cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secure Edge Computing in IoT Systems: Review and Case Studies

Today, the architectures for efficient and secure network system designs, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics, are growing at a faster pace than ever before. Edge computing for an IoT system is data processing that is done at or near the collectors of data in an IoT system. In this paper, we aim to briefly review the concepts, features, security, applications of IoT empowered edge computing as well as its security aspects in our data-driven world. We focus on clarifying different aspects that should be taken into consideration while creating a scalable, reliable, secure and distributed edge computing system. We also summarize the basic ideas regarding security risk mitigation techniques. Then, we explore the presented challenges and opportunities in the field of edge computing. Finally, we review two case studies, smart parking and content delivery network (CDN), and analyze different methods in which IoT systems can be used to carry out daily tasks.
Synthesis of Chiral, Densely Substituted Pyrrolidones via Phosphine-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization

Densely substituted chiral pyrrolidones are synthesized via phosphine-catalyzed cycloisomerization of enantioenriched β-amino ynones, which are prepared in a single step using a highly enantioselective Zn-ProPhenol-catalyzed Mannich reaction. The exocyclic alkenes in the cyclization products provide versatile handles for further transformations and typically form with good E/ Z selectivity. This cycloisomerization method can be performed in streamlined fashion, without purification of the intermediate Mannich adduct, and extends to anthranilic acid based scaffolds in addition to ProPhenol-derived Mannich adducts.
Perspectives of Adult Rheumatologists Regarding Family Planning Counseling and Care: A Qualitative Study

Objective Little is known about whether and how rheumatologists provide family planning counseling and reproductive health care (FPCC) to reproductive-age women with rheumatic diseases. This qualitative study sought to assess rheumatologists' perspectives, attitudes, and practices regarding FPCC. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with a geographically diverse US sample of rheumatologists (n = 12). Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and a code book was inductively developed based on transcript content. Two coders applied the code book to all transcripts, and coding differences were adjudicated to full agreement. The finalized coding was used to conduct a thematic analysis. Results Six themes were identified across interviews. Rheumatologists said that they 1) feel responsible for providing some FPCC to patients, 2) experience tension between respecting patients' autonomy and their own anxieties about managing high-risk pregnancies, 3) view patient-initiated conversations as FPCC facilitators, and they regard lack of guidelines and the presence of competing clinical priorities as barriers to FPCC, 4) are reluctant to prescribe contraception, 5) desire greater access to resources to help guide FPCC, and 6) recognize the benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration with gynecologists. Conclusion Rheumatologists feel a sense of responsibility to provide some aspects of FPCC to reproductive-age female patients. However, their own apprehensions about managing complicated pregnancies may negatively influence how they advise patients about pregnancy planning or avoidance. Rheumatologists do not prescribe contraception but rarely refer patients to gynecologists for contraceptive care. Future work should focus on eliminating barriers and identifying solutions that support rheumatologists' efforts to provide high-quality FPCC to patients.
Antimutagenic, Antiinflammatory, and Potential Anticancer Substances from Marine Algae

This chapter summarizes advances on the discovery of antimutagenic and potential anticancer-type natural products from four species of marine algae. Although terrestrial plants have been broadly surveyed for antimutagenic substances, their marine counterparts have been evaluated on only a preliminary basis. Despite this lack of attention, several notable findings from marine algae have been reported, including our discovery that the tropical green alga Cymopolia barbata makes an assortment of potently antimutagenic terpene-quinones. We have reported on the structure of a novel pigment from the sheaths of diverse blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) that protects the subtending cells from the damaging effects of high ultraviolet irradiance. Subsequently, we found that this pigment possesses powerful antiinflammatory properties in mammalian systems. After study of another tropical blue-green alga, Lyngbya majuscula, we described a novel lipid, curacin A, that possesses potent antiproliferative activity through an antimitotic mechanism. We are currently exploring the mechanism of cytotoxic action displayed by an unique styrylchromone natural product from the marine cryptophyte Chrysophaeum taylori.
Impact and Potential Pitfalls of Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT

1221 Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous class of rare tumors which have been increasing in incidence, partly due to improved diagnosis.[1] Most NETs do not secrete hormones, such that the particular symptoms caused by a given NET are often non-specific, including abdominal discomfort arising from mass effects, or typical NET symptoms of diarrhea or flushing.[1] Early diagnosis of NET is pivotal for a successful management leading clinicians to the most optimal treatment option for an individual patient. In addition to clinical signs and symptoms, chromogranin A (CgA) as a sensitive tumor marker for NETs provide a diagnostic sensitivity of 70%-85%. However, this laboratory test is not sufficient for identification of tumor sites and also may not be as specific as desired because proton pump inhibitor therapy, atrophic gastritis, renal insufficiency, and numerous other conditions can cause elevated levels.[1] Imaging modalities, including CT, MRI, endoscopy, and endosonography have facilitated the diagnosis of suspected NETs. However, molecular imaging through targeting somatostatin receptors (SSTR) has allowed for more specific NET detection.[1] In-111 octreotide has been widely used in NET diagnosis, but a half-life of 67 hours, image acquisition at 24 and 48 hours, and its low sensitivity for primary NET in the range of 35%- 80% are its main drawbacks.[2] Ga-68 DOTATATE has been approved by the FDA on 6/1/2016 as a PET/CT probe.[3] Ga-68 DOTATATE targets mainly somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) and provides superior image quality, lower radiation dosimetry, and greater patient convenience compared to In-111 octreotide.[4] Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT has an estimated sensitivity of 90.9% (95% confidence interval, 81.4%-96.4%), and specificity of 90.6% (95% confidence interval, 77.8%-96.1%).[4] This molecular diagnostic tool through the Krenning scoring system has also been integral in the selection as well as follow-up of patients who undergo peptide receptor nuclide therapy (PRRT), with Lu-177 DOTATATE. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES 1) Clinical indications for Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT 2) Optimal PET/CT imaging protocol 3) Patient preparation for Ga-68 DOTATATE 4) Physiologic distribution of Ga-68 DOTATATE and the suggested interpretation scheme 5) Case examples showing pitfalls and potential sources for false positive and negatives 6) Clinical examples of Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT, in comparison to In-111 Octreotide SPECT/CT in selected cases and its attendant clinical impact. SUMMARY Patients with a NET suspected on the basis of clinical symptoms, elevated levels of tumor markers, and/or equivocal findings on other diagnostic modalities have greatly benefited from Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT, given its proven superiority to all existing imaging modalities that are in clinical use for patients with NET. However, imagers should be fully cognizant of using the correct imaging protocol, patient preparation, right interpretation scheme, potential pitfalls and expected clinical impact for improving clinical care of NET patients.
Synthesis of 2,7-disubstituted-5,6-dimethylpyrrolo-[2,3-d]-1,3-oxazin-4-ones as antifungal agents

A series of novel 5,6-dimethylpyrrolo[2,3-d]-1,3-oxazin-4-ones were synthesized from 2-amino-3-tert-butoxy-carbonyl-4,5-dimethylpyrroles. Two methods were used, cyclodehydration of 2-acylamino-3-carboxypyrroles with acetic anhydride and direct conversion of the 5,6-dimethylpyrrolo[2,3-d]-1,3-oxazin-2,4-diones to the title compounds with an anhydride directly providing the 2 substituent. Molecular modeling techniques revealed that these pyrrolo[2,3-d]oxazinones were rigid analogues of the allylamine antifungals. The compounds were tested for in vitro activity against Tricophyton and Scopulariopsis sp.
Drug-Impregnated Polymer Delivery

Abstract Primary or metastatic brain tumors are challenging to treat due to their aggressive and heterogenic characteristics and the limited availability of drugs and tools capable of permeating the blood–brain barrier (BBB). A vast array of methods has been explored to bypass these physical limitations, but over the past few decades only a small portion of these techniques and compounds have been translated into clinical practice. In this chapter, we focus our attention on different ways to efficiently deliver drugs across the BBB and enumerate some of the roadblocks to efficacious treatment. First, we briefly review the anatomic and functional barriers that prevent the diffusion of therapeutics in the central nervous system, which will clarify the unique challenges of brain tumor therapy. We then describe preclinical models and the clinical experience of polymeric drug delivery and practical applications for both primary and metastatic brain tumors.
Rapid Interface Flaw Extension With Friction: Varying Coulomb or Viscous Coefficients of Friction

ABSTRACT Interface flaw extension in compression and shear can lead to sliding crack surface contact with the possibility of friction. Two standard friction models - Coulomb and viscous - are studied for dynamic interface crack extension, and the results of analytical solutions indicate that the friction coefficients in both models should vary over the crack surface.
Towards a personalized aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-based therapy (Conference Presentation)

Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a prodrug that is converted in the heme biosynthesis pathway to protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and fluorescence-guided tumor detection and resection. Although ALA-based therapy has been clinically used for the treatment of various types of tumors, clinical outcomes of ALA applications are not satisfactory due to issues such as low tumor PpIX production, high PpIX fluorescence heterogeneity, and low tumor to normal fluorescence contrast. We argue that a personalized ALA-based therapy would overcome these limitations and result in enhanced therapeutic outcomes. Since PpIX is endogenously produced in the complex heme biosynthesis pathway composed of 4 cytoplasmic and 4 mitochondrial enzymes and subject to cell membrane transporters, ALA-based therapy needs to be tailored to tumor phenotypic and genotypic characteristics that affect tumor PpIX production and accumulation. We found that genetic alterations in heme biosynthesis enzymes in tumor cells could cause significant changes in ALA-PpIX production. In these tumors, a low dose of ALA was able to achieve better PpIX fluorescence contrast between tumor and normal cells than a high dose of ALA that is commonly used. For tumors with elevated transporter activity, combination of ALA and a clinical transporter inhibitor is necessary for increasing ALA-PpIX fluorescence and reducing PpIX fluorescence heterogeneity. Overall we hope to demonstrate that a personalized ALA protocol optimized to fit tumor phenotype and genotype offers better treatment outcomes than applying ALA based on a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Cell-Free Synthetic Biology”: Synthetic Biology Meets Cell-Free Protein Synthesis

