cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
De Novo Generation of Simple Sequence during Gene Amplification

Mammalian cells that have undergone gene amplification and/or gene rearrangement have been used as resources to gain insight into the questions of chromosome structure and dynamics. The multidrug resistant murine cell line J7.V2-1 has been shown previously to contain two distinct forms of the highly amplified mdr2 gene, a member of the mouse gene family responsible for the multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotype [Kirschner, L. S. (1995) DNA Cell Biol. 14, 47-59]. Characterization of both forms of the gene revealed that one form corresponded to the wild-type structure of the gene, whereas the other represented a rearrangement. Investigation of this altered gene demonstrated a deletion of 1.6 kb of the wild-type sequence, and replacement of this region with a poly(AT) tract that appears to have been generated de novo. Analysis of the native sequence in this region demonstrated the absence of repetitive elements, but was notable for the presence of two long stretches of polypurine: polypyrimidine strand asymmetry. Analysis of mdr2 transcripts in this cell line revealed that nearly all of the mRNA is transcribed from the rearranged form of the gene. This message is unable to code for a functional mdr2 gene product, owing to a deletion of the fourth exon during this event. Mechanisms of the rearrangement, as well as the significance of this curious effect on transcription, are discussed.
Bridging Local and Global Data Cleansing: Identifying Class Noise in Large, Distributed Data Datasets

To cleanse mislabeled examples from a training dataset for efficient and effective induction, most existing approaches adopt a major set oriented scheme: the training dataset is separated into two parts (a major set and a minor set). The classifiers learned from the major set are used to identify noise in the minor set. The obvious drawbacks of such a scheme are twofold: (1) when the underlying data volume keeps growing, it would be either physically impossible or time consuming to load the major set into the memory for inductive learning; and (2) for multiple or distributed datasets, it can be either technically infeasible or factitiously forbidden to download data from other sites (for security or privacy reasons). Therefore, these approaches have severe limitations in conducting effective global data cleansing from large, distributed datasets. In this paper, we propose a solution to bridge the local and global analysis for noise cleansing. More specifically, the proposed effort tries to identify and eliminate mislabeled data items from large or distributed datasets through local analysis and global incorporation. For this purpose, we make use of distributed datasets or partition a large dataset into subsets, each of which is regarded as a local subset and is small enough to be processed by an induction algorithm at one time to construct a local model for noise identification. We construct good rules from each subset, and use the good rules to evaluate the whole dataset. For a given instance I k , two error count variables are used to count the number of times it has been identified as noise by all data subsets. The instance with higher error values will have a higher probability of being a mislabeled example. Two threshold schemes, majority and non-objection, are used to identify and eliminate the noisy examples. Experimental results and comparative studies on both real-world and synthetic datasets are reported to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach.
some fundamental limits of unequal error protection

Various formulations are considered where some information is more important than other and needs better protection. Our information theoretic framework in terms of exponential error bounds provides some fundamental limits and optimal strategies for such problems of unequal error protection. Even for data-rates approaching the channel capacity, it shows how a crucial part of information can be protected with exponential reliability. Channels without feedback are analyzed first, which is useful later in analyzing channels with feedback. A new channel parameter, called the Red-Alert Exponent, is fundamentally important in such problems.
Cross-modal versus within-modal recall: differences in behavioral and brain responses.

Abstract Although human experience is multisensory in nature, previous research has focused predominantly on memory for unisensory as opposed to multisensory information. In this work, we sought to investigate behavioral and neural differences between the cued recall of cross-modal audiovisual associations versus within-modal visual or auditory associations. Participants were presented with cue-target associations comprised of pairs of nonsense objects, pairs of nonsense sounds, objects paired with sounds, and sounds paired with objects. Subsequently, they were required to recall the modality of the target given the cue while behavioral accuracy, reaction time, and blood oxygenation level dependant (BOLD) activation were measured. Successful within-modal recall was associated with modality-specific reactivation in primary perceptual regions, and was more accurate than cross-modal retrieval. When auditory targets were correctly or incorrectly recalled using a cross-modal visual cue, there was re-activation in auditory association cortex, and recall of information from cross-modal associations activated the hippocampus to a greater degree than within-modal associations. Findings support theories that propose an overlap between regions active during perception and memory, and show that behavioral and neural differences exist between within- and cross-modal associations. Overall the current study highlights the importance of the role of multisensory information in memory.
An analytical least-squares solution to the odometer-camera extrinsic calibration problem

In order to fuse camera and odometer measurements, we first need to estimate their relative transformation through the so-called odometer-camera extrinsic calibration. In this paper, we present a two-step analytical least-squares solution for the extrinsic odometer-camera calibration that (i) is not iterative and finds the least-squares optimal solution without any initialization, and (ii) does not require any special hardware or the presence of known landmarks in the scene. Specifically, in the first step, we estimate a subset of the 3D relative rotation parameters by analytically minimizing a least-squares cost function. We then back-substitute these estimates in the measurement constraints, and determine the rest of the 3D transformation parameters by analytically minimizing a second least-squares cost function. Simulation and experimental results are presented that validate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed algorithm.
Seasonality in the U.S. motion picture industry

