cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Myelofibrosis.

Abstract Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) is a category in the World Health Organization classification of myeloid tumors. BCR-ABL1–negative MPN is a subcategory that includes primary myelofibrosis (MF), post–essential thrombocythemia MF, and post–polycythemia vera MF. These disorders are characterized by stem cell–derived clonal myeloproliferation. Clinically, these diseases present with anemia and splenomegaly and significant constitutional symptoms such as severe fatigue, symptoms associated with an enlarged spleen and liver, pruritus, fevers, night sweats, and bone pain. Multiple treatment options may provide symptom relief and improved survival; however, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HCT) remains the only potentially curative option. The decision for a transplant is based on patient prognosis, age, comorbidities, and functional status. This review describes the recent data on various peritransplantation factors and their effect on outcomes of patients with MF and new therapeutic areas, such as the use and timing of Janus kinase inhibitors with HCT and gives overall conclusions from the available data in the published literature.
Examining the relations of time management and procrastination within a model of self-regulated learning

The primary goal of this study was to investigate whether college students’ academic time management could be used to understand their engagement in traditional and active forms of procrastination within a model of self-regulated learning. College students (N = 446) completed a self-report survey that assessed motivational and strategic aspects of self-regulated learning, time management, and procrastination. Results of regression analyses indicated that self-efficacy and metacognitive strategies initially were significant predictors of traditional and active forms of procrastination. Incorporating time management in the analyses increased the amount of the variance explained and, even in the presence of the motivation and strategy variables, time management emerged as an important predictor of both traditional and active forms of procrastination. Findings support the conclusion that academic time management is a key aspect of self-regulated learning and, as such, it can be useful for understanding the extent to which college students procrastinate when doing their academic work.
Spirits and Innate Heat

The spiritus is a characteristic feature of Fernel’s physiology. It is an important part of his explanation of generation. And it is an aspect of his physiology which called forth comment from contemporaries. The first section of this chapter gives an account of innate heat and spiritus as Fernel explains them in the Physiologia and Dialogus, the second deals with the action of spiritus in generation and the third considers contemporaries and successors who wrote commentaries on heat and spirits and commented on Fernel’s own system. Those considered are Joannes Argenterius, Jean Riolan the Elder, Zabarella, Paparella, and Caimo on innate heat, and Delphinus, Bertacchius and Bronzerius on spirit.
On optimal game tree propagation for imperfect players

We consider the approach to game playing where one looks ahead in a game tree, evaluates heuristically the probability of winning at the leaves, and then propagates this evaluation up the tree. We show that minimax does not make optimal use of information contained in the leaf evaluations, and in fact misvalues the position associated with all nodes. This occurs because when actually playing a position down the game tree, a player would be able to search beyond the boundaries of the original search, and so has access to additional information. The remark that such extra information will exist, allows better use of the information contained in the leaf evaluations even though we do not have access to the extra information itself. Our analysis implies that, while minimax is approximately correct near the top of the game tree, near the bottom a formula closer to the probability product formula is better. We propose a simple model of how deep search yields extra information about the chances of winning in a position. Within the context of this model, we write down the formula for propagating information up the tree which is correct at all levels. We generalize our results to the case when the outcomes at the leaves are correlated and also to games like chess where there are three possible outcomes: Win, Lose, and Draw. Experiments demonstrate our formula's superiority to minimax and probability product in the game of Kalah.
A New UV-B Handbook, Vol. 1

Results of detailed computations of the solar ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth’s surface are reported in the form of 63 figures and 80 tables. This UV-B Handbook is intended for use by biologists and experimenters to find values of expected UV fluxes at various wavelength/latitude/season/time-of-day combinations for normal and depleted ozone amounts. The data are presented in tabular and graphical form for the seven wavelengths 290(5)320 nm, the eight northern latitudes 0(10)70°, the 39 solar zenith angles 0(2)76°, the five assumed ozone depletions 0(5)20%, and for measured summer and winter ozone profiles. Although only clear standard atmospheric conditions are considered in Volume I, the computations include the effects of all orders of multiple scattering (Rayleigh and Mie) plus molecular absorption. The effects of varying aerosol loads and cloud conditions are being studied separately and will be reported in Volume II. In addition to the UV flux data the Handbook also gives graphs and formulas to determine the local solar zenith angle at any location, for any date and any local time of day. Algorithms to estimate daily mean values of the UV flux and spectral integrals are also given.
Observation and Modeling of the Circulation in the Chesapeake Bay

In recent years, our understanding of circulation in the Chesapeake Bay has been greatly improved through long-term current meter measurement, and sophisticated numerical modeling. The circulation mainly consists of tide, river, density and wind-driven flow. The tidal current has larger amplitude, and is mainly responsible for the mixing and sediment re-suspension. On the other hand, because of its longer duration, the nontidal current determines the transport of salt, sediment and pollutant.
Internal Hydrogen Bonding in Ribonuclease

