cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Roles of C-Terminal Region of Yeast and Human Rad52 in Rad51-Nucleoprotein Filament Formation and ssDNA Annealing

Yeast Rad52 (yRad52) has two important functions at homologous DNA recombination (HR); annealing complementary single-strand DNA (ssDNA) molecules and recruiting Rad51 recombinase onto ssDNA (recombination mediator activity). Its human homolog (hRAD52) has a lesser role in HR, and apparently lacks mediator activity. Here we show that yRad52 can load human Rad51 (hRAD51) onto ssDNA complexed with yeast RPA in vitro. This is biochemically equivalent to mediator activity because it depends on the C-terminal Rad51-binding region of yRad52 and on functional Rad52-RPA interaction. It has been reported that the N-terminal two thirds of both yRad52 and hRAD52 is essential for binding to and annealing ssDNA. Although a second DNA binding region has been found in the C-terminal region of yRad52, its role in ssDNA annealing is not clear. In this paper, we also show that the C-terminal region of yRad52, but not of hRAD52, is involved in ssDNA annealing. This suggests that the second DNA binding site is required for the efficient ssDNA annealing by yRad52. We propose an updated model of Rad52-mediated ssDNA annealing.
6: Innate immune responses in human dendritic cells induced by H9N2 avian influenza virus

H9N2 influenza viruses have been circulating worldwide in multiple avian species. Occasionally H9N2 influenza viruses have been transmitted to humans. The concern is the adaptation of avian influenza viruses to efficient human transmission, which could lead to a pandemic. In this study we have examined the activation of innate immune responses in low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) A/HK/1073/99 (H9N2) and seasonal influenza A/Beijing/353/89 (H3N2) virus-infected human dendritic cells (DCs). In human airways and lungs the influenza virus infects epithelial cells and DCs in close proximity to epithelium which orchestrate the activation of adequate immune responses. The virus infection leads to activation of transcription factors (e.g. IRF3, IRF7 and NF-κB) which regulate the expression of proinflammary cytokines and antiviral interferons. We discovered that the H9N2 virus induced earlier interferon (IFN-α1, -β1 and -λ1) gene expression than the H3N2 virus, and the response was switch off in the late time point of H9N2 infection. Nevertheless interferon stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) and antiviral MxA protein were produced in the H9N2 virus-infected cells at least at the same level than in the H3N2 virus-infected cells. For the pro-inflammatory responses CXCL10, IL-1β and TNF-α gene expression was analyzed and it turned out that pro-inflammatory responses were stronger in H9N2 virus-infected cells than in the cells infected with the H3N2 virus. There were no differences seen in the virus-induced phosphorylation of IRF3 transcription factor or phosphorylated p38 MAP kinase between H9N2 and H3N2 viruses. All infection experiments with the H9N2 virus were carried out under biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) conditions. These results indicate that the avian influenza H9N2 virus is inducing strong but transient antiviral interferon response in human DCs. Moreover, avian H9N2 virus evoked strong pro-inflammatory response in human cells that is in line with the other avian, like H5N1 virus-induced human responses.
Nutrition, Antibiotics, and Post-traumatic Seizure Prophylaxis

In the trauma intensive care setting, the delivery of adequate nutrition is a daily concern. Early enteral feeding is beneficial for multi-trauma patients and those with traumatic brain injury. However, assessment of a patient’s nutritional status at any given point in time is challenging because of the low specificity of available nutritional markers. It is also difficult to measure a patient’s response to nutritional interventions. Low calorie, high protein feeding is recommended to meet the nutritional needs and catabolic demands of critically ill trauma patients. Antibiotic use is extremely common in the ICU setting, for both prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. In recent years, the alarming increase in the prevalence of multi-drug-resistant microorganisms and virulent pathogens makes antibiotic stewardship a vital component of safe, effective critical care delivery. Here we discuss the use of prophylactic antibiotics in conjunction with the placement of intracranial pressure monitors and external ventricular drains in neurotrauma patients. Patients with traumatic brain injury are at risk for post-traumatic seizures. Antiepileptic drugs are commonly employed as prophylaxis against post-traumatic seizures in certain patients, based on evidence indicating a decreased rate of early, but not late seizures with prophylaxis. Past research has examined broad populations that included a wide variety of traumatic pathology, possibly leading to an over generalization in the application of these medications. A critical appraisal of the existing evidence for seizure prophylaxis in neurotrauma patients is presented.
Understanding and Removing the Effects of Performance Cues on Behavioral Ratings

Previous research has demonstrated that performance information (e.g., prior supervisor ratings) can bias behavioral ratings. However, research has not fully explored the effects of performance cues on raters' memory. In addition, no studies have attempted to eliminate this performance cue effect. This study addressed these deficiencies by collecting both free recall and recognition memory measures while testing an unstructured free recall intervention. Results indicate that performance cues do affect the recall of performance relevant behaviors from memory. Contrary to expectations, free recall did not prove to be an effective intervention. Implications of these findings for future attempts to remove the performance cue effect are discussed.
Sterilization of Biofilm on a Titanium Surface Using a Combination of Nonthermal Plasma and Chlorhexidine Digluconate

