis. A continued increase in frequency of prostate cancerisexpectedasthebabyboomgeneration reaches the higher-risk age range for the disease. The main approaches to manage the disease include prevention, early detection (screening)andtreatment,andeffective treatment of advanced and/or metastatic disease. Currently, prostate-specificantigen(PSA)isthemost important tumor marker for the detection, staging, and monitoring of men with prostate cancer. 1 Wang and colleagues 2 purified
Variation of mitochondrial volume fraction along multiply innervated fibers in rabbit extraocular muscle

Mitochondrial volume fraction was compared among three regions along the length of six multiply innervated fibers (MIFs) in the orbital surface layer of rabbit superior rectus. These MIFs are of about 5 micrometer diameter toward the middle of their length, and of about 15 micrometer diameter toward their proximal and distal ends. The region of highest volume fraction (26%) was located toward the proximal end of their segment of minimal diameter, in apparent association with endplate-like nerve junctions. The region of lowest volume fraction (8%) was located at their distal segment of maximal diameter. The region toward the distal end of their segment of minimal diameter displayed an intermediate volume fraction (15%). These mitochondrial volume fractions were further analyzed in terms of the relative contributions of the I-band, the A-band, and the subsarcolemmal mitochondrial clusters. Comparable changes in mitochondrial content occur in both the I-band and A-band; in the fibers' distal segment of maximal diameter, however, the mitochondrial volume fraction in the A-band (5%) is lower than in the I-band (11%). These modifications of mitochondrial content along the fibers' length occur irrespective of the contributions of the subsarcolemmal mitochondrial clusters.
A Novel TV Slide Sequencing Arrangement

There has long been a need in the television industry for better slide handling and projection. Although the ideal slide projection system is probably yet to be made, we at WNBF-TV feel that we have come fairly close. Starting with a commercially available projector, and adding more elaborate controls and indicators, we have come up with a unit that may be remotely operated from the director's or technical director's position. The use of this projector in the small or medium sized station with proper equipment arrangement can greatly improve slide handling and offers strong possibilities of cutting down on the operating staff needed.
The simulation of random processes on digital computers: Unavoidable order

Nonrandom features of pseudorandom number generators are usually regarded as defects which may be minimized by improving the algorithms or resorting to larger computers. There are, however, certain elements of order which cannot be avoided even on digital devices of arbitrarily large capacity. For instance, on an N-state machine, pseudorandom number generators will terminate on fixed points or fall into loops after approximately √N steps. Combinatorial arguments then can be used to show that for any given algorithm and any finite device it is highly improbable that there are more than three or four distinct terminal loops. All pseudorandom sequences merging into these loops can be traced backwards to their initial numbers; and the resulting pattern of ”ancestor numbers“ can be charted in detail for any computer, even for noninvertible algorithms. The conflicting requirements of randomness and finite numerical precision lead to an ordered distribution of the set of initial numbers. In this sense neither the initial nor the final states of a simulation of chaotic behavior can ever be random. The ”few loop“ constraint could generate patterns of self-organization in nonequilibrium systems. Experimental evidence from the hysteresis of Ewing arrays supports this conjecture.
Contrast detection in fluid‐saturated media with magnetic resonance poroelastography

Purpose: Recent interest in the poroelastic behavior of tissues has led to the development of magnetic resonance poroelastography (MRPE) as an alternative to single-phase MR elastographic image reconstruction. In addition to the elastic parameters (i.e., Lame’s constants) commonly associated with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), MRPE enables estimation of the time-harmonic pore-pressure field induced by external mechanical vibration. Methods: This study presents numerical simulations that demonstrate the sensitivity of the computed displacement and pore-pressure fields to a priori estimates of the experimentally derived model parameters. In addition, experimental data collected in three poroelastic phantoms are used to assess the quantitative accuracy of MR poroelastographic imaging through comparisons with both quasistatic and dynamic mechanical tests. Results: The results indicate hydraulic conductivity to be the dominant parameter influencing the deformation behavior of poroelastic media under conditions applied during MRE. MRPE estimation of the matrix shear modulus was bracketed by the values determined from independent quasistatic and dynamic mechanical measurements as expected, whereas the contrast ratios for embedded inclusions were quantitatively similar (10%–15% difference between the reconstructed images and the mechanical tests). Conclusions: The findings suggest that the addition of hydraulic conductivity and a viscoelastic solid component as parameters in the reconstruction may be warranted.
Rendering high dynamic range images

