cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gastrointestinal Angiodysplasia is Part of the Vascular Pathophysiology of Advanced Heart Failure

Purpose We have previously reported a high prevalence of gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIAD) in advanced HF patients undergoing LVAD evaluation. We now hypothesize that GIAD develop in relation to advancing heart failure and are associated with angiogenic dysregulation. Methods After informed consent, patients being evaluated for LVAD underwent video capsule endoscopy (VCE) for assessment of GIAD. Two control groups were formed: (1) NYHA Class 1 HF patients with LVEF angiogenesis was measured in both HF groups and a subset of paired pre and post LVAD patients. Results Median age and percent female of the advanced HF (n=17), NYHA 1 (n=4), non-HF controls (n=36) were as follows: (61, 61, 56; p = .789) and (18%, 0%, and 56%; p =0.020). Prevalence of GIAD was much higher in the advanced HF group as compared to the NYHA 1 and non-HF controls: 71% vs 25% vs 33% (p=0.009). Median Ang2 levels were numerically higher in the advanced HF as compared to the NYHA 1 group (5.4 vs 3.3ng/mL; p=0.138) although this did not reach statistical significance in this small sample. In 9 subjects with paired measurements, Ang2 increased from a mean of 6.7±3.5 to 11.3±7.6ng/mL (p=0.047) after LVAD implantation. Conclusion GIADs are already present in the majority of patients undergoing LVAD implantation and appear to be part of the pathophysiology of advanced heart failure. Angiogenic dysregulation predates LVAD implantation but is augmented in the setting of continuous flow LVAD support. Enrollment in this study is ongoing and at the time of abstract presentation, we anticipate a larger sample size.
The Exponential Family and Statistical Applications

The exponential family is a practically convenient and widely used unified family of distributions on finite-dimensional Euclidean spaces parametrized by a finite-dimensional parameter vector. Specialized to the case of the real line, the exponential family contains as special cases most of the standard discrete and continuous distributions that we use for practical modeling, such as the normal, Poisson, binomial, exponential, Gamma, multivariate normal, and so on. The reason for the special status of the exponential family is that a number of important and useful calculations in statistics can be done all at one stroke within the framework of the exponential family. This generality contributes to both convenience and larger-scale understanding. The exponential family is the usual testing ground for the large spectrum of results in parametric statistical theory that require notions of regularity or Cramer–Rao regularity. In addition, the unified calculations in the exponential family have an element of mathematical neatness. Distributions in the exponential family have been used in classical statistics for decades. However, it has recently obtained additional importance due to its use and appeal to the machine learning community. A fundamental treatment of the general exponential family is provided in this chapter. Classic expositions are available in Barndorff-Nielsen (1978), Brown (1986), and Lehmann and Casella (1998). An excellent recent treatment is available in Bickel and Doksum (2006).
Children's exposure to phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers in the home: The TESIE study.

Abstract Background Phthalates and their potential replacements, including non-phthalate plasticizers, are ubiquitous in home environments due to their presence in building materials, plastics, and personal care products. As a result, exposure to these compounds is universal. However, the primary pathways of exposure and understanding which products in the home are associated most strongly with particular exposures are unclear. Objectives We sought to investigate the relationships between phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers in paired samples of house dust, hand wipes, and their corresponding metabolites in children's urine samples (n = 180). In addition, we compared product use or presence of materials in the household against all compounds to investigate the relationship between product use or presence and exposure. Methods Children aged 3–6 years provided hand wipe and urine samples. Questionnaires were completed by mothers or legal guardians to capture product use and housing characteristics, and house dust samples were collected from the main living area during home visits. Results Phthalates and non-phthalate replacements were detected frequently in the environmental matrices. All urine samples had at least 13 of 19 phthalate or non-phthalate replacement metabolites present. Hand wipe mass and dust concentrations of diisobutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and di-isononyl phthalate were significantly associated with their corresponding urinary metabolites (rs = 0.18–0.56, p Conclusions This paper summarizes one of the most comprehensive phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizer investigation of potential residential exposure sources conducted in North America to date. The data presented herein provide evidence that dermal contact and hand-to-mouth behaviors are important sources of exposure to phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers. In addition, the percentage of vinyl flooring is an important consideration when examining residential exposures to these compounds.
Race and life expectancy in the USA in the Great Depression

Prior work has highlighted increases in life expectancy in the USA during the Great Depression. This contradicts the tenet that life expectancy is positively correlated with human welfare, but it coheres with recent literature on mortality and recessions. We construct Lee-Carter interval estimates of life expectancy during the Great Depression, based on trends before 1929. In this analysis, all-race life expectancy did not grow unusually during the Great Depression. However, nonwhites did see greater-than-expected increases in life expectancy in 1930–1933. We discuss potential explanations. We conclude by urging scholars of mortality during this time period to focus on race whenever the data permit it.
A high order immersed finite element method for parabolic interface problems

