cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AtomTracker: A Comprehensive Approach to Atomic Region Inference and Violation Detection

A particularly insidious type of concurrency bug is atomicity violations. While there has been substantial work on automatic detection of atomicity violations, each existing technique has focused on a certain type of atomic region. To address this limitation, this paper presents Atom Tracker, a comprehensive approach to atomic region inference and violation detection. Atom Tracker is the first scheme to (1) automatically infer generic atomic regions (not limited by issues such as the number of variables accessed, the number of instructions included, or the type of code construct the region is embedded in) and (2) automatically detect violations of them at runtime with negligible execution overhead. Atom Tracker provides novel algorithms to infer generic atomic regions and to detect atomicity violations of them. Moreover, we present a hardware implementation of the violation detection algorithm that leverages cache coherence state transitions in a multiprocessor. In our evaluation, we take eight atomicity violation bugs from real-world codes like Apache, MySql, and Mozilla, and show that Atom Tracker detects them all. In addition, Atom Tracker automatically infers all of the atomic regions in a set of micro benchmarks accurately. Finally, we also show that the hardware implementation induces a negligible execution time overhead of 0.2&#x2013;4.0% and, therefore, enables Atom Tracker to find atomicity violations on-the-fly in production runs.
Comparison of structurally-related alkoxide, amine, and thiolate-ligated MII (M = Fe, Co) complexes: The influence of thiolates on the properties of biologically relevant metal complexes

Abstract Mechanistic pathways of metalloenzymes are controlled by the metal ion’s electronic and magnetic properties, which are tuned by the coordinated ligands. The functional advantage gained by incorporating cysteinates into the active site of non-heme iron enzymes such as superoxide reductase (SOR) is not entirely understood. Herein, we compare the structural and redox properties of a series of structurally-related thiolate, alkoxide, and amine-ligated Fe(II) complexes in order to determine how the thiolate influences properties critical to function. Thiolates are shown to reduce metal ion Lewis acidity relative to alkoxides and amines, and have a strong trans influence thereby helping to maintain an open coordination site. Comparison of the redox potentials of the structurally analogous compounds described herein shows that alkoxide ligands favor the higher-valent Fe3+ oxidation state, amine ligands favor the reduced Fe2+ oxidation state, and thiolates fall somewhere in between. These properties provide a functional advantage for substrate reducing enzymes in that they provide a site at the metal ion for substrate to bind, and a moderate potential that facilitates both substrate reduction and regeneration of the catalytically active reduced state. Redox potentials for structurally-related Co(II) complexes are shown to be cathodically-shifted relative to their Fe(II) analogues, making them ineffective reducing agents for substrates such as superoxide.
Great cardiac venography by contrast injection through an external irrigation catheter.

f Epicardial ablation using a transvenous approach may sometimes be required to cure ventricular arrhythmias arising from the epicardium of the left ventricular outflow tract. Coronary sinus (CS) venography may be helpful for dentifying the ablation site within the great cardiac vein GCV) and detecting potential venous complications caused y the radiofrequency (RF) energy delivery. However, rou-
Time-variable transit time distributions and transport: Theory and application to storage-dependent transport of chloride in a watershed

Transport processes and pathways through many hydrodynamic systems vary over time, often driven by variations in total water storage. This paper develops a very general approach to modeling unsteady transport through an arbitrary control volume (such as a watershed) that accounts for temporal variability in the underlying transport dynamics. Controls on the selection of discharge from stored water are encapsulated in probability distributions ΩQ(ST,t) of age-ranked storage ST (the volume of water in storage ranked from youngest to oldest). This framework is applied to a long-term record of rainfall and streamflow chloride in a small, humid watershed at Plynlimon, UK. While a time-invariant gamma distribution for ΩQ produced a good fit to data, the fit was significantly improved when the distribution was allowed to vary with catchment storage. However, the variation was inverse to that of a “well-mixed” system where storage has a pure dilution effect. Discharge at high storage was predicted to contain a larger fraction of recent event water than at low storage. The effective volume of storage involved in transport was 3411 mm at mean catchment wetness, but declined by 71 mm per 1 mm of additional catchment storage, while the fraction of event water in discharge increased by 1.4%. This “inverse storage effect” is sufficient to reproduce the observed long-memory 1∕f fractal spectral structure of stream chloride. Metrics quantifying the strength and direction of storage effects are proposed as useful signatures, and point toward a unified framework for observing and modeling coupled watershed flow and transport.
Composing parallel software efficiently with lithe