In this paper, we review several algorithms that have been proposed to transform a high dynamic range image into a reduced dynamic range image that matches the general appearance of the original. We organize these algorithms into two categories: tone reproduction curves (TRCs) and tone reproduction operators (TROs). TRCs operate pointwise on the image data, making the algorithms simple and efficient. TROs use the spatial structure of the image data and attempt to preserve local image contrast.
Effect of ribavirin triphosphate on primer generation and elongation during influenza virus transcription in vitro

Abstract These studies examine the effect of ribavirin triphosphate (RTP) on two replicative functions associated with influenza virus nucleocapsids, primer generation and its subsequent elongation. To study primer generation influenza virus cores were added to β-globin mRNA in the presence of only [ 32 P]GTP. To examine elongation, ATP and CTP were added to the reaction mixture to permit limited elongation, and products from both reactions were separated on polyacrylamide gels and quantified. Under these conditions, the 50% inhibitory concentration of RTP for primer generation was 3.0 mM, and the 50% inhibitory concentration for elongation was 0.6 mM. RNA polymerase activity associated with cores isolated from clinical strains of influenza A and B viruses reacted as did the laboratory strain of influenza virus and was equally susceptible to inhibition by RTP.
Diamino benzo[b]thiophene derivatives as a novel class of active site directed thrombin inhibitors. 5. Potency, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic properties of modified C-3 side chain derivatives.

A systematic investigation of the structure−activity relationships of the C-3 side chain of the screening hit 1a led to the identification of the potent thrombin inhibitors 23c, 28c, and 31c. Their activities (1240, 903, and 1271 × 106 L/mol, respectively) represent 2200- and 2900-fold increases in potency over the starting lead 1a. This activity enhancement was accomplished with an increase of thrombin selectivity. The in vitro anticoagulant profiles of derivatives 28c and 31c were determined, and they compare favorably with the clinical agent H-R-1-[4aS,8aS]perhydroisoquinolyl-prolyl-arginyl aldehyde (d-Piq-Pro-Arg-H; 32). The more potent members of this series have been studied in an arterial/venous shunt (AV shunt) model of thrombosis and were found to be efficacious in reducing clot formation. However, their efficacy is currently limited by their rapid and extensive distribution following administration.
LOREN COREY EISELEY: IN APPRECIATION

Abstract. In his writings, Loren Eiseley revealed the feelings and the wonder that inspire many scientists in their work but that most scientists are unable or unwilling to write about. He was at once an anthropologist of science and the scientist's bard.
Assessing Magnitude of Effect from Rank-Order Correlation Coefficients

While Spearman's rho (ri) and Kendall's tau (t) are equally powerful rank-order correlation coefficients under conditions of normality, they have quite different metrics. When applied to the same d...
Muscarinic receptors in pineal.

Abstract The presence of muscarinic receptors in sheep and rat pineals was detected by binding of [ 3 H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([ 3 H]QNB), a potent and specific muscarinic antagonist. [ 3 H]QNB binding to sheep pineal membrane resuspensions was saturable and reversible, with a rate constant for association at 37°C of 6×10 8 M −1 min −1 and a rate constant for dissociation of 1×10 −2 min −1 . Kinetic and saturation experiments yielded an equilibrium dissociation constant of 13–18 pM and a concentration of binding sites equivalent to 1.1 pmol/g of original wet weight. This is only about 5% of the level of β-adrenergic receptors. Competition by a variety of cholinergic drugs confirmed the muscarinic nature of the binding sites. Experiments in rats failed to detect a significant decrease in pineal [ 3 H]QNB binding following bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy, suggesting that the binding sites are not localized exclusively on sympathetic terminals.
Auditory pathway encoding and neural plasticity in children with learning problems.

An inability to process auditory information, especially speech, characterizes many children with learning and attention problems. Our working hypothesis is that these speech-sound perception problems arise, at least in some cases, from faulty representation of the speech signal in central auditory centers. Preconscious neurophysiologic representation of sound structure by central auditory pathway neurons can be reflected by subcortical and cortical aggregate neural responses. These neurophysiologic responses can be modified by perceptual learning. Our research has shown that some children with learning problems demonstrate abnormal perception and neural representation of certain speech sounds. Differences between normal and learning-impaired groups can be attributable to aspects of neural synchrony that are reflected in aggregate neural responses. Deficiencies in neural synchrony in these children are apparent in subcortical (as well as cortical) representations of speech-sound structure, and these timing deficits are related to performance on speech-sound perception and learning measures. Moreover, impaired perception and neurophysiologic encoding of speech sounds can be improved with cue enhancement and can be modified by perceptual learning associated with auditory training.
Role of bile acids and neutral sterols in familial cancer syndromes of the colon.