We present a high order immersed finite element (IFE) method for solving 1D parabolic interface problems. These methods allow the solution mesh to be independent of the interface. Time marching schemes including Backward-Eulerand Crank-Nicolson methods are implemented to fully discretize the system. Numerical examples are provided to test the performance of our numerical schemes.
WormBot, an open-source robotics platform for survival and behavior analysis in C. elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans is a popular organism for aging research owing to its highly conserved molecular pathways, short lifespan, small size, and extensive genetic and reverse genetic resources. Here we describe the WormBot, an open-source robotic image capture platform capable of conducting 144 parallel C. elegans survival and behavioral phenotyping experiments. The WormBot uses standard 12-well tissue culture plates suitable for solid agar media and is built from commercially available robotics hardware. The WormBot is controlled by a web-based interface allowing control and monitoring of experiments from any internet connected device. The standard WormBot hardware features the ability to take both time-lapse bright field images and real-time video micrographs, allowing investigators to measure lifespan, as well as heathspan metrics as worms age. The open-source nature of the hardware and software will allow for users to extend the platform and implement new software and hardware features. This extensibility, coupled with the low cost and simplicity of the system, allows the automation of C. elegans survival analysis even in small laboratory settings with modest budgets.
Infectious Complications of CAR T-Cell Therapy in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CART) therapy is a promising therapeutic option for patients with relapsed, refractory lymphomas. Both immunosuppression and infections are complications reported in the post-CART setting. The objective of this study was to identify rates of infectious complications and febrile neutropenia at our institution. This retrospective single center study included 38 patients with relapsed, refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), who received CD19 directed CAR T-cell therapy axicabtagene ciloleucel, as standard of care for the treatment relapsed NHL between January, 2018 and October, 2019. Infectious complications were identified and classified as bacterial, viral, and either as non-invasive fungal or invasive fungal. We found that 79% (30/38) of patients experienced an episode of febrile neutropenia and 22 of the 46 identified infections occurred during an episode of neutropenia. Overall, 79% (30/38) of patients had an identified infection of viral, bacterial, or fungal. Sixteen patients (42%) were found to have bacterial infections, eight patients (21%) viral infections, and 17 (45%) fungal infections. Of the forty-six infections identified, 16 were bacterial, 11 viral, and 19 fungal. The most common sites of bacterial infections noted were blood stream infections (37.5%) and pulmonary (25%) sources. The most common viral infections identified were CMV (36%), BK virus (18%), and RSV (18%). The majority of the fungal infections identified were oral candidiasis (89.5%) with only 2 patients developing an invasive mold infection. Overall, we had notable infectious findings including a high incidence of non-invasive candidiasis and occurrences of opportunistic viral infections associated with CAR-T cell therapy and lymphodepletion as compared to the literature. There is a relative paucity of guidelines and literature on supportive cares as it relates to infectious complications. We ultimately conclude that infectious complications are common adverse effects of CAR-T therapy that require more robust investigation and further evidence-based and consensus driven guidelines.
VISIT-TO-VISIT VARIABILITY IN RENAL FUNCTION AND RISK OF MORTALITY AMONG PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION

Renal dysfunction is a common comorbidity among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the prognostic value of fluctuations in renal function and risk of mortality has not been evaluated. The study included participants with chronic stable HFpEF with 3 or
Opioid Abuse and Opioid Epidemic

Abstract Pain is considered as the fifth vital sign. Therefore, proper treatment of acute or chronic pain is important for improving the quality of life of patients. The use of opioids for the treatment of cancer pain, as first proposed in the guidelines released in 1986 by the World Health Organization (WHO), is now supported by more than 30 years of clinical experience. The WHO ladder is a stepwise approach to pain management where the first step (Step 1) recommends treating mild pain with nonopioid analgesics such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. For moderate pain relief, Step 2 of the ladder recommends using a moderate μ-opioid receptor agonist in combination with a nonopioid medication. This protocol is also effective in treating moderate postoperative pain. For more severe pain, Step 3 recommends the use of a stronger opioid and round the clock schedule monitoring of severe pain. The WHO pain ladder lists codeine, hydrocodone, and tramadol as “weak opioids,” and morphine, oxycodone, methadone, hydromorphone, and fentanyl as “strong opioids.” Unfortunately, both strong and opioids are misused or abused and as a result opioid epidemic become a public health emergency. Therefore, both patients and physicians must be aware of the abuse potential of opioids.
Trends in Appendicitis and Perforated Appendicitis Prevalence in Children in the United States, 2001-2015.

This sequential, cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of perforated appendicitis in children in the United States in relation to access to health care from 2001 to 2015.
Considerations for precise sonication of distal cortical targets in the macaque

Transcranial ultrasound is a noninvasive tool for brain therapies including ablation, neuromodulation, and blood-brain barrier opening. Sonication of cortical targets in macaques is challenging due to absorption and aberration from the skull. Because of this, transcranial ultrasound is largely limited to deep brain targets where the geometry of the skull is less prohibitive. Here, we address this limitation by designing a system which targets distal cortical regions and achieves a near free-field spot size at the target while minimizing pressure in the skull. We compare the focal volume and skull pressure performance with proximal sonication using two common therapeutic transducers and characterize the focal spot size at varied frequency while considering standing waves.
What are the Top Research Priorities in Surgical Simulation and How Can They Be Best Addressed? Results from a Multidisciplinary Consensus Conference.

