cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Process planning strategies for solid freeform fabrication of metal parts

Process planning of additive manufacturing of metals is a research interest because of the applications of solid freeform fabrication of metal parts in industry. The strategy is to transform the model of the part into the combinations of 2D layers that will be deposited using different fabrication methods. Process planning for metal deposition in this paper consists of three major modules: spatial decomposition, slicing of the part, and toolpath generation for every slicing layer. Algorithmic improvements are proposed and implemented for these major modules. For spatial decomposition, 3D part decomposition based on modular boundary models and centroidal axis extraction methods are combined to decompose parts more robustly and reliably. For generating slicing layers, a planning process for building non-uniform layers is investigated to greatly increase the variety of the parts that can be manufactured without the need of support structure. For toolpath generation methods, optimization of the generated toolpath is studied especially for complex thin-wall structures to ensure the deposition quality. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the improvements of the major modules of process planning strategies for rapid manufacturing.
Identification of gender-associated molecular markers in the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) genome

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is one of the most distributed and well-adapted fruit crops in the Middle East, and plays an important role in the history and diet of the Arab world. Dates constitute the primary exportable agricultural product in Qatar and current efforts are being made to improve its production. Over the years, clonal propagation has been used to maintain selected varieties with desirable morphological traits, leading to the establishment of uniform palm orchards. This, however, significantly reduces genetic diversity among palm plantations, making them potentially more susceptible to pests and diseases. Although research on date palm has increased over the past years, the genetic markers responsible for desirable agricultural traits, such as fruit color, fruit size, ripening time and gender remain unknown. In commercial plantations, one hundred fruit bearing female trees can be pollinated with a single non-bearing male tree. Still, half of the date palm offspring that is planted is expected to be male individuals. One of the biggest challenges that date production encounters is that female trees can only be distinguished after flowering, which occurs five to eight years after planting. Previous cytological studies have suggested the presence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes in date palm, however enzymatic approaches intended to anticipate gender determination have been unsuccessful. The recent genome sequencing of P. dactylifera in WCMC-Q, allowed the identification of a gender-linked genomic region. This single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-rich region was shown to segregate with gender, and is predicted to extend to 24 scaffolds. Only a limited amount of information about this region is currently available, and this study proposes the use of a deep-sequencing approach to significantly improve the date palm genome assembly, with an emphasis on the male/female segregating region. A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library, with a 12x genome coverage and an average insert size of 125 Kb was constructed. BAC-end sequencing of at least 96 clones, associated with the polymorphic sex-linked region, will allow the generation of an optical and physical maps of the sex-determination region. This will be the first time that a full genetic map of a male/female region will be available for a plant. Our main goal is to ultimately generate molecular markers that have the potential to allow identification and selection of female trees before germination. Furthermore, standardization of this sequencing procedure, will also allow us to characterize other genomic regions associated with desirable commercial properties of these fruits. This in turn, will provide a valuable tool for the development of marker-assisted selection programs, for the improvement of date palm production.
Rewarding brain stimulation, hippocampal activity, and footstomping in the gerbil☆

Eleven gerbils (Meriones) were tested for self-stimulation in posterior hypothalamic loci while hippocampal activity was monitored. Rewarding brain stimulation produced synchronization (theta) or regularization of hippocampal activity; no rebound of hippocampal desynchronization was observed immediately following termination of stimulation. Several seconds following termination of stimulation, however, “footstomping” behavior was observed. This activity was seen following, never during, rewarding brain stimulation. Hippocampal activity was most often desynchronized during this species-typical behavior pattern. Synchronization-desynchronization shifts in hippocampus previously thought to reflect reward-aversion were interpreted to reflect the participation of two mechanisms subserving, respectively, stimulus-related and motor-organizational processes.
Some Experiments at Radio Frequencies on Supraconductors

MEASUREMENTS were made on an extruded tin wire carrying an alternating current of a frequency of about 200 kilocycles per second superposed upon a direct current. The resulting magnetic field at the surface of the wire was thus caused to pulsate cyclically.
Independent photon deletions from quantized boson fields: The quantum analog of the Burgess variance theorem

Abstract It is demonstrated that if two boson fields are related by a process of independent random photon deletion, their moment-generating functions are related by an equation identical to that derived using classical arguments. A quantum analog of the Burgess variance theorem is recovered. The results confirm that the super- or sub-poissonian nature of a light beam is conserved, under the influence of independent Bernoulli deletions and/or additive independent Poisson noise. The identity results from the correspondence between classical and normally ordered correlation functions, for which vacuum fluctuations play no role.
Correlation of serum phenytoin (diphenylhydantoin) with the administration of oral and intravenous phenytoin in dogs

