cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IDENTIFICATION OF TRANSMISSIVITY COEFFICIENTS BY MOLLIFICATION TECHNIQUES. PART I: ONE-DIMENSIONAL ELLIPTIC AND PARABOLIC PROBLEMS

Abstract We discuss the numerical identification of the transmissivity coefficient in the one-dimensional linear and nonlinear elliptic and parabolic partial differential equations. This is a quite general problem arising—for example—in porous media and related to groundwater modeling and reservoir simulation. This problem belongs to the class field of inverse problems. It is well-known that it is ill-posed because small errors in the data might produce large errors in the computed solution. We combine the mollification techniques and finite differences to address the ill-posedness of this parameter estimation problem. Several numerical experiments support the stability and convergence of the algorithms.
Designs of Bioreactor Systems for Solvent-Free Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Fructose–Oleic Acid Esters

Fructose–oleic acid esters, biodegradable, biocompatible and biobased surfactants and value-added products were synthesized under solvent-free conditions at 65 °C in stirred-batch mode and using several different bioreactor systems. For a stirred-tank bioreactor (STBR) using fed-batch fructose addition and 5.0 wt.% immobilized Rhizomucor miehei lipase (Lipozyme® IM, Novozymes, Franklinton, NC), the conversion yield was over 80%, and the initial rate of the reaction was comparable to previously obtained results using tert-butanol during the initial phase. The bioreactor systems contained a packed “desorption” column (DC) containing fructose crystals and silica gel for delivery of saccharide, and either a STBR or packed-bed bioreactor (PBBR). The liquid stream, initially containing oleic acid and a mixture of fructose–oleic acid esters at a ratio of 75/25 w/w, was continuously recirculated throughout the system. The PBBR system yielded the highest conversion (84.4%) and rate of reaction subsequent to the addition of 10 wt.% molecular sieves during the latter stage of reaction; however, the reaction rate was several-fold lower than the batch mode reactions due to the lower fructose concentrations provided by the DC.
NIR-labeled perfluoropolyether nanoemulsions for drug delivery and imaging

Theranostic nanoparticle development recently took center stage in the field of drug delivery nanoreagent design. Theranostic nanoparticles combine therapeutic delivery systems (liposomes, micelles, nanoemulsions, etc.) with imaging reagents (MRI, optical, PET, CT). This combination allows for non-invasive in vivo monitoring of therapeutic nanoparticles in diseased organs and tissues. Here, we report a novel perfluoropolyether (PFPE) nanoemulsion with a water-insoluble lipophilic drug. The formulation enables non-invasive monitoring of nanoemulsion biodistribution using two imaging modalities, 19F MRI and near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging. The nanoemulsion is composed of PFPE-tyramide as a 19F MRI tracer, hydrocarbon oil, surfactants, and a NIR dye. Preparation utilizes a combination of self-assembly and high energy emulsification methods, resulting in droplets with average diameter 180 nm and low polydispersity index (PDI less than 0.2). A model nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), celecoxib, was incorporated into the formulation at 0.2 mg/mL. The reported nanoemulsion’s properties, including small particle size, visibility under 19F NMR and NIR fluorescence spectroscopy, and the ability to carry drugs make it an attractive potential theranostic agent for cancer imaging and treatment.
The hydrodynamic force resisting the approach of a sphere to a plane wall in slip flow

Abstract The solution of the creeping equations of motion in bispherical coordinates with slip boundary conditions is used to calculate the hydrodynamic force resisting the approach of a sphere toward a wall. The computed results indicate that the force increases as the gap is reduced, but the increase becomes significantly less pronounced as the Knudsen number is increased.
Analysis of the complement-fixing potential of dsDNA/anti-dsDNA immune complexes

Prepared antibody/3H-dsDNA immune complexes have been analyzed with respect to both primary binding (the Farr assay) and complement fixation (the RBC-CF assay). In SLE sera an average of only one-third of the anti-dsDNA antibodies fix complement upon binding dsDNA. However, this proportion can vary considerably for different sera. In the case of bacteriophage PM2 dsDNA, 1 antibody molecule per molecule of dsDNA is sufficient for binding in the Farr assay. However, an average of 4±1 complement-fixing antibodies must be bound to give 50% binding in the RBC-CF assay. Through an independent proximity analysis it was calculated that two adjacent antibodies bound to the DNA are required to form a complement-fixing unit.
Vibrational frequencies and structural determination of norbornadiene

Abstract The vibrational frequencies and corresponding normal mode assignments of norbornadiene are examined theoretically using the gaussian 98 set of quantum chemistry codes. All normal modes were successfully assigned to one five types of motion predicted by a group theoretical analysis (C C stretch, C–C stretch, C–H stretch, C–H bend, and C–C–C bend) utilizing the C 2 v symmetry of the molecule.
Increasing the Rate of Presentation and Use of Signals in Elementary Classroom Teachers.