Objectives To define the top priorities in simulation-based surgical education where additional research would have the highest potential to advance the field and develop proposals that would address the identified research priorities. Summary and background data Simulation has become integral part of surgical training but there are a number of outstanding questions that have slowed advances in this field. Methods The Delphi methodology was used to define the top priorities in simulation-based surgical education. A research summit was held with multiple stakeholders under the auspices of the American College of Surgeons Division of Education to develop proposals to address these priorities. Results Consensus was achieved after the first round of voting on the following three most important topics: 1) impact of simulation training on patient safety and outcomes, 2) the value proposition of simulation, and 3) the use of simulation for physician certification and credentialing. Knowledge gaps, challenges and opportunities, and research questions to address these topics were defined by summit participants. Conclusions The top 3 priorities in surgical simulation research were defined and project outlines were developed for impactful projects on these topics. Successful completion of such projects is expected to advance the field of simulation-based surgical education.
إدارة الخصوصية عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعى بالتطبيق على موقع فيسبوک

أکد نموذج "الخصوصية الإلکترونية Networked privacy" الذى صاغه کل من Marwick and boyd عام 2014 على أهمية السياق فى التعامل مع متغير الخصوصية عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعى، سواء کان هذا على مستوى المفهوم نفسه أو على صعيد ممارسته عبر الشبکة العنکبوتية. وقد سعت هذه الدراسة لاستجلاء مفهوم الخصوصية وذلک من واقع ممارسة المستخدمين، وقد تعاملت مع الخصوصية إجرائيا باعتباره مفهوم ثنائى البعد، حيث يتمثل بعده الأول فى مدى ممارسة الإفصاح عبر موقع فيسبوک، بينما يتحدد البعد الآخر فى فهم إعدادات الأمان عبر الموقع. ومن واقع مراجعة الدراسة السابقة تم رصد المتغيرات المؤثرة على الخصوصية وهى: کثافة استخدام فيسبوک، والانغماس، والخبرات السلبية السابقة، وفهم مخاطر الإفصاح، تأثير الأقران، والاتجاه نحو فيسبوک. وقد أظهرت نتائج اختبارات الفروض البحثية ارتباط هذه المتغيرات بالخصوصية عبر فيسبوک. وأکد نموذج "الخصوصية الإلکترونية Networked privacy" الذى صاغه کل من Marwick and boyd عام 2014 على أهمية السياق فى التعامل مع متغير الخصوصية عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعى، سواء کان هذا على مستوى المفهوم نفسه أو على صعيد ممارسته عبر الشبکة العنکبوتية. وقد سعت هذه الدراسة لاستجلاء مفهوم الخصوصية وذلک من واقع ممارسة المستخدمين، وقد تعاملت مع الخصوصية إجرائيا باعتباره مفهوم ثنائى البعد، حيث يتمثل بعده الأول فى مدى ممارسة الإفصاح عبر موقع فيسبوک، بينما يتحدد البعد الآخر فى فهم إعدادات الأمان عبر الموقع. ومن واقع مراجعة الدراسة السابقة تم رصد المتغيرات المؤثرة على الخصوصية وهى: کثافة استخدام فيسبوک، والانغماس، والخبرات السلبية السابقة، وفهم مخاطر الإفصاح، تأثير الأقران، والاتجاه نحو فيسبوک. وقد أظهرت نتائج اختبارات الفروض البحثية ارتباط هذه المتغيرات بالخصوصية عبر فيسبوک.
A Dual Process Model for Optimizing Cross Entropy in Neural Networks.

Minimizing cross-entropy is a widely used method for training artificial neural networks. Many training procedures based on backpropagation use cross-entropy directly as their loss function. Instead, this theoretical essay investigates a dual process model with two processes, in which one process minimizes the Kullback-Leibler divergence while its dual counterpart minimizes the Shannon entropy. Postulating that learning consists of two dual processes complementing each other, the model defines an equilibrium state for both processes in which the loss function assumes its minimum. An advantage of the proposed model is that it allows deriving the optimal learning rate and momentum weight to update network weights for backpropagation. Furthermore, the model introduces the golden ratio and complex numbers as important new concepts in machine learning.
C1-C2 Wiring With Timed Self-Obsolescence for Complex C2 Body Fracture.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Fractures of C2 are typically managed nonoperatively with good rates of healing. Management decisions are complicated, however, when there are additional fractures in the axis possibly leading to increased instability. Additionally, the techniques used for treating these unstable axis fractures can have either significant complications or permanent loss of range of motion. Here, we present a novel technique for the reduction and stabilization of complex C2 body fracture. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 34-yr-old woman with a complex C2 body fracture, which included a right pars and left lateral mass fracture, presented after a water slide accident. It was felt that this fracture was both unstable and would not heal in an anatomically acceptable way so an open surgical reduction was needed. After consideration of more traditional fusion and osteosynthesis techniques, we chose to perform a C1-C2 internal stabilization with C1 sublaminar and C2 spinous process wiring. The patient was then instructed to wear a Miami J collar for 3 mo. CONCLUSION The outcome was favorable with good approximation and healing with preserved range of motion.
Applications to Continuous Problems