The concentration of serum phenytoin was determined in normal dogs following the administration of phenytoin by either the intravenous or oral route. An intravenous dose of 11 and 33 mg/kg of body weight was given to six dogs and a further dose of 44 mg/kg was given to two dogs. Serial blood samples were taken following the three doses for determination of pharmacokinetic parameters. The mean half-life was 3.35, 3.84 and 4.57 h as the dose was increased. Signs of toxicity occurred immediately following the infusion of phenytoin (emesis, ataxia and seizures). In the first oral studies, serial blood samples were taken for 2 consecutive days following a dose of 11 and 88 mg/kg, t.i.d. The time—concentration profiles of phenytoin varied significantly from one day to the next in the same dog. In the second oral study, blood samples were taken at 3 and 7 h following a dose of 11, 22, 44, 66 and 88 mg/kg, t.i.d. There was a poor correlation between the size of the oral dose and the concentration of serum phenytoin. Due to the short half-life and poor absorption of phenytoin in dogs, it was concluded that the oral administration of phenytoin in dogs produces sub-therapeutic and erratic serum concentrations of phenytoin which makes its efficacy as an anti-convulsant questionable.
On optimal investment strategies for energy conservation

Abstract This paper focuses on the problem of optimal time-phasing of investments in energy conservation. We determine the optimal time-phased investment strategy under the assumption that incremental investment can be made at any time without cost penalty. The results of the analysis are compared with the more practical approach of making all conservation investments at one time. We find, for a number of realistic cases, that there are only minor differences (typically 10% or less) between the two strategies in terms of present value. Accordingly, we conclude that a strategy of erring on the side of early investment in energy conservation measures is often justified. The analysis of the optimal time phasing for conservation investments involves the Kuhn-Tucker conditions, and is developed in detail in an appendix to the paper. The final form is quite simple when the amount of energy used annually by a system decreases exponentially with capital investment in conservation. We have found that the exponential form provides a good fit to a number of cases reported in the literature. For the exponential form and for relevant ranges of paramenters, the optimal investment strategy consists of an initial investment in conservation, followed by a constant investment per year up to a cut-off time (t2) less than the lifetime of the system (T), after which no further investment is justified. The results of an analysis are presented in dimensionless graphical form for convenience of application. The analysis developed is directly relevant and applicable to situations in which an ensemble of conservation opportunities exists. An example would be when an entity (e.g. the Federal Government) is faced with installing conservation measures in a large number of buildings. The methodology developed may then be used to determine the optimal time phasing for each of a series of conservation measures.
Bi-level Locality Sensitive Hashing for k-Nearest Neighbor Computation

We present a new Bi-level LSH algorithm to perform approximate $k$-nearest neighbor search in high dimensional spaces. Our formulation is based on a two-level scheme. In the first level, we use a RP-tree that divides the dataset into sub-groups with bounded aspect ratios and is used to distinguish well-separated clusters. During the second level, we compute a single LSH hash table for each sub-group along with a hierarchical structure based on space-filling curves. Given a query, we first determine the sub-group that it belongs to and perform $k$-nearest neighbor search within the suitable buckets in the LSH hash table corresponding to the sub-group. Our algorithm also maps well to current GPU architectures and can improve the quality of approximate KNN queries as compared to prior LSH-based algorithms. We highlight its performance on two large, high-dimensional image datasets. Given a runtime budget, Bi-level LSH can provide better accuracy in terms of recall or error ration. Moreover, our formulation reduces the variation in runtime cost or the quality of results.
Differentiation of Fusarium From Aspergillus Species by Colorimetric In Situ Hybridization in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Sections Using Dual Fluorogenic-Labeled LNA Probes

Fusarium and Aspergillus are 2 genera of fungal pathogens that can result in devastating disease particularly in immunosuppressed hosts. In tissue sections, these organisms can be extremely difficult to distinguish from one another. To differentiate between these 2 pathogens, a rapid (<3 hours) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in situ hybridization (ISH) protocol using dual fluorogenic-labeled oligonucleotide probes composed of a mixture of DNA and locked nucleic acids (LNAs) was developed. This assay was able to differentiate between Aspergillus and Fusarium in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. ISH targeting rRNA can be used to identify the species of fungal pathogens in surgical pathology material and may be useful when pathogens are histologically observed but cultures are negative or have not been performed. ISH with dual-labeled LNA probes may be useful for detecting a variety of fungal pathogens in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens.
An investigation of the oxygen saturation of arterial blood as determined by the modified Millikan oximeter during anesthesia for oral surgical procedures.

