cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Super-STORM: Molecular Modeling to Achieve Single-molecule Localization with STORM Microscopy

Summary This protocol introduces the SuperSTORM technique, combining stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) and molecular modeling. SuperSTORM is optimized for acquiring and processing STORM images of neutrophil integrins but can be used for any cell-surface molecule with known structure and antibody-binding site(s). SuperSTORM identifies molecular cut-offs for eliminating multiple blinks of STORM imaging, determines colocalization, identifies clusters, and reveals molecular orientations and distributions. This protocol extends STORM imaging to cells in microfluidic systems. Improved resolution is achieved by using biomolecule-inherent parameters. For complete information on the generation and use of this protocol, please refer to the paper by Fan et al. (2019) .
Learning from All Types of Experiences: A Unifying Machine Learning Perspective

Contemporary Machine Learning and AI research has resulted in thousands of models (e.g., numerous deep networks, graphical models), learning paradigms (e.g., supervised, unsupervised, active, reinforcement, adversarial learning), optimization techniques (e.g., all kinds of optimization or stochastic sampling algorithms), not mentioning countless approximation heuristics, tuning tricks, and black-box oracles, plus combinations of all above. While pushing the field forward rapidly, these results also contributed to making ML/AI more like an alchemist's crafting workshop rather than a modern chemist's periodic table. It not only makes mastering existing ML techniques extremely difficult, but also makes standardized, reusable, repeatable, reliable, and explainable practice and further development of ML/AI products extremely costly, if possible at all. This tutorial presents a systematic, unified blueprint of ML, for both a refreshing holistic understanding of the diverse ML paradigms/algorithms, and guidance of operationalizing ML for creating problem solutions in a composable manner. The tutorial consists of three parts. The first part provides an overview of the current landscape of ML paradigms, with a focus on motivating a systematic perspective. The second part presents the blueprint from three aspects: objective function, optimization solver, and model architecture. We describe standardized formulations of the diverse objectives and algorithms, and a composable view of model structures. On this basis, the third part focuses on the operational side of ML. We describe principled module abstraction of ML building blocks. We show the abstraction enables efficient composition of ML solutions to problems in healthcare, manufacturing, vision/text generation.
Impact of pharmacy technicians as part of an integrated health-system pharmacy team on improvement of medication access in the care of cystic fibrosis patients.

BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease requiring patients to take multiple medications per day. Multiple barriers exist affecting access and adherence. Studies have demonstrated the positive outcomes of pharmacist involvement in CF care. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impact of pharmacy technicians on medication access in the care of CF patients. METHODS A retrospective review and analysis of patient medication profiles for patients followed by the integrated pharmacy care process model was performed. Two electronic prescription pathways with pharmacy technician involvement were analyzed. One pathway using a specialty pharmacy CF pharmacy technician (SP technician) examined CF specialty medication delivery times. The other pathway examined the impact of the clinic-based CF pharmacy technician (CB technician) on the number of filling pharmacies for patients. RESULTS One-hundred and fifty-three patients met inclusion criteria in the CF specialty medication delivery analysis, and 56 patients met inclusion criteria filling pharmacy analysis. The median delivery time for dornase alfa decreased from 8 days to 3 days, p < .00001. The number of patients utilizing one filling pharmacy increased from 8 (14%) to 21 (38%) (p = .005); and utilizing three filling pharmacies decreased from 14 (25%) to 1 (2%) (p = .003). CONCLUSION The study demonstrated that pharmacy technicians as part of an integrated health-system pharmacy care process model improve medication access in the care of CF patients.
Exact Coherent States and the Nonlinear Dynamics of Wall-Bounded Turbulent Flows

Wall-bounded turbulence exhibits patterns that persist in time and space: coherent structures. These are important for transport processes and form a conceptual framework for important theoretical ...
Environment but not geography explains genetic variation in the invasive and largely panmictic European starling in North America

ABSTRACT Populations of invasive species that colonize and spread in novel environments may differentiate both through demographic processes and local selection throughout the genome. European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were introduced to New York in 1890 and subsequently spread throughout North America, becoming one of the most widespread and numerous bird species on the continent. Genome-wide comparisons across starling individuals and populations can identify demographic and/or selective factors that facilitated this rapid and successful expansion. We investigated patterns of genomic diversity and differentiation using reduced-representation genome sequencing (ddRADseq) of 17 starling populations. Consistent with this species’ high dispersal rates and rapid expansion history, we found low genome-wide differentiation and few FST outliers even at a continental scale. Despite starting from a founding population of approximately 180 individuals, North American starlings do not seem to have undergone a detectable genetic bottleneck: they have maintained an extremely large effective population size since introduction. We find more than 200 variants that correlate with temperature and/or precipitation. Genotype-environment associations (but not outlier scans) identify these SNPs against a background of negligible genome- and range-wide divergence. Such variants fall in the coding regions of genes associated with metabolism, stress, and neurological function. This evidence for incipient local adaptation in North American starlings suggests that it can evolve rapidly even in wide-ranging and evolutionarily young populations. This survey of genomic signatures of expansion in North American starlings is the most comprehensive to date and complements ongoing studies of world-wide local adaptation in these highly dispersive and invasive birds.
Precision of the Nidek Tonoref II autokeratometer: how many repeated measurements are required?

