cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Full Reconstruction of a Vectorial Protein Folding Pathway by Atomic Force Microscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

During co-translational folding, the nascent polypeptide chain is extruded sequentially from the ribosome exit tunnel and, under severe conformational constraints, is dictated by its one-dimensional geometry. How do such vectorial constraints impact the folding pathway? Here, we combine single-molecule atomic force spectroscopy and steered molecular dynamics simulations to examine protein folding in the presence of one-dimensional constraints that are similar to those imposed on the nascent polypeptide chain. The simulations exquisitely reproduced the experimental unfolding and refolding force extension relationships and led to the full reconstruction of the vectorial folding pathway of a large polypeptide, the 253-residue consensus ankyrin repeat protein, NI6C. We show that fully stretched and then relaxed NI6C starts folding by the formation of local secondary structures, followed by the nucleation of three N-terminal repeats. This rate-limiting step is then followed by the vectorial and sequential folding of the remaining repeats. However, after partial unfolding, when allowed to refold, the C-terminal repeats successively regain structures without any nucleation step by using the intact N-terminal repeats as a template. These results suggest a pathway for the co-translational folding of repeat proteins and have implications for mechanotransduction.
COMPARISON OF MULTISTAGE TESTS WITH COMPUTERIZED ADAPTIVE AND PAPER‐AND‐PENCIL TESTS

Traditionally, the fixed-length linear paper-and-pencil (P&P) mode of administration has been the standard method of test delivery. With the advancement of technology, however, the popularity of administering tests using adaptive methods like computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and multistage testing (MST) has grown in the field of measurement in both theory and practice. In practice, several standardized tests have sections that include only set-based items. To date, there is no study in the literature that compares these testing procedures when a test is completely set-based under various item response theory (IRT) models. This study investigates the measurement precision of MST compared to CAT and compared to P&P tests for the one-, two-, and three-parameter logistic (1-, 2-, and 3PL) models when the test is completely set-based. Results showed that MST performed better for the 2- and 3PL models than an equivalent-length P&P test in terms of reliability and conditional standard error of measurement. In addition, findings showed that MST performed better for the 1- and 2PL models than for an equivalent-length CAT test. For the 3PL model, MST and CAT performed about the same.
Return to Being Black, Living in the Red: a race gap in wealth that goes beyond social origins.

In the United States, racial disparities in wealth are vast, yet their causes are only partially understood. In Being Black, Living in the Red, Conley (1999) argued that the sociodemographic traits of young blacks and their parents, particularly parental wealth, wholly explain their wealth disadvantage. Using data from the 1980–2009 waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, I show that this conclusion hinges on the specific sample considered and the treatment of debtors in the sample. I further document that prior research has paid insufficient attention to the possibility of variation in the association between wealth and race at different points of the net worth distribution. Among wealth holders, blacks remain significantly disadvantaged in assets compared with otherwise similar whites. Among debtors, however, young whites hold more debt than otherwise similar blacks. The results suggest that, among young adults, debt may reflect increased access to credit, not simply the absence of assets. The asset disadvantage for black net wealth holders also indicates that research and policy attention should not be focused only on young blacks “living in the red.”
Folate, cancer, and the common 4,977 bp deletion.

To the Editors: Pelucchi et al. found that folate deficiency increases prostate cancer risk ([1][1]). They attributed this to DNA hypomethylation and uracil misincorporation leading to chromosome breaks. However, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) should be considered as well. Like chromosomal DNA, mtDNA is
Morphology of step-pools in a wilderness headwater stream: The importance of standardizing geomorphic measurements

Abstract The morphology of step-pools and cascades reflect the geological and climatic factors affecting channels in mountain watersheds. This study uses longitudinal and cross-section surveys to describe a headwater stream in the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks Plateau region in Arkansas and develop morphological relationships for comparisons with other regions. In the Bowers Hollow Creek watershed (3.5 km2), located within the boundaries of the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area, step height and wavelength relationships are generally similar to those reported from other regions. Step-pool reaches were widely distributed in a discontinuous manner throughout the watershed. Average values of the sampled reaches are: reach slopes, 0.105 m/m; width, 6.10 m; crest particle sizes, 440 mm; step heights, 0.87 m; and step wavelengths, 6.62 m. The mean step steepness for the watershed was 0.13, whereas the mean length of a reach step to height ratio was 9:1. A comparison of morphological definitions found that the values of step height and steepness can vary by > 30% according to how step parameters are defined. Step height is particularly sensitive; thus, comparison of step height-based relationships from published data requires great care.
NASA Green Flight Challenge: Conceptual Design Approaches and Technologies to Enable 200 Passenger Miles per Gallon