Two issues relevant to competency-based teacher training were investigated—the specification of acceptable implementation levels for validated techniques and the necessity and feasibility of providing training on those techniques. First, a descriptive study was conducted to collect data on two direct-instruction teaching techniques—rate of presentation and signalling—that have been demonstrated to be functionally related to child performance in earlier studies. Data collected on 13 teachers, who received intensive preservice and inservice training, were then used as a standard for comparison in a multiple-baseline design across three untrained teachers to evaluate the effects of training on the two techniques. The experimental study served to determine whether training on the two techniques was necessary; and, if training was necessary, whether a training package, including supervised practice, unsupervised practice, and self-critique, would result in adequate implementation levels for the two techniques. Low implementation levels during baseline for three untrained teachers indicated that training was necessary. With training, all teachers increased their levels of appropriately signalling pupil responses and accelerated their rates of presentation well above the levels of the comparison standard. Observations made one week and again four weeks after training ended showed that performance levels achieved during training were maintained.
Neurological tests and behavioral deficits in chronic thalamic and chronic decerebrate rats

Abstract The taste reactivity of chronic decerebrate rats is very similar to intact rats although chronic thalamic rats display only the quinine-like rejection sequence. The performance of intact (n = 12), decerebrate (n = 10) and thalamic (n = 10) preparations was further compared across a set of simple behavior tests to more broadly assess the behavioral capacities of the rodent brain stem. Decerebrate rats were immobile. They exhibited no spontaneous activity other than grooming, but often overreacted with well-coordinated movements (i.e., running, jumping and climbing) to seemingly inappropriate activating stimuli such as tail pinch, handling or water squirted on the fur. Decerebrates had lower thresholds for elicited attack and grooming behaviors than thalamic or intact rats. The thalamic preparation exhibited a wider range of intact neurological responses than the decerebrate. Cage climbing, resistance to gravity, suspension and muscle tone reactions, rhythmic vibrissae movements and examination of object with snout and mandible were difficult to distinguish from controls. Decerebrates either did not perform these responses or did so in a clearly different manner. In contrast, grooming behavior in thalamics was much less effective than in decerebrates. Thalamic rats spontaneously executed grooming sequences, but the responses were misdirected and ineffective. Despite their relative immobility, decerebrates coordinated grooming sequences and maintained their fur. No single mechanism appears to account for the constellation of deficits and capacities observed in either chronic thalamic or chronic decerebrate rats.
Laparoscopic vs open resection of gastric stromal tumors.

Gastric stromal tumors are rare neoplasms that may be benign or malignant. Given that malignant gastric stromal tumors rarely involve lymph nodes and require excision with negative margins, they appear amendable to laparoscopic excision. There are few reports of laparoscopic resection, and no comparisons have been done between laparoscopic and open surgery. This study compares the relative efficacy of the two approaches. Between May 1994 and December 2000, 33 patients underwent 35 operations for gastric stromal tumors. Laparoscopic resections were performed in 21 patients; open resections were done in 12 patients. The medical records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively with regard to operating time, blood loss, length of stay, and clinical course. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics (mean tumor size, benign vs malignant), and presenting symptoms were similar for both groups. In the laparoscopic group, 15 wedge resections; three partial gastrectomies, and three transgastric needlescopic enucleations were performed. In the open group, six vedge resections, four antrectomies, and two partial proximal gastrectomies were performed. There were no significant differences in mean operative time (169 vs 160 min), mean estimated blood loss (106 vs 129 cc), or perioperative complication rate (9.5% vs 8.3%) between the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. The mean length of stay was significantly less (p<0.05) in the laparoscopic group (3.8 vs 6.2 days). Average follow-up was 1.5 years. One patient in each group has died due to metastastic disease. There have been no trocar site recurrences. Laparoscopic resection of gastric stromal tumors is safe and appropriate. Tumor size, operating time, and estimated blood loss were equivalent to the open approach, and there was a statistically shorter hospital stay in the laparoscopic group.
Density Functional Theory of Ionic Screening: When Do Like Charges Attract?

We describe a simple local density functional theory for screened interactions between macroions and apply it to electric double layers. The approach incorporates the strong correlations between screening ions at high densities, and reduces to the Poisson-Boltzmann equations at low densities. Results for monovalent ions are in excellent agreement with Monte Carlo (MC) and inhomogeneous hypernetted chain (IHNC) calculations. Nonlocal effects are important for divalent ions at small macroion separations and high surface charge densities. A simple weighted density approximation qualitatively reproduces MC and IHNC results in this regime, and provides a simple explanation for the onset of attractive interactions between like-charged plates.
A systematic review of validated methods to capture stillbirth and spontaneous abortion using administrative or claims data.