Since Nirenberg and Matthaei used cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) to elucidate the genetic code in the early 1960s [1], the technology has been developed over the course of decades and applied to studying both fundamental and applied biology [2]. Cell-free synthetic biology integrating CFPS with synthetic biology has received attention as a powerful and rapid approach to characterize and engineer natural biological systems. The open nature of cell-free (or in vitro) biological platforms compared to in vivo systems brings an unprecedented level of control and freedom in design [3]. This versatile engineering toolkit has been used for debugging biological networks, constructing artificial cells, screening protein libraries, prototyping genetic circuits, developing biosensors, producing metabolites, and synthesizing complex proteins including antibodies, toxic proteins, membrane proteins, and novel proteins containing nonstandard (unnatural) amino acids. The Methods and Protocols "Cell-Free Synthetic Biology" Special Issue consists of a series of reviews, protocols, benchmarks, and research articles describing the current development and applications of cell-free synthetic biology in diverse areas. [...].
The “fixed” pie perception and strategy in dyadic versus multiparty negotiations

Abstract Mixed-motive negotiations are strategically, socially, and motivationally complex. Theorists argue that multiparty negotiations exacerbate these complexities leading to inefficient outcomes. In contrast, we propose that multiparty negotiators respond to the complexities of their negotiation context by using strategy differently than dyadic negotiators and that one reason why is that they arrive at the negotiation table with weaker fixed pie perceptions than dyadic negotiators. Results across three studies showed that multiparty negotiators had weaker fixed pie perceptions compared to dyadic negotiators. Multiparty negotiators also engaged in more integrative strategic behavior and used more complex complementary and structural sequences of behavior than dyadic negotiators. These differences in use of strategy helped multiparty negotiators achieve Pareto efficient outcomes equal to those of dyads. To obtain a conservative estimate of the effect size of context on fixed pie perceptions, we conducted an internal meta-analysis of our file drawer.
Integrating biocatalysis with chemocatalysis for selective transformations.

Abstract The integration of biocatalysis with chemocatalysis combines the excellent selectivity of the former with the robust reactivity of the latter and offers many advantages, such as lower cost, higher yield, enhanced selectivity, as well as less waste generation. In spite of the challenge of incompatibilities between different classes of catalysts, recent advances in synthetic chemistry and biology provide ample opportunities for multistep cascade transformations that combine biocatalysis and chemocatalysis. Herein, we review recent progress in merging biocatalysis with chemocatalysis, highlighting selected examples of photo-/electricity-driven biotransformations and recently developed strategies for addressing the catalyst incompatibility issue.
Expression and Purification of Tag-Free SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase in Escherichia coli .

Summary The RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase (RdRp) from SARS-CoV-2 is an important drug target because it is responsible for viral RNA genome replication. Efficient production of recombinant RdRp is important in screening antivirals to treat COVID-19. Here, we present our protocol for expression of tag-free replication complex proteins in E. coli and subsequent purification. Despite the added complexity of multiple purification steps, our methods provide greater activity, yield at lower cost, and are faster than baculovirus expression systems. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Dangerfield et al. (2020) .
Reining in Abuses of Executive Power through Substantive Due Process

Although substantive due process is one of the most confusing and controversial areas of constitutional law, it is well established that the Due Process Clause includes a substantive component that “bars certain arbitrary wrongful government actions ‘regardless of the fairness of the procedures used to implement them.’” The Court has recognized substantive due process limitations on law-enforcement personnel, publicschool officials, government employers, and those who render decisions that affect our property rights. Government officials who act with intent to harm or with deliberate indifference to our rights have been found to engage in conduct that “shocks the judicial conscience” contrary to the guarantee of substantive due process. A burgeoning body of case law, however, has limited substantive due process as a viable restraint on the conduct of officials in the executive branch of government. Some appellate courts have restricted substantive due process to claims involving deprivation of a fundamental right. Others have rejected all claims where only deprivation of property is at stake, or they have dismissed such claims where state law provides a remedy, thus confounding the treatment of procedural and substantive due process 1 Berger: Reining in Abuses of Executive Power through Substantive Due Proc Published by UF Law Scholarship Repository, 2008 520 FLORIDA LAW REVIEW [Vol. 60 claims. Further, the courts have narrowly defined the concept of a duty of care to immunize raw abuses of executive power. This Article asserts that substantive due process should be recognized as a meaningful limitation on arbitrary abuses of executive power and that victims of such abuse should not be relegated to the vagaries and increasing hurdles imposed by state tort law. The Article summarizes the origins and development of substantive due process in the Supreme Court as a limitation on legislative, judicial, and executive power. It then critiques the positions adopted by federal appellate courts regarding substantive due process as a limitation on executive power. It addresses separation of powers and federalism concerns that have been used to justify a crabbed interpretation of substantive due process. Finally, the Article suggests ways for attorneys litigating on behalf of government employees, arrestees and detainees, students, and landowners to invoke substantive due process as a meaningful restraint against misuse of executive power.
Influence of Capture Selectivity and Left-Intrahisian Block on QRS Characteristics During Left Bundle Branch Pacing

