cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recursive partitioning analysis of 1999 Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) patients with locally-advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC): identification of five groups with different survival.

Purpose: Survival of patients with locally-advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) is predicted by the stage of the disease and other characteristics. This analysis was undertaken to identify these characteristics in a large cooperative group patient population, as well as to define subgroups of the population with differing outcomes. Patients and Methods: Analysis included 1,999 patients treated in 9 RTOG trials between 1983 and 1994 with thoracic irradiation (RT) with (n = 355) or without chemotherapy (CT). Results: In univariate analysis, the following characteristics were significantly associated with an improved survival: use of CT, CT delivered without major deviation, abnormal pulmonary function tests, normal hemoglobin, protein, LDH and BUN, presence of dyspnea, hemoptysis, cough or hoarseness, uninvolved lymph nodes, T1 or T2 stage, no malignant pleural effusion (PE), weight loss of < 8%, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) of at least 90, adenocarcinoma histology, female gender, and age less than 70 years. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was subsequently applied to identify 5 patient subgroups with significantly different median survival times (MST): Group I, KPS of ≥ 90, who received chemotherapy (MST 16.2 months); Group II, KPS of ≥ 90, who received no CT, but had no PE (MST 11.9 months); Group III, KPS < 90, younger than 70 years, with non-large cell histology (MST 9.6 months); Group IV, KPS ≥ 90, but with PE, or KPS < 90, younger than 70 years, and with large cell histology, or older than 70 years, but without PE (MST 5.6–6.4 months); Group V, older than 70, with PE (MST 2.9 months). Conclusion: Cisplatinum-based CT improves survival, for excellent prognosis of LA-NSCLC patients, over RT alone. The presence of a malignant pleural effusion is a major negative prognostic factor for survival. The identification of RPA prognostic groups among patients with LA-NSCLC provides prognostic information and may serve as a basis of stratification in future trials.
Editing a Normal Science Journal in Social Science

Editer un journal de science normale dans les sciences sociales : Cet papier mets en evidence quelqu'unes des differences entre les journaux de "science normale" dans des disciplines telles que la physique et la chimie, et des "sciences non-normales" dans des disciplines de sciences sociales. L'article montre qu'un journal, Social Networks, ressemble plus a un journal de science normale qu'un journal typique des sciences sociales. L'auteur montre que les proprietes de sciences normales de la recherche sur des reseaux sociaux sont engendrees par l'utilisation des images graphiques et des modeles mathematiques, et la disponibilite d'ordinateurs capables d'analyser des ensembles de donnees a structures relativement complexes.
Sizing an Ultrafiltration Process that Will Treat Radioactive Waste

A Department of Energy oversight review has shown that the performance of a waste treatment and immobilization plant at the Hanford Department of Energy facility depends on the performance of the ultrafiltration process utilized. In the present study, a theoretical model for permeate rates using a dead-end filtration theory was used into mass balance equations for the bulk phase concentrations of solids and sodium. Design curves were then generated that show the minimum membrane surface area necessary to treat a certain volume of radioactive slurry in a prescribed time, where the prescribed time could be dewatering time, wash time, or cycle time.
Long Range Transport of Air Pollutants on the Synoptic Scale

Long range transport (LRT) of air pollutants has in recent years become increasingly more important, in part, because of the technical challenge of the current applications (e.g. acidic deposition, visibility impairment, and source attribution issues), and in part, because of the growing awareness of the technical difficulties of providing definitive models. This overview paper reviews the evidence for an accelerated-diffusion regime for puffs and plumes; some of the current LRT diffusion formulations in view of the summary information; the sensitivity of LRT diffusion solutions to the potential range of conditions; the potential for inherent errors in current simplified, but commonly used, trajectory estimates; some avenues emerging from research for avoiding these accumulating errors in trajectory estimates. In addition, the most recently developed techniques from applied mathematics hold promising potential for use in global pollutant budgets. Some of the salient dilemmas of the long range transport problem are highlighted.
Acute occlusive disorders of the choroidal vasculature.

This paper is a review of choroidal vascular occlusive disorders, as revealed by experimental and clinical observations. Available evidence indicates that Elschnig's spot, multifocal acute ischemic choroidopathy, geographic choriodopathy, some of the conditions associated with serous retinal detachment and post-operative outer retinal ischemic necrosis represent acute choroidal ischemic lesions. The various factors which influence the nature and appearance of these lesions are discussed. The role of disturbed circulation of the vortex veins in the production of some major complications following retinal detachment surgery and of choroidal detachment is discussed.
Daily variability in dyspnea, edema and body weight in heart failure patients.

