cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploiting HPC resources for the 3D-time series analysis of caries lesion activity

We present a research framework to analyze 3D-time series caries lesion activity based on collections of SkyScan® μ-CT images taken at different times during the dynamic caries process. Analyzing caries progression (or reversal) is data-driven and computationally demanding. It involves segmenting high-resolution μ-CT images, constructing 3D models suitable for interactive visualization, and analyzing 3D and 4D (3D + time) dental images. Our development exploits XSEDE's supercomputing, storage, and visualization resources to facilitate the knowledge discovery process. In this paper, we describe the required image processing algorithms and then discuss the parallelization of these methods to utilize XSEDE's high performance computing resources. We then present a workflow for visualization and analysis using ParaView. This workflow enables quantitative analysis as well as three-dimensional comparison of multiple temporal datasets from the longitudinal dental research studies. Such quantitative assessment and visualization can help us to understand and evaluate the underlying processes that arise from dental treatment, and therefore can have significant impact in the clinical decision-making process and caries diagnosis.
Laminins and their roles in mammals

Laminins are alpha-beta-gamma heterotrimeric components of all basement membranes. Laminins are now known to play the central role in organizing and establishing the basement membrane. The diversity of laminins allows them to impart special structural and signaling properties to the basement membrane. Of the 12 known laminin chain genes, 10 have been either found to be mutated in humans or experimentally mutated in mice. This has led to great progress over the last several years towards understanding both the functions of laminins and the reasons for their great diversity. In this review, I will summarize the in vivo studies in mice and humans that have contributed to this new knowledge.
Dipole gravitational radiation in Rosen's theory of gravity - Observable effects in the binary system PSR 1913+16

It is shown that Rosen's (1973) bimetric theory of gravity predicts the emission of dipole gravitational radiation from binary systems containing neutron stars, such as the binary pulsar PSR 1913+16, which causes rapid changes in orbital period. The theory also predicts sizable corrections to masses inferred from orbital data and periastron-shift data. It is demonstrated that this prediction is inconsistent with the observed upper limit on period changes unless the system consists of two neutron stars whose masses differ by less than 0.3 solar mass, or a neutron star of mass less than 0.4 solar mass and a companion which must be a rapidly rotating white dwarf or a helium main-sequence star. Because Rosen's theory is in agreement with all solar-system experiments to date, this represents a feasible test of its viability.
Attitudes of Japanese and American Workers: Convergence or Diversity*

Testing an argument of convergence on a sample of employed males in Japan and the United States, this paper compares young: (18–24 years) with older (45–55 years) workers within each country on wor...
Membrane binding and substrate access merge in cytochrome P450 7A1, a key enzyme in degradation of cholesterol.

To study membrane topology and mechanism for substrate specificity, we truncated residues 2–24 in microsomal cytochrome P450 7A1 (P450 7A1) and introduced conservative and nonconservative substitutions at positions 214–227. Heterologous expression in Escherichia coli was followed by investigation of the subcellular distribution of the mutant P450s and determination of the kinetic and substrate binding parameters for cholesterol. The results indicate that a hydrophobic region, comprising residues 214–227, forms a secondary site of attachment to the membrane in P450 7A1 in addition to the NH2-terminal signal-anchor sequence. There are two groups of residues at this enzyme-membrane interface. The first are those whose mutation results in more cytosolic P450 (Val-214, His-225, and Met-226). The second group are those whose mutation leads to more membrane-bound P450 (Phe-215, Leu-218, Ile-224, and Phe-227). In addition, the V214A, V214L, V214T, F215A, F215L, F215Y, L218I, L218V, V219T, and M226A mutants showed a 5–12-fold increased K m for cholesterol. Thek cat of the V214A, V214L, V219T, and M226A mutants was increased up to 1.8-fold, and that of the V214T, F215A, F215L, F215Y, L218I, and L218V mutants was decreased 3–10.5-fold. Based on analysis of these mutations we suggest that cholesterol enters P450 7A1 through the membrane, and Val-214, Phe-215, and Leu-218 are the residues located near the point of cholesterol entry. The results provide an understanding of both the P450 7A1-membrane interactions and the mechanism for substrate specificity.
Association between problem gambling and conduct disorder in a national survey of adolescents and young adults in the United States.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this analysis is to examine the relationship between current problem gambling and current conduct disorder. Methods Data were analyzed for a U.S. national survey of respondents aged 14–21 years. Results A strong co-morbidity between current problem gambling and current conduct disorder was found. However, this co-morbidity was much stronger among younger respondents, declined in strength with increasing age, and was absent among the oldest respondents. Further analyses showed that early-onset problem gamblers had a higher risk for conduct disorder than late-onset problem gamblers. Conclusions Gambling problems that emerge early are likely to be part of a general pattern of problem behavior, whereas gambling problems that emerge later may have an etiology unique to gambling.
Impact of iron sulfide transformation on trichloroethylene degradation