Purpose To determine the minimal number of repeated measurements required for precise Nidek Tonoref II autokeratometry. Methods This prospective, non-intervention study was performed at the Department of Ophthalmology, Randers, Denmark. We used the Nidek Tonoref II autokeratometer to perform 10 successive measurements on 100 right eyes of cooperative individuals. Each keratometry was converted to the spherical equivalent power (SE), while the net astigmatism was converted to polar values along zero (KP(0)) and 45 degrees (KP(45)). All units were in dioptres (D). The precision was calculated as the mean absolute difference between paired measurements, using one or the average of two, three, four or five autokeratometries. Statistical assessment was performed with Dunn's test for repeated measurements with a Bonferroni correction. Results The precision of SE, KP(0) and KP(45) increased statistically significantly from one to three measurements, with no significant improvement for autokeratometries based on four or five measurements. There was no significant precision difference between one and two measurements. Conclusion A single keratometry is inadequate, but the vector average of three measurements is sufficient for precise autokeratometry with the Tonoref II device. The consistent use of three keratometries with this device may increase the precision of spherical and toric IOL calculation.
A Case of Cocaine-Induced Uvular Edema

A 26-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of globus sensation and sore throat in the setting of recent cocaine use. On physical examination, he was found to have isolated uvular edema and erythema. After excluding other potential inciting mechanisms of Quincke’s disease, he was treated with anti-inflammatory medication and was observed for any development of airway compromise prior to discharge.
A systematic review and analysis of the viability of 3D-printed construction in remote environments

Abstract 3D-printed construction is an additive, layer-by-layer construction method with the potential to reduce material consumption, optimize design, decrease construction time, lower labor requirements, minimize logistical demand, improve sustainability, and reduce costs as compared to conventional construction. This paper presents the results of a systematic review of 4491 publications spanning from 1998 through 2019. The review presents the viability of 3D-printed construction as a replacement for conventional construction methods, specifically in remote, isolated, or expeditionary environments, where conventional construction capability may be limited. The paper includes an analysis and characterization of the existing body of 3D-printed construction literature before evaluating seven viability factors of the method: materials, structural design, process efficiency, logistics, labor, environmental impact, and cost. In addition, the paper highlights three case studies of 3D-printed construction in remote, isolated, and expeditionary environments. The paper concludes by suggesting areas of future research to ensure the viability of this technology, such as printing full-scale structures and components with locally sourced materials in uncontrolled environments, defining standards for 3D printing, automating additional construction processes, and performing both environmental impact and cost life-cycle analyses. With continued investment in research and development, 3D printing could become a more viable and accepted method of construction, transforming the way the industry is managed in remote, isolated, and expeditionary environments.
Examination of night eating and loss-of-control eating following bariatric surgery.

Post-operative loss-of-control (LOC)-eating is a negative prognostic indicator for long-term outcomes following bariatric surgery. Emerging research suggests that night eating might also be associated with poorer post-operative outcomes. This study examined the co-occurrence and clinical features of night eating in patients with LOC-eating following bariatric surgery. Participants were 131 adults who sought treatment for eating/weight concerns 6 months following sleeve gastrectomy. The Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) interview (Bariatric-Surgery-Version) assessed LOC-eating, regular night eating (at least weekly), and eating-disorder psychopathology. Participants completed the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Approximately, 15% met screening criteria for night-eating syndrome based on the NEQ. Greater NEQ scores were associated significantly with race, lower percent total weight loss (%TWL), and greater EDE, BDI-II, and PSQI scores. Similar results were observed when comparing groups with regular night eating (21.4%) versus without (78.6%); adjusting for race and %TWL revealed similar findings. In post-bariatric patients with LOC-eating, 15% likely had night-eating syndrome and 21.4% engaged in regular night-eating behavior. The co-occurrence of LOC-eating and regular night eating following sleeve gastrectomy may represent a more severe subgroup with elevated psychopathology, poorer sleep and %TWL. Level III, evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies
How Do Partisans Navigate Elite Intra-group Dissent? Leadership, Partisanship, and the Limits of Democratic Accountability