Background: Heart failure (HF) and heart failure exacerbations are associated with distressing physical signs and symptoms that include dyspnea, peripheral edema and weight gain. There are no prior investigations that describe the daily fluctuations of these.Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to characterize daily dyspnea, edema and body weight in patients with HF for 1 month.Methods: This analysis used a descriptive correlational design. Data were collected daily for 30 days from a cohort of heart failure subjects (n = 48). Daily mean values and associations between self-reported dyspnea, edema and body weight were determined.Results: The sample included 48 participants with a mean age of 48 ± 15 years. Slightly more than half were male (54%) and a majority were married (54%). On average, subjects with HF reported moderate daily levels of self-reported dyspnea and perceived edema. The average daily association between self-reported dyspnea and edema was a positive, significant relationship (p...
Some results in local rings on ramification in low codimension

One way to study the behavior of the algebraic variety Spec A, where A is a normal domain, is to obtain finite maps f: Spec A -+ Spec R, where R is regular, and to investigate properties of Spec A relative to those of Spec R through the mapf. In case A is finitely generated over a field k one can obtain such a map f via Noether normalization (see [19, p. 911). In case A is local, complete, and contains a coefficient field k, one obtains an S by choosing (any) system of parameters xi, . . . . x, for A and then setting R=k[[x,, . . . . x,]] (see [19, pp. 210-2121; the case of unequal characteristic is slightly more delicate). Having constructed f: Spec A -+ Spec R by some means, the map f itself exerts a great deal of influence on the situation. In particular, the ramification which occurs in each fiber plays a central role in the interplay between properties of A and those of R. For example, should the map f be unramilied one concludes that A must be regular and the map f must be &tale. Moreover, the question of whether or not A/R is a ramified extension can be answered by computing ramification indices in codimension one. This is the essence of the theorem on “purity of branch loci” which can be found in [20, Sect. 411 or in [2]. When the regularity assumption on R is removed, then whether or not A/R is ramified cannot simply be detected in codimension one (e.g., see [lo, Example 16.5, p. 851). Nevertheless, one might expect to find “good” properties of R reflected in those of A in such a setting. For example, if R is a complete intersection (or perhaps just Gorenstein) and if A/R is unramified in codimension one, must A at least be Cohen-Macaulay? In Section 1 of this article we obtain sufficient conditions in Theorem 1.4 (and resulting properties) for a complete local normal domain A to be a
CaMKII hunkers down on the muscarinic M4 receptor to help curb cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion.

The dopaminergic receptor D1 activates and the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) M4 inhibits adenylyl cyclase (AC) and thereby cAMP production through the trimeric Gα s and Gα i/o proteins, respectively (Wess et al , 2007). D1 and M4 are coexpressed in striatal output neurons, where M4 antagonizes D1 signalling as recently pinpointed by conditional M4 knockout in D1‐expressing neurons (Jeon et al , 2010). Closely following on the heels of this article, Guo et al (2010) report in this issue that CaMKII binds and phosphorylates M4 upon Ca 2+ influx to augment the antagonistic action of M4 on D1 signalling and on D1‐mediated, cocaine‐triggered hyperlocomotion.
Reliability of the Autism Spectrum Disorder-Behavior Problems for Children (ASD-BPC)

Abstract A considerable amount of attention has occurred with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) of children and youth. Furthermore, the rationale for using the most restrictive of the applied behavior analysis methods and medication has been largely based on the presence of severe challenging behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, and stereotypes. Despite the extensive treatment efforts, there has not been a scale developed specifically to address the screening and identification of these problem behaviors for children with ASD. The present study was specifically designed to report on the reliability and factor structure of a brief behavior problem inventory, which is part of a diagnostic battery for children suspected of evincing autism, PDD-NOS, or Asperger's syndrome. The initial psychometric properties of the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Behavior Problems for Children (ASD-BPC) are described and the implications for future research are presented.
Blind equalization using coarse quantizer BSS nonlinearity

We consider a new blind equalization scheme based on a blind source separation (BSS) algorithm that is relatively simple and gives good results. Specifically, we combine some previous findings on complex BSS with existing models of blind equalization via BSS and use coarse quantization for receiver simplicity. Comparisons between the proposed scheme and other blind equalization schemes are also discussed.
Plant nectar increases survival, molting, and foraging in two foliage wandering spiders

We predicted that because plant nectar is high in energy, it is likely to provide multiple benefits to spiders that spend a substantial amount of energy foraging. In three laboratory experiments, we tested the effects of dietary extrafloral nectar on the survival, molting, and activity of two foliage wanderers, Cheiracanthium mildei L. Koch 1864 (Miturgidae) and Hibana velox (Becker 1879) (Anyphaenidae), both highly active, quick-moving nocturnal foragers. Extrafloral nectar contributed significantly to survival and molting in prey-deprived H. velox. On a marginal diet of prey (one Drosophila adult on alternate days) offered to spiders as soon as they emerged, 97% of C. mildei underwent their first molt if they also received nectar, compared to 7% of controls without nectar. On a marginal diet of prey (one Drosophila adult on alternate days) offered to spiders starting two days after their emergence, 78% of the spiders also receiving nectar molted, compared to 0% of controls without nectar. Video recordings of activity showed that prey-deprived groups of C. mildei maintained their active nocturnal foraging for many days on nectar, whereas controls became increasingly quiescent until they died. Non-web-building spiders that feed on nectar may utilize its energy for foraging and thereby allocate the nutrients of prey to maintenance and growth.
Activities of Newer Fluoroquinolones against Streptococcus pneumoniae Clinical Isolates Including Those with Mutations in the gyrA, parC, and parE Loci