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses internal hydrogen bonding in ribonuclease. Ribonuclease shows a transition with the increasing temperature. The native molecule is folded in a compact form and is held together by covalent bonds and hydrogen bonds. In the case of poly-γ-benzyl-L-glutamate, the transition temperature of deuterated ribonuclease in D2O is different from that of hydrogen-containing ribonuclease in H2O. The pH-dependence of reversible denaturation provides a means of detecting hydrogen bonds among ionizable side-chain groups. The analysis of the pH-dependence of the UV difference spectrum and optical rotation in terms of equilibria between native and denatured forms in different states of ionization shows that two groups in the native molecule in 0.15 M KC1 have a pK of about 1.5. As the temperature is raised at a given pH or the pH is lowered at a given temperature, these groups acquire normal ionization properties. The chapter discusses the thermally induced transition in ribonuclease.
Médiateurs potentiels d’amélioration de la neuropathie périphérique chimio-induite douloureuse par une intervention cognitivocomportementale en ligne.

Objet : Des donnees preliminaires ont revele qu’une intervention autoguidee cognitivocomportementale de gestion de la douleur (PROSPECT) etait efficace contre la neuropathie peripherique chronique douloureuse induite par chimiotherapie (NPCI), mais le mecanisme d’action demeure inconnu. L’objectif de cette analyse secondaire a consiste a determiner si les changements par rapport a l’anxiete, a la depression, aux troubles du sommeil ou a la fatigue diminuaient la douleur apres l’utilisation de PROSPECT chez les patients atteints de NPCI. Methodologie : En tout, 60 participants ont ete selectionnes au hasard pour recevoir soit l’intervention autoguidee cognitivocomportementale contre la douleur (acces pendant huit semaines), soit le traitement habituel. Un journal sur sept jours de suivi de la douleur due a la NPCI et le systeme PROMIS (Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) de mesure de l’anxiete, de la depression, de la fatigue et des troubles du sommeil ont ete utilises avant et apres l’etude (huit semaines). L’analyse de la mediation causale a ete utilisee pour quantifier les mediateurs d’amelioration quant aux douleurs les plus intenses. Resultats : Aucun des mediateurs hypothetiques n’a eu un effet statistiquement important sur les douleurs les plus fortes (n = 38). Implications : D’autres recherches sont necessaires pour determiner les mediateurs potentiels d’intensite de la douleur qui peuvent etre cibles par des strategies cognitivocomportementales specifiques afin d’ameliorer la gravite de la douleur de la CIPN. Mots cles : Douleur chronique, neuropathie peripherique chimio-induite, intervention cognitivocomportementale, maladie du systeme nerveux peripherique/chimio-induite
Intention to Seek Depression Treatment in Latina Immigrant Mothers

Background: Postpartum depression in Latina immigrant mothers can lead to adverse outcomes in both mothers and babies, yet depression treatment remains suboptimal.Aims: The aims were to determine p...
The discursive practices of “guilting” in family discourse: Socialization, identity construction, and parental expectations

Abstract This study looks at the way in which four members of a Midwestern American family co-construct the adult child identity of two graduate school students by using particular discursive practices while discussing topics related to parental expectations and decision-making. More specifically, it focuses on what constitutes “guilting” in the adult child-parent interactions. The data shows that guilting, both direct and indirect, is accomplished through making complaints and assessments. Participants orient to particular utterances as guilting and respond with justifications, explanations, or deflection. Guilting is shown to be used as a tool to control others’ future actions and/or to establish closer connection.
Surgical management of primary colonic lymphoma: Big data for a rare problem

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Primary colonic lymphoma (PCL) is rare, heterogeneous, and presents a therapeutic challenge for surgeons. Optimal treatment strategies are difficult to standardize, leading to variation in therapy. Our objective was to describe the patient characteristics, short-term outcomes, and five-year survival of patients undergoing nonpalliative surgery for PCL. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort analysis in the National Cancer Database. Included patients underwent surgery for PCL between 2004 to 2014. Patients with metastases and palliative operations were excluded. Univariate predictors of overall survival were analyzed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS We identified 2153 patients. Median patient age was 68. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma accounted for 57% of tumors. 30- and 90-Day mortality were high (5.6% and 11.1%, respectively). Thirty-nine percent of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. For patients surviving 90 days, 5-year survival was 71.8%. Chemotherapy improved survival (surgery+chemo, 75.4% vs surgery, 68.6%; P = .01). Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with overall survival after controlling for age, comorbidity, and lymphoma subtype (HR 1.27; 95% CI, 1.07-1.51; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing surgery for PCL have high rates of margin positivity and high short-term mortality. Chemotherapy improves survival, but <50% receive it. These data suggest the opportunity for improvement of care in patients with PCL.
Music Therapist Robot: A Solution for Helping People with Cognitive Impairments