Applications composed of multiple parallel libraries perform poorly when those libraries interfere with one another by obliviously using the same physical cores, leading to destructive resource oversubscription. This paper presents the design and implementation of Lithe, a low-level substrate that provides the basic primitives and a standard interface for composing parallel codes efficiently. Lithe can be inserted underneath the runtimes of legacy parallel libraries to provide bolt-on composability without needing to change existing application code. Lithe can also serve as the foundation for building new parallel abstractions and libraries that automatically interoperate with one another.In this paper, we show versions of Threading Building Blocks (TBB) and OpenMP perform competitively with their original implementations when ported to Lithe. Furthermore, for two applications composed of multiple parallel libraries, we show that leveraging our substrate outperforms their original, even expertly tuned, implementations.
Effect of solid-state intermetallic growth on the fracture toughness of Cu/63Sn-37Pb solder joints

The mode I chevron notch fracture toughness of Cu/63Sn-37Pb solder joints was measured as a function of solid state copper-tin intermetallic growth at the solder/copper interface. Soldered chevron notched bend samples were aged in a furnace at 170/spl deg/C to promote the intermetallic growth and the samples were tested at room temperature after 1, 3, 10, 30, and 75 days of growth. The total thickness of the interfacial intermetallic layer and the individual thicknesses of the component Cu/sub 6/Sn/sub 5/ and Cu/sub 3/Sn layers were monitored at each stage. The chevron notch fracture toughness is correlated with the intermetallic layer thickness measurements and the fracture surface morphology. The results show that at a total intermetallic layer thickness below 5 /spl mu/m, failure is dominated by microvoid coalescence in the solder, and intermetallic growth has little effect on the fracture toughness. At a total thickness exceeding 7 /spl mu/m, however, fracture occurs by cleavage of the interfacial intermetallic particles and the fracture toughness decreases steadily as the intermetallic layer thickness increases. With a total intermetallic layer thickness of 19 /spl mu/m, the chevron notch fracture toughness is only 30% of that measured for an as-soldered, nonaged solder joint.
Straight from the source: Accounting for scientific success

How do highly cited scientists account for their success? A number of approaches have been used to explain scientific success, but none incorporates scientists’ own understandings, which are critic...
Chapter 9 Knowledge Representation and Decision-Making in Sport

Publisher Summary This chapter introduces a model of protocol structure that captures and examines players' representation of sport knowledge when making decisions in the context of a sport situation. The chapter addresses only cognitive skill aspects of sport performance. The sport domains are examined, according to Schmidt's Motor-Cognitive Skill Dimension, would reflect sport situations that require strong cognitive and decision-making components and response production components. The chapter discusses the role of knowledge representation within an information processing model. This reviews the research on the properties of knowledge representation (content, structure, and cognitive strategies) and how this representation influences information processing in diverse domains. Methodologies employed by researchers to elicit verbal responses and the coding techniques used to capture and assess propositional-type knowledge representations are also examined. A discussion of the models and limitations of two decision making paradigms developed to model competent sport performance is presented. Within these decision making models, both perceptual and sport paradigms are reviewed and limitations discussed. Perceptual paradigms examine the development of certain aspects of anticipation and perceptual strategies employed with expertise in sport. Some recent sport studies that employ the protocol structure model to examine knowledge representation and decision-making in the domains of tennis, volleyball, and baseball are discussed. These studies examine variations with expertise and age.
Chapter 34 – Primary Cerebellar CoQ10 Deficiency

Abstract Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is an endogenously synthesized lipid that transfers electrons from complexes I (NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase) and II (succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase) and from the oxidation of fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids (via flavin-linked dehydrogenases) to complex III (succinate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. CoQ10 deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder presenting five main phenotypes; cerebellar ataxia is the most common, and it is characterized by cerebellar ataxia and cerebellar atrophy, variably associated with other manifestations as neuropathy, seizures, cognitive compromise, and muscle weakness. Molecular defects have been described in three different genes: APTX, ADCK3, and ANO10. Early diagnosis is important because cases can benefit from CoQ10 supplementation. Here, we present a 16-year-old man with cerebellar ataxia and upper motor neuron dysfunction, CoQ10 deficiency in muscle and fibroblasts, and compound heterozygous mutations in ADCK3, analog of the yeast CoQ8, involved in the regulation of CoQ biosynthesis.
Inventorying Magnetic-Media Records

THE YEARS the archival profession has developed a degree of unanimity on what constitutes a satisfactory minimal inventory of records holdings in an archival repository. Over a much shorter period, records management specialists have established a doctrine on what constitutes an adequate minimal inventory of records in the creating and maintaining establishment. In both cases the point of view has been largely confined to textual records. Archivists with large holdings of maps, charts, engineering drawings, sound recordings, still pictures, and motion pictures have had to develop a different methodology for inventorying these types of records, and there is reason to believe that this methodology, too, will soon become standard.
In-Depth Analysis of the Influence of High Torque Brakes on the Jackknife Stability of Heavy Trucks