Abstract With the aid of a modified Millikan oximeter and a Beckman oxygen analyzer, a study was made of the effects of variable partial pressures of nitrous oxide and oxygen upon the arterial oxygen saturation in a random series of forty-eight patients undergoing oral surgical procedures. The results of this study were as follows: 1. 1. Patients who underwent anesthesia with thiopental (Pentothal) sodium supplemented with nitrous oxide and oxygen given through an intratracheal catheter had a mean arterial oxygen saturation of 95.5 per cent. 2. 2. Patients who received only thiopental and inspired room air had a mean arterial oxygen saturation of 94.5 per cent. 3. 3. Patients who received thiopental sodium supplemented with a nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture given through a nasal mask had a mean arterial oxygen saturation of 94 per cent. 4. 4. Patients who received only nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture inspired through a nasal mask had a mean arterial oxygen saturation of 61.5 per cent. In a control series, consisting of five groups totaling thirty patients who underwent anesthesia with nitrous oxide-oxygen mixtures, the partial pressure of oxygen was kept constant at a given level for each group; the mixtures were delivered at a rate of 8 liters per minute. In this series the degree of arterial oxygen saturation was observed to be correlated, roughly, with the partial pressure of oxygen in the inspired gas mixtures.
The diagnostic significance of antibodies to various cow's milk proteins (fluorescent immunosorbent test).

Antibodies of various immunoglobulin classes to different cow's milk proteins were studied with the fluorescent immunosorbent test in 601 newborns, infants, children and adults (A). The antibody levels, expressed as the geometric mean (gm) of four antibody titres to casein, β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin and bovine serum albumin, showed a clear dependence on age. They were compared with the antibody levels in children with cow's milk protein intolerance (C), other gastrointestinal disorders (B) and coeliac disease (D). The 20 children with cow's milk protein intolerance clearly differed (significance level 2×10-11) from those of the two control groups (A, B) insofar as the criterion adopted was not the titre against a single protein but the gm of the four antibody titres, and insofar as allowance was made for the age of the patients. All patients with cow's milk protein intolerance also showed elevated gm titres of IgE, IgA and IgM antibodies. However, since a number of children in the control groups also showed higher values, particularly with regard to IgE antibodies, the determination of the IgE, IgA and IgM antibodies adds little to the diagnosis and at best provides a further discriminatory aid. Although antibody titres fall immediately after placing the child on a milk-free diet, it is a matter of months before they become negative (titre <1∶20). After challenge titres rise again. In a longitudinal study of 25 children with acute gastroenteritis (E) it was shown that the antibody titres remained unchanged during and after the attack. This contradicts the often expressed opinion that the cow's milk antibodies frequently observed in healthy infants are induced as a consequence of gastroenteritis. In contrast to the other groups, all 26 children with proven coeliac disease (D) had antibodies to gliadin, irrespective of whether their gm cow's milk antibody titre was high or low.
Phospholipase activity of bovine milk lipoprotein lipase on phospholipid vesicles: influence of apolipoproteins C-II and C-III.

Abstract The effect of human plasma apolipoproteins C-II and C-III on the hydrolytic activity of lipoprotein lipase from bovine milk was determined using dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles as substrate. In the absence of apoC-II or C-III, lipoprotein lipase has limited phospholipase activity. When the vesicles were preincubated with apoC-II and then phospholipase activity determined, there was a time dependent release of lysolecithin; activity was dependent upon both apoC-II and lipoprotein lipase concentrations. The addition of apoC-III to DMPC did not stimulate phospholipase activity. We conclude that apoC-II has an activator effect on the phospholipase activity of lipoprotein lipase and that the mechanism is beyond that of simply altering the lateral compressibility of the lipid.
Branding Labour-Intensive Services

A labour-intensive service brand can be only as strong as the people performing the service. But, say Leonard L. Berry and Sandra S. Lampo, there are three guiding principles for developing strong brands for labour-intensive services: orchestrate the clues; connect emotionally; and internalise the brand. The reality of such branding is that service providers' actions, with or for customers, transform a company's brand aspirations to brand reality. Independent research reveals that American consumers prefer Mayo Clinic to any other healthcare institution if they have a serious medical condition and their personal finances or health plan is not an impediment. How did this happen for an organisation that opened shop in the middle of a Minnesota cornfield, had a one-person marketing staff until 1992 and advertised very little?
Fabrication and Bioconjugation of Micro- and Nanoscale Structures Intended for Cancer-Specific Antigen Detection

Cleanroom processes can be used for fabricating microscale and nanoscale structures, and such structures, when bioconjugated, can be used for detecting low levels of cancer-specific circulating antigens. The concentration of such circulating antigens in human serum continues to increase with cancer progression, and therefore, detection of cancer at very early stages of the disease can be facilitated by monitoring small increases in circulating antigen concentration. Therefore, fabrication and bioconjugation are the first steps in the development of bio-assays for cancer detection. In this work, microscale and nanoscale Au/Cr thin film structures have been fabricated on Si substrate using dc sputtering and electron-beam (e-beam) evaporation in combination with photo and e-beam lithography. Using the fabricated device material stack (Au/Cr/Si), we have assessed the binding affinity of Au, Cr, and Si with Protein G, and antibodies for prostate specific antigen and cancer antigen 125, an ovarian cancer-associated antigen. Based on our experiments, we see that the thin gold layer of the Au/Cr/Si samples provides increased biomaterial binding affinity, and the chromium layer has a similar, if not less, binding affinity compared with the silicon chip alone. Thus, this work demonstrates that the fabricated material stack provides an appropriate platform for antigen detection.
Geoarchaeology and geochronology of the miami (clovis) site, southern high plains of texas

