cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
XAFS on Vectorially-Oriented Single Monolayer Protein Samples

Polarized XAFS measurements were carried out on a single monolayer of cytochrome c tethered to a self assembled organic monolayer. The monolayer contains 10 12 to 10 13 protein molecules per cm 2 , which is 10 to 100 times more dilute than a single monolayer of small inorganic molecules. Thus, the spectra were collected under total reflection conditions to ensure a reasonable signal to noise ratio by increasing signal counts and, in the mean time, reducing background. The spectrum with X-ray polarization parallel to the substrate surface is found to be similar to the spectrum of the perpendicular orientation. However, the spectra are somewhat different from the spectrum of cytochrome c in a frozen solution. The differences may be attributed to thermal effects and/or the impurity signal from the silicon or quartz substrates. Optical linear dichroism measurements determined the tilt angle between the average heme-plane and the substrate surface plane to be about 40°, consistent with XAFS observations. XAFS experiments on a single protein monolayer provide new opportunities for probing metal centers in biology.
Image Encryption Using Arnold Transform Technique and Hartley Transform Domain

This paper proposes an image encryption method to encrypt a covert image by combining the Arnold transform technique in the space domain and the Hartley transform method in the frequency domain. First, transform a covert image into form eight binary images by decimal value to eight-digit binary operation. Then, transform eight binary images into form eight binary scrambled images by the Arnold transform, respectively. And then, recombine the sequence of the eight binary scrambled matrices into a scrambled matrix with 256 gray levels according to the specific order. Finally, derive an encrypted image from the scrambled image by the Hartley transform. Simulations show that the proposed method has higher image scrambling degree, more security and has robustness against occlusion and salt & pepper noise attacks.
A simple method for simultaneous detection of Fc receptors and differentiation antigens on normal and neoplastic murine hematopoietic cells

Cell surface receptors for immunoglobulin Fc regions can be detected by light microscopy of cytocentrifuge preparations of normal or malignant murine hematopoietic cells. The cells are first incubated in a culture supernate containing a monoclonal anti-hapten antibody, then with heat-killed, haptenated bacteria. Using 2 morphologically distinct strains of bacteria, we can detect both Fc receptors and cell surface differentiation antigens.
George Baron and the Mathematical Correspondent

Abstract George Baron immigrated to the United States from England at the end of the eighteenth century. He edited the first mathematical journal in the United States, the Mathematical Correspondent . This journal was strongly influenced by the popular English journals that contained mathematical problems and their solutions.
How to apply de Bruijn graphs to genome assembly

A mathematical concept known as a de Bruijn graph turns the formidable challenge of assembling a contiguous genome from billions of short sequencing reads into a tractable computational problem.
Widespread correction of central nervous system disease after intracranial gene therapy in a feline model of Sandhoff disease

Sandhoff disease (SD) is caused by deficiency of N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase (Hex) resulting in pathological accumulation of GM2 ganglioside in lysosomes of the central nervous system (CNS) and progressive neurodegeneration. Currently, there is no treatment for SD, which often results in death by the age of five years. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy achieved global CNS Hex restoration and widespread normalization of storage in the SD mouse model. Using a similar treatment approach, we sought to translate the outcome in mice to the feline SD model as an important step toward human clinical trials. Sixteen weeks after four intracranial injections of AAVrh8 vectors, Hex activity was restored to above normal levels throughout the entire CNS and in cerebrospinal fluid, despite a humoral immune response to the vector. In accordance with significant normalization of a secondary lysosomal biomarker, ganglioside storage was substantially improved, but not completely cleared. At the study endpoint, 5-month-old AAV-treated SD cats had preserved neurological function and gait compared with untreated animals (humane endpoint, 4.4±0.6 months) demonstrating clinical benefit from AAV treatment. Translation of widespread biochemical disease correction from the mouse to the feline SD model provides optimism for treatment of the larger human CNS with minimal modification of approach.
Self-regulation of response patterning - Implications for psychophysiological research and therapy

This paper develops the basic premise that learning to self-regulate a pattern of responses can have different consequences from those observed when controlling individual functions alone. It is suggested that the self-regulation of patterns of responses can be a particularly sensitive and effective procedure for(a) uncovering biological linkages and constraints between responses in the intact human,(b) investigating how multiphysiological systems combine to produce unique subjective experiences and effects on performance, and(c) enhancing the clinical effectiveness of biofeedback procedures by training patients to integrate and coordinate voluntarily specific patterns of cognitive, autonomic, and motor responses. These hypotheses are illustrated by basic research involving biofeedback training for patterns of blood pressure, heart rate and EEG activity, related experiments on the cognitive self-regulation of patterns of physiological responses using affective imagery and meditation procedures, and case studies of patients treated with biofeedback. The concept of electronic biofeedback as an “unnatural act” is presented with the goal of placing self-regulation within a more biobehavioral perspective emphasizing the natural patterning of physiological processes.
Impact of metabolic syndrome on the outcomes of superficial femoral artery interventions