The observed seasonality of box-office revenues reflects both seasonality in underlying demand for movies and seasonality in the number and quality of available movies. I separately identify these aspects by estimating weekly demand for movies, using movie fixed effects, a long panel of movies' weekly revenues, and restrictions on their decay pattern. I find that the estimated seasonality in underlying demand is much smaller and slightly different from the observed seasonality of sales. The biggest movies are released at times when demand is highest, amplifying the underlying seasonality. Price rigidities in the industry may facilitate this amplification effect.
Sputter heating in ionized metal physical vapor deposition

Summary form only given. In this paper, sputter heating and subsequent rarefaction in IMPVD reactors is investigated using a plasma equipment model. The Hybrid Plasma Equipment Model has been improved to include processes relevant to sputter heating. Specifically, the algorithms for yields and sputtered atom energies have been improved to account for the ion identity and energy as a function of position on the target. The transport and slowing of sputtered atoms is addressed using a Monte Carlo simulation. By collecting statistics on the energy and momenta of slowing sputtered atoms before and after a collision, rates of momentum transfer and random heating of the gas are computed. These quantities are then used in the momenta and energy equations for neutral and ion species. Parametric studies have been performed for sputter heating in aluminum and copper IMPVD systems operating at low to high powers (/spl les/1200 W ICP, /spl les/2500 W magnetron) in 10s mTorr Ar. When operating with ICP excitation only, gas temperatures of 800 K are typically obtained with powers of >1 kW. Additional temperature rises of 500-1500 K from sputter heating can be obtained, depending on the magnetron power and accommodation coefficient of the gas on the walls.
Linked Aspects of Nonmarine Cretaceous–Tertiary Boundary Events

Abstract Here I attempt to weave together a few strands of knowledge about the Cretaceous–Tertiary asteroid collision and its biological effects. The sheer enormity of kinetic energy involved in the collision and the immediate conversion of the energy to infrared radiation upon worldwide reentry of suborbitally lofted debris is not adequately appreciated by most paleontologists who deal with nonmarine organisms. Consideration of the physics of such a collision leads to the conclusion that there should have been no live Paleocene nonavian dinosaurs, but a view that nonavian dinosaurs survived into the Paleocene has been accepted by some students on the basis of “Paleocene pollen” found stratigraphically beneath specimens of nonavian dinosaurs. However, investigation of the biostratigraphic basis of dating “Paleocene” dinosaurs points to flaws in palynological dating of Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene strata in Rocky Mountain basins of deposition. The argument for “Paleocene” pollen occurring with or st...
Diruthenium tetracarbonyl sawhorse complexes bearing N-heterocylic carbene and phosphine ligands: Synthesis, structural characterization, and catalytic activity

Abstract A number of dinuclear ruthenium(I) sawhorse complexes substituted with an N-heterocyclic carbene or various phosphine ligands have been prepared and characterized by FT-IR, NMR, and elemental analysis. Treatment of [Ru2(μ-O2CCH3)2(CO)4]n with 2-electron donating ligands (L) yields the dimeric derivatives Ru2(μ-O2CCH3)2(CO)4L2, where L = IMes [1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene] (1), P(o-CH3C6H4)3 (2), P(C6F5)3 (3), P(c-C6H11)3 (4), and P(C6H5)3 (5). The syntheses of 1–3 are reported herein; the syntheses of 4 and 5 have been previously reported. The crystal structures of 1–3 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Factors influencing the structures of 1–5 are discussed and compared to DFT calculated geometries. An initial assay of the catalytic activities of 1–5, employing the isomerization of 1-hexene, has been performed.
Nitric oxide inhibits L-type Ca2+ current in glomus cells of the rabbit carotid body via a cGMP-independent mechanism.

Nitric oxide inhibits L-type Ca2+ current in glomus cells of the rabbit carotid body via a cGMP-independent mechanism. Previous studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) inhibits carotid body senso...
Relapsing Fever in California: III. The Carrier Condition; Epidemiology

The form of acquired immunity which depends on the development of immune bodies during and after complete recovery from spirochetal disease is well recognized. Another type of immunity is said to be due to the persistence of viable forms of spirochetes in the body, particularly in the brain, after a cure or at least apparent recovery, as observed in experimental animals. Ever since Buschke and Kroo 2 demonstrated latent forms of relapsing fever spirochetes in the brain, this type of immunity has been a subject of much controversy among those who have confirmed their results. Mooser,3 working with the spirillum of ratbite fever, which has some features in common with the spirochete of relapsing fever, assumed that animals are immune to reinf ection as long as these forms persist in the body, it being supposed that they produce a continual reenforcement of immune bodies. Bruynoghe 4 had similar views. This theory has been contradicted by others, who believe that animals are not resistant to immune bodies in their own serum. This interesting subject has been discussed by Hindle 5 and Gray.s The power of different races of relapsing fever spirochetes to persist in the brain is not always the same (Kritschewski 7). Recently isolated strains produce the highest percentage of infections in the brain. Krits-
Hyperthermal CI Atom Beam Produced by Laser Vaporization of Cryogenic ICI Films