Democratic erosion has led scholars to query how voters respond to leaders who violate norms. Given polarization and the centrality of identity in partisan affiliations, criticism by co-partisan elites may be crucial to checking party leaders. We draw on theories of partisanship as a social identity as well as perspectives on leadership and dissent to theorize how partisans respond to misbehavior by an ingroup leader, and to criticism of the leader by a co-partisan. We test our expectations through multiple survey experiments. We find evidence of ingroup bias in evaluations of the misbehaving leader and little evidence that ingroup dissent is an effective constraint on leaders. Except in the most serious leadership transgressions of ‘hard’ norms, people rally around leaders when confronted with dissent by co-partisan elites. Overall, the results suggest that ingroup dissent may not lead to leader accountability.
Mercury immunotoxicity in the brown watersnake (Nerodia taxispilota): An in vitro study

Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that enters the environment through natural and anthropogenic means. Once in the environment, Hg can biomagnify in food webs and is known to cause immunotoxic effects to wildlife. Compared with other vertebrates, knowledge of the reptilian immune system is lacking, especially in snakes. Further, even less is known about the impact of environmental contaminants on snake immunity. This gap in knowledge is largely due to an absence of established immune-based assays or specific reagents for these species. In this study, brown watersnakes (Nerodia taxispilota; n = 23) were captured on the Savannah River (Augusta, Georgia, USA), weighed, measured, bled, and released. Peripheral blood leukocytes (24 h old) were enriched and evaluated with an established mammalian in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay. Enriched leukocytes were then exposed to mercury chloride (HgCl2 ) at 3.75, 37.5, and 75 μM. Total mercury (THg) in whole blood was also quantified. Snake peripheral blood leukocyte enrichment yielded >90% lymphocytes with viabilities averaging >70%. Exposure to HgCl2 resulted in significant dose-dependent suppression of proliferative responses relative to spontaneous proliferation at 37.5 and 75 μM (both p ≤ 0.01) but not 3.75 μM (p = 0.99). Mean ± 1 SE concentration of THg in whole blood was 0.127 ± 0.027 mg/kg (wet weight). Based on the in vitro findings with HgCl2 , snakes in systems with heavy Hg pollution may be at risk of immunosuppression, but N. taxispilota at the site in this study appear to be at low risk.
Thinking About Thinking Improves Thinking

Between 1958 and 1963 Shockley served in various capacities in the Clevite Corporation and also as a lecturer at Stanford University.
Protocol for clickable photoaffinity labeling and quantitative chemical proteomics.

Summary Here, we describe a protocol for a photoaffinity labeling probe strategy for target deconvolution in live cells. We made a chemical probe by incorporation of a photoreactive group to covalently cross-link with adjacent amino acid residues upon UV irradiation. Click chemistry-based enrichment captures labeled proteins for proteomic analysis. Here, we detail specifics for finding targets of LXRβ, but the protocol has potential for application to other targets. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Seneviratne et al. (2020) .
Statistical Aspects of Trigger Assessment

The associations between triggers and headache attacks are often complex and may require the use of sophisticated statistical methods. Techniques such as covariance assessment, time series analysis, and proper handling of missing data are commonly needed when analyzing various types of trigger assessments. This chapter provides an introduction to these valuable methods and how they can be used in the study of headache triggers.
Buckling and Prestressed Vibrations of Periodic Nonprismatic Beams Using Integral Equation Approach

This paper presents the use of Fredholm–Volterra integro-differential equation approach for determining the critical buckling load and natural frequencies of periodically supported nonprismatic Eul...
Information-Theoretic Assessment

This chapter introduces information theory into the mathematical development to establish an approach, based on fundamental principles, for the assessment of visual communication. In this assessment, we must clearly distinguish image reconstruction (Chapter 2) from restoration (Chapter 3). Whereas the reconstruction is intended to produce a continuous representation of the discrete output of the image-gathering device, the restoration is intended to produce a representation of the input to this device. The information-theoretic assessment is meaningful only for image restoration for which a close correlation evolves between information rate and image quality.
ICU Without Walls: A New York City Model

This chapter is a case study of development of the critical care medicine (CCM) service and outreach system at a major university hospital in New York over the past 20 years. While the focus of this review will be the major milestones in development of the CCM team activity outside of the intensive care unites (ICUs), general developments and influences will be briefly discussed as well. This review makes a point of the need for and feasibility of close and effective collaboration between clinical services and institutional administration based on common language and goals. The case study is meant to be a useful teaching tool for young intensivists and administrators, to help them learn from our experiences and apply them to institutional benefit.The core references may be routine for practicing intensivists, but the goal includes having them available to non-clinician administrators. Montefiore Medical Center currently staffs 2 university hospitals with 66 adult medical and surgical ICU beds and a 24/7 in-house team of attending intensivists and fellows in an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited training program. It provides an ICUwithout-walls concept of care, with rapid bedside response to all acute requests outside of the ICU within 30 minutes.The CCM service system has been ranked in the top 100 as 1 of 2 national benchmark critical care hospitals in New York City and has demonstrated positive performance parameters including a 45% increase in emergency department volume and elimination of ambulance diversion over the past 5 years, in addition to the best regional outcomes in surgical specialties targeted for increased intensivist staffing. The ICU-without-walls model allowed for critical care medicine physicians to practice their skills to maximal institutional benefits, and the management structure responded by allocating the necessary resources based on objective performance. The hospital was the most profitable hospital in New York City in 2003.
A Tabu Search Heuristic Procedure for Solving the Transportation Problem with Exclusionary Side Constraints

