cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contextual natural language processing and DAML for understanding software requirements specifications

In software engineering a system requirements document written in a natural language (NL) needs to be translated into one of the formal specification languages for system execution. When this translation is to be automated, resolution of the ambiguity in the document and explicit definition of implicit domain knowledge are necessary. In our approach, Contextual Natural Language Processing is used to overcome the ambiguity and the domain knowledge is expressed in DARPA Agent Markup Language (DAML). The result is a formal representation of the informal requirements in NL for prototyping and even for implementation.
Pyrophosphorylases in potato. V. Allelic polymorphism of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in potato cultivars and its association with tuber resistance to sweetening in the cold.

UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) was cloned from six American and nine European potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars. Restriction mapping of the different UGPase-cDNAs with BamHI, HindIII, and EcoRI revealed that at least two mRNA populations were present in most cultivars. Staining for UGPase activity in nondenaturing gels of proteins extracted from developing potato tubers yielded two major isozymes that were highly active and appeared to be dimeric in nature. Following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, all isozymes were disassociated into a single subunit with a molecular mass of 53 kD. Since UGPase has been demonstrated to be a single-copy gene in the haploid genome of potato (A.Y. Borovkov, P.E. McClean, J.R. Sowokinos, S.H. Ruud, G.A. Secor [1995] J Plant Physiol 147: 644-652), there must be allelic differences at the UGPase locus (chromosome 11). The two alleles, designated ugpA and ugpB, were identified by the absence and presence of a BamHI site, respectively. The relative band intensities of the two cDNA populations following polymerase chain reaction amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis were related to a potato cultivar's ability to resist sweetening when exposed to cold temperatures.
Social Capital, Social Support, and Food Insecurity in Food Pantry Users

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between food security, social capital, and social support among urban food pantry users in Cincinnati. In-person interviews with 53 participants were completed using the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module, Social Capital questionnaire, and Social Support questionnaire. Social capital was assessed through four subscales using a Likert scale, with a response range 1 to 4, and social support was measured by rating significant others' emotional, informational, and instrumental support as well as companionship (ranged from 0 to 4). The findings suggested that there were no significant associations among them. This may be due to a small sample size. Thus, the associations need to be examined with a larger sample. Further, a qualitative approach may be necessary to explore the contextual nature of social capital and social support related to food security.
Individual forager profits in Apis mellifera unaffected by a range of colony Varroa destructor densities

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman negatively affects honey bee health, flight activity, and foraging behavior, all of which can be expected to affect foraging energetics. We tested this hypothesis in a 3-year field study. In each year, four-frame nucleus colonies with varying loads of varroa were placed under cages with mature rabbiteye blueberry plants, Vaccinium ashei. Individual bee weights consistently decreased as colony varroa populations increased, affirming that the design produced a range of colony mite effects. However, average forager flower handling times and nectar ingestion rates were unaffected by changes in colony varroa levels. Moreover, there were no significant effects of colony varroa levels on individual net foraging energy gain determined per flower, per second handling time, or per second total foraging time. We conclude that individual forager profits in Apis mellifera are unaffected by the range of colony V. destructor densities used in this study. These results are relevant to the question of the extent to which foraging of individuals relates to colony state in social Hymenoptera.
RNA Polymerase II Carboxy-Terminal Domain Kinases: Emerging Clues to Their Function

The cloning of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (pol II) from mouse and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in 1985 ([3][1], [28][2]) revealed a remarkable and highly conserved domain known as the pol II carboxy-terminal domain (CTD). This domain has intrigued researchers interested in the mechanisms
Does Where You Stand Depend on When You Were Born? The Impact of Generation on Post-Vietnam Foreign Policy Beliefs

SOME YEARS AGO Karl Mannheim suggested that generation is one of the more important factors shaping social beliefs and action. "The fact of belonging to the same class, and that of belonging to the same generation or age group, have this in common, that both endow the individual with a common location in the social and historical process, and thereby limit them to a specific range of experiences, predisposing them for a certain characteristic mode of thought and experience, and a characteristic type of historically relevant action" (Mannheim, 1951:291). Mannheim's observation has not gone unheeded. In recent years the concept of generation has been central in such diverse studies as the political right in interwar Finland, a proposed new
Aggregation of Opinions Based on Correlated Cues and Advisors

We study the process by which decision makers (DMs) aggregate probabilistic opinions from multiple, correlated sources with a special emphasis on the determinants of the DM's confidence, which is a predictor of the DM's willingness to accept the implications of the aggregation process. Our model assumes that (a) DM combines the advisors' opinions by weighting them according to the amount of information underlying them, and (b) the DM's confidence increases as a function of a variety of factors that reduce the variance of the aggregate. We report results of three studies that manipulate the predictive validity of the cues and their inter-correlations. Most of the models' predictions are supported but, contrary to the model's prediction, the DMs' confidence is not sensitive to the inter-cue correlation. The best predictors of the DMs' confidence are the perceived predictability of the event, the level of agreement among the advisors, and the advisors' self-reports of confidence. This pattern of results is explained by the ‘system neglect’ hypothesis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infected aortic aneurysms: aggressive presentation, complicated early outcome, but durable results.

