cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential Impact of B Cells on T Cell Function in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic debilitating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The contribution of B cells in the pathoetiology of MS has recently been highlighted by the emergence of rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that specifically depletes B cells, as a potent immunomodulatory therapy for the treatment of MS. However, a clearer understanding of the impact B cells have on the neuro-inflammatory component of MS pathogenesis is needed in order to develop novel therapeutics whose affects on B cells would be beneficial and not harmful. Since T cells are known mediators of the pathology of MS, the goal of this review is to summarize what is known about the interactions between B cells and T cells, and how current and emerging immunotherapies may impact B-T cell interactions in MS.
A low-cost modular avionics and telemetry software system for the CReSIS Meridian Uninhabited Aerial System

This paper describes an avionics software system under development for the Center of Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS) Meridian Uninhabited Aerial System (UAS). The system is designed to acquire data from multiple Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Line-Replaceable Units (LRUpsilas), log this data onboard, and transmit it via an Iridium data link. Primary design goals of this system are high modularity and low total life-cycle cost. The software is currently meant to bus information on non-flight-critical systems. For this reason it was deemed acceptable to use non-traditional software engineering methodologies to design and implement the software. The software is designed using object-oriented techniques prescribed by the Unified Process and implemented in C++. All development tools used for this project, known as the Meridian Auxiliary Avionics System (MAAS), are either open-source or freely available. This paper serves as a case study for the use of the Unified Process in aerospace applications.
Focussing optics for a synchrotron-based X-ray microprobe

Abstract X-ray microprobe experiments at third-generation synchrotron sources will provide trace element analysis of samples with 1 μm × 1 μm spatial resolution and femtogram sensitivity. For these experiments to be possible. X-ray optical elements need to be developed to focus the beam from a hard X-ray undulator to a micron spot size. In June 1991 several different optical elements were tested during a dedicated undulator run at CHESS. The undulator produced radiation similar to that which will be available at third-generation sources like the Advanced Photon Source. Both Fresnel zone plates and multilayer-coated spherical mirrors were tested. With the Fresnel zone plate a spot size of 8.5 μm × 30 μm was achieved in the first order and 6 μm × 20 μm in the second order. With a Kirkpatrick-Baez multilayer mirror system a spot size of 4 μm × 9 μm was achieved. Based on these results, some of the requirements for an optical system suitable for a dedicated microprobe beamline are given.
The 3;21 translocation in myelodysplasia results in a fusion transcript between the AML1 gene and the gene for EAP, a highly conserved protein associated with the Epstein-Barr virus small RNA EBER 1

Abstract In the 8;21 translocation, the AML1 gene, located at chromosome band 21q22, is translocated to chromosome 8 (q22), where it is fused to the ETO gene and transcribed as a chimeric gene. AML1 is the human homolog of the recently cloned mouse gene pebp2 alpha B, homologous to the DNA binding alpha subunit of the polyoma enhancer factor pebp2. AML1 is also involved in a translocation with chromosome 3 that is seen in patients with therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome and in chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis. We have isolated a fusion cDNA clone from a t(3;21) library derived from a patient with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome; this clone contains sequences from AML1 and from EAP, which we have now localized to band 3q26. EAP has previously been characterized as a highly expressed small nuclear protein of 128 residues (EBER 1) associated with Epstein-Barr virus small RNA. The fusion clone contains the DNA binding 5' part of AML1 that is fused to ETO in the t(8;21) and, in addition, at least one other exon. The translocation replaces the last nine codons of AML1 with the last 96 codons of EAP. The fusion does not maintain the correct reading frame of EAP and may not lead to a functional chimeric protein.
The influence of pressure on the structure of a 2D uranium(VI) carboxyphosphonoate compound