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is an epidemic in the United States and is associated with early onset of atherosclerosis, increased thrombotic events, and increased complications after cardiovascular intervention. MetSyn is found in ∼50% of patients with peripheral vascular disease. However, its impact on peripheral interventions is unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the outcomes of superficial femoral artery (SFA) interventions in patients with and without MetSyn. Methods A database of patients undergoing endovascular treatment of SFA disease between 1999 and 2009 was retrospectively queried. MetSyn was defined as the presence of ≥3 of the following criteria: blood pressure ≥130 mm Hg/≥85 mm Hg; triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein ≤50 mg/dL for women and ≤40 mg/dL for men; fasting blood glucose ≥110 mg/dL; or body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 . Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed to assess time-dependent outcomes. Factor analyses were performed using a Cox proportional hazard model for time-dependent variables. Results A total of 1018 limbs in 738 patients (64% male, average age 67 years) underwent endovascular treatment for symptomatic SFA disease with 45% of patients meeting the criteria for MetSyn. MetSyn patients were more likely to be female ( P = .001), to present with critical ischemia (rest pain/tissue loss: 55% MetSyn vs 45% non-MetSyn; P = .001), have poorer ambulatory status ( P = .001), and have more advanced SFA lesions (TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II C/D: 51% vs 11%; P = .001) and worse tibial runoff ( P = .001). MetSyn patients required more complex interventions ( P = .0001). There was no difference in mortality and major adverse cardiac events, but systemic complications (4% vs 1%; P = .001) and major adverse limb events (12% vs 7%; P = .0009) were significantly higher in the MetSyn group. Immediate postprocedural hemodynamic improvement, resolved or improved symptoms, and restoration of impaired ambulation were equivalent in both groups. Early failure ( Conclusions MetSyn is present in nearly half of the patients presenting with SFA disease. These patients present with more advanced disease and have poorer symptomatic and functional outcomes compared with those patients without MetSyn.
High resolution observations of the lower thermosphere at millstone hill during the September 1987 LTCS campaign

Abstract The Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar operated during 21–25 September 1987 as part of the Lower Thermosphere Coupling Study (LTCS). During the daytime, local E and F-region correlation functions were obtained using a combination of multipulse and lag profile techniques, while during the night, spectral techniques were employed to probe the local and high-latitude F-region. Emphasis has been placed so far on the analysis of temperatures in the lower thermosphere over Millstone Hill which reveal an increase of about 60°K in the mean daytime temperature on the geomagnetically disturbed day, 25 September, relative to the previous quieter days. This is considered to be due to the transport of Joule heat from higher latitudes. Temperature oscillations of 40°K with a 12-hour period were observed on 23 and 25 September exhibiting downward phase propagation consistent with the characteristics of upward propagating semidiurnal tides from the lower atmosphere. Although large variability is noted from day to day, there is a general consistency with tidal theory predictions for those days when tidal oscillations are apparent.
Mass spectrometry of ions from xenon radiofrequency discharges

Abstract A quadrupole mass filter has been coupled to an electrical discharge and has been successfully employed to identify and measure the relative densities of plasma species (positive ions and neutrals). The apparatus was equipped with a dischargeion focusing system and conventional electron impact ion source. Plasma ion spectra with resolutions comparable to normal electron impact spectra have been obtained from Xe radiofrequency discharges. The predominant ion in these discharges is Xe + but lower densities of Xe 2 + , Xe ++ and Xe +++ are also observed. Detection of the latter two ions indicate the presence of electrons with energies of at least 30 eV (sequential ionization) and possibly in excess of the third ionization potential of xenon. Experiments were conducted in which the effects of dissipated power and pressure on the ion intensities was observed. Unfortunately, quantitative interpretation of the data was obscured by apparent changes in the plasma power density. Experiments where the observed ion density was held constant while the pressure was varied also indicated a change in the power density at the plasma sampling position. Furthermore, these experiments suggest that ion density is not a good measure of power distribution and emphasize the importance of diffusion processes in these systems.
Pointwise Estimates on the Green's Function for a Scalar Linear Convection–Diffusion Equation

Abstract Pointwise estimates are found on Green's functions for the scalar linear convection–diffusion equations that arise when a scalar conservation law with non-constant diffusion is linearized about a viscous shock profile of arbitrary strength. The estimates take the form of Gaussian kernels centered around paths determined by the (typically different) asymptotic states of the convection function. The analysis extends the spectral transform method to the non-constant coefficient case.
Meeting the Leadership Challenge of a Diverse and Pluralistic Workplace: Implications of Self-Efficacy for Diversity Training

Executive Summary Ways to maximize benefits of an increasingly diverse workforce and client base is a continuing concern for organizational leadership. The current processes for managing diversity ...
Diapocynin prevents early Parkinson's disease symptoms in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2R1441G) transgenic mouse