Cholesterol is quantitatively the most significant sterol in mammalian tissues. The major metabolic pathway of this sterol leads to the formation of bile acids. The structural similarities between carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbons and bile acids aroused the suspicion that bile acids might play a role in carcinogenesis. In familial polyposis, a condition with a strong genetic predisposition to colonic cancer, a failure to degrade fecal cholesterol and bile acids to secondary products has been postulated as a marker of the phenotypic expression of this condition. In contrast, epidemiologic studies in populations at high risk for colonic cancer, and consuming diets rich in animal fat, protein, and refined carbohydrates, show a positive correlation with high fecal concentrations of bile acids and their metabolites. The suggestion that secondary bile acids might act in concert with colonic carcinogens in promoting neoplastic transformation is supported by observations from experimental studies. Among the secondary bile acids, lithocholic acid is unique in that it has been shown to be comutagenic, promote cell transformation, and induce DNA strand breakage,in vitro. It has also been shown to bind covalently to tissue proteins in human liver and in livers of carcinogen-treated rats.
The use of time-dependent projection operators in the derivation of master equations

In this paper we generalize our previous work on the use of time-dependent projection operators for the derivation of master equations for general systems. Previously we had generalized the usual time-independent projection operator approach to include time-dependent projection operators, in which the “relevant” part of the full density operator is considered to be the uncorrelated part of the full density operator. The “irrelevant” part of the density operator was then the part describing the correlations between the coupled systems. In the present work we present new time-dependent projections operators which have the property that some correlations between the interacting subsystems are placed in the “relevant” part of the distribution function and the remaining correlations are placed in the “irrelevant” part of the distribution function.
Ethanol-Promoted High-Yield Growth of Few-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

We report the use of a small concentration of ethanol in addition to ethylene as the carbon source for growth of dense vertically aligned “forests” of few-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Through a detailed comparison of CNTs grown with and without ethanol added to the C2H4/H2 feedstock, we quantify several important effects of the ethanol addition. We show that ethanol selectively reduces the number of CNT walls without changing the outer diameter, increases the catalyst lifetime more than 3-fold, and increases the rate of carbon conversion more than 5-fold. Online dewpoint and mass spectrometry measurements of the exhaust stream suggest that ethanol decomposes into active carbon species that enhance growth, and into H2O, which counteracts the accumulation of amorphous carbon and thus prolongs the catalyst lifetime. We performed a systematic study of the effect of the catalyst film thickness, and identify a set of conditions that provides growth of millimeter-tall double-walled CNT forests. Importantly, o...
New synthesis and biological activity of the cyclic tetrapeptides tentoxin and [Pro 1] tentoxin

The cyclic tetrapeptide tentoxin and the conformationally related analog [Pro1] tentoxin have been synthesized by a new solution methodology. D, L-3-phenyl-serine was employed as a synthetic precursor to the Z-dehydrophenylalanine substituent. Increased yields of both compounds were obtained when a modified cyclization procedure was employed through ring closure from the N-terminal substituents of N-methylalanine and proline to a C-terminal glycine. Biological activities were determined in a seedling assay used to measure chlorosis induction. Both tentoxin and [Pro1] tentoxin exhibited similar chlorosis inducing activity. Whole leaf extracts of chlorotic, [Pro1] tentoxin-treated seedling leaves lacked active polyphenoloxidase when subjected to electrophoretic analysis. Coupling factor1 (CF1) ATPase isozymes were assayed for ATPase activity in 10μuM-100 μuM solutions of tentoxin and [Pro1] tentoxin. CF1 ATPase inhibition was observed for both tentoxin and [Pro1] tentoxin. Inhibition of a single ATPase isozyme by tentoxin was alleviated at or above 50μuM while [Pro1] tentoxin inhibited two CF1 ATPases at concentrations up to 110μuM. No alleviation of ATPase inhibition was noted for higher concentrations of [Pro1] tentoxin.
Frequency-controlled series-resonant converter with synchronous rectifier

This paper presents an analysis and experimental results for a frequency-controlled series-resonant dc-dc converter that consists of a Class-D zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) series-resonant inverter and a center-tapped synchronous rectifier. If the dc output voltage is low, the efficiency of the converter is dominated by the efficiency of the rectifier. Low on-resistance metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are used in the rectifier instead of diodes because the forward voltage drop across the rectifying device is low, resulting in a high efficiency. The dc output voltage is regulated against variations in the load resistance and the dc input voltage by varying the operating frequency. Experimental results are presented for a converter with a dc input voltage of 150 V, an output voltage of 5 V, and a dc load resistance ranging from 0.5 to 5.5 R. The measured efficiency was 86% for a 50 W output and 89% for a 25 W output. The theoretical results were in good agreement with the measured results.
Ruthenium-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization−Oxidation of Homopropargyl Alcohols. A New Access to γ-Butyrolactones