A source of energetic, neutral Cl atoms is produced by laser vaporization of cryogenic ICl films using either the 532 nm or 266 nm output of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The pulsed Cl mean kinetic energy can be tuned from 0.4 eV to 3.4 eV by varying the laser repetition rate or the rate of deposition of the ICl film. Also present in the beam are ICl, I, I2, and Cl2. The heavier species all have lower velocities than the Cl atoms, and this difference in velocities can be accentuated by vaporizing thinner films. Using a mechanical velocity chopper, the fastest part of the beam can be selected, which consists of >90% Cl atoms. Results suggest that the vaporization process involves a directed mass flow in which the heavier molecules are propelled to higher velocities by the faster Cl atom flux. The atom source may be used for selective etching studies.
Response of a "resistant" plasmacytoma to alkylating agents and x-ray in combination with the "excision" repair inhibitors caffeine and chloroquine.

One of the frustrating aspects of tumor therapy has been the resistance developed by tumors to the agents used therapeutically. Alkylating agents and ionizing radiation, which are used frequently in tumor therapy at the present time, are designed to cause damage to the DNA of tumor cells such that they can no longer divide. However, it has been demonstrated that both bacterial (1–4) and mammalian cells (5–8) have the ability to repair such damage to their DNA by means of specific enzymic mechanisms.Mammalian cell lines have been isolated which show resistance to specific alkylating agents. After the development of this resistance, these cells show a cross resistance to other types of alkylating agents and X-rays with little or no change in their response to such antimetabolites as amethopterin, mercaptopurine, florodeoxyuridine, and azaserine (9). This suggests that a common mechanism may be responsible for the resistance shown by tumors toward alkylating agents and ionizing radiation. Wheeler and Alexand...
VERTIGO: MENIERE'S DISEASE AND THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS.

Meniere's disease results from a constitutional inadequacy of the autonomic nervous system producing vasomotor imbalance. Vertigo is the cardinal and most characteristic symptom and the nature of the vertigo must be clearly established to reach a definite diagnosis.Diagnostic criteria and characteristic findings are described, as are functional tests and symptom patterns to aid in differentiating Meniere's disease from other disorders causing vertigo.
Examples of Professor Li Xiangyun's Experience in Treating Infertility

This article offers professor Li Xiangyun's experience in the treatment of five cases of infertility respectively due to uterine maldevelopment, endometriosis,ureteral obstruction,abortion and oligospermatism.
Renal Transplantation in Cystinosis

Three children from 6 1/2 to 10 years old received kidney allografts from their parents 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 years ago. Renal function has been stable and the patients have been doing well. Studies of renal tubular function as well as morphologic studies by light and electron microscopy, and microdissection of renal tubules fail to reveal evidence of recurrent disease in the allografted kidneys.
Effects of Upper Crustal Geoacoustic Parameters on Low Frequency Sound

A seismo-acoustic paradigm of the upper crust is proposed, based on analysis of low-frequency reflectivity versus angle data at a 0.5 million-year old sediment-free site, and on spatially well sampled seismic refraction measurements at sediment-free and thinly sedimented sites in the Pacific Ocean. Crustal velocity measurements at thick sediment covered sites are evidently substantially higher, and are excluded from the analysis presented here. Interfacial compressional and shear speeds of thinly sedimented, geologically young upper crust (between 0.5 and 5 million years) at this site are estimated to be about 2800 m/s and 800 m/s respectively. At such sites sub-basement gradients are approximately 4 s-1. The rms roughness of the basement, which is Fresnel zone size dependent, has significant effects at frequencies as low as 10 Hz. Low shear speeds imply no shear critical angle. Hence, at low shear speed sites, low-frequency energy incident on the bottom at small grazing angles is in large part transmitted into the rock, refracted by the gradient, and reradiated into the water. Scattering loss occurs at both the initial incidence and the interaction of the refracted energy at the boundary. Low interfacial shear speeds lead to large grazing angles at the boundary for the transmitted shear waves, large wavenumbers and, hence large boundary scattering losses; small changes in interfacial shear speed produce large changes in subsurface boundary-scattering loss, and hence in the reflection coefficient. Sediment-free/thinly sediment-covered crustal shear speeds are projected to increase with age, eventually (at an unknown age) becoming faster than the speed of sound in water, resulting in critical angle reflection.
Changing Dynamics and Strategic Vision

