cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mission possible: RNA interference rescues the hERG current

The congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited disease that causes cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in the absence of evident structural heart defects. It is mainly attributed to genetic mutations that affect the function of ion channels that regulate the action potential waveform. LQTS is characterized by an abnormal prolongation of cardiac repolarization, leading to an increased QT interval, notched or biphasic T waves, and T-wave alternans. Affected patients are at a higher risk for developing arrhythmias, including polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, torsades de pointes, and ventricular fibrillation. The estimated prevalence of LQTS (based on electrocardiographic-guided identification of disease-causing mutations among whites) is approximately 1:2500 in apparently healthy live births. LQTS was initially described in the Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, where QT prolongation and deafness were present. A few years later, an autosomal dominant form of LQTS, in the absence of deafness, was reported. During the last decade, 13 LQTS variants have been described. Mutations in KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A genes account for approximately 90% of the positivegenotype cases of LQTS and underlie LQTS1, LQTS2, and LQTS3. Those genes encode Kv7.1, Kv11.1, and Nav1.5, respectively. Genetic analyses have identified more than 200 LQTS2causing mutations in KCNH2. Missense mutations leading to single amino acid substitutions in hERG (human ethera-gogo-related gene) protein—the alpha subunit of the rapid delayed rectifier current (IKr)—are the predominant abnormality. At the functional level, these mutations result in a decreased IKr. 11 It has been shown that LQTS2 mutations reduce IKr through a variety of mechanisms including aberrant hERG protein folding, trafficking, or ion-channel gating. Although not all identified mutations have been investigated, the majority of the mutations produce failure of the hERG subunits to exit the endoplasmic
Growth of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes from human solid cancers: Summary of a 5‐year experience

Between 1989 and 1993, 255 tumor biopsies representing 4 tumor histologies (melanoma, breast cancer, colon cancer and renal cell cancer) were received by the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were grown from single-cell suspensions of tumor biopsies over the course of 30-45 days. The TIL were grown in medium containing IL-2. To obtain numbers suitable for therapy (>10(11)), TIL were expanded using a large-scale system of cell culture and harvesting. While the largest number of biopsies was obtained from melanoma patients, TIL were successfully grown from 160 of 255 tumor biopsies representing all 4 histologies. Under the culture conditions employed, several characteristics of TIL expansion were observed. The cell surface phenotype of TIL which grew out from the tumor biopsies was generally a mix of CD3+/CD4+ or CD3+/CD8+ lymphocytes. Only TIL from melanoma biopsies were found to be consistently cytolytic and, in many cases, lysed autologous tumor cells preferentially. Interestingly, TIL derived from extra-nodal sites of metastatic melanoma biopsies (subcutaneous, lung, bowel; 36 of 67, 54%) were more likely to have these cytolytic characteristics than TIL derived from tumor-involved lymph node biopsies (7 of 39, 18%). The present study summarizes 5 years of laboratory effort and validates the technologies developed for the large-scale growth and harvesting of TIL. In addition, it summarizes the laboratory effort supporting previously published clinical reports on TIL from our group.
Purkinje cells and granule cells in the cerebellum of the Stumbler mutant mouse.

Abstract The lesion in a new neurologically mutant mouse, Stumbler, has been studied using a Golgi technique and electron microscopy. Heterozygote Stumbler mice have smaller cerebella than their normal littermates from the earliest age studied (9 days postnatal). Purkinje cells have small immature-looking dendritic trees and retain somatic spines for up to 14 days longer than in normal mice. The Purkinje cells in the mutant also exhibit dark-staining organelles in their cytoplasm, as shown by light microscopy. By electron microscopy these organelles have been identified as mitochondria. Profiles of mitochondria are more abundant in both the Purkinje cell somata and dendrites of Stumbler mice, when compared to the normal. Purkinje cells are reduced in number from the earliest age studied, although degenerating Purkinje cells are not seen before P21. At this age, some of the remaining Purkinje cells in Stumbler begin to look almost normal, both in gross morphology and internal structure. No obvious changes in morphology have been seen in the granule cells but the population is reduced in number from P10 onwards. Some granule cell degeneration has been found in the Stumbler cerebellum, but this also occurs in the normal mouse at the same time, and therefore this has not been considered abnormal. The lesion in the cerebellar cortex of this mutant mouse is discussed with respect to the lesions found in some other mutant mice with cerebellar defects.
Effect of vitamin E on the immune system of ewes during late pregnancy and lactation

