cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maddy on Realism in Mathematics

Realism in Mathematics ( RM ) by Penelope Maddy (1990) is a delightful, thought-provoking book which contains interesting ideas on almost every page. Maddy attempts to develop and defend a novel form of “naturalized” set-theoretic realism, which she portrays as “compromise platonism.” The compromise is supposed to be between Quine/Putnam platonism, on the one hand, and Godelian platonism on the other, and the focus of the book, to make the project manageable, is on set theory in particular. In this chapter I shall discuss the arguments of her book in some detail. Chapter 1 of RM , entitled “Realism”, leads the reader through a variety of positions in the philosophy of mathematics on the way to a characterization of compromise platonism. A number of antirealist positions are briefly evaluated – intuitionism, formalism, if-thenism, the logicism of the logical positivists, and conventionalism – and some issues concerning different theories of truth are canvassed. Traditional platonism about mathematics is then characterized as the view that mathematical entities are abstract, outside physical space, eternal, unchanging, and acausal. Knowledge of such entities is supposed to be a priori and certain, and mathematical truths are supposed to be necessary truths. Like traditional platonism, Godelian platonism holds that mathematical entities are abstract, and it takes its lead from the actual experience of doing mathematics. Maddy says that, unlike Quine/Putnam platonism, it recognizes a form of evidence intrinsic to mathematics.
Use of the SHuffle Strains in Production of Proteins

Escherichia coli continues to be a popular expression host for the production of proteins, yet successful recombinant expression of active proteins to high yields remains a trial and error process. This is mainly due to decoupling of the folding factors of a protein from its native host, when expressed recombinantly in E. coli. Failure to fold could be due to many reasons but is often due to lack of post-translational modifications that are absent in E. coli. One such post-translational modification is the formation of disulfide bonds, a common feature of secreted proteins. The genetically engineered SHuffle cells offer an expression solution to proteins that require disulfide bonds for their folding and activity. The purpose of this protocol unit is to familiarize the researcher with the biology of SHuffle cells and guide the experimental design in order to optimize and increase the chances of successful expression of their desired protein of choice. Example of the expression and purification of a model disulfide-bonded protein DsbC is described in detail. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: shuffle cytoplasm; DsbC; Disulfide bonded protein production; E. coli
Developing a Comprehensive Assessment Plan

This chapter provides practical advice for developing a comprehensive assessment plan. Two examples from institutions that have created both individual and program-level assessment plans for leadership programs are shared.
Good Outcomes Possible after a Prolonged Course of Refractory Status Epilepticus (P01.048)

OBJECTIVE: To review the evaluation and treatment of a young patient with refractory status epilepticus with a suprisingly good outcome after a 125 day drug-induced coma. BACKGROUND: Despite the large number of cases of status epilepticus (SE) there are no population based studies that have identified any unique clinical or diagnostic characteristics of an adult status epilepticus “survivor profile”, and overall adult mortality remains high at 26%. DESIGN/METHODS: An extensive chart review with focus on anti-epileptic drug therapy, the use of continuous electroencephalogram monitoring, work-up for secondary causes, imaging studies, and decision making processes as it related to continued care was detailed. The most current literature was reviewed to determine if there was an optimal treatment strategy and "survivor prorile" that could be used to direct future cases of prolonged refractory SE cases. RESULTS: Continuous infusions with phenobarbital, ketamine, and midazolam were used throughout the course of treatment. A combination of 8 anti-epileptic medications were used to abort the seizures. The patient was given a trial of methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and ketogenic diet. Infectious disease and paraneoplastic work-up was negative. A literature search revealed 4 studies which encompass a review of 10 adult patients however, morbidity and mortality were high in all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: There are reports of patients surviving prolonged treatment of refractory SE but typically outcomes are poor. Determining the prognosis for functional recovery and deciding on adequate treatment duration can be difficult in cases of refractory SE. This case illustrates treatment strategies that resulted in a good functional recovery even after months of refractory SE. Disclosure: Dr. Standley has nothing to disclose. Dr. Benbadis has received personal compensation for activities with Cyberonics, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., Lundbeck, Sleemed/DigiTrace, UCB Pharma, and XLTEK. Dr. Benbadis has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for E-Medicine and UpToDate.
Comprehensive Screening for Suicide Risk in Primary Care

Introduction Suicide is a major public health problem and a complex clinical challenge. Assessment and early identification could be enhanced with screening tools that look beyond depression. The purpose of this study was to identify profiles of risk behaviors and social stress associated with suicidal ideation and behavior using the Behavioral Health Screen. Methods The study used screening data from 2,513 primary care patients (aged 14–24 years). Data were collected between 2008 and 2012, and were analyzed in 2016. Results Latent class analysis identified a high and low risk profile. Domains of primary influence included substance use, sexual assault, same-sex behavior, and unsafe sex. The high-risk group was 11 times more likely to have made a suicide attempt, five times more likely to report a history of suicidal ideation and behavior, and three times more likely to report recent suicidal ideation and behavior. Conclusions Risk behaviors and social stress contribute to the risk for suicide above and beyond depression and should be assessed during routine primary care visits with adolescents. The Behavioral Health Screen can screen all these domains and thus assist primary care providers in assessing for both psychiatric and social stress factors associated with youth suicide.
Intramolecular Chirality Transfer [2 + 2] Cycloadditions of Allenoates and Alkenes

