cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Greedy approaches for a class of nonlinear Generalized Assignment Problems

The traditional Generalized Assignment Problem (GAP) seeks an assignment of customers to facilities that minimizes the sum of the assignment costs while respecting the capacity of each facility. We consider a nonlinear GAP where, in addition to the assignment costs, there is a nonlinear cost function associated with each facility whose argument is a linear function of the customers assigned to the facility. We propose a class of greedy algorithms for this problem that extends a family of greedy algorithms for the GAP. The effectiveness of these algorithms is based on our analysis of the continuous relaxation of our problem. We show that there exists an optimal solution to the continuous relaxation with a small number of fractional variables and provide a set of dual multipliers associated with this solution. This set of dual multipliers is then used in the greedy algorithm. We provide conditions under which our greedy algorithm is asymptotically optimal and feasible under a stochastic model of the parameters.
SU-FF-T-84: DIRART - a Software Suite for Deformable Image Registration and Adaptive Radiotherapy Research

Purpose: Recent years have witnessed tremendous progress in IGRTtechnology and potential possibilities for adapting treatment planning on a daily basis. However, there is a lack in having software tools toward this goal. Therefore, we have implemented a software suite, DIRART, for deformable image registration (DIR) plus adaptive radiotherapy (ART) research. Method: DIRART is a large set of programs developed using MATLAB. It contains DIR algorithms, common ART functions, integrated graphics user interfaces, visualization features, and dose metrics analysis functions. In addition, it complementarily works together with CERR (Computational Environment for Radiotherapy Research) to offer more functions. DIRART is designed around the concepts of the interactive RT objects, including images, structures, doses and deformation vector fields (DVF) etc. Results: By exchanging RT objects with TPS via DICOM‐RT files, DIRART provides a full featured working environment for ART related research tasks. It is capable of transforming dose distributions and structures between the planning CT and the daily images according to the computed DVF so that such RT information could be viewed and evaluated on either image sets. It can also rescale, subtract and sum up the transformed doses, and convert isodose lines to structures. For DIR applications, DIRART is a toolbox which provides 20+ DIR algorithms, including the newer inverse consistency algorithms to provide consistency DVF in both directions with better accuracy. As a DIR research environment, DIRART dose not only provide a good set of image preprocessing algorithms and post‐processing functions to facilitate the development and testing of DIR algorithms, but also offers a good amount of options for results visualization, evaluation and validation. Conclusion: DIRART is designed in a data‐oriented style with focus on usability, user‐friendliness, performance, accuracy, flexibility, features, configurability and stability. It has great potential for the ART and DIR research.
Gravity in Hyperspin Manifolds

We seek the dynamics of a Bergmann manifold: a manifold of dimensionn=N2 supporting a bundle of spinor spaces of dimensionN, and a mapσ from the tangent spaces to the Hermitian spinor forms. Even though the spin-vectorσ is the fundamental variable of the theory, every invariant analytic function depending onσ and its firstm derivatives alone can be expressed in terms of the chronometric tensorg and its firstm derivatives. Bergmann manifolds of dimensionn > 4 do not have invariant second-order equations forσ. We find a family of invariant actions which lead tonth-order quasilinear equations of motion on Bergmann manifolds and reduce to the Einstein-Hilbert action forn=2. The resulting gauge particles have spin, 1/2,1, 3/2, and 2.
Determination of Molecular Mass during Online Monitoring of Copolymerization Reactions

Light scattering determination of weight-average molecular mass Mw of a copolymer has historically required that measurements be made in at least three separate solvents of different index of refraction. Recently, however, it was demonstrated that, in principle, the evolution of Mw of a copolymer can be followed during copolymerization reactions using automatic continuous online monitoring of polymerization reactions (ACOMP). The continuous measurement of Mw by ACOMP is made possible by the fact that ACOMP provides the comonomer concentrations and absolute light scattering intensity at each instant of time during conversion and, hence, also yields the evolution of the average and instantaneous composition distribution. In this work, a workable and practical formalism for determination of Mw during reactions, using a single solvent, is developed for the case of N comonomers. The traditional method quickly becomes intractable since the number of solvents required grows as N(N + 1)/2, and the number of auxiliary measurements of differential index of refraction of polymers in the solvents is N(N + 1) 2 /2. The formalism is applied to experimental cases involving copolymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate, and Mw and apparent mass Map are compared. Results are correlated with traditional multisolvent determinations on endproducts and gel permeation chromatography approaches.
The end of shorter hours

Shorter work hours was a vital issue during the formation of the labor movement in the 19th century and continued to be important until the end of the Great Depression. Some of the most dramatic and significant events in the history of labor (such as the strikes of 1886, the Haymarket disaster, the steel strike of 1919) and some of labor's most notable achievements (such as the ten hour day and the eight hour day) were parts of labor's century-long struggle for shorter hours. Recent writers have also noted that workers valued shorter hours because it was necessary for the expression of the nonpecuniary values, motives, and activities which the "new labor historians" have shown to be of such significance. But the history of shorter hours transcends the labor movement. Shorter hours was a political issue almost as long as it was a labor cause. It was part of reform politics from before the Civil War through Franklin Delano Roosevelt's second term. It was an issue for the idealistic, antebellum reformers. It had a prominent place in the Populists' Omaha platform and the Bull Moose platform, and appeared in both the Democratic and Re-
Intracisternal PYY inhibits gastric lesions induced by ethanol in rats: role of PYY-preferring receptors?