Abstract The present experiment was designed to determine the effects of a regimen of repeated, intramuscular (i.m.) injections of vitamin E (VE) on innate and humoral components of the immune response of pregnant and lactating ewes. Pregnant ewes were randomly assigned to two treatments consisting of i.m. injections of either VE (30 IU d -α-tocopherol/kg BW, n = 10) or equivalent volume of a placebo (emulsified base, n = 8). Injections were administered at 2-week (wk) intervals to all ewes, as a group, for a total of 24 wk. Lambing occurred over a 5-wk period, starting wk 7 of the study. All ewes were administered a booster vaccination for Clostridium tetani and Clostridium perfringens (C + D) at wk 3. Blood and colostrum were analyzed for α-tocopherol and selenium content, and extracellular glutathione peroxidase (GPX3) activity as measures of antioxidant status; lysozyme activity as a measure of innate immunity and immunoglobulin G (IgG), and anti-tetanus toxoid IgG (IgG-T) concentration as a measure of humoral immune status. Three ewes in the placebo group did not lamb and were therefore excluded from all analyses. Results showed a significant treatment × week effect of VE supplementation on IgG concentration. VE supplementation increased IgG concentrations in ewes after their yearly booster vaccination against C. tetani and C. perfringens ; placebo-treated ewes showed no such response. The extent, magnitude and persistence of the decreased IgG concentration during the transition period were less in VE-supplemented ewes than controls. There was no effect of VE supplementation on the concentration of IgG-T after vaccination. VE-supplementation of pregnant ewes had no effect on serum lysozyme activity. GPX3 increased in both treatment groups, peaking during the transition period. The α-tocopherol content of the colostrum of VE-supplemented ewes was greater than that of controls. In conclusion, VE supplementation of pregnant and lactating ewes had an equivocal effect on variables used to assess immune function. The benefit of VE supplementation to pregnant and lactating ewes requires further research however it may have utility in blunting the immune suppression that occurs during the transition period.
Identifying Multiple Levels of Discussion-Based Teaching Strategies for Constructing Scientific Models

This study sought to identify specific types of discussion-based strategies that two successful high school physics teachers using a model-based approach utilized in attempting to foster students' construction of explanatory models for scientific concepts. We found evidence that, in addition to previously documented dialogical strategies that teachers utilize to engage students in effectively communicating their scientific ideas in class, there is a second level of more cognitively focused model-construction-supporting strategies that these teachers utilized in attempting to foster students' learning. A further distinction between macro and micro strategy levels within the set of cognitive strategies is proposed. The relationships between the resulting three levels of strategies are portrayed in a diagramming system that tracks discussions over time. The study attempts to contribute to a clearer understanding of how discussion-leading strategies may be used to scaffold the development of conceptual unders...
Vacuum electroreflectance, electrolyte electroreflectance, and photoreflectance study of highly doped GaAs

Electroreflectance (ER) is a modulation technique which measures the change in reflectance of a semiconductor when an electric field is applied. Vacuum electroreflectance (VER), a new way of performing the experiment without making contact to the front surface of the sample, is briefly described. Gallium arsenide samples with carrier concentrations >= 1017 cm-3 were studied by VER, electrolyte electroreflectance (EER), and photoreflectance (PR). Spectra obtained by these three techniques are compared, as are the results of fitting a new high-field ER theory to these spectra.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Methane, Ammonia, and Temperature Measurements of the Jovian Planets and Titan from CCD–Spectrophotometry

Abstract Full-disk albedo spectra of the jovian planets and Titan were derived from observations at the European Southern Observatory in July 1995. The spectra extend from 300 to 1050 nm wavelength. The spectral resolution is 0.4 nm between 520 and 995 nm, and 1 nm elsewhere. The accuracy of the albedo calibration is 4%. UBV magnitudes were also determined. Raman scattering was quantified for each planet. Methane and ammonia bands are shown at 0.4 nm spectral resolution, including a new band at 930 nm wavelength which is probably due to ammonia. Maps of the variation of these absorptions across the disks of Jupiter and Saturn are displayed. Saturn's spectrum is undisturbed by light from its rings due to the edge-on geometry during the observations. The albedo of Uranus near 1 μm wavelength has dropped almost 10% between 1993 and 1995, while there has been no change in the ultraviolet. The signature of light from Titan's surface yielded a path length of 4 km-am of methane in Titan's atmosphere. The temperature dependence of the width of the 890-nm methane band was used to measure temperature variations at three altitude levels, resulting in the first temperature maps of Jupiter and Saturn based on reflected sunlight. Jupiter displays a banded temperature structure with some discrete features of a few Kelvin amplitude. Saturn's north–south temperature asymmetry has reversed since the Voyager observations.
Changes in Helping Behavior Self- versus Situational Perceptions as Mediators of the Foot-in-the-Door Effect

College students in an experimental condition were asked to help a child operate a candy machine. On a subsequent request for help from an adult experimenter, these subjects volunteered significantly more of their time than did control subjects. Prior reports suggest, but do not demonstrate, that this foot-in-the-door effect is mediated by a change in self-perceptions of helpfulness. Two possible mediators-self-perceptions and situational perceptions-were measured directly in the present study. Self-perceptions of helpfulness showed a moderate increase for the experimental subjects. Perceptions of potential unpleasantness (e.g., embarrassment) for someone offering help showed a significant decrease for the experimental subjects. The results indicate that the foot-in-the-door effect can be mediated by changes in situational as well as self-perceptions. A recent failure to replicate the foot-in-the-door effect was explained in terms of these findings.
The role of curvature in the slowing down acceleration scenario