Intramolecular chirality transfer [2 + 2] cycloaddition of enantiomerically enriched allenoates and alkenes is presented. The use of a chiral catalyst was found to be critical to achieve high levels of diastereoselectivity compared to use of an achiral catalyst. The method developed leads to highly substituted cyclobutanes that would be difficult to prepare by alternative methods.
Comparison of Two Direct Search Algorithms Used in Calibration of Rainfall-Runoff Models

Abstract Digital computer methods for calibration of hydrologic rainfall-runoff models require efficient optimization algorithms. Studies to date have indicated that search algorithms are more effective and, in particular, Rosenbrockʼs [1960] search technique and the Nelder and Meadʼs [1965] simplex algorithm have been superior over the others. A comparative study was initiated to examine the relative effectiveness of the two algorithms. This paper reports the findings of study where the search techniques were employed to estimate the parameters of a four parameter model. The general conclusion was that each algorithm has a different degree of effectiveness depending on the characteristics of the parameter space. Furthermore, it was concluded that the nature of the output errors and the selected objective functions are dominating factors in shaping the response surface. A stochastically proper objective function, substantially reduced the irregularities of the response surface caused by the errors.
Nystagmus with Strabismus

Strabismus is often found in patients with nystagmus. It is valuable to understand this association to counsel patients. Strabismus can be difficult to quantify with alternate cover testing when th...
Investigating the effects of smoothing on the performance of earthquake hazard maps

We explore whether less detailed probabilistic hazard maps might perform better by assessing how smoothing Japan's national earthquake hazard maps affects their fit to a 510-year record of shaking. As measured by the fractional exceedance metric implicit in such probabilistic hazard maps, simple smoothing over progressively larger areas improves the maps' performance such that in the limit a uniform map performs best. However, using the squared misfit between maximum observed shaking and that predicted as a metric, map performance improves up to a ~75-150 km smoothing window, and then decreases with further smoothing. This result suggests that the probabilistic hazard models and the resulting maps may be over-parameterized, in that including too high a level of detail to describe past and future earthquakes may lower the maps' ability to predict future shaking.
Unusually warm Indian Ocean sea surface temperatures help to arrest development of El Niño in 2014.

In early 2014, strong westerly wind bursts (WWBs) and high heat content in the equatorial Pacific favored development of a major El Nino. However, significant coupling between the Pacific Ocean and atmosphere failed to take hold during boreal summer of 2014 such that only borderline El Nino conditions were evident by the end of the year. Observational analysis suggests that warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Indian Ocean in 2014 weakened westerly wind anomalies in the Pacific and may have helped to arrest the development of the El Nino. We test this hypothesis using an ensemble of coupled numerical experiments in which observed Indian Ocean SST anomalies in 2014–15 are prescribed but the Pacific Ocean-atmosphere system is free to evolve. Results confirm that warm SST anomalies in the Indian Ocean created conditions that would have favored a weakening of El Nino by suppressing the Bjerknes feedback in boreal summer of 2014. This process does not preclude others that have been proposed in the unusual evolution of El Nino SSTs in 2014, but it adds to the list a forcing mechanism external to the Pacific basin.
When Do Students' Attitudes Change? Investigating Student Attitudes at Midterm.

Statistics educators have been investigating how students’ attitudes change in the introductory statistics course for many years. Typically, an overall decrease in mean attitudes over the course has been noted. However, when and how do students’ attitudes change during the term? Do they steadily decrease or is there a point when students’ attitudes might actually be increasing? If so, can instructors use this to their advantage? This research introduced a mid-semester survey of attitudes. We found that students’ attitudes are not necessarily strictly declining from the beginning to the end of the semester. We also found it might be advantageous to follow individual student attitude trends throughout the semester instead of just looking at aggregate mean scores for the different surveys. First published November 2017 at Statistics Education Research Journal Archives
Modes of Action of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Bullous Pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoantibody-mediated skin blistering disease. Previous studies revealed that intravenous Ig is therapeutic in animal models of bullous pemphigoid by saturating the IgG-protective receptor FcRn, thereby accelerating degradation of pathogenic IgG. Sasaoka et al. demonstrate that the inhibitory effects of intravenous Ig on bullous pemphigoid are also associated with negative modulation of cytokine production by keratinocytes.
SIMULATIONS OF CHEMICALLY-SUSTAINED SHOCK FRONTS IN A MODEL ENERGETIC MATERIAL