Abstract Purpose To identify and assess diagnosis, procedure and pharmacy dispensing codes used to identify stillbirths and spontaneous abortion in administrative and claims databases from the United States or Canada. Methods We searched the MEDLINE database from 1991 to September 2012 using controlled vocabulary and key terms related to stillbirth or spontaneous abortion. We also searched the reference lists of included studies. Two investigators independently assessed the full text of studies against pre-determined inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted data regarding participant and algorithm characteristics and assessed each study's methodological rigor using a pre-defined approach. Results Ten publications addressing stillbirth and four addressing spontaneous abortion met our inclusion criteria. The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes most commonly used in algorithms for stillbirth were those for intrauterine death (656.4) and stillborn outcomes of delivery (V27.1, V27.3-V27.4, and V27.6-V27.7). Papers identifying spontaneous abortion used codes for missed abortion and spontaneous abortion: 632, 634. x , as well as V27.0–V27.7. Only two studies identifying stillbirth reported validation of algorithms. The overall positive predictive value of the algorithms was high (99%–100%), and one study reported an algorithm with 86% sensitivity. However, the predictive value of individual codes was not assessed and study populations were limited to specific geographic areas. Conclusions Additional validation studies with a nationally representative sample are needed to confirm the optimal algorithm to identify stillbirths or spontaneous abortion in administrative and claims databases.‘
Effect of lighting regimen, rearing in isolation and olfactory bulbectomy on growth and puberty in Yorkshire gilts

This study was designed to determine the effects of isolation or group rearing, total darkness or constant light, and olfactory bulbectomy on growth and onset of puberty in Yorkshire gilts. Forty-eight gilts, 90 days old, were assigned randomly to the following treatments: rearing in isolation with constant darkness, IS-CD; isolation with constant light, IS-CL; isolation with natural summer daylength, IS-NL; group rearing with natural daylength, GR-NL. They were reared in these environments to 245 days of age, without exposure to a boar. Twelve gilts, ∼ 100 days old, were olfactory-bulbectomized (OB) and ten sham-operated (SC) littermates served as controls. They were reared in natural daylength in their respective groups, without exposure to a boar. Average weekly gains were similar among all treatment and control groups, ranging from 4.5 to 4.8 kg. Percentages of gilts in groups IS-CD, IS-CL, IS-NL and GR-NL that exhibited pubertal estrus by 245 days of age were 50, 50, 50 and 75, respectively (P>0.05), and the corresponding average ages of them at puberty were 208, 220, 213 and 205 days (P>0.05). In OB gilts, the percentage of them cycling at 270 days (33) was less (P<0.05) than that of SC (80). Sequential profiles of peripheral blood serum concentrations of progesterone confirmed normal estrous cycles after pubertal estrus of individual gilts among all treatment and control groups. These results indicate that rearing of gilts in isolation with either total darkness or constant light has no significant detrimental effect on their growth, age at onset of pubertal estruc and subsequent estrous cycles. Olfactory bulbectomy during the prepubertal period, however, delays onset of puberty but does not result in permanent loss of ovarian function.
pH Regulation in Horizontal Cells of the Skate Retina

To examine the mechanisms by which horizontal cells regulate intracellular pH (pHi), measurements were recorded from isolated cells enzymatically dissociated from the skate retina utilizing the pH-sensitive dye BCECF. In a HCO3--containing Ringer solution, steady-state pHi was 7.32+/-0.13 (mean+/-S.D., n=70). Recovery from acidification was examined using the NH4+ prepulse technique. When NH4+ was removed from the extracellular solution, pHi dropped rapidly to approximately 0.3 pH units below the initial baseline, and then recovered at an initial rate of approximately 0.072 pH units/min. During recovery of pHi after the acid load, the removal of Na+ or the addition of amiloride from a HCO3--free extracellular solution reduced the rate of recovery by 79%+/-11% and 69%+/-14%, respectively. In the presence of DIDS, which inhibits primarily anion transport, or during the removal of Na+, the recovery from acidification was reduced by 83%+/-10% and 70%+/-11%, respectively, as compared to the control value in HCO3--containing solution. These results suggest that the skate horizontal cell possesses a Na/H exchanger as well as a Na+-and HCO3--dependent mechanism for removal of excess acid. Removal of HCO3- or Cl- from the extracellular solution had little effect on pHi, but removing external Na+ induced a marked decrease in pHi that fell at an initial rate of approximately 0.3 pH units min-1. This rate of acidification was decreased by 58%+/-19% in the presence of DIDS (500 micron) and reduced by 28%+/-13% with the addition of amiloride (2 mm). Thus, Na- and HCO3-dependent transport was about 2-fold more active than Na/H exchange during low Na+-induced acidification. The intrinsic pH-buffer capacity, determined from the pHi change induced by incremental reductions in the [NH4+] of the extracellular solution, was 24.2 mm/pH unit at the horizontal cell's resting pHi. Moreover, pHi was relatively insensitive to changes in membrane potential; in experiments under whole-cell voltage clamp (-70 mV), intracellular pH remained constant during depolarizing voltage swings to -30 mV or +30 mV, as well as during hyperpolarizing pulses to -90 or -110 mV.
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) is a chemotherapeutic agent that consists of a humanized anti-CD33 antibody (hP67.6) linked to N-acetyl-gamma calicheamicin 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine dichloride, a potent enediyne antitumor antibiotic. GO was approved conditionally by the Federal Drug Administration in May 2000 as single-agent therapy for first recurrence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a subset of older patients. Data on studies in AML with GO-based regimens have been reported rapidly in addition to new observations on the target antigen, CD33. These data indicate promising new areas of investigation with GO, including its application as maintenance therapy in patients with AML and as an induction and/or maintenance agent in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia;, and they also have highlighted challenges in the development of GO, particularly its association with hepatic venoocclusive disease. In vitro data on the mechanism of action of GO may be particularly helpful in the design of future clinical studies.
The DNA binding affinity of HhaI methylase is increased by a single amino acid substitution in the catalytic center.