The Green Flight Challenge is one of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration s Centennial Challenges designed to push technology and make passenger aircraft more efficient. Airliners currently average around 50 passenger-miles per gallon and this competition will push teams to greater than 200 passenger-miles per gallon. The aircraft must also fly at least 100 miles per hour for 200 miles. The total prize money for this competition is $1.65 Million. The Green Flight Challenge will be run by the Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) Foundation September 25 October 1, 2011 at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in California. Thirteen custom aircraft were developed with electric, bio-diesel, and other bio-fuel engines. The aircraft are using various technologies to improve aerodynamic, propulsion, and structural efficiency. This paper will explore the feasibility of the rule set, competitor vehicles, design approaches, and technologies used.
X-RAY AND NEUTRON DIFFRACTION OF YTTRIUM-BARIUM-COPPER-OXIDE : MODELING DIFFRACTION INTENSITY VARIATIONS PRODUCED BY SURFACE LEACHING

High normal current fluences have long been reported to produce major changes in the x-ray diffraction pattern of YBa2Cu3O7−x (YBCO). These x-ray diffraction effects have now been shown to result from the removal of barium from the YBCO near-surface lattice together with the formation of a thin barium oxide overlayer. Neutron diffraction reveals that the bulk crystallographic structure remains unaltered by charge fluences of more than 40 million C/cm2, and Auger electron spectroscopy confirms the presence of surface barium enrichment.
Estimates for correlations in billiards with large arcs

Bunimovich billiards are ergodic and mixing. However, if the billiard table contains very large arcs on its boundary then if there exist trajectories experience infinitely many collisions in the vicinity of periodic trajectories on the large arc. The hyperbolicity is nonuniform and the mixing rate is very slow. The corresponding dynamics are intermittent between regular and chaotic, which makes them particularly interesting in physical studies. The study of mixing rates in intermittent chaotic systems is more difficult than that of truly chaotic ones, and the resulting estimates may depend on delicate details of the dynamics in the traps. We present a rigorous analysis of the corresponding singularities and correlations to certain class of billiards and show the mixing rate is of order 1/n.
Mediation in Conflict Systems

The article begins with a brief discussion of issues relating to the concepts of conflict and of system. The possible contributions of mediation to the transformation of destructive large-scale conflict systems are analyzed. Then, the various mediator services that can help transform destructive large-scale conflicts are analyzed. Subsequently, the variety of mediator roles is examined, as they function internally or externally in conflict systems. Finally, illustrative mediation cases are examined, considering unsuccessful mediation efforts. In conclusion, the implications of the analysis for system theory and for conflict analysis and resolution are noted. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The association of fasting glucose levels with congestive heart failure in diabetic adults ≥ 65 years: The Cardiovascular Health Study☆

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine if fasting glucose levels are an independent risk factor for congestive heart failure (CHF) in elderly individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) with or without coronary heart disease (CHD). Background Diabetes mellitus and CHF frequently coexist in the elderly. It is not clear whether fasting glucose levels in the setting of DM are a risk factor for incident CHF in the elderly. Methods A cohort of 829 diabetic participants, age ≥65 years, without prevalent CHF, was followed for five to eight years. The Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to determine the risk of CHF by fasting glucose levels. The cohort was categorized by the presence or absence of prevalent CHD. Results For a 1 standard deviation (60.6 mg/dl) increase in fasting glucose, the adjusted hazard ratios for incident CHF among participants without CHD at baseline, with or without an incident myocardial infarction (MI) or CHD event on follow-up, was 1.41 (95% confidence interval 1.24 to 1.61; p Conclusions Among older adults with DM, elevated fasting glucose levels are a risk factor for incident CHF. The relationship of fasting glucose to CHF differs somewhat by the presence or absence of prevalent CHD.
L1 Adaptive Output Feedback Controller to Systems of Unknown Dimension

This paper presents an extension of the L1 adaptive output feedback controller to systems of unknown dimension in the presence of unmodeled dynamics and time- varying uncertainties. The adaptive output feedback controller ensures uniformly bounded transient and asymptotic tracking for system's both signals, input and output, simultaneously. The performance bounds can be systematically improved by increasing the adaptation rate. Simulations of an unstable non-minimum phase system verify the theoretical findings.
Automatic recognition of landforms on mars using terrain segmentation and classification

Mars probes send back to Earth enormous amount of data. Automating the analysis of this data and its interpretation represents a challenging test of significant benefit to the domain of planetary science. In this study, we propose combining terrain segmentation and classification to interpret Martian topography data and to identify constituent landforms of the Martian landscape. Our approach uses unsupervised segmentation to divide a landscape into a number of spatially extended but topographically homogeneous objects. Each object is assigned a 12 dimensional feature vector consisting of terrain attributes and neighborhood properties. The objects are classified, based on their feature vectors, into predetermined landform classes. We have applied our technique to the Tisia Valles test site on Mars. Support Vector Machines produced the most accurate results (84.6% mean accuracy) in the classification of topographic objects. An immediate application of our algorithm lies in the automatic detection and characterization of craters on Mars.
Power exchange in grating-assisted couplers