A new heuristic procedure for the transportation problem with exclusionary side constraints is developed and implemented. Tabu search, a meta-heuristic method, is used to guide the search to follow a path selectively to prevent from being trapped at local optimal solutions in order to find a global optimal or near global optimal solution. The simplex method on a graph is employed to lead the search from one solution to an adjacent solution in order to take advantage of the underlying network structure of the problem. In the procedure, net changes in cost and in infeasibility are used to measure the attractiveness of a move, and strategic oscillation is used to implement the intensification and diversification functions. A computational experiment was conducted to test the performance of the heuristic procedure and substantial computational results are reported. These results show that the new heuristic procedure finds very good quality solutions and outperforms an existing heuristic procedure in terms of both solution quality and CPU time.
Parallelism For High Performance Query Processing

We present a new method for a type of processing required in data base management systems. The method efficiently determin relevance of a given query value to each of many (target) sets of data. By using a new type of data structure, the method allows complete parallelism both for operations on different target sets and for those within each target set. The method never generates a false drop (i.e. indicates that an irrelevant target set is relevant to the query) and always identifies all relevant target sets. This eliminates the the overhead of reading each selected target set to ensure that the selection was not a false drop. A good deterministic bound on the system's performance is established.
Observed Spectral Features of Dust

This review will concentrate on the observed properties of dust spectral features. Related laboratory results are reviewed by Allamandola (1983) and will not be discussed here, but identifications, which are based on laboratory data, will be given whenever plausible ones exist. There are a very large number of papers in the literature of even such a young field as infrared spectroscopy, and it is impossible to refer to all of the original sources in a short review such as this one. I have therefore referred only to the most recent paper on a topic or to another review, and the reader will have to go back through, successive reference lists to find the original work.
Structure of Vertebrate Striated Muscle as Determined by X-ray-Diffraction Studies

The sections in this article are: 1 Muscle Structure: An Overview 1.1 Description of Low-Angle Diffraction Patterns 2 Interpretation of X-Ray Patterns 2.1 Theoretical Aspects 2.2 Experimental Approaches 3 Filament Lattice 3.1 Lattice Spacing 3.2 Filament Orientations 3.3 Radial Electron-Density Distribution 4 Actin-Containing Filaments 4.1 Helix Parameters 4.2 Thin-Filament Regulation of Contraction 5 Myosin-Filament Backbone 5.1 Axial Packing of Myosin 5.2 Helical Packing of Myosin 5.3 Axial Repeat of C Protein 6 Cross Bridges 6.1 Relaxed Muscle 6.2 Rigor Muscle 6.3 Contracting Muscle 7 Analogues of ATP
The emerging Shanghai city brand: A netnographic study of image perception among foreigners

Abstract The World Expo 2010 was a pivotal event aimed at demonstrating that Shanghai is an attractive, modern and comfortable city, infused with traditional Chinese values and ready to compete for talent and investments with other global cities. Through a netnographic analysis of online discussion forums for foreigners residing in, or visiting Shanghai, this study documents the attitudes of these online community members towards life in this city. These attitudes are identified as predominantly negative with an emphasis on pollution, congestion and rudeness of the local population. This study thus identifies a dissonance between the officially communicated brand identity and the word-of-mouth communication on social media. This paper proceeds to recommend leveraging the identified positive aspects of Shanghai's image such as excitement, affordability and safety for future branding efforts.
ROD-AND-FRAME AND MMPI SCORES FOR A GROUP OF FEMALE PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENTS

Summasy.-75 recently admitted female psychiatric inpatients were given the rod-and-frame task and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). All patients with an admission diagnosis of schizophrenia, organic brain syndrome, or a reported history of alcoholism or previous electroconvulsive therapy were excluded from the study. Personality disturbance, as me=ured by the MMPI, for the remaining 75 patients, was significantly less severe for extremely high-error (field dependent) rod-and-frame performers than for other patients in the sample. Hospital records and performance on self-rating scales showed, however, that patients with a high rate of error on rod-and-frame performance were subjectively as uncomfortable as the others tested. Results are discussed in terms of the possible conttibution of perceptual impairment to the psychological complaints made by these individuals. Recent work, primarily with psychiatric inpatients, ha shown that higherror rod-and-frame performance is often accompanied by poor performance on other perceptual and learning tasks (Berent & Silverman, 1973; Berent, 1974; Berent, 1976). These studies showed that impaired performance by these patients is not general or random, but involves specific functions that may reflect cerebral functions usually attributed to structures of the left cerebral hemisphere. Impairment associated with poor rod-and-frame performance has been revealed on measures of right-left orientation (Culver, Cohen, Silverman, & Shmavonian, 1964), calculating ability (Berent, 1976), handwriting (Berent, 1974), and verbal paired-associate learning (Berent & Silverman, 1973). ' At the same time, these patients have been shown to be relatively unimpaired on certain tasks reflective of right-cerebral-hemisphere functions. Berent and Silverman (1973) reported that persons who performed very poorly on the rd-and-frame were significantly more impaired than others sampled in ability to learn a set of verbal paired associates. These same individuals were relatively unimpaired in their recall of nonverbal, visual-perceptual material. Other work (Berent, Cohen, & Silverman, 1975; Cohen, Noblin, Silverman, & Penick, 1968; Cohen, Berent, & Silverman, 1973; Stark, 1961) has shown impaired performance on these same verbal and visual tasks
Top-down laminar organization of the excitatory network in motor cortex

Cortical layering is a hallmark of the mammalian neocortex and a major determinant of local synaptic circuit organization in sensory systems. In motor cortex, the laminar organization of cortical circuits has not been resolved, although their input-output operations are crucial for motor control. Here, we developed a general approach for estimating layer-specific connectivity in cortical circuits and applied it to mouse motor cortex. From these data we computed a laminar presynaptic --> postsynaptic connectivity matrix, W(post,pre), revealing a complement of stereotypic pathways dominated by layer 2 outflow to deeper layers. Network modeling predicted, and experiments with disinhibited slices confirmed, that stimuli targeting upper, but not lower, cortical layers effectively evoked network-wide events. Thus, in motor cortex, descending excitation from a preamplifier-like network of upper-layer neurons drives output neurons in lower layers. Our analysis provides a quantitative wiring-diagram framework for further investigation of the excitatory networks mediating cortical mechanisms of motor control.
A facile synthesis of monodisperse Au nanoparticles and their catalysis of CO oxidation

Monodisperse Au nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized at room temperature via a burst nucleation of Au upon injection of the reducing agent t-butylamine-borane complex into a 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene solution of HAuCl4·3H2O in the presence of oleylamine. The as-synthesized Au NPs show size-dependent surface plasmonic properties between 520 and 530 nm. They adopt an icosahedral shape and are polycrystalline with multiple-twinned structures. When deposited on a graphitized porous carbon support, the NPs are highly active for CO oxidation, showing 100% CO conversion at −45 °C.
The Impact of SST Bias Correction on North Atlantic Hurricane Retrospective Forecasts

AbstractThe impact of sea surface temperature (SST) bias correction on seasonal North Atlantic hurricane retrospective forecasts is examined with the Florida State University/Center for Ocean–Atmospheric Prediction Studies (FSU/COAPS) atmospheric global spectral model. The retrospective forecasts cover a 28-yr period (1982–2009). For each year of the retrospective forecast, two, four-member ensembles are developed using predicted SSTs from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Forecast System, version 1 (CFSv1), model. The first ensemble uses the SSTs forecasted from the CFSv1 model and the second ensemble uses the same SSTs with a simple bias correction applied. Seasonal hurricane counts determined using both SSTs are shown to have skill, although the skill is much greater using the bias-corrected SSTs. In addition, a positive significant trend in the hurricane counts is noted using the bias-corrected SSTs, in good agreement with observations while no significant trend is noted us...
Management of renal artery stenosis: 2010.

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is a relatively common manifestation of atherosclerosis, although in a small percentage of cases it is due to fibromuscular dysplasia and less frequently may have other etiologies. RAS may be treated by revascularization, using either percutaneous or open surgical techniques. Currently, technical success with percutaneous revascularization utilizing angioplasty and stenting is achieved in 95% or more of cases in which it is attempted. Despite this, at least one third of patients undergoing renal artery stenting do not receive any measurable benefit. Furthermore, randomized trials of stenting for RAS have failed to demonstrate a benefit over medical management alone. Thus, the clinician is faced with a challenge when determining how to manage an individual patient with RAS. In the current era, all patients with RAS should receive “optimal medical therapy.” This approach should use medicines to control blood pressure, and specifically utilize agents proven to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Other components of “optimal medical therapy” include the use of anti-platelet drugs such as aspirin and statins to minimize progression of atherosclerosis. In addition to these strategies, consideration should be given to revascularization therapy. When deciding to revascularize RAS, the patient should have an appropriate clinical indication, in addition to a significant anatomic stenosis. Importantly, stents should not be placed due to the “oculostenotic reflex.” Specifically, patients who continue to have uncontrolled blood pressure or worsening renal function despite an aggressive approach with medical therapy may be particularly good candidates for renal artery stenting. Despite the lack of benefit in randomized trials to date, there is likely still a role for renal artery stenting in RAS; however, careful patient selection is essential to maximize the potential benefit.
Getting started with microcomputers in undergraduate education: Hints and guidelines