We report the first quantitative analysis of the structural evolution of a uranyl bearing coordination polymer in response to pressure. The material that is central to this study, (UO{sub 2})(O{sub 3}PCH{sub 2}CO{sub 2}H) (1), is constructed from rigid 2D inorganic layers comprising edge sharing UO{sub 7} pentagonal bipyramids cross-linked by [PO{sub 3}(COOH)]{sup 2−} anions. Strong hydrogen bonding interactions exist between the pendent carboxylic acid groups on adjacent layers. Under pressure, 1 exhibits compressional behaviour primarily in the direction perpendicular to the inorganic layers, which is aided by a reduction in the interlayer distance and shifting of the layers with respect to each other. The bulk modulus for the 2D compound 1 is unexpectedly high [18.1(1) GPa] and is within the range reported for 3D CPs assembled from Zn{sup II} cations and inflexible imidazolate anions, and is at the lower end of the range of moduli observed for aluminosilicate zeolites (19–59 GPa). - Graphical Abstract: The compression mechanism and elastic constants for a 2D Uranium(VI) carboxyphosphonoate compound are reported. - Highlights: • The response to pressure of a uranium carboxyphosphonoate compound has been studied. • High-pressure single-crystal XRD data for this 2D uranium compound were collected. • Elastic constants for thismore » material have been determined. • The compression mechanism for the compound has been elucidated.« less
Phosphorylation of Histone H3 Is Required for Proper Chromosome Condensation and Segregation

Phosphorylation of histone H3 at serine 10 occurs during mitosis in diverse eukaryotes and correlates closely with mitotic and meiotic chromosome condensation. To better understand the function of H3 phosphorylation in vivo, we created strains of Tetrahymena in which a mutant H3 gene (S10A) was the only gene encoding the major H3 protein. Although both micronuclei and macronuclei contain H3 in typical nucleosomal structures, defects in nuclear divisions were restricted to mitotically dividing micronuclei; macronuclei, which are amitotic, showed no defects. Strains lacking phosphorylated H3 showed abnormal chromosome segregation, resulting in extensive chromosome loss during mitosis. During meiosis, micronuclei underwent abnormal chromosome condensation and failed to faithfully transmit chromosomes. These results demonstrate that H3 serine 10 phosphorylation is causally linked to chromosome condensation and segregation in vivo and is required for proper chromosome dynamics.
The shell-eyes of the chiton Acanthopleura granulata (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) use pheomelanin as a screening pigment

Certain species of chiton (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) have hundreds of small (< 100 µm) eyes embedded in their dorsal shell plates. These eyes each contain a retina, a layer of screening pigment, and a lens. Previously, we demonstrated that the eyes of chitons provide spatial vision. As in other camera-type eyes, the screening pigments in the eyes of chitons absorb off-axis light in order to preserve the contrast of images formed on the retina. Our results indicate that the red-brown, alkali-soluble screening pigment associated with the eyes of the chiton Acanthopleura granulata (Gmelin, 1791) is pheomelanin. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy, we find that degrading A. granulata’s screening pigment with alkaline hydrogen peroxide produces 6-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-2-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzothiazole (BTCA), a diagnostic marker of pheomelanin. Chitons are the first molluscs demonstrated to use pheomelanin as a screening pigment in their eyes. Our results sugge...
Global estimates of soil carbon sequestration via livestock waste: a STELLA simulation

It has become increasingly well documented that human activities are enhancing the greenhouse effect and altering the global climate. Identifying strategies to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions on the national level are therefore critical. Fossil fuel combustion is primarily responsible for the perturbation of the global carbon cycle, although the influence of humans extends far beyond the combustion of fossil fuels. Changes in land use arising from human activities contribute substantially to atmospheric carbon dioxide; however, land use changes can act as a carbon dioxide sink as well. A soil carbon model was built using STELLA to explore how soil organic carbon sequestration (SOC) varies over a range of values for key parameters and to estimate the amount of global soil carbon sequestration from livestock waste. To obtain soil carbon sequestration estimates, model simulations occurred for 11 different livestock types and with data for eight regions around the world. The model predicted that between 1980 and 1995, United States soils were responsible for the sequestration of 444–602 Tg C from livestock waste. Model simulations further predicted that during the same period, global soil carbon sequestration from livestock waste was 2,810–4,218 Tg C. Our estimates for global SOC sequestration are modest in proportion to other terrestrial carbon sinks (i.e. forest regrowth); however, livestock waste does represent a potential for long-term soil carbon gain. SOC generated from livestock waste is another example of how human activities and land use changes are altering soil processes around the world.
Proportional mean remaining life model