In Part II of this book, we have presented a Reformulation-Linearization/Convexification Technique for generating tight polyhedral or convex relaxations for polynomial programming problems. We have shown how the lower bounds generated by this technique can be embedded within a branch-and-bound algorithm and used in concert with a suitable partitioning procedure in order to induce infinite convergence, in general, to a global optimum for the underlying nonconvex polynomial program. In some special cases, as we shall see in this chapter, finite convergence can be obtained by exploiting inherent problem structures and characteristics. In Chapters 8 and 9, we have also presented some particular RLT strategies for generating tight relaxations for quadratic as well as for general polynomial programs and have illustrated the computational strength of the proposed procedures. In the present chapter, we complement this discussion by describing the design of RLT-based algorithms for some other special applications. The purpose of this exposition is to exhibit by way of illustration how RLT can be used for constructing such algorithms for a variety of nonconvex programming problems.
An energy-complexity model for VLSI computations

An energy-complexity model for CSP programs to be implemented in CMOS VLSI is developed. This model predicts with some accuracy the energy dissipation of the "standard" asynchronous VLSI implementation of a CSP program, associated to a given trace of that program. This energy-complexity is used in the analysis of CSP programs, in order to optimize this high-level representation of asynchronous circuits for energy efficiency. A lower bound to the energy-complexity of a CSP program is derived, based on the information theoretical entropy per symbol of the input/output behavior of the CSP program. This lower bound abstracts the specification of the circuit (that is, its input/output behavior), from the implementation of the specification (that is, the text of the program), and therefore applies to any program that meets the specification. A number of techniques are presented to write programs of low energy-complexity, and are applied to several examples. To link the high level representation of circuits to the CMOS representation, several circuits are analyzed to provide standard translations for basic CSP operators into CMOS. In particular, a method for pipelining bus transfers using the sense-amplifier of the bus as a register is proposed.
Bio-inspired underwater electrolocation through adaptive system identification

Electrolocation is a method of sensing and navigating around nearby objects by probing the environment with a series of electrical pulses and measuring the response. This method, found in several species of electric fish, has the potential for faster response times and reduced scanning overheads when compared to traditional underwater location methods such as sonar. This work describes a biology-inspired model and process method for emulating this sensing modality. Previous work in this area uses parametric models, requiring the learning of many time-varying physical parameters. This limits the usability and adaptability of these methods. Instead of relying on complex physical models, we propose in this paper, a dynamic non-parametric model for underwater electrolocation which can be identified using existing system identification techniques. We further describe ways in which results from adaptive filtering and machine learning can be used to process incoming sensory information for electrolocation. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed improvements using an experimental aquatic testbed. Our experiments shows a 3 × increase in the detection range.
Cascaded structures for blind source recovery

Blind Source Recovery (BSR) is an interesting autonomous and unsupervised stochastic adaptation problem that includes the well-known blind adaptive problems of Blind Source Separation (BSS), Deconvolution (BSD) and Equalization (BSE). BSR includes also the nonlinear case and hence focuses on reproducing or estimating the source signals even if environment identification is not achieved. A number of outstanding research contributions have been made in this field, however, the issues of application are still in their infancy. Most of the BSR algorithms have characteristics, which make them suitable for a particular subclass of problems. In order to develop a generalized source recovery framework and yet achieve optimal performance in all cases, there is a need to explore further architectural and/or algorithmic domains. In this paper, we approach this goal in the architecture domain by focusing on the use of cascaded structures for BSR. The paper discusses the need, choice, possible forms and properties of several cascaded structures. Some illustrative simulations have been included to highlight the advantages of some of the proposed structures.
Libertad bajo palabra y el revisionismo de Octavio Paz

Libertad bajo palabra es un libro fundamental en la obra poetica de Octavio Paz, ya que contiene una gran cantidad de poemas escritos entre 1935 y 1957. En la primera edicion, de 1949, Octavio Paz reune setenta y cuatro poemas. En la segunda edicion (1960) el libro crece considerablemente. La evolucion y los cambios del libro, se caracterizan por la incorporacion de poemarios, los ajustes a su organizacion interna y, sobre todo, por las supresiones y depuraciones constantes de poemas. Estos rasgos, como consecuencia, han dado a Libertad bajo palabra un caracter bastante peculiar: es idealmente un solo libro, pero tambien son cinco versiones (hasta la fecha), marcadas por los distintos momentos de la evolucion poetica del autor.
Temperate extinction in squamate reptiles and the roots of latitudinal diversity gradients