Published NHTSA rulemaking plans propose significant reduction in the maximum stopping distance for loaded Class-VIII commercial vehicles. To attain that goal, higher torque brakes, such as air disc brakes, will appear onprime movers long before the trailer market sees significant penetration. Electronic control of the brakes on prime movers should also be expected due to their ability to significantly shorten stopping distances. The influence upon jackknife stability of having higher performance brakes on the prime mover, while keeping traditional pneumatically controlled s-cam drum brakes on the trailer, is discussed in this paper. A hybrid vehicle dynamics model was applied to investigate the jackknife stability of tractor-semitrailer rigs under several combinations of load, speed, surface coefficient, and ABS functionality. These simulations were run to simulate brake-in-turn (B.I.T.) scenarios for a tractor-semitrailer articulated vehicle which is near the maximum drive-through speed limit for various vehicle weight / surface coefficient conditions. ECBS-disc brake equipped tractors were directly compared to those having s-cam drum brakes. This study shows that the simulated presence of ECBS-disc brakes on the tractor results in no degradation of the performance of the rig, in terms of jackknife stability, while braking in a turn. Furthermore, the elaborate vehicle simulations showed significant reduction in the tractor maximum yaw rate and hitch articulation angle seen during the simulation, for those simulated vehicles equipped with disc brakes and electronically controlled braking systems (ECBS).
Metabolome progression during early gut microbial colonization of gnotobiotic mice

The microbiome has been implicated directly in host health, especially host metabolic processes and development of immune responses. These are particularly important in infants where the gut first begins being colonized, and such processes may be modeled in mice. In this investigation we follow longitudinally the urine metabolome of ex-germ-free mice, which are colonized with two bacterial species, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Bifidobacterium longum. High-throughput mass spectrometry profiling of urine samples revealed dynamic changes in the metabolome makeup, associated with the gut bacterial colonization, enabled by our adaptation of non-linear time-series analysis to urine metabolomics data. Results demonstrate both gradual and punctuated changes in metabolite production and that early colonization events profoundly impact the nature of small molecules circulating in the host. The identified small molecules are implicated in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolic processes, and offer insights into the dynamic changes occurring during the colonization process, using high-throughput longitudinal methodology.
Catheter failure rates and time course with epidural versus combined spinal-epidural analgesia in labor.

Abstract Background The combined spinal-epidural technique for labor analgesia has several advantages over the traditional epidural technique, including faster onset, greater maternal satisfaction, and decreased need for physician boluses. Proponents of the epidural technique criticize the combined spinal-epidural technique, arguing that the epidural catheter remains untested and thus may not be reliable if needed for surgical intervention. We compared failure rates and time of failure between techniques in our tertiary-care academic practice. Methods Data regarding failed catheters were collected from October 2012 to September 2014 as part of our Quality Assurance program. Failed catheters were defined as any catheter replaced after it was considered to be properly placed and then determined to be intravascular, one sided or resulting in poor maternal analgesia or anesthesia. Results A total of 5487 analgesics were performed (3980 combined spinal-epidural; 1507 epidural). Eighty-five combined spinal-epidural catheters (2.1%) and 59 epidural catheters (3.9%) were replaced during labor ( P n =80) and epidural ( n =57) groups, respectively ( P =0.02). Median time to replacement was 398 [IQR 131–578] min and 281 [IQR 186–767] min for combined spinal-epidural and epidural groups, respectively ( P Conclusion We were able to demonstrate that catheters placed using a combined spinal-epidural technique were less likely to fail during labor and that the time to detection of a failed catheter was significantly longer in the combined spinal-epidural group. Our findings validate the combined spinal-epidural technique as reliable for labor analgesia and tend to refute the theory of the untested catheter.
Site of Action of Indole in the Central Nervous System

Despite the amount of work that has been done since Herter1 first studied convulsant properties of indole, several points seemed worth clarifying. To this end, experiments were undertaken with the surgical assistance of Dr. Edward Davis.In the first place, indole directly applied to the cortex of dog or cat produces a-localized discharge resembling in many ways that seen following local strychninization. This is apparent from Fig. 1. As with strychnine, the concentration required for local application to elicit these results is great.On the other hand, rapid intravenous injections of 20 mg per kg into dogs, cats and rabbits bring on convulsions which differ from fits induced by cortical excitation in that the motions of various muscles are not synchronized, and in that the axial and axio-appendicular, not the appendicular, muscles are most involved. Yanai2 has reported that seizures occur after decerebration, to which we can add that they are not significantly altered by decerebration.After transection of...
Selection of Scheduling Criteria in Computer Systems

Abstract This paper considers the case in which one wishes to determine a schedule for a two-facility sequencing situation internal to computer systems. For such a problem the total time involved in both calculating an optimal sequence and performing that sequence may sometimes exceed the total time necessary to simply select and process an arbitrary sequence. Linear decision procedures are presented so as to determine whether calculation of an optimal schedule is really worthwhile. Computational aspects of the procedures are also discussed.
New or Noteworthy Tremellales from Southern Brazil