Nosocomial infections caused by opportunistic bacteria pose major healthcare problem worldwide. Out of the many microorganisms responsible for such infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous bacterium that accounts for 10–20% of hospital-acquired infections. These infections have mortality rates ranging from 18 to 60% and the cost of treatment ranges from $20,000 to $80,000 per infection. The formation of biofilms on medical devices and implants is responsible for the majority of those infections. Only limited progress has been made to prevent this issue in a safe and cost-effective manner. To address this, we propose employing jet plasma to break down and inactivate biofilms in vitro. Moreover, to improve the antimicrobial effect on the biofilm, a treatment method using a combination of jet plasma and a biocide known as chlorhexidine (CHX) digluconate was investigated. We found that complete sterilization of P. aeruginosa biofilms can be achieved after combinatorial treatment using plasma and CHX. A decrease in biofilm viability was also observed using confocal laser scanning electron microscopy (CLSM). This treatment method sterilized biofilm-contaminated surfaces in a short treatment time, indicating it to be a potential tool for the removal of biofilms present on medical devices and implants.
Giant sigmoid colon diverticulum

Abstract Giant colonic diverticula are uncommon in all age groups and are especially rare within the pediatric population, with only one known previously reported case in a child. In this case presentation, we report a rare case of a pediatric GCD, review relevant epidemiology and histology, and discuss diagnostic and treatment options. The patient was an 11-year old female with worsening chronic constipation, abdominal pain, and vomiting. CT found a large pelvic mass that was removed via sigmoidectomy and found to be a Type 3 (true diverticula) GCD, which make up only 12% of all GCD's. Pediatric GCD's can be mistaken for the much more common enteric duplication cyst, but both pathologies require surgery. Because of the uncommon nature of GCD, the authors recommend CT as the diagnostic modality of choice because of its high sensitivity and ability to aid in preoperative planning. The authors also recommend treating pediatric GCD with segmental colectomy to avoid recurrence and even a remote risk of colonic adenocarcinoma.
Target Enumeration via Integration over Planar Sensor Networks

We solve the problem of counting the total number of observable targets (e.g., persons, vehicles, etc.) in a region based on local counts performed by sensors which measure only the number of targets nearby and neither their identities nor any positional information. This theory is robust and accommodates ad hoc sensor networks and mobile robot sensors alike.
Blue-Enhanced Supercontinuum Generation in a Graded-Index Fluorine-Doped Multimode Fiber

We demonstrate blue-enhanced white-light supercontinuum generation in a fluorine-doped parabolic-index multimode fiber. The spectrum expands from 450–2,400nm with excellent spectral flatness and a beam quality factor of M2∼1.7 at 1064nm.
Life History Theory: An Overview in Abstract

Bound together by virtue of their shared mission to explain human nature and society, the social sciences have unity of purpose even as they have no meta-theory; there exists no foundation from which variables can be connected, causally sequenced, or ultimately explained. By way of an overview in abstract, this first chapter introduces life history theory, the meta-theoretical pretentions of which are demonstrated during the remainder of the book by reading geographers, demographers, historians, anthropologists, sociologists, and psychologists in life history evolutionary perspective. Thereafter, comes a survey of the anatomical structure common to the eighteen core chapters, which are divided into four parts, beginning with an overview and concluding with a theoretical proof. These core chapters are grouped into six sections, each ending with a meta-commentary.
Graphene alters the properties of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in rat cardiomyocytes

Graphene is a one-atom thick planar sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal crystal lattice. Graphene and related nanomaterials provide a unique biocompatible substrate for the growth of primary and immortalized cardiomyocytes, as well as for the differentiation and maturation of embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes. However, the effect of graphene on cardiac ion channels has not been described. The goal of the present study was to determine if culturing cardiomyocytes on graphene alters the properties of cardiac Ca2+ channels. For this purpose immortalized H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes were plated either on uncoated glass coverslips or coverslips coated with a monolayer of graphene synthesized with chemical vapor deposition. Cardiomyocytes plated directly on graphene showed no significant change in the density or current versus voltage relationship of the whole-cell Ba2+ current (IBa) when compared with cells cultured on glass. There was also no difference in the response of IBa in the cardiomyocytes to protein kinase A stimulation or to the dihydropyridines BayK 8644 and nisoldipine. Surprisingly, the H9c2 cells grown on graphene displayed a large reduction in the voltage-dependent inactivation of the Ca2+ channels. Despite this change, there was no alteration in vasopressin-induced Ca2+ transients in the graphene-plated cells. Plating the myocytes on poly-l-lysine- and collagen-coated graphene restored normal inactivation properties to the Ca2+ currents. It is concluded that the unique structural and electrical features of graphene alter the biophysical properties of the Ca2+ channels.
Multivisceral Transplantation: Where Do We Stand?