Abstract We previously reported that intracisternal (i.c.) injection of peptide YY (PYY) and low doses of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) or TRH analog, RX 77368, increased the resistance of the gastric mucosa to ethanol injury through vagal pathways in rats. The gastroprotective effect of i.c. injection of PYY/neuropeptide NPY (NPY) agonists with differential in vitro affinity to the Y receptor subtypes was examined in urethane-anesthetized rats. Intragastric administration of ethanol (45%, 5 ml/kg) results in mucosal lesions covering 23±2% of the gastric corpus in 1 h. PYY (500 ng, i.c.) significantly reduced ethanol-induced gastric lesions by 52%. [Pro34]PYY (PYY-preferring/Y1/Y5/Y4 subtypes) injected i.c. at 50, 100, 200 or 500 ng, reduced dose dependently gastric lesions to 15.4±2.2%, 11.4±3.1%, 8.6±2.9% and 5.4±2.2%, respectively. PYY3–36, (Y2/Y4 subtypes), [Leu31, Pro34]NPY (Y1/Y5), NPY (Y3/Y1/Y5/Y2) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP, Y4) injected i.c. at 500 ng did not influence significantly ethanol-induced gastric lesions. Combined i.c. injection of RX 77368 (1 ng) and Pro34PYY (25 ng), at sub-threshold doses given singly, reduced ethanol-induced gastric injury to 12.9±2.3% while RX 77368 (1 ng) plus PYY3–36 (500 ng) or [Leu31, Pro34]NPY (25 ng) had no effect. These findings indicate that i.c. PYY-induced gastric protection against 45% ethanol is mediated by a Y receptor subtype which bears similarity with the putative PYY-preferring receptor and distinct from the currently defined Y1/Y5; in addition, there is a synergistic interaction between activation of this PYY-preferring receptor and i.c. TRH to increase the resistance of the gastric mucosa to injury caused by 45% ethanol.
Questions of Strategy: Rejoinder to Jacob and Grounds

Perhaps the best way to respond to Jacob and Grounds' critique is to focus on the more important issues they raise and to clarify some of the apparent confusion. It seems there are several general classes of criticism that Jacob and Grounds have offered: arbitrariness in selection of studies, inconsistency in reporting findings, inaccuracies in the data reported, and an overly favorable conclusion with respect to the communication deviance literature. Each of these issues will be dealt with here, using as many specific illustrations and examples as space permits.
Feasibility of a CHP driven industrial park based on exergy analysis

Industrial zones are manufacturing plants clustered in a given part of a city. Such clustering is primarily dictated by zoning regulations that tend to isolate residential, business, and industrial neighbourhoods. A number of properly matched manufacturing plants can be clustered within a given proximity with a primary objective of optimising their energy use. As secondary goals the cluster may target minimising waste, aggregating material purchasing power, reducing transportation costs, etc. This paper presents feasibility of a cluster of manufacturing plants designed for optimum energy use, an energypark, based on plasma gasification reactor as the 'donor' plant.
Design Optimization of Linear and Non-Linear Cantilevered Energy Harvesters for Broadband Vibrations

In much of the vibration-based energy harvesting literature, resonant energy harvesters are designed around a single base excitation frequency, whereas many applications comprise broadband, time-va...
Structure-function relationships in the IL-17 receptor: implications for signal transduction and therapy.

IL-17 is the defining cytokine of a newly-described “Th17” population that plays critical roles in mediating inflammation and autoimmunity. The IL-17/IL-17 receptor superfamily is the most recent class of cytokines and receptors to be described, and until recently very little was known about its function or molecular biology. However, in the last year important new insights into the composition and dynamics of the receptor complex and mechanisms of downstream signal transduction have been made, which will be reviewed here.
Blend membranes based on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) and polysulfone bearing benzimidazole side groups for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Abstract A novel acid–base blend membrane based on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and polysulfone bearing benzimidazole side groups has been synthesized, characterized, and evaluated in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The benzimidazole group tethered to the polysulfone backbone acts as a medium through the basic nitrogen for transfer of protons between the sulfonic acid groups of SPEEK, supporting a Grotthuss-type mechanism in addition to the vehicle-type mechanism present among SPEEK. The blend membrane exhibits better performance in PEMFC at 90 and 100 °C compared to the pure SPEEK and Nafion 115 membranes. The polymers bearing pendant benzimidazole groups offer a promising strategy to develop new membranes that can operate at higher temperatures and low relative humidity.
SU-E-T-100: The Influence Edge Electrons in Small Fields: Emphasis by the Difference of Copper-Cerrobend Cutout