Aim Many ecological and evolutionary hypotheses have been proposed to explain latitudinal diversity gradients. However, any mechanistic explanation must include factors that change at least one of the three processes that can directly affect species richness: speciation, extinction and dispersal. I hypothesize that higher extinction in temperate areas, higher speciation in tropical areas and reduced dispersal into temperate regions drives latitudinal diversity gradients in squamates, and that these processes may be common in other groups. Location World-wide. Methods I test for these processes using phylogenetic methods that can untangle speciation and extinction with respect to latitudinal position (GeoSSE), using a dated phylogeny containing c. 45% of all squamates (4161 species) with data on their geographic occurrence. Results I find that lineages in the tropics have high speciation and low extinction, but that temperate lineages have even higher speciation and extinction, leading to lower net diversification and higher turnover in temperate areas, with much higher rates of dispersal into the tropics from temperate areas than the reverse. Main conclusions Recent empirical studies using dated molecular phylogenies appear to be consistent in supporting a similar set of simple and intuitive results for processes driving latitudinal gradients in species richness: higher net diversification rates in the tropics, higher relative extinction fractions in temperate regions and reduced dispersal out of the tropics. I suggest that higher temperate extinction represents a dominant force for the origin and maintenance of latitudinal gradients, particularly in groups with ancient temperate clades.
The Development of Naturalist Thought in Ancient China: A Review of W. Allyn Rickett's Guanzi

With the publication of volume II of W Allyn Rickett's Guanzi: Political, Economic, and Philosophical Essays from Early China (Princeton University Press, 1998), a long-neglected and poorly understood text from China's classical period should now be much more accessible to a wider audience of students, teachers, and scholars in the West. The second volume completes the translation of the 76-chapter original, and, like volume I (Princeton University Press, 1985; 2nd, revised edition, Cheng and Tsui, Boston, 2001), includes brief chapter-by-chapter introductions addressing issues of dating and content. The Guanzi has much to offer, spanning as it does the entire classical period proper; the earliest portions of the text date to the fourth or even fifth century B.C., and the work as a whole was only fixed in its present form by Liu Xiang (97–8 b.c.) late in his life, after over three centuries of accretion. Rickett's translation is the fruit of a long career spent studying this text, and it is worthy of frequent and thoughtful consultation; many of the historical issues that this translation sets before us are crucial to a deeper understanding of social and intellectual history in the classical age. To judge from contemporary sources, Guan Zhong , namesake of the text, was a popular figure during this era, around whom formulations of political philosophy and conceptions of new institutions easily accumulated over time. Recognizing this process of accumulation is crucial to placing the text in its historical context, since the Guanzi , like so many of our texts from the classical period, is fraught with difficulties concerning authorship and dating.
Control of Chloride Ion Exchange by DNA Hybridization at Polypyrrole Electrode

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an approach based on the reversible transport of counter ions into or out of the polypyrrole (PPy) layer when it is electrochemically oxidized or reduced. The movement of ions is governed by doping and undoping of the polymer, satisfying the rule of charge neutrality at all redox states of the polymer. The PPy layer with the grafted pTPTC3PO 3 H 2 allows the Mg 2+ cation to form a bidentate complex between the phosponate group of TPTC3PO 3 H 2 and the phosphate group of the probe DNA. The chapter describes preparation, characterization, and testing of the probe. Most of the proof-of-principle, development and optimization work is done with a 27-mer oligonucleotide called “probe DNA”. The grafting of thin pTPTC3PO 3 H 2 layer on the PPy has been confirmed by FTIR and by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Probing of the hybridization event is a two-step process. First, the probe DNA molecule is attached to the Mg 2+- modified bilayer. In the second step, dipping the electrode with the already attached probe DNA to the complementary target DNA solution achieves the hybridization. The selectivity of the response of the probe DNA modified electrode was tested against non-complementary DNA target.
Direct Bre1-Paf1 Complex Interactions and RING Finger-independent Bre1-Rad6 Interactions Mediate Histone H2B Ubiquitylation in Yeast

Recent yeast genetic studies have implicated the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and ubiquitin ligase functions of yRad6 and yBre1, respectively, in H2B ubiquitylation. However, there have been no corresponding biochemical analyses demonstrating intrinsic enzyme activities of yRad6 and yBre1 or related mechanistic details. Here, we describe a robust in vitro chromatin ubiquitylation assay that involves purified H2B ubiquitylation factors and natural nucleosomes. Our results indicate that yRad6 has an in vitro ability to nonspecifically ubiquitylate all core histones in the absence of an ubiquitin ligase but that yBre1 functions, through direct interactions with yRad6, to direct the ubiquitin conjugating activity of yRad6 toward the physiological H2B ubiquitylation site. Moreover, a yRad6 domain mapping analysis shows that an intact UBC domain is required for binding to yBre1, whereas the C-terminal acidic tail domain that is not required for a stable yBre1-yRad6 interaction is necessary for full enzyme activity of yRad6. We also find that, analogous to heteromeric complex formation by BRE1 paralogues in other organisms, yBre1 forms a homo-multimeric complex. Of special significance, our detailed biochemical analyses further show that the yBre1 RING finger domain is essential for H2B ubiquitylation but, surprisingly, dispensable for interaction of yBre1 with yRad6. In further support of the genetically identified requirement of the RNA polymerase II-associated yPaf1 complex for H2B ubiquitylation, protein interaction studies reveal that a purified yPaf1 complex directly and selectively interacts with yBre1 and thus serves to link the H2B ubiquitylation and general transcription machineries. These studies provide a more detailed mechanistic basis for H2B ubiquitylation in yeast.
Disappointment in therapy: A paradox