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is one of the most common and persistent groundwater contaminants encountered at hazardous waste sites around the world. A growing body of evidence indicates that iron sulfides play an important role in degrading TCE in natural environments and in engineered systems designed for groundwater cleanup. In this study, we investigate transformation processes of iron sulfides and consequent impacts on TCE degradation using batch experimental techniques, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Our results show that mackinawite is highly reactive toward TCE and no detectable mineralogical changes were detected during the course of reaction. However, freeze-dried FeS transformed to a mixture of mackinawite and greigite during the freeze drying process, with further mineralogical changes during reaction with TCE to lepidocrocite, goethite and pyrite. Newly formed lepidocrocite is a transient phase, with conversion to goethite over time. TCE transformation kinetics show that freeze-dried FeS is 20–50 times less reactive in degrading TCE than non-freeze-dried FeS, and the TCE degradation rate increases with pH (from 5.4 to 8.3), possibly due to an increase of surface deprotonation or electron transfer at higher pH. Results suggest that freeze drying could cause FeS particle aggregation, decreased surface area and availability of reactive sites; it also could change FeS mineralogy and accelerate mineral transformation. These aspects could contribute to the lower reactivity of freeze-dried FeS toward TCE degradation. Modeling results show that FeS transformation in natural environments depends on specific biogeochemical conditions, and natural FeS transformation may affect mineral reactivity in a similar way as compared to the freeze drying process. Rapid transformation of FeS to FeS2 could significantly slow down TCE degradation in both natural and engineered systems.
On the Structure of Some Cumulonimbus Clouds which Penetrated the High Tropical Troposphere

Some extremely large oceanic trade-wind cumulonimbus clouds extending upwards of 40,000 ft into a region of strong winds and intense vertical shear have been studied by means of time-lapse photography. A simultaneous still picture of the clouds taken a known distance and direction away from the motion pictures permits triangulation upon the clouds and calculation of the vertical and horizontal motions of several of the individual towers. By means of a nearby radiosonde observation, it is established that the air forming the strongest of these towers must have risen from near cloud base with little or no dilution of its buoyancy by mixing with the clear-air surroundings. The model of Malkus and Scorer (1955) concerning the erosion of cumulus towers is reviewed and tested upon these towers with satisfactory results. A minimum horizontal cloud dimension is apparently required for the production of undiluted towers. The horizontal motion of the clouds relative to the air is also estimated from the model and tested by the observations and the net upward transport of latent heat in water vapor is calculated approximately. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1954.tb01130.x
Misinterpretations of some power properties of electric circuits

It might be expected that the meaning of the apparent power S, a quantity of innumerable everyday applications for almost a century, is well understood. It occurs, however, that this meaning is still a matter of discussion and some interpretations hard to accept are published. Also it is suggested in some papers published recently that only oscillations of the instantaneous power may cause an increase of the apparent power S, which is not true. Misinterpretations that refer to fundamental notions such as powers could be particularly harmful for electrical engineering and should be eliminated as much as possible. Therefore, this paper shows that the apparent power does not have the physical meaning suggested recently. Also it shows that load unbalance in three-phase power systems does not cause any oscillation of the instantaneous power. The conclusion that load unbalance causes oscillations of the instantaneous power is a consequence of a substantial misinterpretation of this quantity in three-phase power systems. >
Studies of mineralization in tissue culture : optimal conditions for cartilage calcification

The optimal conditions for obtaining a calcified cartilage matrix approximating that which exists in situ were established in a differentiating chick limb bud mesenchymal cell culture system. Using cells from stage 21-24 embryos in a micro-mass culture, at an optimal density of 0.5 million cells/20 microliters spot, the deposition of small crystals of hydroxyapatite on a collagenous matrix and matrix vesicles was detected by day 21 using X-ray diffraction, FT-IR microscopy, and electron microscopy. Optimal media, containing 1.1 mM Ca, 4 mM P, 25 micrograms/ml vitamin C, 0.3 mg/ml glutamine, no Hepes buffer, and 10% fetal bovine serum, produced matrix resembling the calcifying cartilage matrix of fetal chick long bones. Interestingly, higher concentrations of fetal bovine serum had an inhibitory effect on calcification. The cartilage phenotype was confirmed based on the cellular expression of cartilage collagen and proteoglycan mRNAs, the presence of type II and type X collagen, and cartilage type proteoglycan at the light microscopic level, and the presence of chondrocytes and matrix vesicles at the EM level. The system is proposed as a model for evaluating the events in cell mediated cartilage calcification.
The Effect of Glucagon in Animals on Chronic Propranolol Therapy