Tersoff-like potentials together with molecular dynamics calculations are used to simulate the detonation of an energetic two-dimensional semi-infinite molecular solid. The resulting shock front produced in this system exhibits four separate regions whose distinct interfaces between the regions move at constant and different velocities. The properties of the resulting shock front are independent of the initiation conditions. This model predicts a critical minimum impact velocity for a chemically-sustained shock front.
Data fusion approaches for structural health monitoring and system identification: Past, present, and future:

During the past decades, significant efforts have been dedicated to develop reliable methods in structural health monitoring. The health assessment for the target structure of interest is achieved ...
Social Capital in the Creation of Cultural Capital, Habitus, and Achievement: Access vs. Mobilization for Low-Income and Racial Minority Adolescents

While scholars acknowledge the importance of both social and cultural capital to educational inequality, no research has examined how social capital might lead to increased cultural capital and habitus and thus improve academic achievement. In this research I use quasi-experimental longitudinal data from mentoring relationships to examine whether access to a mentor and mobilization of that mentor’s educational resources affect an adolescent’s cultural capital, habitus, and academic achievement. The results suggest that access to college-educated mentors has some positive effects on adolescents’ cultural capital, habitus, and academic achievement, while access to less educated mentors has limited effects. Moreover, only those relationships in which mobilization of the mentor’s educational resources occurs through educational discussions and activities lead to positive outcomes. These findings suggest that matching low-income and racial minority adolescents with adults who are both college educated and willing to engage in educational activities and discussions with adolescents may serve to attenuate inequality through increased cultural capital, habitus, and academic achievement.
Photochemical interactions between n-Ag 2 S and n-TiO 2 amplify their bacterial stress response

Under the reducing conditions of wetlands and anaerobic wastewater treatment processes, nanosilver (n-Ag) released from consumer products reacts with sulfide to form Ag2S, which is believed to be stable and practically benign. However, in the natural environment, these nanosized silver sulfide particles (n-Ag2S) may interact with light and other nanomaterials to create oxidizing conditions that may destabilize n-Ag2S, releasing Ag+ and causing stress to microorganisms. We investigate this scenario by monitoring the ATP levels of E. coli exposed to mixtures of n-Ag2S and n-TiO2, another nanomaterial with high likelihood of environmental release. Under dark conditions, we find that sulfidation increases the threshold concentration for microbial stress relative to n-Ag. Under simulated solar irradiation (SSI), exposure to n-Ag2S alone does not depress bacterial ATP levels in the concentration range tested (≤1 mg L−1 as Ag). However in the presence of 1 mg L−1 n-TiO2 and under SSI, n-Ag2S causes synergistic toxic stress and enhances the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Based on the photochemistry of these nanomaterials and our measurements of dissolved Ag, we propose that under environmental conditions the ROS produced by n-TiO2 dissolves n-Ag2S, releasing Ag+ that can then be photoreduced on the surface of n-TiO2 to form a highly photoactive and phototoxic nanocomposite. This work reveals that under oxidizing conditions n-Ag2S is prone to transformations that cause microbial stress. Overall, we provide further evidence that chemical interactions between multiple nanomaterials under irradiation can dramatically change their toxic effects.
The Gα-interacting vesicle-associated protein interacts with and promotes cell surface localization of GRP78 during endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Cell surface translocation of the chaperone glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78) is a key event that promotes cancer cell survival during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Here, we identify Gα-interacting vesicle-associated protein (GIV) - an enhancer of prosurvival signaling during ER stress - as a binding partner of GRP78. We show that GIV and GRP78 interact in an ER stress-dependent manner through their respective carboxyl terminal domains and that GIV aids in the localization of GRP78 to the plasma membrane. Kaplan-Meier analysis of disease-free survival in cancer patients shows poor prognosis for patients with high expression of both GIV and GRP78, further suggesting a vital role for these two proteins in enhancing cancer cell viability.
Carotenoids and their role in cancer prevention

Approximately two of every five people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Dietary modifications are one of the most promising lifestyle changes that can adjust the risk of developing cancer by nearly 40%. Carotenoids are a diverse group of natural pigments and are present in many fruits and vegetables. The data surrounding carotenoids and their potential roles in carcinogenesis have been rapidly growing over the past two decades. This review summarizes the literature surrounding the associations between the most six common carotenoids in the diet and ten of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. In this study, preclinical, epidemiological, and toxicology data were reviewed. Data from these studies suggest that several carotenoids might provide a beneficial impact on reducing carcinogenesis. Further studies are needed to determine the causal relationships between individual carotenoids and cancer incidence and progression. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Carotenoids recent advances in cell and molecular biology edited by Johannes von Lintig and Loredana Quadro.
The Synergy Between Neuroscience and Control Theory: The Nervous System as Inspiration for Hard Control Challenges

Here, we review the role of control theory in modeling neural control systems through a top-down analysis approach. Specifically, we examine the role of the brain and central nervous system as the ...
CHRONIC LEAD EXPOSURE, HYPERACTIVITY, AND ALTERATION OF BASAL AND CATECHOLAMINE-SENSITIVE ADENYLATE CYCLASE

Chronic, low-dose lead exposure in rats, resulting in hyperactivity, increases brain adenylate cyclase activity. This enzymatic alteration may result from the known, acute effects of lead on depressing catecholamine receptor activity.
Lead Toxicity From Intradiscal Retained Bullet Fragment: Management Considerations and Recommendations.