Purpose: Electron cutout edge scatter is an important factor determining small‐field electron dose outputs. The laterally scattered edge electrons presenting wide‐spread energy spectrum are usually ignored in Monte Carlo calculation. This report demonstrated the different characteristics in edge electron scatter were highlighted by the copper‐cerrobend pair comparisons. Backgournds: There are three possible differences caused by the replacement of copper cutout, i.e. differed by bremsstrahlung, transmission, and edge‐electron scatters. Monte Carlo simulation (Ebert et al.) showed the very small amount of bremsstrahlung can get out cutout, and 1.5cm thickness of both can both effectively stop primary electrons (Das et al.), and the photon transmission is negligible (Zhe et al.)Methods: The chamber‐measured comparisons for circular copper‐and Cerrobend‐cutouts (1.5cm thickness) with diameters (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, and 12.5 cm) were made using electron beams with energies (6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV) from 3 Varian accelerators. To demonstrate the edge‐electron near the surface of phantom (0.5cm and 1.0cm solid‐water depth), a bottle‐shape cutout illustrates the aperture open from narrow width (1cm) and progressively increased to 3cm. The surface edge‐electron dose profiles were measured by Gfachromic film with one‐scan film dosimetry technique (FilmQAPro/Ashland Inc.) and pp chamber (Markus/PTW). Results: From the PDD curves collected from chamber‐measurement in water tank with all circular cutouts irradiated by all electron energies over 3 LINACs, the beam‐quality specifier, R50, was consistently higher by using copper cutout. The PDDs in smaller diameter circular cutout can clearly demonstrated the higher R50 differed by the cerrobend and copper cutouts was due to (edge‐scattered) electron. The film profiles showed wide‐spread edge‐electron energy presented in the filtering effect from the surface at 0.5cm to 1.0cm depth, and different characteristics between copper and cerrobend cutouts. Conclusion: The different edge‐electron characteristics between copper‐cerrobend pair may provide the clue for edge‐electron modeling.
Observation and surgery are associated with low risk of amputation for blunt brachial artery injury in pediatric patients.

Background The ideal treatment for blunt brachial artery (BBA) injury in pediatric patients is controversial. We compared outcomes of surgical and nonsurgical management of BBA injury using the National Trauma Data Bank. Methods All patients younger than 18 years who had suffered BBA injury were identified in the pediatric National Trauma Data Bank (2002-2010) by Current Procedural Terminology code. Patients with a penetrating mechanism of injury were excluded. By the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision procedure codes, patients were stratified on the basis of treatment modality: observation vs arterial surgery. Outcomes including upper extremity amputation, mortality, and intensive care unit length of stay were compared between the two groups by two-sample t -test or χ 2 test as appropriate. Results Among 119 patients with BBA injury, 49 patients (41.2%) underwent arterial surgery and 70 patients (58.8%) were observed. Patients treated with observation were significantly younger, whereas other characteristics including gender and Injury Severity Score were similar. There was no difference in the type of hospital (academic vs nonacademic) or trauma center category between the groups. Two amputations were identified in the database, and both were in the 13- to 17-year age group of the observation cohort (vs arterial surgery; P = .22). There were eight fasciotomies identified; five were in the arterial surgery group (10.2% vs observation, 4.3%; P = .20). No amputation or fasciotomy was required in the 0- to 6-year age group. Length of stay was similar between groups. Conclusions Despite slightly lower adverse outcomes, arterial surgery does not appear to confer a significant advantage over nonoperative treatment in pediatric patients with BBA injury. In patients younger than 6 years, both modalities appear to be equality effective.
Hydrogen Bonding at the Active Site of Δ5-3-Ketosteroid Isomerase†

The solution secondary structure of the highly active Y55F/Y88F “Tyr-14-only” mutant of Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase complexed with 19-nortestosterone hemisuccinate has been shown to consist of three helices, a six-stranded mixed β-sheet, and five turns. The steroid binds near the general acid, Tyr-14, on helix 1, near the general base, Asp-38, on the first strand of the β-sheet, and on the hydrophobic face of the β-sheet [Zhao, Q., Abeygunawardana, C., & Mildvan, A. S. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 3458−3472]. On this hydrophobic face, Asp-99 is the only polar residue. Free isomerase shows a deshielded exchangeable proton resonance at 13.1 ppm assigned to the NeH of neutral His-100. Its fractionation factor (φ = 0.79) and slow exchange with solvent suggest it to be buried or involved in an H-bond. The binding of dihydroequilenin or estradiol to isomerase induces the appearance of two additional deshielded proton resonances, one at 18.2 ppm assigned to the γ-carboxyl proton of Asp-99, and the other, at 11.6 ppm, ...
Enhancing Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Mothers and Expectant Mothers on Low Incomes: Adaptations and Additions

