cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interview mit Prof. Wolfgang Wahlster, Leiter des DFKI und Professor an der Universität des Saarlandes

Wolfgang Wahlster ist Vorsitzender der Geschaftsfuhrung und technisch-wissenschaftlicher Leiter des DFKI (Deutsches Forschungszentrums fur Kunstliche Intelligenz GmbH) und hat den Lehrstuhl fur Kunstliche Intelligenz der Universitat des Saarlandes. Herr Wahlster studierte Informatik und theoretische Linguistik an der Universitat Hamburg, wo er auch promovierte. Seine zahlreichen Auszeichnungen umfassen u.a. den Deutschen Zukunftspreis sowie die Wahl zum auswartigen Mitglied der Koniglich Schwedischen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Stockholm. Er ist AAAI, ECCAI und GI Fellow.
The Optimal Projection Equations for Nonstrictly Proper Fixed-Order Dynamic Compensation

Oblique projections have been shown to arise naturally in both static and dynamic optimal design problems. For static controllers an oblique projection was inherent in the early work of Levine and Athans, while for dynamic controllers an oblique projection was developed by Hyland and Bernstein. This note is motivated by the following natural question: What is the relationship between the oblique projection arising in optimal static output feedback and the oblique projection arising in optimal fixed-order dynamic compensation? We show that in nonstrictly proper optimal output feedback there are, indeed, three distinct oblique projections corresponding to singular measurement noise, singular control weighting and reduced compensator order. Moreover, we unify the Levine-Athans and Hyland-Bernstein approaches by rederiving the optimal projection equations for combined static/dynamic (nonstrictly proper) output feedback in a form which clearly illustrates the role of the three projections in characterizing the optimal feedback gains. Even when the dynamic component of the nonstrictly proper controller is of full order, the controller is characterized by four matrix equations which generalize the standard LQG result.
VEGF improves, whereas sFlt1 inhibits, BMP2-induced bone formation and bone healing through modulation of angiogenesis.

We studied the interaction between VEGF and BMP2 during bone formation and bone healing. Results indicate that VEGF antagonist inhibited BMP2-elicited bone formation, whereas the delivery of exogenous VEGF enhanced BMP2-induced bone formation and bone healing through modulation of angiogenesis. Introduction: Angiogenesis is closely associated with bone formation during normal bone development and is important for the bone formation elicited by BMP4. However, it remains unknown whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) also interacts with other BMPs, especially BMP2, in bone formation and bone healing. Materials and Methods: For this study, mouse muscle-derived stem cells were transduced to express BMP2, VEGF, or VEGF antagonist (sFlt1). We studied the angiogenic process during endochondral bone formation elicited by BMP2, a prototypical osteogenic BMP. Using radiographic and histologic analyses, we also evaluated the interaction between VEGF and BMP2 during bone formation and bone healing. Results: Our results indicate that BMP2-elicited bone formation comprises two phases of angiogenesis, with an early phase occurring before the appearance of hypertrophic cartilage, followed by a late phase coupled with the appearance of hypertrophic cartilage. Our finding that the administration of sFlt1, a specific antagonist of VEGF, significantly inhibited BMP2-induced bone formation and the associated angiogenesis indicates that endogenous VEGF activity is important for bone formation. Furthermore, we found that the delivery of exogenous VEGF enhanced BMP2-induced bone formation and bone healing by improving angiogenesis, which in turn led to accelerated cartilage resorption and enhanced mineralized bone formation. Our findings also indicate that the ratio between VEGF and BMP2 influences their synergistic interaction, with a higher proportion of VEGF leading to decreased synergism. Our study also revealed unique VEGF-BMP2 interactions that differ from the VEGF-BMP4 interactions that we have described previously. Conclusions: This study, along with previously published work, shows that VEGF interacts synergistically with both BMP4 and BMP2 but elicits substantially different effects with these two BMPs.
Specificity of antisense oligonucleotides in vivo.

Abstract Antisense oligonucleotides are widely used as inhibitors of gene expression in cultured cells and have been proposed as potential therapeutic agents, but it is not known to what extent they are specific for their intended target RNAs. Statistical considerations indicate that if oligonucleotides can form hybrids with mRNA molecules in vivo by means of short or imperfect regions of complementarity, then the specificity of oligonucleotides as antisense reagents will be greatly compromised. We have used Xenopus oocytes as a model system in which to investigate the potential specificity of antisense oligonucleotides in vivo. We injected perfect and partially matched antisense oligonucleotides into oocytes and measured the resulting degradation of the target RNA in each case. On the basis of the extent to which antisense oligonucleotides can cause cleavage of RNAs at imperfectly matched target sites, we conclude that in this system it is probably not possible to obtain specific cleavage of an intended target RNA without also causing at least the partial destruction of many nontargeted RNAs.
Student perceptions and the effectiveness of podcasting in an Associate Degree Nursing program