Abstract The most prominent mechanism proposed for death of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) is elevated generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). Recent studies suggest that ROS produced during PD pathogenesis may contribute to cytotoxicity in cell culture models of PD. We hypothesized that inhibition of ROS production would prevent PD symptoms in the LRRK2R1441G transgenic (tg) mouse model of PD. These mice overexpress a mutant form of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and are reported to develop PD-like symptoms at approximately 10 months of age. Despite similar expression of the transgene, our colony did not recapitulate the same type of motor dysfunction originally reported. However, tests of motor coordination (pole test, Rotor-Rod) revealed a significant defect in LRRK2R1441G mice by 16 months of age. LRRK2R1441G tg mice, or wild type littermates, were given diapocynin (200 mg/kg, a proposed NADPH oxidase inhibitor) three times per week by oral gavage starting at 12 weeks of age. Decreased performance on the pole test and Rotor-Rod in the LRRK2R1441G mice was prevented with diapocynin treatment. No loss in open field movement or rearing was found. As expected, tyrosine hydroxylase staining was similar in both the substantia nigra and striatum in all treatment groups. Together these data demonstrate that diapocynin is a viable agent for protection of neurobehavioral function.
Tracking Women’s Transitions to Adulthood: Race, Curricular Tracking, and Young Adult Outcomes

Theories suggest curricular tracking is linked to racial/ethnic inequality. However, prior studies largely examine cognitive outcomes like standardized test scores and neglect behavioral outcomes. They also overlook potential racial/ethnic differences within curricular tracks. This study asks the following questions: (a) Is curricular tracking associated with young women’s social and behavioral outcomes during the transition to adulthood (dropping out of high school, teen motherhood, and poverty)? and (b) Are there racial/ethnic differences in these associations? Using National Longitudinal Survey of Youth data and logistic regression, results show that all women reduce risks of negative outcomes in the college and vocational tracks compared with the general track. However, college track coursework buffers White women from dropping out and teen motherhood (but not poverty) significantly more than it does Black and Latina women. Thus, racial gaps are greatest within the college track rather than lower trac...
Deep convolutional nets and robust features for reverberation-robust speech recognition

While human listeners can understand speech in reverberant conditions, indicating that the auditory system is robust to such degradations, reverberation leads to high word error rates for automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems. In this work, we present robust acoustic features motivated by human speech perception for use in a convolutional deep neural network (CDNN)-based acoustic model for recognizing continuous speech in a reverberant condition. Using a single-feature system trained with the single channel data distributed through the REVERB 2014 challenge on ASR in reverberant conditions, we show a substantial relative reduction in word error rates (WERs) compared to the conventional filterbank energy-based features for single-channel simulated and real reverberation conditions. The reduction is more pronounced when multiple features and systems were combined together. The proposed system outperforms the best system reported in REVERB-2014 challenge in single channel full-batch processing task.
Management of disruption risk in global supply chains

Global supply chains (GSCs) are an integral part of the twenty-first century economy. A disruption occurring within a supply chain, whether it is attributable to a natural disaster or a human-induced event, presents substantial risk to organizations within the supply chain and the markets that it serves. In this paper, we discuss new research toward a risk-based modeling approach to managing a GSC disruption. We introduce the concept of a supply-risk network to capture potential disruptions. Using this framework, we formulate a GSC disruption-risk model that allows for organizations within the supply chain to strategically plan for the sourcing (i.e., procurement) and flow of goods throughout the supply chain in a manner that directly incorporates the risk of disruption. The GSC disruption-risk model is formulated as a two-stage stochastic integer programming problem with fixed recourse, which is an appropriate modeling approach when decisions can be made after uncertainties are resolved in order to ensure that the stochastic constraints hold. This formulation is illustrated with an example five-node network. Furthermore, we explore implications of increasing the reliability of nodes in the network. Finally, we conclude with implications for further theoretical research and for managerial practice.
Compositional analysis of the Huitzila and La Lobera obsidian sources in the southern Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico

Results of neutron activation analysis of 100 obsidian specinens from the southern Sierra Madre Occidental are discussed. Two separate peralkaline sources are identified, Huitzila and La Lobera, which are chemically and spatially distinct. Subsequent subdivision of each source into spatial and compositional subgroups suggest separate flows or subsources. Identification of archaeological artifacts which match these sources compositionally suggests that Huitzila and La Lobera were important sources of high quality obsidian which was distributed widely in northern Mesoamerica.
Ornithine decar☐ylase assay using ion-exchange paper