After 9/11, public diplomacy burst on the political radar screen as if it were a new phenomenon when actually it has been part of U.S. foreign policy since the American Revolution. A historical overview of U.S. public diplomacy reveals a peculiar pattern of re-inventing the public diplomacy wheel and recycling old debates. When it remerged on the political scene, not only was U.S. public diplomacy confronting recurring debates from the pre-Cold War and Cold War era, but it also faced a new set of challenges in the post-Cold War era with the shift from traditional diplomacy to public diplomacy to“new public diplomacy.” U.S. public diplomacy appeared to be trying to catch up with the new public diplomacy by incorporating new communication technologies rather than by developing a new communication strategy. What was missing was an understanding of how the underlying communication and political dynamics in the international arena were fundamentally shifting from an Information Age to a global communication era.
MEMS accelerometer based low-cost collision impact analyzer

Accident impact analysis helps to minimize losses such as death, injuries and property damage due to vehicle collision on road. An efficient impact analyzer is capable of accumulating and processing large amount of data very quickly. Hardware and software both plays important role to collect, process and store large amount of data within a very short period of time. MEMS accelerometers are cost effective and offer better performance with high functionalities compared to conventional piezoelectric accelerometers. The purpose of this paper is to conduct in-depth analyses of low-cost impact analyzer. Hardware and software consideration to implement a low cost impact analyzer (LCIA) are discussed. To simulate the accident, the system has been dropped from a certain height. With time-stamp, the tested data was recorded into microSD card and later the data was analyzed in computer and discussed.
Pathology of Lymphoma of the Thyroid

The thyroid may be involved secondarily by lymphoma from other sites in the body or by leukemic infiltrates. Most primary thyroidal lymphomas are B-cell types, but both Hodgkin’s lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma may occur.
A note on heuristic approach based on UBQP formulation of the maximum diversity problem

The maximum diversity problem (MDP) is a challenging NP-hard problem with a wide range of real applications. Several researchers have pointed out close relationship between the MDP and unconstrained binary quadratic program (UBQP). In this paper, we provide procedures to solve MDP ideas from the UBQP formulation of the problem. We first give some local optimality results for r-flip improvement procedures on MDP. Then, a set of highly effective diversification approaches based on sequential improvement steps for MDP are presented. Four versions of the approaches are used within a simple tabu search and applied to 140 benchmark MDP problems available on the Internet. The procedures solve all 80 small- to medium-sized problems instantly to the best known solutions. For 22 of the 60 large problems, the procedures improved by significant amounts the best known solutions in reasonably short CPU time.
On the prospects for Aristotelian character education

AbstractThe prospects for Aristotelian character education (ACE) is considered. Seven important claims that should win wide acceptance are reviewed; and also two challenges that are impediments. I argue many of the assumptions of ACE turn out not to be distinctive. The conflation of realism and naturalism is ill-considered, and the account of phronesis will need additional clarification to be helpful to educators, as will the specific recommendations on offer. I conclude with a suggestion that Dewey offers a powerful, empirically grounded, educationally accessible account of moral functioning that meets the desiderata of ACE; and that charting an integrative perspective is an exciting prospect for the future.
CHAPTER 27 – Historical Perspectives

Fertility is a central issue in all human populations, as documented by fertility rites of one kind or another in every known culture. Declining fertility with age was undoubtedly recognized in hunter-gatherer groups if enough of the females survived to age 40 years and beyond. Aristotle noted that menstruation ceased by age 40 inconsiderably earlier than in present times. Thus, if life expectancy at birth was around 20-25 years in Greek and Roman times, not many women arrived at the age of menopause. In the Middle Ages life was "solitary, nasty, brutish and short" [Thomas Hobbes], with average life expectancy around 35 years also not conducive to a population of menopausal women. At the beginning of the nineteenth century life expectancy of a girl child at birth was 36.5 years; if she survived to age 20, she could expect to live to age 56. By the end of the century, American women's life expectancy was up to 45 years. Now, near the end of the millennium, it is nearly 80 years.
Postnatal Odor Exposure Increases the Strength of Interglomerular Lateral Inhibition onto Olfactory Bulb Tufted Cells.

Lateral inhibition between pairs of olfactory bulb (OB) mitral cells (MCs) and tufted cells (TCs) is linked to a variety of computations including gain control, decorrelation, and gamma-frequency synchronization. Differential effects of lateral inhibition onto MCs and TCs via distinct lateral inhibitory circuits are one of several recently described circuit-level differences between MCs and TCs that allow each to encode separate olfactory features in parallel. Here, using acute OB slices from mice, we tested whether lateral inhibition is affected by prior odor exposure and if these effects differ between MCs and TCs. We found that early postnatal odor exposure to the M72 glomerulus ligand acetophenone increased the strength of interglomerular lateral inhibition onto TCs, but not MCs, when the M72 glomerulus was stimulated. These increases were specific to exposure to M72 ligands because exposure to hexanal did not increase the strength of M72-mediated lateral inhibition. Therefore, early life experiences may be an important factor shaping TC odor responses. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Responses of olfactory (OB) bulb mitral cells (MCs) and tufted cells (TCs) are known to depend on prior odor exposure, yet the specific circuit mechanisms underlying these experience-dependent changes are unknown. Here, we show that odor exposure alters one particular circuit element, interglomerular lateral inhibition, which is known to be critical for a variety of OB computations. Early postnatal odor exposure to acetophenone, a ligand of M72 olfactory sensory neurons, increases the strength of M72-mediated lateral inhibition onto TCs, but not MCs, that project to nearby glomeruli. These findings add to a growing list of differences between MCs and TCs suggesting that that these two cell types play distinct roles in odor coding.
ATPS-70USING CYSTEINE KNOT PROTEINS TO RETARGET AN ONCOLYTIC VIRUS TO NOVEL CELL SURFACE ANTIGENS