Resistance to fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics in Streptococcus pneumoniae has been attributed primarily to specific mutations in the genes for DNA gyrase (gyrA and gyrB) and topoisomerase IV (parC and parE). Resistance to some FQs can result from a single mutation in one or more of the genes encoding these essential enzymes. A group of 160 clinical isolates of pneumococci was examined in this study, including 36 ofloxacin-resistant isolates (MICs, ≥8 μg/ml) recovered from patients in North America, France, and Belgium. The susceptibilities of all isolates to clinafloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, and trovafloxacin were examined by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards reference broth microdilution and disk diffusion susceptibility testing methods. Among the ofloxacin-resistant strains, 32 of 36 were also categorized as resistant to levofloxacin, 35 were resistant to sparfloxacin, 29 were resistant to grepafloxacin, and 19 were resistant to trovafloxacin. In vitro susceptibility to clinafloxacin appeared to be least affected by resistance to the other FQs. Eight isolates with high- and low-level resistance to the newer FQs were selected for DNA sequence analysis of the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE. The DNA and the inferred amino acid sequences of the resistant strains were compared with the analogous sequences of reference strain S. pneumoniae ATCC 49619 and FQ-susceptible laboratory strain R6. Reduced susceptibilities to grepafloxacin and sparfloxacin (MICs, 1 to 2 μg/ml) and trovafloxacin (MICs, 0.5 to 1 μg/ml) were associated with either a mutation in parC that led to a single amino acid substitution (Ser-79 to Phe or Tyr) or double mutations that involved the genes for both GyrA (Ser-81 to Phe) and ParE (Asp-435 to Asn). High-level resistance to all of the compounds except clinafloxacin was associated with two or more amino acid substitutions involving both GyrA (Ser-81 to Phe) and ParC (Ser-79 to Phe or Ser-80 to Pro and Asp-83 to Tyr). No mutations were observed in the gyrB sequences of resistant strains. These data indicate that mutations in pneumococcal gyrA, parC, and parE genes all contribute to decreased susceptibility to the newer FQs, and genetic analysis of the QRDR of a single gene, either gyrA or parC, is not predictive of pneumococcal resistance to these agents.
Influence of obesity on vitamin D-binding protein and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in African American and white women.

Abstract 25-Hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) is lipophilic and highly bound to vitamin D–binding protein (VDBP) in plasma. In the present study, we examined VDBP and 25OHD levels by race and body mass index (BMI) in young adult women to determine whether circulating VDBP plays a role in the low levels of 25OHD with obesity and among African Americans. In agreement with previous studies, mean 25OHD levels were lower in African American women than in whites ( P P = .02, R 2 = .10) but not in African American women. The VDBP levels, by contrast, were similar in African Americans and whites, and were unrelated to BMI in either racial group. Furthermore, VDBP was unrelated to the plasma level of 25OHD. These data confirm an interaction between race and obesity in vitamin D metabolism, and imply that the carrier protein is not an important determinant of circulating 25OHD in women, nor is it affected by race or adiposity.
Tamm-Horsfall Protein Protects Against Urinary Tract Infection by Proteus Mirabilis

Purpose: Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of urinary tract infection. We determined the role of Tamm-Horsfall protein as a host defense factor against the cystitis and pyelonephritis caused by P. mirabilis.Materials and Methods: We generated Tamm-Horsfall protein gene knockout mice using homologous recombination. We introduced P. mirabilis transurethrally into the bladder of Tamm-Horsfall protein deficient (THP−/−) and genetically similar WT (THP+/+) mice. We cultured urine to quantitate the degree of bacteriuria. We examined bladders and kidneys grossly and histomorphometrically to determine the intensity of inflammation.Results: THP−/− mice had more severe bacteriuria and cystitis than THP+/+ mice. THP−/− mice had more pyelonephritic abscesses than THP+/+ mice. The severity of histological pyelonephritis on semiquantitative histomorphometric analysis appeared to be greater in THP−/− mice. The difference between the 2 groups approached but did not attain statistical significance (p = 0.053).Conclusion...
The DOE BioEnergy Science Center?a U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Center

The BioEnergy Science Center, a nationally and internationally peer-reviewed center of leading scientific institutions and scientists, is organized and in operation as a U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Center. This Oak Ridge National Laboratory-led Center has members from top-tier universities, leading national labs, and private companies organized as a single project team, with each member chosen for its significant contributions in the Center’s research focus areas. The recalcitrance of cellulosic biomass is viewed as (1) the most significant obstacle to the establishment of a cellulosic biofuels industry, (2) essential to producing cost-competitive fuels, and (3) widely applicable, since nearly all biofuels and biofeedstocks would benefit from such advances. The mission of the BioEnergy Science Center is to make revolutionary advances in understanding and overcoming the recalcitrance of biomass to conversion into sugars, making it feasible to displace petroleum with ethanol and other fuels.
Semiparametric Maximum Likelihood for Missing Covariates in Parametric Regression