The world population is growing older. Global aging is occurring at a rate never seen before, it is expected that in 2040 there will be three times more people over the age 85 than there are today. Population aging is a fundamental transformation of human society and many implications for health and long-term care policy are occuring. Even if nursing homes and other care facilities can provide assistance, space and staff shortages are already becoming an issue. In this paper, a new research work that depicts a music therapist robot that helps people suffering from cognitive changes related to aging and/or Alzheimer’s disease, is presented. The social therapist robot tries to provide customized cognitive stimulation by playing a music game with the participants. This research work presents a 12 months longitudinal study.
The Rat in Neuroscience Research

Abstract Laboratory rats are widely used in neuroscience-related research and there are numerous rat models of human nervous system disorders. These include mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and models of acute and chronic pain. Most rat models of these diseases require an intervention, such as an early life stress paradigm or a drug or toxin treatment to disrupt the function of specific neurons or pathways. Using the rat models, it is possible to identify the specific neurons and brain pathways affected in these disorders or diseases and to develop and test new and more effective treatments. There are few rat models that involve genetic interventions but with the development of CRISPR/Cas9 technology it is likely that there will many new rat models of human diseases in the near future.
Analytical perspectives on varieties of clientelism

This article explains the varieties of clientelistic vote exchange in contemporary electoral democracies. It distinguishes two commonly recognized modes of exchange according to their capacity to o...
The Role of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase PTP4A3 in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Progression

The tyrosine protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP4A3 has been extensively reported to play a causative role in numerous cancers, including several types of acute leukemia. We found PTP4A3 to be highly expressed in T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia samples, and show that PTP4A3 accelerates T-ALL onset and increases the invasive ability of T-ALL cells in a zebrafish model, and is required for T-ALL engraftment and progression in mouse xenograft. Our in vitro studies showed that PTP43A3 enhances T-ALL migration, in part via modulation of SRC signaling. However, whether SRC is a direct substrate of PTP4A3, and whether the phosphatase activity of PTP4A3 actually plays a role in T-ALL or other types of leukemia progression is unknown and remains a major question in the field. We used a BioID-based proximity labeling approach combined with PTP4A3 substrate trapping mutant pull down assay to capture the PTP4A3 substrates candidates. BioID, a biotin ligase, was fused to PTP4A3 to generate a Biotin-PTP4A3 (BP) fusion protein. The overexpression of BP in T-ALL cell lines led to biotin modification of 288 PTP4A3 proximal proteins, including the potential direct PTP4A3 substrates. PANTHER pathway analysis showed that PTP4A3 interacting proteins are largely clustered in the T-cell activation, PDGF signaling, and angiogenesis. We are in process of validating potential substrates using immunoprecipitation and phosphoenrichement assays. Finally, we are using a novel zebrafish Myc+PTP4A3 induced T-ALL model to assess the function of PTP4A3 in leukemia progression. We have created several PTP4A3 protein mutants, including a phosphatase-dead mutant, a mutant unable to bind magnesium transporter, and a prenylation deficient mutant, and are in process of assessing the effects of these mutants in T-ALL onset and progression in our in vivo model. In total, these studies will allow us to better understand function of PTP4A3 in T-ALL progression, and may provide a strong rationale for the development of PTP4A3 inhibitors for use in leukemia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Characterization of [2Fe–2S]‐Cluster‐Bridged Protein Complexes and Reaction Intermediates by use of Native Mass Spectrometric Methods

Many iron-sulfur proteins involved in cluster trafficking form [2Fe-2S]-cluster-bridged complexes that are often challenging to characterize because of the inherent instability of the cluster at the interface. In this work, we illustrate the use of fast, online buffer exchange coupled to a native mass spectrometry (OBE nMS) method to characterize [2Fe-2S]-cluster-bridged proteins and their transient cluster-transfer reaction intermediates. The use of this mechanistic and protein characterization tool is demonstrated with holo glutaredoxin 5 (GLRX5) homodimer and holo GLRX5:BolA-like protein 3 (BOLA3) heterodimer. Using the OBE nMS method, cluster transfer reactions between the holo-dimers and apo-ferredoxin (FDX2) are monitored, and intermediate [2Fe-2S] species such as (FDX2:GLRX5:[2Fe-2S]:GSH) and (FDX2:BOLA3:GLRX5:[2Fe-2S]: GSH) are detected. In summary, we demonstrate the OBE nMS method to be a robust technique for characterizing iron-sulfur cluster bridged protein complexes and transient iron-sulfur cluster transfer intermediates.
Evaluating the practice of canceling colonoscopies for presumed inadequate bowel preparation.