Objectives: To examine QRS and intracardiac characteristics during selective and nonselective left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) from direct left septal recordings.Background: Criteria for selective and LBBP have not been validated with intracardiac mapping.Methods: Pacing was performed from multielectrode Purkinje recordings below the left-sided His. Selective (S) and nonselective (NS) LBBP were performed in patients with narrow QRS (n=9), right bundle branch block (RBBB=3), intraventricular conduction delay (IVCD=5) (n=5), and complete left bundle branch block (LBBB=10). QRS duration was measured by two methods. Retrograde LBB conduction was assessed by stimulus to retrograde His (S-H) intervals. Results: In 27 patients, NS-LBBP resulted in narrower QRS compared to S-LBBP (QRSst:167{plus minus}27 vs 191{plus minus}40ms, p=0.018; QRSid:130{plus minus}17 ms vs 147{plus minus}21 ms; p=0.003) due to recruitment of the basal RV septum. Bidirectional left intrahisian block was present in all 10 LBBB patients with long S-H intervals. QRSst width was significantly longer in LBBB compared to those with IPA during NS-LBBP (180{plus minus}19 ms vs 154 ms [139-168 ms], p=0.013) and during S-LBBP (208{plus minus}35 ms vs 178 ms [158-200 ms], p=0.017). Conclusions: In contrast to His bundle pacing, selective LBBP predominantly yields a wide QRS as a result of delayed RBB synchronization, whereas nonselective LBBP results in shorter QRS duration due to recruitment of the basal RV septum. Wider morphology of LBBP was noted in patients with complete LBBB due to bidirectional left intra-Hisian block. Achievement of narrow QRS during LBBAP is predicated upon capture nonselectivity and/or programmed fusion, rather than intrinsic physiological synchrony from LBB stimulation.
Use of research electronic data capture (REDCap) in a COVID-19 randomized controlled trial: a practical example.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) are considered the ideal design for evaluating the efficacy of interventions. However, conducting a successful RCT has technological and logistical challenges. Defects in randomization processes (e.g., allocation sequence concealment) and flawed masking could bias an RCT's findings. Moreover, investigators need to address other logistics common to all study designs, such as study invitations, eligibility screening, consenting procedure, and data confidentiality protocols. Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) is a secure, browser-based web application widely used by researchers for survey data collection. REDCap offers unique features that can be used to conduct rigorous RCTs. METHODS: In September and November 2020, we conducted a parallel group RCT among Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) undergraduate students to understand if receiving the results of a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test changed the students' self-reported protective behavior against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the current report, we discuss how we used REDCap to conduct the different components of this RCT. We further share our REDCap project XML file and instructional videos that investigators can use when designing and conducting their RCTs. RESULTS: We reported on the different features that REDCap offers to complete various parts of a large RCT, including sending study invitations and recruitment, eligibility screening, consenting procedures, lab visit appointment and reminders, data collection and confidentiality, randomization, blinding of treatment arm assignment, returning test results, and follow-up surveys. CONCLUSIONS: REDCap offers powerful tools for longitudinal data collection and conduct of rigorous and successful RCTs. Investigators can make use of this electronic data capturing system to successfully complete their RCTs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The RCT was prospectively (before completing data collection) registered at ClinicalTrials.gov; registration number: NCT04620798 , date of registration: November 9, 2020.
Punnett Squares or Protein Production? The Expert-Novice Divide for Conceptions of Genes and Gene Expression

Concepts of molecular biology and genetics are difficult for many biology undergraduate students to master yet are crucial for deep understanding of how life works. By asking students to draw their ideas, we attempted to uncover the mental models about genes and gene expression held by biology students (n = 23) and experts (n = 18) using semistructured interviews. A large divide was identified between novice and expert conceptions. While experts typically drew box-and-line representations and thought about genes as regions of DNA that were used to encode products, students typically drew whole chromosomes rather than focusing on gene structure and conflated gene expression with simple phenotypic outcomes. Experts universally described gene expression as a set of molecular processes involving transcription and translation, whereas students often associated gene expression with Punnett squares and phenotypic outcomes. Follow-up survey data containing a ranking question confirmed students' alignment of their mental models with the images uncovered during interviews (n = 156 undergraduate biology students) and indicated that Advanced students demonstrate a shift toward expert-like thinking. An analysis of 14 commonly used biology textbooks did not show any relationship between Punnett squares and discussions of gene expression, so it is doubtful students' ideas originate directly from textbook reading assignments. Our findings add to the literature about mechanistic reasoning abilities of learners and provide new insights into how biology students think about genes and gene expression.
Embedded unsupervised feature selection