INTRODUCTION: Modified measles virus (MV) is an effective oncolytic virus and is currently being investigated in clinical trials for various cancer types. An advantage of MV is the ease of retargeting the virus to a receptor of choice. We investigated the use of cysteine knot proteins (CKP) to direct MV activity. CKP are short polypeptides that bind their targets with high affinity. A library of these proteins has been made, and a CKP that binds both αv-β3 and αv-β5 integrins with single digit nanomolar affinity has been isolated. We have used this CKP to target MV to the integrins. METHODS: We made a modified MV by inserting the integrin-binding CKP coding sequence at the carboxy-terminus of a mutated H protein that does not bind to its normal receptors (MV-CKP). We tested the virus for specificity for the integrins by assessing cell killing and MV replication in vitro. RESULTS: MV-CKP killed and replicated in U87 glioma cells, which express the target integrins. The virus did not kill and did not replicate in cells in which intregrin expression was knocked down with an αv antisense lentivirus. MV-CKP activity was blocked by echistatin, an integrin binding peptide. When the CKP was cleaved from the virus at an inserted protease site, virus activity was abrogated. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that CKP can be used to selectively target MV. Because the integrins targeted are expressed by tumor endothelium and not by normal endothelium and because the CKP used has been shown to localize to tumor when injected IV, MV-CKP may be effective as IV therapy, a major step forward in the use of MV. In addition, the CKP library can be screened for other CKPs of interest. Lastly, the use of CKP to target viruses is applicable to many viruses other than MV.
Causal consistency algorithms for partially replicated and fully replicated systems

Abstract Data replication is commonly used for fault-tolerance in reliable distributed systems. In large-scale systems, it additionally provides low latency. Recently, causal consistency in such systems has received much attention. However, existing works assume the data is fully replicated. This greatly simplifies the design of the algorithms to implement causal consistency. In this paper, we propose that it can be advantageous to have partial replication of data, and we propose two algorithms for achieving causal consistency in such systems where the data is only partially replicated. This work provides the first evidence that explores causal consistency for partially replicated distributed systems. We also give a special case algorithm for causal consistency in the full-replication case. We give simulation results to show the performance of our algorithms, and to present the advantage of partial replication over full replication.
Deformation of magnesium during c-axis compression at low temperatures

Abstract In this study, large scale atomistically informed three-dimensional (3D) discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) simulations were conducted to investigate the mechanical response of single crystal magnesium (Mg) during c-axis compression at low temperatures. In these simulations the plastic anisotropy of slip on pyramidal planes were accounted for to quantify the effects of misorientation, dislocation climb, and pyramidal 〈 c + a 〉 dislocation mobility. The simulation results show that a simple mobility rule based on the properties of edge and screw dislocations will lead to drastically different predictions of the response of Mg during c-axis compression as compared to a more rigorous dislocation orientation dependent mobility rule suggested by atomistic simulations. In addition, the current simulations suggest that plasticity is predominantly mediated by 〈 c + a 〉 slip on pyramidal I planes with less contribution from slip on pyramidal II planes. Furthermore, dislocation climb is observed to have an important effect even at low temperatures. A misorientation of the loading axis within a few degrees is shown to have a negligible effect on the results. The predicted dislocation microstructure are also shown to be in qualitative agreement with experimental results. Finally, the current simulations indicate that 〈 c + a 〉 pyramidal I slip cannot be neglected in crystal plasticity simulations.
Adult sacrococcygeal teratoma with coccygectomy: A case report with a review of the literature.