The HhaI methyltransferase recognizes the sequence GCGC and transfers a methyl group to C5 of the first cytosine residue. All m5C-methyltransferases contain a highly conserved sequence motif called the P-C motif. The cysteine residue of this motif is involved in catalysis by forming a covalent bond with the 6-position of cytosine prior to methyl group transfer. For the EcoRII methyltransferase, it has been shown that substitution of this catalytic cysteine by glycine is cytotoxic to E.coli cells expressing the mutant methyltransferase (Wyszynski et al. Nucl. Acids Res. 20: 319, 1992). We now show that this observation can be extended to the HhaI system and suggest that the cytotoxicity is due to abnormally tight DNA binding by the mutant methyltransferase, which probably interferes with replication or transcription.
Wilms tumor: diagnosis by thoracentesis.

A diagnosis of Wilms tumor was made by thoracentesis in a critically ill child in whom immediate surgery was contraindicated. This confirmed the clinical impression and supported a definitive program of radiotherapy and chemotherapy preoperatively. The tumor was removed surgically after her clinical conditon had improved and after reduction in the size of the mass had been obtained. Postoperatively, dactinomycin was administered at two monthly intervals for two years and the child is alive and well without evidence of tumor four and a half years after diagnosis.
Attribution of Personal Characteristics in Two Cultures.

Data on a set of rating scales and on an ability test were collected from 766 persons in two cultures. The American sample ( n = 413) consisted of 186 college (90 male and 96 female) and 227 high school (110 male and 117 female) students. The Pakistani sample ( n = 353) consisted of 170 college (75 male and 95 female) and 183 high school (96 male and 87 female) students. Every person rated self and 15 significant others on a rating scale and took an ability test involving letter-series items. Results of factor analyses and multivariate analyses of variance demonstrated (a) substantial cross-cultural generality of psychosocial characteristics attributed to self and others, (b) significant ( p < 0.001) cultural differences in self-esteem and esteem of others, as well as in perceptual differentiation, (c) significant ( p < 0.05) differences between males and females in the level of esteem and in perceptual diversity, (d) significant ( p < 0.05) differences between high and low ability persons and between college and high school students in measures of esteem and perceptual discrimination, and (e) significant ( p < 0.05) interaction effects involving two or more of the four independent variables (culture, education, ability, and sex). Results generally confirmed the main hypotheses postulated here and in some other related studies.
Food-web interactions govern the resistance of communities after non-random extinctions

Growing concern about how loss of biodiversity will affect ecosystems has stimulated numerous studies1,2,3,4,5. Although most studies have assumed that species go extinct randomly6,7,8, species often go extinct in order of their sensitivity to a stress that intensifies through time (such as climate change)9. Here we show that the consequences of random and ordered extinctions differ. Both depend on food-web interactions that create compensation; that is, the increase of some species when their competitors and/or predators decrease in density due to environmental stress. Compensation makes communities as a whole more resistant to stress by reducing changes in combined species densities. As extinctions progress, the potential for compensation is depleted, and communities become progressively less resistant. For ordered extinctions, however, this depletion is offset and communities retain their resistance, because the surviving species have greater average resistance to the stress. Despite extinctions being ordered, changes in the food web with successive extinctions make it difficult to predict which species will show compensation in the future. This unpredictability argues for ‘whole-ecosystem’ approaches to biodiversity conservation, as seemingly insignificant species may become important after other species go extinct.
Steric course of the N-methylation in the biosynthesis of ergot alkaloids by Claviceps purpurea.

Using the chiral methyl group methodology, the methylation step in the biosynthesis of ergot alkaloids catalyzed by the enzyme AdoMet:dimethylallyltryptophan N-methyltransferase was found to proceed with net inversion of methyl group configuration. The enzyme thus conforms to the majority of methyltransferases studied which mediate a direct SN2 transfer of the methyl group from AdoMet2) to the acceptor nucleophile in a ternary enzyme substrate complex.
The influence of inhaled anesthetic and body temperature on serum fentanyl concentrations with transdermally administered fentanyl in anesthetized dogs