Intestinal transplantation is the definitive therapy for patients with irreversible intestinal failure and can be combined with transplantation of other abdominal organs, such as stomach, spleen, and pancreas with or without liver. There is an increasing trend in the volume of intestinal and multivisceral transplantation in the past few decades and there is also increasing trend in patient and graft survival primarily due to improved patient selection, advances in immunosuppression, and improved perioperative management. This review summarizes the various key elements in patient selection, types of grafts, and updates in the perioperative management involved in multivisceral transplantation.
Cross-faded: Young Adults' Language of Being Simultaneously Drunk and High.

The term “cross-faded,” observed in focus groups and on a variety of websites, appears to refer to overlapping drug effects of multiple substances used at the same time, particularly alcohol and marijuana. This study explores young adult understanding of the cross-faded terminology in order to inform substance use research and intervention. Young adult participants (N=807, ages 18-23) in the screening survey for Project Transitions based in Seattle, WA were asked whether they had heard of being cross-faded, what they thought it meant, and how desirable and risky they thought it was. Cross-faded was a commonly understood term (87% had heard of it), most often described as using alcohol and marijuana simultaneously (43%) and second most as being both drunk and high (25%), specifically. Being cross-faded was seen as moderately risky and not desirable by most, although 18.2% described it as moderately or very desirable. Risk factor differences in perceptions of being cross-faded were found for sex, college status, and alcohol and marijuana use. Cross-faded is a common term for the effects of using multiple substances. As such it merits further research consideration with the aim of optimizing the effectiveness of surveys and programming. DOI: 10.26828/cannabis.2018.02.006
Anterior chamber infiltrates associated with systemic lymphoma: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Abstract Purpose To describe the clinicopathologic features of two patients with systemic lymphoma who developed anterior chamber (AC) infiltrates of lymphoma cells. Design Two case reports and literature review. Methods The clinical and pathologic findings in two patients with AC infiltrates secondary to systemic B-cell lymphoma are reviewed. Main outcome measurements Clinical observation and cytologic/flow cytometric examination of the infiltrate after AC aspiration. Results One patient presented with uveal infiltration, an exudative retinal detachment and an AC infiltrate. Systemic evaluation revealed a follicular lymphoma involving several groups of lymph nodes. The second patient with a known history of abdominal lymphoma was found to have blurred vision, photophobia and an AC infiltrate. Flow cytometric analysis of the AC infiltrate in both patients showed phenotypes consistent with the patients’ systemic lymphomas. Conclusions A pseudohypopyon in an adult may represent either the initial manifestation or a later complication of systemic lymphoma, similar to what has been reported in acute leukemia.
The price of redemption: Sin, penance, and marginal deterrence

Abstract The threat of loss of the afterlife as punishment for sin is a fundamental tenet of nearly all religious traditions. Most religions also contain a notion of redemption, or forgiveness of sin, but they differ as to whether or not redemption requires atonement, or penance. The possibility of redemption allows sinners to be rehabilitated, but in so doing potentially undermines the incentive for them to refrain from sin in the first place. We show that a properly calibrated form of penance as the “price” of redemption can both deter people from committing early sins, and provide an incentive for those who have previously sinned to refrain from committing further sins. In other words, it achieves marginal deterrence. Such a system requires strong belief in the afterlife. When belief is moderate, we show that a regime of free redemption may be optimal. We conclude by examining the implications of the analysis for after-death redemption, the Catholic Church's practice of selling redemption (indulgences), and the Protestant doctrine of Predestination, which was in part a reaction to the Church's “commodification” of redemption.
Deep Imitation Learning for Complex Manipulation Tasks from Virtual Reality Teleoperation

Imitation learning is a powerful paradigm for robot skill acquisition. However, obtaining demonstrations suitable for learning a policy that maps from raw pixels to actions can be challenging. In this paper we describe how consumer-grade Virtual Reality headsets and hand tracking hardware can be used to naturally teleoperate robots to perform complex tasks. We also describe how imitation learning can learn deep neural network policies (mapping from pixels to actions) that can acquire the demonstrated skills. Our experiments showcase the effectiveness of our approach for learning visuomotor skills.
Summary of Transit Public–Private Partnerships

Private provision of transit services comes in one of three forms. The purest provision—privately financed, operated, and maintained services—is limited to locations in which operating transit services can turn a profit. Thus far that has been limited to cities with a population density of 10,000 people or more per square mile. These include dense Asian cities such as Hong Kong and Tokyo, as well as other densely populated cities such as Mexico City and Cairo. As these are the only places in the world where transit systems can be operated profitably, there are a limited number of truly private services.
Clinical Results of Revision Hip Arthroplasty for Neck-Taper Corrosion and Adverse Local Tissue Reactions Around a Modular Neck Stem.