Background and Aims Only scant data describe the practice of canceling colonoscopies before colonoscope insertion for presumed inadequate bowel preparation (PIBP). We sought to better understand the ramifications of such cancellations and to characterize the nationwide practice of cancellations for PIBP. Methods We determined the frequency of colonoscopies canceled for PIBP at our institution, assessing practice variation and whether patients who were canceled for PIBP completed colonoscopy or fecal immunohistochemical testing within 6 months. We also surveyed gastroenterology program directors to determine whether canceling colonoscopies for PIBP is commonly permitted and if such cancellations are included in calculations of bowel preparation adequacy rates. Results Three percent of patients were canceled because of PIBP at our institution, with significant provider practice variability in cancellation rates. Only 67% of patients whose cases were canceled for PIBP completed colonoscopy or fecal immunohistochemical testing within 6 months. The ability of an endoscopist to cancel a colonoscopy for PIBP was reported by 97% of survey respondents. Such cases are frequently not included in calculations of bowel preparation adequacy rates. Conclusions The ability to cancel colonoscopies because of PIBP is near ubiquitous, but such cases are not uniformly included in calculations of bowel preparation adequacy rates. Variation in provider practice, and resulting impact on patient care, suggests a need for standardized protocols. Colonoscopies canceled for PIBP should be included in calculations of bowel preparation adequacy rates.
Targeting KDM4A epigenetically activates tumor-cell-intrinsic immunity by inducing DNA replication stress.

Summary Developing strategies to activate tumor-cell-intrinsic immune response is critical for improving tumor immunotherapy by exploiting tumor vulnerability. KDM4A, as a histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) demethylase, has been found to play a critical role in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) growth and metastasis. Here we report that KDM4A inhibition promoted heterochromatin compaction and induced DNA replication stress, which elicited antitumor immunity in SCC. Mechanistically, KDM4A inhibition promoted the formation of liquid-like HP1γ puncta on heterochromatin and stall DNA replication, which activated tumor-cell-intrinsic cGAS-STING signaling through replication-stress-induced cytosolic DNA accumulation. Moreover, KDM4A inhibition collaborated with PD1 blockade to inhibit SCC growth and metastasis by recruiting and activating CD8+ T cells. In vivo lineage tracing demonstrated that KDM4A inhibition plus PD1 blockade efficiently eliminated cancer stem cells. Altogether, our results demonstrate that targeting KDM4A can activate anti-tumor immunity and enable PD1 blockade immunotherapy by aggravating replication stress in SCC cells.
New theories and applications of tempered fractional differential equations

In this paper, we develop theories, properties and applications of a new technique in tempered fractional calculus called the Tempered Fractional Natural Transform Method. This method can be used to solve a myriad of problems in tempered fractional linear and nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations in both the Caputo and Riemann–Liouville senses. We prove some theorems and establish related properties of the Tempered Fractional Natural Transform Method. We give exact solutions, with graphical illustrations, to three well-known problems in tempered fractional differential equations including a special case of Langevin equation. Our results are the first rigorous proofs of Tempered Fractional Natural Transform Method. Further, the present work can be considered as an alternative to existing techniques, and will have wide applications in science and engineering fields.
Code Stroke Simulation Training Benefits Junior Neurology Residents (P3.016)

Objective: To demonstrate the utility of simulation-based learning in preparing junior neurology residents for Code Stroke cases. Background: Code Stroke is a common mechanism to assess patients in the emergency department with acute neurologic symptoms. Frequently, junior neurology residents receive the first call to assess patients who may have an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH); however, they may have limited experience caring for these patients. Design/Methods: From 2014 to 2017, neurology residents in their first months of training each led a Code Stroke simulation, involving either an AIS case that required evaluation for intravenous tissue plasminogen (tPA) and embolectomy or an ICH case. Standardized patients and emergency department nurses were used in all cases. Emergency medicine, vascular neurology, neurocritical care and neurointerventional radiology attendings were also active participants. Residents completed a survey before and after the simulation. Results: Twenty-three residents participated. Based on a 5-point Likert scale (1 – least true and 5 – most true), residents reported significantly increased confidence in leading a Code Stroke [mean 2.9 (SD ±0.8) vs. 3.9 (±0.5), p Conclusions: Code Stroke simulation allows residents and faculty to identify areas where residents are least confident and allows residents to practice caring for acute stroke patients in a supervised environment. Given its benefits, programs should consider adding simulation training for junior neurology residents. Disclosure: Dr. Wendell has nothing to disclose. Dr. Reznik has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lindquist has nothing to disclose. Dr. Saad has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cahill has nothing to disclose. Dr. Burton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cutting has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mac Grory has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mahta has nothing to disclose. Dr. Siket has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yaghi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jayaraman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Thompson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Furie has nothing to disclose.
Steroid-free maintenance immunosuppression using alemtuzumab in pediatric kidney transplantation: Long-term longitudinal follow-up.