Abstract We introduce the curvature Ω k as a new free parameter in the Bayesian analysis using SNIa, BAO and CMB data, in a model with variable equation of state parameter w ( z ) . We compare the results using both the Constitution and Union 2 data sets, and also study possible low redshift transitions in the deceleration parameter q ( z ) . We found that, incorporating Ω k in the analysis, it is possible to make all the three observational probes consistent using both SNIa data sets. Our results support dark energy evolution at small redshift, and show that the tension between small and large redshift probes is ameliorated. However, although the tension decreases, it is still not possible to find a consensus set of parameters that fit all the three data set using the Chevalier–Polarski–Linder CPL parametrization.
Preparation of formylated Novolacs and their photoreaction

Formylated Novolacs were prepared by the reaction of Novolacs with formic acid-acetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. When the resulting formylated Novolacs films were exposed to deep-ultra-violet light, photochemical decomposition of the formyl group was observed. This reaction generates Novolacs through decarbonylation of the formyl radical, which is formed in the first stage of the photo-Fries rearrangement. More than 50% of the formyl groups decomposed after an exposure of approximately 500 mJ cm−2. Both negative and positive tone images can be manufactured by developing these films with a suitable solvent.
Monitoring Maternal Beta Carotene and Retinol Consumption May Decrease the Incidence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Offspring

Retinoic acids (13-cis and 13-trans) are known teratogens, and their precursor is retinol, a form of vitamin A. In 1995, Rothman et al demonstrated an association between excessive vitamin A, >10,000 IU/day, during the first trimester of pregnancy and teratogenic effects, particularly in the central nervous system. However, vitamin A deficiency has long been known to be deleterious to the mother and fetus. Therefore, there may be a narrow therapeutic ratio for vitamin A during pregnancy that has not previously been fully appreciated. Neurodevelopmental disorders may not be apparent by macroscopic brain examination or imaging, and proving the existence of a behavioral teratogen is not straightforward. However, an excess of retinoic acid and some neurodevelopmental disorders are both associated with abnormalities in cerebellar morphology. Physical and chemical evidence strongly supports the notion that beta carotene crosses the placenta and is metabolized to retinol. Only very limited amounts of beta carotene are stored in fetal fat cells as evidenced by the fact that maternal fat is yellow from beta carotene, whereas non-brown neonatal fat is white. Furthermore, newborns of carotenemic mothers do not share the yellow complexion of their mothers. The excess 13-trans retinoic acid derived from metabolized beta carotene in the fetus increases the concentration of the more teratogenic 13-cis retinoic acid since the isomerization equilibrium is shifted to the left. Therefore, this paper proposes that consideration be given to monitoring all potential sources of fetal 13-cis and 13-trans retinoic acid, including nutritional supplements, dietary retinol, and beta carotene, particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy.
PVSS10. Clinical Value of CTA in Patients with ≥50% ICA Stenosis by Duplex Ultrasound

Objectives: CT angiography (CTA) is frequently employed in current clinical practice to evaluate the extent of cerebrovascular disease in patients with DU 50% extracranial ICA stenosis. We studied a) the prevalence of additional clinically significant intracranial or proximal arch occlusive disease not detected by DU, and b) whether such CTA findings predict progression in DU ICA stenosis category. Methods: From 2005 to 2010, 111 consecutive patients were studied retrospectively. 81 were asymptomatic and 30 symptomatic (TIA, stroke, AF). Kappa agreement between DU stenosis category and CTA was determined. Findings on CTA considered significant were 50% intracranial ICA stenosis, proximal CCA stenosis, intracranial aneurysm, vertebral stenosis or occlusion, 50% subclavian stenosis and diffuse atherosclerosis of the aortic arch. Progression of DU ICA stenosis from 50-79% to 80-99% was determined in relation to CTA findings. Results: Patient demographics were similar between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients Table 1. DU and CTA were performed within 6 months in 95% of cases. Agreement between DU and CTA was 0.9 (Kappa). 19% (21/111) of patients had CTA findings not detected by DU, of which 17 (21%) were in asymptomatic and 4 (13%) in symptomatic patients (p 0.60, NS) Table 2. Median follow up was 3.2 years. Progression from 50-79% to 8099% was detected in 4 (19%) and in 13 (14.4%) patients with and without additional CTA findings respectively (NS). Conclusions: For patients harboring 50% carotid bifurcation ICA stenosis by DU, CTA provides minimal information of clinical use. Progression of stenosis is unrelated to the presence of remote atherosclerotic plaque burden as detected on CTA. These findings suggests that CTA is over utilized in clinical practice and that DU performed in an ICAVL accredited lab is sufficient for planning carotid intervention if necessary.
Synthetic ecology: a model system for cooperation.