Abstract Background Adverse local tissue reactions (ALTRs) around a modular neck stem at our institution lead to a 13.5% rate of revision. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical results of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) in this patient population. Methods We identified 80 hips in 77 patients who underwent revision THA due to neck-stem corrosion. Intraoperative and postoperative complications, clinical outcomes, re-revision rates, and the postoperative ion levels were recorded. Results The mean follow-up period after revision was 45.3 ± 16.3 months (range 24-81 months). There were no intraoperative mechanical complications during the revision surgery. Eight hips (10%) had postoperative complications related to the revision implant, of which 6/8 came to re-revision: postoperative implant dislocation in 4 hips—2 treated nonsurgically, aseptic loosening of femoral component in 2 hips, and periprosthetic femoral fracture in 2 hips. No patients had recurrence of ALTR nor the recurrence of groin pain within the follow-up period. With 2 exceptions, ion levels normalized within one year of the revision surgery. The survival rate was 94% (95% confidence interval 84-98) at 32 months and 82% (95% confidence interval 56-93) at 63 months after revision THA (using re-revision THA due to any reason as the endpoint). Conclusion Intraoperative complication, postoperative complication, and re-revision rates are equivalent to femoral revision surgeries for other causes (infection, fracture, loosening). We recommend selecting revision-type stems to minimize the risk of femoral loosening or periprosthetic fracture, and larger femoral heads or dual mobility bearings to minimize the risk of dislocation.
The Dumbarton Oaks Anthology of Chinese Garden Literature: Alison Hardie and Duncan M. Campbell, eds. Ex Horto: Dumbarton Oaks Texts in Garden and Landscape Studies. Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, 2020. 792 pp. US$70.00 (HB). ISBN 9780884024651

The study of Chinese garden history is a melancholic endeavor. Despite the many pleasures that gardens promise their owners and visitors, such delights are fleeting: plants die, buildings decay, de...
Relapse after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome and the Importance of Second Cellular Therapy

ABSTRACT Patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) generally have poor overall survival (OS). Interventions that result in improved OS after relapse are not well established. The efficacy of second cellular therapy and specific indications are matters of debate. This study was conducted to evaluate factors associated with postrelapse survival and the efficacy of a second course of cellular therapy. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with AML and MDS who underwent a first allo-HCT between 2010 and 2017 at our center but subsequently relapsed. One hundred and four patients with AML and 44 patients with MDS were included (total n = 148). Bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood stem cell grafts were either unmodified or T cell-depleted (TCD) by CD34+ selection ex vivo. Forty-five patients (30.4%) received a second cellular therapy after relapse, either a second allo-HCT (n = 28; 18.9%) or donor leukocyte infusion (DLI) (n = 17; 11.5%). The median age at transplantation was 60 years (range, 24 to 78 years). The median time to relapse (TTR) after transplantation was 6.5 months (range, 1 to 60.9 months), and the ensuing median OS was 6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8 to 8.9 months). In univariable analysis, longer TTR, relapse type (measurable residual disease versus morphologic), relapse occurring in the most recent years, and receipt of cellular therapy after relapse were associated with better outcomes, whereas adverse cytogenetics and/or abnormality of TP53, as well as NPM1 mutation in patients with AML, were associated with adverse outcomes. Relapse type, year of relapse, and a variable resulting from the combination of TTR and receipt of second cellular therapy remained significantly associated with postrelapse survival in multivariable analysis. In a separate multivariable model, adjusted only for TTR, relapse type, and receipt of second cellular therapy, an adverse effect of NPM1 mutation on survival was confirmed. We could not show an effect of post-transplantation maintenance on survival after relapse. In both univariable and multivariable analysis, we found a positive association for second cellular therapy with survival after relapse in patients who relapsed early ( 12 months) after transplantation. Two-year OS after a second cellular therapy was 44.9% (95% CI, 28.5% to 61.4%), and it was significantly better in patients with
On the Kinematics of GRB 980425 and Its association with SN 1998bw

In this Letter, I put forward a model in which GRB 980425 is both associated with SN 1998bw and also a standard canonical (long; approximately a few seconds) gamma-ray burst (GRB). Herein it is argued that if GRBs are relativistic jets with the fastest moving material at the core, then the range of observed jet inclinations to the line of sight produces a range in the observed properties of GRBs, i.e., the lag-luminosity relationship. In particular, if the jet inclination is high enough, the observed emitter will move slowly enough to render relativistic beaming ineffective, thus distinguishing the jet from apparent isotropic emission. Thus, we expect a break in the lag-luminosity relationship. I propose that GRB 980425 defines that break. The position of this break gives important physical parameters such as the Lorentz factor (γmax ~ 1000), the jet opening angle (~1°), and thus the beaming fraction (~10-4). Estimates of burst rates are consistent with observation. If correct, this model is evidence in favor of the collapsar mode as the progenitor of cosmological, long GRBs.
Heat capacity anomaly in a self-aggregating system: Triblock copolymer 17R4 in water.