Abstract Introduced in 2001, the popularity of the iPod has been phenomenal. Today's students expect podcasting to be a component of their instruction and demand its use. The purpose of this study was to examine podcast use in relation to student success. Findings were that students who attended the majority of classes listened to fewer podcasts, and there was a negative, but not statistically significant relationship, between hours spent listening to podcasts and course grade.
Non-linear boundary and eigenvalue problems for the emden-fowler equations by group methods

Abstract Two pragmatic boundary value and eigenvalue problems of the Emden-Fowler equation (t α u′)′ + λt β ⨍(u) = 0,⨍(u) = u γ and eu are studied using the simple one parameter group properties. In all cases boundary value problems are converted into initial value problems using the property of the invariance group. With ⨍(u) = u γ an eigenvalue problem is detailed and calculations presented.
Microstructural effects in hot-explosively-consolidated W–Ti alloys

Abstract Full-density W–Ti alloys have been fabricated by a new, hot-explosive-compaction (HEC) technique. The alloy billets that are formed consist of W grains embedded in a generally discontinuous, preferentially oriented Ti-rich matrix. The effects of the use of different types of precursor powders, the influence of the W:Ti ratio on the dispersability of the W grains in the alloy, and the post-consolidation anneal control of the Ti-rich matrix were of primary interest. The alloy billets were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The major features of the technique and the microstructural properties of the W–Ti alloys are presented.
Ion selectivity in the KcsA potassium channel from the perspective of the ion binding site.

Abstract To understand the thermodynamic exclusion of Na + relative to K + from the S 2 site of the selectivity filter, the distribution P X ( ɛ ) (X = K + or Na + ) of the binding energy ( ɛ ) of the ion with the channel is analyzed using the potential distribution theorem. By expressing the excess chemical potential of the ion as a sum of mean-field 〈 ɛ 〉 and fluctuation μ ex flux,X contributions, we find that selectivity arises from a higher value of μ flux , Na + ex relative to μ flux , K + ex . To understand the role of site-site interactions on μ ex flux,X , we decompose P X ( ɛ ) into n -dependent distributions, where n is the number of ion-coordinating ligands within a distance λ from the ion. For λ comparable to typical ion-oxygen bond distances, investigations building on this multistate model reveal an inverse correlation between favorable ion-site and site-site interactions: the ion-coordination states that most influence the thermodynamics of the ion are also those for which the binding site is energetically less strained and vice versa. This correlation motivates understanding entropic effects in ion binding to the site and leads to the finding that μ ex flux,X is directly proportional to the average site-site interaction energy, a quantity that is sensitive to the chemical type of the ligand coordinating the ion. Increasing the coordination number around Na + only partially accounts for the observed magnitude of selectivity; acknowledging the chemical type of the ion-coordinating ligand is essential.
Gene therapy for cerebrovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: To review the principles of and the experimental and clinical results of gene therapy for cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: Vectors for gene transfer into the brain or into the cerebral vasculature include naked plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid, cationic liposomes, and viruses such as adenovirus, retrovirus, adeno-associated virus, and herpes simplex virus. Experiments using these vectors showed that intra- or perivascular application to systemic arteries can lead to transfection and expression of a foreign transgene in the adventitia and the endothelium. Intrathecal administration can lead to transfection and foreign transgene expression in leptomeningeal cells as well as in fibroblasts of blood vessel adventitia. Biological effects demonstrated thus far include increased nitric oxide production by transfection of cerebral arterial adventitia with adenovirus expressing nitric oxide synthase. Adenoviruses carrying foreign genes have been used to decrease neuronal damage in cerebral ischemia and to decrease blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Vectors and therapeutic applications for gene therapy are evolving rapidly. CONCLUSION: Gene therapy for cerebrovascular disease is likely to have clinical application in the near future and will have a major impact on neurosurgery. Neurosurgeons will need to be aware of the literature in this area.
Multiphase Flow in Pipes

Multiphase flow is found in many places. In the petroleum industry it occurs in oil and gas wells, gathering systems, many piping systems, and key pieces of equipment needed in refineries and petrochemical industries, including boilers, condensers, distillation towers, separators, and associated piping. This article focuses on two-phase flow in pipes. Though a lot has been learned about two-phase flow in the past 25 years, much of that knowledge has not been collected in a convenient place. In particular, much work done for the nuclear industry remains unknown to the petroleum industry. The primary goal of this article is to describe the kinds of problems we are now able to solve and to point out where answers to these problems can be obtained.
Economies of scale in petroleum refining, 1947–1984: A survivor principle - time series analysis

The survivor test to determine scale economies in an industry is applied to the U.S. petroleum refining industry. A time series covering every refinery for the period 1947–1984 is used. The results support Stigler's original conclusion of a saucer-shaped long-run average cost curve when his technique is duplicated on the full time series. However, we argue that the technique is misleading and try an alternative method which concludes that costs are decreasing for large scale refineries.
Teacher Education and the Neglected Diversity: Preparing Educators to Teach Students with Disabilities:

La formation professionnelle des enseignants ne peut plus negliger le fait que tous les enfants n'apprennent pas de la meme maniere. Les programmes de formation doivent preparer les enseignants a faire face aux besoins specifiques de tous ses eleves et pas seulement a ceux qui sont capables de suivre
Speech research at Carnegie Mellon

Carnegie Mellon has been active in speech recognition research for over 20 years. Research in the 70's led to important systems such as Hearsay, Harpy, and Dragon. Since 1980, the Carnegie Mellon speech group has been exploring techniques for speaker-independent recognition. Various avenues have been explored, including a knowledge engineering approach to identify robust speech features that are independent of speaker and environment, and a statistical learning system that utilizes human knowledge and detailed speech modeling.
From Pax Romana to Pax Americana? The history and future of the new American Empire

This review paper focuses on the most recent cycle in the debate about the history and future of the ‘New American Empire,’ both in relation to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire specifically, and against the wider backdrop of the extensive debate about the US position in the changing global order more generally. It argues that much of the literature, including some of the books under review, rest on a misreading of history (Roman or otherwise) and a flawed grasp of the fate of the American ascendancy in relation to the contemporary crisis of the nation-state system and the far from unexpected boom–bust cycles of ‘genuinely existing’ liberal capitalism (globalization) in the twenty-first century. The washout on Wall Street in the latter part of 2008 could only come as a surprise to those who have not been paying attention to the vicissitudes of ‘genuinely existing’ liberal capitalism over the past 30 years or more. The paper argues that the American ascendancy, contrary to much of the contemporary prognostication, remains in its prime and Pax Americana will only begin a downward spiral when it has been successfully challenged and displace by an equally powerful and systemic alternative. In the meantime, the New American Empire, especially under new leadership, looks set to continue and even flourish.
Politics, deficits, and the Laffer curve

Even if there were only a positively sloped tax rate-tax revenue relationship, or if a negatively sloped region were not in the relevant tax rate range, the existence of a lagged private sector response to tax rate change that exceeds the relevant time horizon for political decision makers is conducive to the existence of a budget deficit bias. Given the existence of a negatively sloped region of the Laffer curve, especially if it begins at reasonably low tax rates, determined attempts to eliminate or just reduce deficits can become self-defeating, particularly if there is a structural deficit.3 Moreover, once the economy is on the downward sloping portion of the Laffer curve a combination of political expediency, uncertainty about the shape of the curve, and a common belief that tax rate increases reduce deficits all can conspire to keep the budget trapped in deficit. Finally, given the existence of inflation and a marginally progressive income tax, deficit growth may be less if there is indexation of income tax rates to inflation, contrary to conventional wisdom.
Occult basal-cell carcinoma within rhinophyma.

Summary Rhinophyma, the end stage in the development of rosacea, is characterized by sebaceous hyperplasia, fibro-sis, follicular plugging and telangiectasia. Although it is commonly considered a cosmetic problem, it can result in gross distortion of soft tissue and in airway obstruction. Previously, basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) has been reported in association with rhinophyma. We are reporting an additional case in which the patient had been delaying treatment because of the ‘cosmetic nature’ of this condition.
Analysis of nitrate in biological fluids by capillary electrophoresis.

Abstract Nitrite and nitrate represent the products of the final pathway of nitric oxide metabolism. These two ions were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) in serum, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and tissue homogenates by mixing the sample with acetonitrile containing NaBr as an internal standard, followed by centrifugation. The supernatant was injected hydrodynamically on a capillary 50 cm×75 μm (I.D.) and electrophoresed at 6 kV (reversed polarity) in 1.4% sodium chloride in phosphate buffer for 13 min with detection at 214 nm. In addition to removal of the proteins, acetonitrile caused sample stacking. Urinary nitrate analysis by CE was compared to that by the enzymatic Aspergillus nitrate reductase method, with a correlation coefficient of 0.96.
MBE growth of compositionally modulated ceramics

An ultra high vacuum system fitted with thermal effusion cells that heat 20cc of material to temperatures as high as 2000°C is being used to synthesize thin film and multilayer ceramics from their constituent elements. A molecular source for oxygen used in conjunction with these effusion cells allows oxides of Al, Ti, Cu, and Y to be grown with compositional modulation controlling growth rate and stoichiometry.
Cerebral isotope uptake in acute experimental hypercapnic hypoxia

Abstract Severe acute hypercapnic hypoxia was produced in rats by hypoventilation Structural alterations of the central nervous system were studied by light and electron microscopy. The most severe changes were observed in the neurons of the hippocampus followed by those of the cerebellar and cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. There was significant swelling of the astrocytes. The extracellular space of the white matter showed moderate dilatation. The permeability of the blood-brain barrier increased for diffusible extracellular markers (inulin and sucrose) and chlormerodrin. Light microscopic autoradiography revealed that 14C-inulin, 3H-inulin and 14C-sucrose remained in the extracellular space although some sucrose was incorporated in damaged cells. On light and electron microscopic autoradiograms, 203Hg-chlormerodrin was seen to be taken up by damaged neurons and swollen astrocytes.
Ancestors and variants: tales from the cryptic.