Synthetic biology offers the promise of a better understanding of biological systems through constructing them. Unlike naturally occurring biological systems, which are generally complicated by multiple variables and difficult to isolate components, synthetic systems can be simplified to allow for experiments that would be too difficult to interpret if done in their full natural context. Up to now, synthetic biologists have primarily focused on gene circuits, such as oscillators and switches (reviewed in ref. 1). By building synthetic genetic circuits, researchers in the field have been able to learn more about the rules of gene expression and regulation, including fundamental issues regarding noise, timing, and signal fidelity, for example. In this issue of PNAS, Shou et al. (2) demonstrate an example of a new direction for synthetic biology, what might be called synthetic ecology. Rather than using gene modules as building blocks, they mix cell populations to construct a synthetic simple obligatory cooperative ecology and use it as the basis of a model for the robustness and boundary parameters of such systems.
Rates of advanced spinal imaging and spine surgery

Study Design. Small area analysis. Objectives. To determine the association between the rates of advanced spinal imaging and spine surgery across geographic areas. of Background Data. The rates of spine surgery in the United States have increased along with a concurrent rise in the use of advanced spinal imaging: CT and MRI. Spine surgery rates vary six-fold across geographic areas of the United States. Differences in patient populations and health care supply have explained only about 10% of this variation. Methods. We used a random 5% sample of Medicare's National Claims History Part B files for 1996 and 1997 to determine procedure rates across 306 Hospital Referral Regions. We analyzed the association between spinal imaging and spine surgery using linear regression. Main outcome measures were rates of procedures and coefficients of determination (R 2 ). Results. The rates of advanced spinal imaging (CT and MRI combined) varied 5.5-fold across geographic areas. Areas with higher rates of MRI had higher rates of spine surgery overall (r = 0.46) and spinal stenosis surgery specifically (r = 0.37). The rates of advanced spinal imaging accounted for 22% of the variability in overall spine surgery rates (R 2 = 0.22, P < 0.001) and 14% of the variability in lumbar stenosis surgery rates (R 2 = 0.14, P < 0.001). A simulation model showed that MRIs obtained in the patients undergoing surgery accounted for only a small part of the correlation between MRI and total spine surgery rates. Conclusions. A significant proportion of the variation in rates of spine surgery can be explained by differences in the rates of advanced spinal imaging. The indications for advanced spinal imaging are not firmly agreed on, and the appropriateness of many of these imaging studies has been questioned. Improved consensus on the use and interpretation of advanced spinal imaging studies could have an important effect on variation in spine surgery rates.
Comparison of the Failures during Cyclic Oxidation of Yttria-Stabilized (7 to 8 Weight Percent) Zirconia Thermal Barrier Coatings Fabricated via Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition and Air Plasma Spray

The failures during oxidation of electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD) and air plasma spray (APS) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) on different bond coats, namely, platinum-modified aluminide and NiCoCrAlY, are described. It is shown that oxidation of the bond coats, along with defects existing near the TBC/bond coat interface, plays a very important role in TBC failures. Procedures to improve TBC performance via modifying the oxidation characteristics of the bond coats and removing the as-processed defects are discussed. The influence of exposure conditions on TBC lives is described and factors such as cycle frequency and thermal gradients are discussed.
Japan robotics aim for unmanned space exploration

The findings of a study sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Automation and Robotics Program, prepared for the US government's program evaluating Japanese technology, are summarized. They reveal that the Japanese government, industry, and university leaders have embarked on cooperative projects to develop next-generation robots for space. The goals are to minimize the enormous expense of manned space operations and to spur technology by developing a range of automated machines. Japanese robots are now employed in construction projects on land and underwater, providing experience that may be applicable in space. An overview is given of notable developments to date. >
Histocompatibility in the Rabbi Identification of the Major Locus12

Cytotoxic antisera were produced either by skin graft exchange between related rabbits from the same partially inbred line or by graft exchange between rabbits from different inbreeding lines. By pedigree analysis and correlation with known antisera, these antisera were all shown to detect antigens controlled by a single locus. This locus has been assigned the symbol RL-A. Skin grafts between siblings incompatible for the RL-A were all rejected within twelve days, and graft survival time could not be prolonged with relatively mild immunosuppressive treatment with 6-mercaptopurine. However, a significant number of grafts compatible for the RL-A locus were maintained for twelve days or longer and graft survival time of compatible grafts could be significantly prolonged with mild immunosuppression, suggesting that the RL-A locus is the major histocompatibility locus of the rabbit.
Augmenting Bit-Level Network Security Using Physical Layer RF-DNA Fingerprinting

