cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neutralizing epitopes on herpes simplex virus-1-expressed rotavirus VP7 are dependent on coexpression of other rotavirus proteins.

Abstract We constructed a recombinant thymidine kinase-negative herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) that expressed the rotavirus major outer capsid glycoprotein, VP7. In the recombinant HSV-1, a promoter from the 5′ noncoding region of the HSV-1 glycoprotein B locus regulated the expression of VP7 as a HSV-1 γ1 gene product. HSV-1-expressed VP7 resembled rotavirus-expressed VP7 in its SDS-PAGE mobility, high mannose-type glycosylation, disulfide bonding, perinuclear to cytoplasmic localization, intracellular retention, and reactivity with polyclonal antisera and nonneutralizing antibodies. Unlike rotavirus-expressed VP7, HSV-1-expressed VP7 lacked several neutralizing epitopes by immuno-histochemical staining and by ELISA. One neutralizing epitope identified on HSV-1-expressed VP7 by ELISA was masked by paraformaldehyde fixation of recombinant HSV-1- but not rotavirus-infected cells. Neutralizing epitopes were restored to HSV-1-expressed VP7 by coinfection of cells with the HSV-1 recombinant and a heterologous rota-virus that lacked the neutralizing epitopes. The recovered neutralizing epitopes were detected on double-shelled rotavirus particles produced in the coinfected cells. This study indicates that the formation of several neutralizing epitopes on rotavirus VP7 requires interaction of VP7 with other rotavirus proteins. In addition, HSV-1 was a useful vector for studying the localization, processing, and antigenicity of an RNA virus glycoprotein.
Wiley’s Contribution to Symbolic Interactionist Theory

History of symbolic interactionism is reviewed from its pragmatist precursors (Peirce, Dewey), through the Idealist philosophical context of George Herbert Mead, to Blumer’s creation of a sociological interactionism. Wiley models interaction among parts of the self to account for both successes and failures of reflexive self-direction. Wiley thus provides a mechanism for agency or will, making these empirical topics via the study of internal dialogue.
Two further empirical implications of Auspitz–Lieben–Edgeworth–Pareto complementarity

Abstract I show that the assumptions of strong concavity and Auspitz–Lieben–Edgeworth–Pareto complementarity imply that for any good either all other goods must be gross substitutes or all other goods must be gross complements and that all goods must be compensated substitutes.
Red meets white: do microbleeds link hemorrhagic and ischemic cerebrovascular disease?

Cerebral microbleeds have captured the fascination of neurologists and clinical stroke researchers in particular. In the past decade, research focused on microbleeds has risen exponentially, providing important insights into the risk factors, pathophysiology, and neurologic consequences of these lesions. Microbleeds (detected on gradient echo or T2*-weighted MRI sequences) consist of hemosiderin accumulations that occur adjacent to small vessels that are indicative of extravasation of blood from prior small bleeds.1 Their significance for treatment decisions and patient management remains to be defined; nevertheless, it is clear that microbleeds have emerged as an important imaging marker of bleeding-prone microangiopathies and a possible contributor to vascular cognitive impairment.2 As such, microbleeds are potential target biomarkers for treatment interventions and risk factor control. Microbleeds are detected in 5% to 6% of the general elderly population, 30% of patients with ischemic stroke, and 60% of patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage,3 numbers likely to grow with improving sensitivity of MRI.2 Hypertensive small vessel disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy are the 2 most common …
Particle motions in superionic conductors

The motion of ions in Ca2+F2− has been studied by molecular dynamics. The results show that, at 2.525 g cm−3 and 1590 K, the F−’s have a constant of self‐diffusion of 2.6×10−5 cm2 sec−1 and the Ca2+’s form a stable lattice. It is found that half of the F−’s occupy the octahedral sites of the fcc Ca2+ lattice. The details of the self‐diffusion process is analyzed showing the presence of a wave‐vector dependent long relaxation time in the decay of 〈exp(ik⋅u(t) 〉, which is the Fourier transform of the displacement u(t) of the F− ions.
ATP and Ca2+ binding by the Ca2+ pump protein of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract The binding of ATP and Ca 2+ by the Ca 2+ pump protein of sarcoplasmic reticulum from rabbit skeletal muscle has been studied and correlated with the formation of a phoshorylated intermediate. The Ca 2+ pump protein has been found to contain one specific ATP and two specific Ca 2+ binding sites per phosphorylation site. ATP binding is dependent on Mg 2+ and is severely decreased when a phosphorylated intermediate is formed by the addition of Ca 2+ . In the presence of Mg 2+ and the absence of Ca 2+ , ATP and ADP bind completely to the membrane. Pre-incubation with N -ethylmaleimide results in inhibition of ATP binding and decrease of Ca 2+ binding. In the absence of ATP, Ca 2+ binding is noncooperative at pH 6–7 and negatively cooperative at pH 8. Mg 2+ , Sr 2+ and La 3+ , in that order, decrease Ca 2+ binding by the Ca 2+ pump protein. The affinity of the Ca 2+ pump protein for both ATP and Ca 2+ increases when the pH is raised from 6 to 8. At the infection point (pH ≈ 7.3) the binding constants of the Ca 2+ pump protein-MgATP 2− and Ca 2+ pump protein-calcium complexes are approx. 0.25 and 0.5 μM −1 , respectively. The unphosphorylated Ca 2+ pump protein does not contain a Mg 2+ binding site with an affinity comparable to those of the ATP and Ca 2+ binding sites. The affinity of the Ca 2+ pump protein for Ca 2+ is not appreciably changed by the addition of ATP. The ratio of phosphorylated intermediate formed to bound Ca 2+ is close to 2 over a 5-fold range of phosphoenzyme concentration. The equilibrium constant for phosphoenzyme formation is less than one at saturating levels of Ca 2+ . The phosphoenzyme is thus a “high-energy” intermediate, whose energy may then be used for the translocation of the two Ca 2+ . A reaction scheme is discussed showing that phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic reticulum proceeds via an enzyme-Ca 2 2+ -MgATP 2− complex. This complex is then converted to a phosphoenzyme intermediate which binds two Ca 2+ and probably Mg 2+ .
The role of insulating surface films in frictionally excited thermoelastic instabilities

