cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The oral-systemic connection: role of salivary diagnostics

Utilizing saliva instead of blood for diagnosis of both local and systemic health is a rapidly emerging field. Recognition of oral-systemic interrelationships for many diseases has fostered collaborations between medicine and dentistry, and many of these collaborations rely on salivary diagnostics. The oral cavity is easily accessed and contains most of the analytes present in blood. Saliva and mucosal transudate are generally utilized for oral diagnostics, but gingival crevicular fluid, buccal swabs, dental plaque and volatiles may also be useful depending on the analyte being studied. Examples of point-of-care devices capable of detecting HIV, TB, and Malaria targets are being developed and discussed in this overview.
Enthesitis, arthritis, and heel pain

Often, individuals who present with "isolated" heel pain but with normal laboratory findings are dismissed without diagnosis. However, if these patients are carefully questioned and examined, a significant proportion are found to have a spondyloarthropathy. The keys to making this diagnosis are obtaining a thorough medical history and performing a complete physical examination. The classic complaints of back pain and enthesitis in other areas are frequently not reported by patients unless specifically sought, because they are thought to be unrelated to the heel pain.
National Trends in the Management and Survival of Surgically Managed Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma Over 15 years: A Population-Based Analysis

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend hepatic resection and lymphadenectomy (LND) for gallbladder adenocarcinoma (GBA). We sought to evaluate compliance with these recommendations and to assess trends in the management and survival of patients with GBA. Using Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked data, we identified 2,955 patients with GBA who underwent cancer-directed surgery from 1991 to 2005. We assessed clinicopathologic data, trends in surgical management, and survival. From 1991 to 2005, preoperative evaluation included CT (62%), MRI (6%), and PET (2%). Only 383 (13%) patients underwent radical resection/hepatectomy with a temporal increase over the study period (1991–1995, 12%; 1996–1999, 10%; 2000–2002, 12.0%; 2003–2005, 16%; P < 0.001). For patients undergoing radical resection/hepatectomy, LND ≥ 3 nodes was performed in 96 (3%) patients. Among patients who had LND, 47% had nodal metastasis. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival was 56%, 30%, and 21%. On multivariate analysis, radical resection/hepatectomy (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.71) and LND ≥ 3 nodes (HR = 0.56) were independently associated with increased survival. There was no significant improvement in survival over time (P = 0.60). Compliance with NCCN guidelines for GBA remains poor. Survival of patients with surgically managed GBA has not improved over time.
Finding the Big Data Sweet Spot: Towards Automatically Recommending Configurations for Hadoop Clusters on Docker Containers

The complexity of cloud-based analytics environments threatens to undermine their otherwise tremendous values. In particular, configuring such environments presents a great challenge. We propose to alleviate this issue with an engine that recommends configurations for a newly submitted analytics job in an intelligent and timely manner. The engine is rooted in a modified k-nearest neighbor algorithm, which finds desirable configurations from similar past jobs that have performed well. We apply the method to configuring an important class of analytics environments: Hadoop on container-driven clouds. Preliminary evaluation suggests up to 28% performance gain could result from our method.
Absolute deformation potentials of Al, Si, and NaCl.

We present an approach to the calculation of absolute deformation potentials (ADP's) based on ab initio all-electron methods. The ADP of a given single-particle state is obtained from the variation of its energy between a compressed and an expanded region of the same material. Core levels are used to calculate the band offset at the compressed-expanded homojunction. We present results for a simple metal (Al), a semiconductor (Si), and an insulator (NaCl) under uniaxial strain. We find that (i) the ADP of the valence-band maximum is positive in Si, as predicted by a simple tight-binding model, but it is negative in NaCl, in conflict with tight binding; (ii) while most conduction-band states have negative ADP's, in agreement with the tight-binding picture, some conduction states have positive ADP's; (iii) core levels have nonvanishing ADP's, so they cannot be used as ``absolute'' reference energies in the presence of strain.
Macrophage activation syndrome in children with systemic lupus erythematosus and children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective To describe patient demographics, interventions, and outcomes in hospitalized children with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) complicating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study using data recorded in the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2010. Participants had International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for MAS and either SLE or JIA. The primary outcome was hospital mortality (for the index admission). Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) admission, critical care interventions, and medication use. Results A total of 121 children at 28 children's hospitals met the inclusion criteria, including 19 children with SLE and 102 children with JIA. The index admission mortality rate was 7% (8 of 121 patients). ICU admission (33%), mechanical ventilation (26%), and inotrope/vasopressor therapy (26%) were common. Compared to children with JIA, those with SLE had a similar mortality rate (6% versus 11%, respectively; exact P = 0.6). More patients with SLE than those with JIA received ICU care (63% versus 27%; P = 0.002), received mechanical ventilation (53% versus 21%; P = 0.003), and had cardiovascular dysfunction (47% versus 23% received inotrope/vasopressor therapy; P = 0.02). Children with SLE and those with JIA received cyclosporine at similar rates, but more children with SLE received cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil, and more children with JIA received interleukin-1 antagonists. Conclusion Organ system dysfunction is common in children with rheumatic diseases complicated by MAS, and more organ system support is required in children with underlying SLE than in children with JIA. Current treatment of pediatric MAS varies based on the underlying rheumatic disease.
Near-Infrared Reflectance Correlated to 100-g Wet-Milling Analysis in Maize