Background Saccrococcygeal teratomas (SCT) are derived from embryonic germ cell layers. They frequently present at the base of the coccyx within the pelvis. While these tumors are common in children, they are exceedingly rare in adults. In adults, a majority of these tumors are intrapelvic and associated with a low risk of malignant transformation. Therefore, this contributes to a good prognosis following resection of mostly benign lesions. Case description An adult female with chronic pelvic pain presented with a sacral teratoma. She failed conservative treatment and underwent a coccygectomy with an en-bloc excision of the tumor. Microscopic histological analysis showed no evidence of immature or malignant elements, confirming the diagnosis of a mature, benign, cystic SCT. Conclusions Mature SCTs in adults are rare malignant lesions. In this case, the patient was cured following primary surgical excision requiring en-bloc coccygectomy.
Molecular Biomarkers in Neurocritical Care: The Next Frontier

With modern advances in life support and resuscitation medicine, neurologic injury in critical illness has become the new and the last frontier in critical care medicine. In addition to preserving life, the “holy grail” of modern critical care is to preserve function and quality of life. Molecular biomarkers have revolutionalized modern medicine, leading to novel gold standard diagnostics such as troponin for myocardial infarction, new disease monitors such as tumor markers, and new “personalized medicine” tools for selecting patient likely to respond to certain therapy such as Imatinib (Gleevec) use in Philadelphina chromosome chronic myelogenous leukemia. The central nervous system (CNS) poses a special challenge for diagnostic and therapeutic treatments due to the skull being a barrier to brain monitoring and tissue sampling, the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), the complex relationship between localization and function, and the frequently poor reflection of clinical disease in animal models. Novel molecular biomarkers may help reflect underlying pathophysiology, monitor disease progression, identify intermediate phenotypes for clinical trials, and improve prognostic accuracy and thereby revolutionize clinical practice in neurocritical care.
Global Differential Geometry. Editor, S. S. Chern

(1991). Global Differential Geometry. Editor, S. S. Chern. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 98, No. 7, pp. 669-671.
Actin-based motility allows Listeria monocytogenes to avoid autophagy in the macrophage cytosol.

Listeria monocytogenes grows in the host cytosol and uses the surface protein ActA to promote actin polymerisation and mediate actin-based motility. ActA, along with two secreted bacterial phospholipases C, also mediates avoidance from autophagy, a degradative process that targets intracellular microbes. Although it is known that ActA prevents autophagic recognition of L. monocytogenes in epithelial cells by masking the bacterial surface with host factors, the relative roles of actin polymerisation and actin-based motility in autophagy avoidance are unclear in macrophages. Using pharmacological inhibition of actin polymerisation and a collection of actA mutants, we found that actin polymerisation prevented the colocalisation of L. monocytogenes with polyubiquitin, the autophagy receptor p62, and the autophagy protein LC3 during macrophage infection. In addition, the ability of L. monocytogenes to stimulate actin polymerisation promoted autophagy avoidance and growth in macrophages in the absence of phospholipases C. Time-lapse microscopy using green fluorescent protein-LC3 macrophages and a probe for filamentous actin showed that bacteria undergoing actin-based motility moved away from LC3-positive membranes. Collectively, these results suggested that although actin polymerisation protects the bacterial surface from autophagic recognition, actin-based motility allows escape of L. monocytogenes from autophagic membranes in the macrophage cytosol.
A Hermeneutic Approach to Pain: Gadamer on Pain, Finitude, and Recovery

While philosophical hermeneutics has often been criticized for not engaging issues concerning the body and human finitude, Gadamer’s ‘Defense of Pain’ in his final public academic appearance is an underappreciated hermeneutic contribution to the way in which we experience and respond to the physical and existential demands of pain. In light of his criticism, that the modern medical community is occupied with the utter eradication of pain, Gadamer is concerned with the consequences of such a sensibility which does not appear to focus on developing and fostering the patients’ own capacities and participation in the process of their own convalescence. For Gadamer, the patients’ active participation in the recovery ( verwinden ) from pain is an opportunity to experience the joys of recovery and to engage in their own vibrant rhythm of health. Yet more than this, pain is an opportunity to return to an existential and hermeneutic truth about one’s own finitude. Through reflections on the newborn’s cry at birth ( Geburtsschrei ) and the forgetfulness of our own mortality, we find in Gadamer’s presentation an intriguing account of pain as a deeply embodied and hermeneutic experience that furthers interpretation and understanding of our own intimate relationship with birth, death, and life.
Seedcorn maggot in conventional and conservation tillage soybeans and damage effects on soybean growth and yield

Absolute population estimates, based on emergence trapping, were made for the seedcorn maggot, Hylemya platura (Meigen) (Diptera; Anthomyiidae), during germination in 4 typical Iowa soybean tillage systems (fall moldboard plow, fall chisel plow, till-plant, and no-tillage). The emergence trapping method gave acceptable levels of precision for an intensive sampling program. Although significant differences in emergence were found between tillage systems, numbers of seedcorn maggots present were not a serious problem in any system. Emergence was greatest in the fall chisel-plow system, followed by the till-plant system. Emergence in the no-till and fall moldboard-plow systems was similar. Comparisons of emergence between within-row and between-row areas in these systems suggested that germinating soybeans were not attractive for oviposition under field conditions. Surface corn residue and soil moisture were not significant factors influencing oviposition and development.
Nonstandard Graphs and Networks