Abstract The growth of pressure disturbances in a zone of sliding contact is investigated for bodies which carry thermally insulating surface films. It is shown that in some circumstances thin films totally alter the stability behavior, giving rise to an instability which would otherwise be absent. Solutions are offered for the cases where (a) the thermal boundary layer is thinner than the surface film and (b) where the film is thin relative to thermal boundary layer. A suggested interpolation is proposed between these two bracketing cases. Films of interest might include natural oxidation products, dry lubricants, hard coatings, decorative coatings.
Decay of152Pm isomers

Abstract Isomers of 152 Pm were observed when enriched 152 Sm was bombarded with fast neutrons. Production of the isomers was through the 152 Sm ( n, p ) 152 Pm reaction using 14·8 MeV neutrons. The β- and γ-ray decay of the isomers were studied using an 8-cm 3 Ge(Li) spectrometer and scintillation detectors. Half-lives of the ground and isomeric states were determined to be 3·8±0·5 and 7·55±0·70 min, respectively. The 3·8 min isomer was observed to decay to the ground state, first excited 2 + state, and to the β- and γ-vibrational states of 152 Sm. The 7·55 min isomeric state strongly populated a level at 1804·0 keV in 152 Sm. A spin-parity of 5 + or 6 + was deduced for the 1804·0 keV level. Tentative decay schemes for the 152 Pm isomers are proposed.
Semisynthesis and purification of homogeneous plasmenylcholine molecular species

Abstract Methods for the efficient use of limiting amounts of fatty acid probes in the synthesis of individual molecular species of plasmenylcholine have been developed. Plasmenylcholine molecular species were synthesized through acylation of homogeneous 1- O-(Z) -hexadec-1′-enyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphocholine utilizing fatty acid anhydrides generated in situ from combined pools of reactant and recycled fatty acids by repeated addition of small amounts (10 mol%) of N,N′ -dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The efficient generation of reactive anhydrides was accomplished through minimizing irreversible formation of N -acyl urea adducts by maintaining a persistent molar excess of fatty acid (with respect to carbodiimide) during the entire reaction time course. The synthesis of multiple different sn -2 labeled plasmenylcholine probes for utilization in fluorescence, ESR, or 2 H NMR spectroscopy as well as isotopically labeled plasmenylcholines for metabolic studies has been achieved in good yield (40–50% of theoretical yield based on fatty acid) by these methods. Rapid and effective purification methods utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography were developed for both large- and small-scale purifications of individual reaction mixtures which collectively resulted in the isolation of homogeneous plasmenylcholine molecular species in high yield from limiting amounts of fatty acid probes.
Pulmonary cell response in mice following intranasal instillation with Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans was instilled intranasally into mice which were sacrificed to determine the fate of instilled cryptococci and the pulmonary cellular response. During the first 12 h, instilled cryptococci decreased significantly in numbers and did not disseminate to extrapulmonary sites. There was a transient increase in neutrophils which may have been due to an influx of bacteria which accompanied the process of intranasal instillation.
A case for validating remote application integrity for data processing systems

There has been a great increase in recent years as to the amount of data from the grid that has been going to online systems. As more smart meters get installed into the AMI(advanced metering infrastructure), there is a need to mitigate the potential security threats in the collection system. There are a multitude of attack vectors that an adversary may take to compromise the confidentiality of user data and it may take much time and effort for developers to securely cover all such attack vectors. In this paper, we analyze the architecture of AMI systems and how data moves from one end to the other. In particular, we discuss the need for more research in safe program validation that protects against information leaks. Security problems can arise when programs do not perform as intended and may reveal confidential information or take unexpected actions. We discuss a theoretical network architecture that could take advantage of such secure program validation. The model minimizes attack vectors by containing data in one secure location that we call a DBPC(database processing center) instead of transporting data to multiple locations through a traditional DBMS(database management system). When outside parties want access to the data, they can send verified secure applications to the DBPC to run their applications remotely without direct access to the data. We describe the design of the AMI simulator and DBPC prototype module that we implemented.
Multihormonal activities of normal and neoplastic pituitary cells as indicated by immunohistochemical staining