ABSTRACT An understanding of the genetic control of starch, protein, and oil concentrations in the corn (Zea mays L.) kernel is essential for improvement of grain quality. Because large numbers of progenies are needed for genetic studies, a rapid, accurate, analytical procedure is necessary. As part of a study to identify chromosomal regions associated with starch and protein, a rapid near-infrared reflectance (NIR) method and a more labor-intensive 100-g wet-milling procedure were compared for consistency in ranking families and identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) using a set of 200 F2S1 families from the cross of the 70th generations of the Illinois High Protein (IHP) × Illinois Low Protein (ILP) corn strains. NIR starch and wet-milling starch values were highly correlated (r = 0.80), as were NIR protein and gluten measured by wet-milling (r = 0.72). Chromosomal regions associated with NIR starch and wet-milling starch were generally the same. Fiber concentration was significantly negatively corre...
Induction of a virus-specific effector-memory CD4+ T cell response by attenuated SIV infection.

We investigated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-specific CD4+ T cell responses in rhesus macaques chronically infected with attenuated or pathogenic SIV strains. Analysis of SIVΔnef-infected animals revealed a relatively high frequency of SIV-specific CD4+ T cells representing 4–10% of all CD4+ T lymphocytes directed against multiple SIV proteins. Gag-specific CD4+ T cells in wild-type SIV-infected animals were 5–10-fold lower in frequency and inversely correlated with the level of plasma viremia. SIV-specific CD4+ cells from SIVΔnef animals were predominantly CD27−CD28−CD45RAlowCCR7−CCR5−, consistent with an effector–memory subset, and included a fully differentiated CD45RA+CCR7− subpopulation. In contrast, SIV-specific CD4+ T cells from SIV-infected animals were mostly CD27+CD28+CD45RA−CCR7+CCR5+, consistent with an early central memory phenotype. The CD45RA+CCR7−CD4+ subset from SIVΔnef animals was highly enriched for effector CD4+ T cells, as indicated by the perforin expression and up-regulation of the lysosomal membrane protein CD107a after SIV Gag stimulation. SIV-specific CD4+ T cells in attenuated SIV-infected animals were increased in frequency in bronchioalveolar lavage and decreased in lymph nodes, consistent with an effector–memory T cell population. The ability of SIVΔnef to induce a high frequency virus-specific CD4+ T cell response with direct effector function may play a key role in protective immunity produced by vaccination with attenuated SIV strains.
The Development and Application of a Quantitative Peptide Microarray Based Approach to Protein Interaction Domain Specificity Space

Protein interaction domain (PID) linear peptide motif interactions direct diverse cellular processes in a specific and coordinated fashion. PID specificity, or the interaction selectivity derived from affinity preferences between possible PID-peptide pairs is the basis of this ability. Here, we develop an integrated experimental and computational cellulose peptide conjugate microarray (CPCMA) based approach for the high throughput analysis of PID specificity that provides unprecedented quantitative resolution and reproducibility. As a test system, we quantify the specificity preferences of four Src Homology 2 domains and 124 physiological phosphopeptides to produce a novel quantitative interactome. The quantitative data set covers a broad affinity range, is highly precise, and agrees well with orthogonal biophysical validation, in vivo interactions, and peptide library trained algorithm predictions. In contrast to preceding approaches, the CPCMAs proved capable of confidently assigning interactions into affinity categories, resolving the subtle affinity contributions of residue correlations, and yielded predictive peptide motif affinity matrices. Unique CPCMA enabled modes of systems level analysis reveal a physiological interactome with expected node degree value decreasing as a function of affinity, resulting in minimal high affinity binding overlap between domains; uncover that Src Homology 2 domains bind ligands with a similar average affinity yet strikingly different levels of promiscuity and binding dynamic range; and parse with unprecedented quantitative resolution contextual factors directing specificity. The CPCMA platform promises broad application within the fields of PID specificity, synthetic biology, specificity focused drug design, and network biology.
Development of a quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection measurement system for phenolic acids.

A quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection method separating 16 phenolic acids was achieved. Six columns and several mobile phases were investigated. Resolution was achieved with a high-purity silica Phenomenex Luna C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5m) and a binary gradient consisting of CH3OH–water (with 0.1% formic acid) and flow rate set at 0.7 ml/min. Acids were detected and quantitation performed at wavelength representing the lowest energy λmax for individual acids. Extraction procedure from wine was optimized and yields ranged from 79 to 87% based on internal standard recovery. To confirm our quantitative results, identical samples were analyzed both in-house and by a collaborating laboratory. Correlation of two data sets generated linear regression equations that approached unity (0.93–0.98) and R 2 values ranging from 0.990 to 0.999. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The many faces of cellulitis

> Non semper ea sunt quae videntur (Things are not always what they seem) > > -Phaedrus Rubor (redness), tumour (swelling), dolor (pain) and calor (heat) represent the four classical signs of inflammation, as described by the Roman physician Celsus in the first century AD.1 When observed in the skin in the acute setting, these signs are often considered synonymous with bacterial cellulitis, a reasonable assumption given the incidence and importance of early treatment of skin and soft tissue infections.2 Unfortunately, an incorrect initial diagnosis of infection can continue to follow the patient, resulting in unnecessary treatments, prolonged discomfort, and delayed diagnosis. In one study, some 13.6% of patients referred to a specialty centre for cellulitis were found to have alternative diagnoses, suggesting that this is not a rare occurrence.3 Many entities may mimic cellulitis and, compounding the confusion, many of these processes may be complicated by secondary or concomitant bacterial infection.3–5 For this review, however, I have selected three relatively common cellulitis mimics to discuss in detail: allergic contact dermatitis, erythema nodosum and insect bite-induced hypersensitivity (papular urticaria). By closely examining these cases, I hope to identify some of the pitfalls in the diagnosis of cellulitis and highlight some helpful pearls that may be applied more broadly. Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection of the skin and subcutis with secondary inflammation, usually characterised by warmth, tenderness, erythema and swelling.6 It is an extremely common clinical problem, representing 2.2% of all office visits for general practitioners in one study.7 Most cases are caused by Streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus , although many other pathogens may be implicated.6 The commonness of cellulitis appears to exploit the bias of the availability heuristic — the decision-making shortcut that places weight on things that are easily called to mind …
2-Amino-3-ketobutyrate CoA ligase of Escherichia coli: stoichiometry of pyridoxal phosphate binding and location of the pyridoxyllysine peptide in the primary structure of the enzyme

Pure 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate CoA ligase from Escherichia coli, which catalyzes the cleavage/condensation reaction between 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate (the presumed product of the L-threonine dehydrogenase-catalyzed reaction) and glycine + acetyl-CoA, is a dimeric enzyme (Mr = 84,000) that requires pyridoxal 5'-phosphate as coenzyme for catalytic activity. Reduction of the hololigase with tritiated NaBH4 yields an inactive, radioactive enzyme adduct; acid hydrolysis of this adduct allowed for the isolation and identification of epsilon-N-pyridoxyllysine. Quantitative determinations established that 2 mol of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate are bound per mol of dimeric enzyme. After the inactive, tritiated enzyme adduct was digested with trypsin, a single radioactive peptide containing 23 amino acids was isolated and found to have the following primary structure: Val-Asp-Ile-Ile-Thr-Gly-Thr-Leu-Gly-Lys*-Ala-Leu-Gly-Gly-Ala-Ser-Gly-Gly -Tyr-Thr-Ala-Ala-Arg (where * = the lysine residue in azomethine linkage with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate). This peptide corresponds to residues 235-257 in the intact protein; 10 residues around the lysine residue have a high level of homology with a segment of the primary structure of 5-aminolevulinate synthase from chicken liver.
Active Antenna Selection in Multiuser MIMO Communications

The paper develops a dynamic antenna scheduling strategy for downlink MIMO communications, where a subset of the receive antennas at certain users is selectively disabled. The proposed method improves the signal-to-leakage-plus-noise (SLNR) ratio performance of the system and it relaxes the condition on the number of transmit-receive antennas in comparison to traditional zero-forcing and time-scheduling strategies. The largest value that the SLNR can achieve is shown to be equal to the maximum eigenvalue of a certain random matrix combination, and the probability distribution of this eigenvalue is characterized in terms of a Whittaker function. The result shows that increasing the number of antennas at some users can degrade the SLNR performance at other users. This fact is used to propose an antenna scheduling scheme that leads to improvement in terms of SINR outage probabilities
Automated Test Data Generation and Reliability Assessment for Software in High Assurance Systems

Validation of software is often a weak link in delivering high assurance systems. Traditional software testing is problematic in both the selection of good test data and the assessment of reliability after testing. This paper describes ongoing research in perturbation analysis, which is a dynamic software analysis technique based on perturbing the data state at various locations in an executing program. The results of perturbation analysis have many uses, including the automatic generation of robust test data and reliability estimates for code locations and execution paths. An experiment is described that applies perturbation analysis to a software component of the tactical Tomahawk weapons control system. The application of perturbation analysis to produce reliability estimates for software components is also discussed.
Does reducing the capital gains tax rate raise or lower investment