BACKGROUND There is a scarcity of long-term data on steroid-free immunosuppression using alemtuzumab in pediatric kidney transplantation (KTx). This study examines long-term outcomes with alemtuzumab without steroid maintenance therapy in pediatric KTx. METHODS From July 2005 to June 2015, 71 pediatric KTx recipients received alemtuzumab without steroid maintenance. They were followed from 4.1 to 14.1 years post KTx. RESULTS Patient survival: One child expired with a functioning graft from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Patient survival was 98.6%. Graft survival: Eighteen grafts were lost (16 from chronic rejection). Graft survival at 5 and 10 years was 92.3% and 61.3%, respectively. Rejection: Twenty-three (32.4%) patients were free from T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR), 16 (22.5%) had >3 episodes. Sixteen (22.5%) were treated for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Infection: Twenty-three children developed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), 5 developed cytomegalovirus (CMV), and 20 developed BK virus infection. Four (5.6%) developed PTLD. Twenty-two (31.0%) required treatment for neutropenia. Growth parameters: Mean height and weight increased by 0.56 and 0.69 SDS (standard deviation score), respectively. Body mass index increased by 5.1 kg/m2 at 10 years. Less than 40% required antihypertensive medications at all-time points. CONCLUSION Alemtuzumab, without corticosteroid maintenance, offers 98.6% patient survival at 14 years with five and 10-year graft survival of 92.3% and 61.3%, respectively. TCMR and AMR requiring treatment were 67.4% and 22.5%, respectively. CMV, EBV, and BK viremia rates were 7.0%, 32.4%, and 28.2%, respectively. Thirty-one percent were treated for neutropenia; 5.6% developed PTLD. There were improvements in growth parameters and blood pressure.
Lower bounds for monotonic list labeling

We present optimal lower bound for special cases of the list labeling problem. This problem has diverse practical applications, including implementation of persistent data structures, in the incremental evaluation of computational circuits and in the maintenance of dense sequential files. We prove, under a reasonable restriction on the algorithms, that Ω(n log2n) relabelings are necessary when inserting n items into list monotonically labeled from a label space of size O(n). We also prove that Ω(n log n) relabelings are required in the case of a label space of polynomial size.
Several results on chordal bipartite graphs

The question of generalizing results involving chordal graphs to similar concepts for chordal bipartite graphs is addressed. First, it is found that the removal of a bisimplicial edge from a chordal bipartite graph produces a chordal bipartite graph. As consequence, occurance of arithmetic zeros will not terminate perfect Gaussian elimination on sparse matrices having associated a chordal bipartite graph. Next, a property concerning minimal edge separators is presented. Finally, it is shown that, to any vertex of a chordal bipartite graph an edge may be added such that the chordality is maintained.
The Conductance of Auroral Magnetic Field Lines

DE-1 high-resolution double-probe electric-field data and simultaneous magnetic-field measurements are reported for two 1981 events with large electric fields which reversed over short distances. The data are presented graphically and analyzed in detail. A field-line conductance of about 1 nmho/sq m is determined for both upward and downward currents, and the ionospheric conductivity is shown, in the short-wavelength limit, to have little effect on the relationship between the (N-S) electric and (E-W) magnetic fields above the potential drop parallel to the magnetic-field lines. The results are found to be consistent with a linear relationship between the field-aligned current density and the parallel potential drop.
Gain Optimization with Nonlinear Controls

An algorithm has been developed for the analysis and design of controls for nonlinear systems. The technical approach is to use statistical linearization to model the nonlinear dynamics of a system. A covariance analysis is performed to determine the behavior of the dynamical system and a quadratic cost function. Expressions for the cost function and its derivatives are determined so that numerical optimization techniques can be applied to determine optimal feedback laws. The primary application for this report is centered about the design of controls for nominally linear systems but where the controls are saturated or limited by fixed constraints. The analysis is general however and numerical omputation requires only that the specific nonlinearity be considered in the analysis.
Prospective Mobility, Fairness, and the Demand for Redistribution

People who believe that their society has few impediments to upward mobility tend to oppose governmental redistribution. This is true even among the poor. Is this because people with this belief expect to be well off in the future, and hence oppose redistribution on self-interested gounds? Or is it because they believe that the less well off have not made the effort to move up, and therefore are morally undeserving of support? This paper uses quantitative sensitivity analysis to examine the robustness of the evidence for each of these views. It finds that the effect of prospective mobility is sensitive to measurement error in current income. In contrast, there is robust support for the view that beliefs about moral worthiness matter.
Eine neue Methode zur Berechnung der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit von Halbleitern in starken homogenen elektrischen Feldern

Die Boltzmanngleichung wird fur Elektronen in einem Halbleiter in der Form $$\frac{{\partial f}}{{\partial t}} + F \cdot \frac{{\partial f}}{{\partial k}} = \frac{{h - f}}{{\tau _0 }} + \frac{1}{{\tau \left( k \right)}} \cdot \frac{1}{{4\pi }}\int {d\Omega 'w\left( \theta \right)\left( {f\left( {k,\vartheta '} \right) - f\left( {k,\vartheta '} \right)} \right)} $$ angenommen, wobeih die Maxwell-Boltzmann-Verteilung ist und die Energieflachenstruktur der GitterelektronenE(k) spharisch vorausgesetzt wird. Die stationaren Losungen fur starke elektrische Felder zeigen fur nicht zu grose elastische Stosfrequenzen eine Bundelung der Elektronen in Feldrichtung (Feldorientierung), so das fur grosere Energien praktisch alle in einem Kegel mit kleinem Offnungswinkel um die Feldrichtung liegen. Jedes Transportproblem, dessen Stosoperator wenigstens fur grose Energien auf obige Form gebracht werden kann, last sich ausgehend von der idealen Feldorientierung (als nullte Naherung) storungstheoretisch losen. Es werden die Bedingungen untersucht, unter denen die Feldorientierung der Elektronenverteilung besteht.
Encouraging Contributions to Online Communities with Personalization and Incentives