The hormonal changes during the course of induction and subsequent growth of mouse thyrotropic tumors and rat mammotropic tumors were studied by means of immunohistochemical staining in consecutive sections cut at 3γ. Multihormonal activities were detected in the primary tumors, but were more conspicuous in the transplanted neoplasms. Labelled anti-thyrotropic hormone stained slightly normal gonadotropes. This is due to the presence of a common antigenic subunit between the two hormones and may explain the earlier finding of biologic gonadotropic activity in thyrotropic tumor-bearing mice with high serum thyrotropic hormone levels. Antiserum to the β subunit of thyrotropic hormone stained the thyrotropes almost as intensely as did antiserum to the complete hormone. Neoplastic thyrotropes often had somatotropic activities. Neoplastic mammotropes usually had somatotropic, and less often, adrenotropic activities. Derangement of the hormonal spectrum of pituitary tumors is best related to the derepression of the cytogenetic code of differentiated normal cells. The rare findings of multihormonal activities in normal pituitary cells and the possible existence of a stem cell remain to be fully investigated.
Candidate gene analysis in primary lymphedema.

Abstract Background: Primary lymphedema, the accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitial space, is the clinical manifestation of mutations involved in lymphatic development and function. Mutations in three genes, VEGFR3, FOXC2, and SOX18, cause primary lymphedema. However, mutations in these three genes only account for a fraction of primary lymphedema. To identify other genes mutated in primary lymphedema, we resequenced twenty-five biologically plausible candidate genes for lymphedema in a large collection of primary lymphedema families. Methods and Results: Candidate genes were selected on the basis of gene expression in lymphatic endothelial cells, differential antigenic expression in lymphatics, and mouse studies of lymphatic development. The gene sequence was downloaded from GenBank and sequence primers designed to amplify 1 Kb of the 5′ sequence, exons and flanking intron–exon boundaries, and 500 bp of the UTR of each gene. No common causative mutations were observed among the 25 genes s...
Effect of shrubs on tree seedling establishment in an abandoned tropical pasture

Summary 1 The objective of this study was to evaluate whether early successional shrubs facilitate, tolerate or inhibit different stages of tree establishment in abandoned tropical pasture. 2 Seed rain, seed predation, seed germination and seedling survival of tropical forest trees in pasture grass, below small ( 40 m 2 ) shrub patches, were compared in one abandoned pasture in Costa Rica over 2 years. 3 Seed rain of animal-dispersed trees was higher below both large and small shrub patches than below grass. Seed rain of wind-dispersed trees did not differ in the three patch types. 4 Predation of all animal-dispersed seeds combined and of three individual species was significantly higher below large and small shrub patches compared with below grass; predation of five species did not differ significantly in the three patch types. 5 Germination did not differ significantly in the three patch types for any of the species. 6 Seedling survival was highest below large shrub patches for three of four species. 7 Computer simulations of probabilities of seeds arriving in the pasture and surviving to the seedling stage suggest that early successional shrubs have a net facilitative effect on the early stages of forest tree seedling establishment compared with areas without shrubs in the pasture studied, although variance was high. Shrubs may facilitate, inhibit and tolerate different stages of tree seedling establishment.
Incorporating regulatory focus theory in product recall communications to increase compliance with a product recall

Product recall communications with consumers is an important yet under-researched area of crisis management. This study examines whether applying regulatory focus theory in product recall communications can help companies involved in a product recall. This study examines the issue with a product recall message related to laptop computers. We find that creating regulatory fit through the product recall message increases intentions to com- ply with a product recall request, however future purchase intentions are also adversely impacted. We believe that the benefits of increased compliance greatly outweigh the small decrease in future purchase intentions, and companies should seriously consider incorpo- rating regulatory focus theory in their product recall communications.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads: design, diagnostics, and management.

The transvenous defibrillation lead was a critical technological step that enabled widespread adoption of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy. This lead is the most vulnerable component of the ICD system. It must remain chemically inert in a hostile biological environment, withstand flexing for hundreds of millions of cardiac cycles, and retain electrical integrity during shocks that would trip a household circuit breaker. Reliability issues concerning leads have led to the rethinking of lead design, reexamination of preclinical testing, implementation of algorithms that warn of lead failure and reduce inappropriate shocks, design of leads that can be extracted more easily, and development of a totally subcutaneous ICD system. The present review summarizes clinical aspects of defibrillation leads and reviews diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to lead failure. Please see the online-only Data Supplement for a brief summary of the engineering of lead design. ### Structural Overview Right ventricular (RV) defibrillation leads comprise a distal tip electrode with a fixation mechanism that anchors the lead to the heart, proximal terminals that connect to the generator, and a lead body that connects the two (Figure 1A). The lead body consists of a flexible insulating cylinder with 3 to 6 parallel longitudinal lumens through which conductors run from the proximal terminals to small pace-sense electrodes and larger shock coil electrodes. This multilumen design (Figure 1B) permits more conductors in smaller-diameter leads than older coaxial designs.1 The subcutaneous ICD uses a parasternal electrode in which the larger shock coil is straddled by 2 small sensing electrodes (Figure 1C). Figure 1. Structure of true bipolar leads in which the active fixation screw acts as the distal pace-sense electrode. A , Top , Dual-coil active fixation lead with DF-1/IS-1 terminal pins. Bottom , Single-coil active fixation lead with DF-4 terminal pins. B , Cross section of multilumen, dual-coil, true bipolar lead (Durata, …
Hemangioblasts from human embryonic stem cells generate multilayered blood vessels with functional smooth muscle cells.