The Miami site, excavated in 1937, is in a small "playa" basin on the High Plains surface. The site is one of the earliest documented co-occurrences of Clovis points and mammoth. Reinvestigation of the site and related collections was undertaken to better understand the stratigraphy, geochronology, and archaeology. The basin, 23 m diameter × 1.6 m deep, filled with (1) dark gray silty clay, and (2) near the top of the section, a lens of well-sorted silt or loess. The basin started to fill ca. 13,700 yr B.P., the loess dates to ca. 11,400 yr B.P., and the bone bed probably dates to ca. 11,400-10,500 yr B.P. The loess may be the local manifestation of a "Clovis drought." The partial remains of five mammoths (three adults and two juveniles) were recovered in 1937; no other animal remains are known. The bone is heavily weathered and there are no clear indications of human modification. Artifacts found at the site include three Clovis points and a scraper found among the bones and two flakes and a scraper found on the surface near the playa. The origins of the bone and stone assemblage are uncertain but four scenarios are offered: a successful mammoth kill, an unsuccessful kill with wounded animals dying at the watering hole, opportunistic scavenging following natural deaths, or a palimpsest of multiple deaths following both natural and human causes.
Phase II Trial of Bevacizumab and Irinotecan in Recurrent Malignant Glioma

Purpose: Recurrent grade III-IV gliomas have a dismal prognosis with minimal improvements in survival seen following currently available salvage therapy. This study was conducted to determine if the combination of a novel antiangiogenic therapy, bevacizumab, and a cytotoxic agent, irinotecan, is safe and effective for patients with recurrent grade III-IV glioma. Experimental Design: We conducted a phase II trial of bevacizumab and irinotecan in adults with recurrent grade III-IV glioma. Patients with evidence of intracranial hemorrhage on initial brain magnetic resonance imaging were excluded. Patients were scheduled to receive bevacizumab and irinotecan i.v. every 2 weeks of a 6-week cycle. Bevacizumab was administered at 10 mg/kg. The dose of irinotecan was determined based on antiepileptic use: patients taking enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs received 340 mg/m 2 , whereas patients not taking enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs received 125 mg/m 2 . Toxicity and response were assessed. Results: Thirty-two patients were assessed (23 with grade IV glioma and 9 with grade III glioma). Radiographic responses were noted in 63% (20 of 32) of patients (14 of 23 grade IV patients and 6 of 9 grade III patients). The median progression-free survival was 23 weeks for all patients (95% confidence interval, 15-30 weeks; 20 weeks for grade IV patients and 30 weeks for grade III patients). The 6-month progression-free survival probability was 38% and the 6-month overall survival probability was 72%. No central nervous system hemorrhages occurred, but three patients developed deep venous thromboses or pulmonary emboli, and one patient had an arterial ischemic stroke. Conclusions: The combination of bevacizumab and irinotecan is an active regimen for recurrent grade III-IV glioma with acceptable toxicity.
Fatal crashes of passenger vehicles before and after adding antilock braking systems

Fatal crash rates of passenger cars and vans were compared for the last model year before four-wheel antilock brakes were introduced and the first model year for which antilock brakes were standard equipment. Vehicles selected for analysis had no other significant design changes between the model years being compared, and the model years with and without antilocks were no more than two years apart. The overall fatal crash rates were similar for the two model years. However, the vehicles with antilocks were significantly more likely to be involved in crashes fatal to their own occupants, particularly single-vehicle crashes. Conversely, antilock vehicles were less likely to be involved in crashes fatal to occupants of other vehicles or nonoccupants (pedestrians, bicyclists). Overall, antilock brakes appear to have had little effect on fatal crash involvement. Further study is needed to better understand why fatality risk has increased for occupants of antilock vehicles.
Hepatic metabolism of the genetically diabetic (db/db) mice. II. Lipid metabolism.