Increasingly, online systems depend on user contributions such as posts, ratings, tags, and comments. Many of these systems wish to encourage broader participation or the contribution of higher quality content. In this doctoral consortium paper, I present past work and propose future work on understanding user motivations to contribute online and on the use of personalization technology and incentives to shape participation.
Genetic Modification of Recombination Rate in TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM

ABSTRACT Asymmetrical responses were obtained in a replicated study of 15 generations of two-way selection for recombination rate between the ruby ( rb ) and jet ( j ) loci in Tribolium castaneum . Recombination rates in the two replicate high lines increased from an average of 0.22 in the base populations to an average of 0.42 at generation 15. Recombination rate pooled over the 15 generations of selection in each low line was significantly less than the control but there was no clear downward trend in response to selection for decreased recombination rate. The realized heritabilities were 0.16 ± 0.03 and 0.17 ± 0.02 in the two high lines, and were not significantly different from zero in the two low lines. Selection was based on crossing over in cis females only; however, rates measured in cis males after 12 generations showed the same response patterns as female rates. Similar response patterns were also determined for recombination measured in trans males and females at generation 18 following three generations of relaxed selection. The distribution of recombination rates measured in backcross beetles [(H × L) × H and (H × L) × L] at generation 12 indicated polygenic control with those genes decreasing recombination rate being dominant. Detailed analysis of recombination rates in F 1 9s produced by interline crosses at generation 15 confirmed the directional dominance findings. Under a polygenic model of recombination modifiers in which low recombination is dominant to high, average recombination rates will increase as inbreeding progresses, thus providing a mechanism for the production of new gene combinations in small populations.
Effects of noncatalytic residue mutations on substrate specificity and ligand binding of Thermobifida fusca endocellulase Cel6A

The availability of a high-resolution structure of the Thermobifida fusca endocellulase Cel6A catalytic domain makes this enzyme ideal for structure-based efforts to engineer cellulases with high activity on native cellulose. In order to determine the role of conserved, noncatalytic residues in cellulose hydrolysis, 14 mutations of six conserved residues in or near the Cel6A active-site cleft were studied for their effects on catalytic activity, substrate specificity, processivity and ligand-binding affinity. Eleven mutations were generated by site-directed mutagenesis using PCR, while three were from previous studies. All the CD spectra of the mutant enzymes were indistinguishable from that of Cel6A indicating that the mutations did not dramatically change protein conformation. Seven mutations in four residues (H159, R237, K259 and E263) increased activity on carboxymethyl cellulose (CM-cellulose), with K259H (in glucosyl subsite -2) creating the highest activity (370%). Interestingly, the other mutations in these residues reduced CM-cellulose activity. Only the K259H enzyme retained more activity on acid-swollen cellulose than on filter paper, suggesting that this mutation affected the rate-limiting step in crystalline cellulose hydrolysis. All the mutations lowered activity on cellotriose and cellotetraose, but two mutations, both in subsite +1 (H159S and N190A), had higher kcat/Km values (6.6-fold and 5.0-fold, respectively) than Cel6A on 2,4-dinitrophenyl-beta-D-cellobioside. Measurement of enzyme : ligand dissociation constants for three methylumbelliferyl oligosaccharides and cellotriose showed that all mutant enzymes bound these ligands either to the same extent as or more weakly than Cel6A. These results show that conserved noncatalytic residues can profoundly affect Cel6A activity and specificity.
P63 and P73: Teammates or adversaries?

The status and interrelationship of p53 family members are critical elements in tumor progression. An intriguing paper in this issue of Cancer Cell (Rocco et al., 2006) reveals a new twist in the interactions between p63 and p73 following DNA damage, underscoring a role for p73 in the proapoptotic regulation of Puma, Noxa, and Bcl-2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). These data define a pathway in which ΔNp63α promotes survival in squamous epithelial malignancy by repressing a p73-dependent proapoptotic transcriptional program, suggesting that p63 levels and p73 status may be key determinants of tumor response in patients with HNSCC.
UV-B modulation of haplo-identical bone marrow cells in the prevention of GVHD and induction of specific transplantation tolerance to intestinal allografts.