The power exchange between two grating-coupled waveguides is studied and found to depend on the beat length between the two modes and the spacing of the coupled waveguides. It is an oscillatory function of coupling length with an extremum at those values of coupling length that are an integer multiple of the beat length. Complete power transfer can be achieved only if the two waveguides are far from synchronism and weakly coupled. >
Acoustic emission measurement for the in-process monitoring of diamond turning

An experimental approach to on-line monitor the diamond cutting process based on the root mean square (RMS) value of the acoustic emission (AE) signals is presented. Cylindrical work-pieces of 6061-T6 aluminum were used with the cutting speed varied from 40 to 120 m/min., depth of cut 1 to 50 micrometers, feed from 6 to 42 micrometers/rev., and rake angles -4 to 4 degrees. The results showed that the AE signals are sensitive to the change of input parameters to the cutting process: cutting speed, feed, depth of cut, and rake angle. Thus, by using AE signals as an index, the described technique can be expanded to establish an adaptive control loop to better monitor the diamond machining process. >
Promoter utilization in a mosquito ribosomal DNA cistron.

In the mosquito Aedes albopictus, two potential RNA polymerase I promoters that map 531 and 143 nucleotides upstream of the 18S rRNA gene have been defined on the basis of sequence homology with rRNA promoters from other species. Using the polymerase chain reaction, we confirmed that a 717 nucleotide region spanning the upstream (-531) and downstream (-143) promoters is homogeneous in genomic DNA and in cloned DNA. DNA probes representing each of these promoters, as well as upstream “spacer” promoters, exhibited protein-binding activity, and each unlabeled probe was an effective competitor of protein binding with the other probes, suggesting that these potential regulatory sequences interact with a common protein(s). Analysis of precursor ribosomal RNAs accumulated during temperature shock indicated that transcription is initiated primarily at the upstream (-531) promoter. RNAse protection and primer extension analyses confirmed the predominant use of this promoter, both in cultured cells and in mosquito life stages. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Phosphorylated Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Mediates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Induced Penile Erection

The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced penile erection is mediated by activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) through its phosphorylation. We assessed the role of constitutively activated eNOS in VEGF-induced penile erection using wild-type (WT) and eNOS-knockout (eNOS2/2 ) mice with and without vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. Adult WT and eNOS2/2 mice were subjected to sham operation or bilateral castration to induce vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. At the time of surgery, animals were injected intracavernosally with a replication-deficient adenovirus expressing human VEGF145 (109 particle units) or with empty virus (Ad.Null). After 7 days, erectile function was assessed in response to cavernous nerve electrical stimulation. Total and phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt) as well as total and phosphorylated eNOS were quantitatively assessed in mice penes using Western immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. In intact WT mice, VEGF145 significantly increased erectile responses, and in WT mice after castration, it completely recovered penile erection. However, VEGF145 failed to increase erectile responses in intact eNOS2/ 2 mice and only partially recovered erectile function in castrated eNOS2/2 mice. In addition, VEGF145 significantly increased phosphorylation of eNOS at Serine 1177 by approximately 2fold in penes of both intact and castrated WT mice. The data provide a molecular explanation for VEGF stimulatory effect on penile erection, which involves phosphorylated eNOS (Serine 1177) mediation. growth factors, male reproductive tract, nitric oxide, penis, signal transduction
Exercise and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. The current pan epidemic of type 2 diabetes, a major risk factor for ACVD, suggests that the morbidity and mortality associated with ACVD will only worsen unless more effective life style modifications and therapies are developed. Encouragingly, moderate intensity physical exercise done on a regular basis has been shown to reduce all-cause mortality, particularly that due to ACVD. Physical conditioning can have a favorable impact on risk factors for ACVD, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome, and along with proper diet and drug therapy, diminish or reverse the cell-mediated inflammatory responses that are responsible for atherogenesis.
Oxymorphone re-evaluated. The addition of a respiratory antagonist.

Abstract 1. In a double blind study, 1,022 patients in labor were given meperidine and oxymorphone with and without simultaneous administration of a respiratory antagonist. 2. No statistical difference was found in infant breathing and crying time or perinatal survival regardless of analgesic employed, with or without the addition of the respiratory antagonist. 3. Oxymorphone compares well with meperidine as an obstetric analgesic.
Elements and Methods of Computational Dynamics