Abstract The regression models proposed for lifetime data, generally involved the assumption of the ‘proportional hazard rate function’. In this paper, parallel to Cox's (1972) Proportional Hazard (PH) model, we propose a new model involving the assumption of ‘proportional mean remaining life function’. The concept of the Proportional Mean Remaining Life (PMRL) model is based on the intuitive concept of mean. In this report we develop the model and establish its relationship with the Cox PH model. Some possible estimation procedures are briefly discussed.
Charts for specifying limits on copper stabilizer damage rate

Charts that simplify the task of specifying the damage rate limit in the copper stabilizer of fusion reactor superconducting magnets are presented. Partial damage recovery with annealing is accounted for. Applications to the MARS magnets are discussed.
On the high Weissenberg number limit of the upper convected Maxwell fluid

We consider the equations for time-dependent creeping flow of an upper convected Maxwell fluid in the limit of infinite Weissenberg number. We identify a particular class of solutions which is analogous to potential flow and discuss several examples. We also discuss more general solutions for two-dimensional flow.
THE USE OF MODEL FARMS IN AGRICULTURAL GEOGRAPHY

(1964). THE USE OF MODEL FARMS IN AGRICULTURAL GEOGRAPHY. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 20-24.
Atlantic Conjunctures in Anglo-American Neurology: Lewis H. Weed and Johns Hopkins Neurology, 1917–1942

The emergence of neurology at Johns Hopkins presents a case study for reconsidering the international and institutional contexts of neurology generally. Using a variety of sources, Hopkins's interwar plans for neurology are presented and contextualized in the international environment of neurology, medical research, and philanthropy. During this period, neurology across the world, especially in Britain, was undergoing vast institutional changes. In order for Hopkins to remain at the forefront of excellence in both medicine and medical education, a program in neurology was deemed essential, and this would seem now to have been an unproblematic advance. Spearheading the project for the establishment of neurology at Hopkins was the dean of the medical school, Lewis H. Weed. Weed attempted from 1919 until 1942 to establish a department of neurology but had only limited success. The fact that finding support proved challenging for Weed and Johns Hopkins casts a provocative light on the broader historiography of neurology and illustrates the important role of the international context in defining neurology professionally.
Psychostimulants given in adolescence modulate their effects in adulthood using the open field and the wheel-running assays

Acute and chronic methylphenidate (MPD) were given to adults treated with MPD only in adulthood (adult I) and to adults that had been treated repeatedly during adolescence and adulthood (adult II). Two locomotor activity assays, the open field and the running wheel, were used in a dose response experiment to assess whether methylphenidate (MPD) treatment during adolescence would affect responses to MPD in adulthood. Each experiment lasted 11 days as follows: saline control on experimental day 1 (ED 1), followed by a single daily dose of saline, 0.6, 2.5, or 10 mg/kg MPD for 6 days (ED 2 to ED 7), 3 washout days with no drug administration (ED 8 to ED 10), and saline or MPD challenge on ED 11 at a dose identical to that given on ED 2 to ED 7. Acute MPD elicited characteristic dose response increases in locomotion in both experimental assays of adult I and adult II groups. Adult I and adult II rats tested in the open field assay exhibited sensitization to 2.5 mg/kg MPD and tolerance to 10 mg/kg MPD, while in the wheel-running assay all the three MPD doses elicited sensitization in both adult I and adult II rats. MPD treatment in adolescence did not change the baseline activity when animal reached adulthood. However, the responses to MPD in adult II rat groups were significantly different from the adult I group. Similar observations were noted during washout days. At the low and moderate MPD treatment both experimental assay exhibited similar observations while following the high dose of MPD treatment, the open field assay indicated that tolerance to MPD was expressed, while the wheel-running assay indicated that behavioral sensitization was developed. The distinction between the two assays and adult I and II differences are discussed.
Iodine as a virucidal agent