Background: The formation and regeneration of functional vasculatures require both endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Identification and isolation of progenitors with potential for both EC and SMC lineage differentiation from an inexhaustible source, such as human embryonic stem (hES) or induced pluripotent stem cells, will be desirable for cell replacement therapy. Method: Recently, we have developed a serum-free and animal feeder-free differentiation system to generate blast cells (BCs) from hESCs. These cells possess the characteristics of hemangioblasts in vitro and are capable of repairing damaged retinal vasculatures, restoring blood flow in hind-limb ischemia and reducing the mortality rate after myocardial infarction in vivo. We demonstrate here that BCs express markers of SMCs and differentiate into smooth muscle-like cells (SMLCs), in addition to ECs and hematopoietic cells. Results: When BCs from individual blast colonies were cultured in SMC medium, they different...
Computational Analysis and Improvement of SIRT

Iterative X-ray computed tomography (CT) algorithms have the potential for producing high-quality images but are computationally very demanding, especially when applied to high-resolution problems. Focusing on simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT), we provide an eigenvalue based scheme for automatically determining a near-optimal value of the relaxation parameter. This accelerates the convergence rate of SIRT to the point where only half the number of iterations normally required is needed. We also modify the way SIRT uses preconditioning to solve a weighted least squares problem. The resulting algorithm, which we call PSIRT, is associated with a smaller memory footprint and calls for less data to be communicated in a distributed-memory implementation. Experimental residual norm and timing results are provided based on cone-beam micro-CT mouse data, including for an ordered subsets study.
Brachytherapy for pediatric tumors.

Abstract Purpose Pediatric tumors are generally managed with a multi-modality treatment program that includes surgery, chemotherapy, and teletherapy. The use of teletherapy in young children can result in significant long-term toxicity (especially retardation of growth of bones and organs). The use of brachytherapy is an attractive alternative because brachytherapy irradiates small volumes and can thus potentially minimize complications. Methods and materials The brachytherapy techniques used are similar to those used in adults. Low-dose-rate brachytherapy with manually-afterloaded removable 192 Ir is commonly used though it is associated with some radiation exposure hazards. Low energy radionuclides and remote afterloading technology have been used to reduce the radiation exposure hazards. Teletherapy is often added in the treatment of more extensive tumors, especially in older children. Results Brachytherapy (as the sole radiation modality) to small volumes in conjunction with chemotherapy and surgery has produced good local control with growth preservation and acceptable late complications in selected patients with localized tumors. Conclusion Brachytherapy increases local control with a decrease in the probability of late complications (especially altered bone and organ growth) in comparison to EBRT. Low energy radionuclides and remote afterloading technology (HDR, IOHDR, and PDR) have been used to extend treatment to infants and younger children while reducing the radiation exposure to patients, family, and medical personnel.
Settling time bounds for M/G/1 queues

This paper addresses the question of how long it takes for anM/G/1 queue, starting empty, to approach steady state. A coupling technique is used to derive bounds on the variation distance between the distribution of number in the system at timet and its stationary distribution. The bounds are valid for allt.
A high-flow thermopneumatic microvalve with improved efficiency and integrated state sensing

This paper reports a thermopneumatic microvalve featuring a corrugated diaphragm. A sealed cavity below the diaphragm contains a volatile fluid, the vapor pressure of which can be increased by resistive heating to deflect the diaphragm, thus closing the valve. Silicon heater grids are elevated 9 /spl mu/m above the cavity floor, and the cavity is only partially filled with fluid, to increase thermal efficiency. A vacuum-sealed, capacitive pressure sensor on the floor allows direct monitoring of the cavity pressure. Pentane-filled actuators sustain a 2070 torr pressure rise above atmospheric with 500 mW input power. A device tested in situ closes with 350 mW at 1000 torr inlet pressure (venting to vacuum) and maintains closure with 30 mW input. Valves conduct 400 sccm under 1500 torr differential pressure, while maintaining leak rates as low as 10/sup -3/ sccm, yielding a dynamic range of 10/sup 5/. A thermodynamic model has been developed that matches experimental power, pressure, and transient response data to within a few percent. This model is used to suggest an optimized structure capable of a 2000 torr pressure rise with 50 mW input and a 1 s response time. The glass-and-silicon valve structure is suitable for integration into complete microfluidic systems.
T cells and NKT cells in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Asthma is an immunological disease with multiple inflammatory and clinical phenotypes, characterized by symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing due to airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and reversible airway obstruction. In allergic asthma, the most common form of asthma, airway inflammation is mediated by adaptive immune recognition of protein allergens by Th2 cells, resulting in airway eosinophilia. However, in other forms of asthma, inflammation is associated with immune responses to respiratory infections and airway neutrophilia. A central feature common to all forms of asthma is AHR, the heightened responsiveness of the airways to nonspecific stimuli. AHR has been shown recently in animal models of asthma to require the presence of CD1d-restricted, invariant T cell receptor-positive, natural killer T (iNKT) cells. Although allergen-specific Th2 cells and iNKT cells have many phenotypic similarities (e.g., expression of CD4 and production of Th2 cytokines), they have complementary activities...
A Paradoxical Role for Neutrophils in the Pathogenesis of West Nile Virus