This report is concerned with one undescribed species of the genus Exidiopsis, one misunderstood species of the genus Heterochaete, and one rare species of the Hyaloriaceae. Some specimens of all species discussed here were collected in the vicinity of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Free-hand sections were examined after treatment with 95% ethanol and staining with a 1% aqueous solution of Phloxine-B and a 2% aqueous solution of Congo Red in 3% KOH. The drawings were made with the aid of a camera lucida or with a Zeiss Drawing Apparatus. The basidial terminology proposed by Martin (1957), which I (1964) modified only slightly, is used. Herbarium symbols are those recommended by Lanjouw and Stafleu (1964). My own collections are indicated by the appropriate initials.
Inverse wave scattering in 2-D elastic solids

This paper is concerned with an inverse problem for two-dimensional elastic solids. It seeks to recover the subsurface density profile based on the measurements obtained at the boundary. The method considers a temporal interval for which time dependent measurements are provided. It formulates an optimal estimation problem which seeks to minimize the error difference between the given data and the response from the system. It uses a boundary regularization term to stabilize the inversion. The method leads to an iterative algorithm which, at every iteration, requires the solution to a two-point boundary value problem. Several numerical results are presented which indicate that a close estimate of the unknown density function can be obtained based on the boundary measurements only.
A simple apparatus for providing blood diets at constant temperature and with different corticosterone levels to individual bed bug colonies (Hemiptera: Cimicidae).

An inexpensive and easily constructed apparatus was designed to permit feeding individual bed bug, Cimex lectularius , colonies blood to which known amounts of corticosterone had been added. This device may prove useful for a variety of blood-feeding arthropods. Test results indicated that the highest concentration of corticosterone employed (40 ng/ml) had no effect on bed bug fecundity.
Third Paper: The Tandem Vibrating Roller: Its Design and Development in the Field of Dynamic Compaction:

Some designs of the self-propelled tandem vibrating roller are reviewed. Consideration is given to design aspects of the vibrating roll with particular reference to bearings, lubrication and fatigue. Means for varying amplitude are also illustrated.The ground/roll system subjected to vibration is reviewed and the effects of resonance and frequency shown. Information is provided on operational costs for a range of machines. Some aspects of ergonomics are examined for modern machines. Consideration is given to future trends in construction and some conclusions drawn.
Winter Temperature and Tidal Structures from 2011 to 2014 at McMurdo Station: Observations from Fe Boltzmann Temperature and Rayleigh Lidar

McMurdo station (77.8°S, 166.7°E), locating at the poleward edge of the auroral oval, provides great opportunities for researchers to study the interactions among neutral atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere. More than four years of valuable data have been collected, leading to several new discoveries from the McMurdo lidar campaign. Presented here are the winter temperature tides and their responses to the magnetospheric sources. Winter temperature structures from the lidar observations are also presented for this high southern latitude.
Potential Use of Bispecific Antibodies (BSABS) for Targeting Gliomas and Melanomas

A major requirement for the success of BNCT is the selective delivery of boron to individual tumor cells 1,2. Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) have been used as selective delivery agents for drugs, toxins and radionuclides to tumor cells for cancer therapy3. However, one major limitation of boron containing immunoconjugates is that their tumor localizing properties may be significantly reduced when compared to native, unmodified antibodies4,5. Primarily for this reason we have been interested in the possibility of using bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) for tumor targeting. BsAbs have two distinct antigen combining sites, one of which can bind to a tumor associated antigen on the cell surface, and the other to a tumoricidal agent6. Since BsAbs have not been chemically modified, they presumably have both immunoreactivity and distribution profiles that are similar to native MoAbs. BsAbs can be produced by fusing two different hybridoma cell lines to produce a hybrid-hybridoma (quadroma). In the present report, we describe the production of quadro-mas secreting BsAbs reactive with polyhedral borane anions and a tumor associated cell surface proteoglycan expressed on glioblastomas and melanomas7.
Genetic Mechanisms of Cytarabine Resistance in Leukemia: Cell Culture and Mouse Transplantation Models.