Abstract Objective: Infected aortic aneurysms are rare, difficult to treat, and associated with significant morbidity. The purpose of this study was to review the management and results of patients with infected aortic aneurysms and identify clinical variables associated with poor outcome. Methods: The clinical data and early and late outcomes of 43 patients treated for infected aortic aneurysms during a 25-year period (1976-2000) were reviewed. Variables were correlated with risk of aneurysm-related death and vascular complications, defined as organ or limb ischemia, graft infection or occlusion, and anastomotic or recurrent aneurysm. Results: Infected aneurysms were infrarenal in only 40% of cases. Seventy percent of patients were immunocompromised hosts. Ninety-three percent had symptoms, and 53% had ruptured aneurysms. Surgical treatment was in situ aortic grafting (35) and extra-anatomic bypass (6). Operative mortality was 21% (9/42). Early vascular complications included ischemic colitis (3), anastomotic disruption (1), peripheral embolism (1), paraplegia (1), and monoparesis (1). Late vascular complications included graft infection (2), recurrent aneurysm (2), limb ischemia (1), and limb occlusion (1). Mean follow-up was 4.3 years. Cumulative survival rates at 1 year and 5 years were 82% and 50%, respectively, significantly lower than survival rates for the general population (96% and 81%) and for the noninfected aortic aneurysm cohort (91% and 69%) at same intervals. Rate of survival free of late graft-related complications was 90% at 1 year and 5 years, similar to that reported for patients who had repair of noninfected abdominal aortic aneurysms (97% and 92%). Variables associated with increased risk of aneurysm-related death included extensive periaortic infection, female sex, Staphylococcus aureus infection, aneurysm rupture, and suprarenal aneurysm location ( P P Conclusion: Infected aortic aneurysms have an aggressive presentation and a complicated early outcome. However, late outcome is surprisingly favorable, with no aneurysm-related deaths and a low graft-related complication rate, similar to standard aneurysm repair. In situ aortic grafting is a safe and durable option in most patients. (J Vasc Surg 2001;34:900-8.)
Adaptive enhancement of magnetoencephalographic signals via multichannel filtering

A time-varying spatial/temporal filter for enhancing multichannel magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings of evoked responses is described. The filter is based on projections derived from a combination of measured data and a priori models of the expected response. It produces estimates of the evoked fields in single-trial measurements. The estimates can reduce the need for signal averaging in some situations. The filter uses the a priori model information to enhance responses where they exist, but avoids creating responses that do not exist. Examples are included of the filter's application to both MEG single-trial data containing an auditory evoked field and control data with no evoked field. >
Effects of non-repellent termiticides on the tunneling and walking ability of the eastern subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

BACKGROUND: Non-repellent insecticides, including fipronil and indoxacarb, are becoming increasingly important for soil treatments to manage the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). The effects of these insecticides on termite walking and tunneling behavior could significantly reduce their efficacy against colonies. RESULTS: Groups of R.flavipes were exposed to several concentrations of commercial formulations of fipronil and indoxacarb, and the ability of treated termites to tunnel in soil and walk was assessed. Increasing insecticide concentration resulted in a reduction in the ability of R.flavipes to walk, tunnel and form tunnel branches; the importance of these effects on the use of non-repellent insecticides is discussed. CONCLUSION: Exposure of R.flavipes to 1, 10 or 50 mg L −1 of fipronil or 50, 100 or 200 mg L −1 of indoxacarb significantly reduced termite walking and tunneling and the number of tunnel branches. Distance walked (ca 73 mm) by untreated control termites did not change over time for at least 16 h after treatment; control termites formed ca 150 cm of tunnels with ca 40 branches. c � 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Spatiotemporal source tuning filter bank for multiclass EEG based brain computer interfaces.