Sparse learning has been proven to be a powerful technique in supervised feature selection, which allows to embed feature selection into the classification (or regression) problem. In recent years, increasing attention has been on applying spare learning in unsupervised feature selection. Due to the lack of label information, the vast majority of these algorithms usually generate cluster labels via clustering algorithms and then formulate unsupervised feature selection as sparse learning based supervised feature selection with these generated cluster labels. In this paper, we propose a novel unsupervised feature selection algorithm EUFS, which directly embeds feature selection into a clustering algorithm via sparse learning without the transformation. The Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers is used to address the optimization problem of EUFS. Experimental results on various benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework EUFS.
Ecology of the Beaver in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

This is a report of continued investigations of population characteristics and habitat relationships of beavers in Grand Teton National Park. This study was supported by the New York Zoological Society and the Northern Rocky Mountain Cooperative Park Study Project. I wish to acknowledge the valuable assistance of personnel of Grand Teton National Park and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Dr. Oscar H. Paris, former Director of the Jackson Hole Biological Research Station from which this study was conducted, Dr. Jack C. Turner, and numerous friends and associates who aided in field investigations.
Progress in patterning of organic conducting polymers for photonic and electronic applications

We will present our work on the use of ink-jet printing to pattern conductive polymers for use as electrodes with predefined shapes and controlled conductivity.
Quantifying the complexity of IT service management processes

Enterprises and service providers are increasingly looking to process-based automation as a means of containing and even reducing the labor costs of systems management. However, it is often hard to quantify and predict the additional complexity introduced by IT service management processes before they actually have been deployed. Our approach consists in looking at this problem from a different, new perspective by regarding complexity as a surrogate for potential labor cost and human-error-induced problems: In order to effectively evaluate the benefits of IT service management processes – and to target the types of processes that contribute most to management complexity and cost – we need a set of metrics for quantifying the complexity and human cost of carrying out IT service management processes. This paper proposes such measures, and demonstrates how they can be applied to a typical service delivery process in order to assess its complexity hotspots as a basis for process re-engineering.
Build a dictionary, learn a grammar, decipher stegoscripts, and discover genomic regulatory elements

It has been a challenge to discover transcription factor (TF) binding motifs (TFBMs), which are short cis-regulatory DNA sequences playing essential roles in transcriptional regulation. We approach the problem of discovering TFBMs from a steganographic perspective. We view the regulatory regions of a genome as if they constituted a stegoscript with conserved words (i.e., TFBMs) being embedded in a covertext, and model the stegoscript with a statistical model consisting of a dictionary and a grammar. We develop an efficient algorithm, WordSpy, to learn such a model from a stegoscript and to recover conserved motifs. Subsequently, we select biologically meaningful motifs based on a motif's specificity to the set of genes of interest and/or the expression coherence of the genes whose promoters contain the motif. From the promoters of 645 distinct cell-cycle related genes of S. cerevisiae, our method is able to identify all known cell-cycle related TFBMs among its top ranking motifs. Our method can also be directly applied to discriminative motif finding. By utilizing the ChIP-chip data of Lee et al., we predicted potential binding motifs of 113 known transcription factors of budding yeast.
Rapidly evolving narcolepsy-like syndrome coinciding with severe OSA following pharyngoplasty in Prader-Willi syndrome

Our patient with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) not only displayed many typical syndromic features but also presented several unique challenges, with gross velopharyngeal insufficiency necessitating repair and severe obstructive sleep apnea developing thereafter, requiring ongoing non-invasive ventilation. This coincided with development of a narcolepsy-like syndrome, treated with dexamphetamine. Cataplexy, hypnogogic/hypnopompic hallucinations, sleep paralysis were absent and HLA-DQB1*06:02 was negative. Growth hormone (GH) therapy was commenced at 8 months of age and, as recommended, regular polysomnograms were conducted. Adenotonsillar growth on GH therapy is reported as well as several reports of sudden death in PWS patients on GH. Despite GH, lifestyle measures with regular dietician review, and an exercise program, there was progressive excessive weight gain. Our patient also developed moderate tonsil hypertrophy. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of severe obstructive sleep apnea secondary to sphincter pharyngoplasty coinciding with rapidly evolving narcolepsy-like syndrome.
Thymus-derived glucocorticoids are insufficient for normal thymus homeostasis in the adult mouse