Our nonstandard analyses for the determination of hyperreal operating points in transfinite resistive networks in Chapter 6 and of hyperreal transients in transfinite RLC networks in Chapter 7 do not enlarge those networks in a nonstandard way. The restoration processes employed therein merely recover the original standard networks and only provide a means of constructing hyperreal currents and voltages that satisfy Kirchhoff’s laws and Ohm’s law. Another approach might start with an arbitrary sequence of conventional (finite or infinite) 0-graphs and construct from that a nonstandard 0-graph in much the same way as an internal set in the hyperreal line *ℝ is constructed from a given sequence of subsets of the real line ℝ, that is, by means of an ultrapower construction. In this case, the resulting nonstandard graph has nonstandard branches and nonstandard nodes, and it thereby is much different from what we have presented so far.
Nuclear deformations in the pairing-plus-quadrupole model: (II). Discussion of validity of the model

This paper attempts to choose the parameters of the pairing-plus-quadrupole model as realistically as possible. A correction is introduced to take into account the different numbers of neutrons and protons. An expression is given for the deformation energy of a nucleus with an arbitrary two-body interaction. Then the pairing-plus-quadrupole matrix elements are compared with those of more realistic interactions, and it is decided to keep only matrix elements between states of two adjacent oscillator shells. An argument is given to determine a priori the strength of the quadrupole force, and various corrections to this are discussed. No similar argument is found for the pairing force. Residual effects of the remaining oscillator shells are included in an approximate fashion. Comparison with previous work along these lines is presented.
Self-identity and Moral Agency

The aim of this paper is to investigate the contribution self-identity makes to our standing as morally accountable agents. Some of our interest in self-identity, i.e. a sense of self, arises out of concerns of particular importance from the perspective of the person herself. Such matters include the sustained interest we have in our future and in the fact that we anticipate our own behavior in a different way than we anticipate the behavior of others. Yet second-personal concerns are apparent here as well. It is a matter of both first-personal and second-personal concern that we be able to present ourselves as partners in social exchange with others and in the interpersonal enterprise that constitutes moral accountability. Self-identity is foundational for interacting in ways that give expression to our values and concerns. A sense of self enables us to be aware of what we do and to appreciate the motives that lie behind what we do. A sense of self is thus crucial to our status as agents; without a sense of self, we have no reason to place faith in our own agency—in our ability to affect the world through our choices and actions and our position to do so.
Nicotinic Modulation of Cognitive Functioning in Humans

The loss of central nicotinic receptors is a neurochemical hallmark of several degenerative brain disorders, notably Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, uncertainty has remained about the significance of this loss for the cognitive symptomatology of these disorders. Investigations of the effects of nicotinic agents in both normal and diseased individuals have led to important information about the role of nicotinic systems in cognitive functioning. These studies suggest that amelioration of some of the cognitive disturbances in AD and PD may be possible utilizing nicotinic compounds.
Oxygen Delivery and Intentional Hemodilution

Normovolemic hemodilution can progress to a classic form of hypoxia called anemic anoxia in the terminology first used by Barcroft (1920). It differs from anoxic anoxia, or hypoxic hypoxia in more modern terminology, in that arterial PO2 can be quite normal but the arterial O2 concentration is rower than normal. The question naturally arises, therefore, of why one would intentionally hemodilute in a clinical setting. The reason becomes clearer when consideration isgiven to the desirability of sparing as much as possible the use of allogeneic blood because of its additional risk factors. Furthermore, hemodilution within specified limits may actually be desirable by virtue of increased blood fluidity and consequently better tissue oxygenation under some circumstances. There is even evidence that tissue PO2 in various organ systems may actually increase with mild hemodilution (Messmer et al., 1973). Given the desirability of preoperative autologous blood donation and/or volume expansion with cell-free diluents such as dextran, albumin, and hetastarch, it is worthwhile to ask what the lower limits of hemodilution might be. Such limits are set to some extent by the ability of the body to compensate for the decrease in oxygen carrying capacity. The nature of those compensatory actions, their effectiveness, and the net effect upon tissue oxygenation in health and disease states are the topics that will be discussed.
The Principles of Disease and Disability Prevention and Health Promotion with Increasing Age

This chapter explores considerations and challenges a clinician faces when approaching disease and disability prevention for older adults. We discuss the importance of levels of prevention in this population, how statistical evidence is used to guide decision-making, and the importance of addressing health within the context of social determinants of health and cognitive, physical, and mental health. Health promotion necessitates understanding a patient’s priorities and an interdisciplinary approach. Clinicians should seize the opportunity as advocates and educators to shape expectations of healthcare providers, the community, and older adults. Finally, we highlight the importance of shared decision-making to help older adults realize their goals and optimal health.
Impact of hypothermia on cardiac performance during targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest

Abstract Introduction Targeted temperature management (TTM) is a well-accepted neuro-protective intervention in the management of comatose survivors of cardiac arrest (CA). However, the impact of TTM on cardiac performance has not been adequately evaluated. Methods We reviewed data on consecutive CA survivors undergoing TTM at a quaternary cardiac intensive care unit between January 2015 and June 2017. Enrollment was restricted to cases with invasive hemodynamics (iHDs) at TTM initiation, every 8 h at target temperature (32–34 °C) and at completion of rewarming (>36 °C), unless precluded by mortality. Cardiac index and cardiac index-derived variables were adjusted for a decreased oxygen consumption during hypothermia. We assessed the serial impact of cooling on iHDs and cardiac performance utilizing longitudinal data analysis accounting for the effects of time as surrogate for the expected change from the post arrest syndrome and instituted treatments. A Frank–Starling construct was used to evaluate changes in cardiac contractility. Results We evaluated the effects of cooling on iHDs and cardiac performance in 46 CA survivors. Heart rate decreased with cooling (p 0.05). Left stroke work index increased with cooling (p Conclusion Mild hypothermia in CA survivors appears associated to positive changes in iHDs and cardiac performance, including a potential increase in cardiac contractility. Larger studies are needed to conclusively confirm these findings.
Scientific-Technological Co-operation — Its Organization

From the very inception of Eastern European co-operation right after World War II, one of the principal purposes of fostering closer interstate economic interaction has been the promotion of the exchange of scientific-technological information. Indeed, irrespective of one’s predisposition with regard to the wisdom of simply transplanting the Soviet development strategy and its accompanying economic model to Eastern Europe, one of its outstanding features has been the emphasis on development per se. This has prevailed ever since the unsettling conversion to a peacetime economy; the postwar shifts in territorial, social, and property relations; and the political convulsions engendered by the postwar turmoil. The deliberate choice of output growth has been stressed almost regardless of the cost of placing industrialization at a breakneck pace among the top priorities of the socialist leadership’s policy agenda.
Practicing Clinical Bioethics: Reflections from the Bedside

Biomedical dilemmas are becoming more complex as modern medical technologies continue to advance. In my capacity as a clinical bioethicist, I deal with patients and families confronted by ethical issues and questions that arise during medical treatment. Muslim patients often turn to their faith to help them make medical decisions. In their efforts to avoid what is religiously impermissible, they often ask local imams, community leaders, or Muslim physicians for advice. But these groups typically lack sufficient training when it comes to applying Islamic concepts to the medical dilemmas we face in American hospitals today. In fact, Muslim religious advisors who lack the appropriate medical and religious training should not be giving medical advice. Instead, they should refer their questions to the appropriate scholars, professionals, or referral centers. I have noticed that recommendations received from higher-level Islamic scholars with clinical backgrounds are usually more thoughtful, nuanced, and flexible. Clinicians, patients, and families must be able to access thoughtful Islamic scholarship that supports medical decision making in an accessible, timely, and clinically useful way. By intensifying efforts to combine religious scholarship, clinical understanding, and the effective dissemination of information, those in the field of Islamic bioethics scholarship can better help and support patients and families in determining the most appropriate religiously sanctioned options for their particular circumstances. The American Muslim community must prioritize this field of study.
Safety and immunogenicity of tyrosinase DNA vaccines in patients with melanoma

3005 Background: T-cell and antibody responses to self antigens on cancer are usually constrained by immunologic tolerance and ignorance. We found that DNA vaccines encoding xenogeneic differentiat...
Utilizing the Promise of Omadacycline in a Resistant, Non-tubercular Mycobacterial Pulmonary Infection.

The non-tubercular mycobacterium, Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus), is a resistant, opportunistic pathogen that causes lung infections that are not curable, but which can be controlled with appropriate antibiotic regimens. A new broad-spectrum tetracycline analog called omadacycline was approved in 2018 in the United States for the treatment of bacterial, community-acquired pneumonia and acute skin infections. We discuss a case to assess the effect of this novel antibiotic in the management of a nefariously resistant M. abscessus infection. Our patient had underlying chronic bronchiectasis and a long-standing M.abscessus infection, along with numerous drug allergies and previously failed antibiotic regimens. All of these factors entailed a disease process that was difficult to manage and a worsening morbidity. The utilization of omadacycline in this case addressed a multitude of problems by improving ease of administration and circumventing the patient’s allergic reaction to antibiotics; on follow-up, the patient demonstrated an improved clinical status including well-controlled symptoms and weight gain.
Approximate Matchings in Massive Graphs via Local Structure (Invited Talk)

Finding a maximum matching is a fundamental algorithmic problem and is fairly well understood in traditional sequential computing models. Some modern applications require that we handle massive graphs and hence we need to consider algorithms in models that do not allow the entire input graph to be held in the memory of one computer, or models in which the graph is evolving over time. We introduce a new concept called an "Edge Degree Constrained Subgraph (EDCS)", which is a subgraph that is guaranteed to contain a large matching, and which can be identified via local conditions. We then show how to use an EDCS to find 1.5-approximate matchings in several different models including Map Reduce, streaming and distributed computing. We can also use an EDCS to maintain a 1.5-optimal matching in a dynamic graph. This work is joint with Sepehr Asadi, Aaron Bernstein, Mohammad Hossein Bateni and Vahab Marrokni.