Successful "cracking" of bit-level security compromises network integrity and physical layer augmentation is being investigated to improve overall security. Intra-cellular security is addressed here using device-specific RF "Distinct Native Attribute" (RF-DNA) fingerprints in a localized regional air monitor, with targeted applications including cellular networks such as the Global System for Mobile (GSM) Communications and last mile Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems. Previous work demonstrated GSM inter-manufacturer classification (manufacturer discrimination) using RF-DNA fingerprinting and achieved accuracies of 92% at SNR = 6 dB. These results are extended here for intra-manufacturer classification (serial number discrimination). Historically, intra-manufacturer discrimination has posed the greatest challenge and RF-DNA fingerprinting has been effective with both Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) and Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) network signals. Intra-manufacturer GSM results are provided here based on identical signal collection, fingerprint generation, and MDA/ML classification processes used for previous inter manufacturer assessment. When comparing performance, the trend for GSM intra-manufacturer classification is consistent with previous work for other network-based signals and device classification is much more challenging. For classification accuracies of 80% or better, intra manufacturer fingerprinting requires an increase of 20−25 dB in SNR to achieve inter-manufacturer performance.
A Nonlinear Response of Sahel Rainfall to Atlantic Warming

AbstractThe response over West Africa to uniform warming of the Atlantic Ocean is analyzed using idealized simulations with a regional climate model. With warming of 1 and 1.5 K, rainfall rates increase by 30%–50% over most of West Africa. With Atlantic warming of 2 K and higher, coastal precipitation increases but Sahel rainfall decreases substantially. This nonlinear response in Sahel rainfall is the focus of this analysis. Atlantic warming is accompanied by decreases in low-level geopotential heights in the Gulf of Guinea and in the large-scale meridional geopotential height gradient. This leads to easterly wind anomalies in the central Sahel. With Atlantic warming below 2 K, these easterly anomalies support moisture transport from the Gulf of Guinea and precipitation increases. With Atlantic warming over 2 K, the easterly anomalies reverse the westerly flow over the Sahel. The resulting dry air advection into the Sahel reduces precipitation. Increased low-level moisture provides moist static energy to...
On the tradeoff between number of clocks and number of latches in shift registers

This paper shows a new family of shift register designs which enjoys a reduced latch count. Reduction in the latch count is achieved by introducing additional clocks. The reduction in latch count may reach the ultimate savings of 50%.
Ultrasound-induced fluid uptake phenomenon in porcine uterine tissue

Previous studies have shown that pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy (“histotripsy”) can mechanically fractionate many types of tissue. However, when uterine tissue was exposed to histotripsy pulses ex vivo, the tissue was observed to take up fluid from surrounding media without visual tissue damage. This paper is a quantitative study of this fluid uptake phenomenon and its association with acoustic cavitation. The endometrial surface of porcine uterine specimens were exposed to histotripsy pulses generated by a single-element 1.1 MHz transducer at a repetition frequency of 4 kHz, pulse duration of 10 cycles, peak rarefactional pressure (P−) of 8.8–11.6 MPa, and exposure time of 25–100 seconds. The results showed that, at the highest pressure level, the amount of fluid reached a plateau after 50 seconds of ultrasound exposure, and the fluid uptake for 50 seconds exposure was quantified to be approximately a quarter (26.1±15.7%) of the specimen weight. In addition, in the association study with cavitation by varying pressure levels, this fluid uptake only occurred at P(−) ≥ 9.7MPa when the initiation of the cavitation bubble cloud was detected by a passive monitoring transducer, and the cavitation activity indicated by acoustic backscatter increased with the fluid uptake. These results suggested that histotripsy can induce a large volume of fluid uptake in uterine tissue and this phenomenon is highly associated with cavitating bubble clouds activity. This fluid uptake phenomenon may have potential for drug delivery.
Poststructuralism and the Epistemological Basis of Anarchism

This essay identifies two different methodological strategies used by the proponents of anarchism. In what is termed the "ontological" approach, the rationale for anarchism depends on a particular representation of human nature. That characterization of "being" determines the relation between the individual and the structures of social life. In the alternative approach, the epistemological status of "representation" is challenged, leaving human subjects without stable identities. Without the possibility of stable human representations, the foundations underlying the exercise of institutional power can be challenged. This epistemological discussion is traced from Max Stirner to the twentieth-century movement known as poststructuralism.
Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing With Additional Learning Needs

Additional learning problems are common in children who are deaf or hard of hearing (HoH). This higher rate of additional disabilities beyond the general population may be related to the overlap of...
Hypoxanthine as a cofactor for the enzymatic oxidation of sulfite.