Background Lead toxicity (plumbism) secondary to retained lead missiles in synovial joint spaces is a rare complication after gunshot injuries. Management of lead missiles in the intradiscal space regarding potential lead toxicity is less certain. Case Description We reviewed the literature regarding lead toxicity secondary to intradiscal bullets particularly concerning incidence, management, and outcomes. A lack of high-quality published data precludes a meta-analysis from taking place. Only four reports of lead toxicity secondary to missiles in the intradiscal space have been published. Including an additional case presented in this report, our review of the literature has led us to make several management recommendations, largely based on both the available literature and our current report. Conclusions First, there is insufficient evidence for removing retained lead missiles solely to mitigate the risk of lead toxicity. Second, chelation therapy in addition to surgical removal of the lead source is a valuable adjunct in the perioperative period and should be undertaken with the assistance of medical toxicology. Third, a retained missile does not mandate a simultaneous stabilization procedure in lieu of other indications based on the data available at this time.
Perceptual Evaluation of Vocal Fold Vibratory Asymmetry.

OBJECTIVES Laryngeal vibratory asymmetry occurring with paresis may result in a perceptually normal or abnormal voice. The present study aims to determine the relationships between the degree of vibratory asymmetry, acoustic measures, and perception of sound stimuli. STUDY DESIGN Animal Model of Voice Production, Perceptual Analysis of Voice. METHODS In an in vivo canine model of phonation, symmetric and asymmetric laryngeal vibration were obtained via graded unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) stimulation simulating near paralysis to full activation. Phonation was performed at various contralateral RLN and bilateral superior laryngeal nerve stimulation levels. Naive listeners rated the perceptual quality of 182 unique phonatory samples using a visual sort-and-rate task. Cepstral peak prominence (CPP) was calculated for each phonatory condition. The relationships among vibratory symmetry, CPP, and perceptual ratings were evaluated. RESULTS A significant relationship emerged between RLN stimulation and perceptual rating, such that sound samples from low RLN levels were preferred to those from high RLN levels. When symmetric vibration was achieved at mid-RLN stimulation, listeners preferred samples from symmetric vibration over those from asymmetric vibration. However, when symmetry was achieved at high RLN levels, a strained voice quality resulted that listeners dispreferred over asymmetric conditions at lower RLN levels. CPP did not have a linear relationship with perceptual ratings. CONCLUSIONS Laryngeal vibratory asymmetry produces variable perceptual differences in phonatory sound quality. Though CPP has been correlated with dysphonia in previous research, its complex relationship with quality limits its usefulness as clinical marker of voice quality perception. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA, basic science Laryngoscope, 131:2740-2746, 2021.
Public transit use in the United States in the era of COVID-19: Transit riders’ travel behavior in the COVID-19 impact and recovery period

Abstract COVID-19 has upended travel across the world, disrupting commute patterns, mode choices, and public transit systems. In the United States, changes to transit service and reductions in passenger volume due to COVID-19 are lasting longer than originally anticipated. In this paper we examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on individual travel behavior across the United States. We analyze mobility data from Janurary to December 2020 from a sample drawn from a nationwide smartphone-based panel curated by a private firm, Embee Mobile. We combine this with a survey that we administered to that sample in August 2020. Our analysis provides insight into travel patterns and the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on transit riders. We investigate three questions. First, how do transit riders differ socio-demographically from non-riders? Second, how has the travel behavior of transit riders changed due to the pandemic in comparison to non-riders, controlling for other factors? And third, how has this travel behavior varied across different types of transit riders? The travel patterns of transit riders were more significantly disrupted by the pandemic than the travel of non-riders, as measured by the average weekly number of trips and distance traveled before and after the onset of the pandemic. This was calculated using GPS traces from panel member smartphones. Our survey of the panel revealed that of transit riders, 75% reported taking transit less since the pandemic, likely due to a combination of being affected by transit service changes, concerns about infection risk on transit, and trip reductions due to shelter-in-place rules. Less than 10 percent of transit riders in our sample reported that they were comfortable using transit despite COVID-19 infection risk, and were not affected by transit service reductions. Transit riders were also more likely to have changed their travel behavior in other ways, including reporting an increase in walking. However, lower-income transit riders were different from higher-income riders in that they had a significantly smaller reduction in the number of trips and distance traveled, suggesting that these lower-income households had less discretion over the amount of travel they carried out during the pandemic. These results have significant implications for understanding the way welfare has been affected for transportation-disadvantaged populations during the course of the pandemic, and insight into the recovery of U.S. transit systems. The evidence from this unique dataset helps us understand the future effects of the pandemic on transit riders in the United States, either in further recovery from the pandemic with the anticipated effects of mass vaccination, or in response to additional waves of COVID-19 and other pandemics.
Changing the S and Ma [Safety and Mission Assurance] Paradigm