SUMMARY Those who work at the interface of development and evolution are united by the conviction that developmental comparisons can shed light on both the evolution of specific morphologies and the macroevolutionary process itself. In practice, however, the field comprises a diversity of approaches. As the field grows and practitioners attempt to digest a growing mountain of comparative data, the various approaches of “Evo Devo” have themselves evolved. A meeting organized by the authors and held at the University of Chicago in the Spring of 1999 illustrated some of these changes. This review will draw on its content to discuss recent developments in two areas: the reconstruction of common ancestors and the developmental basis of evolutionary change.
Synthesis and chromatographic evaluation of new polymeric chiral stationary phases based on three (1S,2S)-(-)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine derivatives in HPLC and SFC

Three new polymeric chiral stationary phases were synthesized based on (1S,2S)-1,2-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)ethylenediamine, (1S,2S)-1,2-bis(2-chlorophenyl)ethylenediamine, and (1S,2S)-1,2-di-1-naphthylethylenediamine via a simple free-radical-initiated polymerization in solution. These monomers are structurally related to (1S,2S)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine which is the chiral monomer used for the commercial P-CAP-DP polymeric chiral stationary phase (CSP). The performance of these three new chiral stationary phases were evaluated in normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and supercritical fluid chromatography and the results were compared with those of the P-CAP-DP column. All three new phases showed enantioselectivity for a large number of racemates with a variety of functional groups, including amines, amides, alcohols, amino acids, esters, imines, thiols, and sulfoxides. In normal phase, 68 compounds were separated with 28 baseline separations (Rs ≥ 1.5) and in SFC, 65 compounds were separated with 24 baseline separations. In total 72 out of 100 racemates were separated by these CSPs with 37 baseline separations. Complimentary separation capabilities were observed for many analytes. The new polymeric CSPs showed similar or better enantioselectivities compared with the commercial column in both HPLC and SFC. However, faster separations were achieved on the new stationary phases. Also, it was shown that these polymeric stationary phases have good sample loading capacities while maintaining enantioselectivity.
A 2 Year Prospective Study of Neonatal Mortality and Clinical Practices for VLBW infant births in a Pacific Rim Nursery Network |[dagger]| 1290

This multicenter network compared prospective data from 617 infants with birthweight < 1501g or gestational age < 31 weeks between January 1, 1996 through December 1997, from 6 Pacific Rim nurseries. Data collected included gestational age (GA), birthweight (BW), Apgar scores, blood gas and head ultrasound results, survival to nursery discharge, use of antenatal steroids (AS), delivery route, and surfactant use. Severity of illness scores were derived from data obtained during the first 12 hours of life, using Critical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB scores). The association between risk factors (CRIB scores, GA and BW) and mortality were studied.
Cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the elderly.

The treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is of increasing importance as the population ages and the number of people with the disease increases. The aetiology of Alzheimer’s disease is complex and therefore treatment strategies rely on generalised pathological findings. Cholinesterase inhibitors enhance a generalised deficit of central nervous system acetylcholine and are the first class of agents specifically approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The clinical efficacy of the different cholinesterase inhibitors is similar; however, differences in pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters can influence tolerability and safety in the elderly population. Concomitant disease states, significant drug interactions and the altered kinetics and dynamics seen in elderly patients can also affect treatment outcome. Although cholinesterase inhibitors are not ‘curative’ for Alzheimer’s disease, clinical evidence indicates that these drugs can significantly delay the progress of cognitive impairment. Consequently, they represent a useful treatment for the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly.
Neutron-proton bremsstrahlung calculated with potentials; agreement with experiment

Abstract Neutron-proton bremsstrahlung is calculated with the Bryan-Scott and the Hamada-Johnston potentials. Quantitative agreement with an existing experiment is obtained. The calculation includes rescattering but is not completely gauge invariant because of the momentum dependence and exchange character of the nuclear potentials.
Fetal and maternal brain and plasma levels of cocaine and benzoylecgonine following chronic subcutaneous administration of cocaine during gestation in rats.