Non invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCI) al- low people to communicate by modulating features of their electroencephalogram (EEG). Spatiotemporal filtering has a vital role in multi-class, EEG based BCI. In this study, we used a novel combination of Principle Component Analysis, Independent Component Analysis and Dipole Source Local- ization to design a Spatiotemporal Multiple Source Tuning (SPAMSORT) filter bank, each channel of which was tuned to the activity of an underlying dipole source. Changes in the Event-Related Spectral Perturbation (ERSP) were measured and used to train a linear Support Vector Machine to classify between four classes of motor imagery tasks (left hand, right hand, foot and tongue) for one subject. ERSP values were significantly (p<0.01) different across tasks and better (p<0.01) than conventional spatial filtering methods (Large Laplacian and Common Average Reference). Classification resulted in an average accuracy of 82.5%. This approach could lead to promising BCI applications such as control of a prosthesis with multiple degrees of freedom. I. INTRODUCTION A brain-computer interface (BCI) provides a novel chan- nel of communication and control for people with severe neuromuscular disabilities. In non-invasive BCIs, users learn to convey their intent by modulating certain features of their electroencephalogram (EEG). Current EEG based BCI systems have been developed using sensorimotor rhythms (μ and β) (1), (2), P300 potentials (3), slow cortical potentials (4), etc. In spite of the potential benefits to end users, EEG based communication has limited bandwidth and accuracy due to the inherently low signal-to-noise ratio of any feature of interest in the EEG. Furthermore, due to volume conduc- tion of the brain and attenuating effects of the scalp, it is difficult to extract information pertaining to the activity of well localized cortical regions. Spatiotemporal filtering meth- ods such as Laplacian, Large Laplacian (LL) and Common Average Reference (CAR) help in scalp localization of EEG features, and have been shown to have an important role in BCI (5). However, these are largely heuristic and fail to take into account individual neurophysiological and anatomical differences, especially those relating to neural sources. We present a novel method for designing a Spatiotemporal Multiple Source Tuning (SPAMSORT) filter bank. Our ap- proach uses a combination of Principle Component Analysis (PCA), Independent Component Analysis (ICA), and Dipole Source localization, to design a subject specific filter bank, This work was supported by the DARPA Revolutionary Prosthetics
Chemopreventive Agent 3,3′-Diindolylmethane Selectively Induces Proteasomal Degradation of Class I Histone Deacetylases

3,3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is an anticancer agent that induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through unknown mechanisms. Here, we report that DIM can selectively induce proteasome-mediated degradation of class I histone deacetylases (HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, and HDAC8) without affecting the class II HDAC proteins. DIM induced downregulation of class I HDACs in human colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo in tumor xenografts. HDAC depletion relieved HDAC-mediated transcriptional inhibition of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21WAF1 and p27KIP2, significantly increasing their expression and triggering cell cycle arrest in the G(2) phase of the cell cycle. Additionally, HDAC depletion was associated with an induction of DNA damage that triggered apoptosis. Our findings indicate that DIM acts to selectively target the degradation of class I HDACs.
Historical abundance and morphology of Didymosphenia species in Naknek Lake, Alaska

Since the 1980s, nuisance blooms of Didymosphenia geminata (Lyngbye) M. Schmidt have been documented in sites that are warmer and more mesotrophic than historical records indicate. While the invasion of D. geminata in New Zealand is well documented, it is less clear whether nuisance blooms in North America are a new phenomenon. In order to test the hypothesis that D. geminata blooms have increased in recent years, we examined the historical record of this species in sediments of Naknek Lake, in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Chronological control was established by relating the presence of two ash layers to known volcanic eruptions. We identified two species of Didymosphenia within the sediment record: D. geminata and D. clavaherculis (Ehrenberg) Metzeltin et Lange- -Bertalot. This is the first published record of D. clavaherculis in North America. We found no statistically significant change in the numerical presence of D. geminata or D. clavaherculis, as a group, in Naknek Lake between the years 1218 and 2003. While there has been no sudden, or recent, increase in abundance of Didymosphenia in Naknek Lake, morphological features of D. geminata populations in Naknek Lake are distinct compared to morphological features of D. geminata in streams containing nuisance blooms from sites in North America and New Zealand. Variance in the morphology of Didymosphenia cells may help determine relationships between distinct sub-populations and establish the history of habitat invasion.
Decellularization of intact tissue enables MALDI imaging mass spectrometry analysis of the extracellular matrix

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) is a powerful molecular mapping technology that offers unbiased visualization of the spatial arrangement of biomolecules in tissue. Although there has been a significant increase in the number of applications employing this technology, the extracellular matrix (ECM) has received little attention, likely because ECM proteins are mostly large, insoluble and heavily cross-linked. We have developed a new sample preparation approach to enable MALDI IMS analysis of ECM proteins in tissue. Prior to freezing and sectioning, intact tissues are decellularized by incubation in sodium dodecyl sulfate. Decellularization removes the highly abundant, soluble species that dominate a MALDI IMS spectrum while preserving the structural integrity of the ECM. In situ tryptic hydrolysis and imaging of tryptic peptides are then carried out to accommodate the large sizes of ECM proteins. This new approach allows the use of MALDI IMS for identification of spatially specific changes in ECM protein expression and modification in tissue.
Measurements on an RF fiber-optic link suitable for antenna remoting