Microcomputers can serve many functions in undergraduate education, including control of laboratory experiments, presentation of classroom demonstrations, generation of handouts, and monitoring student performance. Panel members of a symposium presented several general guidelines for the use of microcomputers, and specific guidelines for selecting and purchasing equipment and for daily operation of a microcomputer facility.
Symmetry-Breaking Polarization Driven by a Cdc42p GEF-PAK Complex

Summary Background In 1952, Alan Turing suggested that spatial patterns could arise from homogeneous starting conditions by feedback amplification of stochastic fluctuations. One example of such self-organization, called symmetry breaking, involves spontaneous cell polarization in the absence of spatial cues. The conserved GTPase Cdc42p is essential for both guided and spontaneous polarization, and in budding yeast cells Cdc42p concentrates at a single site (the presumptive bud site) at the cortex. Cdc42p concentrates at a random cortical site during symmetry breaking in a manner that requires the scaffold protein Bem1p. The mechanism whereby Bem1p promotes this polarization was unknown. Results Here we show that Bem1p promotes symmetry breaking by assembling a complex in which both a Cdc42p-directed guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and a Cdc42p effector p21-activated kinase (PAK) associate with Bem1p. Analysis of Bem1p mutants indicates that both GEF and PAK must bind to the same molecule of Bem1p, and a protein fusion linking the yeast GEF and PAK bypasses the need for Bem1p. Although mammalian cells lack a Bem1p ortholog, they contain more complex multidomain GEFs that in some cases can directly interact with PAKs, and we show that yeast containing an artificial GEF with similar architecture can break symmetry even without Bem1p. Conclusions Yeast symmetry-breaking polarization involves a GEF-PAK complex that binds GTP-Cdc42p via the PAK and promotes local Cdc42p GTP-loading via the GEF. By generating fresh GTP-Cdc42p near pre-existing GTP-Cdc42p, the complex amplifies clusters of GTP-Cdc42p at the cortex. Our findings provide mechanistic insight into an evolutionarily conserved pattern-forming positive-feedback pathway.
Predator-dependent species-area relationships.

Abstract: In addition to having a positive effect on species richness (species‐area relationships [SARs]), habitat area can influence the presence of predators, which can indirectly influence prey richness. While these direct and indirect effects of area on richness occur simultaneously, no research has examined how predation might contribute to SAR variation. We extend MacArthur and Wilson’s equilibrium theory of island biogeography by including predation‐induced shifts in prey extinction and predict that predators will reduce slopes of prey SARs. We provide support for this with data from two insular ecosystems: orthopteran richness in Ozark glades (rocky herbaceous communities within a forested matrix) with and without insectivorous lizards and zooplankton richness in freshwater ponds with and without zooplanktivorous fishes. Our results emphasize that anthropogenic activities yield simultaneous changes in processes altering diversity and that it is critical that we understand how these components of a...
In vitro interactions between Neoparamoeba spp. and salmonid leucocytes; the effect of parasite sonicate on anterior kidney leucocyte function

Sonicated Neoparamoeba spp. (Nspp) did not affect the in vitro respiratory burst response of leucocytes isolated from Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha anterior kidneys (P > 0.05). Atlantic salmon and chinook salmon leucocytes pre-incubated with the parasites, however, responded to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation with a greater response compared to cells incubated with PMA on its own (P < 0.05). Sonicated Nspp was not chemo-attractive for anterior kidney leucocytes isolated from all three fish species. © 2006 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.
On Reforming the Reformed:A Study of the Religious Changes and the Premonstratensians in Saxony

The phenomenon of reform has appeared in many diverse modes throughout the history of the Christian church. At different times Christians have attempted to improve conditions which were perceived to reveal unwelcome deviations from some ideal models. During the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, the call for reform of the church in western Europe was especially loud, and many ameliorating changes did happen at that time. The forces at work strengthened a variety of trends which were as dissimilar as the growing respect for new theological insights, the increasing power of local leaders, and the expanding importance of the common people. Not only did church prelates guide parishioners into reforms; lay folk also influenced their religious superiors into ameliorations. The reforms in the Christian church of western Europe from about 1450 to 1525 were complex upheavals in which Christians attempted to solve the religious problems of that time. Much of the recent research on reform in western Europe in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries has advanced greatly our understanding of the views of influential theologians.' However, ideas of renewal often lead to concrete reforms only after the realities of a specific situation have influenced the developments. The profound insights about church reform of a Nicholas of Cusa or a Martin Luther were adapted to vibrant local issues and brought to fruition by the common folk. Consequently, more research into the efforts for improvements made by local church leaders, as well as further study of the actual changes in the piety of ordinary people, is desirable. In order to acknowledge adequately local and regional peculiarities, a valuable contribution can be made by investigations which concentrate on representative groups of people whose changes can be observed in detail. Our study, therefore, shall attempt to elucidate the reforming ideals as well as the actual instances of renewal in the real world of the Saxon canons
Solar-neutrino problem and three-neutrino oscillations.