Abstract A new, quantitative radioassay for ornithine decar☐ylase is described which involves determination of putrescine, the organic product of the reaction. The assay is based on the selective adsorption and retention of putrescine by Whatman CM 82 paper, a weak cation exchanger, and is compatible with the variety of assay conditions routinely employed in which released 14CO2 is measured. A rapid, semiquantitative variation of the assay which should be useful for mass screening procedures is also presented.
Endothelial dysfunction and decreased production of nitric oxide in the intrahepatic microcirculation of cirrhotic rats

Increased intrahepatic resistance in cirrhotic livers is in part caused by increased vascular tone. Several morphological abnormalities have been described in the sinusoidal endothelial cells of cirrhotic livers, but the functional impact of these abnormalities on the intrahepatic vascular tone has not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the intrahepatic endothelial function and the role of nitric oxide (NO) with regard to vascular tone in cirrhotic livers. Isolated rat liver perfusions were performed in cirrhotic rats (induced by chronic carbon tetrachloride inhalation) and weight-matched normal controls. After preconstricting the intrahepatic microcirculation with methoxamine (10(-4) mol/L), response to cumulative doses of receptor-mediated endothelial agonist, acetylcholine (10(-7) mol/L-10(-5) mol/L), was obtained. In another series, response to the receptor-independent endothelial agonist, calcium ionophore A23187 (10(-7) mol/L and 3 x 10(-7) mol/L), was obtained in the absence and presence of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (NNA) and indomethacin. In a third series of rats, nitrate and nitrite production was measured in the perfusate of perfused normal and cirrhotic livers. There was significantly less vasorelaxation in cirrhotic livers as compared with normal livers in response to acetylcholine and calcium ionophore A23187 (P < .0001). The impaired vasorelaxation was a result of a decrease in both NO-mediated and non-NO-mediated components of vasorelaxation. Cirrhotic livers from ascitic rats had significantly less vasorelaxation as compared with livers from nonascitic rats (P < .005). There was significantly less production of nitrates and nitrites in cirrhotic livers (P < .05). The liver microcirculation of cirrhotic livers is characterized by endothelial dysfunction that results in impaired release of endothelial relaxing factors including NO.
A bioethical framework for health systems activity: a conceptual exploration applying ‘systems thinking’

Recognizing that the health system is a complex and dynamic network of actors and activities, this paper seeks to push the field of bioethics to develop a more holistic approach from the health sys...
Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 is crucial for oxidative stress-induced but not for osmotic stress-induced hepatocyte cell death.

Abstract Aims In this study, we investigated the involvement of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) in oxidative stress and osmotic stress-induced hepatocyte death. Main methods Activation of ASK1–JNK/p38 cascade and resulting cell death induced by oxidative and osmotic stress was investigated by Western immunoblot analysis and cell toxicity assay using human hepatoma cell lines, Huh7 expressing high level of ASK1 and HepG2 cells expressing low level of ASK1. Gene knock-down of ASK1 using shRNA against ASK1 was conducted using mouse hepatocyte cell line, AML12. Key findings Activation of ASK1–JNK/p38 cascade and cell death in Huh7 expressing high level of ASK1 was markedly induced by the oxidative stress. HepG2 expressing low level of ASK1 was resistant to oxidative stress while cell death induced by osmotic stress was comparable between Huh7 and HepG2 cells. Although the phosphorylation of ASK1 was not observed by osmotic stress, the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK and resulting cell death was induced in both cell lines. The phosphorylation of ASK1 and p38/JNK in the mouse primary hepatocyte were also increased by oxidative stress. Knock-down of ASK1 mRNA in AML12 in vitro significantly reduced oxidative stress-induced cell death, however, knock-down of ASK1 in cells did not affect the osmotic stress-induced cell death. Significance This study revealed that ASK1 regulates oxidative stress- but not osmotic stress-induced hepatocyte death, suggesting ASK1 plays a critical role in oxidative-stress induced hepatocyte death. These results raise the possibility that an ASK1 may be a promising therapeutic target for liver diseases caused by oxidative stress.
Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Harboring Somatic BAP1 Mutations

Introduction Genomic studies of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) have recently identified frequent mutations in the BRCA-associated protein 1(BAP1) gene. In uveal melanoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma, BAP1 mutations are associated with poor outcomes but their clinical significance in MPM is unknown. We therefore undertook this study to define the characteristics of patients whose MPM tumors harbor somatic BAP1 mutation and to examine the relationship between BAP1 mutation and survival. Methods We reviewed the charts of 121 patients with MPM tumors diagnosed between 1991 and 2009 tested for BAP1 mutation, and extracted the following information: age at diagnosis, sex, histology, stage, smoking status, asbestos exposure, family or personal history of malignancy, and treatment including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation as well as survival status. Results Twenty-four of the 121 tumors (20%) harbored somatic BAP1 mutations. The percentage of current or former smokers among cases with BAP1 mutations was significantly higher than in BAP1 wild-type cases, (75% versus 42%; p = 0.006). However, the types of nucleotide substitutions in BAP1 did not suggest that this association was because of a causative role of smoking in BAP1 mutations. No other clinical feature was significantly different among those with and without BAP1 mutations in their MPM. There was also no difference in survival according to somatic BAP1 mutation status. Conclusion There is no apparent distinct clinical phenotype for MPM with somatic BAP1 mutation. The significance of the more frequent history of smoking among patients with BAP1-mutated MPM warrants further study.
Interdigital transfer of kinesthetic after-effects