Abstract Hepatic lipogenesis measured in vivo with 3 H 2 O was elevated 2- to 4-fold in diabetic ( db/db ) mice aged 4–8 weeks. Lipogenesis in adipose tissue was 2-fold normal at 4 weeks, but declined to normal by 8 weeks. Hepatocytes from db/db mice also showed increased lipogenesis. Incorporation of 14 C from labeled glucose, lactate, acetate and glycerol into total lipid and fatty acid, sterol and glycerol fractions was markedly elevated in hepatocytes from 5–6 week old db/db mice, but declined with age. Activities of hepatic malic enzyme, ATP citrate lyase, citrate synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase and pyruvate dehydrogenase were increased in db/db mice. Oxidation of [1- 14 C]octanoate or [1- 14 C]oleate to 14 CO 2 was similar in hepatocytes from normal and db/db mice, but endogenous and fatty acidstimulated ketogenesis were markedly reduced. The incorporation of radioactivity] from 0.5 mM [1- 14 C]oleate into glyceride and sterol fractions was increased 2- to 3-fold in hepatocytes from db/db mice. These data indicate that hepatic fatty acid synthesis and esterification are elevated in db/db mice as early as 4–5 weeks. It is suggested that these changes are due to hyperinsulinemia and contribute to the development of obesity in these animals.
A Higher-Order Closure Model with an Explicit PBL Top

Abstract In 2001, the authors presented a higher-order mass-flux model called “assumed distributions with higher-order closure” (ADHOC 1), which represents the large eddies of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) in terms of an assumed joint distribution of the vertical velocity and scalars. In a subsequent version (ADHOC 2) the authors incorporated vertical momentum fluxes and second moments involving pressure perturbations into the framework. These versions of ADHOC, as well as all other higher-order closure models, are not suitable for use in large-scale models because of the high vertical and temporal resolution that is required. This high resolution is needed mainly because higher-order closure (HOC) models must resolve discontinuities at the PBL top, which can occur anywhere on a model’s Eulerian vertical grid. This paper reports the development of ADHOC 3, in which the computational cost of the model is reduced by introducing the PBL depth as an explicit prognostic variable. ADHOC 3 uses a stretched ...
Depression, anxiety, and regret before and after testing to estimate uveal melanoma prognosis

Importance To our knowledge, longitudinal assessment of depression, anxiety, and decision regret (a sense of disappointment or dissatisfaction in the decision) in patients undergoing prognostication for uveal melanoma does not exist. Objective To report on depression, anxiety, and decision regret before and after testing to estimate uveal melanoma prognosis. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective interventional case series conducted at an institutional referral practice of 96 patients with clinical diagnosis of uveal melanoma who underwent prognostication at the time of primary therapy. Main Outcomes and Measures Depression, anxiety, and decision regret prior to prognostication (baseline) and at 3 and 12 months afterwards. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Decision Regret Scale were self-administered by the patients prior to prognostication (baseline) and at 3 and 12 months afterwards. Data were summarized using means and standard deviations for continuous measures, frequencies, and percentages for categorical factors. A mixed model was used to assess the trajectory of HADS anxiety and the associations between HADS anxiety and baseline HADS depression, baseline decision regret, prognostication test result, and adjuvant therapy, respectively, while adjusting for age and sex. Results Ninety-six patients (median age 60.7 years) completed baseline questionnaires. The mean (SD) HADS anxiety score at baseline (7.4 [4.0]) was higher than at 3 months (5.4 [3.7];P Conclusions and Relevance Our study raises questions about decision regret in patients who agree to have a prognostic test that may not help guide treatment. Although decision regret appears to lessen or dissipate with time, study on larger numbers of patients is necessary to elucidate factors that may be addressed to mitigate decision regret.
Simple theory of an idealized turbulent mixer

With stationary isotropic turbulence postulated, the rate of decrease in concentration fluctuations of a scalar contaminant is estimated in terms of the turbulence scale and the power input to the system.
Identification of a C2 Subgenogroup Strain of Enterovirus 71 in a Retrospective Study in Shandong Province, China, from 1990 to 2010

Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) is an important pathogen and it can cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), herpangina, and severe neurological symptoms. There was no intensive surveillance of EV71 until May 2008, when HFMD was classified as a category C notifiable infectious disease by the Ministry
Catecholamine response during haemodynamically stable upright posture in individuals with and without tilt-table induced vasovagal syncope.