Abstract The effect of taxation of capital gains on the decision to purchase a risky asset is explored within a theoretical framework similar to that of the capital asset pricing model. Tax rate reductions have two offsetting effects. One is to raise the after-tax expected return while the other is to increase the amount of risk borne by private agents. Conditions for determining which effect dominates are derived.
On the computation of certain functions of large argument and parameter

The paper deals with the derivation of asymptotic expansions for functions of a certain class. The functions concerned satisfy a differential equation in a variablez and a recursion in a parametern and include most of the classical functions of Mathematical Physics.
99 Tc Bioassay: A Direct Comparison of Liquid Scintillation Radiation Detection and ICP-MS Mass Detection of the 99 Tc Isotope

A means of analyzing {sup 99}Tc in urine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been developed. Historically, {sup 99}Tc analysis was based on the radiometric detection of the 293 keV E{sub Max.} beta decay product by liquid scintillation or gas flow proportional counting. A separation scheme for {sup 99}Tc detection by ICP-MS is given and is proven to be a sensitive and robust analytical alternative. A comparison of methods using radiometric and mass quantitation of {sup 99}Tc has been conducted in water, artificial urine, and real urine matrices at activity levels between 700 and 2,200 dpm/L. Liquid scintillation results based on an external standard manual quench correction and an automatic quench curve correction method are compared with results obtained by ICP-MS. Each method produced accurate results; however, the precision of the ICP-MS results is superior to that of liquid scintillation results.
Acute Toxicity of Aflatoxin B1 in the Dog

This work is a study of the acute effects of aflatoxin B1 in dogs. The dog has a remarkable susceptibility to aflatoxin B1 given by oral and intraperitoneal routes. Intraperitoneal administration r...
Abused Women With Children Who Are First-Time Users of a Shelter or Applicants for a Protection Order: Entry Data of a 7-Year Prospective Analysis

Worldwide, two models of care are offered most often to abused women—safe shelter and justice services. No evidence exists on the differential effectiveness of the services. To provide evidence, 300 abused women, 150 first-time users of a shelter and 150 first-time applicants for a protection order, signed informed consent to participate in a 7-year study. Safety, abuse, and functioning of the women and their children were measured. Compared with women seeking justice services, women in shelters reported more abuse and depression and less support. The baseline characteristics of these 300 women are presented with implications for practice and policy.
What Can Intervention Studies Tell Us about the Relationship between Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Weight Management

Given the recent surge in obesity, effective dietary strategies for weight management are required. Because fruits and vegetables are high in water and fiber, incorporating them in the diet can reduce energy density, promote satiety, and decrease energy intake. Although few interventions have specifically addressed fruit and vegetable consumption, evidence suggests that coupling advice to increase intake of these foods with advice to decrease energy intake is a particularly effective strategy for weight management. This approach may facilitate weight loss because it emphasizes positive messages rather than negative, restrictive messages.
Using propositional graphs for soft information fusion

Soft information is information contained in natural language messages written by human informants or human intelligence gatherers. Tractor is a system that automatically processes natural language messages and represents the information extracted from them as propositional graphs. Propositional graphs have several benefits as a knowledge representation formalism for information fusion: n-ary relations may be represented as simply as binary relations; meta-information and pedigree may be represented in the same format as object-level information; they are amenable to graph matching techniques and fusion with information from other sources; they may be used by reasoning systems to draw inferences from explicitly conveyed information and relevant background information. The propositional graphs produced by Tractor are based on the FrameNet system of deep lexical semantics. A method of producing propositional graphs is proposed using dependency parse information and rules written in the SNePS knowledge representation and reasoning system.
Upper airway pressures during breathing: A comparison of normal and nasally incompetent subjects with modeling studies

Although there has been considerable interest in the effects of nasal airway impairment on facial growth, the relationship is still unclear. This study examined the effect of nasal airway size on upper airway pressures during breathing. Three phases of data collection were involved. The first phase used a model to describe pressures during simulated normal and impaired respirations. The second phase involved subjects with normal airways, and the third used persons who were judged by an otolaryngologist to be nasally impaired. Aerodynamic assessment techniques were used to measure airway pressures during breathing and to assess nasal airway size. Results of the modeling study suggest that when nasal cross-sectional area is greater than 0.1 cm2, pressures associated with breathing are not excessive. These findings also suggest that slight lip opening (2 to 3 mm) would significantly reduce airway pressures. In addition, pressure magnitudes of the normal and nasally impaired groups were similar to the modeling data, and no significant difference in pressures was observed between the two groups. Accordingly, the assumptions that nasally impaired persons generate abnormal breathing pressures and that these pressures directly influence facial growth are questionable.
Systematic review: comparative effectiveness of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers for treating essential hypertension.