The authors report on an externally modulated fiber optic link and the necessary support equipment. This testbed permits measurement of link parameters under environmental and operational conditions representative of those that are likely to be present when these links are used in a system. All the control functions and the DC power required by the module are conveyed via fibers. The module comprises an RF filter, a Mach-Zehnder modulator, a control board, and a photodetector assembly. Module power of about 1 mA at 5 V is supplied by a photovoltaic cell that is illuminated by a 0.85- mu m, 50-mW fiber-coupled diode laser. The link gain, noise figure and intermodulation-free dynamic range vs. temperature for two such modules are reported. The gain plot shows that the link exhibits intrinsic gain since these measurements were made without any electronic or optical amplifiers in the link. >
Counseling parents of a child dead on arrival: A survey of emergency departments

The purposes of this study were to (1) document whether or not responding emergency departments (EDs) have a process and/or team to interact with parents of children dead on arrival (DOA); (2) conduct a needs assessment to determine what information is essential to convey to a family of a child DOA; and (3) determine what EDs are doing to their residents/fellows in crisis counseling. A survey instrument was developed using input from key health care professionals at Children's Hospital who are involved in the acute care of children and their families. This survey was sent to directors of EDs in all children's hospitals and those general hospitals with more than 400 beds. Respondents identified themselves as ED directors at children's hospitals or general hospitals throughout the United States. The survey documented the lack of a process or team approach to counseling the family of a child who presents DOA. Often, the most inexperienced physicians are expected to provide this information and to counsel parents. Few EDs reported offering communication skills training in this area. Many respondents expressed dissatisfaction about the lack of a process or team regarding patients who present DOA and recognize the need for improvement.
A low-power low-noise CMOS amplifier for neural recording applications

There is a need among scientists and clinicians for low-noise low-power biosignal amplifiers capable of amplifying signals in the millihertz-to-kilohertz range while rejecting large dc offsets generated at the electrode-tissue interface. The advent of fully implantable multielectrode arrays has created the need for fully integrated micropower amplifiers. We designed and tested a novel bioamplifier that uses a MOS-bipolar pseudoresistor element to amplify low-frequency signals down to the millihertz range while rejecting large dc offsets. We derive the theoretical noise-power tradeoff limit - the noise efficiency factor - for this amplifier and demonstrate that our VLSI implementation approaches this limit by selectively operating MOS transistors in either weak or strong inversion. The resulting amplifier, built in a standard 1.5-/spl mu/m CMOS process, passes signals from 0.025Hz to 7.2 kHz with an input-referred noise of 2.2 /spl mu/Vrms and a power dissipation of 80 /spl mu/W while consuming 0.16 mm/sup 2/ of chip area. Our design technique was also used to develop an electroencephalogram amplifier having a bandwidth of 30 Hz and a power dissipation of 0.9 /spl mu/W while maintaining a similar noise-power tradeoff.
Energy-efficient control allocation with applications on planar motion control of electric ground vehicles

This paper presents a control method for tracking electric ground vehicle planar motions while achieving the optimal energy consumption. Sliding mode control and an energy-efficient control allocation (CA) scheme are synthesized to track the desired vehicle longitudinal, lateral, and yaw motions. By explicitly incorporating actuator efficiencies and actuator operating modes into the coordination of redundant in-wheel motors equipped on electric ground vehicles, vehicle planar motion control and operating energy optimization are achieved simultaneously. Different maneuvers are tested for comparisons between the standard and the energy-efficient CA schemes. Based on experimental data and some reasonable assumptions on the efficiencies of in-wheel motors, the energy-efficient CA dictates different torque distributions on all the wheels under consideration of different efficiencies. Simulation results indicate that, in comparison to the results by the standard CA scheme, less energy is consumed when the energy-efficient CA scheme is applied for controlling the electric ground vehicle planar motions.
Uganda Entrepreneurs: Why Are They In Business

The role of entrepreneurship in economic development is well recognized in most western countries. The recognition of this role is increasingly becoming international as many East European and third world countries replace state capitalism with free enterprise economic systems. This paper reports on a survey study done about the development and future prospects of entrepreneurship in Uganda. Based upon responses from 208 small business owners, the paper discusses what motivates Uganda entrepreneurs, their risk taking willingness, and the involvement of family members in the family business. The majority of Uganda entrepreneurs cited monetary considerations as the main reason for going into business, which could be a reflection of Uganda's current economic conditions. However , most of them would not exchange business ownership for jobs even if jobs became available and paid as well as their businesses. This was due to the independence Uganda entrepreneurs enjoy as business owners. Uganda entrepreneurs become entrepreneurs for monetary reasons but remain entrepreneurs for the freedom entrepreneurship accords them.
THE ASSOCIATION OF REPRODUCTIVE HISTORY, DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS, AND ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO CONSUMPTION WITH THE RISK OF DEVELOPING NAUSEA AND VOMITING IN EARLY PREGNANCY