The reverse Pluronic, triblock copolymer 17R4 is formed from poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO): PPO14 − PEO24 − PPO14, where the number of monomers in each block is denoted by the subscripts. In water, 17R4 has a micellization line marking the transition from a unimer network to self-aggregated spherical micelles which is quite near a cloud point curve above which the system separates into copolymer-rich and copolymer-poor liquid phases. The phase separation has an Ising-like, lower consolute critical point with a well-determined critical temperature and composition. We have measured the heat capacity as a function of temperature using an adiabatic calorimeter for three compositions: (1) the critical composition where the anomaly at the critical point is analyzed, (2) a composition much less than the critical composition with a much smaller spike when the cloud point curve is crossed, and (3) a composition near where the micellization line intersects the cloud point curve that only shows micellization. For the critical composition, the heat capacity anomaly very near the critical point is observed for the first time in a Pluronic/water system and is described well as a second-order phase transition resulting from the copolymer-water interaction. For all compositions, the onset of micellization is clear, but the formation of micelles occurs over a broad range of temperatures and never becomes complete because micelles form differently in each phase above the cloud point curve. The integrated heat capacity gives an enthalpy that is smaller than the standard state enthalpy of micellization given by a van’t Hoff plot, a typical result for Pluronic systems.
Computing Large Convex Regions of Obstacle-Free Space Through Semidefinite Programming

This paper presents iris (Iterative Regional Inflation by Semidefinite programming), a new method for quickly computing large polytopic and ellipsoidal regions of obstacle-free space through a series of convex optimizations . These regions can be used, for example, to efficiently optimize an objective over collision-free positions in space for a robot manipulator. The algorithm alternates between two convex optimizations: (1) a quadratic program that generates a set of hyperplanes to separate a convex region of space from the set of obstacles and (2) a semidefinite program that finds a maximum-volume ellipsoid inside the polytope intersection of the obstacle-free half-spaces defined by those hyperplanes. Both the hyperplanes and the ellipsoid are refined over several iterations to monotonically increase the volume of the inscribed ellipsoid, resulting in a large polytope and ellipsoid of obstacle-free space. Practical applications of the algorithm are presented in 2D and 3D, and extensions to \(N\)-dimensional configuration spaces are discussed. Experiments demonstrate that the algorithm has a computation time which is linear in the number of obstacles, and our matlab [18] implementation converges in seconds for environments with millions of obstacles.
Autism and Anxiety: Etiologic Factors and Transdiagnostic Processes

This chapter reviews research on several specific and transdiagnostic factors implicated in the etiology of anxiety in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). First, cognitive and behavioral processes are considered, including (1) the intersection between the diagnostic characteristics associated with ASD (e.g., poor social skills, sensitivity to change, and sensory processing differences) and anxiety symptoms and (2) transdiagnostic processes that play a role in anxiety in non-ASD populations and may contribute to anxiety in ASD as well (e.g., emotion regulation deficits). The remainder of the chapter is focused on neurobiological factors, with an emphasis on abnormal amygdala and prefrontal cortex (PFC) function. This research is at a point where there are several plausible hypotheses regarding mechanisms that may contribute to the development of anxiety in ASD, including some that are shared with other populations. However, given the limited research to date, little can be stated conclusively. Key questions for future research are raised, including the need to probe the direction of effects (importance of longitudinal studies), questions regarding heterogeneity (e.g., why resistance to change is associated with anxiety in some but not all individuals with ASD), and how the occurrence of both social avoidance and anxiety in ASD may require revision or integration of competing theories of amygdala function. While transdiagnostic processes are evident in the etiology of anxiety in ASD at both the cognitive and neural level, existing theories in the anxiety literature may need to be modified to explain the development of anxiety within the context of ASD.
High‐Temperature Oxidation and Corrosion of Intermetallics

The sections in this article are Introduction Oxidation Fundamentals Protective Oxide Scale Formation Reactive Elements Overview Effects on Oxidation Production of Alloys with RE Additions Applicability and Limitations Pesting NiAl Based Intermetallics Overview NiAl Transient Oxidation Steady-State Oxidation Effect of Al Content Alloying Additions Other Corrosive Environments Ni3Al Transient Oxidation Steady-State Oxidation Alloying Effects FeAl Based Intermetallics Overview Historical Perspective Thermodynamic and Kinetic Considerations in the FeAlO System Fe3Al FeAl Other Corrosive Environments Sulfur-Containing Gases Chlorine-Containing Gases Carbon-Containing Gases Molten Salts and Condensed Deposits TiAl Based Intermetallics Overview TiAl2 TiAl3 τ Phase γ-TiAl Thermodynamic Considerations The Nitrogen Effect Effects of Alloying Additions Engineering Considerations Other Corrosive Environments α2-Ti3Al and Orthorhombic Ti2AlNb α2 Alloys Orthorhombic Alloys NbAl Based Intermetallics Overview NbAl3 Nb2Al Nb3Al NbTiAl Precious Metal, Exotic, and Miscellaneous Aluminides PtAl Intermetallics IrAl Intermetallics RuAl Intermetallics CoAl Intermetallics VAl Intermetallics Laves Phases and In-Situ Composites Overview Single-Phase Laves Alloys NbNbCr2 In-Situ Composites CrXCr2 Type In-Situ Composites NiAl-Based In-Situ Composites γ-TiAl + Ti(Cr,Al)2 and NbAl3 + Nb(Cr,Al)2 In-Situ Composites Silicides Overview and General Considerations MoSi2 Overview High-Temperature Oxidation Accelerated Oxidation and Pesting Effects of Alloying Additions Composites Other Corrosive Environments Mo5Si3 TiSi2 and Ti5Si3 TiSi2 Ti5Si3 V5Si3 Cr3Si Fe and Ni Silicides Other Silicides Beryllides Overview Complex Beryllides–MBe13, MBe12, and M2Be17 MBe2 MBe Phases Acknowledgements
Comparative Genomic Hybridization Analysis of Astrocytomas: Prognostic and Diagnostic Implications