Intervening with depressed women during their childbearing years, especially with those on low incomes, is critically important. Not only do mothers and expectant mothers suffer unnecessarily, but their untreated depression has critical negative consequences for their families. Despite this, these women have proven especially difficult to engage in psychotherapy. In this paper we describe several adaptations and additions we have made to a brief form of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) to meet the needs of mothers and expectant mothers living on low incomes in the community who suffer from depression, but face significant practical, psychological, and cultural barriers to engaging in and staying in treatment. In addition, we present some preliminary data on the extent to which our enhanced, brief IPT approach promotes improvements in treatment engagement and retention relative to usual care for expectant mothers on low incomes.
Enhanced enzymatic removal of chlorophenols in the presence of co-substrates

Abstract The effect of reactive co-substrates such as guaiacol and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol on the removal of chlorinated phenols by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and a laccase from the fungus Trametes versicolor was investigated. Addition of 50 mM guaiacol enhanced the precipitation of 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol with peroxidase by 12, 32 and 65%, respectively, and with laccase by 20, 32 and 80%, respectively. Addition of 10 mM 2,6-dimethoxyphenol enhanced the precipitation of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol by 90% with peroxidase and by 98% with laccase. Products from the reaction of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and peroxidase were filtered to exclude compounds of a molecular weight greater than 500. Incubation of the resulting enzyme-free filtrate with a solution of unreacted 2,4,5-trichlorophenol caused precipitation and a 72% removal of the 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. Chlorophenol precipitation in the presence of co-substrates may be a useful strategy for improving the efficiency of enzymatic decontamination methods, particularly in the case of heterogenous pollution.
Regulation of HFE expression by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) through an inverted repeat DNA sequence in the distal promoter

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a common autosomal recessive disorder of iron overload among Caucasians of northern European descent. Over 85% of all cases with HH are due to mutations in the hemochromatosis protein (HFE) involved in iron metabolism. Although the importance in iron homeostasis is well recognized, the mechanism of sensing and regulating iron absorption by HFE, especially in the absence of iron response element in its gene, is not fully understood. In this report, we have identified an inverted repeat sequence (ATGGTcttACCTA) within 1700bp (-1675/+35) of the HFE promoter capable to form cruciform structure that binds PARP1 and strongly represses HFE promoter. Knockdown of PARP1 increases HFE mRNA and protein. Similarly, hemin or FeCl3 treatments resulted in increase in HFE expression by reducing nuclear PARP1 pool via its apoptosis induced cleavage, leading to upregulation of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin mRNA. Thus, PARP1 binding to the inverted repeat sequence on the HFE promoter may serve as a novel iron sensing mechanism as increased iron level can trigger PARP1 cleavage and relief of HFE transcriptional repression.
The crystal structure of cesium azidotrimethyl-aluminate

Abstract The crystal structure of Cs[Al(CH3)3N3] has been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collected by counter methods. Cesium azidotrimethylaluminate crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcm with cell dimensions a = 8.027 (9), b = 10.504 (9), c = 10.307 (9) A, and ϱcalc = 1.89 g cm−1 for Z = 4. Least-squares refinement gave a final R value of 0.046 for 556 independent observed reflections. The anion lies on a crystallographic mirror plane; the AlN bond length is 1.97 (1) A. Within the azide ion the two nitrogen-nitrogen lengths are distinctly different: 1.13 (2) and 1.21 (2) A.
Post-hospitalization continuation treatment of anorexia nervosa

Abstract Successful maintenance of weight gain achieved under an in-hospital operant program required multi-faceted behavior therapy. Treatment procedures after discharge included extended contracting, cognitive restructuring, systematic desensitization and assertive training. A 2-year follow-up recovery was found to have been maintained. The insufficiency of in-hospital operant program is stressed.
Pathways that elicit long-term changes in gene expression in nociceptive neurons following nerve injury: contributions to neuropathic pain.

AbstractChronic neuropathic pain following nerve injury or inflammation is mediated by transcription-dependent changes in neurons that comprise the nociceptive pathway. Among these changes is often a long-term hyperexcitiability (LTH) in primary nociceptors that persists long after the lesion has healed. LTH is manifest by a reduction in threshold and an increased tendency to fire action potentials. This increased excitability activates higher order neurons in the pathway, leading to the perception of pain. Efforts to ameliorate chronic pain would therefore benefit if we understood how LTH is induced, but studies toward this goal are impeded by the complexity and heterogeneity of vertebrate nervous systems. Fortunately, LTH is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that underlies defensive behaviors across phyla, including invertebrates. Thus, the same electrophysiological changes that underlie LTH in vertebrate nociceptive neurons are seen in their counterparts in the experimentally favorable mollusk Aply...
Matching with Contracts: Comment

Abstract The matching with contracts model (Hatfield and Milgrom 2005) is widely considered to be one of the most important advances of the last two decades in matching theory. One of their main messages is that the set of stable allocations is non-empty under a substitutes condition. We show that an additional irrelevance of rejected contracts (IRC) condition is implicitly assumed throughout their analysis, and in the absence of IRC several of their results, including the guaranteed existence of a stable allocation, fail to hold. (JEL C78, D86)
Social tagging roles: publishers, evangelists, leaders