Objectives: 1) Optimize S&MA organization to best facilitate Shuttle transition in 2010, successfully support Ares developmental responsibilities, and minimize the impacts of the gap between last Shuttle flight and start of Ares V Project. 2) Improve leveraging of critical skills and experience between Shuttle and Ares. 3) Split technical and supervisory functions to facilitate technical penetration. 4) Create Chief Safety and Mission Assurance Officer (CSO) stand-alone position for successfully implementation of S&MA Technical Authority. 5) Minimize disruption to customers. 6) Provide early involvement of S&MA leadership team and frequent/open communications with S&MA team members and steak-holders.
Theory Of The Self: Impasse And Evolution

Publisher Summary The logical empiricist philosophy of the kind that has dominated traditional thinking about psychological research placed a strong emphasis on the relationship between theoretical statements and observation. It is essential to deal with the place of empirical data in evaluating the progress of inquiry. The traditional crucible for assessing inquiry into self is considered empirical. It sets the stage for tracing major evolutions in understanding within the present renaissance of self-inquiry. In the theory of the self, particular attention is given to (1) the concept of self-knowledge, (2) the concern with the self as agency, and (3) the shift from structural to process orientations. Alterations in these domains together suggest a major evolution in the dominant image of human functioning in social psychology. The limitations of the concept as a theoretical implement and means of moving beyond existing barriers in future undertakings are also discussed in the chapter.
Murine T cells that lyse antibody-sensitized target cells: II. Enrichment of K cells from normal thymus by isokinetic density centrifugation☆

Abstract Thymocytes fractionated by isokinetic density centrifugation were tested against antibody-sensitized 51 Cr-labeled erythrocytes for their capacity to lyse these cells. The most efficient lytic effector cells were found in a minor fraction of more rapidly sedimenting thymocytes. Cytographic analysis of the pooled fraction containing the effector cells showed it to be enriched in apparently larger cells. Adsorption experiments using anti-Thy-1 serum indicated that the fractions containing the effector cells possessed Thy-1 antigens although not quantitatively different from the modal population. These data imply that one subpopulation of K cells is thymus processed.
Stability analysis for cooperative distributed generation dispatch in a Cyber-Physical environment

Distributed algorithms for economically managing the energy in smart grids are getting more attention because they can remove the need for central controllers and are computationally scalable, as well as robust to single point of failure. The Incremental Cost Consensus (ICC) algorithm has been developed as a cooperative distributed algorithm for solving the Economic Dispatch Problem (EDP). This paper models and analyzes the nominal stability of the ICC algorithm implemented in a smart grid environment. The grid has continuous time dynamics in the physical layer, while the ICC algorithm in the cyber layer has discrete time dynamics. To study the interconnected Cyber-Physical System (CPS), the grid dynamics are linearized and discretized at their operating points. Then, the equivalent discrete time dynamics of the grid are integrated with the ICC dynamics in a joint cyber-physical model. The stability of the interconnected system is then analyzed by studying the eigenvalues of the joint dynamics. The IEEE 9-bus system is used to demonstrate the proposed analysis approach.
Conjugal Gene Transfer to Aquatic Bacteria Detected by the Generation of a New Phenotype

Abstract An experimental approach based on the assembly of genes of a catabolic pathway was used to detect transconjugants in aquatic communities. Resistance to phenylmercury acetate was established in transconjugants when wide-host-range conjugal plasmids containing merB, the gene encoding organomercurial lyase, were transferred to strains from aquatic communities that had been acclimated to inorganic mercury and thus enriched for populations containing merA, the gene encoding mercuric reductase (T. Barkay, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 53:2725-2732, 1987). Conjugation was confirmed by using the plasmids' encoded antibiotic resistance patterns and by hybridization with a eukaryotic gene. Three merB-conjugal plasmids, belonging to incompatibility groups W (pGTE16), P1 (pGTE26), and N (pGTE25), were prepared. Transfers by filter matings of pGTE16 and pGTE26 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 to indigenous strains were at efficiencies of 4.5 × 10-2 and 4.8 × 10-3 transconjugant per potential recipient, respectively. These efficiencies were from 1 to 2 orders of magnitude below those observed for intraspecies matings with genetically marked recipients. The third plasmid, pGTE25, was not stably maintained in P. aeruginosa donors, and its transfer from Escherichia coli donors was below the level of detection. Characterized transconjugant strains were shown to be Pseudomonas spp. Potential applications of the described experimental approach in the creation of bacterial populations with new catabolic capabilities in hazardous waste sites and in the detection of transfer of recombinant DNA from engineered microorganisms to indigenous bacteria are discussed.
Functional evolution of ADAMTS genes: Evidence from analyses of phylogeny and gene organization