It is unclear if thymus-derived glucocorticoids reach sufficient local concentrations to support normal thymus homeostasis, or if adrenal-derived glucocorticoids from the circulation are required. Modern approaches to this issue (transgenic mice that under or over express glucocorticoid receptor in the thymus) have yielded irreconcilably contradictory results, suggesting fundamental problems with one or more the transgenic mouse strains used. In the present study, a more direct approach was used, in which mice were adrenalectomized with or without restoration of circulating corticosterone using timed release pellets. Reversal of the increased number of thymocytes caused by adrenalectomy following restoration of physiological corticosterone concentrations would indicate that corticosterone is the major adrenal product involved in thymic homeostasis. A clear relationship was observed between systemic corticosterone concentration, thymus cell number, and percentage of apoptotic thymocytes. Physiological concentrations of corticosterone in adrenalectomized mice restored thymus cell number to normal values and revealed differential sensitivity of thymocyte subpopulations to physiological and stress-inducible corticosterone concentrations. This indicates that thymus-derived glucocorticoids are not sufficient to maintain normal levels of death by neglect in the thymus, but that apoptosis and possibly other mechanisms induced by physiological, non stress-induced levels of adrenal-derived corticosterone are responsible for keeping the total number of thymocytes within the normal range.
A normalized wave number variation parameter for acoustic black hole design

In recent years, the concept of the Acoustic Black Hole has been developed as an efficient passive, lightweight absorber of bending waves in plates and beams. Theory predicts greater absorption for a higher thickness taper power. However, a higher taper power also increases the violation of an underlying theory smoothness assumption. This paper explores the effects of high taper power on the reflection coefficient and spatial change in wave number and discusses the normalized wave number variation as a spatial design parameter for performance, assessment, and optimization.
Short baseline neutrino oscillations: when entanglement suppresses coherence

For neutrino oscillations to take place the entangled quantum state of a neutrino and a charged lepton produced via charged current interactions must be disentangled. Implementing a nonperturbative Wigner-Weisskopf method we obtain the correct entangled quantum state of neutrinos and charged leptons from the (two-body) decay of a parent particle. The source lifetime and disentanglement length scale lead to a suppression of the oscillation probabilities in short-baseline experiments. The suppression is determined by $\ensuremath{\pi}{L}_{s}/{L}_{\mathrm{osc}}$ where ${L}_{s}$ is the smallest of the decay length of the parent particle or the disentanglement length scale. For ${L}_{s}\ensuremath{\ge}{L}_{\mathrm{osc}}$ coherence and oscillations are suppressed. These effects are more prominent in short base line experiments and at low neutrino energy. We obtain the corrections to the appearance and disappearance probabilities modified by both the lifetime of the source and the disentanglement scale and discuss their implications for accelerator and reactor experiments. These effects imply that fits to the experimental data based on the usual quantum mechanical formulation underestimate ${sin﻿}^{2}(2\ensuremath{\theta})$ and $\ensuremath{\delta}{m}^{2}$, and are more dramatic for $\ensuremath{\delta}{m}^{2}\ensuremath{\simeq}{\mathrm{eV}}^{2}$, the mass range for new generations of sterile neutrinos that could explain the short-baseline anomalies and long disentanglement length scales.
Assessment of PC12 cell differentiation and neurite growth: a comparison of morphological and neurochemical measures

In vitro techniques are used increasingly to screen for and characterize neurotoxicants. In many cases, chemical-induced injury to developing neurons has been examined in vitro by assessing morphological changes in differentiation and neurite growth. This research evaluated the use of proteins associated with axonal growth and synaptogenesis as surrogates for morphological measurement of neuronal differentiation. PC12 cells, which differentiate upon nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation, were used as the in vitro model. NGF-induced (50 ng/ml) differentiation (cells with at least one neurite with a length equal to the cell body diameter) and neurite growth (length of longest neurite) were determined using light microscopy and computer-based quantitative image analysis. PC12 cell differentiation and neurite growth reached a plateau after 6 days in culture. Expression of the axonal growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43) and the synaptic protein synapsin I were assessed simultaneously by Western blot during cell differentiation. Expression of GAP-43 was low on Culture Day 0 and increased progressively to maximum levels on Culture Day 5. Likewise, synapsin I expression increased slowly on Days 0-4, and then rapidly on Days 5-7 of culture. Pharmacologic inhibitors of NGF-induced signaling were used to test the sensitivity of the proteins to chemical disruption of differentiation. The MAP kinase inhibitor, U0126 (5-30 microM) and the PKC inhibitor, bisindolylmaleimide I (Bis I; 1.25-5 microM) inhibited differentiation and neurite outgrowth in a concentration-dependent manner. U0126 and Bis I significantly decreased GAP-43, but not synapsin I expression. Interestingly, the PI-PLC inhibitor edelfosine (ET-18; 5-30 microM) stimulated differentiation at early times of exposure followed by a significant decrease in neurite length at later time points. However, ET-18 did not alter the expression of GAP-43 or synapsin I. These data suggest that GAP-43 may be a useful indicator of the status of PC12 cell differentiation.
Why salience is not enough: reflections on top-down selection in vision.