The impact of the digital computer on all fields of science and engineering is already significant and will become dominant within the decade. Well developed computer software for analysis and design has, in fact, revolutionized the fields of structural and electronic circuit analysis and design. The situation, however, is somewhat different in mechanical system dynamic analysis and optimization. While the potential for use of computational techniques in this field is at least as great as for structures and circuits, development has lagged behind these fields. The purpose of the Advanced Study Institute “Computer Aided Analysis and Optimization of Mechanical System Dynamics” and these proceedings is to investigate basic methods for computer formulation and solution of the equations of kinematics and dynamics of mechanical systems. A second objective is to investigate methods for optimizing design of such systems. This paper serves as an introduction to the proceedings and presents a summary of computer software in the field, based on information provided by participants in the Institute.
Comparisons and applications of the full two-fluid plasma model to asymptotic two-fluid models

Summary form only given. Asymptotic approximations are applied to the full two-fluid plasma system. The approximations include ignoring electron inertia, setting the speed of light to infinity, and ensuring charge neutrality. Applying all three approximations together leads to the Hall-MHD model and causes the Whistler wave speed in this system to grow without bound which severely restricts the time step as the solution is resolved. Including the electron inertia causes the Whistler wave to properly asymptote to the electron cyclotron frequency. The two asymptotic models studied here apply both the infinite speed of light and the quasi- neutrality asymptotic approximations with and without electron inertia. The two-fluid effects of these asymptotic fluid models are compared to the full two-fluid model by comparing the analytical dispersion relations and through applications such as the electro-magnetic plasma shock and magnetic reconnection. The physical effects that are gained or lost from applying these approximations are studied to determine the realm of applicability of each of these fluid models.
Minichromosomal maintenance proteins (MCM’s) as biomarkers for prostate cancer

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 3163 Introduction: Prostate cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in men accounting for 33% of cancer incidence and 10% of cancer deaths (American Cancer Society, 2004). Current diagnosis includes measurement of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination. These techniques provide valuable information, but are questionable with respect to sensitivity and specificity, especially since data reveals that PSA is not prostate specific and a variety of factors can alter its levels. This study aims to investigate MCMs (Mini-chromosomal maintenance proteins), as alternative markers of prostate disease. MCMs function in the ‘licensing’ of replication. Therefore, expression of these molecules is believed to increase in dysplastic and neoplastic cells. Recent work reveals that there is increased expression of MCM5 in the urine sediment of patients with bladder and prostate cancer, and that increased expression of MCM5 in tissue sections is predictive of bladder and colon cancer. Materials and Methods: Ethical approval was obtained from Northamptonshire Local Research Ethics Committee and informed consent was sought from patients undergoing investigation for prostate disease. Biopsy tissue was fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections from 41 patients, representing the spectrum of benign and malignant disease, were examined following microwave antigen retrieval (0.01M sodium citrate buffer, pH 6.0) using immunohistochemistry with antibodies against MCM-2, -5 and -7 (Stratech, Cambridge UK). Results: This preliminary study reveals that MCM-2 and -7 proteins show little expression in non-involved or benign tissue, yet both are expressed in malignant tissue and appear to intensify as the grade and stage increases. MCM-5, like MCM-2 and -7, is hardly expressed in non-involved tissue but is expressed both in benign and malignant tissue, in which expression increases with both stage and grade. Although the localisation of staining is generally nuclear, in malignant cases cytoplasmic staining, which appears to increase with stage and grade, is also noted especially in the case of MCM-5. Discussion: There is an increasing body of evidence that MCM expression may be a valuable tool for assessing cancer. This study suggests that MCM -2, -5 and -7 are increasingly expressed correlating with the severity of prostate disease. Further analysis needs to be performed to conclude whether MCM proteins may contribute valuable information to current diagnostic strategy, and whether these molecules have potential for use in some type of non-invasive technique.
The Last Archaeologist to (Almost) Abandon Grasshopper

Arizona Anthropologist Centennial Edition: 107-119. © 2015 Arizona Anthropologist The history of Arizona Anthropology engagements with Apaches and their territory perpetuates my occupation of and with Grasshopper and other sites excavated by my forebears and benefactors. Arizona Anthropology’s centennial offers occasions to both celebrate and reflect upon the sources and consequences of individual and institutional successes. My intention here is to direct attention to contributions made to Arizona Anthropology by the White Mountain Apache Tribe and vice versa. The history of the relationship and the directions taken by the Tribe in response to the relationship provide the basis for my opinion that Arizona Anthropology should abandon neither Grasshopper nor the Tribe more generally. To paraphrase Twain: reports of the end of anthropology at Grasshopper are much exaggerated. I know this first hand. After my second season on the University of Arizona’s archaeology field school staff (1984–1985), I succumbed to the seductive buttes and canyons of White Mountain Apache lands and found myself lingering well into August. In addition to the region’s rugged romantic allure and understudied Apache archaeology, my Grasshopper Region infatuation led not only to four more seasons with the field school, but also to employment as a Bureau of Indian Affairs contractor (1987–1992), then staff archaeologist (1992–2005), then as the Tribe’s historic preservation officer (THPO, 1996–2005) (Welch in Nicholas et al. 2008). Not even a mid-career vault from government jobs in Arizona to Simon Fraser University loosened the ties that bind me to the Tribe and its lands: I serve as an advisor to the Tribe’s Heritage Program and as a board member of the non-profit Fort Apache Heritage Foundation (Welch 2001; Welch and Brauchli 2010). The long, cordial, and dynamic relationship between Arizona Anthropology and the Tribe has had pronounced effects on each organization. The Grasshopper The Last Archaeologist to (Almost) Abandon Grasshopper
Channel Dimension Constraints for Miniature Low Humidity PEM Fuel Cells