Chemoresistance remains a major barrier to successful clinical treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance in AML are largely unknown. Previously, we reported that loss of tumor suppressor genes, Nf1 and Trp53, can confer upon myeloid leukemia cells partial resistance to cytarabine (Ara-C), a mainstay of AML chemotherapy. Microarray gene expression profiling revealed that a group of lysosome function-related genes, and a major regulator of apoptosis, Bcl-xL, were upregulated in in vitro Ara-C resistant myeloid leukemia cell lines. We now report that the lysosome number and size is increased in resistant cells. Also, overexpression of Bcl-xL in both murine and human myeloid leukemia cell lines increased Ara-C resistance to a variant extent in different lines. Furthermore, we found that the key enzyme involved in intracellular activation of Ara-C, Cda, can do so, too, but to a less extent than Bcl-xL. Interestingly, in our Ara-C resistant AML cell lines which were retrovirally induced in BXH-2 stain of mice, we were able to detected new proviral insertion sites which may cause mutations associated with the leukemia resistance feature. We have now examined the possibility of modeling AML chemoresistance in mouse, and through this model, to identify and characterize AML relapse-related genetic abnormalities. During establishing such a model, treatment dosage, intervals, courses, routes of administration, the number of injection, food preparation and supplements have been considered for testing. Ara-C treatment caused a decrease in body weights and peripheral blood cell counts. One major lethal toxicity response, intestine deterioration, appeared to be correlated with high doses of Ara-C. We arrived at a regimen comprised of two 10-day treatment courses at 90 mg/kg/day by one intraperitoneal injection, with a 5-day break between treatment courses. This treatment course was found to give rise to 10~30% lethality due to Ara-C toxicity but it can also suppress the onset of transplanted AML disease in recipient mice for nearly two weeks compared to saline-treated mice as a control. Interestingly, the tumors collected from Ara-C treated transplants displayed higher resistance than saline treated tumors in a methylcellulose colony-forming assay. Testing of apoptosis regulatory genes for Ara-C response in primary tumors is in process.
Thermal energy storage using chloride salts and their eutectics

Abstract Achieving the goals of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Sunshot initiative requires (1) higher operating temperatures for concentrating solar power (CSP) plants to increase theoretical efficiency, and (2) effective thermal energy storage (TES) strategies to ensure dispatchability. Current inorganic salt-based TES systems in large-scale CSP plants generally employ molten nitrate salts for energy storage, but nitrate salts are limited in application to lower temperatures—generally, below 600 °C. These materials are sufficient for parabolic trough power plants, but they are inadequate for use at higher temperatures. At the higher operating temperatures achievable in solar power tower-type CSP plants, chloride salts are promising candidates for application as TES materials, owing to their thermal stability and generally lower cost compared to nitrate salts. In light of this, a recent study was conducted, which included a preliminary survey of chloride salts and binary eutectic systems that show promise as high temperature TES media. This study provided some basic information about the salts, including phase equilibria data and estimates of latent heat of fusion for some of the eutectics. Cost estimates were obtained through a review of bulk pricing for the pure salts among various vendors. This review paper updates that prior study, adding data for additional salt eutectic systems obtained from the literature. Where possible, data are obtained from the thermodynamic database software, FactSage. Radiative properties are presented, as well, since at higher temperatures, thermal radiation becomes a significant mode of heat transfer. Material compatibility for inorganic salts is another important consideration (e.g., with regard to piping and/or containment), so a summary of corrosion studies with various materials is also presented. Lastly, cost data for these systems are presented, allowing for meaningful comparison among these systems and other materials for TES applications. Because chloride salts may be employed as either sensible heat storage in the molten phase or as sensible and latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) as phase change materials (PCMs), cost of the candidate salt systems are presented on a cost per unit mass basis (sensible heat storage application) and a cost per unit latent heat of fusion basis (latent heat storage application). A total of 133 chloride salt systems were investigated.
Oxidative modification of enzymes by stimulated neutrophils.

We have previously demonstrated that a variety of enzymic and non-enzymic mixed-function oxidation (MFO) systems catalyze the oxidative inactivation of E. coli glutamine synthetase (GS) and other key metabolic enzymes.1,2 Considerable evidence has been presented that the inactivation of GS correlates with the loss of a single histidine residue and is accompanied by the generation of a protein carbonyl derivative.3 Further oxidation renders the enzyme highly susceptible to known proteases4 as well as to a new class of nonlysomal proteases which exhibit selectivity for the oxidatively modified enzyme.5 These in vitro studies have suggested that oxidative inactivation of enzymes is a marking step for selective degradation of enzymes and is under metabolic control. We have subsequently undertaken studies to examine the possible physiological role of this process in biological systems, and one such system is activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN, neutrophils).
Multiphase Fluids in Porous Media

This chapter discusses fundamentals of multiphase flow through porous media. It focuses on physics and quantitative analysis of flow processes in porous media. Because of unknown nature of porous media and complex interactions of fluids and rock in reservoirs, this chapter argues that some macroscopic continuum approach has to be used to study flow processes of multiphase fluids in reservoirs. It concludes that almost all theories on flow phenomena in porous media lead to macroscopic laws using a representative elementary volume (REV) concept. Flow-governing equations can be derived from conservation of mass, energy, and momentum. It further discusses basic concepts of fluids and porous media and flow-driving mechanisms as well as extensions of Darcy's law to non-Newtonian fluid and non-Darcy flow. In addition, it shows that macroscopic laws in association with capillary pressure and relative permeability concepts make it possible to quantify flow and transport in porous media.
Cryogenic Instrumentation at and above Liquid Hydrogen Temperature—Present and Future

During the past two decades we have witnessed and participated in a phenomenal growth of the applications and requirements of large-scale cryotechnology. A necessary ingredient for this growth has been a concomitant increase in sophistication of the instrumentation techniques necessary for the surveillance and regulation of cryogenic systems. As we look to the future no crystal ball is needed to predict an increasingly larger involvement of cryotechnology affecting nearly all sectors of our society. As examples of this we mention the following.
Critical Perspectives on Visual Imagery in Media and Cyberculture