The distribution of cocaine and the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine (BE) in brain and plasma of Sprague-Dawley rat dams and their near-term fetuses was assessed 0.5 and 2 h post-injection on gestational day 20 following chronic daily subcutaneous injections of 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg/3 ml cocaine hydrochloride beginning on gestational day 8. Plasma concentrations of cocaine reached in the dams were found to be in the range of, or to exceed, those reported in human cocaine users. Dose-related increases in plasma and brain levels of cocaine in the dams and the fetuses were observed, particularly at 2 h post-injection. Fetal concentrations of cocaine in brain and plasma were approximately 2–3-fold less than those of the dams, suggesting that the placenta may somewhat restrict cocaine entry into fetal circulation. Brain/plasma cocaine ratios, however, were generally equivalent in the dams and fetuses, suggesting that once cocaine enters the circulation, its affinity for brain tissue is similar in the fetus and dam. Whereas plasma levels of BE, like cocaine levels per se, were greater in the dams than fetuses, BE concentrations in fetal brain were greater than those observed in maternal brain. These high levels of BE may contribute to the production of neurobehavioral alterations in cocaine-exposed offspring, given that this active cocaine metabolite has been shown to form molecular complexes with calcium ions (Misra and Mule 1975), thereby having the potential to influence a multiplicity of calcium-regulated developmental events. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that the subcutaneous route may prove to be an appropriate means in rats for administering cocaine prenatally in investigations designed to assess potential neurobehavioral ramifications of gestational cocaine exposure.
Evaluating Unsupervised Part-of-Speech Tagging for Grammar Induction

This paper explores the relationship between various measures of unsupervised part-of-speech tag induction and the performance of both supervised and unsupervised parsing models trained on induced tags. We find that no standard tagging metrics correlate well with unsupervised parsing performance, and several metrics grounded in information theory have no strong relationship with even supervised parsing performance.
Numerical Simulations of Multiple Vehicle Crashes and Multidisciplinary Crashworthiness Optimization

Abstract In this study, a full-scale finite element vehicle model of a 1996 Dodge Neon is used in simulating two types of vehicle crashes, offset-frontal and side impacts. Based on an analysis of the vehicle's internal energy absorption under both impacts, twenty-one components are selected and represented by thirteen design variables for the multidisciplinary optimization including the weight, intrusion distance, and energy absorptions. The second-order polynomials are used in creating the metamodels for the objective and constraint functions. The optimization results show that the weight can be significantly reduced while decreasing the intrusion distance and keeping the original level of energy absorption. With the successfully implemented optimization scheme, a set of non-dominated (tradeoff) solutions is obtained and the final design can be selected based on the designer's preference. A simulation of 100 ms offset-frontal impact using LS-DYNA MPP v970 takes approximately 17 hours with 36 processors o...
The Role of the American Statistical Association

Three years have passed since the members of the American Statistical Association last came together in a national gather ing. The Annual Meetings of 1942 and 1943 were relinquished chiefly because of the demands upon wartime transportation fa cilities, relinquished willingly in recognition of the compelling immediacy of the demands of war, but relinquished with full awareness that the Association and any influence the Associa tion may have would not be strengthened by such action. The justification for holding a national meeting this year, while trans portation is still over-taxed, resides in an earnest conviction of the Board of Directors as to the contribution of statistics to the public weal and the responsibility which rests upon the Ameri can Statistical Association for furthering that contribution. Even the most casual reading of the program for this Annual Meeting will indicate that it mirrors a concern for the increased efficiency and unity of the entire statistical profession and for its more ef fective service to the welfare of society. Early in 1944 the Board of Directors decided that every pos sible effort should be made to hold a national meeting this year, and that it should be so planned as to focus attention upon the relation of statistics to the formation of policy and on the contri bution of a professional association of statisticians in promoting that relation. It is a matter of gratification to every member of the American Statistical Association that the Vice President of the United States is a man who thinks statistically and who un derstands the contribution of statistical investigation as basis for rational decision. That we were able to prevail upon him to speak at this dinner is an honor of which all of us are deeply sensible. At a time like the present when almost everyone is trying to foresee the nature of the world which lies ahead and to dedicate
A mechanism for 1/ƒ noise in metals

Abstract The random motion of frozen-in lattice defects is shown to provide a possible origin for 1/ƒ noise in metal films.
Fungal Associates of Protists, Phase 1: Prevalence and Diversity of Fungi in a Representative Protist Habitat

ABSTRACT Endosymbiosis is a pervasive feature of eukaryotic life. In many cases, endosymbionts of eukaryotes are bacteria, but growing evidence indicates that many fungi also can occur as symbionts within eukaryotic hosts. Protists represent an exceptionally diverse array of eukaryotic life, and often, many diverse lineages of protists can be recovered from single sampling sites, where they engage in a variety of ecological roles. The goal of this research project is to investigate the phylogenetic diversity of fungi living in endosymbiosis with protists. I have made progress in three areas to date: (1) assessing the diversity of fungi encountered in water samples from a freshwater pond; (2) quantifying exogenous inputs of fungal propagules into that pond; and (3) developing methods for isolating pure cultures of protists and examining their fungal associates.
Evaluation of the usefulness of testing for p53 mutations in colorectal cancer surveillance for ulcerative colitis.