This investigation was designed to determine if: (a) hypothermia during 4 hours of anesthesia significantly influences the peri-anesthetic serum concentration of transdermally administered fentanyl, and (b) there is a significant difference between the peri-anesthetic serum concentrations of transdermally administered fentanyl in dogs anesthetized with halothane compared to dogs anesthetized with isoflurane. Six dogs [10.65 ± 0.43 kg (mean ± SEM)] were used in a randomized-crossover design with four treatments: isoflurane + normothermia (Iso–Norm), isoflurane + hypothermia (Iso–Hypo), halothane + normothermia (Hal–Norm), halothane + hypothermia (Hal–Hypo). A 50-µg hour−1 fentanyl patch was applied to the thorax 36 hours prior to the induction of anesthesia. At t = 0, anesthesia was induced with either halothane or isoflurane. Dogs trachae were intubated, connected to a non-rebreathing system and maintained at 1.5 times MAC with a fresh gas flow rate of 200 mL kg−1 minute−1. The dogs breathed spontaneously throughout the 4-hour anesthetic period. Animals in the hypothermia treatments were actively cooled to 35.5 °C following induction of anesthesia. Hemodynamic parameters, arterial blood gases, and end-tidal gases were monitored. Venous blood samples (jugular) for serum fentanyl analysis (Coat-A-Count Fentanyl RIA) were drawn at: −36, −24, −12, 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, and 26 hours. The mean (±SEM) temperatures during the anesthetic period for the four treatments were: Iso–Norm = 37.7 ± 0.075 °C, Iso–Hypo = 35.8 ± 0.15 °C, Hal–Norm 37.7 ± 0.06 5 °C, and Hal–Hypo = 35.8 ± 0.135 °C. At t = 1 hour the mean (± SEM) serum fentanyl concentrations for both hypothermia treatments (Iso–Hypo = 1.102 ± 0.3 ng mL−1; Hal–Hypo = 0.957 ± 0.2678) were significantly lower than baseline concentrations (Iso–Hypo = 2.194 ± 0.3133 ng mL−1; Hal–Hypo = 1.991 ± 0.4253). This significant reduction persisted for the duration of anesthesia for the Iso–Hypo treatment. For the Hal–Hypo group, this reduction was significant only at t = 1, 1.5 and 2 hours. Serum fentanyl concentrations returned to baseline levels within 1 hour of the end of anesthesia, regardless of body temperature. Analysis of covariance demonstrated a significant effect of inhalant choice; overall, isoflurane-anesthetized animals had significantly lower fentanyl concentrations than halothane-anesthetized animals during the anesthetic period.
Preliminary structural studies of the transcriptional regulator CmeR from Campylobacter jejuni.

In Campylobacter jejuni, a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen causing gastroenteritis in humans, the CmeR regulatory protein controls transcription of the multidrug transporter gene operon cmeABC. CmeR belongs to the TetR family of transcriptional regulators. The 210-residue CmeR consists of two functional motifs: an N-terminal DNA-binding domain and a C-terminal ligand-binding domain. It is predicted that the DNA-binding domain interacts directly with target promoters, while the C-terminal motif interacts with inducing ligands (such as bile salts). As an initial step towards confirming this structural model, recombinant CmeR protein containing a 6×His tag at the N-terminus was crystallized. Crystals of ligand-free CmeR belonged to space group P21212, with unit-cell parameters a = 37.4, b = 57.6, c = 93.3 A. Diffraction was observed to at least 2.2 A at 100 K. Analysis of the detailed CmeR structure is currently in progress.
Using a saturation biopsy scheme increases cancer detection during repeat biopsy in men with high-grade prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia.

Objective To determine the role of transrectal saturation biopsy for cancer detection in men with high-grade prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) diagnosed by extended biopsy. HGPIN was clearly associated with cancer risk in the sextant biopsy era, but this has not been clearly demonstrated in the extended biopsy era. Materials and Methods From 1999 to 2009, 314 men had at least 1 or more repeat biopsy due to the presence of exclusive HGPIN (without any other pathologic finding) in a previous extended biopsy. They were divided into 2 groups according to the initial follow-up biopsy scheme, 178 men were followed up using a second standard extended biopsy scheme and 136 were followed up using the saturation biopsy scheme. Results In the standard repeat biopsy group, 35 of 178 (19.7%) men had cancer on initial repeat biopsy. In the saturation biopsy group, 42 of 136 (30.9%) had cancer on initial repeat biopsy (overall, P = .04). Multivariate analysis demonstrates that the biopsy scheme on repeat biopsy is an independent predictor of prostate cancer detection (OR 1.85, (95% CI; 1.03, 3.29), exclusive of age, PSA, days from initial biopsy, DRE status and multifocal PIN. Furthermore, there appears to be no further increase in Gleason 6 disease with usage of saturation biopsy in this unique population. Conclusion Cancer detection in men with HGPIN in the contemporary extended biopsy era is substantially improved using saturation technique.
A CdtA-CdtC Complex Can Block Killing of HeLa Cells by Haemophilus ducreyi Cytolethal Distending Toxin

The cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) of Haemophilus ducreyi is comprised of the CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC proteins, with the CdtB protein having demonstrated enzymatic (i.e., DNase) activity. Using a single recombinant Escherichia coli strain with two plasmids individually containing the H. ducreyi cdtA and cdtC genes, we purified a noncovalent CdtA-CdtC complex. Incubation of this CdtA-CdtC complex with HeLa cells blocked killing of these cells by CDT holotoxin. Furthermore, the addition of purified recombinant CdtB to HeLa cells preincubated with the CdtA-CdtC complex resulted in the killing of these human epithelial cells.
Soil total carbon analysis in Hawaiian soils with visible, near-infrared and mid-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

article i nfo Accurate assessment of total carbon (Ct) content is important for fertility and nutrient management of soils, as well as for carbon sequestration studies. The non-destructive analysis of soils by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a potential supplement or alternative to the traditional time-consuming and costly combustion method of Ctanalysis,especiallyinspatialortemporal studieswheresamplenumbersarelarge.Thisalternativetechnique has been utilized in several locations in the United States and elsewhere, but has not been tested on the unique and diverse tropical soils in Hawaii. This study investigated the feasibility of DRS for Ct prediction of Hawaiian ag- ricultural soils by creating visible, near-infrared (VNIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectral libraries and developing chemometric models with partial least squares regression (PLSR) and random forests (RF) ensemble tree regres- sion. The sample set contained 305 soils from across the five main Hawaiian Islands, representing 10 soil orders and over 100 soil series. The Ct of these samples measured by dry combustion ranged from b1% to 56%, greater than that of most previously published studies. The VNIR spectra of the soils commonly exhibited features asso- ciated with OH � and H2O, iron oxides, phyllosilicates, and organic molecules. The numerous features in the MIR
On the impact of route processing and MRAI timers on BGP convergence times

Fast convergence of BGP (border gateway protocol) routes, coupled with reduced message complexity, form one of the key factors determining the stability and performance of inter-domain routing in the Internet. The paper characterizes the impact of topology and the message handling procedure of BGP on its convergence time. For BGP router networks characterized by random graphs, we obtain analytic expressions to evaluate the convergence times in terms of the number of minimum route advertisement interval (MRAI) timer rounds. We then isolate artifacts in the BGP message handling procedure which lead to redundant MRAI timer instances and propose minor, but effective, modifications which significantly reduce the convergence times. Simulation results show that the proposed changes can successfully eliminate all redundant instantiations of the MRAI timer, even in the worst case convergence scenarios resulting from route withdrawals.
Scalable music recommendation by search

The growth of music resources on personal devices and Internet radio has increased the need for music recommendations. In this paper, aiming at providing an efficient and general solution, we present a search-based solution for scalable music recommendations. In this solution a music piece is first transformed to a music signature sequence in which each signature characterizes the timbre of a local music clip. Based on such signatures, a scale-sensitive method is then proposed to index the music pieces for similarity search, using the locality sensitive hashing (LSH). The scale-sensitive method can numerically find the appropriate parameters for indexing various scales of music collections, and thus can guarantee a proper number of nearest neighbors are found in search. In the recommendation stage, representative signatures from snippets of a seed piece are extracted as query terms, to retrieve pieces with similar melodies for suggestions. We also design a relevance-ranking function to sort the search results, based on the criteria that include matching ratio, temporal order, term weight, and matching confidence. Finally, with the search results, we propose a strategy to generate a dynamic playlist which can automatically expand with time. Evaluations of several music collections at various scales showed that our approach achieves encouraging results in terms of recommendation satisfaction and system scalability.
Prevention of Tobacco Use Among Medically At-risk Children and Adolescents: Clinical and Research Opportunities in the Interest of Public Health

Objective Cigarette smoking and other forms of tobacco use are addictive and harmful. Though no level of smoking is safe, children and adolescents who are medically at-risk due to the presence of a chronic or life-threatening disease may be especially vulnerable to these dangers. This article provides an overview of considerations in the prevention of tobacco use in this special population. Methods This article summarizes medical aspects of childhood chronic disease and the impact of cigarette smoking, the prevalence of tobacco screening in pediatric healthcare, and levels of prevention for individuals, families, schools, and healthcare. Recommendations for clinical services and research are also included. Results There are a number of reasons to prevent and interrupt the onset of smoking in medically at-risk youth. Subspecialty clinics appear to be the most likely point of entry for prevention-based work in this area. However, no one single setting will be effective in preventing and deterring use without due consideration of other settings, perspectives, and influences on smoking uptake. Conclusions The promise of smoking prevention to improve the health and outlook of children and adolescents with chronic or life-threatening disease is high, and additional efforts are needed for this population.
Role of the PROS1 gene in thrombosis: lessons and controversies

The PROS1 gene codes for the vitaminK-dependent plasma protein, protein S (PS), an essential anticoagulant and multifunctional protein. The association of PS with thrombosis [1] is well established, but the particular anticoagulant activity or activities of PS that are compromised in thrombosis are not entirely clear and the effects of PS deficiency on more recently discovered functions of PS in inflamma tion, apoptosis and receptor activation are unknown. Lessons can be learned from the phenotypes of reported mutations and polymorphisms in the PROS1 gene, but many questions and controversies remain. For greater depth, the reader is referred to extensive databases of PS mutations [2,3], recent reviews [4,5] and molecular models that rationalize PS mutations [6,7]. PS cofactor activity for activated protein C
How Different is Big Data