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are key in innate immunity, but their role in viral pathogenesis is incompletely understood. In infection due to West Nile virus (WNV), we found that expression of 2 PMNattracting chemokines, Cxcl1 and Cxcl2, was rapidly and dramatically elevated in macrophages. PMNs are rapidly recruited to the site of WNV infection in mice and support efficient replication of WNV. Mice depleted of PMNs after WNV inoculation developed higher viremia and experienced earlier death, compared with the control group, which suggest a protective role for PMNs. In contrast, when PMNs were depleted prior to infection with WNV, and in mice deficient in Cxcr2 (a chemokine receptor gene), viremia was reduced and survival was enhanced. Collectively, these data suggest that PMNs have a biphasic response to WNV infection, serving as a reservoir for replication and dissemination in early infection and later contributing to viral clearance.
The Loma Seca Tuff and the Calabozos caldera: A major ash-flow and caldera complex in the southern Andes of central Chile

A 26 × 14-km composite ring-structure caldera of late Pleistocene age has been discovered and mapped near the Andean crest in central Chile (35°30′S). Rhyodacitic to dacitic zoned ash-flow sheets, each representing 150 to 300 km 3 of magma, were emplaced 0.8, 0.3, and 0.15 m.y. ago; the youngest of the associated collapses was closely followed by resurgent doming of the caldera floor and development of a longitudinal graben. Postcaldera eruptions of dacite and andesite have persisted into Holocene time, and active hot springs are abundant along caldera-marginal and resurgent fault systems, suggesting a significant geothermal-energy resource. The Pleistocene eruption rate of this district and the abundance of older Quaternary to Miocene ash-flow remnants in the 33°S to 36°S segment of the glaciated southern Andes indicate that ash-flow magmatism has been no less important here than in the arid central Andes (16°S–28°S), where ash-flow sheets are far better preserved.
Assessment of cardiac function during axial-flow left ventricular assist device support using a left ventricular pressure-derived relationship: comparison with pre-load recruitable stroke work.

BACKGROUND: In this study we evaluate load-independent ventricular function during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support based solely on telemetered measurements of left ventricular (LV) pressure, which has not been reported previously. METHODS: Adult sheep underwent placement of an axial-flow LVAD, a telemetered LV pressure manometer and instruments for pressure-volume analysis. In unsedated sheep, the simultaneous determination of both stroke work/end-diastolic volume (SW/EDP [PRSW]; slope: M(W)) and LV triple-product (TP = LVSP . dP/dt . HR) vs LV end-diastolic pressure (TP/EDP; slope: M(TP)) were performed before and then after beta(1)-blockade using the LVAD to acutely unload the ventricle. RESULTS: LVAD support (4.5 +/- 0.31 liters/min) was maintained for 1 week. During LV unloading "runs," the LVAD flow (Q(V)) increased (up to 5.8 +/- 0.71 liters/min), although there were decreases in SW (3,061 +/- 747 to 1,556 +/- 410 mm Hg ml(-1)), LV TP (3,127 +/- 397 to 1,019 +/- 335 x 10(5)) and LV EDP (18.2 +/- 1.2 to 9.7 +/- 1.8 mm Hg). The TP/EDP and SW/EDV relationships established during the unloading runs were highly linear (R(2) up to 0.95) and their slopes were reduced by beta-adrenergic blockade (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The TP/EDP relationship established during LVAD unloading of the LV was load-independent and sensitive to changes in cardiac inotropy, and correlated with PRSW.
The International Business Ethics Index: Asian Emerging Economies

The systematic measurement of consumers’ sentiments toward business ethical practices is expanded to two emerging economies in Asia (China and India). The Chinese were very optimistic about the future ethical behavior of businesses, while the Indians recorded the lowest BEI scores yet. Chinese consumers were very concerned with product issues, while Indians were concerned equally about low quality products and excessive prices.
A graph-based framework for relation propagation and its application to multi-label learning

Label propagation exploits the structure of the unlabeled documents by propagating the label information of the training documents to the unlabeled documents. The limitation with the existing label propagation approaches is that they can only deal with a single type of objects. We propose a framework, named "relation propagation", that allows for information propagated among multiple types of objects. Empirical studies with multi-label text categorization showed that the proposed algorithm is more effective than several semi-supervised learning algorithms in that it is capable of exploring the correlation among different categories and the structure of unlabeled documents simultaneously.
Distributed optimization via diffusion adaptation