Social tagging systems provide users with the opportunity to employ tags in a communicative manner. To explore the use of tags for communication in these systems, we report results from 33 user interviews and employ the concept of social roles to describe audience-oriented tagging, including roles of community-seeker, community-builder, evangelist, publisher, and team-leader. These roles contribute to our understanding of the motivations and rationales behind social tagging in an international company, and suggest new features and services to support social software in the enterprise.
Electronic Democracy at the American Grassroots

In this paper, I examine the delivery of electronic democracy (e-democracy) by U.S. local governments through their e-government activities. In particular, I examine three issues related to local e-democracy through data from focus groups with officials from 37 municipal and county governments across the U.S. The issues are: (1) why local governments decided to adopt e-government, and whether e-democracy was among the reasons for its adoption; (2) whether e-government has produced or affected local e-democracy; and (3) what plans, if any, local governments have with respect to e-democracy in coming years. My principal findings are that e-government at the local level was adopted principally to deliver governmental information and services and to provide citizen access to governmental officials; that e-government does not operate in a manner that either produces or impacts local e-democracy (at least as the term is broadly defined herein); and that e-democracy is not on the radar screens of most American local governments for future deployment.
Simultaneous gas flow and diffusion in a symmetric airway system: A mathematical model

Abstract Finite difference solutions of the differential diffusion equation, incorporating simultaneous longitudinal diffusion and exponentially time varying flow, served as simulations of single-breath nitrogen washout. Using Weibel's anatomic model “A” for the conducting airways and assuming a well-mixed alveolar region, an anatomic dead space 70% larger than commonly measured values was predicted. This is due in part to the Weibel parameter values which overestimate conducting airway volume when inspiration is initiated at FRC. Moreover, the existence of additional mixing processes in the real lung would lead to a smaller dead' space than predicted by longitudinal diffusion alone. To test the reasonableness of the model, simulations with varying respiratory conditions were performed. The predicted dead space decrease for an increase in inspiration time, for a decrease in inspiratory volume and for an increase in diffusion coefficient were in agreement with experimental data. Decreases in dead space by breath-holding and increased expiratory times followed the experimental trends only qualitatively. A major point of interest in this work was the effect of variations in conducting airway geometry upon the washout data. The upper airways were found to behave as pure dead space because of the small role that diffusion plays in the overall transport occurring therein. For example, a 40-ml increase in conducting airway volume brought out by increasing the length or cross-section of the first four airway generations caused an equal volume change in the anatomic dead space. However, the same airway volume increase brought about by lengthening the 4th to 17th generation airways increased dead space by only 20 ml. If brought about by increasing the summed crosssection of these airways, the dead space increased by only 5–10 ml and the washout curve was only slightly changed. Thus, the washout test is especially insensitive to cross-sectional alterations in the lower airways because of the compensating effects of diffusion.
Multifarious instructional design: a design grounded in evidence-based practice

Abstract The National League for Nursing developed core competencies for nurse educators. These competencies require nurse educators to develop evidence-based teaching practice, utilize technology, and manage individual students' learning styles (www.NLN.org). In an effort to decrease attrition and increase student retention in a beginning medical–surgical course, a multifarious instructional design was implemented. This design was developed based on evidence-based teaching and learning styles to address the diverse student learning styles encountered in an associate degree nursing program. Multifarious instructional design incorporated technology to enhance the learning in the classroom. This design improved student retention by 30%.
Characterization of the susceptibility of mycobacteria in BACTEC 12B media containing PANTA that had been supplemented with ceftazidime, and characterization of the individual components of PANTA in the presence of C18-carboxypropylbetaine

C(18)-carboxypropylbetaine (CB-18) specimen processing has enhanced the diagnosis of mycobacterioses by smear, culture, and nucleic acid amplification. However, toxic side effects of CB-18 in liquid culture, especially in the presence of antibiotics, have been reported. The interaction of CB-18 at 20-25 microg/ml with the individual components of the antibiotic supplement PANTA that had been fortified with ceftazidime (PANTA-caz) was characterized in BACTEC 12B cultures using four mycobacterial isolates. When the Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate ATCC 27294 was examined CB-18 plus PANTA-caz did not significantly alter the time-to-positive (i.e., time to a growth index (GI) of 15 (GI(15))), but did significantly increase the time to a GI of 500 (GI(500)) by approximately 8.5 days. This result could be attributed primarily to nalidixic acid, but also to ceftazidime to a lesser degree. Statistically significant increases in GI(15) of 12.5 days and GI(500) of 16.5 days were observed in the presence of CB-18 plus PANTA-caz with the Mycobacterium avium isolate ATCC 25291. These increases were due exclusively to trimethoprim. Statistically significant increases of approximately 2.5 and 9 days in GI(15) and GI(500), respectively, were observed with Mycobacterium kansasii ATCC 12478 in CB-18 plus PANTA-caz. The presence of nalidixic acid and ceftazidime were responsible for these alterations. When the behavior of the Mycobacterium fortuitum isolate ATCC 6841 was investigated in CB-18 plus PANTA-caz, significant increases in GI(15) of 8.5 days and GI(500) of 13 days were observed. The additive effects of nalidixic acid and azlocillin were responsible for these results. No single component of the PANTA-caz formulation was responsible for the interaction between CB-18 and PANTA-caz, although nalidixic acid contributed to these effects most often. These findings are consistent with the previous recommendation that CB-18 specimen processing follow a dilution-based format to ensure that the concentration of CB-18 carried-over into liquid media falls below 5-10 microg/ml.
Practice does not facilitate acquisition of McCollough effects: evidence against a learning model.