Vinylidenemetal species, which readily form from terminal alkynes under mild conditions, have rarely been utilized as reactive intermediates in a catalytic cycle. The conversion of homopropargyl alcohols via such intermediates to metal-complexed oxacarbenes led to the development of an “oxidant” compatible with a ruthenium complex capable of performing the cycloisomerization, that would convert them to lactones. None of the oxidants known to stoichiometrically convert isolated metallooxacarbenes to esters are effective. The unconventional “oxidants”, N-hydroxyimides, proved to be capable of effecting the desired transformation, with N-hydroxysuccinimide being the “oxidant” of choice. The procedure of choice employs cyclopentadienyl (1,4-cyclooctadiene) ruthenium chloride and trifuryl phosphine as the precatalyst in the presence of tetra-n-butylammonium bromide or hexafluorophosphate with N-hydroxysuccinimide as the oxidant in DMF−water at 95°. In this way, a wide diversity of homopropargyl alcohols were c...
Multi-attribute data dynamics discontinuity identification: A probabilistic approach using linear modeling

Improvements in sensor technology and data processing rates are leading to the collection of vast databases of time series data. These data sets are spawning new applications that are transforming the way we live, work, and learn. In particular in the domain of vehicles, the rapid expansion of sensors to monitor both the state of the system and the occupants has led to an increase in the available data, but the research is still inconclusive on how to best handle this data. This paper develops one data representation that is scalable in dimension and efficiently stores/retrieves multi-attribute time series in the presence of noise. Here the proposed data representation is a multi-input multi-output autoregressive model (MIMO ARX) with an exogenous input. MIMO ARX models are an advantageous data representation because they are a dimension-reducing representation that inherently describes the inter-dependencies in the data while enabling the creation of efficient noise mitigation approaches. Tests using real-life vehicle data show the effectiveness of these data representations in the application of passenger vehicle localization.
Foreign Code Detection on the Windows/X86 Platform

As new attacks against Windows-based machines emerge almost on a daily basis, there is an increasing need to "lock down" individual users' desktop machines in corporate computing environments. One particular way to lock down a user computer is to guarantee that only authorized binary programs are allowed to run on that computer. A major advantage of this approach is that binaries downloaded without the user's knowledge, such as spyware, ad-ware, or code entering through buffer overflow attacks, can never run on computers that are locked down this way. This paper presents the design, implementation and evaluation of FOOD, a foreign code detection system specifically for the Windows/X86platform, where foreign code is defined as any binary programs that do not go through an authorized installation procedure. FOOD verifies the legitimacy of binary images involved in process creation and library loading to ensure that only authorized binaries are used in these operations. In addition, FOOD checks the target address of every indirect branch instruction in Windows binaries to prevent illegitimate control transfers to either dynamically injected mobile code or pre-existing library functions that are potentially damaging. Combined together, these techniques strictly prevent the execution of any foreign code. Experiments with a fully working FOOD prototype show that it can indeed stop all spyware and buffer overflow attacks we tested, and its worst-case run-time performance overhead associated with foreign code detection is less than 35%
Wind Turbine Power Capture Control With Robust Estimation

A robust control scheme to optimize the power capture of a wind turbine is proposed. A novel identification technique is used both to estimate the unknown aerodynamic properties and to regulate the turbine speed. A Lyapunov-based approach is adopted to choose the set point change direction so that power capture can be maximized for the given wind speed and environmental parameters. The set point consists of the turbine tip speed ratio and the turbine blade pitch. The efficacy of the controller is demonstrated through simulation.
Tissue-Specific Uptake and Bioconcentration of the Oral Contraceptive Norethindrone in Two Freshwater Fishes

The environmental presence of the oral contraceptive norethindrone (NET) has been reported and shown to have reproductive effects in fish at environmentally realistic exposure levels. The current study examined bioconcentration potential of NET in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Fathead minnows were exposed to 50 μg/l NET for 28 days and allowed to depurate in clean water for 14 days. In a minimized 14-day test design, catfish were exposed to 100 μg/l NET for 7 days followed by 7-day depuration. In the fathead test, tissues (muscle, liver, and kidneys) were sampled during the uptake (days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28) and depuration (days 35 and 42) phases. In the catfish test, muscle, liver, gill, brain, and plasma were collected during the uptake (days 1, 3, and 7) and depuration (day 14) stages. NET tissue levels were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Accumulation of NET in tissues was greatest in liver followed by plasma, gill, brain, and muscle. Tissue-specific bioconcentration factors (BCFs) ranged from 2.6 to 40.8. Although NET has been reported to elicit reproductive effects in fish, the present study indicated a low potential to bioconcentrate in aquatic biota.
Managing the Pediatric Facial Fracture