One buzzword that has been popular in the last couple of years is Big Data. In simplest terms, Big Data symbolizes the aspiration to build platforms and tools to ingest, store and analyze data that can be voluminous, diverse, and possibly fast changing. In this talk, I will try to reflect on a few of the technical problems presented by the exploration of Big Data. Some of these challenges in data analytics have been addressed by our community in the past in a more traditional relational database context but only with mixed results. I will review these quests and study some of the key lessons learned. At the same time, significant developments such as the emergence of cloud infrastructure and availability of data rich web services hold the potential for transforming our industry. I will discuss the unique opportunities they present for Big Data Analytics.
RESULTS IN SLIDING AUTONOMY FOR MULTI-ROBOT SPATIAL ASSEMBLY

We have developed a software architecture for teams of robots and humans to jointly perform tightly coordinated tasks, such as assembly of structures in orbit or on planetary surfaces. While we envision that robots will autonomously perform such work in the future, the state of the art falls short of the capabilities necessary to handle all possible contingencies. Our architecture provides a principled methodology for human involvement to optimize both task efficiency and robustness by combining robot capability with human intuition. We call such mixed control strategies “sliding autonomy”. Robots accomplish as many of the tasks as they can autonomously, and human operators take over control to perform those that cannot be easily automated or to provide help when the robots fail. In this paper, we discuss results from recent experiments that quantify the effect of different levels of autonomy on the system’s overall performance. By introducing two modes of sliding autonomy, we are able to achieve the high reliability of a teleoperated system combined with the high efficiency of autonomous operation. The incurred mental demand of the operator is directly proportional to the increase in system efficiency.
Managing organizational culture change and knowledge to enhance customer experiences: analysis and framework

Customer experience is increasingly becoming a differentiating factor for companies and their brands. Companies have recently started to realize the importance of superior experiences on customer loyalty and making efforts toward managing these experiences. This article undertakes a review and analysis of the contents of a wide variety of academic and practitioner articles as well as a few trade books on management of customer experiences published over the last decade, with the goal of exploring the major aspects of superior customer experience and its management. It specifically investigates and analyzes the dual effect of knowledge management and organizational culture on customer experiences, what aspects of both affect customer experience and how superior customer experiences can be managed through managing change in knowledge and culture. It also discusses how absorptive capacity of an organization and power relationships existing within it may moderate the effect of knowledge and culture change. Th...
PICOSECOND FLUORESCENCE OF R3230AC MAMMARY CARCINOMA MITOCHONDRIA AFTER TREATMENT WITH HEMATOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE and PHOTOFRIN® II in vivo

Hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) and other porphyrin samples were excited by 20-ps 532-nm laser pulses. Fluorescence was detected using a low-jitter streak camera. Data were fitted to a sum of exponential decay times on the order of picoseconds. Fluorescence of porphyrins in aqueous solution show various behaviors depending on the hydrophobicity of the porphyrins. The most hydrophilic porphyrins show long decays only (greater than 500 ps). Porphyrins intermediate in hydrophobicity have intensity-dependent fast decays. The most hydrophobic have fast decays (less than 20 ps). Picosecond fluorescences of mitochondria prepared from rat tumors treated in vivo with HPD or Photofrin II show an increase in the ratio of fast to slow decays when compared to the injected porphyrins. These results are consistent with the concentration of the more hydrophobic porphyrins in mitochondria in photosensitization treatment. Thus picosecond fluorescence studies of porphyrins may provide a means to obtain photoproperties which differentiate between effective and ineffective in vivo photosensitizers.
MobiGo: A Middleware for Seamless Mobility

Nominally, one can expect any user of modern technology to carry a handheld device such an iPAQ or cellphone and utilize resources in the environment to remain connected and enjoy continuous services while travelling. We present a middleware infrastructure, called MobiGo, that provides seamless mobility of services among these environments. We identify three different kinds of environments (spaces) - self-owned, familiar, and totally-new and three axes for supporting mobility, namely, hard state, soft state, and I/O state in these spaces. MobiGo provides the architectural elements for efficiently managing these different states in the different spaces. Focusing on a specific demanding video service, we describe an implementation and performance results that show that MobiGo enhances user experience for seamless mobility.
Secure capacity of multi-hop wireless networks with random key pre-distribution

It is usual to quantify the performance of communication networks in terms of achievable throughput or delay. However, as a result of the significant interest in safety-critical application scenarios for wireless networking, security and reliability concerns are gradually emerging at the forefront of wireless networking research. In light of this, it is increasingly crucial to consider secure communication capacity or delay as primary performance measures, and evolve theoretical frameworks that can allow for quantification of the trade-off between security and performance. In this paper, we argue for the need for comprehensive effort in this direction, and present an illustrative example of the same by describing asymptotic secure-capacity results for randomly deployed wireless network where each node is preloaded with a random subset of keys.
Negotiating clinically workable solutions across cultures: lessons learned.

recognized cultural competence as im-portant to medicine. A case from earlyon illuminates what may have changed –and what has not – in the ensuing twodecades. More importantly, it shows thatcultural competence is a crucial clinicalskill set, not simply an abbreviated formof anthropological knowledge.
Why do emergency providers choose one opioid over another? A prospective cohort analysis.