While ego growth is stimulated by tolerable narcissistic injuries (disappointments) from a gratifying caretaker, the needs of both participants in therapy may conspire to ward off the recognition and therapeutic use of the disappointments intrinsic to therapy. Case material is used to illustrate some of the dynamics that dissuade and promote address to the disappointments in therapy and to illuminate the consequences of these alternative therapeutic strategies.
On the optimization of the effective electromechanical coupling coefficients of a piezoelectric body

Effective electromechanical coupling coefficients are defined based on the expression for the internal energy of a piezoelectric body [B. S. Aronov, "Energy analysis of a piezoelectric body under nonuniform deformation," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 113, 2638-2646 (2003)]. The condition is considered under which the effective coupling coefficient can be maximized up to the value of the material coupling coefficient for any given distribution of deformation. A simple practical way to optimize the effective coupling coefficient of a transducer by changing its electrode shape is illustrated with examples of transducers vibrating in longitudinal and flexural modes.
Kinetic Modeling of the X-ray-induced Damage to a Metalloprotein

It is well-known that biological samples undergo X-ray-induced degradation. One of the fastest occurring X-ray-induced processes involves redox modifications (reduction or oxidation) of redox-activ...
Sodium efflux in rabbit myocardium: relationship to sodium-calcium exchange.

1. The washout of 22Na, 45Ca and 58CoEDTA− has been observed in arterially perfused rabbit interventricular septa both in the presence and absence of intoxicating doses of the aglycone, 3 acetylstrophanthidin (ACS). 2. The washout of 22Na from paced septa (21·0/min) was rapid with approximately 99% of the exchange occurring in 30 min. 3. Septa labelled with 22Na and washed out in the presence of 10−5 m-ACS were quiescent, exhibited marked contracture and a slowed 22Na exchange with 99% of the initial 22Na leaving the tissue in approximately 200 min. 4. Comparison of the washout of the extracellular marker 58CoEDTA− from paced and intoxicated septa revealed no differences, suggesting that regions of the extracellular space had not become inexchangeable as a result of the contracture that these septa exhibited. 5. Simultaneous measurements of the distribution of 22Na and 58CoEDTA− in the presence of 10−5 m-ACS revealed an apparent cellular Na concentration of 54·8±10·4 ( s.e.). This was considerably in excess of the maximum amount of Na contributing to the slowest component of Na efflux from intoxicated septa. Origins of this discrepancy are considered. 6. The slowest component of 22Na efflux from intoxicated septa could be markedly stimulated by increasing the external Ca concentration from a nominal 1·5 to 16 m m. The magnitude of stimulation was 44·3±7·8% ( s.e.). Increases in the concentration of Mg from 1·0 to 16·0 m m were without effect on the 22Na efflux. 7. Application of 10−5 m-ACS produced marked depolarization of the membrane to new stable levels that lay between -10 and -20 mV. 8. Washout of ACS after several hours of intoxication resulted in a partial decline in contracture tension, an acceleration of Ca efflux, little change in 22Na efflux and a repolarization of the cell membrane. 9. Some of the Na and Ca movements reported in this paper have been interpreted by supposing that there is, in this preparation, a coupled exchange of three Na ions for a single Ca ion.
Concentrations of caffeine greater than 20 mM increase the indo-1 fluorescence ratio in a Ca2+-independent manner

The methylxanthine, caffeine, quenches the fluorescence of the ratiometric Ca2+ indicator indo-1, but does not affect the ratio (R) of indo-1 fluorescence at 400 and 500 nm in the presence of caffeine concentrations up to 10 mM [1]. We have found that when caffeine is at concentrations of 20 mM or greater in vitro, or in saponinpermeabilized skeletal muscle fibers, a Ca(2+)-independent increase in R occurs, which leads to an overestimation of the free Ca2+ concentration. Depending on experimental conditions, two factors contribute to the alteration in R in vitro. First, when indo-1 fluorescence is low, fluorescence by caffeine, at 400 nm, can be significant. A second, and more dramatic effect, is that quenching of indo-1 fluorescence by 20-50 mM caffeine is dissimilar at 400 and 500 nm. Quenching at 500 nm is not linear, with respect to the concentration of caffeine, and causes a Ca(2+)-independent increase in R, that occurs even when the fluorescence of caffeine is a small portion of total fluorescence. However, unlike R, the Ca2+ calibration constant of indo-1, KD beta, is unchanged in 50 mM caffeine. Therefore, an accurate quantitation of Ca2+ in the presence of even high concentrations of caffeine can be made in vitro by determining the Ca2+ calibration factors of indo-1 (RMIN and RMAX) for each caffeine concentration. These effects of concentrations of caffeine greater than 20 mM are not observed in intact cells loaded with the cell permeant form of indo-1 when caffeine is applied extracellularly. This suggests either that the concentration of caffeine within the cell does not reach that necessary to produce the effect, or that the effects of caffeine on the dye are modified by the environment within the cell.
Participatory, embodied, multi-agent simulation