Two experiments investigated the effect of using a different finger for inspection (I) than is used in making judgments on the size of a kinesthetic aftereffect (KAE). Experiment I investigated transfer of I stimulation of the ring finger to judgments made with the index finger, A control group used the index finger for both judgments and 1 period. Results indicated significant KAE for both groups. Experiment II replicated Experiment I except the second finger was used to test for transfer of I stimulation to judgments made with the index finger. Results indicated KAE for only the control group which used the index finger for both judgments and 1 stimulation.
Social psychological factors involved in adolescents' efforts to prevent their friends from driving while intoxicated

The present research examined factors that could be used to improve campaigns geared toward having adolescents prevent their friends from driving while intoxicated. Three areas were examined: (1) adolescents' ability to make accurate judgments of their friends' drunkenness using information about the number of drinks consumed and the time to consume, (2) their perceptions of the consequences that could ensue if they were to attempt to prevent their friends from driving while intoxicated, and (3) their knowledge of viable strategies if they were to attempt such interventions with their friends. The results show that adolescents have perceptual biases when using information about number of drinks and time to consume when making judgments of drunkenness, and that intervention attempts with friends are likely to result in confrontations. The implications of these findings for the timing and content of educational efforts is discussed.
Precursors to overnutrition: the effects of household market food expenditures on measures of body composition among Tsimane' adults in lowland Bolivia.

Abstract Nutrition transitions are characterized by shifts in diet and activity levels that lead to changes in weight and body fatness over a relatively short time. Research has linked these nutritional shifts to socio-economic factors, including wealth and income. However, few studies have examined household spending patterns on market foods among subsistence populations, which may reveal food access, choice, and indicate household nutritional environment. This paper examines the relation between household monetary expenditures on “market” foods and measures of body composition among Tsimane', a forager–horticulturalist indigenous group in the Bolivian Amazon. Economic and anthropometric surveys were conducted for adults ( n = 1199) 16 years or older in 563 households in 40 Tsimane' villages in 2008. Results indicate that overweight status (19% of men and 24% of women) is more common than obesity (1% of men and 4% of women). Sixty-one percent (61%) of households reported purchasing market foods during the previous week. Multiple linear and logistic regressions suggest that men living in households in the top third of monetary expenditures on market foods had significantly higher BMI (0.69 kg/m 2 ; p = 0.027), weight (1.80 kg; p = 0.048), percent body fat (1.06%; p = 0.025), and probability of being overweight/obese (Odds ratio = 1.83; p = 0.042) than men in households that reported not spending money on market foods in the previous week. We discuss the possibility that the division of labor may help explain the differences between men and women in this sample. This research suggests household expenditures on market foods may mediate the relation between wealth and body composition.
A step-wise approach to deep brain stimulation in mice

Studies of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in mice are rare due to their small size, agility, aversion to handling, and high anxiety compared to larger species. Studying DBS modulation of neural circuitry in murine models of human behavior may ensure safety, guide stimulatory parameters for clinical trials in humans, and inform a long-eluded mechanism. Stereotactic deep brain electrode implantation in a mouse is performed. Mechanical etching of the skull with a high-speed drill is used with placement of cyanoacrylate glue and molding of dental acrylate to affix the electrode in place. Stimulation experiments are conducted in the home cage after a habituation period. After testing is complete, electrode placement is verified in fixed tissue. Electrodes can be safely and accurately implanted in mice for DBS experimentation. Previous findings demonstrated accuracy in placement within the nucleus accumbens shell of 93 % [14]. In this study, there were no hardware malfunctions that required interrupting experimentation. Stereotactic DBS studies may be safely and effectively performed in mice to investigate neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition, examining the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders may be facilitated by widely available transgenic mouse lines and the Cre-Lox recombination system.
Site selection for the cleavage furrow at cytokinesis

The question of how the site for division of the cytoplasm is determined at the end of mitosis has been studied for over a century, and it remains an active, controversial and fascinating problem in cell biology. This problem draws on the use of several model cell types, with the goal of understanding and identifying how the cell cycle regulates signals between the mitotic apparatus and the cell cortex. Studies in different cell types and using a vast array of techniques reveal different answers: these might reflect differences in experimental approaches, multiple and redundant mechanisms and, importantly, diversity in biology. In this article (which is part of the Cytokinesis series), we present a summary and critique of the major models for the roles of the mitotic apparatus microtubules in stimulating furrow formation at cytokinesis.
Determining AII compact orientable 2-manifolds upon which Km,n has 2-cell imbeddings