Objective: Immunohistochemical staining for p53 suppressor gene mutations is sensitive and, therefore, has potential for use as a complementary test for dysplasia to improve ulcerative colitis (UC) cancer surveillance program performance. Methods: A cohort of 95 patients with long standing pan-UC enrolled in a surveillance program was studied. Archival colonic biopsy specimens were stained for p53 mutations and clinical information was obtained from medical records. Results: The 37 patients who developed p53 mutations were significantly more likely to develop dysplasia or cancer (relative risk [RR] 4.53, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 2.16–9.48). The p53 mutations developed approximately 8 months before low grade dysplasia, 26 months before high grade dysplasia, and 38 months before cancer. Three of seven cancer patients with p53 mutations had Dukes’ stage C or D, whereas only one of five cancer patients without p53 mutations had Dukes’ C or D; all three patients who died from metastatic cancer had p53 mutations (three of 37 vs 0 of 58, p < 0.03). Folic acid supplementation had a small, significant protective effect for p53 mutations (RR 0.97, Cl 0.94–1.00). Conclusion: p53 Mutations 1) are associated with, and likely precede, dysplasia and cancer, 2) are associated with cancer-related mortality, and 3) may possibly be prevented by folic acid supplementation.
Open-to-Closed Transition in Apo Maltose-Binding Protein Observed by Paramagnetic NMR.

Large-scale domain rearrangements in proteins have long been recognized to have a critical function in ligand binding and recognition, catalysis and regulation. Crystal structures have provided a static picture of the apo (usually open) and holo usually closed) states. The general question arises as to whether the apo state exists as a single species in which the closed state is energetically inaccessible and interdomain rearrangement is induced by ligand or substrate binding, or whether the predominantly open form already coexists in rapid equilibrium with a minor closed species. The maltose-binding protein (MBP), a member of the bacterial periplasmic binding protein family, provides a model system for investigating this problem because it has been the subject of extensive studies by crystallography, NMR and other biophysical techniques. Here we show that although paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) data for the sugar-bound form are consistent with the crystal structure of holo MBP, the PRE data for the apo state are indicative of a rapidly exchanging mixture (ns to mus regime) of a predominantly ( approximately 95%) open form (represented by the apo crystal structure) and a minor (approximately 5%) partially closed species. Using ensemble simulated annealing refinement against the PRE data we are able to determine a ensemble average structure of the minor apo species and show that it is distinct from the sugar-bound state.
Process and the Escape from Nihilism

Nietzsche defined nihilism as occurring “when everything is permitted.” If “everything is permitted,” then one can easily move to the “truths” that nothingness prevails and that life is meaningless. But one cannot ordinarily tolerate the consequences of this vision of life for long. One either finds no value in life and commits suicide or one comes to grips with or seeks to go beyond this negative and most pessimistic version of human existence. As Camus formulates the problem in “An Absurd Reasoning,” this concern is with the one true philosophical problem, i.e., the question as to whether life is or is not worth living.1 This question, unlike problems associated with the ontological argument or any other technical philosophical problem, has consequences for action which these other questions do not have.
Neurological correlates of unilateral and bilateral "strokes" of the middle cerebral artery in the rat.

Rats with unilateral lesions of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were tested for the ability to detect (touch) and remove a square of adhesive tape from each forepaw, and for performance on a number of neurological tests (e.g., placing and hopping reflexes, activity). Rats with MCA damage showed deficits in both touching and removing the tape from the paw contralateral to the damage, but not ipsilateral to the damage, while performing within normal limits on the other tests. After scores of the MCA rats dropped into the control group range on the adhesive tape test, they sustained damage to the opposite MCA. This did not reinstate the original deficit, suggesting that the recovery seen after the unilateral lesion was not mediated by the opposite cortex. The second lesion, however, caused a deficit in removing the adhesive tape from the limb opposite the new stroke. Some of the rats that originally had sham operations received bilateral MCA lesions at this time. These animals showed much more severe deficits on the adhesive tape test than the rats with sequential strokes. Rats with bilateral MCA damage (simultaneous or sequential) also slipped on a long narrow plank more often than control animals. Nimodipine did not enhance recovery on any of the behavioral measures.
Hypergeometric functions over finite fields

In this paper the analogy between the character sum expansion of a complex-valued function over GF(q) and the power series expansion of an analytic function is exploited in order to develop an analogue for hypergeometric series over finite fields. It is shown that such functions satisfy many summation and transformation formulas analogous to their classical counterparts.
Analysis of the detective quantum efficiency of a developmental detector for digital mammography.