We will demonstrate the integration of a software-based multi-agent modeling platform with a participatory simulation environment and real-time control over a physical agent (robot). Both real and virtual participants will be able to act as agents in a simulation that will control a physical agent. The backbone of this demonstration is a widely used, freely available, mature modeling platform known as NetLogo.
Principles of network development and evolution: an experimental study

This paper reports on an experimental investigation of the evolution of networks and the individual decision-making processes that guide it. Inasmuch as there is no history of experimental work on network formation, part of the paper is devoted to the formulation of problems that can be examined experimentally. The results are that networks, composed of decentralized decision makers, are capable of overcoming complex coordination and learning problems and converge to stationary when it does not occur, significant and persistent inefficiencies can result. The models of equilibration based on the principle of Nash equilibrium are more reliable than models based on the alternative principles of efficiency seeking or focalness of the network configuration. However, individual decision making within networks is not in accordance with the simple decision rules of Nash best response. Instead, we observed complicated strategies that appear to trade short-term profits in order to signal to and teach other agents the strategies required for long-term profit maximization.
The HIVE impact: contributing to consistency via automatic indexing

Research has shown that automatic subject indexing is more efficient and consistent than manual indexing; yet many organizations continue to use manual indexing because of the unacceptable quality of automatically produced results. This poster presents the results of an exploratory experiment examining consistency stemming from a machine-aided indexing approach. The HIVE vocabulary server was used to present concepts to 31 workshop participants. The presentation of terms via an automatic sequence reduced the indexer burden and contributed to increased consistency. This poster reports initial results and provides a framework for further exploration of automatic indexing in manual workflows.
Polarization and Exchange Effects in Low-Energy-Electron-D 2 Scattering

Exchange and polarization effects are included in an $e\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ interaction potential. Cross sections for rotational excitation by electron impact for energies less than 1.0 eV are calculated for 0 \ensuremath{\rightarrow} 2, 1 \ensuremath{\rightarrow} 3, and 2 \ensuremath{\rightarrow} 4 transitions in ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$. For energies less than 0.5 eV, theoretical results are found to be in agreement to within 8% with results deduced from swarm experiments by Gibson.
Modulated magnetic properties of hard/soft exchange-coupled SmFe/NiFe multilayers

Abstract Very well-defined induced in-plane uniaxial anisotropy, not obtainable in single layer SmFe films, has been observed in Sm40Fe60/Ni80Fe20 multilayers. The easy axis coercivity monotonically decreases as the thickness of NiFe (SmFe) layers increases (decreases). These experimental results are well described theoretically by an extended domain wall unpinning model. The easy axis coercivity and the hard axis saturation field can be reduced by appropriate annealing procedures. Moreover, for multilayers with well-defined uniaxial anisotropy, a linear relationship between the easy axis coercivity and the hard axis saturation field is found, no matter whether the change in coercivity and saturation field is caused by a change in thickness or by annealing. Finally, the evolution in structure caused by annealing is studied by X-ray diffraction and correlated with changes in the coercivity and saturation field. The ability to tailor the magnetic behavior of such systems is critical to optimizing the performance of multilayered giant magnetostrictive films.
Trigerninal trophic syndrome

A 26-year-old woman developed a well-circumscribed, bleeding ulcer at the right nasolabial area 28 months after the recurrence of a posterior fossa meningioma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of trigeminal trophic syndrome following an intracranial meningioma. Clinical data from sixty-three cases of trigeminal trophic syndrome in the English literature are reviewed, and etiologic factors are discussed.
The Activity of the Amphipathic Peptide δ-Lysin Correlates with Phospholipid Acyl Chain Structure and Bilayer Elastic Properties

Release of lipid vesicle content induced by the amphipathic peptide δ-lysin was investigated as a function of lipid acyl chain length and degree of unsaturation for a series of phosphatidylcholines. Dye efflux and peptide binding were examined for three homologous lipid series: di-monounsaturated, di-polyunsaturated, and asymmetric phosphatidylcholines, with one saturated and one monounsaturated acyl chain. Except for the third series, peptide activity correlated with the first moment of the lateral pressure profile, which is a function of lipid acyl chain structure. In vesicles composed of asymmetric phosphatidylcholines, peptide binding and dye efflux are enhanced compared to symmetric, unsaturated lipids with similar pressure profiles. We attribute this to the entropically more favorable interaction of δ-lysin with partially saturated phospholipids. We find that lipid acyl chain structure has a major impact on the activity of δ-lysin and is likely to be an important factor contributing to the target specificity of amphipathic peptides.
Walled sedimentary basins of China