Previous investigators (Schmidt, Pinetts, & Finke, 1978) have asserted that McCollough effects (MEs) are acquired more readily by experienced than by inexperienced subjects. The present experiments examine this claim in a paradigm that utilizes quantitative measurements of MEs to evaluate possible changes in subjects’ susceptibility to them. MEs were induced every few days for approximately 2 months; results revealed no progressive increments in either strength or acquisition rats. The lack of facilitation due to practice is inconsistent with learning models proposed to account for MEs.
Hypokalemia, cardiac failure, and reporting NXY-059 safety for acute stroke.

NXY-059, an alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone derivative, is a free radical–trapping agent presently in late clinical trials as a potential neuroprotectant limiting reperfusion injury following acute stroke. Two recent trials suggest that NXY-059 causes hypokalemia and associated cardiac disturbances. With regard to the mechanism of such association, most investigators agree that potent trapping of free radicals leads to the 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase blockade in kidneys, diminishing renal hydrocortisone oxidation and increasing K+ ion urine excretion. Importantly, potassium deficiency represents the major avoidable cause of the array of serious cardiac adverse reactions: QT-prolongation, Torsades de pointes and other life-threatening arrhythmias, and higher risks for perioperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation and cardiac death. Because a prime target for NXY-059 use will likely be acute strokes in the emergency room environment, the potential combination of the drug with intensive therapy incl...
Supporting Learning Opportunities in Natural Settings through Participation-Based Services.

Recommended early intervention practices emphasize family-centered approaches provided within natural settings through interventionist interactions with caregivers. We defined this approach as part...
EVIDENCE FOR TRANSFORMATION OF SPLEEN CELLS ONE DAY AFTER INFECTION OF MICE WITH FRIEND LEUKEMIA VIRUS. AUTONOMOUS GROWTH POTENTIAL AND EXPRESSION OF HYBRID-RESISTANCE GENES.

Proliferation and erythroid differentiation of transplanted DBA/2 marrow cells and Friend virus-induced leukemic cells were assessed in syngeneic, allogeneic (H-2 compatible), and (BALB/c x DBA/2)F1 hybrid mice (CDF1). Measurements were made 5 days after transplantation of donor cells into nonirradiated or X-irradiated mice by the spleen colony or the 125IUdR-59Fe uptake methods. Growth of DBA/2J (Jackson subline) marrow grafts was poor in irradiated CDF1J hybrids as compared with growth in syngeneic and allogeneic hosts. The DBA/2J transplants proliferated, however, without impairment in irradiated CDF1 hybrids which were the progeny of DBA/2 male parents of other sublines, e.g. DBA/2Ha, DBA/2Cr, and DBA/2Cum. In contrast, tissue-cultured Friend leukemic cells of DBA/2J origin grew deficiently in all CDF1 hybrids tested, regardless of irradiation and of the DBA/2 parent's subline. The growth pattern of transplanted DBA/2J cells was a manifestation of hybrid resistance. The results with DBA/2J and other DBA/2 subline grafts suggested that hybrid histocompatibility alleles were expressed to a greater extent in leukemic than in normal marrow cells, for the former were consistently recognized as "nonself" by CDF1 mice, but not the latter cells. The property of deficient growth in irradiated CDF1Ha hybrids was acquired by DBA/2J hemopoietic cells within 6 hr from infection in vivo with Friend leukemia virus, and persisted during the following 8 days. It was ascribed to enhanced expression of hybrid histocompatibility gene(s) (Hh) induced by the virus. Autonomous growth potential of hemopoietic cells, manifested by proliferation in nonirradiated recipients, was first detected 24 hr from infection, and likewise persisted at the later intervals. At the same time, the infected cells grew deficiently also in nonirradiated CDF1Ha mice. The two irreversible cellular changes were regarded as the earliest signals of virus-induced transformation.
Reducing Competitive Suppression of a Rare Annual Forb by Restoring Native California Perennial Grasslands