The target article represents a distillation of nearly 20 years of work dedicated to the analysis of visual selection. Throughout these years, Jan Theeuwes and his colleagues have been enormously productive in their development of a particular view of visual selection, one that emphasizes the role of bottom-up processes. This work has been very influential, as there is substantial merit to many aspects of this research. However, this endeavor has also been provocative—the reaction to this work has resulted in a large body of research that emphasizes the role of top-down processes. Here we highlight recent work not covered in Theeuwes’s review and discuss how this literature may not be compatible with Theeuwes’s theoretical perspective. In our view this ongoing debate has been one of the most interesting and productive in the field. One can only hope that in time the ultimate result will be a complete understanding of how visual selection actually works.
Transduction of graded Hedgehog signaling by a combination of Gli2 and Gli3 activator functions in the developing spinal cord

The three vertebrate Gli proteins play a central role in mediating Hedgehog (Hh)-dependent cell fate specification in the developing spinal cord; however, their individual contributions to this process have not been fully characterized. In this paper, we have addressed this issue by examining patterning in the spinal cord of Gli2;Gli3 double mutant embryos, and in chick embryos transfected with dominant activator forms of Gli2 and Gli3. In double homozygotes, Gli1 is also not expressed; thus, all Gli protein activities are absent in these mice. We show that Gli3 contributes activator functions to ventral neuronal patterning, and plays a redundant role with Gli2 in the generation of V3 interneurons. We also show that motoneurons and three classes of ventral neurons are generated in the ventral spinal cord in double mutants, but develop as intermingled rather than discrete populations. Finally, we provide evidence that Gli2 and Gli3 activators control ventral neuronal patterning by regulating progenitor segregation. Thus, multiple ventral neuronal types can develop in the absence of Gli function, but require balanced Gli protein activities for their correct patterning and differentiation.
Participants' assessment of a training institute in behavior therapy

Abstract This evaluation of the Eleventh Annual June Institute in Behavior Therapy conducted at Temple University Medical School in 1976 found that participants reported significant increases in knowledge, confidence and use of behavioral principles and techniques from before to after the institute, many of which were maintained at 2-yr follow-up. The goal of instructing trainees in principles of learning, the performance of behavioral analyses, and the use of specific behavior therapy techniques with a variety of clinical problems was achieved. The goal of proselytization was also achieved inasmuch as the institute trainees increased their use of behavior therapy, taught behavior therapy to others, and became more behavioral in their clinical orientation. Some participants learned and proselytized more than others, and the relation of various participant characteristics to outcome is examined. The most frequently mentioned recommendation was for future institutes to provide even more practicum time. The limitations of the present study and suggestions for future studies are discussed.
Biologic grafted repair of urethrovaginal fistula and concomitant synthetic sling

The utilization of a biologic graft interposition allows for a successful fistula repair and concomitant synthetic sling without an increase in complications.
A theoretical study of the aromaticity of hypervalent sulfur heterocycles

Abstract In this paper we report on the heteroaromaticity of 1,2,5-thiadiazole-1,1-dioxide (I) and its isomers 1,2,4-thiadiazole-1,1-dioxide (II), 1,3,4-thiadiazole-1,1-dioxide (III) and 1,2,3-thiadiazole-1,1-dioxide (IV) by calculating their electronic structures and estimating their aromatic character in terms of our previously developed criteria: N , MDQ, ΔE πL (NLMO) and ΔE πL (Boys) as well as comparing their total energies. (I) is shown to be the most aromatic isomer in good agreement with chemical reasoning and experimental evidence. The 1,1-dioxides of thiazole and isothiazole were predicted to be intermediate in aromaticity between thiophene-1,1-dioxide and the isomers, (I)–(IV). N value measures indicate that thiophene-1,1-dioxide would retain a small measure of aromatic character relative to thiophene ( N (thiophene) = 0.868, N (thiophene-1,1-dioxide) = 0.389).
The political and partisan determinants of patronage in Latin America 1960–1994: A comparative perspective

Abstract. Countries vary substantially in the level of political patronage exercised in their respective political systems. This article examines how hypotheses generated by the literature on economic, institutional-partisan and electoral factors account for variation in the level of political patronage in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Political patronage – operationalized as the proportion of spending on personnel to total spending, both at the central government and ministerial levels – is examined through a pooled cross-sectional time-series regression. Previous spending on personnel has the most consistent effect on political patronage, while the influence of political variables is more ambiguous. In contrast to conjectures that tie personalism and clientelism, it is shown that the presence of personalist parties in the legislature is negatively associated with patronage spending. Subsequently, the evolution of personnel expenditure in Argentina and Peru is traced, based on qualitative evidence and interview data.
Long-time temperature rise due to absorption of focused Gaussian beams in tissue

An analytical technique previously developed to study tissue displacement due to acoustic radiation force is extended to analyze temperature rise in tissue for exposure times that are comparable to, or longer than, the tissue perfusion time. A focused transducer with Gaussian amplitude shading is assumed to radiate into a perfused tissue medium with constant thermal and acoustic properties. A simple closed-form expression is derived for the steady-state temperature rise, and a transient correction term is constructed that allows for computation of the equilibrium time of the medium. Comparisons with temperature calculations for non-Gaussian transducers show that the model may be applied to more general intensity profiles.
Stability of algorithms for a two domain natural convection problem and observed model uncertainty