Numerous applications exist requiring power for small loads (<5W) with minimal mass operating in extreme ambient conditions. Making progress toward reducing stack mass, we investigate the influence of flow field channel depth and endplate compression on cell performance. The best performance was found at endplate compressions of 139 psi, cathode channel depths of 0.032 in and anode channel depths of 0.032 in. The maximum power mass-density achieved with these 4.84 cm2 cells was 16.8 mW/g in a single cell stack. If deployed in a multicell stack, this same performance would translate to a power mass-density of 45.3 mW/g, nearing the performance of off-the-shelf lithium ion batteries (approximately 70 mW/g).Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Workshop on Algorithms for Time-Series Analysis

This Workshop covered the four major subjects listed below in two 90-minute sessions. Each talk or tutorial allowed questions, and concluded with a discussion. Classification: Automatic classification using machine-learning methods is becoming a standard in surveys that generate large datasets. Ashish Mahabal (Caltech) reviewed various methods, and presented examples of several applications. Time-Series Modelling: Suzanne Aigrain (Oxford University) discussed autoregressive models and multivariate approaches such as Gaussian Processes. Meta-classification/mixture of expert models: Karim Pichara (Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Chile) described the substantial promise which machine-learning classification methods are now showing in automatic classification, and discussed how the various methods can be combined together. Event Detection: Pavlos Protopapas (Harvard) addressed methods of fast identification of events with low signal-to-noise ratios, enlarging on the characterization and statistical issues of low signal-to-noise ratios and rare events.
Furosemide Mediated Elevations of Thyroid Iodide Uptake in the Rat

Conclusions1. Intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg of furosemide/kg/day can cause an increased excretion of iodide in rats, thereby lowering their iodide pool.2. The effect of furosemide on the iodide pool is seen to occur after long-term use–a 2-wk course of the diuretic was given.3. Supplemental dietary iodide will not prevent the effect of furosemide, but furosemide will still cause a loss of iodide, and thereby significantly elevate the radioactive iodide uptakes when compared to controls.
Abstract B37: A DNA polymerase beta gene harboring the colon cancer-associated G231D variant increases the sensitivity of cells to chemotherapeutic agents and induces cellular transformation

Rapidly advancing technology has resulted in the generation of the genomic sequences of several human tumors. These studies have revealed that tumors are heterogeneous and contain many mutations, supporting the mutator phenotype hypothesis of human cancer. Drivers of carcinogenesis are thought to be mutated genes that occur at high frequencies in large numbers of human tumors. However, functional characterization of many of the somatic mutations is lacking. We have identified several mutations of the DNA polymerase beta (POLB) gene in human colorectal cancer. Pol beta is the main polymerase involved in the base excision repair (BER) pathway and aberrant expression of Pol beta has been linked to a cancerous phenotype. In this study, we characterized the homozygous G231D mutation that was identified in a Stage 3 colorectal tumor. We have demonstrated that its expression in epithelial cells induced cellular transformation and increased the rate of proliferation. The transformed phenotype persisted in the cells even once the expression of G231D was extinguished. These data indicated that the expression of G231D caused an inheritable change; this change is most likely due to an increase in genomic instability caused by unfilled gaps proceeding through replication. Expression of G231D was insufficient to rescue Pol beta-deficient cells treated with chemotherapeutic agents suggesting that these agents may be effectively used to treat tumors harboring this mutation. Biochemical analysis of G231D revealed that it was 100-fold slower than WT Pol beta as determined by pre-steady state kinetics. The slow rate was a result of the decreased binding affinity of nucleotides by G231D. Residue 231 of Pol beta lies in close proximity to the template strand of the DNA. Molecular modeling showed that the change from a glycine to a negatively charged amino acid caused a repulsion between the template and residue 231 leading to the disruption of the dNTP binding pocket. Together, these data indicate that a person harboring the G231D Pol beta mutation may have an increased risk of cancer. Moreover, the altered sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs in cells carrying the G231D variant may have further implications in how to better improve the therapeutic outcome in patients with this mutation and supports the need for personalized cancer therapies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr B37.
Domain and range decomposition methods for coded aperture x-ray coherent scatter imaging