Abstract This paper formalizes a new imbedding technique and uses the technique to obtain the maximum genus of the complete bipartite graph K m , n . The maximum genus, a theorem of Duke [1], and the genus of K m , n [3] combine to determine all possible compact orientable 2-manifolds upon which K m , n has a 2-cell imbedding.
Speaker height estimation combining GMM and linear regression subsystems

There are both scientific and technology based motivations for establishing effective speech processing algorithms that estimate speaker traits. Estimating speaker height can assist in voice forensic analysis [1], as well as provide additional side knowledge to improve speaker ID systems, or acoustic model selection for improved speech recognition. In this study, two distinct approaches for height estimation are explored. The first approach is statistical based and incorporates acoustic models within a GMM structure, while the second is a direct speech analysis approach that employs linear regression to obtain the height directly. The accuracy and trade-offs of these systems are explored as well a fusion of the two systems using data from the TIMIT corpus (which includes ground truth on speaker height).
Pain Management: Part 1: Managing Acute and Postoperative Dental Pain

Abstract Safe and effective management of acute dental pain can be accomplished with nonopioid and opioid analgesics. To formulate regimens properly, it is essential to appreciate basic pharmacological principles and appropriate dosage strategies for each of the available analgesic classes. This article will review the basic pharmacology of analgesic drug classes, including their relative efficacy for dental pain, and will suggest appropriate regimens based on pain intensity. Management of chronic pain will be addressed in the second part of this series.
Further TLC evidence of the preferential deacylation of cardiolipin and N -Acyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine production in mammalian myocardia, fetal and adult. An in vitro study

Myocardia homogenates from a variety of adult (guinea pig, rabbit, rat, cat, and dog) and fetal (guinea pig, rabbit) mammals, were incubated (in vitro) for 45 min in tris buffer pH 7.4 and at 38°C. Resulting thin layer chromatographic analysis of their phospholipid profiles revealed: (a) noticeable preferential deacylation of cardiolipin (CL), concomitant with the formation of monolysocardiolipin (MLCL) and reduction of the CL level in all the myocardia studied (b) lyso alkenyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (LPE) and lyso alkenyl phosphatidyl choline (LPC) are also produced but in minute concentrations (c) Extending the incubation to 1 h yielded N -acyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (NAPE) in the cat and dog cardiac muscle only; and (d) Prolonging the incubation to 3 h yields a gradual increase in the production of NAPE that mirrors the decrease in CL with the concurrent formation of MLCL.
Uninterpreted Schema Matching with Embedded Value Mapping under Opaque Column Names and Data Values

Schema matching and value mapping across two heterogeneous information sources are critical tasks in applications involving data integration, data warehousing, and federation of databases. Before data can be integrated from multiple tables, the columns and the values appearing in the tables must be matched. The complexity of the problem grows quickly with the number of data attributes/columns to be matched and due to multiple semantics of data values. Traditional research has tackled schema matching and value mapping independently. We propose a novel method that optimizes embedded value mappings to enhance schema matching in the presence of opaque data values and column names. In this approach, the fitness objective for matching a pair of attributes from two schemas depends on the value mapping function for each of the two attributes. Suitable fitness objectives include the euclidean distance measure, which we use in our experimental study, as well as relative (cross) entropy. We propose a heuristic local descent optimization strategy that uses sorting and two-opt switching to jointly optimize value mappings and attribute matches. Our experiments show that our proposed technique outperforms earlier uninterpreted schema matching methods, and thus, should form a useful addition to a suite of (semi) automated tools for resolving structural heterogeneity.
Activation of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling by a Gemini Vitamin D3 Analogue Is Mediated by Ras/Protein Kinase Cα

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, and they play an important role for embryonic development, for bone and cartilage formation, and during carcinogenesis. We have previously shown that the novel Gemini vitamin D3 analogue, Ro-438-3582 [Ro3582; 1α,25-dihydroxy-20S,21(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-23-yne-26,27-hexafluorocholecalciferol], inhibited cell proliferation and activated the BMP/Smad signaling pathway in MCF10AT1 breast epithelial cells. In this report, we investigated the upstream signaling pathways responsible for the activation of BMP/Smad signaling by Ro3582. Among seven different serine/threonine kinase inhibitors that we tested, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors blocked the effects of Ro3582 on the phosphorylation of Smad1/5, mRNA synthesis for BMP-2 and BMP-6, and cell growth in MCF10AT1 cells. Overexpression of PKCα, but not PKCe, PKCδ or PKCζ isoforms, increased Ro3582-induced phosphorylation of Smad1/5, suggesting that PKCα mediates the activation of Smad signaling and inhibition of cell proliferation. Interestingly, the activation of Smad signaling by Ro3582 was shown in Ha-ras–transfected MCF10AT1 cells, but not in the parent cell line (MCF10A without Ras). Inhibiting Ras activity blocked the translocation of PKCα to the plasma membrane and the phosphorylation of Smad1/5 induced by Ro3582, indicating that Ras is necessary for the activation of PKCα and Smad signaling. In conclusion, Ro3582 inhibits cell proliferation and activates BMP/Smad signaling via a Ras and PKCα pathway in breast epithelial cells. [Cancer Res 2007;67(24):11840–7]
The Inflammatory Response in the Pathogenesis of Asthma