We develop an iterative diffusion mechanism to optimize a global cost function in a distributed manner over a network of nodes. The cost function is assumed to consist of a collection of individual components, and diffusion strategy allows the nodes to cooperate and diffuse information in real-time. Compared to incremental methods, diffusion methods do not require the use of a cyclic path over the nodes and are more robust to node and link failure.
A Tunable, Narrow Linewidth, 1 kHz Ce:LiCAF Laser with 46% Efficiency

A Ce:LiCAF laser having the highest known conversion efficiency of 46% is described. This laser has a narrow linewidth of (0.2 - 0.3 nm), a1 kHz pulse repetition frequency, and is tunable in the 281-315 nm wavelength region. The laser is pumped by the fourth harmonic of a diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser and delivers up to 0.85 J/pulse of output energy. The obtained laser efficiency is close to theoretical maximal efficiency of this laser. The laser is developed for use with an ozone DIAL.
Using the campus web site to track student attendance

The LEAD program, when it was first announced, generated quite a few press reports: NPR, Christian Science Monitor, the Los Angeles Times and others commented on the program and its implications. Other schools contacted the administration about setting up a similar program. It was very important to devise a system to allow Community Life office to maintain the LEAD program using its current staff. include lectures, films, concerts, intercollegiate athletic events, student and faculty exhibits and shows, student organizations, and other events and activities.
Using machine learning to synthesize search programs

This paper describes how machine learning techniques are used in the MULTI-TAC system to specialize generic algorithm schemas for particular problem classes. MULTI-TAC is a program synthesis system that generates Lisp code to solve combinatorial integer constraint satisfaction problems. The use of algorithm schemas enables machine learning techniques to be applied in a very focused manner. These learning techniques enable the system to be sensitive to the distribution of instances that the system is expected to encounter. We describe two applications of machine learning in MULTI-TAC. The system learns domain specific heuristics, and then learns the most effective combination of heuristics on the training instances. We also describe empirical results that reinforce the viability of our approach. >
Significance of Non-Elliptic Regions in Balanced Flows of the Tropical Atmosphere

Abstract Recently, questions were raised concerning the ellipticity condition of the traditional balance equation, related to the application of nonlinear normal mode initialization for primitive equation prediction models. We investigate, in this paper, the occurrence of non-elliptic regions, using the FWE level IIIb analyses of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts. We found that non-elliptic regions are ubiquitous in the tropics. For the traditional balance equation, non-elliptic regions are not realizable in the sense that balanced flows are not physically possible. To reconcile this dilemma, we postulate that the traditional balance equation lacks an additional term due, for example, to the effects of subgrid-scale motions. We evaluated this additional term as the residual by computing each term in the balance equation. This additional term modifies the ellipticity criterion of the balance equation. We call the modified ellipticity condition the realizability condition. This study co...
Applying Structured Light on Cylinder Straightness Detection Using Break Line Method

Generally after a cylindrical steel bar is made from hot forming process, its contour will look like ‘U’ or ‘wavy’ topography. The preformed steel bar after steelmaking process needs to remove the outside oxide layer by lathe or peeling machine (commonly known as stripping). As a consequence, the deformation of steel bar will cause subsequent problems, such as eccentric rotating of steel bar as the lathe is running. Although it is necessary to remove the oxide layer, the deformation will increase waste materials. To prevent the problems, a straightening machine is usually used to straighten the cylindrical steel bar before the pickling process. However, most current straightening machines cannot measure cylindrical steel bar contour on-line instantly. This study proposed a test method for measure the contour of a large cylindrical steel bar based on multi-line structured light and machine vision. Break line method were performed to measure the contour of the cylindrical steel bar. The experimental result shows that the measurement error is in the range of ±0.4 mm after calibration. The study result concludes that the proposed method can be applied to straightening machine for real-time online measurement to improve straightening efficiency.
Enabling high confidence detections of gravitational-wave bursts

Extracting astrophysical information from gravitational-wave detections is a well-posed problem and thoroughly studied when detailed models for the waveforms are available. However, one motivation for the field of gravitational-wave astronomy is the potential for new discoveries. Recognizing and characterizing unanticipated signals requires data analysis techniques which do not depend on theoretical predictions for the gravitational waveform. Past searches for short-duration unmodeled gravitational-wave signals have been hampered by transient noise artifacts, or “glitches,” in the detectors. We have put forth the BayesWave algorithm to differentiate between generic gravitational-wave transients and glitches, and to provide robust waveform reconstruction and characterization of the astrophysical signals. Here we study BayesWave’s capabilities for rejecting glitches while assigning high confidence to detection candidates through analytic approximations to the Bayesian evidence. Analytic results are tested with numerical experiments by adding simulated gravitational-wave transient signals to LIGO data collected between 2009 and 2010 and found to be in good agreement.
Environmental and organizational predictors of adoption of cost containment policies in hospitals.