We consider parameter estimation in parametric regression models with covariates missing at random. This problem admits a semiparametric maximum likelihood approach which requires no parametric specification of the selection mechanism or the covariate distribution. The semiparametric maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) has been found to be consistent. We show here, for some specific models, that the semiparametric MLE converges weakly to a zero-mean Gaussian process in a suitable space. The regression parameter estimate, in particular, achieves the semiparametric information bound, which can be consistently estimated by perturbing the profile log-likelihood. Furthermore, the profile likelihood ratio statistic is asymptotically chi-squared. The techniques used here extend to other models.
Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Sperm-Associated Isoantigen (E-3) with Defensin- and Lectin-Like Motifs Expressed in Rat Epididymis

In the present study we report the identification of a novel epididymis-specific secretory glycoprotein, E-3, which is a sperm-associated isoantigen containing defensin- and lectin-like motifs. E-3 was detected in rat epididymal fluid and in sperm extracts by two-dimensional (2-D) Western blotting using rat hyperimmune sera raised against rat sperm. The immunoreactive spot of approximately 28 kDa with an isoelectric point (pI) of 3.5 was cored from silver-stained gels. Microsequencing by tandem mass spectrometry and database searches revealed several peptides to be novel sequences. Degenerate deoxyinosine-containing primers corresponding to the novel peptides were used in rapid amplification of cDNA ends and polymerase chain reaction to clone E-3 from a rat epididymal cDNA library. A 449-base pair nucleotide sequence was subsequently obtained consisting of a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 111 amino acids, which showed similarity to the defensin and lectin families. The first 21 amino acids constituted a putative signal peptide, suggesting that E-3 is a secretory protein. Mature E-3 protein corresponding to amino acids 22-111 was expressed in E. coli, and chickens were immunized with recombinant E-3 (rE-3). The resulting anti-rE-3 antisera recognized the recombinant immunogen as well as a "native" protein of 28 kDa, pI 2.5-3.5 in both epididymal fluid and in sperm extracts on 2-D Western blots. Northern hybridization indicated that E-3 mRNA was present in the epididymis but not in testis or other tissues, and that E-3 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the corpus and cauda of the epididymis, but not in the initial segment or caput. Similarly, Western blots detected the E-3 protein only in the epididymal fluid and sperm from the corpus and caudal regions. Finally, indirect immunofluorescence localized E-3 on the entire tail, and with less intensity on the head of the sperm. These observations indicate that E-3 is a secreted epididymal protein that becomes associated with the sperm as it transits through the corpus and cauda. The presence of a defensin-like motif suggests that E-3 may play a role in protecting the sperm from microbial infections in the epididymis and in the female reproductive tract.
The Nonparanormal SKEPTIC

We propose a semiparametric approach, named nonparanormal skeptic, for estimating high dimensional undirected graphical models. In terms of modeling, we consider the nonparanormal family proposed by Liu et al (2009). In terms of estimation, we exploit nonparametric rank-based correlation coefficient estimators including the Spearman's rho and Kendall's tau. In high dimensional settings, we prove that the nonparanormal skeptic achieves the optimal parametric rate of convergence in both graph and parameter estimation. This result suggests that the nonparanormal graphical models are a safe replacement of the Gaussian graphical models, even when the data are Gaussian.
Resistant Starch and Starch Thermal Characteristics in Exotic Corn Lines Grown in Temperate and Tropical Environments

ABSTRACT Corn as a food that is heated and cooled to allow starch retrogradation has higher levels of resistant starch (RS). Increasing the amount of RS can make corn an even healthier food and may be accomplished by breeding and selection, especially by using exotic germplasm. Sixty breeding lines of introgressed exotic germplasm backgrounds, selected for high yield, were grown in three tropical and temperate locations and analyzed for starch thermal characteristics and RS levels. Although actual values for all starch characteristics were within normal levels, most characteristics had significant genotypic effects, and all had significant location effects. Thermal properties of retrograded starch were more influenced by the environment than the thermal properties of raw starch, making retrograded starch traits more heritable than raw starch traits. This suggests that a breeding strategy based on retrograded starch traits will have a better chance of success than a breeding strategy based on raw starch tr...
Estimating Taylor rules in a credit channel environment