No consistent differential effects were observed for other outcomes (few studies reported long-term outcomes), including death, cardiovascular events, quality of life, rate of single antihypertensive agent use, lipid levels, progression to diabetes, left ventricular mass or function, and kidney disease. Consistent fair- to good-quality evidence showed that ACE inhibitors were associated with a greater risk for cough. There were fewer withdrawals due to adverse events and greater persistence with therapy for ARBs than for ACE inhibitors, although this evidence was not definitive. Patient subgroups for whom ACE inhibitors or ARBs were more effective, associated with fewer adverse events, or better tolerated were not identified. Limitations: Few studies involved a representative sample treated in a typical clinical setting over a long duration, treatment protocols had marked heterogeneity, and substantive amounts of data about important outcomes and patient subgroups were missing. Conclusion: Available evidence shows that ACE inhibitors and ARBs have similar effects on blood pressure control, and that ACE inhibitors have higher rates of cough than ARBs. Data regarding other outcomes are limited.
Adaptive two-stage detection scheme in synchronous two-user CDMA systems

An adaptive two-stage scheme for a synchronous, two-user CDMA environment with unknown received signal energies is presented. It consists of a tandem of the matched filter front-end followed by the interference canceler whose weights are adjusted by an adaptive algorithm. The error probability was evaluated analytically, and it was shown that the receiver provides satisfactory performance in the near-far scenarios. >
Cultivating Knowledge Sharing and Trust in Online Communities for Educators

Innovative uses of technology to support teacher learning are emerging through professional learning communities that leverage social networking technologies. The value of an online community for educators lies in the rich and open exchange of ideas, experiences, and resources where educators feel both respected and supported. Yet among the most difficult challenges faced by online communities is fostering and sustaining knowledge sharing and trust. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine in-depth successful online learning communities for K-12 educators to better understand ways in which knowledge sharing and trust are cultivated and supported. Cross-case findings indicate knowledge sharing and trust were cultivated and sustained through a clear purpose and common identity, multiple options and opportunities for social learning, the active involvement of an experienced and credible moderator, as well as modeling and enforcement of appropriate online behavior.
Phase tracking with a cognitive Antijam Receiver System (CARS)

Existing antijam (AJ) and interference mitigation techniques are based on the assumption that the nature of interference is known a-priori. Generally, one or more fixed antijam techniques (FATs) are applied to reduce the impact of the jammer or interferer to a receiver. A more general approach is to apply cognitive radio technology, whereby the receiver's AJ processing and receiver processing adapt to the incoming interference, in an approach known as a Cognitive Antijam Receiver System (CARS). Code and carrier tracking can be quite challenging when the presence of interference is significant. On this paper we will study the problem of carrier and code tracking under these conditions and show how a CARS mitigation approach can benefit overall performance. Tracking jitter will be the primary metric used in this optimization. By analyzing tracking and data demodulation performance in response to an interference signal, we propose an algorithm to select and adapt the receiver parameters as a function of the interferer signal properties. Simulation results show that the CARS approach allows data demodulation and tracking even under severe interference conditions, whereas FATs approaches fail to achieve such performance levels.
Renin-angiotensin and endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus : a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: The renin-angiotensin system and endothelial function have both been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between a set of well-characterized genetic variants of the renin-angiotensin system and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Women's Health Study, United States. SUBJECTS: A total of 24,309 Caucasian women free of diabetes at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Six previously characterized single nucleotide polymorphisms (NOS3 rs1800779, NOS3 rs3918226, NOS3 rs1799983, ACE rs1799752, AGT rs699 and AGTR rs5186) were genotyped. Cox proportional-hazards models were constructed to compare the incidence of type 2 diabetes according to the different genotypes. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 10.2 years (interquartile range 9.6-10.6 years), 999 women developed type 2 diabetes. The age-adjusted incidence rates across the six genotypes were very similar, and ranged from 3.7 to 4.8 cases/1000 person-years of follow-up. The multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for rs1800779, rs3918226, rs1799983, rs1799752, rs699, and rs5186 were 1.01 (0.92-1.10), 1.09 (0.93-1.27), 0.95 (0.86-1.05), 1.04 (0.95-1.14), 1.08 (0.98-1.18), 1.01 (0.91-1.11), confirming the lack of association between the genotypes and incident type 2 diabetes. Stratification by body mass index revealed essentially unchanged results. Finally, there was no association between NOS3-haplotypes and incident type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSION: We did not find an association between six well-characterized genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system or the NOS3 gene and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes.
Stability Analysis of Machining Processes Using Spectral Element Approach