Populations of the rare annual forb Amsinckia grandiflora may be declining because of competitive suppression by exotic annual grasses, and may perform better in a matrix of native perennial bunchgrasses. We conducted a field competition experiment in which Amsinckia seedlings were transplanted into forty 0.64-m 2 experimental plots of exotic annual grassland or restored perennial grassland. The perennial grassland plots were restored using mature 3 cm-diameter plants of the native perennial bunchgrass Poa secunda planted in three densities. The exotic annual grassland plots were established in four densities through manual removal of existing plants. Both grass types reduced soil water potential with increasing biomass, but this reduction was not significantly different between grass types. Both grass types significantly reduced the production of Amsinckia inflorescences. At low and intermediate densities (dry biomass per unit area of 20-80 g/m 2 ), the exotic annual grasses reduced Amsinckia inflorescence number to a greater extent than did Poa, although at high densities (>90 g/m 2 ) both grass types reduced the number of Amsinckia inflorescences to the same extent. The response of Amsinckia inflorescence number to Poa biomass was linear, whereas the same response to the annual grass biomass is logarithmic, and appeared to be related to graminoid cover. This may be because of the different growth forms exhibited by the two grass types. Results of this research suggest that restored native perennial grasslands at intermediate densities have a high habitat value for the potential establishment of the native annual A. grandiflora.
Analyzing citation impact of IS research by women and men: do women have higher levels of research impact?

Over the past decade, the SIG MIS conference has become a leading venue for research on gender issues in the IT workforce. The question of women's research impact relative to men is important for several reasons. First, if research by women is not cited as often as that of men, it would be necessary to ask why. In that case, the explanation may be due to the fact that women publish their work in venues that are less visible relative to men; because women publish on topics that draw less interest from a broad audience (resulting in fewer subsequent studies that cite their work); or that women's research, as a whole, is of lower quality than that of men. Conversely, if research by women IS scholars is cited more often than research by men, it is again worth asking why: is it because women (as a whole) publish in more visible, higher-quality venues than men, because women publish on topics that interest a broader audience, because their research addresses more timely or controversial topics, or their research is of higher quality, relative to men? We test various hypotheses to show that papers published by women in five leading IS journals are cited more frequently than papers by men, after controlling for the journal and the subject matter of the papers. The effect is small, but significant. We conclude that this is because (a) women publish in MIS Quarterly at a higher rate relative to men -- which happens to be the IS journal that receives the most citations; (b) women are under-represented among authors in three journals that receive fewer citations; and (c) women generally publish few papers on topics that receive the lowest rates of citations.
A novel long-period fiber grating sensor for large strain measurement

Critical buildings such as hospitals and police stations must remain functional immediately following a major earthquake event. Due to earthquake effects, they often experience large strains, leading to progressive collapses. Therefore, monitoring and assessing the large strain condition of critical buildings is of paramount importance to post-earthquake responses and evacuations in earthquake-prone regions. In this study, a novel large strain sensor based on the long period fiber grating (LPFG) technology is proposed and developed. CO2 laser induced LPFG sensors are characterized for such mechanical properties as strain sensitivity in extension and flexure, sensor stability, and measurement range. For practical applications, the need for LPFG sensor packaging is identified and verified in laboratory implementations. By introducing various strain transfer mechanisms, the strain sensitivity of LPFG sensors can be customized for different applications at corresponding strain transfer ratios.
Abstract 4171: The role of the Src kinase family in determining three-dimensional epithelial cell morphology of colorectal cancer cell lines

Members of the Src kinase family are involved in numerous cellular signaling pathways that regulate cellular growth, survival, differentiation, adhesion and migration. Src family kinases (SFKs) associate with cellular membranes and function as molecular switches at the interface of various extracellular input signals (e.g., growth factors, cell-matrix adhesion) and intracellular signaling cascades. Deregulation of SFK expression levels and activity is implicated in a variety of human pathologies, including cancer, neurodegeneration, epilepsy and progression of HIV/AIDS. Elevation of c-Src activity is a common event in human colon cancer, and increases in c-Src activity are often associated with disease progression. In addition, upregulation of other Src-family members has been observed in colon cancer (e.g., c-Yes, Lck), suggesting that deregulation of SFKs may contribute to colorectal cancer progression. The three-dimensional culture of epithelial cells in a laminin-rich extracellular matrix (lrECM) has become increasingly popular in investigating the integration of cellular signaling pathways. Because the growth of cells in lrECM more closely recapitulates the microenvironment encountered by cells in vivo, three-dimensional cell culture is particularly useful in elucidating the biological roles of molecular components, such as SFKs, that function at the interface of extracellular and intracellular signals. In this study we use a three-dimensional culture system to study the role of SFKs in determining epithelial cell morphology of colorectal cancer cells. We tested a panel of ten commonly studied colorectal cancer cell lines for their ability to form organized cysts with established apical-basal polarity when grown in Matrigel in the presence or absence of broad-spectrum SFK inhibitors. We observed that Caco-2 and T84 cells, two lines capable of polarized cyst formation, show distinct sensitivity to SFK inhibition in three-dimensional culture but not in monolayer growth. Surprisingly, in Caco-2 cells, but not in T84 cells, global inhibition of SFK activity appears to interfere with cyst polarization, suggesting that one or more SFKs contribute to epithelial cell polarity. In addition, using RT-PCR and immunoblot techniques we demonstrate that SFK expression profiles are altered in Matrigel culture compared to monolayer culture. By comparing SFK expression profiles in cell lines displaying polarized versus unpolarized cell morphology we seek to identify individual members of the SFK family that contribute to three-dimensional epithelial morphology. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4171.
Shedding Light on Lithium/Air Batteries Using Millions of Threads on the BG/Q Supercomputer