Coded aperture X-ray coherent scatter imaging is a novel modality for ascertaining the molecular structure of an object. Measurements from different spatial locations and spectral channels in the object are multiplexed through a radiopaque material (coded aperture) onto the detectors. Iterative algorithms such as penalized expectation maximization (EM) and fully separable spectrally-grouped edge-preserving reconstruction have been proposed to recover the spatially-dependent coherent scatter spectral image from the multiplexed measurements. Such image recovery methods fall into the category of domain decomposition methods since they recover independent pieces of the image at a time. Ordered subsets has also been utilized in conjunction with penalized EM to accelerate its convergence. Ordered subsets is a range decomposition method because it uses parts of the measurements at a time to recover the image. In this paper, we analyze domain and range decomposition methods as they apply to coded aperture X-ray coherent scatter imaging using a spectrally-grouped edge-preserving regularizer and discuss the implications of the increased availability of parallel computational architecture on the choice of decomposition methods. We present results of applying the decomposition methods on experimental coded aperture X-ray coherent scatter measurements. Based on the results, an underlying observation is that updating different parts of the image or using different parts of the measurements in parallel, decreases the rate of convergence, whereas using the parts sequentially can accelerate the rate of convergence.
COMPREHENSIVE APPLICATION PLAN OF THE NATURAL GAS IN THE WEST

The strategic plan of developing the west is being implemented, under the condition of protecting environment, acceleration of economy in the west will depend on enhancement of natural resource application and the convert of resource superiority to economic one. There is a huge natural gas resource, and the situation of natural gas industry is promised well. The natural resource takes up76% oftotal one on shore , one of strategic key points is to accelerate development and comprehensive application of natural gas and develop superior industries. The key to accelerate the development of natural gas is comprehensive application and expand markets , implementation of the gas in the west transporting to the east, and exploration of chemical engineering products and plan.
Dynamics and Membrane Interactions of Protein Kinase C

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of Ser/Thr kinases that regulate a multitude of cellular processes through participation in the phosphoinositide signaling pathway. Significant research efforts have been directed at understanding the structure, function, and regulatory modes of the enzyme since its discovery and identification as the first receptor for tumor-promoting phorbol esters. The activation of PKC involves a transition from the cytosolic autoinhibited latent form to the membrane-associated active form. The membrane recruitment step is accompanied by the conformational rearrangement of the enzyme, which relieves autoinhibitory interactions and thereby allows PKC to phosphorylate its targets. The multidomain structure and intrinsic flexibility of PKC present remarkable challenges and opportunities for the biophysical and structural biology studies of this class of enzymes and their interactions with membranes, the major focus of this Current Topic. I will highlight the recent advances in the field, outline the current challenges, and identify areas where biophysics and structural biology approaches can provide insight into the isoenzyme-specific regulation of PKC activity.
Enhanced Gastrointestinal Diagnosis: Light-Scattering Spectroscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography

Detection of microscopic and biochemical changes within the mucosa and submucosa are beyond the realm of routine endoscopy. Distinguishing hyperplastic from neoplastic polyps, differentiating malignant from benign ulcers, and detecting mucosal dysplasia in patients with ulcerative colitis or Barrett's esophagus remain within the purview of the gastrointestinal pathologist. Recent developments in tissue spectroscopy and endoscopic optical coherence tomography have the potential to expand significantly our ability to diagnose gastrointestinal disease beyond the capabilities of visible light endoscopy.
Effects of fumonisin B1-contaminated feeds on weanling angora goats.

Two diets containing no ( .10) were found between control and treated goats in terms of DMI, apparent nutrient digestibilities, or ADG. Elevated concentrations (P<.10) of blood-borne enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and increased concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides indicated mild liver damage and kidney dysfunction in treated goats. Linear relationships (P<.10) were observed between these serum constituents and duration of FB1 exposure. The sphingolipid analysis of liver, kidney, and heart tissues showed elevated free sphinganine:free sphingosine ratios in the treated group. The elevated sphingolipid ratios were mainly due to increased concentrations of free sphinganine in tissues. However, without serum profile and sphingolipid analyses, fumonisin toxicosis would not have been recognized because treated animals showed no clinical signs of toxicosis throughout the trial. No measurable FB1 was present in liver, kidney, and heart tissues (detection limit of 1 ppm). However, further research is needed to analyze tissues for FB1 or its metabolites with a lower detection limit. In conclusion, goats can be fed for up to 112 d with diets containing 95 mg FB1/kg of diet without any overt signs of toxicosis and also without any effect on live weight gain.
Immunoregulation by Antibody