Astrocytoma is comprised of a group of common intracranial neoplasms that are classified into four grades based on the World Health Organization histological criteria and patient survival. To date, histological grade, patient age, and clinical performance, as reflected in the Karnofsky score, are the most reliable prognostic predictors. Recently, there has been a significant effort to identify additional prognostic markers using objective molecular genetic techniques. We believe that the identification of such markers will characterize new chromosomal loci important in astrocytoma progression and aid clinical diagnosis and prognosis. To this end, our laboratory used comparative genomic hybridization to identify DNA sequence copy number changes in 102 astrocytomas. Novel losses of 19p loci were detected in low-grade pilocytic astrocytomas and losses of loci on 9p, 10, and 22 along with gains on 7, 19, and 20 were detected in a significant proportion of high-grade astrocytomas. The Cox proportional hazards statistical modeling showed that the presence of +7q and −10q comparative genomic hybridization alterations significantly increased a patient's risk of dying, independent of histological grade. This investigation demonstrates the efficacy of comparative genomic hybridization for identifying tumor suppressor and oncogene loci in different astrocytic grades. The cumulative effect of these loci is an important consideration in their diagnostic and prognostic implications.
Microcysts of the Cellular Slime Mold Polysphondylium pallidum II. Chemistry of the Microcyst Walls

Abstract Methods are described for obtaining large masses of myxamoebae, for inducing these to form microcysts, and for the isolation of the microcyst walls from other cell components. The walls were fractionated into two parts, one alkali-soluble, the other alkali insoluble. The alkali-insoluble fraction is a type of cellulose and constitutes 28% of the microcyst wall by weight. The alkali-soluble fraction contains a glycogenlike material, lipids, and proteins. A possible mechanism of microcyst wall synthesis is discussed.
AMINO ACIDS IN INFANTS WITH NON-CORRECTED EXTRA-HEPATIC BILIARY ATRESIA (EBA)

Feeding formulations which are enriched in branch chain amino acids (BCAA) and depleted in aromatic amino acids (AAA) and methionine (Met) are used in therapy of adults with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). These formulations are also being used in children with severe liver disease. In order to document a rationale for such therapy we examined amino acid profiles in 20 infants with EBA and cirrhosis who were candidates for liver transplantation, none of whom had clinical signs of HE. Similar to reports in adult patients, we found that our patients had a low BCAA/AAA. While this ratio is lower (2.83 vs. 3.45) for normal children than for normal adults our patients mean BCAA/AAA was 1.02 ± 0.61). This was due both to decreases in BCAA (mean total BCAA was 24.57 um/dl for EBA vs. 42.16 for normals) and increases in AAA (24.51 vs. 14.93). Mean Met levels were moderately elevated in 16 patients (5.27 vs. 2.17) with striking increases in 4 patients considered endstage on the basis of bilirubin level and coagulopathy. While proline and threonine have been reported to be elevated in adults, this was not true for these children. Taurine levels were also normal. We conclude that there is justification for use of BCAA enriched, AAA and Met depleted formulations in children with EBA in the absence of HE, but that because of individual variation in disease-related disorders of amino acid metabolism such therapy requires close monitoring of the amino acid profile in these patients.
Differential and Numerically Invariant Signature Curves Applied to Object Recognition

We introduce a new paradigm, the differential invariant signature curve or manifold, for the invariant recognition of visual objects. A general theorem of E. Cartan implies that two curves are related by a group transformation if and only if their signature curves are identical. The important examples of the Euclidean and equi-affine groups are discussed in detail. Secondly, we show how a new approach to the numerical approximation of differential invariants, based on suitable combination of joint invariants of the underlying group action, allows one to numerically compute differential invariant signatures in a fully group-invariant manner. Applications to a variety of fundamental issues in vision, including detection of symmetries, visual tracking, and reconstruction of occlusions, are discussed.
Dexter: Investigating Cutting Edge Television, edited by Douglas L. Howard

Bearing the imprint of cultural studies' profound influence on the humanities, the conversation regarding “quality television” is at once an attempt to legitimate a cultural form and an inquiry int...
Predation by Ants Controls Swallow Bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae: Oeciacus vicarius) Infestations

The swallow bug (Oeciacus vicarius) is the only known vector for Buggy Creek virus (BCRV), an alphavirus that circulates in cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in North America. We discovered ants (Crematogaster lineolata and Formica spp.) preying on swallow bugs at cliff swallow colonies in western Nebraska, U.S.A. Ants reduced the numbers of visible bugs on active swallow nests by 74-90%, relative to nests in the same colony without ants. Ant predation on bugs had no effect on the reproductive success of cliff swallows inhabiting the nests where ants foraged. Ants represent an effective and presumably benign way of controlling swallow bugs at nests in some colonies. They may constitute an alternative to insecticide use at sites where ecologists wish to remove the effects of swallow bugs on cliff swallows or house sparrows. By reducing bug numbers, ant presence may also lessen BCRV transmission at the spatial foci (bird colony sites) where epizootics occur. The effect of ants on swallow bugs should be accounted for in studying variation among sites in vector abundance.
Performance evaluation and optimization of a fast tool servo for single point diamond turning machines