AbstractDeveloping a critical approach to visual culture requires recognizing the central importance of visual imagery in contemporary culture. As John Berger reminds us, visual images have long been of utmost significance for human life and our ways of seeing. Indeed, how we interact with and interpret visual images is a basic component of human life. Today, however, we are living in one of the most artificial visual and image-saturated cultures in human history, which makes understanding the complex construction and multiple social functions of visual imagery more important than ever before. There are several ways we can be more literate in reading visual imagery critically and thus contribute to developing new media literacies for contemporary culture.
73. Effects of the Innate Immune System on Oncolytic Measles Virotherapy

Vaccine strain derived Measles Virus is currently being tested in clinical trials for the treatment of several tumor types. Clinical response to MV therapy can vary, despite similar stages of disease, pre-existing antibody titers and MV entry receptor expression among treated patients. By using Next-Gen Sequencing in tumor samples deriving from ovarian cancer (OvCa) and glioblastoma (GBM) patients who were treated with MV in clinical trials, we observed that expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISG), such as IFI44, MX1, MX2, RSAD2, and IFI27, correlated with permissiveness to MV infection and clinical outcome. Therefore, we hypothesized that elevated baseline levels of ISG expression directly confers resistance to MV infection in GBM and OvCa patients, and can possibly serve as predictive markers of response to MV therapy. To test this hypothesis we have assessed the baseline ISG expression in 27 primary patient-derived GBM xenograft lines. We found that 4 of the 27 lines have elevated baseline levels of ISG expression. Four primary GBM lines with low baseline levels of ISG expression were infected with MV-NIS (MOI 1 and 0.1). Upon infection, these cells were effectively killed and produced high titers of virus (>104 TCID50/ml by 48hr). In contrast, three primary GBM lines with high baseline levels of ISG expression were resistant to cell killing and produced significantly less virus upon infection with MV-NIS (MOI 1 and 0.1). ISG expression is regulated by the ISGF-3 complex via Stat-1/-2 and Jak-1 activation. Treatment with 3μm of the FDA approved Jak1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib (Jakafi) for 48hr prior to MV infection (MOI 1 and 0.1) significantly increased MV production and cell killing in the high ISG expressing primary GBM39 line. The observed Jakafi effect is mediated via decreased ISG expression both at baseline and in response to MV infection. Experiments assessing the use of Jakafi in combination with MV in vivo are ongoing. In order to explore an association between ISG expression and MV restriction in OvCa patients, we assessed baseline ISG expression in 118 primary patient-derived ovarian xenograft lines. We found that 57 of the 118 samples have elevated baseline levels of ISG expression. MV therapy in an OvCa xenograft with low baseline levels of ISG expression led to significant prolongation of survival. Ongoing in vivo work in orthotopic ovarian models with variable ISG levels is assessing the association with efficacy of MV therapy. These experiments can lead to elucidation of the role baseline ISG expression plays in controlling response to MV therapy, which could be critical for patient selection and future clinical trial planning. Funding by: Brain SPORE (P50 CA108961), R01 CA154348 and Ovarian SPORE (P50 CA136393)
RNA splicing during terminal erythropoiesis.

Purpose of review Erythroid progenitors must accurately and efficiently splice thousands of pre-mRNAs as the cells undergo extensive changes in gene expression and cellular remodeling during terminal erythropoiesis. Alternative splicing choices are governed by interactions between RNA binding proteins and cis-regulatory binding motifs in the RNA. This review will focus on recent studies that define the genome-wide scope of splicing in erythroblasts and discuss what is known about its regulation. Recent findings RNA-seq analysis of highly purified erythroblast populations has revealed an extensive program of alternative splicing of both exons and introns. During normal erythropoiesis, stage-specific splicing transitions alter the structure and abundance of protein isoforms required for optimized red cell production. Mutation or deficiency of splicing regulators underlies hematopoietic disease in myelopdysplasia syndrome patients via disrupting the splicing program. Summary Erythroid progenitors execute an elaborate alternative splicing program that modulates gene expression posttranscriptionally, ultimately regulating the structure and function of the proteome in a differentiation stage-specific manner during terminal erythropoiesis. This program helps drive differentiation and ensure synthesis of the proper protein isoforms required to produce mechanically stable red cells. Mutation or deficiency of key splicing regulatory proteins disrupts the splicing program to cause disease.
Pharmacokinetics of levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate emergency contraception in women with normal and obese body mass index