The oxidation of sulfite to sulfate by liver has been shown to be catalyzed by an enzyme system, of which some of the properties have been described (l-3). In continuation of these studies it was found that a partially purified enzyme preparation was inactivated by dialysis and reactivated by a thermostable factor from liver. This factor has been isolated and identified as hypoxanthine. EXPERIMENTAL
Characterizing responses of translation-invariant neurons to natural stimuli: Maximally informative invariant dimensions

The human visual system is capable of recognizing complex objects even when their appearances change drastically under various viewing conditions. Especially in the higher cortical areas, the sensory neurons reflect such functional capacity in their selectivity for complex visual features and invariance to certain object transformations, such as image translation. Due to the strong nonlinearities necessary to achieve both the selectivity and invariance, characterizing and predicting the response patterns of these neurons represents a formidable computational challenge. A related problem is that such neurons are poorly driven by randomized inputs, such as white noise, and respond strongly only to stimuli with complex high-order correlations, such as natural stimuli. Here we describe a novel two-step optimization technique that can characterize both the shape selectivity and the range and coarseness of position invariance from neural responses to natural stimuli. One step in the optimization is finding the template as the maximally informative dimension given the estimated spatial location where the response could have been triggered within each image. The estimates of the locations that triggered the response are updated in the next step. Under the assumption of a monotonic relationship between the firing rate and stimulus projections on the template at a given position, the most likely location is the one that has the largest projection on the estimate of the template. The algorithm shows quick convergence during optimization, and the estimation results are reliable even in the regime of small signal-to-noise ratios. When we apply the algorithm to responses of complex cells in the primary visual cortex (V1) to natural movies, we find that responses of the majority of cells were significantly better described by translation-invariant models based on one template compared with position-specific models with several relevant features.
Bounding the Partition Function using Holder's Inequality

We describe an algorithm for approximate inference in graphical models based on Holder's inequality that provides upper and lower bounds on common summation problems such as computing the partition function or probability of evidence in a graphical model. Our algorithm unifies and extends several existing approaches, including variable elimination techniques such as mini-bucket elimination and variational methods such as tree reweighted belief propagation and conditional entropy decomposition. We show that our method inherits benefits from each approach to provide significantly better bounds on sum-product tasks.
Weighted isolines: An alternative method for depicting statistical surfaces

“Weighted isolines” is a method of isoline symbolization in which isolines vary in width in proportion to the data values they represent. Results of a map interpretation experiment demonstrate that the weighted isolines method is an effective alternative to conventional labeled isolines of uniform width and “shadowed” isolines (which thicken uniformly along southeastward slopes) for prompting rapid and accurate interpretation of statistical surfaces.
Usefulness of syndromic data sources for investigating morbidity resulting from a severe weather event.

Objective: We evaluated emergency department (ED) data, emergency medical services (EMS) data, and public utilities data for describing an outbreak of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning following a windstorm. Methods: Syndromic ED data were matched against previously collected chart abstraction data. We ran detection algorithms on selected time series derived from all 3 data sources to identify health events associated with the CO poisoning outbreak. We used spatial and spatiotemporal scan statistics to identify geographic areas that were most heavily affected by the CO poisoning event. Results: Of the 241 CO cases confirmed by chart review, 190 (78.8%) were identified in the syndromic surveillance data as exact matches. Records from the ED and EMS data detected an increase in CO-consistent syndromes after the storm. The ED data identified significant clusters of CO-consistent syndromes, including zip codes that had widespread power outages. Weak temporal gastrointestinal (GI) signals, possibly resulting from ingestion of food spoiled by lack of refrigeration, were detected in the ED data but not in the EMS data. Spatial clustering of GI-based groupings in the ED data was not detected. Conclusions: Data from this evaluation support the value of ED data for surveillance after natural disasters. Enhanced EMS data may be useful for monitoring a CO poisoning event, if these data are available to the health department promptly. Language: en
CtBP-independent repression in the Drosophila embryo.

There are three mechanisms of transcriptional repression in eukaryotes. The first is quenching, whereby repressors and activators co-occupy closely linked sites and then the repressor inhibits adjacent activators. The second is direct repression, in which repressors block the function of the core transcription complex. The third is competition, in which repressors compete with activators for a common DNA-binding site. Previous studies have shown that the Drosophila melanogaster CtBP corepressor (dCtBP) is essential for the quenching activity of three short-range sequence-specific repressors in the early Drosophila embryo: Kruppel, Knirps, and Snail. Here we demonstrate that dCtBP is dispensable for target enhancers that contain overlapping activator and repressor binding sites. However, it is essential when Kruppel and Knirps repressor sites do not overlap activator sites but are instead located adjacent to either activators or the core promoter. These findings provide evidence that competition is distinct from quenching and direct repression. Quenching and direct repression depend on dCtBP, whereas competition does not.
Andragogy in Practice: Clarifying the Andragogical Model of Adult Learning.