Central Asia contains numerous closed geomorphic basins that are surrounded by active mountain ranges, but exhibit little internal deformation. These areas commonly coincide with sedimentary basins that record a much older history of continuous internal drainage, evidenced by lacustrine and associated alluvial deposits that date as back far as the Late Permian. We propose the new descriptive term \\\\\\\'walled basin\\\\\\\', in recognition of the unique physiography of basins that impound sediments within peripheral orogenic walls that are maintained over relatively long geologic time scales. Walled basins are surrounded by dominantly contractional orogenic uplifts, but are themselves relatively undeformed. They typically record multiple episodes of alluvial and lacustrine sedimentation, that are often correlated with evidence for recurrent deformation of basin-bounding uplifts. The distribution of walled basins in Asia appears to correspond to crustal heterogeneities inherited from the complex accretionary history of the continent, but actual mechanisms for maintaining stable basin interiors over periods as long as 250 my remain uncertain. Modern walled basins in Asia are restricted to arid or semiarid regions, due to the capacity of large rivers to defeat drainage barriers in more humid areas. Walled basins lie at lower elevations than Asia as whole, and they appear to impede rather than promote plateau growth.
Non-grey radiative heat transfer between parallel plates

Abstract The case of radiative transfer between parallel plates separated by an absorbing gas with a “picket fence” absorption coefficient is treated by a method due to Siewert and Zweifel. The problem is reduced to a set of integral equations from which numerical solutions are readily obtained. Exact results are compared with the Planck and Rosseland approximations as well as a new approximation. The results indicate that the Rosseland approximation is sufficiently accurate for narrow line widths but that its accuracy diminishes for wider lines or bands.
Negative Selection at the Pre-BCR Checkpoint Elicited by Human μ Heavy Chains with Unusual CDR3 Regions

Abstract Approximately 9% of in-frame μ heavy chain transcripts found in normal human pro-B cells encode proteins that can be expressed on the cell surface in the absence of surrogate or conventional light chains. These unusual μ heavy chains demonstrate preferential use of certain VH genes (VH3-23), frequent expression of DH regions in underrepresented reading frames, and an increased number of positively charged amino acids within the CDR3 region. Transcripts for these proteins are not found in pre-B cells or in mature B cells. When expressed in Jurkat T cells with the Igα/Igβ signal transduction module, these aberrant μ heavy chains induce cell activation and apoptosis. These results suggest that some μ heavy chains elicit negative selection at the pro-B cell to pre-B cell transition.
The effective development and evaluation of strategic options

Abstract The development and evaluation of strategic options is an important aspect of the strategic management process. It is fundamental if companies are to secure, maintain or enhance their competitive position. Few companies can claim to do this effectively because they either approach the selection process on too narrow or too broad a basis. This article provides senior management and others responsible for this task with simple guide-lines which facilitate the effective development and evaluation of strategic options.
Streaming potentials during the confined compression creep test of normal and proteoglycan-depleted cartilage

The streaming potential response of cartilage in the confined compression creep configuration was assessed theoretically and measured experimentally in normal and proteoglycan-depleted tissue. The analytical solution, using the linear biphasic continuum model including electrokinetics and assuming homogeneous material properties, predicted that: (i) the peak streaming potentials is ΔV=ke·Δσ, where ke is the electrokinetic coefficient and Δσ is the change in compressive stress; (ii) the potential is maintained at 95 to 100% of the peak value of 0<t<0.10τ, where τ is the gel diffusion time constant; and (iii) during short times, 0<t<0.01 τ, 90% of the peak streaming potential occurs over a region extending 23% into the tissue sample. Experimentally, adult bovine cartilage disks, 0.5 mm thick, were subjected to step changes of compressive stress. The measured changes in potential indicated a linear response for changes in stress up to 0.10 MPa. The ke of normal cartilage, estimated from the short time (0<t<2 sec) change in potential, was −1.65±1.25 mV/MPa. Digestion of cartilage by chondroitinase ABC resulted in an increased (less negative) ke of −0.75±0.70 mV/MPa and a 33±29% depletion of anionic glycosaminoglycan, whereas digestion with trypsin resulted in a further increase in ke to +1.64±0.95 mV/MPa and a 98±1% depletion of glycosaminoglycan. The streaming potential measurement may be a useful addition to the widely used confined compression creep test to assess cartilage material properties.
Bayesian signal reconstruction from Fourier transform magnitude and x-ray crystallography

A Bayesian binary signal reconstruction problem which includes noisy magnitude of Fourier transform measurements and a Markov random field a priori model was solved. The solution is analytical and is based on the spherical model and small noise asymptotic approximations. Parameters in the solution are used for data adaptation. The work is motivated by the phase retrieval problem in x-ray crystallography where the signal is the periodic electron density in the crystal. In crystallography, the signal is known to be invariant under the actions of some space group symmetry (e.g., division of the repeat unit of the crystal into two halves with one half the mirror image of the other half). The cited references have been extended in three different ways to incorporate this additional information. In addition, a numerical optimization in the cited references has been improved by the use of analytical gradients which can be rapidly computed using FFT based formulae.