Abstract Objective This study compares the pharmacokinetics (PK) of levonorgestrel (LNG) emergency contraceptive (EC) and ulipristal acetate (UPA)-EC between normal-body mass index (BMI) and obese-BMI women. Study design This prospective, randomized crossover study evaluates the PK of women after single doses of LNG-EC (1.5 mg) and UPA-EC (30 mg). Study procedures took place during clinical research unit admissions, where participants received a standardized meal and each study drug, in random order, during two separate 24-h admissions. Study staff collected 14 blood specimens (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h). We evaluated serum concentrations of LNG and UPA using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectroscopy and estimated the PK parameters of both drugs using noncompartmental analysis. The main outcome of this study was a comparison of between-group differences in AUC 0–24 . Results Thirty-two women completed the study (16 in each group). Among normal-BMI and obese-BMI participants, the mean BMIs were 22.0 (range 18.8–24.6) and 34.3 (range 30.6–39.9), respectively. After LNG-EC, mean AUC 0–24 and maximum concentration ( C max ) were 50% lower among obese-BMI women than among normal-BMI women (AUC 0–24 100.8 vs. 208.5 ng*h/mL, IQR obese-BMI 35.8, IQR normal-BMI 74.2, p≤.01; C max 10.8 vs. 18.2 ng/mL, p=.01). After UPA-EC, AUC 0–24 and C max were similar between obese-BMI and normal-BMI women (AUC 0–24 362.5 vs. 293.5 ng*h/mL, IQR obese-BMI 263.2, IQR normal-BMI 112.5, p=.15; C max 95.6 vs. 89.3 ng/mL, p=.70). Conclusion After a single dose of EC, obese-BMI women are exposed to lower concentrations of LNG and similar concentrations of UPA, when compared to normal-BMI women. Implications Differences in LNG-EC PK by BMI group may underlie and account for the lower LNG-EC efficacy reported among obese-BMI women, but modest differences in UPA-EC PK by BMI group provide less support for variable efficacy. A pharmacodynamic study may be able to clarify whether these PK differences account for observed differences in LNG-EC and UPA-EC efficacy.
Effects of Social Reinforcement Contingent on Conventional or Unconventional Responses on Generalized Creativity by Older Adults in Residential Care.

The effects of social praise contingent on either usual (conventional) or unusual (unconventional) responses during an object uses task were assessed on measures of generalized creativity in two novel, unrelated tasks. Participants were 20 older adults, ages 63 to 89 years (M = 80.90), who were recruited from a joint skilled nursing and assisted living facility. In a counterbalanced within-subjects design, participants completed both experimental conditions across two sessions separated by 6 to 10 days. Consistent with learned industriousness theory, social praise contingent on unconventional responses during the initial task was associated with increases in both objective and subjective measures of creativity in subsequent tasks. These findings indicate that social praise contingent on creative responses functioned as reinforcement and can increase generalized creativity in older adults living in a residential care setting.
Old and new adjuvants

Adjuvants have been deliberately added to vaccines since the 1920's when alum was discovered to boost antibody responses, leading to better protection. The first adjuvants were discovered by accident and were used in the safer but less immunogenic subunit vaccines, supposedly by providing an antigen depot to extend antigen presentation. Since that time, much has been discovered about how these adjuvants impact cells at the tissue site to activate innate immune responses, mobilize dendritic cells and drive adaptive immunity. New approaches to vaccine construction for infectious diseases that have so far not been well addressed by conventional vaccines often attempt to induce antibodies, polyfunctional CD4+ T cells and CD8+ CTLs. The discovery of pattern recognition receptors and ligands that drive desired T cell responses has led to development of novel adjuvant strategies using immunomodulatory agents to direct appropriate immune responses.
Why Do People Resist Patient Portal Systems?: An Application of the Dual Factor Model of IT Usage

The implementation of patient portal systems PPS has potential benefits to both healthcare providers and their patients. However, evidence shows that PPS are being resisted by patients. Little rese...
Structural Equation Modeling in Behavioral Medicine Research

This chapter presents a brief overview of principles and current topics in structural equation modeling (SEM). The chapter strives for breadth rather than depth, but includes readable references for those interested in delving deeper into any one topic. It begins with an introduction to the framework with model specification using path diagrams which translate into model equations. Both measurement and structural components of SEM are covered. Some advanced topics including latent growth models, missing data, categorical outcomes, and power are presented briefly. Latent class analysis, mixture models, and multilevel models are mentioned. Readers are encouraged to pursue the cited references for more comprehensive coverage of these important topics.
A Morphological Study of Silicon Carbide Prepared by Chemical Vapor Deposition

Surface morphologies of SiC deposits obtained via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) were studied as functions of substrate surface temperature and the concentration of the silicon and carbon source material, methyltrichlorosilane (MTS).Substrates of graphite and α-SiC crystals were used. Explanations of the observed morphologies on graphite substrates and their marked changes with temperature are given in terms of chemical kinetics and mass transport arguments. The results of thermodynamic calculations were used to help explain the observed morphologies of the deposits on α-SiC substrates.
Preface: Second IAEA Technical Meeting on Fusion Data Processing, Validation, and Analysis

It is with great pleasure that I am able to provide an introduction to the papers from the Second International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Meeting (TM) on Fusion Data Processing, Validat...
The interaction of egg peptides with spermatozoa.