The effectiveness of iodine is detailed in the field of therapy and especially in the fields of prophylaxis and sanitation of many infections caused by viruses. The use of a suitable antiseptic for preparing the surface to be traumatized, either by injections or by operative procedure, is of great importance. Of the local antiseptics tested, iodine tincture was found to be most effective in quickly destroying the poliomyelitis virus. ' In the author's laboratory, concentrations of free iodine as may be used in preparing a mouth wash were found to be capable of destroying polio virus.
Accuracy analysis of fixed voltage setpoint indices for voltage stability

There are many voltage stability indices for voltage security assessment and calculating stable margins from operating points to voltage instability at each load bus. Among them, one type of indices based on fixed voltage setpoint is applied in practice. Previous research has proved inaccuracy of these indices with the P-V curve method. This paper aims to verify the accuracy of these indices by theoretical analysis with a first-order induction motor model and dynamic time domain simulation using a third-order induction motor model. It briefly reviews the accuracy analysis of voltage stability indices based on fixed voltage setpoint by the P-V curve method. Then theoretical analysis and dynamic time domain simulation are performed on a simple system to verify these indices based results. Results obtained from both theoretical calculation and dynamic simulation reveal that fixed voltage setpoint indices are neither accurate nor adequate, just as the P-V curve method suggests.
Distal aortic interventions after repair of ascending dissection: The argument for a more aggressive approach

Objective Survivors of ascending aortic dissection repair frequently require downstream aortic interventions. Because of a paucity of data, we assessed early and long-term outcomes, and risk factors, of these distal procedures. Methods From January 1993 to January 2011, 305 patients underwent 429 distal aortic interventions after acute type A (95% DeBakey type I) dissection repair performed 3.8 years earlier (median); 11% of interventions used an endovascular approach. Maximum aortic size was 5.9 ± 1.3 cm. Median follow-up was 3.6 years. Results Hospital mortality was 6.1%. Risk factors included graft infection, concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting, combined open arch and descending procedures, and lower distal anastomotic site. Within 10 years, the probability of patients undergoing a reintervention was 38%, with a cumulative incidence of 55 per 100 patients; however, 40 (9.3%) were stage-II elephant trunks. Patients with larger aortic diameters distal to the initial repair, and a stage-I elephant trunk, were more likely to undergo distal interventions. Survival was 65% at 10 years. Higher body mass index, a longer time between reinterventions, graft infection, combined open arch and descending procedures, and lower distal anastomosis sites were risk factors. The extent of aorta replaced was not associated with increased morbidity or mortality, unless it involved a combined open arch and descending aorta procedure. Conclusions Distal interventions after ascending aortic dissection repair are feasible, but they are associated with early morbidity and subsequent reinterventions. Rigorous follow-up with early reintervention is important for improving short- and long-term outcomes. An extended hybrid endovascular repair for initial dissection warrants study.
Single muscle fiber contractile properties during a competitive season in male runners.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the contractile properties of individual myofibers in response to periodized training periods throughout a collegiate cross-country season in male r...
Prey Species of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from South Carolina Waters

Abstract We describe the diet composition of Tursiops truncatus (Bottlenose Dolphin) from South Carolina waters. Stomach contents of 136 dolphins stranded dead between 2000 and 2006 were examined. Eighty-two dolphin stomachs contained food items and formed the basis for this study. The emphasis of this study was to compare the stomach contents of dolphins that bore evidence of human interaction but were otherwise healthy with those that appeared to die of natural causes. Forty-two prey species representing 24 families were identified. Dolphins fed predominantly on smaller-sized benthic and demersal fish species. Diets were primarily comprised of members of the family Sciaenidae, with Stellifer lanceolatus (Star Drum) being the most abundant species quantitatively. Lolliguncula brevis (Brief Squid) was the most frequently observed prey item. Overall, dolphins that appeared to have died from natural causes consumed similar species of fish and squid to those that exhibited signs of human interaction. This st...
A pilot study of support and education groups for college students with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Abstract College students with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus often ignore the care of their illness. Faced with managing this illness independently for the first time, they lack the knowledge and experience to do so effectively. Their need to establish autonomy often prevents them from seeking the advice of health professionals. In view of this, the author undertook a pilot study to investigate the role of a peer support group on a college campus as a means of improving the diabetic students' management of their illness. Three closed-membership groups met for 10 weekly sessions. Hemoglobin A1c (the measure of average blood sugar over the preceding 3-month interval) determinations prior to participation in the group ranged from 4.0 to 11.7, with a mean of 8.16; after participation in the group, the mean hemoglobin A1c levels of group members dropped to 6.10 (p < .001). (Hemoglobin A1c measures lower than 6.2 reflect physiologic blood sugar measures of someone without diabetes.) These results suggest ...
Fundus image change analysis: geometric and radiometric normalization