Abstract The stability analysis of machining processes is of utmost importance in order to guarantee high removal rates while at the same time maintaining acceptable surface finish and tool life. One of the key mechanisms for losing stability in machining is chatter vibration, which is a self-excited vibration due to the surface regeneration effect. This type of chatter occurs due to the variation in the dynamic cutting load between successive tool or workpiece rotations. A common approach to capture this dependency on prior states is to model the machining process using delay differential equations. Since chatter has detrimental effects on the cutting process, the ability to predict the combinations of the cutting process parameters that will result in chatter-free cutting is highly desirable. In this paper we describe how the stability of turning and milling processes can be studied using the spectral element approach. The results show that this approach can successfully predict the chatter-free regime in turning and milling. Further, we describe how recent numerical implementations of the approach to a wider class of delay equations can enable the analysis of more complex and realistic machining models.
Design of a Conceptual Model for the Study of Education, Health, and Communication: Professional Preparation Issues

The purpose of our paper is to focus on the role of communication in health education, including the ways the three concepts of education, health, and communication are related. A traditional approach would be to study the integration of health and education leading to health education. However, a more progressive approach is to study communication in the context of health education in order to investigate the interdisciplinary nature of these triadic concepts. After naming three professional standards documents in preK-16 health education which highlight communication as both a concept and a skill, we will offer our schematic for how education, health, and communication interact to form the potential transdisciplinary concept of health literacy. We believe that health literacy can be explored as an integrative study of language patterns and information formats that is broader than the printed and spoken word. We conclude our paper with a review of current definitions for health literacy, and then share a description and outline of our graduate course called Health Communication and Education.
Expression of an engrailed-related protein is induced in the anterior neural ectoderm of early Xenopus embryos

We have used a monoclonal antibody directed against the C-terminus of the Drosophila invected homeodomain to detect a nuclear protein in brain cells of Xenopus laevis embryos. We refer to this antigen as the Xenopus EN protein. The EN protein is localized at midneurula stage to a band of cells in the anterior portion of the neural plate, on each side of the neural groove. Later in development, the expression coincides with the boundary of the midbrain and hindbrain, and persists at least to the swimming tadpole stage. These properties make the EN protein an excellent molecular marker for anterior neural structures. In embryos where inductive interactions between mesodermal and ectodermal tissues have been perturbed, the expression of the EN protein is altered; in embryos that have been anterodorsalized by LiCl treatment, the region that expresses the EN protein is expanded, but still well organized. In ventralized UV-irradiated embryos, the absence of the protein is correlated with the absence of anterior neural structures. In extreme exogastrulae, where the contacts between head mesoderm and prospective neurectoderm are lost, the EN protein is not expressed.
The Virtual Haptic Back (VHB): A Virtual Reality Simulation of the Human Back for Palpatory Diagnostic Training

The Virtual Haptic Back (VHB) is designed as an aid to teaching medical palpatory diagnosis. It uses two PHANToM 3.0 haptic interfaces (SensAble Technologies, Inc.), permitting palpation by force feedback with two fingers of a life-sized virtual human back. A graphics image of the back is displayed on a monitor a few inches behind the palpable back. Movement of back components, e.g., skin or underlying vertebrae, by exertion of palpatory force by the user is reflected graphically. Mechanical properties of the back, e.g., spring constants of the surface, are chosen based on feedback from physicians experienced in palpatory diagnosis. Although subjective evaluation of the VHB by 81 users over 2 years is positive, results have not yet shown students being trained in palpatory diagnosis to perform better than controls subjects. Results guide modifications of the haptic model itself and of the user tasks employed during testing.
Public opinion on the affluenza defense, race, and sentencing decisions: results from a statewide poll

AbstractEver since the highly publicized Texas case in which a wealthy, Caucasian teenager invoked ‘affluenza’ as a mitigating factor during his homicide trial, public discourse has debated the appropriateness of considering wealth during criminal sentences. Underlying this debate is a question about race: would a black defendant have the same chance of successfully using the affluenza defense? Intersectionality suggests that considerations of class, as implicated by the affluenza debate, are necessarily conditioned by understandings of race. This research examines whether public opinion supports the idea that extreme wealth contributes to criminal offending; whether affluence should be considered during sentencing; and whether a black defendant would able to use the affluenza defense successfully. Examining public opinion data from a statewide poll in Pennsylvania, this research explores public opinion on affluenza and examines whether race and other demographic characteristics influence the attribution ...
Identification of Rab41/6d Effectors Provides an Explanation for the Differential Effects of Rab41/6d and Rab6a/a' on Golgi Organization.