Abstract Eleven adult mongrel dogs were divided into two groups. Group 1 animals served as controls and Group 2 received propranolol (6 mg/kg/ day) orally in divided doses for 15 to 21 days. Prior to cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiac output, first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dp/dt), peak systolic pressure, heart rate, and central venous pressure were recorded. The animals were then placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia at the myocardial temperature of 32°C. Following cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass the baseline studies were repeated. In Group 2 animals following the repeat studies, glucagon was administered at a rate of 0.13 μg/kg/min. The cardiac index and dp/dt were decreased by 43.3% ( p p p p p
Thermochemistry and Kinetics of Silicon Hydride Cluster Formation during Thermal Decomposition of Silane

Product contamination by particles nucleated within the processing environment often limits the deposition rate during chemical vapor deposition processes. A fundamental understanding of how these particles nucleate could allow higher growth rates while minimizing particle contamination. Here we present an extensive chemical kinetic mechanism for silicon hydride cluster formation during silane pyrolysis. This mechanism includes detailed chemical information about the relative stability and reactivity of different possible silicon hydride clusters. It provides a means of calculating a particle nucleation rate that can be used as the nucleation source term in aerosol dynamics models that predict particle formation, growth, and transport. A group additivity method was developed to estimate thermochemical properties of the silicon hydride clusters. Reactivity rules for the silicon hydride clusters were proposed based on the group additivity estimates for the reaction thermochemistry and the analogous reaction...
Sources of social structure in a start-up organization: work networks, work activities, and job status *

Abstract This paper explores possible salient dimensions of social structure in a start-up organizational setting. In particular, the relationship between judged similarity and three types of data representing structure in a small entrepreneurial medical technology firm is examined. Data concerning unconstrained judged similarity, work networks, work activities, and job status was collected within a month of the organization's initial start-up utilizing ethnographic, systematic and network methods of data collection. Data was analyzed using hierarchical clustering, multidimensional scaling, and correspondence analysis to determine the structure of the organization according to each type of data collected. Measures of similarity were computed to determine the correspondence between the various organizational structures and the patterns of judged similarity of organizational actors. The multiplexity of the organizational structures was also assessed. Findings indicate that patterns of judged similarity correspond equally highly to each of the organizational structures, and that the structures are multiplex in only one case; work networks and work activities. Also, a high degree of consensus exists among the actors concerning their perceptions of organizational structure. Implications for research on social cognition, the process of innovation, and the growth of entrepreneurial organizations are discussed.
The Contribution of Student Satisfaction to Persistence

This study of nearly 30,000 undergraduates at 61 four-year public and private institutions examines the influence of satisfaction on students’ persistence in college. Data were collected using the Student Satisfaction Inventory (Schreiner & Juillerat, 1994) and were analyzed by class level. The hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that satisfaction scores accounted for an additional 35% to 37% of the variation in students’ likelihood of choosing the same institution again if given the chance to revisit their college enrollment decision. Binary logistic regression indicated that satisfaction with the college’s climate was significantly predictive of actual persistence the following academic year, with odds ratios ranging from 1.15 to 1.67 across the class levels. Clear differences in predictors of satisfaction across class levels indicate the importance of disaggregating data to more clearly understand the drivers of satisfaction at each level and to equip institutions to facilitate positive student experiences throughout the college years.
Complement proteins C1q and MBL are pattern recognition molecules that signal immediate and long-term protective immune functions.

Abstract C1q and mannose binding lectin, members of the “defense collagen” family, are pattern recognition molecules that can trigger rapid enhanced phagocytosis resulting in efficient containment of pathogens or clearance of cellular debris, apoptotic cells and immune complexes. In addition, interaction of C1q and mannose binding lectin with the phagocyte alters subsequent phagocyte cytokine synthesis, and thus may have important implications in directing acute inflammation as well as long-term protective immunity. The importance of the role of defense collagens in phagocytosis of apoptotic cells is highlighted by studies in vivo of mice deficient in C1q, pulmonary surfactant D and mannose binding lectin in which there is delayed clearance of apoptotic cells. Indeed, deficiency of C1q is a risk factor for the development of autoimmunity in both humans and mice, consistent with the hypothesis that inefficient clearance of apoptotic cells results in release of autoantigens and contributes to the pathology associated with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Further understanding of the importance of C1q and mannose binding lectin in the clearance of apoptotic cells and regulation of cytokine synthesis and identification of the receptors implicated in mediating these processes should provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention in the control and manipulation of the immune response in terms of both host defense against infectious disease and tissue repair and remodeling.
Products as Targets of Negative Information: Some Recent Findings

Negativity in marketing communication is a dangerous phenomenon that is the antithesis of the goal of public relations and advertising. Despite its increased prominence in the marketplace, the literature has barely given notice to negative communications. This article presents a series of four experimental studies designed to make a start towards filling the void in our understanding of negativity.
Expression, production and excretion of Bla g 1, a major human allergen, in relation to food intake in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica.