This study examined predictors of the adoption of cost containment policies in a national sample of 303 not-for-profit hospitals. Analysis of the full sample indicated that adoption of such policie...
Abstract 2122: The role of Rho GTPase in cell stiffness and cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells.

Introduction: Cell stiffness (Young9s E modulus), as measured via Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a newly recognized characteristic of cancer cells. We previously demonstrated that cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells have a stiffer cell membrane as compared to their syngeneic cisplatin-sensitive counterpart, and that cisplatin increases cell stiffness in cisplatin-sensitive cells. Here we examine the role of Rho GTPase in cell stiffness and cisplatin resistance. Experimental Procedures: Prior to AFM analysis, cells were stained with Annexin V-FLUOS and only non-apoptotic cells were chosen for measurements. Cell stiffness was measured via AFM on live cells in physiological buffer. The actin cytoskeleton was visualized using phalliodin-ATTO 647N. Cells were imaged with a Leica TCS SP5 STED confocal system or a Nikon Eclispe 90i. Cisplatin sensitivity was determined via the XTT [2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide inner salt] cell viability assay. A nonlinear regression curve fit (one phase exponential decay) was used to analyze cisplatin dose response experiments and determine the IC50 (GraphPad Prism). Rho inhibition and activation were accomplished using Rho Inhibitor I and Rho Activator II, respectively (Cytoskeleton, Inc.). Results: The cisplatin IC50 of cisplatin-sensitive (A2780, OVCAR5, SKOV3) and cisplatin-resistant (CP70, OVCAR5-CisR, SKOV3-CisR, RMG-1) cells correlated with Young9s E modulus, with increasing IC50 corresponding to a stiffer cell phenotype. Cells that are resistant to cisplatin displayed an actin cytoskeleton that consisted of long stress fibers that spanned the width of the cell. Rho inhibition in CP70 and OVCAR5-CisR cells abolished this network of actin stress fibers, decreased cell stiffness, and increased cisplatin sensitivity. In contrast, Rho activation in A2780 and OVCAR5 cells induced the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton into long stress fibers, increased cell stiffness, and decreased cisplatin sensitivity. We demonstrated previously that cisplatin increases cell stiffness in cisplatin-sensitive OVCAR5 cells, and here we show that cisplatin induces actin stress fiber formation in these cells. Conclusions: Rho-mediated actin stress fiber formation increases cell stiffness and mediates cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells. Citation Format: Chintda Santiskulvong, Shivani Sharma, Laurent Bentolila, Jian Y. Rao, James Gimzewski, Oliver Dorigo. The role of Rho GTPase in cell stiffness and cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2122. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2122
Epidemiological Analysis of Other Infectious Diarrhea in Shiyan City from 2004 to 2010

[Objective]To analyze the epidemical situation of other infectious diarrhea in Shiyan city,provide the scientific basis for prevention and control of the diseases.[Methods]The data of other infectious diarrhea in Shiyan city from 2004 to 2010 were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method.[Results]The annual average reported incidence was 38.96/lakh.Most of patients were scattered children,and cases occurred mainly in children aged 0~2 years.Summer was peak season.[Conclusion]There are some problems in the diagnosis and report of other infectious diarrhea at present.It is necessary to improve the diagnosis level and strengthen the reporting consciousness of infectious diseases,so as to report other infectious diarrhea timely and accurately.
Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance and Plasmid Profiles of Salmonella in Longgang District of Shenzhen City

[Objective]To understand the distribution of plasmid profiles and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella sp.in Longgang District of Shenzhen City.[Methods] A rapid small plasmid extraction technique and electrophoretogram method were used to analyze plasmid profiles of 67 Salmonella strains that were isolated from samples of food poisoning, outbreak of typhoid, paratyphoid in Longgang District of Shenzhen City during 2003—2007. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by modified K-B method.[Results]The positive rate of plasmid was 67.2% (45/67). Each strain with plasmids carried 1 to 8 plasmids with molecular weight from 1.1~ 54.2kb. Most of them carried 1~ 3 plasmids. It was not found that antibiotic resistance spectrum related with plasmid characteristics. Salmonella was sensitive to norfioxacin, chloramphenicol, aminoglycoside and the third generation cephalosporins but resistant to penicillin and oxazocilline. 41.8% were resistant to cephalolexin, and 37.3%, 37.3%, 25.4%, 25.37%, 3.0% to ampicillin, carbenicillin, piperacillin, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole, respectively. 13.0% of Salmonella sp. were multidrug resistance.[Conclusion] Salmonella strains with antibiotic resistance are common in Longgang District of Shenzhen City. The plasmid positive rate of Salmonella sp. is not high and the characteristic of plasmid is unrelated with antibiotic resistance spectrum.
Advances in pediatric cardiac MRI.