Aim Changes in circulating catecholamine concentrations during vasovagal faints have been the subject of considerable study. However, whether catecholamines are part of the triggering mechanism, or principally reflect attempted compensation for an evolving circulatory crisis is unknown. To address this issue, we determined whether the circulating catecholamine response to upright posture differs among patients with and without inducible vasovagal faints at a time when there is no detectable haemodynamic compromise. Methods and Results Blood samples for measurement of adrenaline and noradrenaline (Norepi) concentrations were obtained in the baseline state, and at both 2–3 min and 4–6 min of upright posture in 22 patients undergoing head-up tilt-table testing for evaluation of syncope of unknown cause. In 11 individuals tilt-testing induced syncope at >5 min head-up posture (Group 1). In 11 other individuals tilt testing did not result in syncope (Group 2). Supine arterial catecholamine levels were comparable in the two groups. However, adrenaline concentratrions during upright posture tended to be greater at 2–3 min and were significantly greater at 4–6 min in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P<0·01). These differences occurred in the absence of significant intergroup differences in mean arterial pressure or cardiac cycle lengths. Norepi concentrations also increased in both groups, but without significant differences. Conclusion Circulating adrenaline concentrations in posturally induced vasovagal faints rise more rapidly in vasovagal fainters than in comparably posturally stressed non-fainters, and were significantly greater in fainters prior to either detectable haemodynamic compromise or diminution of circulating Norepi levels. These findings suggest that a premonitory rise in adrenaline concentrations occurs in vasovagal fainters unassociated with an evolving circulatory crisis. (Europace 2003; 5: 65–70)
Direct detection of transient α-helical states in islet amyloid polypeptide

The protein islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a glucose metabolism associated hormone cosecreted with insulin by the β-cells of the pancreas. In humans with type 2 diabetes, IAPP deposits as amyloid fibers. The assembly intermediates of this process are associated with β-cell death. Here, we examine the rat IAPP sequence variant under physiological solution conditions. Rat IAPP is mechanistically informative for fibrillogenesis, as it samples intermediate-like states but does not progress to form amyloid. A central challenge was the development of a bacterial expression system to generate isotopically labeled IAPP without terminal tags, but which does include a eukaryotic post-translational modification. While optical spectroscopy shows IAPP to be natively unfolded, NMR chemical shifts of backbone and β-carbon resonances reveal the sampling of α-helical states across a continuous stretch comprising ∼40% of the protein. In addition, the manifestation of nonrandom coil chemical shifts is confirmed by the relative insensitivity of the amide proton chemical shifts to alterations in temperature. Intriguingly, the residues displaying helical propensity are conserved with the human sequence, suggesting a functional role for this conformational bias. The inability of rat IAPP to self assemble can be ascribed, in part, to several slowly exchanging conformations evident as multiple chemical shift assignments in the immediate vicinity of three proline residues residing outside of this helical region.
Robust switching vector median filter for impulsive noise removal

We present an order-statistics-based vector filter for the removal of impulsive noise from color images. The filter preserves the edges and fine image details by switching between the identity (no filtering) operation and the vector median filter operation based on the robust univariate median operator. Experiments on a diverse set of images and comparisons with state of the art filters shows that the proposed filter combines simplicity, flexibility, excellent filtering quality, and low computational requirements.
WDM burst switching for petabit capacity routers

WDM burst switching is an approach to building very high capacity routing switches based on optical data paths and electronic control. Burst switches assign user data bursts to channels in WDM links on-the-fly in order to provide efficient statistical multiplexing of high rate data channels. The overall system architecture is designed to facilitate the introduction of optical switching components as they become more highly integrated. At the same time it exploits the sophistication of modern electronic processing to perform the routing and higher level control operations needed in realistic, large scale networks.
Rapid Node Reallocation Between Virtual Clusters for Data Intensive Utility Computing

Utility computing achieves efficiencies by dynamically reallocating shared resources between services operating on virtual clusters. These efficiencies can be hard to realize for data intensive applications; newly allocated nodes must be populated with a large amount of data which impedes rapid node reallocation. We describe a data management architecture that uses disk caches on each node to reduce data copying and speed up node reallocation for data intensive applications. Cache consistency management is simplified by extensive use of copy-on-write techniques. A data-driven scheme is then used to select nodes for reallocation between virtual clusters based on the amount of relevant cached data. These nodes are identified using a novel technique of statistically sampling the contents of caches. We demonstrate the benefits of this architecture using our implementation of an efficient block level caching and copy-on-write target for the Linux Device-mapper framework.
Dynamic Shear Response of Rectangular Plates with Initial Imperfections

The paper presents an analysis of the elastic response of a simply supported, imperfect, rectangular plate subjected to an in-plane supercritical shear force, suddenly applied at one of the edges in the form of a square pulse. The influence of the initial plate irregularities on the overall response during both loading and postloading period is investigated. The averaged in-plane inertia forces are taken into account. The analysis is an extension of the studies of the response to in-plane normal forces of plates of infinite width and finite length given in [1], and of a finite plate given in [2]. The results indicate that the frequency spectra of free vibrations during the post-loading regime are controlled by the initial irregularities distribution, plate geometry and the load levels.
SULFHYDRYL AND DISULFIDE GROUPS OF PROTEINS : III. SULFHYDRYL GROUPS OF NATIVE PROTEINS-HEMOGLOBIN AND THE PROTEINS OF THE CRYSTALLINE LENS.