logical processes that drive the disease. Recent efforts have attempted to classify asthma according to objective phenotypes. 4Analysis of these pheno types is based on observable characteristics, such as symptoms, biochemical properties, immunologic features, histo logic and morphologic characteristics of tissue, and response to treatment. Lotvall et al 5 described a classification scheme of asthma endotypes, summa rized in Figure 1, that is based on the use of these criteria. There are likely to be molecular differences even within endotypes, as well as overlap in inflammatory features between endotypes—highlighting the complexity of this disease and the need for continued research. Nevertheless, a common thread underlying all endo types is the presence of airway inflam mation, though each endotype has distinct immunologic features. The present review focuses on the inflammatory response in patients with allergic asthma. The mechanisms described in this re view also apply to other endotypes.
The Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ): its factor structure, reliability, and validity.

Abstract Objective National consensus statements recommend that providers regularly assess the transition readiness skills of adolescent and young adults (AYA). In 2010 we developed a 29-item version of Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ). We reevaluated item performance and factor structure, and reassessed the TRAQ's reliability and validity. Methods We surveyed youth from 3 academic clinics in Jacksonville, Florida; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Boston, Massachusetts. Participants were AYA with special health care needs aged 14 to 21 years. From a convenience sample of 306 patients, we conducted item reduction strategies and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). On a second convenience sample of 221 patients, we conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and criterion validity. Analyses were conducted by the Wilcoxon rank sum test and mixed linear models. Results The item reduction and EFA resulted in a 20-item scale with 5 identified subscales. The CFA conducted on a second sample provided a good fit to the data. The overall scale has high reliability overall (Cronbach's alpha = .94) and good reliability for 4 of the 5 subscales (Cronbach's alpha ranging from .90 to .77 in the pooled sample). Each of the 5 subscale scores were significantly higher for adolescents aged 18 years and older versus those younger than 18 ( P Conclusions The 20-item, 5-factor structure for the TRAQ is supported by EFA and CFA on independent samples and has good internal reliability and criterion validity. Additional work is needed to expand or revise the TRAQ subscales and test their predictive validity.
Multi-user communication with multiple symbol rates

Multi-user communication scenarios, have almost exclusively focussed on the situation in which all users share a common symbol rate 1/T. However, future multi-media services will require that users with different (and possibly time-varying) data rates share a common transmission channel. We consider the problem of optimizing a multi-user receiver when the users transmit with different symbol rates. The problem of optimizing the transmitter pulse shaping filters for each user assuming different transmitted symbol rates is also considered. We assume the minimum mean squared error (MMSE) performance criteria.
Computing and competing for research dollars

The objective of this session is to provide you with a sampling of the concerns and realities of practical computing in life science research. Accordingly, we want to: 1) address the problem of computer costs and project how these costs could be reduced via aggregation of the life science market; 2) survey and assess Federal support for computing applications; 3) consider means of furthering the practical applications of research by expediting communications between the medical research community and the community of practicing physicians; and 4) look into the political climate of funding life science research and examine the specific appeal of computer applications.
Korean Parents' Perceptions on the Importance of Computer Usage for Themselves and Their Children: An Exploratory Study.

Many families today have access to computers that help them with their daily living activities, such as finding employment and helping children with schoolwork. Minority families residing in the United States though often do not own home computers. With a greater number of immigrant families arriving to the United States, questions are raised whether parents unfamiliar with the new culture view computers as important teaching tools for themselves and their children. An exploratory study was conducted looking at Korean parents whose children were enrolled in a Southern California elementary school, since this minority group consistently falls within the top ten immigrant sending countries. The study’s purpose was to examine parent perceptions on the importance placed on computer usage for themselves and their children. Findings suggest that Korean parents place a high value on computer usage and see it as vital to job success and academic achievement.
Inferior mesenteric venous sampling to detect colonic ischemia: A comparison withlaser Doppler flowmetry and photoplethysmography