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the immunoregulation by antibody. The immunosuppressive effects of antibody have been attributed to either a peripheral or a central mechanism. A peripheral mechanism implies an action of antibody on potentially immunogenic sites of the antigen and a central mechanism indicates an effect on antibody-forming cells and their precursors. The evidence strongly indicates that both mechanisms operate, perhaps not simultaneously, and certainly not under all experimental conditions. The discovery that the synthesis of IgM antibody can be halted by passive immunization with IgG antibody provided a new dimension to the concept of immunoregulation by antibody and accounted for the transient appearance of IgM antibodies after stimulation by many kinds of antigens. It has been demonstrated that passive immunization leads to the production of high affinity antibody once the immunosuppressive effect of the administered antibody has worn off. This comes about because the selective pressure of diminishing antigen concentration preferentially recruits immunocompetent cells with receptors of high affinity for the antigen.
Authority Is Earned, Not Bestowed

Authority grows out of the leader–constituent interaction. Being appointed to a position gives you the power to hire, fire, and set salaries within the confines of university policies and comes from the formal organization. However, power is not enough to stimulate change or gain adherence to new policies. Authority is different. It is bestowed by the faculty, particularly the village elders and the informal organization, and it means you have their approval and their willingness for you to act on their behalf. There are cognitive elements, such as their appraisal that as their leader you will work for their survival and benefit, but it is largely an emotional commitment. It results from a willingness to bond with and to trust you. It usually occurs after about 6–12 months, and unless accomplished then, it is hard to attain. Only by being granted authority are you permitted to lead.
Interferon Action: Control of RNA Processing, Translation and Degradation

“During a study of the interference produced by heat-inactivated influenza virus with the growth of live virus in fragments of chick chorioallantoic membrane it was found that following incubation of heated virus with membrane a new factor was released. This factor, recognized by its ability to induce interference in fresh pieces of chorioallantoic membrane was called interferon. Following a lag phase interferon was first detected in the membranes after 3 h incubation and thereafter it was released into the surrounding fluid.”
A rare cutaneous adnexal neoplasm: cystic panfolliculoma

A cystic panfolliculoma is a benign follicular neoplasm which recapitulates several portions of the hair follicle. The patient was a 64-year-old Caucasian female who presented with a new growth on her right forearm. The lesion had slowly enlarged over the previous 11 months. She complained of it bleeding on several occasions and being very tender when touched. On exam was an 8 mm firm pink papule which appeared slightly eroded. The growth was excised in clinic. Histology showed a well-circumscribed neoplasm with foci of matrical, infundibular, inner and outer root sheath differentiation. A BerEp3 labeled focal areas of follicular germinative differentiation at the periphery of the proliferation. The lesion was narrowly excised in the available planes of section. The surgical site healed well and there are no residual symptoms from the tumor.
Wireless communications research: The next two decades

Wireless communication, especially mobile cellular communication, has seen spectacular growth since the early 1990s. Cell phones and WiFi are now almost as indispensable as electricity in a modern society. We speculate here on key research themes that will drive wireless communication research over the next two decades, and provide examples of ongoing research motivated by these themes. Smart phones and tablets enable significant advances in the quality and quantity of content available to the mobile user, while even basic voice and text messaging has transformed lives in remote corners of the world by providing access to critical information. Wireless researchers now face the challenge of building on this promise. At one end, how can we scale cellular network capacity by several orders of magnitude in order to address the exponential growth in demand for wireless data created by smart mobile devices? At the other extreme, how do we close the digital divide, ensuring that even the most remote regions of our planet gain access to the wealth of information available online? Thus, the goal of wireless communications research over the next two decades can be simply stated as faster and farther, with orders of magnitude gains in both categories. In our presentation, we describe examples of ongoing and future research aligned with these themes.
Differences in Healthcare Access, Use, and Experiences Within a Community Sample of Racially Diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Emerging Adults

Abstract Purpose: Health services research involving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals has focused on differences in healthcare access, use, and experiences between cisgender, heterosexual adults and LGBTQ adults. Yet these factors may differ within the LGBTQ community and have not been well-studied among emerging adults (18–29 years), a group with unique barriers to healthcare. We sought to characterize healthcare challenges within a sample of LGBTQ emerging adults. Methods: From 2012 to 2013, 206 participants aged 18–27 (86% racial/ethnic minority, 10% transgender) completed questionnaires assessing healthcare access, use, and experiences during a longitudinal study. Descriptive statistics established patterns of healthcare access, use, and experiences, and nonparametric tests examined differences related to sociodemographic variables, HIV status, sexual orientation identity, and gender identity. Results: Overall, 68% of participants reported relatively easy...
Graphene and Relativistic Quantum Physics

The honeycomb lattice structure of graphene requires an additional degree of freedom, termed as pseudo spin, to describe the orbital wave functions sitting in two different sublattices of the honeycomb lattice. In the low energy spectrum of graphene near the charge neutrality point, where the linear carrier dispersion mimics the quasi-relativistic dispersion relation, pseudo spin replaces the role of real spin in the usual Dirac Fermion spectrum. The exotic quantum transport behavior discovered in graphene, such as the unusual half-integer quantum Hall effect and Klein tunneling effect, are a direct consequence of the pseudo spin rotation. In this chapter we will discuss the non-trivial Berry phase arising from the pseudo spin rotation in monolayer graphene under a magnetic field and its experimental consequences.
Systemic Activation of Platelet-Derived TGF-β1 Leads to Increased Smad2/3 Phosphorylation in Circulating Leukocytes and Platelet-Leukocyte Aggregates in a Mouse Model of Aortic Valve Stenosis