The role of maternal risk factors in the development of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy was studied in a historical cohort of 825 women who gave birth at the University of California (Los Angeles) Medical Center during a one-year period (April 1983-March 1984). The roles of demographic factors, reproductive history, and consumption of alcohol and tobacco in affecting the risk of developing nausea and vomiting were studied using both bivariate and multivariate statistical methods. Interpretations of the statistical analyses identify three risk factor associations correlated with decreased risk of nausea and vomiting and one factor associated with increased risk. The most apparent pattern was that women who were ethnically white, of white collar or professional occupation, and who consumed alcohol prior to conception, were at decreased risk for nausea and vomiting. The second pattern of decreased risk consisted of women over 35 years old with a history of infertility for one or more years prior to the current conception. The third low-risk pattern consisted of women without a history of nausea during prior pregnancies. The only factor associated with an increased risk was housewife occupational status. The results of this study are consistent with an endocrinologic model for the etiology of pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Salvage Radiotherapy for Postoperative Biochemical Failure of Prostate Cancer: The Path Toward Personalized Medicine

The natural history of prostate cancer varies considerably, as does the clinical significance of biochemical failure after prostatectomy. Salvage radiotherapy (RT) for biochemical failureprolongssurvivalduration insomemen[1], and itsuse at a low serumprostate-specific antigen (PSA) trigger point is endorsed throughconsensus [2]. Clinical biomarkers (eg, PSA level, Gleason score) have longstanding andwell-established prognostic associationwith the results of salvageRT andmay be predictive of outcomes for individual patients in a nomogram [3] or for patient groups in hazards or incidence model analyses. Patients andcliniciansoften faceuncertainty about the path forward nonetheless, largely due to present limitations in establishing the anatomic location and extent of disease: Has the cancer recurred in the prostatectomy bed or spread already tometastatic sites? The use of salvageRT in the latter state is a futile endeavor presently, if cure is sought, and is best avoided. In this month’s issue of European Urology, Freedland et al presented their effort to refine prognostication based on gene transcription analysis of the primary prostate tumor [4], havingmoved from discovery to the (further) validation phase of the commercially available Decipher (GenomeDx Biosciences, San Diego, CA, USA) multigene (transcriptome) expression array. This assay is performed on paraffinembedded prostatectomy tissue and is specifically intended to inform postoperative decision making, such as whether to administer adjuvant RT [5] or add systemic therapy (eg, androgen suppression) to salvage RT [4]—guidance that clinicians may eagerly embrace in the face of uncertainty [6]. Unlike the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment– Postsurgical (CAPRA-S) score [7] or the Stephenson [3] and Briganti [8] nomograms (predicting biochemical, not metastatic, failure after salvage RT), which involve no
Consultation and Therapy in the Boarding High School Setting

The boarding high school environment provides a unique setting for psychiatric consultation and therapy. Problems requiring consultation or therapy always take place where (1) the psychology of the individual student and (2) the dynamics of the school community overlap. An example of a successful intervention is examined, as well as a tragic situation.
Inflammatory reactivation and angiogenicity of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus/HHV8: a missing link in the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

K SHV/HHV8 IS A NEWLY described oncogenic virus implicated in several hematological malignancies.[1-4][1]KSHV is consistently found in all the clinical forms of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS),[1][1] [3][2] [4][3] in primary effusion lymphomas (PEL),[5][4] and in multicentric Castleman’s disease.[3][2] [4
Circadian variation in response to potassium infusion.

The response of 5 normal men to an intravenous infusion of potassium chloride was compared at midday and midnight. Each subject was maintained on strict supine bedrest with oral intake limited to 100 ml distilled waterlhr for the 9 hr before and after each infusion. Potassium chloride, 37 mEq, (with an added label of 200 µCi 42KCl) in iso-osmolar solution was administered via a central venous catheter over 1 hr starting either at midday or midnight. Plasma potassium concentration was elevated by 40% more at midnight than at midday, and plasma 42K activity also rose to a higher level at midnight. These differences were reflected by greater T wave elevations of the electrocardiogram at midnight than at midday, although urinary potassium excretion (total and 42K labeled) was higher at midday than at midnight, indicating that there was reduced renal excretory responsiveness to elevations in plasma potassium concentration at midnight compared with midday. Plasma aldosterone concentration rose during the potassium infusions at both midday and midnight by a similar amount, which suggests that the induced increments in aldosterone secretion were not a major determinant of the differing renal response. These findings indicate that circadian modulations in the physiologic mechanisms which regulate potassium homeostasis profoundly influence the response to exogenous potassium loads. Special caution must therefore be taken in administering potassium infusions at night.
Macroamylasemia: variation in the response of the macroamylase complex to acidification.