The andragogical model has stood for many years as a central model of adult learning. The purpose of this article is to offer a fresh look at certain aspects of andragogy that are important for performance improvement professionals as well as other adult educators. More specifically, the objectives are to clarify the current state of the andragogical principles, address certain key issues in using andragogy in practice, and offer a clearer framework for adapting andragogy to different practice conditions. An expanded model, Andragogy in Practice, is offered that more explicitly accounts for factors that must be considered in shaping andragogy to fit the learning situation. An analysis framework called andragogical learner analysis is also offered to utilize the andragogy model in practice during needs assessment and curriculum development.
A tightly coupled region-shape framework for 3D medical image segmentation

Most hybrid 3D segmentation methods either heuristically couple the respective algorithm or combine a true 3D with a 2D algorithm due to computational considerations. In this paper we propose a new probabilistic framework for 3D image segmentation that combines tightly linked region- and shape-based constraints. Region-based label constraints are modeled by a 3D Markov random field, and are tightly coupled to shape-based constraints of a 3D deformable model. The full 3D nature of the combined model leads to a robust smooth surface segmentation that outperforms the single constraint, slice-based as well as the loosely coupled 3D methods.
More Girls Go to College: Exploring the Social and Academic Factors Behind the Female Postsecondary Advantage Among Hispanic and White Students

This study examines the female postsecondary advantage in matriculation among Hispanic and white youth with the goal of exploring whether social capital, in addition to academic performance and orientation, function similarly to help explain females’ higher likelihood of college attendance for each group. Utilizing data from the Texas Higher Education Opportunity Project (THEOP), results indicate that girls’ higher academic performance in high school is an important factor behind their subsequent gender advantage in 4-year college attendance, particularly for Hispanic students. Additionally, compared to their co-ethnic male peers, Hispanic and white girls have greater levels of social capital, such as more academically-focused friendship groups in high school, that are associated with higher rates of college attendance. However, girls’ greater frequency of discussion with high school counselors about college appears to contribute to the female advantage in matriculation only for Hispanic students. For both groups, the analyses suggest that all of the factors considered explain substantially less of the female advantage in 2-year college matriculation than they do for the female advantage in 4-year matriculation. In general, the results underscore the need for more research considering the complex processes through which gender and race/ethnicity intersect in shaping individuals’ paths to college.
Tables of Experimental Reference Intensity Ratios

This paper presents the first Table of RIR values for quantitative analysis as a model for regular updates which will appear in future issues. Diffractionists interested in the reference intensity method of quantitative analysis are urged to read the criteria for preparing data to continue this Table and then to submit new data.
Convolution on mesh connected multicomputers

An efficient parallel algorithm is presented for convolution on a mesh-connected computer with wraparound. The algorithm does not require a broadcast feature for data values, as assumed by previously proposed algorithms. As a result, the algorithm is applicable to both SIMD and MIMD meshes. For an N*N image and a M*M template, the previous algorithms take O(M/sup 2/q) time on an N*N mesh-connected multicomputer (q is the number of bits in each entry of the convolution matrix). The algorithms have complexity O(M/sup 2/r), where r=max (number of bits in an image entry, number of bits in a template entry). In addition to not requiring a broadcast capability, these algorithms are faster for binary images. >
MODELING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DECISION-MAKING: THE CASE OF TAX ABATEMENTS

This research note examines two models of economic development policymaking. The literature on economic development and urban politics provides one image of reality regarding the factors associated with economic development policy in cities. When tested empirically, however, this model is found wanting. An alternative model is presented, identifying the complex set of factors associated with a single governmental policy, in this case, tax abatements.
Ambulatory surgery in the '90s

Abstract Ambulatory surgery is on the increase. As with any new development, there are issues of appropriate utilization and patient safety. This article reviews some of these issues and presents a framework for evaluating the effectiveness and quality of modern ambulatory surgery.
Advising Government Clients: Robert H. Jackson and the FBI Suicide Squad

In 1941, Attorney General Robert H. Jackson learned that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had given an informal green light to the creation of an FBI "suicide squad" that would act outside the law to ferret out foreign agents who were fomenting work slow-downs in the defense industry. Jackson immediately wrote this President a memorandum advising against the project. Although he noted in passing that the project was illegal, his advice was predominately based upon policy. He doubted the wisdom of the project. Jackson's advice to his President epitomizes the occasional duty of an attorney adviser to go beyond the law and provide policy advice to a government client.
The Structural Basis of Coenzyme A Recycling in a Bacterial Organelle

Bacterial Microcompartments (BMCs) are proteinaceous organelles that encapsulate critical segments of autotrophic and heterotrophic metabolic pathways; they are functionally diverse and are found across 23 different phyla. The majority of catabolic BMCs (metabolosomes) compartmentalize a common core of enzymes to metabolize compounds via a toxic and/or volatile aldehyde intermediate. The core enzyme phosphotransacylase (PTAC) recycles Coenzyme A and generates an acyl phosphate that can serve as an energy source. The PTAC predominantly associated with metabolosomes (PduL) has no sequence homology to the PTAC ubiquitous among fermentative bacteria (Pta). Here, we report two high-resolution PduL crystal structures with bound substrates. The PduL fold is unrelated to that of Pta; it contains a dimetal active site involved in a catalytic mechanism distinct from that of the housekeeping PTAC. Accordingly, PduL and Pta exemplify functional, but not structural, convergent evolution. The PduL structure, in the context of the catalytic core, completes our understanding of the structural basis of cofactor recycling in the metabolosome lumen.
High Precision Fractionator for Use with Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation

The recent application of density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGU) for structural sorting of single-walled carbon nanotube samples has created a need for highly selective extraction of closely spaced layers formed in the centrifuged tube. We describe a novel computer-controlled device designed for this purpose. Through the use of fine needles, systematic needle motions, and slow flow rates, multiple sample layers can be aspirated under program control with minimal cross contamination between layers. The fractionator’s performance is illustrated with DGU-sorted samples of single-walled carbon nanotubes.
A Notation on the Egg Production and Mortality of Pullets Free of Capillary Worms

ABSTRACT During the Vineland Egg Laying Test of 1956–57, observations were made of the feces from the pullets in each pen for the purpose of determining the presence of the eggs of capillary worms. This information was then correlated with the egg production and mortality that occurred during the test year. Twenty-nine pens of 16 pullets each were entered in the test; the pullets were reared on the farms of the respective owners and sent to the test on October 1, 1956. In late November and early December samples of the feces were collected from the dropping boards in each pen and subjected to microscopic examination for the presence of the worm eggs. Nine pens out of the 29 appeared to be free of capillary worm infestation. These nine pens were rechecked, again with negative results; this was considered sufficient evidence that the pullets in these pens were free of . . .
Electrets in soft materials: Nonlinearity, size effects, and giant electromechanical coupling

Development of soft electromechanical materials is critical for several tantalizing applications such as soft robots and stretchable electronics, among others. Soft nonpiezoelectric materials can be coaxed to behave like piezoelectrics by merely embedding charges and dipoles in their interior and assuring some elastic heterogeneity. Such so-called electret materials have been experimentally shown to exhibit very large electromechanical coupling. In this work, we derive rigorous nonlinear expressions that relate effective electromechanical coupling to the creation of electret materials. In contrast to the existing models, we are able to both qualitatively and quantitatively capture the known experimental results on the nonlinear response of electret materials. Furthermore, we show that the presence of another form of electromechanical coupling, flexoelectricity, leads to size effects that dramatically alter the electromechanical response at submicron feature sizes. One of our key conclusions is that nonlinear deformation (prevalent in soft materials) significantly enhances the flexoelectric response and hence the aforementioned size effects.
Biology, Life Table, and Intrinsic Rate of Increase of Tetranychus urticae,

The life history of the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, was studied in order to construct a life table and to establish an intrinsic rate of increase for use in population management with predators. Completion of life cycle in the laboratory required 7.5 days at 27±1°C and 95±5% RH. Mean generation time was 16.0 days and the quiescent period between deutonymph and active adult for females was 2.4 days. The reproductive rate was 7.97 eggs/♀/day. A life table was constructed to estimate the population dynamics by intrinsic rate of increase (r=0.336), mean generation time (13.6 days) and net reproductive rate (97.4).
Enhancing the Sensitivity of Label-Free Silicon Photonic Biosensors through Increased Probe Molecule Density

We report a greater than 5-fold increase in the detection sensitivity and a greater than 3-fold reduction in the response time of planar silicon photonic biosensors by increasing the density of probe molecules through the use of an in situ probe synthesis approach. DNA probe molecules are grown in a base-by-base manner with the desired sequence on silicon ring resonator and photonic crystal biosensors, resulting in a greater than 5-fold increase in surface area coverage compared to traditional covalent conjugation methods. With this approach, we demonstrate enhanced light–matter interaction, reduced optofluidic assay detection times, increased transduced signal sensitivity, and improved immunity toward false positives. This work highlights the importance of improving bioreceptor surface coverage densities in low mode volume photonic crystal devices and micrometer-scale ring resonators as a means of mitigating the effects of shrinking device sizes that otherwise limit the number of available target molecul...
Numerical analysis of ballistic composite materials

Abstract To a design engineer confronted with the design of lightweight composite material armor products, the task of sorting through the design exercise can be daunting. Often there are conflicting requirements in terms of cost, weight, thickness, material availability, manufacturability, etc. Computer modeling is an indispensable tool to help the ballistic design engineer manage this complex task in a reasonable amount of time and with available resources. Discussions in this chapter deal with the task of building and executing computer models for lightweight composite materials and using them as a predictive tool without trial and error of conducting expensive ballistic testing. The finite element method is a numerical tool that is widely used in various industries. A powerful design tool is available to design engineers when finite element analysis is combined with experimental techniques that are used to characterize material behavior and verify and validate computer models.