Objective: The reasons providers choose one parenteral opioid over another are not well understood. The authors sought to determine why emergency department (ED) providers choose one parenteral opioid over another. Methods: In a cohort of ED patients who received intravenous morphine or hydromorphone, the authors prospectively assessed patient and provider factors associated with choice of opioid, which were included in regression analyses to identify independent predictors of hydromorphone prescription. Providers were also asked in real time why they chose one opioid over another for a specific patient. Narrative responses were coded and analyzed. Results: Opioid choice was tightly linked with equianalgesic dose, with the median hydromorphone dosage more than 50 percent higher than the dosage of morphine. Besides dose, choice of hydromorphone was most strongly associated with home opioid use and a diagnosis of kidney stone. Provider preference or habit was the most commonly cited reason for choosing the prescribed opioid, with the majority of those responses given by providers who prescribed morphine. One-fourth of morphine prescribers stated that the patient required a lower dosage or less potent option; one-fourth of hydromorphone prescribers stated that either the patient required a higher dosage or more potent option or hydromorphone is more effective. In total, 46 percent of providers gave a reason that does not seem to have pharmacologic validity. Conclusions: ED providers seem to prescribe “usual” dosages of morphine and relatively higher usual dosages of hydromorphone. The reasons for choosing one opioid over the other for a specific patient vary from simple preference to common misconceptions about opioid pharmacology. Improved understanding of opioid pharmacology may improve analgesic outcomes for some patients. Keywords: opioid, parenteral, morphine, hydromorphone, emergency department, prescribing, equianalgesic dosing DOI:10.5055/jom.2012.0140
A family of differentiation indices

A general class of differentiation indices is introduced for profiles of scores. Their ordinal properties and an application to Holland's classification system are examined. Comparison with other suggested indices is performed both theoretically and empirically.
Comparison of Circular and Polygonal Planar Orbits for Pinhole and Slit-Slat SPECT

Analytic formulas and Monte Carlo simulation are used to calculate and compare the sensitivity of circular and polygonal orbits at different points in the Field of View (FoV) for both pinhole and slit-slat collimation. Results show that for a given slit-slat collimator an N-sided polygonal orbit tangent to the FoV generally provides average sensitivity lower than the tightest circular orbit consistent with the same aperture angle, but with better spatial resolution that can be traded for sensitivity for a constant-resolution comparison. This generally results in a slight advantage for the polygonal orbit. However, this advantage depends on the clearance that must be allowed between the orbit and the FoV and decreases quickly, vanishing when even a few millimeters of space are left, which in practice is necessary to accommodate mechanical constraints. For a pinhole collimator the advantage for the tangent polygonal orbit is more consistent, but similar conclusions are reached again when clearance is considered. A direct comparison at constant resolution between slit-slat and pinhole collimation in a single transverse plane is shown to be possible with parameters typical of small-animal imaging applications only for detectors with excellent intrinsic resolution; in this case, pinhole collimation is shown to be more sensitive in magnifying geometries, but reduced axial FoV and increased axial blurring should also be considered for a more complete comparison.
Unassisted water splitting from bipolar Pt/dye-sensitized TiO 2 photoelectrode arrays

Direct photodecomposition of water to yield hydrogen and oxygen was achieved with bipolar Pt/dye-sensitized TiO2 photoelectrode panels, capable of vectorial electron transfer. This novel photoelectrochemical cell, which can overcome the problems of the location of the semiconductor bandedges relative to the water decomposition energy level and the requirement of dye and semiconductor stability during water decomposition in aqueous solution, splits water directly upon illumination without any additional energy input. The maximum hydrogen evolution efficiency of this system, based on the short-circuit current, was 3.7%. © 2005 The Electrochemical Society. DOI: 10.1149/1.2077090 All rights reserved.
The Different Binding Patterns of Two Immunoglobulin M Monoclonal Antibodies to Cryptococcus neoformans Serotype A and D Strains Correlate with Serotype Classification and Differences in Functional Assays

Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans strains have historically been divided into serotypes A and D on the basis of reactivity with rabbit sera. Previously, we noted that two murine immunoglobulin M monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the capsular glucuronoxylomannan produced different indirect immunofluorescence (IF) patterns, described as annular and punctate, when bound to C. neoformans cells from different strains. In this study, we examined the reactivity of these two MAbs, known as 12A1 and 13F1, with 20 C. neoformans var. neoformans strains, of which 13 were serotype A and 7 were serotype D. For all strains, MAb binding was studied by IF and agglutination assays. In addition, we blindly tested the IF patterns of 22 C. neoformans var. neoformans strains. For selected strains, MAb binding was studied by flow cytometry (FACScan) and phagocytosis assays. The epitopes recognized by MAbs 12A1 and 13F1 were found in all of the strains. MAb 12A1 binding produced an annular IF pattern with all of the strains, irrespective of the serotype classification. MAb 13F1 binding produced annular binding with all of the serotype A strains and punctate binding with 19 of 20 serotype D strains. In general, the punctate IF pattern was associated with lower fluorescence intensity, a requirement for higher antibody concentrations to produce yeast cell agglutination, and lower opsonic efficacy. Our results provide strong support for the existing classification of two serological types for strains assigned to variety neoformans and indicate qualitative and quantitative antigenic differences among serotype A and D strains.