In this work, we present a novel parallelization scheme for a highly efficient evaluation of the Hartree-Fock exact exchange (HFX) in ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, specifically tailored for condensed phase simulations. Our developments allow one to achieve the necessary accuracy for the evaluation of the HFX in a highly controllable manner. We show here that our solutions can take great advantage of the latest trends in HPC platforms, such as extreme threading, short vector instructions and highly dimensional interconnection networks. Indeed, all these trends are evident in the IBM Blue Gene/Q supercomputer. We demonstrate an unprecedented scalability up to 6,291,456 threads (96 BG/Q racks) with a near perfect parallel efficiency, which represents a more than 20-fold improvement as compared to the current state of the art. In terms of reduction of time to solution, we achieved an improvement that can surpass a 10-fold decrease in runtime with respect to directly comparable approaches. We exploit this development to enhance the accuracy of DFT based molecular dynamics by using the PBE0 hybrid functional. This approach allowed us to investigate the chemical behavior of organic solvents in one of the most challenging research topics in energy storage, lithium/air batteries, and to propose alternative solvents with enhanced stability to ensure an appropriate reversible electrochemical reaction. This step is key for the development of a viable lithium/air storage technology, which would have been a daunting computational task using standard methods. Recent research has shown that the electrolyte plays a key role in non-aqueous lithium/air batteries in producing the appropriate reversible electrochemical reduction. In particular, the chemical degradation of propylene carbonate, the typical electrolyte used, by lithium peroxide has been demonstrated by molecular dynamics simulations of highly realistic models. Reaching the necessary high accuracy in these simulations is a daunting computational task using standard methods.
Influenza present: the impact of the 1999–2000 epidemic on morbidity and mortality in the USA

Abstract Background: During the 1999–2000 influenza season, influenza A (H3N2) viruses predominated in the United States and worldwide. Typically, influenza seasons in which influenza A (H3N2) viruses predominate are more severe than seasons in which influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B viruses are the primary circulating viruses. Three of the four indices used to monitor the impact of influenza in the US indicated that the 1999–2000 season was a typical H3N2 season; however, the P and I mortality reporting system and many media reports indicated that it was particularly severe. Methods: During the seasons covered (1996–1997 through 1999–2000), CDC received weekly reports from October through May from (1) collaborating laboratories that report on the total number of respiratory specimens tested and those that are influenza positive; (2) State and Territorial Epidemiologists who report on estimates of influenza activity in their state or territory; (3) sentinel physicians who report on the total number of patient visits and the number of cases of influenza-like illness (ILI); and (4) vital statistics offices in major US cities that report on the number of deaths related to pneumonia and influenza (P and I). Results: During the 1999–2000 influenza season, the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza peaked at 33%; the state and territorial epidemiologists reports peaked at 44 states reporting either regional or widespread influenza activity; the percentage of patient visits for ILI peaked at 6%; and the proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza peaked at 11.2%. Conclusions: Influenza activity during the 1999–2000 influenza season was similar to the three previous influenza seasons as indicated by reports from state and territorial epidemiologists, the percentage of respiratory specimens positive for influenza, and the proportion of visits for ILI. The percentage of deaths attributed to P and I reported by 122 US cities was higher than the peaks of the previous three seasons; however, part of the observed increase is apparently due to changes in reporting.
In vitro analysis of sympathetic neuron differentiation from chick neural crest cells.

Abstract Sympathetic neuron differentiation was studied using a fluorescence histochemical assay to detect the appearance of cell-bound catecholamines. Results from in vitro organ cultures indicate that chick neural crest cells must interact with both ventral neural tube (defined throughout as the ventral neural tube plus the notochord) and somitic mesenchyme in order to differentiate into sympathoblasts. Somite, ventral neural tube, and crest were cultured transfilter in various combinations to define these tissue interactions more precisely. Results from these experiments indicate that neural crest cells must be contiguous to somite in order to differentiate into sympathoblasts, but ventral neural tube may act across a Millipore filter membrane (type TH, 25 μm thick) either on somite, crest, or both. To distinguish among these possibilities, somite was cultured transfilter to ventral tube for a short period, after which ventral tube was removed and fresh crest was added to the somite. The results from this and other experiments support the hypothesis that the ventral tube does not act directly on crest cells, but elicits a developmental change in somitic mesenchyme, which then promotes sympathoblast differentiation. To study the relationship of nerve growth factor (NGF) to the differentiation of sympathetic neurons, cultures of somite + crest were temporarily exposed transfilter to ventral tube, in the presence or the absence of exogenous NGF. The results of these and other experiments are consistent with the hypothesis that the continued presence of ventral tube is required to ensure the survival of the differentiating sympathetic neurons. With respect to this second function, ventral tube can be replaced by exogenous NGF.