Two numerical algorithms are presented that couple a Boussinesq model of natural heat convection in two domains, motivated by the dynamic core of climate models. The first uses a monolithic coupling across the fluid–fluid interface. The second is a parallel implementation decoupled via a partitioned time stepping scheme with two-way communication. These new approaches are both proven to be unconditionally stable, a property not shared by traditional climate codes that use one-way coupling. Another critical property for a robust climate code is the reliability of the computation with respect to noise in unknown input parameters. This effect is measured by adding stochastic noise to two nonlinear coupling terms, involving momentum and heat transfer. Using an uncertainty quantification method known as stochastic collocation, we empirically measure the resulting variance in average surface temperature for each numerical model, including a third variant that employs one-way coupling for comparison. Throughout the duration of the simulation, we observe the smallest increase in variance using the monolithic algorithm and the largest increase using the one-way coupled algorithm.
Identification of protein networks associated with the PAK1-betaPIX-GIT1-paxillin signaling complex by mass spectrometry.

The process of cell motility involves coordinate signaling events among proteins associated in interactive integrin-linked networks. Mass spectrometric analysis of immunoprecipitation-derived protein mixtures have provided efficient means of identifying proteomes. In this study, we investigate strategies to enhance the detection of interactome proteins for the known signaling module: PAK1, βPIX, GIT1, and paxillin. Our results indicate that near-endogenous expression levels of bait protein enhances the identification of associated proteins, and that phosphatase inhibition augments the detection of specific protein interactions. Following the analysis of a large pool of spectral data, we have identified and mapped clusters of proteins that either share common interactions among the four bait proteins of interest or are exclusive to single bait proteins. Taken together, these data indicate that biochemical manipulations can enhance the ability for LC−MS/MS to identify interactome proteins, and that qualita...
Purification and composition of lipopolysaccharides from Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea

Abstract Purified lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from four races of Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea were assayed for phytoalexin elicitor activity in soybean cotyledons, and isolated O-chain fractions were chemically characterized. The LPS were weak elicitors of glyceollin accumulation, but no race specificity was noted. SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed considerable size heterogeneity in the LPS but only slight differences were noted between preparations from the various races. The major components of the O-chain fractions from all races were rhamnose and N-acetylglucosamine. The ratio of these components in preparations from race 4 differed significantly from those of races 1, 5 and 6.
A preliminary assessment of beryllium dust oxidation during a wet bypass accident in a fusion reactor

A beryllium dust oxidation model has been developed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) by the Fusion Safety Program (FSP) for the MELCOR safety computer code. The purpose of this model is to investigate hydrogen production from beryllium dust layers on hot surfaces inside a fusion reactor vacuum vessel (VV) during in-vessel loss-of-cooling accidents (LOCAs). This beryllium dust oxidation model accounts for the diffusion of steam into a beryllium dust layer, the oxidation of the dust particles inside this layer based on the beryllium-steam oxidation equations developed at the INL, and the effective thermal conductivity of this beryllium dust layer. This paper details this oxidation model and presents the results of the application of this model to a wet bypass accident scenario in the ITER device.
ANALYSIS OF WORK GROUP PRODUCTIVITY IN AN APPLIED SETTING: APPLICATION OF A TIME SERIES PANEL DESIGN

We provide a demonstration of a time series panel analysis applied under typical field research conditions characterized by (a) a small number of groups (b) all of which experience an intervention (thus there is no traditional control group), and (c) perform noncomparable tasks. The time series techniques allow a direct test of Naylor, Pritchard, and Ilgen's (1980) theory of behavior in organizations applied to work group productivity in a large-scale study of work groups conducted by Pritchard and colleagues (1989). The responses of 5 work groups to priority scores for 37 indicators of productivity over 23 months were used to predict month-by-month changes in productivity for each of the 37 group products. The results show that group productivity improvements can be explained by feedback including priority scores derived from nonlinear contingency functions of the productivity indicators. Furthermore, groups differed in their response to priority feedback. Goal setting positively affected productivity gain consistently across work groups, after the effects of priority feedback and the interaction of work groups with priority feedback were accounted for. Implications for group performance strategies and appropriate applications of the time series panel analysis are discussed.
Tribology challenges of modern magnetic hard disk drives

This paper reviews the effect of the design evolution of modern magnetic hard disk drives on tribological challenges, such as wearless high-speed contact, ultra-thin lubrication, corrosion protection, and requirements of thinner carbon overcoat. We will present some data on slider wear measurements on the order of nanometers, lubricant migration and depletion as linked to tribological reliability, lubricant bonding kinetics on different carbon overcoats, corrosion protection using lubricant and thin carbon coatings, and lubricant de-wetting.