. The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Linnaeus) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae), produces several potent human allergens, one of which, Blattella germanica allergen 1 (Bla g 1), is produced in the midgut and excreted in faeces. We tested with descriptive and experimental approaches the hypothesis that Bla g 1 production is related to food intake in adult males and females of the German cockroach. Bla g 1 mRNA expression in the female midgut (assayed by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction), her Bla g 1 content (assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and the female's faeces production and its Bla g 1 content tracked a cyclic pattern in relation to the gonadotrophic cycle. All four measures rose as food intake increased, declined before oviposition in relation to diminishing food intake, and remained low while the female carried an egg case for 20 days. After her first clutch of embryos hatched, the female resumed feeding, and faeces and Bla g 1 production increased concomitantly. Both Bla g 1 mRNA expression and Bla g 1 protein levels remained low in experimentally starved females. However, when starved females were allowed to feed, Bla g 1 production elevated and the gonadotrophic cycle resumed. Bla g 1 mRNA expression also increased six-fold in response to feeding compared to starved females. By contrast, there were no apparent cycles in the pattern of Bla g 1 production in males, reflecting their low and non-cyclic food intake. Our results therefore demonstrate that Bla g 1 production in B. germanica is modulated in relation to food intake.
HYDROGEN-BONDING COMPETITION IN ENTRAINER COSOLVENT MIXTURES

Abstract In chemical separation processes such as supercritical extraction, the use of an entrainer cosolvent can dramatically improve selectivity and yield. Ideally, an cntrainer cosolvent should solvate only the desired solute, pulling it from the feed. Prospective entrainers therefore are chosen for their hydrogen bonding tendency. But not all cosolvents are effective entrainers, and an entrainer that is effective for one application may not be effective for others. The effectiveness of a cosolvent as an entrainer can be limited by competition among various hydrogen bonding species in the mixture. In this paper, experiment and theory are presented for hydrogen bonding in entrainer cosolvent mixtures. Concentrations of monomelic and hydrogen bonded species are determined using FTIR spectroscopy and these data are modeled using the Associated Perturbed Anisotropic Chain Theory (APACT). Liquid solvents with hydrogen bonding properties similar to those of supercritical fluids are used. Using APACT, it is s...
Truly Toffee and Raisin Hell: A Textual Analysis of Lipstick Names

The appeal of lipsticks named Triple Chocolate Parfait or Hot Mama and what they communicate to women and, by extension, others are the subjects of this article. Based on Goffman's concept of presentation of self and impression management as theory and Barthes' semiotic model as method, I studied the names of 1,722 lipsticks of 52 national brands. The findings show, beyond simple color names, that most of the lipsticks are named after food, beverages, sex, and romance. The American cultural imperative of beauty prompts many women to doubt their self-worth and keeps attainment of the beauty ideal just out of reach. Understanding how meaning is constructed through lipstick naming is an important step toward apprehending the role of cosmetics in conflating femininity, self-esteem, and body image with the goals of patriarchal hegemony.
Biodegradable, photocrosslinked alginate hydrogels with independently tailorable physical properties and cell adhesivity

Biocompatible polymers capable of photopolymerization are of immense interest for tissue engineering applications as they can be injected in a minimally invasive manner into a defect site and, then upon application of ultraviolet light, rapidly form hydrogels in situ. Cell adhesion interactions with a biomaterial are known to be important in regulating cell behaviors such as proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, we have covalently modified photocrosslinkable alginate with cell adhesion ligands containing the Arg-Gly-Asp amino acid sequence to form biodegradable, photocrosslinked alginate hydrogels with controlled cell adhesivity. This unique polymer system allows for independent modulation of the physical and biochemical signaling environment presented to cells. The physical properties of the hydrogels such as elastic moduli, swelling ratios, and degradation profiles were similar at the same crosslinking density regardless of the presence of adhesion ligands. Chondrocytes seeded on the surface of the adhesion ligand-modified hydrogels were able to attach and spread, whereas those seeded on unmodified hydrogels exhibited minimal adherence. Importantly, the adhesion-ligand-modified hydrogels enhanced the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiated function of encapsulated chondrocytes as demonstrated by increased DNA content and production of glycosaminoglycans compared to unmodified control hydrogels. This new photocrosslinkable, biodegradable biomaterial system in which the soluble (e.g., growth factors) and insoluble (e.g., cell adhesion ligands) biochemical signaling environment and the biomaterial physical properties (e.g., the elastic moduli) can be independently controlled may be a powerful tool for elucidating the individual and combined effects of these parameters on cell function for cartilage tissue engineering and other regenerative medicine applications.
How to Teach Thinking Skills in Social Studies and History

This article presents four guidelines for providing direct instruction in thinking skills in social studies and history at any grade level. The author first describes, with examples, three major components of any thinking skill that students need to know. Second, he presents teaching techniques for making these components explicit. Third, he outlines and explains two different strategies for organizing introductory skill lessons. Fourth, he describes a variety of techniques for scaffolding and cueing continuing thinking-skill practice as well as strategies for organizing different types of skill-practice lessons. He explains principles for employing these techniques and strategies throughout. He also highlights three factors teachers should consider in implementing thinking-skills instruction. The article concludes with a brief research-based rationale for infusing thinking-skills instruction with social studies and history instruction.
VraA (BBI16) Protein of Borrelia burgdorferi Is a Surface-Exposed Antigen with a Repetitive Motif That Confers Partial Protection against Experimental Lyme Borreliosis