The phenomena of neutrinos changing flavor as they propagate through matter is examined with three neutrino species. The three-neutrino problem separates into two resonances when the mixing angles are small and/or when the mass scales are well separated. We find the general solution to the solar-neutrino puzzle for the three-flavor case in the small-angle limit.
Dependence of electron spin relaxation times on the crystal orientation of CdTe grown on (100)ZnSe/GaAs substrates

Depending on the shutter sequence used to initiate CdTe deposition, either (100) or (111) CdTe layers can be reproducibly grown on (100) ZnSe/GaAs substrates. Using a hexagonal surface model for (111) CdTe we propose a mechanism for the crystalline orientation selectivity. We use time-resolved Kerr rotation to monitor the electron spin dynamics in these films. While the spin lifetime is found to depend on material quality, only (100) films show a clear temperature dependence, a peculiar feature we believe to arise from different residual strains in the layers with the two different orientations. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Rashba splitting and dichroism of surface states in Bi/Ag surface alloy

Abstract The Rashba effect plays an important role in various spin-related phenomena in two-dimensional electronic systems. In this work we present a theoretical analysis of the Rashba effect both analytically and numerically for the prototypical Rashba system Bi/Ag surface alloy, which shows a giant Rashba spin splitting. The results reveal the critical influence of atomic spin-orbit coupling and structural inversion asymmetry. In addition, we demonstrate a theoretical route to interpret the prominent circular dichroic patterns observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy in this system. The results reveal a close connection between the experimentally observed dichroic patterns and the Rashba spin texture.
The Impact of Device Asymmetry on the Electrical and Reliability Properties of Ferroelectric PZT for Memory Applications

The origin and the effects of asymmetrical electrical behavior in sputtered PZT (Zr/Ti=65/35) thin film capacitors with Pt electrodes have been studied. The asymmetry and constriction in the P-E hysteresis loops are understood to result from differences in mechanical stress at the top and bottom PZT/Pt interfaces because they experience different thermal cycles during fabrication. A method for correctly positioning asymmetric loops on the polarization axis is suggested. Both d.c. and a.c. electrical stressing (of either polarity) lead to hysteresis relaxation and symmetrization. A post-processing anneal leads to electrically symmetrical devices.
DEFINITIVE BREAST CANCER SURGERY AS AN OUTPATIENT : A RATIONAL BASIS FOR THE TRANSITION

The transition of definitive breast cancer surgery to an outpatient setting cannot be done without some major philosophical and technical changes on the part of the surgeon. This paper outlines the changes in the author's practice made over two decades demonstrating that this transition has had no effect on outcome. Definitive surgical care for breast cancer can occur in a cost-effective fashion totally on an outpatient basis. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Direct pair production by high energy muons

A multiplate cloud chamber was operated 1032ft undergound to study electromagnetic interactions of fast cosmic ray muons. 222 electron showers were observed. A histogram was obtained for transferred energies from 30 to 3 000 MeV. The showers are primarily due to direct pair production and knock-on processes. The results indicate that there is agreement with knock-on theory but that the direct pair production cross section is about 1/2 that predicted by the Murota-Ueda-Tanaka theory.
Free-energy balance in renal counterflow systems

Abstract In the steady state at constant temperature and pressure it is shown that for an arbitrary open system with no sources ∑ k ∫ V J k ·grad μ k dV− ∫ S μ k J k ·dσ = 0 where V is the volume, S is the bounding surface, μ k the chemical potential of the k th component, J k its vector flux, and dσ an outwardly directed volume element. By application of this relation to a system of mutually exchanging parallel flow tubes, and summation over tubes and species it is shown that the net rate of free-energy change from membrane transport exactly equals the volume integral of free-energy dissipation by diffusion plus the difference between the rate of free-energy outflow and inflow. By introducing phenomenological laws for membrane transport, expressions are derived for the surface integrals of membrane transport. On the basis of this thermodynamic analysis the power requirements of urinary concentration are discussed qualitatively.
A nonoverlapping domain decomposition method for variational inequalities derived from free boundary problems

The article proposes a nonoverlapping domain decomposition method for variational inequalities derived from free boundary problems. The free boundary value problem is broken up into two problems on nonoverlapping regions. In one region the problem is treated as a partial differential equation, while in the second region that contains the free boundary part, a variational inequality is considered. By solving these two related problems successively, we have shown that the successive solutions converge to the solution of the original problem. Application to a free surface seepage problem is given. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2006
Measurements of computer satisfaction, literacy, and aptitudes: A review