Purpose of reviewSpurred by numerous recent technological advances, cardiac MRI (CMR) is now the gold standard for anatomic evaluation, quantitative assessment of chamber size and function, flow quantification, and tissue characterization. This review focuses on recent advances in pediatric and cong
Evaluation of gantry speed on image quality and imaging dose for 4D cone-beam CT acquisition

This study investigates the effect of gantry speed on 4DCBCT image quality and dose for the Varian On-Board Imager®. A thoracic 4DCBCT protocol was designed using a 125 kVp spectrum. Image quality parameters were evaluated for 4DCBCT acquisition using Catphan® phantom with real-time position management™ system for gantry speeds varying between 1.0 to 6.0°/s. Superior-inferior motion of the phantom was executed using a sinusoidal waveform with five second period. Scans were retrospectively sorted into 4 phases (CBCT-4 ph) and 10 phases (CBCT-10 ph); average 4DCBCT (CBCT-ave), using all image data from the 4DCBCT acquisitions was also evaluated. The 4DCBCT images were evaluated using the following image quality metrics: spatial resolution, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and uniformity index (UI). Additionally, Hounsfield unit (HU) sensitivity compared to a baseline CBCT and percent differences and RMS errors (RMSE) of excursion were also determined. Imaging dose was evaluated using an IBA CC13 ion chamber placed within CIRS Thorax phantom using the same sinusoidal motion and image acquisition settings as mentioned above. Spatial resolution decreased linearly from 5.93 to 3.82 lp/cm as gantry speed increased from 1.0 to 6.0°/s. CNR decreased linearly from 4.80 to 1.82 with gantry speed increasing from 1.0 to 6.0°/s, respectively. No noteworthy variations in UI, HU sensitivity, or excursion metrics were observed with changes in gantry speed. Ion chamber dose rates measured ranged from 2.30 (lung) to 5.18 (bone) E-3 cGy/mAs. A quantitative analysis of the Varian OBI’s 4DCBCT capabilities was explored. Changing gantry speed changes the number of projections used for reconstruction, affecting both image quality and imaging dose if x-ray tube current is held constant. From the results of this study, a gantry speed between 2 and 3°/s was optimal when considering image quality, dose, and reconstruction time. The future of 4DCBCT clinical utility relies on further investigation of image acquisition and reconstruction optimization.
Tests and Applications of Complete Model Space Quasidegenerate Many-Body Perturbation Theory for Molecules

A discussion is provided of several motivations for developing multi-reference configuration formulations of many-body perturbation theory as ab initio techniques to stand along side other multireference configuration electronic structure methods. Several difficult technical problems are posed by attempts to apply quasidegenerate many-body perturbation theory to systems involving large complete model spaces, and various methods for the resolution of these difficulties are described through a presentation of results of ab initio calculations. A description is given of the theory and computational methods for the effective valence shell Hamiltonian version of quasidegenerate many-body perturbation theory in which the same effective valence shell Hamiltonian is, in principle, applicable to all the valence states of the neutral molecule and its ion simultaneously without the need for tedious redetermination of orbitals and for large scale correlation calculations of each individual state. Perturbation calculations through third order are presented to assure the practical convergence of the method and to test the computational techniques introduced for satisfying the quasidegeneracy constraints of the theory. A discussion is provided of intruder states and of the flexibility in defining the effective valence shell Hamiltonian. We describe some implications of the ab initio effective valence shell Hamiltonian calculations on our understanding of the theoretical basis for semiempirical methods of molecular electronic structure.
ZVS analysis and power flow control for three limb transformer enabled SiC Mosfet based three port DAB integrating PV and Energy Storage(ES)

Multi-port dc-dc converters are the modular power electronic building blocks for integration of PV and Energy Storages(ES). The work in this paper focuses on ZVS characteristics for independent power flow control of three port DAB converter integrating PV and Energy Storage(ES), using three limb high frequency transformer. The independent power flow control discussed here, focuses on ES charging scenario for the converter using two different modulation techniques. ZVS scenario variations for two different modulation control technique for two different designs of three limb transformers, are discussed in the paper. A laboratory scale prototype using 1200V and 1700V SiC Mosfets has been made and preliminary results have been obtained for experimental validation of the ZVS scenarios.
The Art in the Science of DNA: A Layperson's Guide to the Subjectivity Inherent in Forensic DNA Typing

DNA typing is typically held out as the pinnacle of "good" forensic evidence, in that it exemplifies the kind of scientific rigor that first-generation techniques lack. And, without question, this praise is well-deserved. DNA typing represents a marked advance beyond the shamanistic "sciences" of the first generation. Yet the seeming corollary - that DNA typing is therefore an exercise in purely objective, indisputable science - does not hold true. This is not to suggest that DNA has no basis in objective science, or even that it is as subjective as other forensic techniques; comparing most first-generation methods to DNA typing is like comparing astrology to neuroscience. Nevertheless, not unlike neuroscience, the fact that DNA typing is scientifically grounded does not mean that there are not plenty of things that we still do not understand about it, and plenty of instances in which the best conclusions we can draw are nonetheless tentative ones. To be clear, I am not saying that DNA typing done poorly entails an exercise of subjective judgment. Rather, DNA typing - done perfectly and precisely according to protocol - still often entails making discretionary calls and choices. But just because DNA typing is not wholly objective does not mean that it is wholly indeterminate - it simply means that it may be more like meteorology than mathematics. This Article explains, in what I hope is accessible language, some of the the subjective discretion involved in forensic DNA typing.