Abstract Purpose: No single method has been identified that accurately and reliably detects patients with impending bowel infarction during aortic reconstruction. Serial sampling of blood gas from the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) for detecting colonic ischemia was compared with two previously described techniques: laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and photoplethysmography. Methods: Nine dogs underwent induced partial colonic ischemia followed by complete ischemia. Serial IMV blood gas measurements were obtained at four intervals: baseline, partial ischemia, complete ischemia, and reperfusion. Simultaneous direct colon wall LDF and PPG measurements also were obtained. Results: Changes in pH, Po 2 , O 2 saturation, and Pco 2 demonstrated progressive acidosis, hypoxemia, and hypercapnia in association with progressive arterial occlusion and a reversal of these trends toward baseline after restoration of flow. The absence of a pulsatile photoplethysmography tracing and oxygen saturation less than 90% were predictive of altered perfusion but could not differentiate partial from complete ischemia. Although the differences in mean LDF values were statistically different during ischemia and reperfusion, there was considerable variability between each measurement. Conclusions: Analysis of blood gas from the IMV and pulse oximetry are useful techniques for detecting colonic ischemia, but only the former can distinguish partial from complete ischemia. The variability in colonic measurements with LDF limits its usefulness for detecting levels of colonic perfusion. (J VASC SURG 1995;22:271-9.)
Geostrophic Turbulence over a Slope

The authors examine freely evolving geostrophic turbulence, in two layers over a linearly sloping bottom. The initial flow is surface trapped and subdeformation scale. In all cases with a slope, two components are found: a collection of surface vortices, and a bottom-intensified flow that has zero surface potential vorticity. The rate of spinup and the scale of the bottom flow depend on L[ F2U1/b 2, which measures the importance of interfacial stretching to the bottom slope, with small values of L corresponding to a slow spinup and stronger along-isobath anisotropy. The slope also affects the mean size of the surface vortices, through the dispersal of flow at depth and by altering vortex stability. This too can be characterized in terms of the parameter, L.
Toward a measured approach to medical informatics.

The paper by Hripcsak et al.1 is a sparkling example of work that is much needed in our field. The preponderance of empirical studies in informatics are demonstration studies concerned with the measured values of a set of variables of interest and what these measured values might say about the efficacy of an information resource. In contrast, Hripcsak et al. have undertaken a measurement study to determine the precision, or reliability, with which these variables of interest can be measured. Why do we need these measurement studies? Science is all about measurement, and a scientist who makes measurements without knowing how well these measurements perform is, after a fashion, flying blind. If medical informatics is going to become a mature science, our measurement methods will have to evolve into a type of reusable technology that researchers …
Consumer Perceptions of Textiles

Fifty women from Woodland, California, selected by a stratified proportional sampling plan, rated 46 fabrics for their appropriateness on 48 attributes. Patterns among fabrics and attributes were determined by factor analysis, using similarity statistics derived from mean appropriateness ratings. Four dimensions were found for fabrics—“synthetic,”“cotton,”“wool,” and “silk”—accounting for 87 percent of the variance among fabrics, and four dimensions for attributes—“desirable characteristics,”“problem areas,”“fragile charac teristics,” and “summery”—accounting for 84 percent of the variance among attributes. Dividing the respondents by age indicated the same perceived structure but some evidence that older women more than younger distinguished between synthetic and natural fibers.
A novel sialyl LewisX analog attenuates neutrophil accumulation and myocardial necrosis after ischemia and reperfusion.

BACKGROUND Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) have been shown to mediate coronary vascular and myocardial tissue injury after coronary artery ischemia and reperfusion. Previous studies using specific monoclonal antibodies directed against P-selectin and L-selectin have demonstrated the involvement of the selectin family of glycoproteins in the early phase of PMN-induced myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. We examined the effects of a novel oligosaccharide analog of sialyl LewisX (SLeX), which blocks both P-selectin and E-selectin in an acute canine model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS AND RESULTS Anesthetized, open-chest dogs were subjected to 1.5 hours of left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) occlusion followed by 4.5 hours of reperfusion and randomly received the SLeX analog CY-1503 (5 mg/kg IV), the nonfucosylated analog of CY-1503, SLN (5 mg/kg IV), or saline 5 minutes before reperfusion. The investigators were blinded to the treatment until all the data analysis was completed. All three groups of dogs exhibited similar and severe reductions in transmural myocardial blood flow in the LCx region as well as pronounced myocardial contractile dysfunction during occlusion, suggesting comparable degrees of myocardial ischemia. After reperfusion, dogs receiving saline (n = 6) displayed an enhanced degree of myocardial injury that was evidenced by a dramatic elevation in plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, PMN accumulation, and myocardial necrosis. Plasma CK activity increased from 1.9 +/- 0.5 IU/microgram protein at baseline to 73.0 +/- 11.0 IU/micrograms protein (P CONCLUSIONS Our results provide strong evidence that treatment with a unique carbohydrate analog of SLeX, CY-1503, significantly reduces the degree of myocardial injury associated with coronary artery ischemia and reperfusion. The profound cardioprotection appears to be related to a reduction in PMN accumulation within the ischemic-reperfused myocardium. Additional studies investigating more-prolonged periods of reperfusion are required to determine whether CY-1503 treatment merely delays the onset or actually reduces the full extent of myocardial necrosis after ischemia and reperfusion.