SummaryAcidification had a variable effect on the integrity of the large amylase component in the sera of 21 patients with macro-amylasemia. Reduction of pH to 3.4 resulted in complete dissociation of the macroamylase in 13 cases; partial dissociation occurred in six while two remained unchanged. The response to acidification could be correlated with the sedimentation coefficients of the complexes: macroamylases with the highest coefficients tended not to be affected by acidification; those with the lowest values tended to be completely dissociated, while those with intermediate values tended to be partially dissociated. The variable response to lowering of the pH provides further evidence pointing to heterogeneity of the macroamylase complexes.
Production of an Antipertussis Serum of High Titer

During some investigations on the relative susceptibility of various laboratory animals to the toxemia resulting from the injection of Bacillus pertussis, it was discovered that birds were to all intents and purposes entirely immune to the toxic effects of this organism. It seemed reasonable to assume, therefore, that birds would be admirably suited to the production of an immune serum of high potency, and that, perhaps, this immune serum would possess certain therapeutic effects on the disease as it occurs in man. Accordingly, preliminary work, with the pigeon as the host, was done, the details of which need not be discussed. Suffice it to say that the results obtained with the pigeon as the host warranted the production of serum in larger quantities. Accordingly, twelve full grown Australorpe cocks were purchased and tested for infection with Salmonella pullorum by a macroscopic agglutination test, six strains of S. pullorum from three different sources being used as the antigen. Only birds that were shown to be uninfected were used.
Light-driven hydrogen evolution by BODIPY-sensitized cobaloxime catalysts.

We report four photocatalytically active cobaloxime complexes for light-driven hydrogen evolution. The cobaloxime catalysts are sensitized by different meso-pyridyl boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) chromophores, bearing either two bromo- or iodo-substituents on the BODIPY core. The pyridine linker between the BODIPY and cobaloxime is further modified by a methyl substituent on the pyridine, influencing the stability and electronic properties of the cobaloxime catalyst and thus the photocatalytic efficiency of each system. Four cobaloxime catalyst complexes and three novel BODIPY chromophores are synthesized and characterized by absorption, fluorescence, infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and electrochemistry. Crystal structures for the BODIPY–cobaloxime complexes 2 and 3 are presented. In contrast to the photocatalytically inactive, nonhalogenated reference complex 1, the four newly reported molecules are active for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, with a ma...
Cystic nephroma: an ultrastructural and biochemical study.

AbstractA case of a multiloeular renal cyst (cystic nepliroma) in an 18-month-old girl is presented. The light and electron microscopy studies failed to demonstrate nephroblastomatous elements. Analysis of cystic fluid constituents showed levels resembling serum. Measurable levels of prostaglandins E and F also were found. The possible relationship of a cystic nephroma to a nephroblastoma is discussed.
The role of environmental features in route-learning: Two exploratory studies of way-finding

Cognitive representation of the overall layout of an environment provides information about the relative location of fixed sites in the setting which can be used for orientation purposes while navigating. It was suggested, however, that reliance on geographical orientation in way-finding is most likely in relatively undifferentiated settings. In differentiated settings individuals will tend to utilize environmental features, i.e., landmarks, in way-finding. This hypothesis was examined through two studies. In a laboratory investigation using a videotape of a walk through a neighborhood, subjects were able to learn the route in spite of the fact that the procedure minimized opportunities for geographical orientation, and landscape features appeared to play a significant role. In a field study which was conducted in a wooded area, one group of subjects was exposed to a route which contained prominent objects at each choice, while a second group initially experienced the route without the presence of such features. A subsequent test of way-finding failed to reveal a significant difference in performance errors between the two groups; however, the way-finding strategies adopted by subjects in each condition varied. While specific features and characteristics of the setting seemed to be utilized in route-learning, as well as memory for specific turns per se, geographical orientation did not appear to play an important role.
Optimization of wet clean and its impact on sub-50 nm pitch BEOL yield

In advanced technology nodes, the BEOL requires advanced patterning techniques such as triple pattering (LELELE) and side wall image transfer techniques to form metal and via structures with pitches below 50nm. This scenario has imposed increased demands on many of the semiconductor processes involved in the fabrication of integrated circuits. One such process is the wet clean process. In this paper, a direct correlation between clean chemistry and metal/via electrical yield is shown in M1 module of 10 nm technology node. Line and via open yield improved 10X upon adding iso propyl alcohol (IPA) to the standard dilute hydrofluoric acid (dHF) aqueous solution. IPA acts as an inhibitor, and reduces the surface tension, thus preventing over-aggressive etch and displacement of pattern structures during the clean process.
Montesquieu’s Republics