We have previously described the expression cloning of nine Borrelia burgdorferi antigens, using rabbit serum enriched for antibodies specific for infection-associated antigens, and determined that seven of these antigens were associated with infectious B. burgdorferi strain B31. One of these infection-associated antigens encoded a 451-amino-acid putative lipoprotein containing 21 consecutive and invariant 9-amino-acid repeat sequences near the amino terminus that we have designated VraA for virulent strain-associated repetitive antigen A. The vraA locus (designated BBI16 by The Institute for Genomic Research) maps to one of the 28-kb linear plasmids (designated lp28-4) that is not present in noninfectious strain B31 isolates. Subsequent PCR analysis of clonal isolates of B. burgdorferi B31 from infected mouse skin revealed a clone that lacked only lp28-4. Southern blot and Western blot analyses indicated that the lp28-4 and VraA proteins, respectively, were missing from this clone. We have also determined that VraA is a surface-exposed protein based on protease accessibility assays of intact whole cells. Furthermore, vraA expression is modestly derepressed when cells are grown at 37 degrees C relative to cells grown at 32 degrees C, suggesting that VraA is, in part, a temperature-inducible antigen. Homologues cross-reactive to B. burgdorferi B31 VraA, most with different molecular masses, were identified in several B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolates, including B. andersonii, suggesting that the immunogenic epitope(s) present in strain B31 VraA is conserved between Borrelia spp. In protection studies, only 8.3% of mice (1 of 12) immunized with full-length recombinant VraA fused to glutathione S-transferase (GST) were susceptible to infectious challenge with 10(2) B. burgdorferi strain B31, whereas naive mice or mice immunized with GST alone were infected 40% or 63 to 67% (depending on tissues assayed) of the time, respectively. As such, the partial protection elicited by VraA immunization provides an additional testable vaccine candidate to help protect against Lyme borreliosis.
Peter Satir – investigating the structural basis for cell function

Peter Satir has devoted his research career to elucidating the structural basis for ciliary motility. His ingenious use of structural analysis, combined with identification of powerful model systems, provided a model for the sliding microtubule hypothesis of ciliary bending and led to the discovery that dynein is a 'minus-end'-directed motor whose regulated activity underpins the bending motion of cilia. Here, we focus on ciliary motility to illustrate Satir's pioneering contributions to cell biology.
Temperature-dependent STIM1 activation induces Ca2+ influx and modulates gene expression

Intracellular Ca(2+) is essential for diverse cellular functions. Ca(2+) entry into many cell types including immune cells is triggered by depleting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+), a process termed store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE). STIM1 is an ER Ca(2+) sensor. Upon Ca(2+) store depletion, STIM1 clusters at ER-plasma membrane junctions where it interacts with and gates Ca(2+)-permeable Orai1 ion channels. Here we show that STIM1 is also activated by temperature. Heating cells caused clustering of STIM1 at temperatures above 35 °C without depleting Ca(2+) stores and led to Orai1-mediated Ca(2+) influx as a heat off-response (response after cooling). Notably, the functional coupling of STIM1 and Orai1 is prevented at high temperatures, potentially explaining the heat off-response. Additionally, physiologically relevant temperature shifts modulate STIM1-dependent gene expression in Jurkat T cells. Therefore, temperature is an important regulator of STIM1 function.
Lightweight Self-organizing Reconfiguration of Opportunistic Infrastructure-mode WiFi Networks

The purpose of this work is to provide a method for exploiting pervasive wireless communication capabilities that are often underutilized on smart devices (e.g., phones, tables, cameras, TVs, etc.) in an opportunistic and collaborative way. This goal can be accomplished by sharing device resources using their built-in WiFi adapter. In this paper we explain why the standard ad-hoc mode for building mobile peer-to-peer networks is not always the best choice and we propose an alternative self-organizing approach in which an opportunistic infrastructure-mode WiFi network is built. The particularity of this network is that each device can either be an access point or a client and change its role and wireless channel over time. This contribution advances the state of the art by using a context-aware approach that considers actual frequency allocation to other devices and monitored traffic. We finally show that our approach increases the average speed for delivering messages to a level that in several situations outperforms previous work in the area, as well as a simple single-channel ad-hoc WiFi network.
Toward charge-neutral ‘soft scorpionates’: Coordination chemistry and Lewis acid promoted isomerization of tris(1-organo-imidazol-2-ylthio)methanes