Abstract Ultraviolet B (UV-B) irradiation of BM cells (BMC) prior to transplantation into lethally gamma irradiated allogeneic rats prevents graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), induces stable allogeneic chimerism and specific tolerance to donor-type allografts. This study evaluated the role of UV-B modulation of bone marrow transplant (BMT) in the prevention of GVHD in the parent (P)-to-F1 hybrid rat combination of Lewis-to-Lewis × Brown Norway F1 (LBNF1) and of subsequent tolerance to small bowel transplantation (SBT). Lethally gamma irradiated (10.5 Gy) LBNF1 recipients of unmodified Lewis BMT (admixture of 108 BMC and 5 × 106 spleen cells) developed lethal GVHD and died within 55 days. Similarly, groups of lethally irradiated LBNF1 recipients of Lewis BMT treated with 100–300 J/m2 UV-B developed GVHD and died within 47 days. All F1 hybrid recipients of Lewis BMT treated with 700 or 900 J/m2 of UV-B permanently accepted their BM grafts, gained weight, showed no clinical evidence of GVHD and survived for > 300 days. These stable chimeras expressed 94–98% donor T-cells in their lymph nodes and became tolerant to BM donor-type (Lewis) SBT when grafted 180 days after BMT. In contrast, similarly prepared F1 recipients rejected BN SBT, thus demonstrating donor specificity. The chimeric rats were specifically unresponsive to donor (Lewis) Ag in MLR while they maintained normal alloreactivity to BN stimulators. These results suggest that UV-B irradiation of BMT offers a promising approach to overcoming the limitations of T-cell depletion of BMT and may offer a useful approach for recipient conditioning for induction of transplantation tolerance.
The ischemic infarct pulp of traumatized teeth: A light and electron microscopic study

Extirpated pulps from 42 traumatized, asymptomatic teeth with no history of periapical pathosis, pulp exposure, or responsiveness to pulp tests were examined by light microscopic techniques. Only 5 pulps demonstrated infarcts; these were further evaluated with the transmission electron microscope. Eight microscopically, as compared lo the normal controls, the pulp tissue of the so-called ischemic infarct was markedly altered. Some areas showed inflammation and altered nuclei, but with no discernible neural elements, and with less collagen. The electron microscopic samples showed evidence of necrosis, pal-terns of nuclear degradation, relative avascularity, degenerating neural elements, and disorganized collagen. It was concluded that the ischemic in fan; l phenomenon in the traumatized pulp docs occur occasionally, but presents a variety of structural alterations indicating degeneration.
Modeling the number of bids received for outer continental shelf leases by Poisson-type models

Since 1954, the U.S. federal government has held hydrocarbon lease sales for areas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The U.S. DOE is charged with developing lease sale policies designed to increase competition on the offered tracts. Increased competition has been assumed synonymous with increased number of bids (NOB). To study the influence of alternative bidding systems on the number of bids received, a mixed Poisson-type model has previously been employed. The authors show why this model is not statistically supportable. A truncated model is proposed and is shown to be statistically justified for the number of solo bids over all sales and marginally supported for the number of joint bids on sales before the joint-bidding ban.
Attenuation of alcohol intake by Ibogaine in three strains of alcohol-preferring rats

Alcohol-preferring (P), Fawn-Hooded (FH) and alcohol-accepting (AA) rats were injected intraperitoneally (IP) or subcutaneously (SC) with different doses (10, 30, and 60 mg/kg) of Ibogaine or vehicle. In a separate experiment, FH rats were administered intragastrically (IG) with either 60 mg/kg of Ibogaine or vehicle for 5 days. In addition, the effects of Ibogaine on blood alcohol concentrations were measured. Our data show that, contrary to the SC administration of Ibogaine, IP administration of the agent significantly and dose-dependently reduced alcohol intake in these rats. Subchronic IG administration of 60 mg/kg of Ibogaine into FH rats significantly reduced alcohol intake without the development of tolerance or a significant effect on food or water intake. A single IP injection of 60 mg/kg Ibogaine into FH rats did not affect the blood alcohol levels. These results show that Ibogaine when injected IP or IG, but not SC, can significantly reduce alcohol intake without an effect on blood alcohol concentrations or food intake. These findings may suggest the involvement of Ibogaine's metabolite(s) in reducing alcohol intake. Although the neuronal mechanism(s) of action of Ibogaine on the regulation of alcohol intake is not fully understood, it is speculated that Ibogaine or its metabolite(s) exerts its attenuating effect on alcohol intake by modulating neurotransmitters/neuromodulators proposed to be involved in regulation of alcohol consumption.
Generalized Linear Models

A new program for depression is instituted in the hopes of reducing the number of visits each patient makes to the emergency room in the year following treatment. Predictors include (among many others) treatment (yes/no), race, and drug and alcohol usage indices. A common and minimally invasive treatment for jaundice in newborns is exposure to light. Yet the cost of this is high, mainly because of longer hospital stays, which are expensive. Predictors of the cost include race, gestational age, and birthweight.
Zeus: An object-oriented distributed operating system for reliable applications