Image change analysis will potentiate fundus feature quantitation in natural history and intervention studies for major blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Geometric and radiometric normalization of fundus images acquired at two points in time are required for accurate change detection, but existing methods are unsatisfactory for change analysis. We have developed and explored algorithms for correction of image misalignment (geometric) and inter- and intra-image brightness variation (radiometric) in order to facilitate highly accurate change detection. Thirty-five millimeter color fundus photographs were digitized at 500 to 1000 dpi. Custom-developed registration algorithms correcting for translation only; translation and rotation; translation, rotation, and scale; and polynomial based image-warping algorithms allowed for exploration of registration accuracy required for change detection. Registration accuracy beyond that offered by rigid body transformation is required for accurate change detection. Radiometric correction required shade-correction and normalization of inter-image statistical parameters. Precise geometric and radiometric normalization allows for highly accurate change detection. To our knowledge, these results are the first demonstration of the combination of geometric and radiometric normalization offering sufficient accuracy to allow for accurate fundus image change detection potentiating longitudinal study of retinal disease.
Regenerative feedback narrowing of Josephson radiation linewidth

The linewidth of radiation emitted from resonantly coupled indium microbridges has been systematically studied as a function of the loaded Q of the resonator and of the temperature. For high Q values, the radiation linewidth (10 MHz-20 KHz) is much narrower than the resonator bandwidth (14 MHz), and the time-averaged differential resistance, RD, at the resonance-induced step approaches zero in a highly nonlinear manner. These observations provide strong evidence of regenerative feedback effects inside the resonator-junction system.
Can extraprostatic extension be treated by prostate brachytherapy? An analysis based on postimplant dosimetry.

Abstract Purpose: To determine whether extraprostatic extension (EPE) can be treated by Pd-103 prostate implants. Methods and Materials: The postimplant dosimetry of 22 consecutive Pd-103 prostate implants was analyzed to determine whether potential EPE was adequately treated. The implants were peripherally loaded and planned with a 3–5-mm dose margin at midgland. Seeds were not implanted outside of the capsule except at the base and apex. The postimplant dosimetry was based on a CT scan obtained 32 ± 8 days postimplant. The radial distance between the prostate edge and the prescription isodose line was measured at the left lateral, left posterolateral, posterior, right posterolateral, and right lateral positions on each prostate contour. Similar measurements were made of the preplan dose margins. Results: The mean postimplant dose margin was ≥4.5 mm at the midgland and apex of the prostate in agreement with the preplan. However, at the base, the mean margins at the five measurement locations were less than planned, typically ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 mm. The postimplant margin at the base was smaller than expected due to source placement errors, a correctable problem. Conclusions: Peripherally loaded Pd-103 prostate implants can deliver the prescription dose 3–5 mm outside the capsule, which is believed to be sufficient to treat 95–100% of EPE in favorable risk patients. However, dose coverage of EPE, like dose coverage of the prostate, is operator-dependent.
Effects of Nanoscale Contacts to Graphene

Understanding and optimizing transport between metal contacts and graphene is one of the foremost challenges for graphene devices. In this letter, we present the first results on the effects of reducing contact dimensions to the nanoscale in single-layer graphene transistors. Using noninvasive voltage probes to the graphene channel, the contact resistance was extracted and observed to increase dramatically at contact lengths below 200 nm. Also affected was the extrinsic transconductance, reducing by more than 70% when scaling the contacts from 200 to 50 nm. No significant change in performance per unit width was observed when reducing the contact/device width from 500 to 80 nm. These results provide key insights into the ultimate scalability of graphene transistors, particularly when considering them for a densely integrated technology.
Numerical representation of DNA sequences based on genetic code context and its applications in periodicity analysis of genomes