Abstract Two tris(1-organo-imidazol-2-ylthio)methanes, HC(S-timR)3 (R = organo = methyl, tert-butyl), have been prepared by a triphasic reaction between chloroform, the appropriate heterocycle, and saturated aqueous solutions of Na2CO3, in the presence of a phase transfer agent, (NBu4)(Br). These ligands have been characterized both spectroscopically and by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The reaction chemistry of these potentially N,N,N-tripodal ligands with AgBF4 was also explored where simple 1:1 coordination complexes could be isolated from reactions performed in THF solution at room temperature. The derivative {Ag[HC(S-timMe)3]}(BF4) was structurally characterized which showed that the ligand binds in a μ–κ2N,κ1N-mode to give a coordination polymer with an interesting layered supramolecular structure. Surprisingly, heating CH3CN solutions of the silver complexes at reflux resulted in decomposition of the complex and concomitant isomerization of the ligands to give metal-free tris(3-organo-1-imidazole-2-thione)methane, HC(N-imtR)3; the heretofore elusive charge-neutral analogues of the well-studied ‘soft scorpionate’ TmR− anions. The solution isomerization of HC(S-timR)3 to HC(N-imtR)3 was found to be general, occurring in a variety of solvents with any of a host of different Lewis acids [para-toluenesulfonic acid, KPF6, and M(CO)5Br (M = Mn, Re)] but did not occur by heating in the absence of Lewis acid. The compound HC(N-imtMe)3 exhibited unusually low solubility in common organic solvents. Single crystal X-ray diffraction of HC(N-imtMe)3 revealed a remarkable honeycomb supramolecular structure with ca. 5 A channels filled with solvent. The robust nature of this solid is a result of strong dipolar stacking interactions of molecules into polymer chains bolstered by concerted π–π and CH–π interactions involving the heterocycles, holding the chains together in the remaining two dimensions.
Towards high-performance > 100 GHz SiGe and CMOS circuits

This paper presents SiGe and CMOS circuits with > 100 GHz operation. The goal is to show that SiGe can be used for imaging systems due to its low 1/f noise properties. A W-band SiGe imaging chip is presented with performance which is nearly as good as the best InP chips. Another goal is to show that deep-scaled CMOS can result in high performance amplifiers, detectors, and doublers at 90–110 GHz and at 180–220 GHz. The applications areas are in high data-rate communications, > 100 GHz automotive radars (140 and 220 GHz) and mm-wave imaging systems.
Immunoglobulin abnormalities and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in uninfected and HIV-infected men

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a non-AIDS related malignancy of an immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting B cell (plasma cell) usually associated with older age. MM is characterized by the presence of a high concentration monoclonal Ig protein in serum, and excretion of free light chains (FLC) in urine. In the years preceding MM diagnosis, a small monoclonal Ig develops that may be detectable upon serum protein electrophoresis, resulting in a premalignant condition known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). In an individual with MGUS, there may also be abnormal levels of FLC. Increased circulating levels of Ig, other indicators of B cell hyperactivation, and B cell lymphoma are well-recognized features of HIV infection. There have also been several reports of increased prevalence of MGUS and a meta-analysis showing increased risk of MM among HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals. There are, however, little or no longitudinal data on HIV-associated Ig abnormalities, B cell activation, and MGUS. We have initiated a pilot study within the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), a prospective study of untreated and treated HIV infection and AIDS in the United States, to begin to examine Ig abnormalities associated with MGUS in HIV-uninfected (HIV-) and HIV+ homosexual men.
Gut failure and abdominal visceral transplantation

Despite the reported high survival with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) therapy for patients with intestinal failure, a considerable number of patients do not escape the potential risks of TPN-associated complications, including hepatic failure, vanishing of central venous access and line sepsis. Thus, intestinal, liver-intestinal and multivisceral transplantation have recently emerged to rescue those who can no longer be maintained on TPN. Before this development, and for nearly three decades, small-bowel transplantation was plagued with uncontrolled rejection, graft v. host disease and fatal infection. These barriers stemmed from the large gut lymphoid mass and heavy microbial load contained in the intestinal lumen. The recent improvement in survival after the clinical introduction of tacrolimus with achievement of full enteric nutritional autonomy qualified the procedure by the US Health Care Financing Administration as the standard of care for patients with intestinal and TPN failure. The decision was supported by a decade of clinical experience with cumulative improvement in patient and graft survival. In addition, the introduction of new effective immunoprophylactic agents and novel therapeutic approaches has contributed to a further increase in the therapeutic advantages of the procedure. The present review article outlines the current clinical practice of intestinal transplantation and defines new management strategies with the aim of raising the level of the procedure to be a better alternative therapy for TPN-dependent patients.
Prospective validation of the brain injury guidelines: managing traumatic brain injury without neurosurgical consultation.