Abstract There is a general belief that policymakers take into account credit channel conditions when deciding monetary policy. However, literature lacks evidence on the specific role of credit channel in monetary policymaking. This paper estimates an extended version of the Taylor rule by incorporating credit channel variables explicitly. In particular, net worth capital ratio, bankruptcy cost and default rate are included in the model, motivated by the model of Bernanke, Gertler, and Gilchrist (1999). Among the added credit channel variables, net worth capital ratio is both statistically and economically significant during 1989–2008. We test the potential misspecification of the estimated model by allowing the serial correlation of errors arising from the omitted variables to enter the Taylor rule specification. This experiment confirms that our main findings are robust to such model misspecifications.
Some limitations to the success of the Low-Cost Carrier business model in India

Despite the growth in market share of Indian Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs), there are certain factors inhibiting the success of the LCC business model in India. This paper argues that the success of the LCC business model in India is limited by three exogenous factors – the lack of the concept of secondary airports, the route dispersal guidelines, and the excessively high costs of Aircraft Turbine Fuel (ATF). These factors are unique to India and a direct result of the flawed policies is adopted by the government. These policies also indicate the extent to which air transport in India is still regulated.
Physiology of the Neonatal Immune System

Essential to a neonate's survival is an ability to respond effectively to hostile environmental forces. The developing neonate's immune system has functional, albeit limited, defensive, homeostatic and surveillance capabilities. The development of the cellular components of the neonatal immune system and their physiologic interrelationships and limitations are discussed.
Three-dimensional numerical study of shallow convective clouds and precipitation induced by land surface forcing

A state-of-the-art mesoscale atmospheric model was used to investigate the three-dimensional structure and evolution of shallow convective clouds and precipitation in heterogeneous and homogeneous domains. In general, the spatial distribution of clouds and precipitation is strongly affected by the landscape structure. When the domain is homogeneous, they appear to be randomly distributed. However, when the landscape structure triggers the formation of mesoscale circulations, they concentrate in the originally dry part of the domain, creating a negative feedback which tends to eliminate the landscape discontinuities, and spatially homogenize the land water content. The land surface wetness heterogeneity of the domain and the toted amount of water vapor present in the atmosphere (locally evapotranspired and/or advected) affect the precipitation regime. In general, the upward motion of mesoscale circulations generated by landscape heterogeneities is stronger than thermal cells induced by turbulence. Furthermore, their ability to transport moist, warm air to higher elevations increases the amount of water that can be condensed and precipitated. The evolution of shallow convective clouds and precipitation consists of a “build-up phase” during which turbulence is predominant and responsible for the moistening of the atmosphere. In heterogeneous domains, it is also responsible for the creation of horizontal pressure gradients leading to the generation of mesoscale circulations. This phase occurs during the morning hours. From about 1200 until 1600 LST, clouds develop and most of the precipitation is produced. This is the “active phase.” After 1600 LST, the horizontal thermal and pressure gradients, which fed the energy necessary to create and sustain the mesoscale circulations, gradually disappear. This is the “dissipation phase.” The differences and similarities obtained between three-dimensional and two-dimensional simulations were also studied. These simulations indicate that, unless the landscape presents a clear two-dimensional structure, the use of such a two-dimensional model is not appropriate to simulate this type of clouds and precipitation. Conversely, two-dimensional simulations can be confidently used, provided that the simulated domain presents a two-dimensional heterogeneity.
Recovery Patterns for Iterative Methods in a Parallel Unstable Environment

Several recovery techniques for parallel iterative methods are presented. First, the implementation of checkpoints in parallel iterative methods is described and analyzed. Then a simple checkpoint-free fault-tolerant scheme for parallel iterative methods, the lossy approach, is presented. When one processor fails and all its data is lost, the system is recovered by computing a new approximate solution using the data of the nonfailed processors. The iterative method is then restarted with this new vector. The main advantage of the lossy approach over standard checkpoint algorithms is that it does not increase the computational cost of the iterative solver when no failure occurs. Experiments are presented that compare the different techniques. The fault-tolerant FT-MPI library is used. Both iterative linear solvers and eigensolvers are considered.
The Na+/Ca2+ Exchange Inhibitor 2-(2-(4-(4-Nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl)ethyl)isothiourea Methanesulfonate (KB-R7943) Also Blocks Ryanodine Receptors Type 1 (RyR1) and Type 2 (RyR2) Channels

Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) is a plasma membrane transporter that moves Ca2+ in or out of the cell, depending on membrane potential and transmembrane ion gradients. NCX is the main pathway for Ca2+ extrusion from excitable cells. NCX inhibitors can ameliorate cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury and promote high-frequency fatigue of skeletal muscle, purportedly by inhibiting the Ca2+ inward mode of NCX. Here we tested two known NCX inhibitors, 2-(2-(4-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl)ethyl)-isothiourea methanesulfonate (KB-R7943) and the structurally related 2-[[4-[(4-Nitrophenyl)methoxy]phenyl]methyl]-4-thiazoli dinecarboxylic acid ethyl ester (SN-6), for their influence on electrically or caffeine-evoked Ca2+ transients in adult dissociated flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) skeletal muscle fibers and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells that have stable expression of type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1). KB-R7943 (≤10 μM) reversibly attenuates electrically evoked Ca2+ transients in FDB and caffeine-induced Ca2+ release in HEK 293, whereas the structurally related NCX inhibitor SN-6 does not, suggesting that KB-R7943 directly inhibits RyR1. In support of this interpretation, KB-R7943 inhibits high-affinity binding of [3H]ryanodine to RyR1 (IC50 = 5.1 ± 0.9 μM) and the cardiac isoform RyR2 (IC50 = 13.4 ± 1.8 μM). KB-R7943 interfered with the gating of reconstituted RyR1 and RyR2 channels, reducing open probability (Po), shortening mean open time, and prolonging mean closed time. KB-R7943 was more effective at blocking RyR1 with cytoplasmic conditions favoring high Po compared with those favoring low Po. SN-6 has negligible activity toward altering [3H]ryanodine binding of RyR1 and RyR2. Our results identify that KB-R7943 is a reversible, activity-dependent blocker of the two most broadly expressed RyR channel isoforms and contributes to its pharmacological and therapeutic activities.
Exercise as an Intervention for the Age-Related Decline in Neural Metabolic Support

To identify interventions for brain aging, we must first identify the processes in which we hope to intervene. Brain aging is a period of decreasing functional capacity and increasing vulnerability, which reflect a reduction in morphological organization and perhaps degeneration. Since life is ultimately dependent upon the ability to maintain cellular organization through metabolism, this review explores evidence for a decline in neural metabolic support during aging, which includes a reduction in whole brain cerebral blood flow, and cellular metabolic capacity. Capillary density may also decrease with age, although the results are less clear. Exercise may be a highly effective intervention for brain aging, because it improves the cardiovascular system as a whole, and increases regional capillary density and neuronal metabolic capacity. Although the evidence is strongest for motor regions, more work may yield additional evidence for exercise-related improvement in metabolic support in non-motor regions. The protective effects of exercise may be specific to brain region and the type of insult. For example, exercise protects striatal cells from ischemia, but it produces mixed results after hippocampal seizures. Exercise can improve metabolic support and bioenergetic capacity in adult animals, but it remains to be determined whether it has similar effects in aging animals. What is clear is that exercise can influence the multiple levels of support necessary for maintaining optimal neuronal function, which is unique among proposed interventions for aging.
Development of a graduate software project management degree

The shortcomings of the software development industry are well documented and familiar to all computer science faculty members. Many software projects fail to deliver products with adequate functionality or are completed over budget and well past the original expected delivery date. The causes of these problems are also well documented and well known. Most often the causes of software project failure are not related to incompetency among the software developers, but inadequate skills among the project managers. Recently, several universities have begun offering management degree programs in their engineering colleges. Most graduate software engineering programs now include at least some coursework in project management. Our university has taken a different approach to producing graduate software project managers. We have developed a Software Project Management option within our College of Business's MBA program. This paper describes the skills we believe necessary for software project managers and how we cover these skills through a combination of computer science and business courses. We hope this paper will be helpful to educators developing new degree programs and promote discussion about the value of bridging the gap between the two distant academic worlds of engineering and business.
Realization of robust 600V high side gate drive IC with a new isolated self-shielding structure

A robust high side gate driver IC adapting new self-shielding concept with perfect isolation structure is experimentally realized. The fully depleted p-isolation region with low doping impurity gets rid of the crosstalk problem caused by leakage currents, which is essential problem of 600V, rated HVIC using self-shielding structure, between two LDMOS used as level shifters. In addition, highly doped n+ buried layer in the high side island region of proposed structure has led good dV/dt immunity. An HVIC adapting proposed structure has shown 65 kV/us of dV/dt characteristics and good characteristics for high side IGBT driving.
Gentamicin Use and Pseudomonas and Serratia Resistance: Effect of a Surgical Prophylaxis Regimen

An outbreak of prosthetic valve endocarditis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis prompted a change in antimicrobial prophylaxis for open heart surgery in a general hospital from a regimen of aqueous penicillin G, methicillin, and kanamycin to a 5-day regimen of cefazolin and gentamicin. As a result, total gentamicin use in the hospital more than doubled. Increased resistance of pseudomonas and serratia isolates paralleled the increased total use of gentamicin. For pseudomonas species, the incidence of gentamicin resistance increased from 3 to 15%; for serratia species, from 8 to 88%; and for the total of both organisms, from 4 to 28%. Resistance decreased rapidly after removal of gentamicin from the prophylaxis regimen. Review of serratia isolates from the urinary tract showed that gentamicin resistance was associated with prior antibiotic therapy, especially with gentamicin, care on the surgical services, especially the surgical intensive care unit, and presence of indwelling bladder catheters. Gentamicin use in a 5-day antimicrobial prophylaxis regimen for open heart surgery can represent a large proportion of the total hospital use of that antibiotic, with potential adverse effects on hospital flora.
Avoiding collision logjams through cooperation and conflict propagation