Hemoglobin and the proteins of the crystalline lens contain active SH groups while in the native state, the number of active groups increasing as the pH rises. All the SH groups of denatured globin and of the denatured lens proteins are active at a pH so low that practically none of the SH groups of native hemoglobin and of native lens protein are active. The effect of denaturation on the SH groups of a protein is to extend towards the acid side the pH range of their activity. It is possible to oxidize the iron-porphyrin and the SH groups of hemoglobin independently of each other.
Methods and results of replantation following traumatic amputation of the thumb in sixty-four patients

Immediate survival and functional results were studied in 64 thumb replantations performed during a 3 year period. The failure rate, 27% overall, was higher in patients over 50 years of age (50%) and following avulsions with or without crushing injuries (58%). Long vein grafts from the radial artery proximally to the thumb arteries distally were employed in 15 patients to bypass the traumatized area in the first web space. A higher survival rate (90%) was associated with the use of vein grafts to restore venous return. Half of the patients followed 6 months or longer had good discriminatory sensibility (less than 10 mm). Sensory return and cold intolerance were worse in older patients and were not related to level of injury, mechanism of amputation, total ischemia time, or number of arteries or veins repaired. Loss of motion of the replanted thumb was a frequent cause for inadequate return of function. All thumbs should be considered for replantation, but the results will be poorer in older patients. If possible, motion of the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints should be preserved.
HEMOPOIETIC COLONY STUDIES V. EFFECT OF HEMOPOIETIC ORGAN STROMA ON DIFFERENTIATION OF PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS

In heavily irradiated mice, bone marrow regeneration of either endogenous or exogenous origin was shown to occur in discrete foci comparable to the more intensively studied spleen colonies. The number of endogenous bone marrow colonies was inversely related to dose of whole body X-irradiation. Endogenous marrow colonies were found after higher doses of irradiation than were endogenous spleen colonies. Most of them were granulocytic in nature. Exogenous bone marrow colonies in lethally irradiated mice injected with bone marrow cells were proportional in number to the dose of cells injected, appeared at a time comparable to spleen colonies like which, at 7 or 8 days, they were of single differentiated cell line, either granuloid or erythroid or megakaryocytic, with a small percentage of "mixed" colonies. Whereas erythroid colonies outnumber granuloid colonies in spleen, either in situ or subcutaneously transplanted (E:G colony ratio of about 3.5), granuloid colonies outnumber erythroid in bone marrow (E:G colony ratio of about 0.7). The characteristic E:G colony ratios of spleen and marrow appear more likely to be the result of a hemopoietic organ stromal influence on pluripotent colony forming units (CFU's) than of selective lodgment of committed (unipotent) granuloid and erythroid CFU's in bone marrow and spleen, respectively, as indicated by the following. Bone marrow stem cells (CFU) which had reseeded the marrow cavity of irradiated primary recipients 18-24 hr earlier, were reharvested and retransplanted intravenously into irradiated secondary hosts. The E:G colony ratio of the colonies formed in the spleen of the secondary hosts was typical of primary spleen colonies (2.8), that of the colonies formed in the marrow cavity was typical of bone marrow colonies (0.6). Pieces of marrow stroma containing reseeded CPU's from the contralateral femur of these same primary recipients were implanted by trocar directly into the spleens of other irradiated secondary recipients. Those CPU's that developed in the intrasplenic-implanted marrow stroma yielded an. E:G colony ratio of 0.1. Those that migrated into the contiguous and remote portions of the spleen gave E:G colony ratios of 2.9 and 2.4, respectively. Irradiated marrow stroma and normal spleen CPU's (a 1 mm cube of spleen) were loaded into the same trocar and implanted directly into the spleens of irradiated mice. The spleen CFU's that migrated into the implanted marrow stroma yielded five granuloid and two mixed colonies. The larger number that developed in the host spleen yielded an E:G colony ratio of 2.9 or higher. Of those 19 mixed colonies that bridged the junction of spleen and implanted marrow stroma in each of the above two experiments, in every case, the erythroid portion of the colony was in the splenic stroma, the granuloid portion was in the marrow stroma.
Evidence for a novel antioxidant function and isoform-specific regulation of the human p66Shc gene

The mammalian Shc family, composed of p46, p52, and p66 isoforms, serves as an adaptor protein in cell growth and stress response. p66Shc was shown to be a negative lifespan regulator by acting as a prooxidant protein in mitochondria; however, the regulatory mechanisms of p66Shc expression and function are incompletely understood. This study provides evidence for new features of p66Shc serving as an antioxidant and critical protein in cell differentiation. Unique among the Shc family, transcription of p66Shc is activated through the antioxidant response element (ARE)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in K562 human erythroleukemia and other cell types after treatment with hemin, an iron-containing porphyrin. Phosphorylated p66Shc at Ser-36, previously reported to be prone to mitochondrial localization, is increased by hemin treatment, but p66Shc remains exclusively in the cytoplasm. p66Shc knockdown inhibits hemin-induced erythroid differentiation, in which reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis are significantly enhanced in conjunction with suppression of other ARE-dependent antioxidant genes. Conversely, p66Shc overexpression is sufficient for inducing erythroid differentiation. Collectively these results demonstrate the isoform-specific regulation of the Shc gene by the Nrf2-ARE pathway and a new antioxidant role of p66Shc in the cytoplasm. Thus p66Shc is a bifunctional protein involved in cellular oxidative stress response and differentiation.
Plasma Proteome Biomarkers of Inflammation in School Aged Children in Nepal.