The leading Antifederalists all agreed in attributing their most important argument against the Constitution —‘that a very extensive territory cannot be governed on the principles of freedom1 to Charles Louis de Secondat, the Baron de Montesquieu.2 Montesquieu had stated that ‘It is natural to a republic to have only a small territory, otherwise it cannot long subsist.’ Large republics had ‘men of large fortunes, and consequently of less moderation’, who would make themselves ‘glorious’ by oppressing their fellow citizens. ‘In a large republic, the public good is sacrificed to a thousand views; it is subordinate to exceptions, and depends on accidents.’ In a small one, ‘the interest of the public is easier perceived, better understood, and more within the reach of every citizen; abuses are of less extent, and of course are less protected’3 Both ‘Cato’ and ‘Brutus’ quoted these passages in their entirety to criticize the United States Constitution,4 and others referred to them frequently, whether or not they had ever read The Spirit of the Laws.5
Convoy movement problem: a civilian perspective

We study the convoy movement problem in peacetime from a civilian perspective by seeking to minimize civilian traffic disruptions. We develop an exact hybrid algorithm that combines the k-shortest path algorithm along with finding a minimum weighted k-clique in a k-partite graph. Through this coupling scheme, we are able to exactly solve large instances of the convoy movement problem without relaxing many of its complicating constraints. An experimental study is performed based on pseudo-transportation networks to illustrate the computational viability of the method as well as policy implications.
Simulation of mechanical performance limits and failure of carbon nanotube composites

The mechanical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber composites are steadily approaching those of traditional carbon fiber composites. This work is focused on establishing a plausible upper bound on these properties by modeling the elastic deformations, yield, and fracture of idealized CNT composites using reactive molecular dynamics. Amorphous carbon (AC) was used for the matrix material because of its structural simplicity and physical compatibility with the CNT fillers. Three different arrangements of CNTs in the simulation cell were investigated: a single-wall nanotube (SWNT) array, a multi-wall nanotube (MWNT) array, and a SWNT bundle system. The SWNT and MWNT array systems are clearly idealizations, but the SWNT bundle system is a step closer to real systems in which individual tubes aggregate into large assemblies. Chemical crosslinking was modeled by adding bonds between the CNTs and AC to explore the balance between weakening the CNTs and improving fiber-matrix load transfer. The simulation results reported here clarify the impact of CNT dispersion, the extent of crosslinking, and CNT-templated matrix structuring on the mechanical properties of CNT composites.
Active Full-Shell Grazing-Incidence Optics

MSFC has a long history of developing full-shell grazing-incidence x-ray optics for both narrow (pointed) and wide field (surveying) applications. The concept presented in this paper shows the potential to use active optics to switch between narrow and wide-field geometries, while maintaining large effective area and high angular resolution. In addition, active optics has the potential to reduce errors due to mounting and manufacturing lightweight optics. The design presented corrects low spatial frequency error and has significantly fewer actuators than other concepts presented thus far in the field of active x-ray optics. Using a finite element model, influence functions are calculated using active components on a full-shell grazing-incidence optic. Next, the ability of the active optic to effect a change of optical prescription and to correct for errors due to manufacturing and mounting is modeled.
Why we should continue to study race...but do a better job: an essay on race, racism and health.

For at least a century, American medical and public health researchers have used race as a marker for biology, and have documented race-associated differences in health and illness behavior. The research has often been inappropriate and has led to abuses and erroneous conclusions about the role played by race in the production of disparities in health status. Consequently, some researchers have begun to advocate the abolition of medical and public health research using race. In this essay, I argue that, although the arguments against continuing to study race have some merit, more rather than fewer studies of race are needed. Researchers should be more careful in the use of race and more conscious of the limitations of the race concept.
Canal of Nuck hernia: a multimodality imaging review

Canal of Nuck abnormalities are a rare but important cause of morbidity in girls, most often those younger than 5 years of age. The canal of Nuck, which is the female equivalent of the male processus vaginalis, is a protrusion of parietal peritoneum that extends through the inguinal canal and terminates in the labia majora. The canal typically obliterates early in life, but in some cases the canal can partially or completely fail to close, potentially resulting in a hydrocele or hernia of pelvic contents. Recognition of this entity is especially important in cases of ovarian hernia due to the risk of incarceration and torsion. We aim to increase awareness of this condition by reviewing the embryology, anatomy and diagnosis of canal of Nuck disorders with imaging findings on US, CT and MRI using several cases from a single institution.
Men, masculinities and violence: an ethnographic study