The ADAMTS (A Disintegrin-like and Metalloprotease with Thrombospondin motifs) proteins are a family of metalloproteases with sequence similarity to the ADAM proteases, that contain the thrombospondin type 1 sequence repeat motifs (TSRs) common to extracellular matrix proteins. ADAMTS proteins have recently gained attention with the discovery of their role in a variety of diseases, including tissue and blood disorders, cancer, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer's and the genetic syndromes Weill-Marchesani syndrome (ADAMTS10), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (ADAMTS13), and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VIIC (ADAMTS2) in humans and belted white-spotting mutation in mice (ADAMTS20). Phylogenetic analysis and comparison of the exon/intron organization of vertebrate (Homo, Mus, Fugu), chordate (Ciona) and invertebrate (Drosophila and Caenorhabditis) ADAMTS homologs has elucidated the evolutionary relationships of this important gene family, which comprises 19 members in humans. The evolutionary history of ADAMTS genes in vertebrate genomes has been marked by rampant gene duplication, including a retrotransposition that gave rise to a distinct ADAMTS subfamily (ADAMTS1, -4, -5, -8, -15) that may have distinct aggrecanase and angiogenesis functions.
No-Regret Learnability for Piecewise Linear Losses.

In the convex optimization approach to online regret minimization, many methods have been developed to guarantee a $O(\sqrt{T})$ bound on regret for subdifferentiable convex loss functions with bounded subgradients, by using a reduction to linear loss functions. This suggests that linear loss functions tend to be the hardest ones to learn against, regardless of the underlying decision spaces. We investigate this question in a systematic fashion looking at the interplay between the set of possible moves for both the decision maker and the adversarial environment. This allows us to highlight sharp distinctive behaviors about the learnability of piecewise linear loss functions. On the one hand, when the decision set of the decision maker is a polyhedron, we establish $\Omega(\sqrt{T})$ lower bounds on regret for a large class of piecewise linear loss functions with important applications in online linear optimization, repeated zero-sum Stackelberg games, online prediction with side information, and online two-stage optimization. On the other hand, we exhibit $o(\sqrt{T})$ learning rates, achieved by the Follow-The-Leader algorithm, in online linear optimization when the boundary of the decision maker's decision set is curved and when $0$ does not lie in the convex hull of the environment's decision set. Hence, the curvature of the decision maker's decision set is a determining factor for the optimal learning rate. These results hold in a completely adversarial setting.
Role of S-adenosyl-l-methionine in the treatment of depression: a review of the evidence

Major depression remains difficult to treat, despite the wide array of registered antidepressants available. In recent years there has been a surge in the popularity of natural or alternative medications. Despite this growing popularity, there is limited evidence for the effectiveness of many of these natural treatments. S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is one of the better studied of the natural remedies. SAMe is a methyl donor and is involved in the synthesis of various neurotransmitters in the brain. Derived from the amino acid L-methionine through a metabolic pathway called the one-carbon cycle, SAMe has been postulated to have antidepressant properties. A small number of clinical trials with parenteral or oral SAMe have shown that, at doses of 200-1600 mg/d, SAMe is superior to placebo and is as effective as tricyclic antidepressants in alleviating depression, although some individuals may require higher doses. SAMe may have a faster onset of action than do conventional antidepressants and may potentiate the effect of tricyclic antidepressants. SAMe may also protect against the deleterious effects of Alzheimer disease. SAMe is well tolerated and relatively free of adverse effects, although some cases of mania have been reported in bipolar patients. Overall, SAMe appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of depression, but more research is needed to determine optimal doses. Head-to-head comparisons with newer antidepressants should help to clarify SAMe's place in the psychopharmacologic armamentarium.
HLA antigen frequencies and natural history in Alternaria-sensitive and perennial nonallergic asthmatics.