Inflammation is a condition stemming from complex host defense and tissue repair mechanisms, often simply characterized by plasma levels of a single acute reactant. We attempted to identify candidate biomarkers of systemic inflammation within the plasma proteome. We applied quantitative proteomics using isobaric mass tags (iTRAQ) tandem mass spectrometry to quantify proteins in plasma of 500 Nepalese children 6–8 years of age. We evaluated those that co-vary with inflammation, indexed by α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), a conventional biomarker of inflammation in population studies. Among 982 proteins quantified in >10% of samples, 99 were strongly associated with AGP at a family-wise error rate of 0.1%. Magnitude and significance of association varied more among proteins positively (n = 41) than negatively associated (n = 58) with AGP. The former included known positive acute phase proteins including C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, complement components, protease inhibitors, transport proteins with anti-oxidative activity, and numerous unexpected intracellular signaling molecules. Negatively associated proteins exhibited distinct differences in abundance between secretory hepatic proteins involved in transporting or binding lipids, micronutrients (vitamin A and calcium), growth factors and sex hormones, and proteins of largely extra-hepatic origin involved in the formation and metabolic regulation of extracellular matrix. With the same analytical approach and the significance threshold, seventy-two out of the 99 proteins were commonly associated with CRP, an established biomarker of inflammation, suggesting the validity of the identified proteins. Our findings have revealed a vast plasma proteome within a free-living population of children that comprise functional biomarkers of homeostatic and induced host defense, nutrient metabolism and tissue repair, representing a set of plasma proteins that may be used to assess dynamics and extent of inflammation for future clinical and public health application.
How Does Reading Change Rural Burkinabe Youth? Effects on Economic Preferences

This paper reports on the first stage of a fieldwork research project will measure the effects of increased reading of fiction on attitudes and preferences important for economic development, for youth (aged 15-25) living in villages in south-western Burkina Faso. Adult literacy is low in rural villages, and so youth are the first generation to have both extensive schooling and access to books through small community libraries. Previous studies suggest that reading fiction may have significant effects on attitudes and preferences, yet few field experiments have measured these effects. This research project will focus on six outcomes: attitudes of tolerance towards cultural difference, inclinations to be cooperative and trusting, patience, risk preferences, and attitudes towards innovation and change. Increasingly, these mental predispositions are seen as important in the process of economic development.
Abstract LB-466: Genomic Loss of microRNA 491 contributes to IGFBP2 overexpression and stemness in GBM

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) is overexpressed in 80% of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM, WHO grade IV). Our mouse model experiments demonstrated that IGFBP2 is a glioma oncogene. However, the underlying mechanism for overexpression of IGFBP2 remains unknown. We examined a total of 388 GBM samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and found that miR-491, which is located on chr9p21.3, is deleted in 57% of cases. TargetScan analysis revealed that there is a binding site of miR-491 on the 3′-UTR of the IGFBP2 gene. The miR-491 expression levels in GBM patients are inversely correlated with that of IGFBP2. We validated this regulatory relationship by overexpression of miR-491 and observed down-regulation of IGFBP-2 in both protein level and mRNA level in U251 and T98G glioma cell lines. Conversely, miR-491 inhibitors increased IGFBP2 in LN229 cells which express low level of endogenous IGFBP2. Luciferase reporter assay further proved that IGFBP2 is a direct target of miR-491. Moreover, ectopic expression of miR-491 inhibited cell migration and invasion of U251 and T98G as efficiently as knockdown of IGFBP2 and such inhibitory effects can be partially reversed by overexpression of IGFBP2-EGFP in U251, supporting the notion that IGFBP2 plays an important role in miR-4919s functions. To investigate the role of miR-491 in stemness of GBM, we introduced miR-491 into 3 patient-derived glioma stem cell lines and found that miR-49 downregulated CDK6 and Bcl-xL and inhibited neurosphere formation and cell proliferation. These findings suggest that miR-491 acts as a tumor suppressor miR by coordinately attenuating multiple oncogenes in GBM. Our results provide new insights into the mechanism for oncogenic IGFBP2 overexpression and may provide new opportunities for therapeutic strategies for GBM treatment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-466. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-466