BACKGROUNDTo optimize neurosurgical resources, guidelines were developed at our institution, allowing the acute care surgeons to independently manage traumatic intracranial hemorrhage less than or equal to 4 mm. The aim of our study was to evaluate our established Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG 1 cate
PHYLOGENETICALLY ASSOCIATED RESIDUES WITHIN THE VHIII SUBGROUP OF SEVERAL MAMMALIAN SPECIES EVIDENCE FOR A PAUCI-GENE BASIS FOR ANTIBODY DIVERSITY

Immunoglobulin heavy chains from IgG pools of several mammalian species have been subjected to Edman degradation on an automated protein sequencer. The percentage of unblocked vs. blocked heavy chains was estimated from the yield of the invariant valine in the second position. Further analysis of these unblocked polypeptides unequivocally placed them in the VHIII subgroup on the basis of homology with known human heavy chain sequences. The mammals studied could be divided into three distinct categories on the basis of the distribution of the VHIII subgroup. In several species the VHIII subgroup could not be detected while, in others, virtually all of the heavy chains belonged to this subgroup. Several species had intermediate amounts with the level of the VHIII subgroup restricted to between 19 and 29% of the total pool. Within experimental error, all members of a given order had a similar VHIII subgroup distribution. Further amino acid sequence studies illustrated a high degree of structural homogeneity in the heavy chains of IgG isolated from pooled sera of a number of mammalian species. The very close amino acid sequence homologies of the amino terminal 24 residues of the various pools corroborated conclusions previously obtained using several myeloma proteins from some of these same species. In particular, certain phylogenetically associated residues were identifiable at characteristic positions in the pools in confirmation of their identification in the myeloma proteins. The simplest assumptions would suggest that these findings are more compatible with a pauci-gene than a multi-gene basis for the generation of antibody diversity.
Time interval to surgery and outcomes following the surgical treatment of acute traumatic subdural hematoma

Although the pre-surgical management of patients with acute traumatic subdural hematoma prioritizes rapid transport to the operating room, there is conflicting evidence regarding the importance of time interval from injury to surgery with regards to outcomes. We sought to determine the association of surgical timing with outcomes for subdural hematoma. A retrospective review was performed of 522 consecutive patients admitted to a single center from 2006–2012 who underwent emergent craniectomy for acute subdural hematoma. After excluding patients with unknown time of injury, penetrating trauma, concurrent cerebrovascular injury, epidural hematoma, or intraparenchymal hemorrhage greater than 30 mL, there remained 45 patients identified for analysis. Using a multiple regression model, we examined the effect of surgical timing, in addition to other variables on in-hospital mortality (primary outcome), as well as the need for tracheostomy or gastrostomy (secondary outcome). We found that increasing injury severity score (odds ratio [OR] 1.146; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.035–1.270; p = 0.009) and age (OR1.066; 95%CI 1.006–1.129; p = 0.031) were associated with in-hospital mortality in multivariate analysis. In this model, increasing time to surgery was not associated with mortality, and in fact had a significant effect in decreasing mortality (OR 0.984; 95%CI 0.971–0.997; p = 0.018). Premorbid aspirin use was associated with a paradoxical decrease in mortality (OR 0.019; 95%CI 0.001–0.392; p = 0.010). In this patient sample, shorter time interval from injury to surgery was not associated with better outcomes. While there are potential confounding factors, these findings support the evaluation of rigorous preoperative resuscitation as a priority in future study.
Parallel Digital Implementations of Neural Networks

The paper reviews implementations of neural networks on parallel digital machines. The connectionist neural networks models are discussed from the point of view of their computational characteristics. The levels of parallelism available in the models and the factors affecting their performance of the models on the parallel machines are presented. Several mapping methodologies applicable to neural networks are described. Selected examples of implementations of neural networks on parallel digital machines are provided. >
Compressive-Projection Principal Component Analysis and the First Eigenvector

An analysis is presented that extends existing Rayleigh-Ritz theory to the special case of highly eccentric distributions. Specifically, a bound on the angle between the first Ritz vector and the orthonormal projection of the first eigenvector is developed for the case of a random projection onto a lower-dimensional subspace. It is shown that this bound is expected to be small if the eigenvalues are widely separated, i.e., if the data distribution is highly eccentric. This analysis verifies the validity of a fundamental approximation behind compressive projection principal component analysis,a technique proposed previously to recover from random projections not only the coefficients associated with principal component analysis but also an approximation to the principal-component transform basis itself.
The Impact of Access to Water on Child Health in Senegal

This paper addresses the impact of access to water on child health in Senegal by using multinomial propensity score matching to estimate the impact of five water sources on the incidence of diarrhea in children. This information will facilitate a more informed cost-benefit analysis when implementing water projects. Much research categorizes water sources into a binary variable: “improved” or “unimproved”. According to the findings of this paper, this is an erroneous restriction, as I find heterogeneous impacts of water sources on child health. In fact, water sources that are generally believed to be superior are not significantly different, and some are significantly less effective in decreasing incidence of diarrhea.
A DIFFERENTIAL PATTERN OF AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEMORY RETRIEVAL IN SOCIAL PHOBIC AND NONANXIOUS INDIVIDUALS