This paper presents a review and discussion of scales and questionnaires developed to assess various user satisfaction attitudes towards computers and computer literacy, skills, and aptitudes. The scales are grouped into two general areas: user satisfaction with computer systems, and computer literacy and aptitude. The reviews include descriptions of each scale, scale development procedures, and reliability and validity testing. Also included are presentations of the research questions examined through the use of particular scales. A summary discussion compares reliability and validity testing on the various scales within each of the two areas of computer assessment Finally, general problems associated with the reliability and validity testing of the reviewed computer assessment scales are discussed along with an assessment of future directions of computer satisfaction, literacy, aptitude, and skills research.
Social Glue vs. Learning Tool: The Uses, Effects, and Issues of Using Facebook in Educational Contexts

With over 1 billion active users, Facebook is the most popular and widely used social networking site. The purpose of this review is to highlight empirical findings on the use of Facebook as an educational resource and environment. It is organized around three major questions: 1) How has Facebook been used in educational contexts? 2) What are the effects of using Facebook in educational contexts? 3) What are the current issues and concerns of using Facebook in educational contexts? Future directions will be discussed.
Brefeldin A implicates egress from endoplasmic reticulum in class I restricted antigen presentation

Most antigens must be processed intracellularly before they can be presented, in association with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules at the cell surface, for recognition by the antigen-specific receptor of T cells. This processing appears to involve cleavage of protein antigens to smaller peptides. Only certain fragments of any protein can serve as T-cell epitopes and this is, at least in part, determined by the requirement that peptides be able to bind the MHC molecules. Class I restricted antigens are derived from proteins, such as viral antigens, that are synthesized within the presenting cell. Many of these antigens are cytosolic proteins and recent evidence suggests that it is in the cytosol that these proteins are processed to produce either the antigenic peptides or processed intermediates. How and where these processed cytosolic antigens cross the membrane of the vacuolar system and bind to the extracellular domain of the class I molecule is not known but one obvious site for this process is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), because this organelle is specialized to translocate proteins across the membrane from the cytosol into the secretory system. Based on this model, we reasoned that if we could pharmacologically block the movement of proteins out of the ER, endogenous antigen presentation would cease. An agent which causes such an effect is available--the fungal antibiotic Brefeldin A (BFA). Consistent with the above hypothesis, we report that BFA completely abolishes the ability of a cell to present endogenously synthesized antigens to class I restricted cytotoxic T cells.
Visible and far infrared spectral studies of tetrahedral and octahedral complexes in non-aqueous solvent systems—I. Far infrared spectra of some simple tetrachlorometallates (MCl4−x) in benzene

Abstract Several tetrachlorometallate (MCl 4 − x ) complexes have been prepared in benzene by reacting the solid metal salts with a solution of a long-chain, high molecular weight quaternary salt or an amine hydrochloride. The resulting complexes have been studied by far infrared spectrometry. Evidence of cation effects on the distortion of the anion have been observed. Force constant calculations have been carried out assuming a Urey-Bradley force field. For the complexes of the first row transition metals, the M-Cl force constants (stretch) are in the order Mn 〈Co〉 Ni Ga > In as one would expect.
Damage control resuscitation decreases systemic inflammation after hemorrhage

Background Severe hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation initiates a dysfunctional systemic inflammatory response leading to end-organ injury. Clinical evidence supports the transfusion of high ratios of plasma and packed red blood cells (pRBCs) in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock. The effects of resuscitation with different ratios of fresh blood products on inflammation and organ injury have not yet been characterized. Materials and Methods Mice underwent femoral artery cannulation and pressure-controlled hemorrhage for 60 min, then resuscitation with fresh plasma and pRBCs collected from donor mice. Plasma alone, pRBCs alone, and ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 plasma:pRBCs were used for resuscitation strategies. Mice were sacrificed to determine biochemical and hematologic parameters, serum cytokine concentrations, tissue myeloperoxidase levels, and vascular permeability. Results Compared with other resuscitation strategies, mice resuscitated with pRBCs alone exhibited increased hemoglobin levels, while other hematologic and biochemical parameters were not significantly different among groups. Compared with 1:1, mice resuscitated with varying ratios of plasma:pRBCs exhibited increased cytokine concentrations of KC, MIP-1α, and MIP-2, and increased intestinal and lung myeloperoxidase levels. Mice resuscitated with 1:1 had decreased vascular permeability in the intestine and lung as compared with other groups. Conclusions Resuscitation with a 1:1 ratio of fresh plasma:pRBCs results in decreased systemic inflammation and attenuated organ injury. These findings support the potential advantage of transfusing blood products in physiologic ratios to improve the treatment of severe hemorrhagic shock.