We are developing a modular detector for applications in full field digital mammography and for diagnostic breast imaging. The detector is based on a design that has been refined over the past decade for applications in x-ray crystallography [Kalata et al., Proc. SPIE 1345, 270–279 (1990); Phillips et al. ibid. 2009, 133–138 (1993), Phillips et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Rev. A 334, 621–630 (1993)]. The full field mammographic detector, currently undergoing clinical evaluation, is formed from a 19 cm×28 cm phosphor screen, read out by a 2×3 array of butted charge-coupled device(CCD) modules. Each 2k×2k CCD is optically coupled to the phosphor via a fiber optic taper with dimensions of 9.4 cm×9.4 cm at the phosphor. This paper describes the imaging performance of a two-module prototype, built using a similar design. In this paper we use cascaded linear systems analysis to develop a model for calculating the spatial frequency dependent noise power spectrum (NPS) and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of the detector using the measuredmodulation transfer function(MTF). We compare results of the calculation with the measured NPS and DQE of the prototype. Calculated and measured DQEs are compared over a range of clinically relevant x-ray exposures and kVps. We find that for x-ray photon energies between 10 and 28 keV, the detector gain ranges between 2.5 and 3.7 CCD electrons per incident x-ray, or approximately 5–8 electrons per absorbed x ray. Using a Mo/Mo beam and acrylic phantom, over a detector entrance exposure range of approximately 10 to 80 mR, the volume under the measured 2-d NPS of the prototype detector is proportional to the x-ray exposure, indicating quantum limited performance. Substantial agreement between the calculated and measured values was obtained for the frequency and exposure dependent NPS and DQE over a range of tube voltage from 25 to 30 kVp.
A comparison between neural and fuzzy cluster analysis techniques for functional MRI

Abstract Exploratory data-driven methods such as unsupervised clustering and independent component analysis (ICA) are considered to be hypothesis-generating procedures, and are complementary to the hypothesis-led statistical inferential methods in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In this paper, we present a comparison between neural and fuzzy clustering techniques in a systematic fMRI study. For the fMRI data, a comparative quantitative evaluation based on ROC analysis between the Gath–Geva algorithm, the fuzzy n -means algorithm, Kohonen's self-organizing map, fuzzy n -means algorithm with unsupervised initialization, minimal free energy vector quantizer and the “neural-gas” network was performed. The most important findings in this paper are: (1) SOM is outperformed by all other neural and fuzzy techniques regardless of the chosen number of codebook vectors in terms of detecting small activation areas, (2) the variations among the other techniques are minimal, and (3) a small number of codebook vectors is in general required to obtain consistent task-related activation maps, as determined by the performance evaluation based on cluster validity indices.
Detection of predictability ratings of live events on TV by use of second screens

Event predictability, one dimension of human emotion description, indicates to what extent sequences of events in videos are predictable for viewers. This study adopts second screening style of Social TV viewing model, where viewers text about live events on TV via social media app on mobile second screen. 14 instances from different TV content types are presented to 19 viewers on TV-like screen. While texting, custom Twitter application collects touch and inertial sensors' data of which features are extracted to model viewers' physical interaction with mobile screens. Viewers self-reported their predictability ratings via a slider with 9 scales, which later are divided equally into three levels indicating whether viewers describe events in videos as unpredictable, medium or predictable. Bayesian networking classifier is created to recognize the three predictability labels from features described in physical interaction model. The study result shows that the predictability labels are recognized with 85.7% average accuracy.
Measurement of thermal conductivity and heat pipe effect in hydrophilic and hydrophobic carbon papers

Abstract In this paper, we present an experimental study on measurement of the thermal conductivity and heat pipe effect in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic (Toray TGP-H60) carbon papers (around 200 μm thickness) with/out liquid water. An experimental setup is developed for measuring thermal conductance at different liquid water contents and temperatures without dissembling the testing device for water addition. Theoretical analysis is also performed to evaluate the apparent conductance of heat pipe effect. We found that liquid water presence inside these materials increases the overall thermal conductivity. At high temperature around 80 °C, the heat pipe effect is evident for the hydrophilic paper; while for the hydrophobic one, the heat pipe effect is found to be smaller. The distinction is likely due to the different patterns of the capillary liquid flow in the two media. For the hydrophobic paper, liquid water flows back to the evaporation side when the breakthrough pressure is reached and flow is through preferred routes of small flow resistance. As a result, heat pipe effect is active only in part of the medium, therefore smaller than that in the hydrophilic one. The results are important for understanding the heat transfer phenomena occurring in porous media and effects of material surface property.
Interprofessional Collaborative Practice: Preparing Future Professionals To Use the ICF-CY

The global call to action has been communicated from the World Health Organization (WHO), addressed to health care providers and higher education programs. The expressed need is to mobilize a workf...
Stent-assisted coil embolization of aneurysms with small parent vessels: safety and efficacy analysis