This paper presents the principles followed in designing Zeus, an object-oriented distributed operating system designed to study integration of recovery mechanisms into the designs of distributed command and control systems. The primary goal of the Zeus design is to define reliable object management functions for distributed command and control systems and to evaluate the performance and the correctness of the recovery mechanisms for these functions. Therefore, no implementation of this design currently exists. The user provided functions support definition of object types, creation of objects, and updating of distributed objects using atomic transactions. We are currently evaluating the performance characteristics of this design using simulation models and proving the correctness of the recovery mechanisms using formal methods based on Gypsy language [AKER83], events and state transition based models [TRIP83b], and simulation models. To achieve these goals we have refined the Zeus design to a significantly detailed level. To date we have explored this design only from the viewpoint of these goals. Several research problems necessary to implement this system remain unexplored. For example, a linguistic mechanism is needed to introduce object type definitions into the system and to define processes and transactions.A distributed operating system for highly reliable applications must provide 1) recovery mechanisms that are transparent to the application developers and 2) naming mechanisms that make the physical distribution of objects and functions transparent to the application programmer. The second feature is important to make development of distributed software no more difficult than the development of conventional software systems. The Zeus design has made a significant contribution In this direction. Other systems have integrated these two concepts in their designs, however they typically limit object management to the file storage level. To date, Argus [LISK82] is the only other system which provides a set of general mechanisms for reliable management of distributed objects of any type. Zeus provides these mechanisms and addresses several other issues such as object relocation, authentication and object protection, not included in the Argus design. Another novel feature in Zeus is the integration of the conventional database management functions into the operating system object management functions. This is important because most of the todays popular operating systems do not provide efficient machanisms for database applications [STON81]. Even with respect to its recovery model, the Zeus design differs significantly from other known designs.
Local, Regional, and Global Implications of Elemental Mercury in Metal (Copper, Silver, Gold, and Zinc) Ores: Insights from Lake Superior Sediments

Anthropogenic inventories for copper (229 ± 89 ug/cm2, N = 30), and mercury (470 ± 307 ng/cm2, N = 25) in Lake Superior sediments are much greater than inventories in remote lakes (Cu 50 ± 31 ug/cm2, Hg 64 ± 34 ng/cm2, N = 16) that receive inputs largely from long-distance atmospheric sources. Whereas the absolute concentration of mercury in Lake Superior sediments is not high (80–110 ng/g), enrichment ratios along coastal margins indicate industrial sources. An example of previously unreported mining-related inputs comes from native copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Around the peninsula, sediment inventories for mercury, silver, and copper are highly correlated and can be traced back to shoreline tailing piles, smelters, and parent ores. Elemental mercury occurs as a natural amalgam or solid solution substitution in native metal (copper, silver, gold) deposits and associated gangue minerals (e.g., sphalerite, ZnS) at μg/g or higher concentrations. Native copper stamp mills discharged more than 364 million metric tons of “stamp sand” tailings, whereas copper smelters refined five million metric tons of copper, liberating together at least 42 metric tons of mercury. Release of trace mercury from Lake Superior mining deserves regional attention as preliminary estimates resemble EPA Region #9 patterns and could help explain the 4–7 fold sediment inventory discrepancies. We show that the Keweenaw situation is not unique geographically, as mineral-bound trace mercury is commonplace in U.S. and Canadian Greenstone Belts and of worldwide occurrence in precious (gold, silver) and massive base metal (copper, zinc) ore deposits.
The vibrational spectrum of perfluorocyclobutane. Reply to Harris and Yang

Abstract The i.r. and Raman spectra of perfluorocyclobutane have been reported twice recently. Miller and Capwell (1971) concluded that the symmetry is D d 2 . D h 4 was eliminated because of finding seven pairs of i.r.-Raman coincidences in the gas. Harris and Yang (1974) concluded in favor of D h 4 , saying, “… no similar evidence for coincident frequencies is found in the present study … the spectral variations appear to be with the i.r. data.” The disputed i.r. bands of the gas have therefore been re-examined. For the solid the complete Raman spectrum and several low-frequency i.r. bands have been measured. For the gas there are at least four significant pairs of coincidences. The question is whether they are genuine or accidental coincidences. Harris and Yang claim the latter, but their alternative explanations for most of the cases are non-existent, incorrect, or unconvincing. We conclude that in the gas phase the symmetry is D d 2 . In the solid the evidence for D d 2 is less convincing, but the added complications of solid state spectra relative to gas phase spectra load us to attach more significance to the latter.
The origins and culture of blacksmiths in Kuku society of the Sudan, 1797–1955

Abstract The Kuku are a large ethnic group in the southern region of the Sudan. They belong to a cultural and linguistic group called the Eastern Nilotes. The Kuku are one of the last waves of the Eastern Nilotic group that occupied the territory now known as Kajo-Kaji. This land was originally inhabited by a Sudanic group of people called Moru-Madi. When the Kuku people crossed the River Nile from the east, they absorbed some of the clans of this group. Over time, the Kuku people interacted with the Bari people to the north, the Madi and Lugbara to the south, and the Kakwa to the west. This inter-mixing resulted in the creation of unique Kuku traditional values, norms, beliefs, and customs. * Before I present a comprehensive discussion on the origins and culture of blacksmiths in Kuku society, my readers should know something about me. I was born and raised in Kuku society in the 1960s and am fluent and proficient in the Kuku language. I am the first Kuku intellectual to receive a Ph.D. degree in History...