Facial fracture management is often complex and demanding, particularly within the pediatric population. Although facial fractures in this group are uncommon relative to their incidence in adult counterparts, a thorough understanding of issues relevant to pediatric facial fracture management is critical to optimal long-term success. Here, we discuss several issues germane to pediatric facial fractures and review significant factors in their evaluation, diagnosis, and management.
Micro Grid Voltage profile improvement using Micro Grid Voltage Controller

The Micro Grid concept has the potential to solve major problems arising from large penetration of distributed generation in distribution systems. A Micro Grid is not a robust system when compared to a power system. Therefore, proper control strategies should be implemented for a successful operation of a Micro Grid. This paper proposes the use of a central controller for the improvement of the dynamic voltage profile in a Micro Grid. The associated controller is termed as a Micro Grid Voltage Controller (MGVC). The MGVC is a secondary level voltage controller implemented in a Micro Grid test system. A dynamic simulation of the test system is carried out for the cases of with and without the MGVC for various disturbances. Both grid-connected and islanded modes of operation are considered. Results show that, with the addition of MGVC, the dynamic voltage profile of the Micro Grid system, especially at the load buses, will be improved.
Renormalization group constraints in two-Higgs theories

Abstract We use the SU(3)×SU(2)×U(1) renormalization group equations to constrain fermion masses and charged-scalar couplings in two-Higgs grand unified theories. We find upper bounds on the sum of all quark (or lepton) masses and show that the Cabibbo mixings of heavy quarks tend to be small. We bound the vacuum expectations values of the Higgs fields, and use these limits to place strong restrictions on the couplings of the charged Higgs scalar.
A 33-kDa polypeptide with homology to the laminin receptor: component of translation machinery.

Abstract A 33-kDa polypeptide (termed p40), which shares an antigenic determinant with a laminin receptor and is under translational control, is believed to serve as a precursor to the receptor and to be related to the neoplastic state. The present study of subcellular localization of this protein shows it to be a cytoplasmic component not associated with the plasma membrane. Most of the cellular p40 was found to be associated with polyribosomes as well as with 40S to 60S cytoplasmic particles. Conditions that lead to polysome disruption also caused release of the polysomal form of p40 as smaller particles, and polysome reconstitution was accompanied by uptake of p40 into these structures. Because of the large abundance of this protein in the cells (six to eight copies per ribosome), it is unlikely that it represents a factor that associates with the 40S preinitiation complex. The p40-containing particles appear to represent a newly discovered structure involved in the process of polysome formation.
Analysis of flow in a non-aerated hopper containing a square obstacle

The ability to predict gas-solids critical flow is a stringent test of the hydrodynamic model of fluidization. It is much more difficult to predict than single-phase compressible critical flow since there are many different two-phase momentum equation formulations in the literature. The hydrodynamic model presented in this paper, and used to analyze critical discharge flow from a non-aerated hopper containing a square obstacle, has already been validated extensively for a wide variety of experiments. The primary objective of this paper is to directly assess the computational ability of this hydrodynamic model to properly predict gas-solids critical flow. To our knowledge, such an assessment has not been previously performed in the open literature. Agreement with the solids velocity data obtained from particle position measurements using motion pictures is excellent. Important qualitatively observed physical phenomena, such as solids buildup on top and oscillating voidage below the square obstacle, are also predicted.
Asymptotic scaling in Hamiltonian calculations of the O(3) sigma model

By extending Hamiltonian variational techniques of a previous paper, we are able to calculate mass gaps in the asymptotic scaling region of the O(3) \ensuremath{\sigma} model.
Relationship of genital injuries and age in adolescent and young adult rape survivors.

Objective : To examine the associations between age and genital injuries in adolescent and young adult women examined following rape. Design & Setting : A retrospective review of 234 medical records from an emergency department sexual assault program. Sample : Women aged 14 to 29 years. Fifty percent of the sample was African American, 48% was White, and 2% was either Asian or an “ other ” race. Main Outcome Measures : Genital injury was described by injury prevalence, frequency, and anatomical locations of injuries. Results : Overall genital injury prevalence was 62.8%. Younger age was not signifi cantly associated with the presence or absence of genital injury. However, younger age was signifi cantly associated with an increased number of genital injuries overall and to the thighs, labia minora, periurethral area, fossa navicularis, and vagina.