Background Stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE) is a viable therapeutic approach for wide-neck intracranial aneurysms. However, it can be technically challenging in small cerebral vessels (≤2 mm). Objective To present our experience with stents approved for SACE in aneurysms with small parent arteries. Methods All patients who underwent stent-assisted aneurysm treatment with either a Neuroform or an Enterprise stent device at our institution between June 2006 and October 2012 were identified. Additionally, we evaluated each patient9s vascular risk factors, aneurysm characteristics (ruptured vs non-ruptured, incidental finding, recanalized) and follow-up angiography data. Results A total of 41 patients with 44 aneurysms met our criteria, including 31 women and 10 men. Most of the aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation (75%). Stent placement in vessels 1.2–2 mm in diameter was successful in 93.2%. Thromboembolic complications occurred in 6 cases and vessel straightening was seen in 1 case only. Initial nearly complete to complete aneurysm obliteration was achieved in 88.6%. Six-month follow-up angiography showed coil compaction in three cases, one asymptomatic in-stent stenosis and stent occlusion. Twelve to 20-months’ follow-up showed stable coil compaction in two patients compared with previous follow-up, and aneurysm recanalization in two patients. Twenty-four to 36-months’ follow-up showed further coil compaction in one of these patients and aneurysm recanalization in a previous case of stable coil compaction on mid-term follow-up. Conclusions Our results suggest that SACE of aneurysms with small parent vessels is feasible in selected cases and shows good long-term patency rates of parent arteries.
Nonuniform waveband hierarchy in hybrid optical networks

Aggregation of individual wavelengths into wavebands for their subsequent switching and routing as a single group is an attractive way for scalable and cost-efficient optical networks. We analyze the implications of this waveband hierarchy for a single optical node by analyzing two issues: the proper selection of waveband sizes and the assignment of wavebands for a limited set of input-output patterns of traffic. We formulate a general model and propose optimal algorithmic solutions for both problems. The performance of resulting sets of nonuniform wavebands is studied for several representative cases (a single node, an optical ring network, an optical mesh network). The results demonstrate improved optical throughput and reduced cost of switching and routing when using nonuniform waveband hierarchy.
Parental Influence, Gay Youths, and Safer Sex

To begin to understand the role that family relationships and interactions play in young gay men's decisions to avoid unsafe sexual practices, parents and sons (ages 16 to 25) in 30 families were qualitatively interviewed about issues and concerns related to HIV risk. Most of the youths reported feeling obliged to their parents to stay healthy, and these feelings of obligation were important factors in their decisions to avoid unsafe sex. Youths who reported no parental influence came from families in which parents had historically been preoccupied with personal or marital problems or in which there was a history of parental rejection. On the basis of these exploratory findings, AIDS prevention specialists are advised to recruit parents, assess family relationships, and facilitate parent-child communication in their efforts to encourage gay youths to consistently engage in safer sex practices.
The “weighted ensemble” path sampling method is statistically exact for a broad class of stochastic processes and binning procedures

The “weighted ensemble” method, introduced by Huber and Kim [Biophys. J. 70, 97 (1996)], is one of a handful of rigorous approaches to path sampling of rare events. Expanding earlier discussions, we show that the technique is statistically exact for a wide class of Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics. The derivation is based on standard path-integral (path probability) ideas, but recasts the weighted-ensemble approach as simple “resampling” in path space. Similar reasoning indicates that arbitrary nonstatic binning procedures, which merely guide the resampling process, are also valid. Numerical examples confirm the claims, including the use of bins which can adaptively find the target state in a simple model.
Patch-basis electrocortical source imaging in epilepsy

In this study, we developed numerical methods for investigating the sources of epileptic activity from intracranial EEG recordings acquired from intracranial subdural electrodes (iEEG) in patients undergoing pre-surgical evaluation at the epilepsy center of the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). The data were analyzed using independent component analysis (ICA), which identifies and isolates maximally independent signal components in multi-channel recordings. A realistic individual head model was constructed for a patient undergoing pre-surgical evaluation. Structural models of gray matter, white matter, CSF, skull, and scalp were extracted from pre-surgical MR and post-surgical CT images. The electromagnetic source localization forward problem was solved using the Boundary Element Method (BEM). Source localization was performed using the Sparse Bayesian Learning (SBL) algorithm. The multiscale patch-basis source space constructed for this purpose includes a large number of dipole elements on the cortical layer oriented perpendicular to the local cortical surface. These source dipoles are combined into overlapping multi-scalepatches. Using this approach, we were able to detect seizure activity on sulcal walls and on gyrus of the cortex.
Evolution, Behavior Principles, And Developmental Systems: A Review Of Gottlieb’s Synthesizing Nature-nurture: Prenatal Roots Of Instinctive Behavior.

Gottlieb's developmental psychobiology book provides a base for reexamining the place of the experimental analysis of behavior in the life sciences. His experimental program demonstrating the critical function of the environment in the development of a species-typical behavior helped force an acceptance of probabilistic epigenesis, the acknowledgment that the developmental genome-environment system is fully interactional. (Indeed, nature vs. nurture is deader than a doornail.) The repercussions for evolutionary biology and the roles and categorizations of genes, behavior, and environment in behavior-environment relations are explored in light of current knowledge, including specific implications for the experimental analysis of behavior.