Men, Masculinities, and Violence provides a specific ethnographic account of working-class men with reputations for violence in northern England, and is the result of a doctoral research study cond...
Past alcohol consumption and incident atrial fibrillation: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Author(s): Dixit, Shalini; Alonso, Alvaro; Vittinghoff, Eric; Soliman, Elsayed Z; Chen, Lin Y; Marcus, Gregory M | Abstract: BackgroundAlthough current alcohol consumption is a risk factor for incident atrial fibrillation (AF), the more clinically relevant question may be whether alcohol cessation is associated with a reduced risk.Methods and resultsWe studied participants enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) between 1987 and 1989 without prevalent AF. Past and current alcohol consumption were ascertained at baseline and at 3 subsequent visits. Incident AF was ascertained via study ECGs, hospital discharge ICD-9 codes, and death certificates. Of 15,222 participants, 2,886 (19.0%) were former drinkers. During a median follow-up of 19.7 years, there were 1,631 cases of incident AF, 370 occurring in former consumers. Former drinkers had a higher rate of AF compared to lifetime abstainers and current drinkers. After adjustment for potential confounders, every decade abstinent from alcohol was associated with an approximate 20% (95% CI 11-28%) lower rate of incident AF; every additional decade of past alcohol consumption was associated with a 13% (95% CI 3-25%) higher rate of AF; and every additional drink per day during former drinking was associated with a 4% (95% CI 0-8%) higher rate of AF.ConclusionsAmong former drinkers, the number of years of drinking and the amount of alcohol consumed may each confer an increased risk of AF. Given that a longer duration of abstinence was associated with a decreased risk of AF, earlier modification of alcohol use may have a greater influence on AF prevention.
Association between serum interleukin-17A and clinical response to tofacitinib and etanercept in moderate to severe psoriasis.

Background Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease with a pathophysiology involving interleukin (IL)-17. Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor. Etanercept is a tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitor used in the treatment of psoriasis. Neither agent inhibits IL-17 directly. Aim To evaluate correlations between circulating IL-17A and clinical efficacy in patients with psoriasis treated with tofacitinib or etanercept. Methods Serum concentrations of IL-17A homodimer and IL-17A/F heterodimer were determined by immunoassays at weeks 0, 4 and 12 in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis treated with placebo (n = 60), tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily (n = 184), tofacitinib 10 mg twice daily (n = 190), or etanercept 50 mg subcutaneously twice weekly (n = 190). Disease severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and clinical response was defined as patients achieving ≥ 75% improvement from baseline PASI (PASI75). Results Serum levels of IL-17A homodimer at week 0 showed moderate correlation with PASI, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.43. Furthermore, serum levels of IL-17A homodimer showed a clear correlation with clinical response, with a decrease of 57.1% in patients achieving PASI75 at week 12, but only 15.9% decrease in nonresponders. PASI75 responders had lower median concentrations of IL-17A (range across treatments: 0.24-0.27 pg/mL) at week 12 vs. nonresponders (0.37-0.62 pg/mL), regardless of the treatment. Serum IL-17A/F heterodimer showed similar decreases at week 12 in responders and nonresponders. Conclusions Baseline serum IL-17A correlates moderately with psoriasis severity. Reduction in circulating IL-17A is required for disease remission regardless of therapeutic agent.
Blending genomes: distributive conjugal transfer in mycobacteria, a sexier form of HGT

This review discusses a novel form of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) found in mycobacteria called Distributive Conjugal Transfer (DCT). While satisfying the criteria for conjugation, DCT occurs by a mechanism so distinct from oriT-mediated conjugation that it could be considered a fourth category of HGT. DCT involves the transfer of chromosomal DNA between mycobacteria and, most significantly, generates transconjugants with mosaic genomes of the parental strains. Multiple segments of donor chromosomal DNA can be co-transferred regardless of their location or the genetic selection and, as a result, the transconjugant genome contains many donor-derived segments; hence the name DCT. This distinguishing feature of DCT separates it from the other known mechanisms of HGT, which generally result in the introduction of a single, defined segment of DNA into the recipient chromosome (Fig. ). Moreover, these mosaic progeny are generated from a single conjugal event, which provides enormous capacity for rapid adaptation and evolution, again distinguishing it from the three classical modes of HGT. Unsurprisingly, the unusual mosaic products of DCT are generated by a conjugal mechanism that is also unusual. Here, we will describe the unique features of DCT and contrast those to other mechanisms of HGT, both from a mechanistic and an evolutionary perspective. Our focus will be on transfer of chromosomal DNA, as opposed to plasmid mobilization, because DCT mediates transfer of chromosomal DNA and is a chromosomally encoded process.
Synthesis and quantitative aspects of dihydrobiopterin control of cerebral serotonin levels.

Soon after the isolation of 7,8-dihydrobiopterin from rat liver,1 the structure of the naturally occurring cofactor of hydroxylases 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) was established. Unequivocal proof of the biosynthesis of its precursors quinonoid-D-erythrodihydroneopterin triphosphate and quinonoid-L-erythrodihydrobiopterin from GTP was documented in a series of reports.2,3,4,5 Significant to the understanding of the formation of BH4 was the characterization of an enzyme, quinonoid dihydrobiopterin reductase (DHPR) (EC1.6.99.7) which catalyzes the reduction of quinonoid-L- erythrodihydrobiopterin (q-BH2) in presence of NADH2 or NADPH2.6,7 The coupled oxido-reductive reaction q-BH2+2H++2e−⇌BH4+O2+substrate → product +H2O enables the fast shuttle of 2H++2e−.