The indispensable prerequisites in characterizing information content of DNA molecules by computational methods are the numerical representations of symbolic DNA sequences. Current numerical representation methods for DNA sequences do not contain the genetic code context information, which may play an important role in defining protein coding regions. We propose a novel numerical representation of DNA sequences based on genetic code context within DNA sequences and explore the feasibility of applying this method to identify protein coding regions in genomes. Computational experiments indicate that incorporating genetic code information into numerical representations is a promising approach in which DNA sequences are uniquely represented and more information is represented so that digital processing tools can be applied to the periodicity analysis in DNA sequences effectively.
Predictors of recurrence and disease-free survival in patients with completely resected esophageal carcinoma

Objective The goal of this study was to analyze factors predictive of recurrence and disease-free survival in patients with completely resected esophageal carcinoma. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective database to identify patients with completely resected esophageal carcinoma. Medical records were reviewed. Recurrence rates, time to recurrence, and disease-free survival were analyzed. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for time to event estimation, and multivariate Cox regression models were constructed to analyze factors thought to be significant in determining both freedom from recurrence and disease-free survival. Results From 1988 to 2009, 465 of 500 patients underwent complete resection for esophageal carcinoma. Median follow-up for living patients was 49 months; 197 patients (42.4%) had recurrence, leading to 175 patients dying of cancer and 22 patients living with recurrent disease. Multivariate regression adjusted for P stage identified the following variables as independent predictors of freedom from recurrence: performance status greater than 0 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.84; 95 confidence interval [CI], 1.35–2.49]; P 001), poor differentiation (HR, 1.50; CI, 1.12–2.01; P = . 006), induction therapy (HR, 1.65; CI, 1.21–2.25]; P = . 002), en bloc resection (HR, 0.61; CI, 0.43–0.88; P = . 007), and advanced pathologic stages (II/III/IV) (HR, 5.46; CI, 3.05–9.78; P 001). Independent predictors of disease-free survival adjusted for P stage were performance status greater than 0 (HR, 1.73; CI, 1.34–2.23; P 001), en bloc resection (HR, 0.63; CI, 0.47–0.84; P = . 002), induction therapy (HR, 1.34; CI, 1.02–1.76; P = . 033), and advanced pathologic stages (II/III/IV) (HR, 3.16; CI, 2.15–4.65; P 001). Conclusions For patients with completely resected esophageal cancer, independent predictors of improved freedom from recurrence and disease-free survival include good performance status, en bloc resection, and early pathologic stage.
THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MAUTHNER CELL SYNAPSES AND NODES IN GOLDFISH BRAINS.

An electron microscope study of goldfish Mauthner cells is reported.1 The cell is covered by a synaptic bed ∼ 5 µ thick containing unusual amounts of extracellular matrix material in which synapses and clear glia processes are implanted. The preterminal synaptic neurites are closely invested by an interwoven layer of filament-containing satellite cell processes. The axoplasm of the club endings contains oriented mitochondria, neurofilaments, neurotubules, and relatively few synaptic vesicles. That of the boutons terminaux contains many unoriented mitochondria and is packed with synaptic vesicles and some glycogen but no neurofilaments or neurotubules. The bare axons of club endings are surrounded by a moderately abundant layer of matrix material. The synaptic membrane complex (SMC) in cross-section shows segments of closure of the synaptic cleft ∼ 0.2 to 0.5 µ long. These alternate with desmosome-like regions of about the same length in which the gap widens to ∼ 150 A and contains a condensed central stratum of dense material. Here, there are also accumulations of dense material in pre- and postsynaptic neuroplasm. The boutons show no such differentiation and the extracellular matrix is largely excluded around them. The axon cap is a dense neuropil of interwoven neural and glial elements free of myelin. It is covered by a closely packed layer of glia cells. The findings are interpreted as suggestive of electrical transmission in the club endings.
A multi-agent architecture for situation awareness

The paper describes an architecture of a system for assisting an aircraft crew in enhancing its situation awareness by creating a complete surveillance picture of the environment in real time. The architecture is based on the framework of the multi agent technology where tasks are solved cooperatively among heterogeneous intelligent agents; each performs one defined function. This architecture offers a number of advantages such as synergy, scalability, reusability, reliability.
Stable confinement of positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance agents within carbon nanotubes for bimodal imaging.