The present study examined characteristics of autobiographical memories retrieved by individuals with social phobia (n = 15) and nonanxious individuals (n = 17). Participants were presented with social threat, positive, and neutral cue words and instructed to retrieve the first specific personal memory that came to mind. Memories were coded for retrieval latency, overgenerality (vs. specificity), and affective tone. Nonanxious individuals, rather than social phobic individuals, demonstrated a bias toward the retrieval of specific negative memories when cued by social threat words. Significant omnibus results were attenuated when self-reported depression was included as a covariate in analyses. These results suggest that memories cued by social threat words are particularly salient for nonanxious individuals but not for individuals with social phobia and that depressive symptoms must be accounted for in studies examining cognitive biases toward threat.
Cylinder pressure and combustion heat release estimation for SI engine diagnostics using nonlinear sliding observers

Cylinder pressure is an important parameter in engine combustion analysis or engine diagnosis. An approach is introduced to estimate cylinder pressure and combustion heat release in multicylinder SI engines based solely on engine speed measurements. Because of the nonlinear nature of engines, this estimation employs a nonlinear observer: the sliding observer. In many applications, cylinder pressure is critical for control or engine monitoring systems. Researchers have pursued various approaches to obtain the desired cylinder pressure directly or indirectly. However, these approaches vary in cost, reliability, robustness, accuracy and convenience. The use of nonlinear sliding observers in pressure and combustion heat release estimation based on measurements of engine speed provides an accurate, low-cost, and reliable way to acquire these desired states. In this paper the estimation of cylinder pressures and combustion heat releases of a multicylinder SI engine is presented. Since a problem of system observability arises in pressure estimation when the cylinder piston moves to its TDC, means of reducing estimation errors in this condition are described. Finally, the applications of this approach in engine diagnostics are discussed. >
Lesions in Cat Lateral Suprasylvian Cortex Affect the Perception of Complex Motion

We examined the effects of bilateral ibotenic acid lesions of cat lateral suprasylvian (LS) cortex on motion perception. Cats were tested on tasks requiring integration of local directional signals, precise judgements of direction and extraction of structure-from-motion. All animals showed permanent deficits in integrating local motion signals. These deficits were most pronounced in the presence of directional noise and at larger spatial displacements. In addition, LS lesions produced a 2-fold loss in the accuracy of direction discrimination and large deficits in the perception of structure-from-motion. All of these losses were most severe during the first few weeks of testing following the lesion. These findings demonstrate that LS cortex plays an important role in the processing of stimuli requiring integration of motion information and limits the spatial scale over which such integration can proceed. Partial improvements in performance with time and/or training may be indicative of post-operative plastic changes in neurons outside of LS cortex.
Atypical Ocular Atopy

Background: Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) is defined as a chronic keratoconjunctivitis associated with atopic dermatitis, but severe progressive keratoconjunctivitis as a sole manifestation of atopy also may occur. The authors report three patients with a longstanding history of chronic conjunctivitis with bilateral pannus formation. These patients denied any history of major atopy at the time of presentation. Methods: All patients were evaluated for collagen vascular disease and for evidence of atopy. Conjunctival biopsy was obtained in each case and was analyzed by light microscopy and by immunohistochemical techniques. Results: Systemic evaluation for collagen vascular disease was negative. Serum IgE levels were elevated in one patient. Conjunctival biopsy suggested atopy in all patients with characteristic histopathologic findings. Referral to an allergist showed wheal and flare reactions to multiple ubiquitous environmental allergens. Two patients then disclosed a history of atopic dermatitis and another confessed a history of asthma. Each patient responded well to environmental control of allergens, topical cromolyn sodium 4%, and systemic antihistamine therapy with subsequent resolution of the chronic conjunctivitis. The corneal complications were managed with pannus resection and postoperative mitomycin C drops in two patients. Conclusion: These patients suffered from the progressive blinding consequences of a chronic keratoconjunctivitis, which we believe is an atypical form of AKC. In this report, it is suggested that atopy should be considered in some cases of external ocular inflammation, even in the absence of the characteristic findings of systemic atopy. Conjunctival biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool in such cases.
Electron energy loss spectroscopy techniques for the study of microbial chromium(VI) reduction

Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) techniques were used to determine oxidation state, at high spatial resolution, of chromium associated with the metal-reducing bacteria, Shewanella oneidensis, in anaerobic cultures containing Cr(VI)O4(2-). These techniques were applied to fixed cells examined in thin section by conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as unfixed, hydrated bacteria examined by environmental cell (EC)-TEM. Two distinct populations of bacteria were observed by TEM: bacteria exhibiting low image contrast and bacteria exhibiting high contrast in their cell membrane (or boundary) structure which was often encrusted with high-contrast precipitates. Measurements by EELS demonstrated that cell boundaries became saturated with low concentrations of Cr and the precipitates encrusting bacterial cells contained a reduced form of Cr in oxidation state + 3 or lower.