Abstract The frequency of HLA-A, -B, and -C loci antigens in random populations of Alternaria -sensitive (N = 100) and perennial nonallergic asthmatics (N = 87) were compared with age- (±5 yr) and sex-matched controls from the same geographic region. There was no association between HLA antigens as measured by frequency analyses and Alternaria-sensitive or perennial nonallergic asthma. Moreover there was no association between HLA antigens and the age of onset of asthma, associated allergic disorders, various environmental factors provoking asthma, total serum IgE levels, and Alternaria -specific IgE antibody.
Undetected carrier state in chronic granulomatous disease

A male child who previously had polydactylitis due to Serratia marcescens was found to have chronic granulomatous disease. The motility and phagocytic activity of his polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the opsonic and chemotactic activities of his serum were normal, but nitroblue tetrazolium reduction after phagocytosis was reduced greatly. The killing of a H 2 O 2 -producing bacteria, Streptococcus viridans , by his blood leukocytes was normal, but the killing of non-H 2 O 2 -producing bacteria, Serratia marcescens and Staphylococcus aureus , was reduced. The activities of NADH and NADPH oxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, galactose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glutathione peroxidase and reductase in the blood leukocytes were normal, and myeloperoxidase was detected cytochemically. In contrast to most other reports, a carrier of chronic granulomatous disease could not be demonstrated by either nitroblue tetrazolium reduction or bactericidal tests.
Elektroden für Potentialmessungen in wäßrigen Systemen bei hohen Temperaturen und Drücken

Die Messung von pH-Werten, Redoxpotentialen und Korrosionspotentialen bei hohen Temperaturen und Drucken ist haufig fur die Steuerung und Uberwachung von industriellen Prozessen erwunscht. Als Beispiele seien die Wasserkontrolle in konventionellen Kraftwerken und Kernkraftwerken, die Prozessteuerung in der chemischen Industrie und die Leistungsuberwachung bei der Extraktion und Raffination von Erdol genannt. Diese Messungen werden ebenfalls zur Erforschung der Thermodynamik von hochtemperierten wasrigen Losungen benotigt, zum Beispiel im Zusammenhang mit geothermalen oder hydrothermalen Reaktionen. Fur alle diese Zwecke haben sich Zirconiumoxidelektroden besonders bewahrt. Zwar sind sie bislang noch nicht kommerziell erhaltlich, doch konnen brauchbare Modelle leicht im Laboratorium hergestellt werden. – Messungen bei hoheren Temperaturen bergen spezielle Fehlermoglichkeiten; oft ist grose Vorsicht angebracht, um gesicherte und nutzliche Daten zu erhalten.
T cell specific and non specific tolerance mechanisms in peanut oil immunotherapy in peanut allergic subjects

Rationale Our main focus in the laboratory is to understanding the mechanisms of how oral immunotherapy (OIT) improves outcomes in patients. In this study, we aimed to determine if OIT is specific only to the food allergens administered in OIT or also to other offending allergens (i.e. “bystander effect”). To accomplish our aim, we studied T cell reactivity (i.e. proliferation assays) and T cell specificity (i.e. tetramer assays with peanut peptides) in both effector T cell (CD4+CD25neg) or Teff and regulatory T cell (CD4+CD25hiFoxp3+) or Treg subsets.
Flavor preferences conditioned by intragastric fructose and glucose: differences in reinforcement potency

Many prior conditioning studies indicate that fructose, unlike glucose, has minimal postingestive reinforcing effects. Using a new training procedure, food-restricted rats were trained in alternate 20-h/day sessions with one flavored solution (CS+F) paired with intragastric (IG) infusions of 16% fructose and another flavor (CS-) paired with IG water. In subsequent two-bottle tests they showed a robust (85%) preference for the CS+F over the CS-. A third flavor (CS+G) was then paired with IG 16% glucose, and it was strongly preferred to the CS+F. When retrained 30 min/day with new flavors paired with IG fructose, glucose, or water the rats learned only a CS+G preference. When training was extended to 20 h/day, a CS+F preference developed. New rats trained 20 h/day with two-bottle access to CS+F and CS- paired with IG fructose and water failed to acquire a CS+F preference. Other rats rapidly developed a strong preference when trained with concurrent access to CS+G and CS- paired with IG glucose and water. These data indicate that both fructose and glucose generate postingestive reinforcing signals, but that the fructose signals are weaker and/or delayed relative to those produced by glucose.
A metric between probability distributions on finite sets of different cardinalities

With increasing use of digital control it is natural to view control inputs and outputs as stochastic processes assuming values over finite alphabets rather than in a Euclidean space. As control over networks becomes increasingly common, data compression by reducing the size of the input and output alphabets without losing the fidelity of representation becomes relevant. This requires us to define a notion of distance between two stochastic processes assuming values in distinct sets, possibly of different cardinalities. If the two processes are i.i.d., then the problem becomes one of defining a metric between two probability distributions over distinct finite sets of possibly different cardinalities. This is the problem addressed in the present paper. A metric is defined in terms of a joint distribution on the product of the two sets, which has the two given distributions as its marginals, and has minimum entropy. Computing the metric exactly turns out to be NP-hard. Therefore an efficient greedy algorithm is presented for finding an upper bound on the distance.
Social Change, Historical Modes-of-Production and the Tendency toward Capital Concentration

This effort suggests that a key component within the conflict paradigm often not referred to in the literature is the Tendency Toward Capital Concentration as a function of historical changing economic modes-of-production. Furthermore, modes-of-production change is the primary force of social change within the conflict view. This effort will cite several examples of changing economic modes-of-production as the result of Tendency Toward Capital Concentration, which has acted as force of social change.
On the determination of kinetic rate and mass transport coefficients in laser pump-probe experiments