Shear stress (SS) can activate platelets, leading to exposure of surface P-selectin and development of platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLAs). Increased numbers of PLAs has been reported in the circulation of patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS), who have high SS across the stenotic valves, and aortic valve replacement decreases the SS and number of PLAs. Activated platelets release their granule contents, which includes transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Our lab has reported that SS can activate latent TGF-β1 released from platelets both in vitro and in in vivo mouse models of AS. Since current assays are not sensitive enough to detect activated TGF-β1 in plasma, we searched for evidence of active TGF-β1 in a mouse model of AS by assessing the level of phosphorylated Smad2/3, a downstream mediator of the classical TGF-β1 signaling pathway, in both circulating leukocytes free of platelets and PLAs. We studied Ldlr-/-Apob100/100/Mttpfl/fl/Mx1Cre+/+ mice (“Reversa”), which spontaneously develop AS when fed a western diet (WD) (n=13), and compared them to the same mice fed a chow diet (n=13), who do not develop AS, and wild type (WT) mice (n=13). We identified leukocytes with an antibody to CD45 (clone 30-F11), platelets with an antibody to CD41 (clone MWReg30), PLAs by double staining, and p-Smad2/3 with an antibody to p-Smad2 (pS465/pS467)/Smad3 (pS423/pS425) (clone O72-670). Leukocytes and PLAs were analyzed by both a flow cytometer and an instrument that combines digital fluorescence microscopy with flow cytometry (ImageStream-X). Reversa mice on WD for 3 months developed AS with increased SS across the valves and increased plasma total TGF-β1 levels in circulation as we previously reported (Wang et al., ATVB, 2014). Reversa mice on WD also had a significantly increased percentage of PLAs compared to the other two groups (both p In summary: (1) PLAs have more leukocyte p-Smad2/3 than leukocytes that are free of platelets, regardless of genotype/diet. (2) Leukocytes free of platelets in Reversa mice on a WD have more p-Smad2/3 than those in the other two groups. (3) Reversa mice on WD have both more PLAs and more leukocyte p-Smad2/3 in their PLAs. We conclude that the increased leukocyte p-Smad2/3 in Reversa mice on WD reflects increased TGF-β1 signaling through both: 1) direct platelet-leukocyte interactions and 2) release of TGF-β1 from platelets into plasma and its subsequent activation by high SS. * p Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders of the Skin

Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders encompass lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL), and indeterminate cases. LyP is a benign disorder characterized by recurrent crops of red or violaceous papulonodules. Patients with LyP are at an increased risk of a secondary malignancy. pcALCL is characterized by a solitary red to violaceous nodule or tumor larger than 20 mm. LyP is benign, is limited to the skin, and self-resolves, with a 5-year survival rate of 100%; pcALCL is limited to the skin and responsive to directed therapies, with a 5-year survival rate of over 95%. Aggressive chemotherapeutic regimens should be avoided.
Prevalence of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis among Patients with HIV and Tuberculosis: The Indian Scenario

Introduction: Globally, India has the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB). In 2014, 2.2% of notified new cases and 15% of notified previously treated cases of pulmonary TB had multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB). In addition, India has the second highest burden of people living with HIV and TB. However, there is paucity of data regarding the prevalence of multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB) among HIV-positive TB patients in India. This study was undertaken to review the existing literature and assess the prevalence of MDR-TB among HIV-positive TB patients in the country. Methodology: A thorough PubMed and Google Scholar subject search was undertaken for studies conducted after the year 2000 that described the burden of MDR-TB in people living with HIV in India. The search-strategy used keywords, and was comprehensive with cross-checking of reference lists from the articles retrieved. Results: A total of 11 studies were collated that showed that the prevalence of MDR-TB among patients with HIV and TB varied widely between individual studies and ranged from 4.4% to 50%. Five studies showed that prevalence of MDR-TB among HIV-positive patients with primary TB ranged between 4.2%-11.4%. Among HIV-positive patients with pulmonary TB only, the MDR-TB prevalence ranged between 5.9% and 27.3%. In addition, prevalence of extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), ranged from 0% to 16.7% among HIV-positive TB patients. Conclusion: While the review showed no clear association between MDR-TB and HIV infection in India, there is a need for further research in this area. Scaling up of TB drug resistance testing facilities in the country will improve surveillance among people living with HIV and potentially provide programmatic trends on the burden of MDR-TB in HIV positive individuals in the future.