This paper describes a new, fast tool servo system for fabricating non-rotationally symmetric components using single point diamond turning machines. A prototype, designed for flexible interfacing to typical machine tool controllers, will be described along with performance testing data of tilted flat and off-axis conic sections. Evaluation data show that servo produced surfaces have an rms roughness less than 175 angstroms (2-200 {mu}m spatial filter). Techniques for linearizing the hysteretic effects in the piezoelectric actuator are also discussed. The nonlinear effects due to hysteresis are reduced using a dynamic compensator module in conjunction with a linear controller. The compensator samples the hysteretic voltage/displacement relation in real time and modifies the effective gain accordingly. Simulation results indicate that errors in the performance of the system caused by hysteresis can be compensated and reduced by 90%. Experimental implementation results in 80% reduction in motion error caused by hysteresis, but peak-to- valley errors are limited by side effects from the compensation. The uncompensated servo system demonstrated a peak-to-valley error of less than 0.80 micrometer for an off-axis conic section turned on-axis.
Evolution and utilitarianism: Social contract III

The paper takes the simplest possible bargaining game as a paradigm for the coordination problem—i.e. the problem of selecting an equilibrium when many are available. The aim is to explore the circumstances under which evolution will lead to a utilitarian conclusion.
A note on static spaces and related problems

In this paper we study static spaces introduced in Hawking and Ellis (1975) [1], Fischer and Marsden (1975) [3] and Riemannian manifolds possessing solutions to the critical point equation introduced in Besse (1987) [11], Hwang (2000) [12]. In both cases, on the manifolds there is a function satisfying a particular Ricci-Hessian type equation (1.6). With an idea similar to that used in Cao et al. (2012) [15,16], we have made progress in solving the problem raised in Fischer and Marsden (1975) [3] of classifying vacuum static spaces and in proving the conjecture proposed in Besse (1987) [11] concerning manifolds admitting solutions to the critical point equation in general dimensions. We obtain even stronger results in dimension 3. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
What Are Meeting Summaries? An Analysis of Human Extractive Summaries in Meeting Corpus

Significant research efforts have been devoted to speech summarization, including automatic approaches and evaluation metrics. However, a fundamental problem about what summaries are for the speech data and whether humans agree with each other remains unclear. This paper performs an analysis of human annotated extractive summaries using the ICSI meeting corpus with an aim to examine their consistency and the factors impacting human agreement. In addition to using Kappa statistics and ROUGE scores, we also proposed a sentence distance score and divergence distance as a quantitative measure. This study is expected to help better define the speech summarization problem.
Physics of digital devices

Large computing machines have been built from relays, vacuum tubes, and transistors. Strenuous efforts to develop computing technology based on other devices have failed. The relay, vacuum tube, and transistor are three-terminal devices, and the essential physical factors that account for their success are described and used to discuss the reasons for the failure of other devices.
Quantitative dynamic footprinting microscopy reveals mechanisms of neutrophil rolling

We introduce quantitative dynamic footprinting microscopy to resolve neutrophil rolling on P-selectin. We observed that the footprint of a rolling neutrophil was fourfold larger than previously thought, and that P-selectin-PSGL-1 bonds were relaxed at the leading edge of the rolling cell, compressed under the cell center, and stretched at the trailing edge. Each rolling neutrophil formed three to four long tethers that extended up to 16 μm behind the rolling cell.
Performance Assessment of Cogeneration Systems in California

Over the past several years, customer-sited cogeneration systems have been viewed as one way to mitigate electrical supply shortages. On the utility side, achieving this goal requires that cogeneration systems operate at a relatively high capacity factor, especially during peak periods. On the customer side, the cogeneration system must be capable of reducing operating costs. Our firm has recently completed an evaluation of operational customer-sited cogeneration systems installed during 2002 through 2004 under the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). This paper will present the results of an in-depth performance evaluation that was conducted for the SGIP Working Group to evaluate the effectiveness of useful thermal energy recovery of on-site cogeneration systems receiving incentives from the program. In an earlier study, an initial evaluation of cogeneration system cost-effectiveness was performed for SGIP. This study raised some interesting questions regarding the actual operational efficiencies of cogeneration systems. Incorporating fuel consumption, thermal energy recovery and prime mover performance data obtained through the Program’s measurement and evaluation monitoring efforts, actual measured performance was compared with the engineering estimates of performance for each project This paper will also explore some of the key drivers behind the unexpectedly low thermal energy recovery and overall plant performance. A stepwise approach to reconciling the estimated and actual performance was implemented. If common threads were identified, they were documented in an effort to guide future cogeneration system installations. Because the performance data include the actual timing (hour and month) of cogeneration system operation, the effects of this distributed generation resource is evaluated taking into account the large differences between peak and off-peak energy costs and benefits. This program-level distributed generation analysis can help program designers and policy makers to understand the limitations of smaller cogeneration applications relative to those systems envisioned under PURPA and thus may have important policy implications for the future of cogeneration and distributed generation programs throughout the U.S.
Behaviour of richardson's ground squirrel Spermophilus richardsonii richardsonii