Abstract The solution to the radial diffusion equation for time-resolved data analysis is applied to laser pump-probe experiments. It is found that a collinear laser geometry is ideal for diffusion determinant experiments, whereas a perpendicular laser geometry is best for kinetic studies.
MAHEM: a multiprocessor engine for fast contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization

variant of AHE, theresult value of a pixel is computed as a weighted average of itsinitial value and its rank within its contextual region; the amount ofcontrast in that area of the image determines the weighting. CLAHEhas been found useful in enhancing images from a variety of imagingmodalities, including Computed Tomography (CT; see Figure 1), MagneticResonance Imaging (MRI) ,
Interaction between entomopathogenic nematodes and entomopathogenic fungi applied to third instar southern masked chafer white grubs, Cyclocephala lurida (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), under laboratory and greenhouse conditions

Abstract Four entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, Heterorhabditis megidis Poinar, Jackson & Klein, Steinernema feltiae Filipjev and Steinernema riobrave Cabanillas, Poinar & Raulston) were tested for virulence against 3rd instar southern masked chafer white grubs, Cyclocephala lurida Bland. H. bacteriophora and H. megidis, being the most virulent, were selected to evaluate the interaction with an entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin strain GHA or Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin strain F-52, under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Nematodes and fungi were either applied alone or in combination, with nematodes added to fungi at different times. When applied alone, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae did not reduce grub numbers. Under laboratory conditions, additive interactions were found between H. megidis and B. bassiana, and between H. bacteriophora and B. bassiana or M. anisopliae in most combinations against chafer grubs; a few treatments showed synergism or antagonism. The combined effect did not differ significantly for nematode and fungal applications made simultaneously or at different times. Nematode infection and infective juveniles (IJs) production in grub carcasses were not significantly affected by the presence of a fungus. Efficacies of H. bacteriophora and M. anisopliae were affected by temperature, with grub mortality increasing at higher temperatures. Under greenhouse conditions, additive or synergistic interaction was found between H. bacteriophora and B. bassiana or M. anisopliae in different formulations in simultaneous applications or when the nematode was applied 4 weeks after the fungi, except between B. bassiana ES and H. bacteriophora. The impact of H. bacteriophora alone or in combination with M. anisopliae or B. bassiana on 3rd instar C. lurida was comparable to that of an imidacloprid insecticide used as curative applications. More virulent fungal strains or species may be required to achieve a stronger interaction with nematodes in the management of C. lurida.
Domain-Specific Self-Concept in Relation to Traditional and Cyber Peer Aggression

Individuals who aggress against others have been described both as having overall low self-concept and as having high, inflated self-concept. The conceptualization of self-concept as domain specific provides an alternate means to resolving this controversy. In this study, 223 middle school students completed self-report measures assessing self-concept across six domains as well as engagement in peer aggression, including cyber aggression. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that individuals who reported engaging in higher levels of traditional and cyber peer aggression reported significantly lower self-concept in the domains of behavioral adjustment, intellectual and school status, and happiness and satisfaction. Higher levels of traditional and cyber peer aggression were not significantly related to self-concept in the domains of popularity, physical appearance and attributes, and freedom from anxiety. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Comparative pharmacology of norcocaine in M. Mulatta and M. Fascicularis

Abstract Norcacaine was administered intravenously (0.05, 0.5, 5.0 mg/kg) to three chaired unanesthetized male rhesus monkeys and to three chaired male cynomolgus monkeys. Respiration rate, heart rate and rectal temperature were monitored. In the rhesus monkeys tachycardia and hyperventilation resulted. However, similar qualitative and quantitative changes were not observed in the cynomolgus species. There was a statistically significant difference in the response to norcocaine across species. These results indicate that cynomolgus monkeys are either less sensitive or respond differently than rhesus monkeys to some of the pharmacological effects of norcocaine. Furthermore, these data confirm that norcocaine is an active derivative of cocaine in both rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys.
Borderland education and teacher education reform in California: Unfulfilled promises

This article examines the gap between the kinds of public schools needed in the borderlands and the current reform initiative in California, with its obsessive compulsive emphasis on high-stakes testing, standardization, and accountability. Borderlands schools require curriculum and instructional practices that are more closely aligned with the bicultural and bilingual needs of diverse students and communities. However, the current reform movement is likely to exacerbate current social injustices and inequalities by increasing the failure of diverse students as curriculum, instructional practices, and teacher preparation are driven by high-stakes testing programs. This increasing inadequacy of educational reform is clearly reflected in the recent passage of AB 2042 in California, the new legislation governing teacher preparation in the state. Suggestions are offered in the type of teacher preparation and schools needed for effective borderlands education.