Mechanisms by which eggs (includes acellular matrices as well as other attached cells, such as cumulus oophorus cells) and/or other components of the female reproductive tract communicate with spermatozoa are beginning to be understood. Research has progressed to the molecular level in both invertebrates and vertebrates, and it can be anticipated that the genes responsible for the synthesis of some of the regulatory components will be soon identified and their function (or fate) in animals separated by large evolutionary distances determined.
The Search for the Mathematization of the Social Disciplines

The roots for the attempts to use mathematical language on the social disciplines can be traced as far back as 1687 with the publication of I. Newton’s philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Newton’s second law opened the possibility that not only all astronomy but also chemistry, even thoughts, and by extension all the complex unfolding of life, are deterministic. Accordingly, many tried to find the “equation of life”, or how to compute the crystal ball. This programme arrived nowhere. A less ambitious programme, one that sprouted from John von Neumann’s and Oskar Morgenstern Theory of Games and Economic Behaviour 1 succeeded in helping to analyze possible outcomes from a know current situation and given specific forces on society. We discuss the historical evolution of the programme of the search for the equation of life, show why it is unattainable, and analyze the limited possibilities as well as the strengths of game theory to help men to analyze human and other complex phenomena. Starting with the Principia, we end with an analysis of our time.
Women's Sexual Initiation in Same- and Mixed-Sex Relationships: How Often and How?

Past research has demonstrated that women initiate sex less frequently than men in mixed-sex relationships, perhaps due to traditional sexual scripts that promote rigid gender roles in sexual inter...
Symmetry-enforced fractonicity and two-dimensional quantum crystal melting

Utilizing a dual description of two-dimensional elasticity theory as a rank-2 tensor gauge theory, the authors show that zero-temperature quantum melting of a two-dimensional crystal differs crucially from the Halperin-Nelson thermal melting scenario. This is due to the particle number conservation symmetry enforced dislocation glide constraint, or fractonicity. The authors show that quantum crystal fluctuations favor a supersolid phase before melting can occur and, furthermore, discuss applications to the quantum melting of a vortex-lattice and charge-stripe order in a metal.
Immunotherapy in melanoma

Immunotherapy has dramatically improved the prognosis for patients with melanoma and has become the cornerstone of treatment for those with advanced disease. The role of immunotherapy continues to expand with multiple new agents approved in the adjuvant as well as metastatic setting, as first-line therapy and beyond. We review the currently approved drugs for the treatment of melanoma, along with clinical trial data, adverse side effects, response assessment and future directions.
Mutagenic Replication of the Major Oxidative Adenine Lesion 7,8-Dihydro-8-oxoadenine by Human DNA Polymerases.

Reactive oxygen species attack DNA to produce 7,8-dihyro-8-oxoguanine (oxoG) and 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoadenine (oxoA) as major lesions. The structural basis for the mutagenicity of oxoG, which induces G to T mutations, is well understood. However, the structural basis for the mutagenic potential of oxoA, which induces A to C mutations, remains poorly understood. To gain insight into oxoA-induced mutagenesis, we conducted kinetic studies of human DNA polymerases β and η replicating across oxoA and structural studies of polβ incorporating dTTP/dGTP opposite oxoA. While polη readily bypassed oxoA, it incorporated dGTP opposite oxoA with a catalytic specificity comparable to that of correct insertion, underscoring the promutagenic nature of the major oxidative adenine lesion. Polη and polβ incorporated dGTP opposite oxoA ∼170-fold and ∼100-fold more efficiently than that opposite dA, respectively, indicating that the 8-oxo moiety greatly facilitated error-prone replication. Crystal structures of polβ showed that, ...
Harmonic Elimination Technique in Three-Phase Five-Level Cascade H-Bridge Multilevel Inverters from Three-Phase Perspective

This paper proposes an alternative approach to finding the unknown switching angles of three-phase five-level cascade H-bridge multilevel inverters using the selective harmonic elimination PWM technique from the three-phase perspective over a wide range of modulation indices to improve Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). A mathematical model is introduced to find the pre-calculated angles using a three-phase modulation perspective in the interval (0, $\pi$/3) to eliminate selective harmonics on single-phase topologies that are used to construct three-phase inverters in high-power application. Looking from the three-phase perspective in the interval (0, $\pi$/3) to find the unknown angles improves the output in comparison with the interval (0, $\pi$/2) when looking from the single-phase perspective. Both approaches eliminate the selected harmonics; however, the proposed approach decreases the output voltage THD by 25% and increases the minimum value of the fundamental component by 125%. Further, finding the angles using the proposed method guarantees the desired shape of the voltage signal, further guaranteeing a minimum amplitude for the output generated voltage at low modulation indices. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed method.