Unexpectedly, members of the Rab VI subfamily exhibit considerable variation in their effects on Golgi organization and trafficking. By fluorescence microscopy, neither depletion nor overexpression of the GDP-locked form of Rab6a/a’, the first trans Golgi-associated Rab protein discovered, affects Golgi ribbon organization while, on the other hand, both Rab41/6d depletion and overexpression of GDP-locked form cause Golgi fragmentation into a cluster of punctate elements, suggesting that Rab41/6d has an active role in maintenance of Golgi ribbon organization. To establish a molecular basis for these differences, we screened for Rab41/6d interacting proteins by yeast two-hybrid assay. 155 non-repetitive hits were isolated and sequenced, and after searching in NCBI database, 102 different proteins and protein fragments were identified. None of these hits overlapped with any published Rab6a/a’ effector. Eight putative Rab41 interactors involved in membrane trafficking were found. Significantly, these exhibited a preferential interaction with GTP- versus GDP-locked Rab41/6d. Of the 8 hits, the dynactin 6, syntaxin 8 and Kif18A plasmids were the only ones expressing the full-length protein. Hence, these 3 proteins were selected for further study. We found that depletion of dynactin 6 or syntaxin 8, but not Kif18A, resulted in a fragmented Golgi apparatus that displayed a Rab41/6d knockdown phenotype, i.e., the Golgi apparatus was disrupted into a cluster of punctate Golgi elements. Co-immunoprecipation experiments verified that the interaction of dynactin 6 and syntaxin 8 with GTP-locked Rab41/6d was stronger than that with wild type Rab41/6d and least with the GDP-locked form. In contrast, co-immunoprecipitation interaction with Rab6a was greatest with the GDP-locked Rab6a, suggestive of a non-physiological interaction. In conclusion, we suggest that dynactin 6, a subunit of dynactin complex, the minus-end-directed, dynein motor, provides a sufficient molecular basis to explain the active role of Rab41/6d in maintaining Golgi ribbon organization while syntaxin 8 contributes more indirectly to Golgi positioning.
Inertial components - past, present, and future

This paper presents an overview of the development of inertial components, starting with early rocket guidance using spinning mass components through the development of competent munitions using MEMS sensors. It is a compilation of information on evolving gyroscope and accelerometer use in specific system applications, rather than on the sensor development itself. It shows how the component technology changed over the years in the areas of aircraft navigation, submarine inertial navigation, intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missile guidance, space systems, and tactical missiles and munitions. Where possible, the description is chronologically based.
The Undying Novena

At first, I was highly suspicious of the stated birthdate of this letter and its claimed continuity. If no one ever broke the chain, I naively reasoned, then the exponential growth of mail would have overwhelmed the earth and stripped the world's forests for paper. (Today's electronic novena would similarly swamp the Internet with e-mail.) However, I soon realized that it is possible that the chain has never completely died out, although many individuals have broken their part of it. Despite its claim, the letter is a type of chain letter, whose life can be modeled as a branching process [2]. In this stochastic process, each parent may give birth to four offspring creating four branches. Of course, some of the branches may die out as individuals break the chain. As long as one branch survives, however, the chain survives another generation. Since a novena requires nine consecutive days of prayer, we assume that a new generation occurs after every nine days-time sufficient for both the post office and the recipient to handle the letter before sending it onward. To investigate the purported lifetime of the novena, let's assume that a person either breaks the chain, with probability p, or continues it as instructed, with probability 1 p. Then the mean number of offspring from each person is m = 4(1 p). Thus, each recipient of the novena sends out, on average, m novenas. Each of these m recipients sends out, on average, m novenas, and so on. Thus, in the nth generation there are, on average, 4mn novena recipients stemming from the four original recipients in generation zero.
PRODUCTIVE POSSESSIONS: masculinity, reproduction and territorializations in techno-horror

:In this essay I begin with Foucault's theorization of the convulsive body of the possessed as a site of struggle. Next, I amend this perspective with Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari's notion that “the concept is not object but territory” (What is Philosophy? (New York: Verso, 2003) 101). That is, rather than looking at convulsive bodies as objects through which actors (another form of object) struggle, I approach convulsions as evidencing acts of territorialization. Instead of a corporeal object over which actors struggle for ownership, this perspective reframes convulsions as a process of space-making that is constitutive of the space-makers. Amending Foucault's take on convulsions with Deleuze and Guattari's notion of territory allows for analysis of “techno-horror” popular entertainments as constitutive processes in the unfolding of new reproductive masculine subjectivities.
Changes in Markers of T-Cell Senescence and Exhaustion With Atazanavir-, Raltegravir-, and Darunavir-Based Initial Antiviral Therapy: ACTG 5260s

It is unclear whether differential roles of CD4(+) versus CD8(+) T-cell senescence/exhaustion and effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on these processes may contribute to morbidity in treated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection. In a prospective 96-week trial, 328 HIV-infected ART-naive participants were randomly assigned to receive tenofovir-emtricitabine plus either atazanavir/ritonavir, darunavir/ritonavir, or raltegravir. Markers of CD4(+) T-cell senescence (ie, the percentage of CD28(-)CD57(+) cells among CD4(+) T cells ) and CD4(+)/CD8(+) T-cell exhaustion (ie, the percentage of PD-1(+) cells among CD4(+)/CD8(+) T cells) decreased after ART. There were no changes in markers of CD8(+) T-cell senescence after ART and no differential changes in all markers in ART groups. Senescent CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells may have differential roles in HIV pathogenesis.
Can Hawaii Meet Its Renewable Fuel Target? Case Study of Banagrass-Based Cellulosic Ethanol