Abstract Observations in the field were made on Richardson's ground squirrel, Spermophilus richardsonii richardsonii, for 3 years. The behaviours observed are classified as posture, locomotion, elimination, tail flicking, nest building, and grooming. Each is described and discussed. Drawings of postures are included.
Tumor-specific and proliferation-specific gene expression typifies murine transgenic B cell lymphomagenesis.

The dual bromodomain protein Brd2 is closely related to the basal transcription factor TAFII250, which is essential for cyclin A transactivation and mammalian cell cycle progression. In transgenic mice, constitutive lymphoid expression of Brd2 causes a malignancy most similar to human diffuse large B cell lymphoma. We compare the genome-wide transcriptional expression profiles of these lymphomas with those of proliferating and resting normal B cells. Transgenic tumors reproducibly show differential expression of a large number of genes important for cell cycle control and lymphocyte biology; expression patterns are either tumor-specific or proliferation-specific. Several of their human orthologs have been implicated in human lymphomagenesis. Others correlate with human disease survival time. BRD2 is underexpressed in some subtypes of human lymphoma and these subtypes display a number of similarities to the BRD2-mediated murine tumors. We illustrate with a high degree of detail that cancer is more than rampant cellular proliferation, but involves the additional transcriptional mobilization of many genes, some of them poorly characterized, which show a tumor-specific pattern of gene expression.
Do people agree about the causes of behavior? A social relations analysis of behavior ratings and causal attributions.

Two studies examined consistency and agreement in behavior ratings and causal attributions. In Study 1, participants (N = 280) engaged in a series of getting-acquainted conversations in one of 3 communication media (face-to-face, telephone, computer mediated); in Study 2, participants (N = 120) engaged in a competitive group task. In both studies, participants rated themselves and their interaction partner(s) on a set of behaviors and then made attributions about the causes of those behaviors. The major findings were that (a) participants consistently favored some causal factors over others in explaining both their own and their partners' behavior, supporting the existence of generalized attributional styles; and (b) participants showed moderate self-partner and partner-partner agreement about behavior but virtually no agreement about the causes of behavior. Thus, in brief interactions people tend to see themselves and others through the lens of their stable patterns of perceiving and interpreting behavior.
Borane and monoiodoborane derivatives of some bis(diphenylphosphino)alkanes

Abstract A series of borane and monoiodoborane derivatives of bis(diphenylphosphino)alkanes. (C6H5)2P (CH2)nP(C6H5)2 in which n has values of 2 through 4 has been synthesized. Only compounds with the formulae [(C6H5)2P]2(CH2)n · (BH3)2 and (C6H5)2P]2CH2)n · BH2I were isolable, the latter being boronium iodides. The compounds were characterized by their melting points, elemental analyses, molar conductivities, infrared spectroscopy, and 1H and 11B nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The relationship between the length of the carbon chain and the 11B NMR chemical shift is discussed.
Human mast cell tolerance due to Syk deficiency; an unrecognized mechanism for FceRI regulation☆

Abstract Rationale FcϵRI tolerance can be demonstrated on mast cells and basophils from people in several populations (i.e. populations with high parasite infestation, patients undergoing allergen IT, etc) where IgE levels are not limiting. The mechanisms for this desensitization are not clear. Non-releaser basophils, which also exhibit FcϵRI non-responsiveness, are deficient in the tyrosine kinase Syk. Methods We hypothesized that sub-optimal antigenic stimulation leads to FcϵRI-desensitization through Syk deficiency. To test this hypothesis we used IgE-sensitized, human skin mast cells to examine their ability to become desensitized with sub-optimal concentrations of antigen and examined if Syk levels correlated with FcϵRI tolerance. Results We show that low concentrations of antigen desensitize skin mast cells to re-exposure with optimal concentrations of antigen by inhibiting degranulation. The functional desensitization correlated with reduced expression of the protein tyrosine kinase Syk. Syk instability was observed at antigen concentrations 10,000 times less than that needed for degranulation. Sub-optimal concentrations of antigen, that did not lead to degranulation or cytokine production, led to maximal loss of Syk protein. Other IgE-associated signaling molecules (FcϵRI-γ, Lyn) were not affected by antigen stimulation. Antigen-induced Syk deficiency was dose and time-dependent and was blocked when cells were first exposed to proteasome inhibitors. Conclusions These data demonstrate that low concentrations of antigen, which do not induce mediator release, selectively degrade Syk and induced FcϵRI desensitization. This unrecognized mechanism of FcϵRI regulation may explain how mast cells become desensitized in vivo after persistent antigenic stimulation that occurs during allergen immunotherapy or chronic parasitic infections.