A methodology for resolving collision conflicts of many fast moving robots involving distributed cooperative behavior is proposed. Robots are unaware of the goals and plans of other robots. However, each robot is assumed to know the current states of other robots within a given range of vision. The current state of a robot is represented by its current and target velocities and its heading direction. A conflict issue between two robots is a detection of an upcoming collision. The resolution of the conflicts occurs at three levels. At the first level, the robots attempt to resolve the conflict individually. If individual attempts to resolve fail, the robots enter into a cooperative phase of resolving the conflict at the second level. At the third level, conflicts are propagated to robots not directly involved in any conflicts at that instant and their assistance sought for possible resolution. At all the three levels conflict resolution is attempted by velocity control of the robots through an algorithm that is distributed across all the robots in the system. Simulation results are shown to validate the efficacy of this methodology.
A novel coil configuration to extend the motion range of Lorentz force magnetic levitation devices for haptic interaction

Lorentz force magnetic levitation devices have been used for fine positioning, compliant assembly, force- reflecting teleoperation, and haptic interaction. The advantages of Lorentz levitation devices compared to motorized linkage and/or cable devices include the lack of friction, hysteresis, and other nonlinearities in actuation dynamics, the simplicity and robustness of a single moving part, and the potential for high closed-loop control bandwidths, a large impedance range, and precise motion. The principal disadvantage of existing Lorentz levitation devices is their motion ranges of 25 mm or less in translation and 20 degrees or less in rotation, which limits their utility in application domains such as haptic interaction. In this paper a novel coil and magnet configuration is presented which extends the possible motion range of Lorentz force magnetic levitation devices to 50 mm and at least 60 degrees, twice the present maximum range in translation and three times the maximum rotation. The motion range of the device design is confirmed through computer-aided design models and the levitation feasibility is shown through magnetic finite element analysis.
A Journey Through Cellular Processes: One Molecule at a Time

Forces and torques play an important role in many biological phenomena, from molecular binding and catalysis to the segregation of chromosomes and muscle contraction. How do forces and torques affect molecular behavior and how do these arise from the interactions between molecules? The answers to these questions have only begun to emerge during the last two decades through the advent and development of methods of single molecule manipulation. With these methods it has been possible to follow in real time the behavior of individual molecules subjected to the effects of force or torque and to measure the forces and torques generated in the course of their reactions. I will survey several systems that we have been studying in our laboratory from the initial characterization, more than two decades ago, of the DNA elasticity both extensional and torsional, to the mechanical unfolding and refolding of proteins and RNA and the study of the inner workings of various complex molecular machines. I will show how our studies have benefited from parallel developments in our understanding of the statistical physics of irreversible processes in microscopic systems and how to use these fundamental results to learn about the energetics of complex molecular processes.
A tropical ocean recharge mechanism for climate variability. Part I: Equatorial heat content changes induced by the off-equatorial wind

A reduced-gravity shallow-water model, an oceanic general circulation model for the Pacific region, and the analytical model of the equatorial b plane bounded in the zonal direction are used to investigate the equatorial thermocline response to tropical and subtropical wind stress forcing. The results show that the wind stress forcing in the tropical and subtropical region can generate a nearly zonal uniform thermocline depth change in the equatorial region. The response timescale is longer when the wind stress is placed farther away from the equator. There exist latitude bands around 108‐158N and 108‐158S where the forcing can cause a relatively large equatorial response. When the forcing is located in the eastern basin, the response timescale is longer and its magnitude is larger than the case when the forcing is located in the western basin. Thus the eastern tropical to subtropical region is a relatively effective area for off-equatorial wind stress to generate an equatorial thermocline response. When the wind stress forcing has a longer period, the response of the equatorial thermocline has a larger magnitude. The results from this study’s numerical experiments and the analytical solution are consistent. The present study has implications for the broad-scale ocean‐atmosphere interaction in the tropical region.
Factoring in ℤ p [x]

Factoring in ℤ p [x]Factoring in ℤ [x], p prime, is interesting, not only for its own sake, but also because it is useful for factoring in ℤ[x]. See Chapters 8 and 13. For example, x4 + 3x + 7 can be shown to be irreducible in ℤ[x] (and therefore in ℚ[x]) by showing that it is irreducible mod 2. For if x4 + 3x + 7 = a(x)b(x) then a(x)b(x) can be chosen in ℤ[x]; then x4 + 3x +7 =a(x)b(x) (mod 2) and x4 + 3x + 7 would factor mod 2. But mod 2, x4 + 3x + 7 = x4 + x + 1, which is easily shown to be irreducible in ℤ2[x].
Mechanism of Phenobarbital Degradation

Previous studies on the degradation of barbiturates have indicated that the products of hydrolysis of the ionic and nonionic forms might be different. During the course of a study on the analysis of phenobarbital it was discovered that one of the postulated products (phenylethylacetylurea) could be determined in the presence of phenobarbital. Experiments were therefore undertaken to follow the breakdown of phenobarbital and the ureide at different pH values. The pseudo first-order rate constants for phenobarbital and the ureide were then determined. Analysis of equilibria phenomena and series first-order reaction kinetics show that the fraction decomposing by the ureide path is dependent on the concentration of the ionic form as previously postulated.
Research progress of sample pretreatment technique for the detection of harmful residue in foodstuff