Banagrass is a biomass crop candidate for ethanol production in the State of Hawaii. This study examines: (i) whether enough banagrass can be produced to meet Hawaii’s renewable fuel target of 20% highway fuel demand produced with renewable sources by 2020 and (ii) at what cost. This study proposes to locate suitable land areas for banagrass production and ethanol processing, focusing on the two largest islands in the state of Hawaii—Hawaii and Maui. The results suggest that the 20% target is not achievable by using all suitable land resources for banagrass production on both Hawaii and Maui. A total of about 74,224,160 gallons, accounting for 16.04% of the state’s highway fuel demand, can be potentially produced at a cost of $6.28/gallon. Lower ethanol cost is found when using a smaller production scale. The lowest cost of $3.31/gallon is found at a production processing capacity of about 9 million gallons per year (MGY), which meets about 2% of state demand. This cost is still higher than the average imported ethanol price of $3/gallon. Sensitivity analysis finds that it is possible to produce banagrass-based ethanol on Hawaii Island at a cost below the average imported ethanol price if banagrass yield increases of at least 35.56%.
Diagnostic accuracy of Wright-Giemsa and rhodanine stain protocols for detection and semi-quantitative grading of copper in canine liver aspirates

Background Canine hepatic copper content has been increasing. Recognition of canine copper-associated hepatopathies is becoming more common. Objectives The purpose of the study was to assess the diagnostic performance of Wright–Giemsa (WG) and rhodanine staining for detection of increased canine hepatic copper following a proposed cytologic protocol for semi-quantitative evaluation of liver aspirates and the effect of previous WG staining. Methods Retrospectively, 40 canine hepatic WG-stained cytology cases were rhodanine stained. Diagnostic performance of WG staining for increased hepatic copper was evaluated. A rhodanine-stained cytologic copper grading system was developed. Prospectively, 67 canine liver samples with quantitative copper measurement, a WG-then rhodanine-stained slide, and a non-WG rhodanine-stained slide were used to assess the performance of the grading system and the effect of previous WG staining. Results Copper was not described in 40 retrospective cases on initial cytologic evaluation; 8/40 cases had increased copper content after rhodanine staining or quantitative copper assessment. Prior WG staining and destaining significantly affected the cytologic copper grade but not the diagnostic performance as measured by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Quantitative copper concentration and previously WG-stained copper grade were moderately correlated (n = 67, ρ = .79 [.68–.87]). For detection of ≥ 600 ppm, dry weight (dw) copper, sensitivity was .75 and specificity was .97. For detection of ≥ 1500 ppm, dw copper, sensitivity was 1.0 and specificity was .97. Conclusions Wright–Giemsa staining alone does not reliably detect hepatic copper. Grading of rhodanine-stained canine hepatic cytologic samples demonstrates acceptable diagnostic performance for detection of copper content.
Reverse-time Migration of Crosshole Data Using Tomographic Velocities

Crosshole data acquisition is a unique way of imaging the subsurface in that the sources are located in one borehole while the receivers are located in another. The zero-offset imaging condition does not apply to this forum. A new imaging condition must be implemented to perform migration. For the crosshole situation, the imaging condition involves the travel time from the source to the diffractor and the travel time from the diffractor to the receiver. Since the imaging condition is based so heavily on time, it is only appropriate to migrate the data using time migration.
The Aquilegia JAGGED homolog promotes proliferation of adaxial cell types in both leaves and stems.

Summary In order to explore the functional conservation of JAGGED, a key gene involved in the sculpting of lateral organs in several model species, we identified its ortholog AqJAG in the lower eudicot species Aquilegia coerulea. We analyzed the expression patterns of AqJAG in various tissues and developmental stages, and used RNAi-based methods to generate knockdown phenotypes of AqJAG. AqJAG was strongly expressed in shoot apices, floral meristems, lateral root primordia and all lateral organ primordia. Silencing of AqJAG revealed a wide range of defects in the developing stems, leaves and flowers; strongest phenotypes include severe reduction of leaflet laminae due to a decrease in cell size and number, change of adaxial cell identity, outgrowth of laminar-like tissue on the inflorescence stem, and early arrest of floral meristems and floral organ primordia. Our results indicate that AqJAG plays a critical role in controlling primordia initiation and distal growth of floral organs, and laminar development of leaflets. Most strikingly, we demonstrated that AqJAG disproportionally controls the behavior of cells with adaxial identity in vegetative tissues, providing evidence of how cell proliferation is controlled in an identity-specific manner.