At present,harmful residues in foodstuff have caused widespread concern,so it's very important to ensure food safety by strengthening detection of harmful residues in our country.The application of sample pretreatment technique in food safety detection is summarized,mainly including the techniques for the residue detection of pesticide,veterinary drug,industrial formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic.Research prospect of sample pretreatment technique is also discussed.
Application and development of sulfonate surfactant

The kinds,properties and present situation of sulfonate surfactant have been introduced. The synergistic effect of the complex sulfonate surfactant systems has been summarized and sulfonate surfactant has very important practical merit and wide exploitative prospects is pointed out.
Development situation, main mode and countermeasure of Guangdong leisure agriculture

As a new agricultural form, leisure agriculture grows quickly in China and functions positively in improving new urbanization, developing new countryside and helping farmers acquire wealth. This paper investigates development situation of Guangdong leisure agriculture development and probes into the development advantages. On these bases,Guangdong leisure agriculture is divided into four modes, including farm work participation model, folk culture experiencing model, science education model and leisure vacation model. Meanwhile, the existing problems and disadvantages of leisure agriculture in developing process are studied. In the end, some countermeasures on the development and innovation of resources integration, overall planning, creativity increasing, industry combination and brand building are put forward.
Information Search in an Autocorrelated Causal Learning Environment

When trying to determine which of two causes produces a more desirable outcome, if the outcome is autocorrelated (goes through higher and lower periods) it is critical to switch back and forth between the causes. If one first tries Cause 1, and then tries Cause 2, it is likely that an autocorrelated outcome would appear to change with the second cause even though it is merely undergoing normal change over time. Experiment 1 found that people tend to perseverate rather than alternate when testing the effectiveness of causes, and perseveration is associated with substantial errors in judgment. Experiment 2 found that forcing people to alternate improves judgment. This research suggests that a debiasing approach to teach people when to alternate may be warranted to improve causal learning.
Abstract 4777: The role of BAG3 in human leukemia cells’ response to the experimental anticancer drug laromustine

The experimental anticancer drug laromustine, which demonstrates moderate clinical efficacy against acute myelogenous leukemia and glioblastoma multiforme, yields two reactive electrophiles in situ. Therapeutic cytotoxicity is principally due to a 2-chloroethylating species that can cause lethal DNA crosslinks. However, the second electrophile, methyl isocyanate, triggers acute toxicity in cultured cancer cells and synergizes with the cogenerated 2-chloroethylating activity. The mechanism by which laromustine kills cancer cells likely includes apoptosis. We measured changes in transcription for 88 genes relating to this cell death pathway cultured human promyelocytic (HL-60) cells using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Cultured cells were treated with drug for six hours before harvesting mRNA for analysis. Of these genes, the expression of BAG3, whose encoded protein is also known as CAIR-1 or Bis, was increased by more than 300 fold in cells exposed to laromustine. By forming a complex with heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), it is thought that BAG3 promotes anti-apoptotic activity by interfering with protein chaperones and release of cytochrome-c. We are also examining effects on the entire transcriptome upon treatment with laromustine using GeneChip Microarrays. Finally, we have created a stable BAG3 knockdown cell line using an shRNA construct via lentiviral transfection. Substantial differences in laromustine-induced cytotoxicity in differing BAG3 backgrounds would suggest a mechanistic role in a cell9s defense against laromustine and possibly an improved clinical approach. Citation Format: Kevin P. Rice, Amanda J. Loya, Kayla M. Gross. The role of BAG3 in human leukemia cells’ response to the experimental anticancer drug laromustine. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4777.
Regulation of Arginine Availability and Its Impact on NO Synthesis

Publisher Summary Arginine is the only physiological source of the nitrogen atom in nitric oxide (NO), enzymatic reactions and other processes that regulate the availability of this amino acid play crucial roles in regulating rates of NO synthesis in health and disease. The processes of arginine biosynthesis, catabolism, and transport are especially important in modulating both intracellular and plasma levels of arginine. The key players in these processes are argininosuccinate synthase, arginases, and cationic amino acid transporters (CATS), respectively. Their expression not only varies among different cell types, but is also dynamically modulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide, cytokines and other agents. In particular, argininosuccinate synthase and the CATS are generally coinduced with inflammatory nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), apparently, to maximize cellular capacity for NO synthesis. The metabolic roles and expression of the arginases, which compete with the NOS enzymes for a common substrate, are more complex and incompletely understood. As virtually all the enzymes of arginine metabolism can be expressed within the same cell, the complex interplay between the often conflicting or competing reactions represents a considerable challenge to the ability to understand the factors that control NO synthesis in different cell types.