Aims: Simultaneous positron emission tomography/MRI has recently been introduced to the clinic and dual positron emission tomography/MRI probes are rare and of growing interest. We have developed a strategy for producing multimodal probes based on a carbon nanotube platform without the use of chelating ligands. Materials & methods: Gd3+ and 64Cu2+ ions were loaded into ultra-short single-walled carbon nanotubes by sonication. Normal, tumor-free athymic nude mice were injected intravenously with the probe and imaged over 48 h. Results & conclusion: The probe was stable for up to 24 h when challenged with phosphate-buffered saline and mouse serum. Positron emission tomography imaging also confirmed the stability of the probe in vivo for up to 48 h. The probe was quickly cleared from circulation, with enhanced accumulation in the lungs. Stable encapsulation of contrast agents within ultra-short single-walled carbon nanotubes represents a new strategy for the design of advanced imaging probes with variable mu...
EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF FORECASTER MOTIVATIONAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER ON JUDGMENTAL ADJUSTMENTS OF STATISTICAL FORECASTS

The growing adoption of demand collaboration initiatives such as Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR) has made judgmental adjustments of forecasts, an already widespread forecasting practice, an increasingly routine part of many logistics managers' responsibilities. This article investigates how logistics managers might improve forecast accuracy by judgmentally adjusting statistical forecasts and potential factors that may influence the effectiveness of such adjustments. In particular, our goal is to expand current knowledge in this area by focusing on individual differences, specifically motivation and gender, which have been thus far neglected in the extant literature. Our findings indicate that motivation has a significant effect on accuracy improvement and this relationship is moderated by gender. Managerial implications of these findings and future research opportunities are also presented.
An efficient, high-order perturbation approach for flow in random porous media via Karhunen-Loève and polynomial expansions

In this study, we attempt to obtain higher-order solutions of the means and (co)variances of hydraulic head for saturated flow in randomly heterogeneous porous media on the basis of the combination of Karhunen-Loeve decomposition, polynomial expansion, and perturbation methods. We first decompose the log hydraulic conductivity Y = ln Ks as an infinite series on the basis of a set of orthogonal Gaussian standard random variables {ξi}. The coefficients of the series are related to eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the covariance function of log hydraulic conductivity. We then write head as an infinite series whose terms h(n) represent head of nth order in terms of σY, the standard deviation of Y, and derive a set of recursive equations for h(n). We then decompose h(n) with polynomial expansions in terms of the products of n Gaussian random variables. The coefficients in these series are determined by substituting decompositions of Y and h(n) into those recursive equations. We solve the mean head up to fourth-order in σY and the head variances up to third-order in σY2. We conduct Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and compare MC results against approximations of different orders from the moment-equation approach based on Karhunen-Loeve decomposition (KLME). We also explore the validity of the KLME approach for different degrees of medium variability and various correlation scales. It is evident that the KLME approach with higher-order corrections is superior to the conventional first-order approximations and is computationally more efficient than the Monte Carlo simulation.
Therapeutic Targeting of Neuropilin-2 on Colorectal Carcinoma Cells Implanted in the Murine Liver

Background Neuropilin-2 (NRP2) is a high-affinity kinase-deficient receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and semaphorin 3F. We investigated its function in human colorectal cancers. Methods Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to assess NRP2 expression levels in colorectal tumors and colorectal cancer cell lines, respectively. HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells stably transfected with short hairpin RNA (shRNAs) against NRP2 or control shRNAs were assayed for proliferation by the tetrazolium salt 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and for activation of the VEGFR1 pathway by immunoblotting. Soft agar assays, Annexin V staining, and Boyden chamber assays were used to examine anchorage-independent growth, apoptosis in response to hypoxia, and cell migration/invasion, respectively, in HCT-116 transfectants. Tumor growth and metastasis were analyzed in mice (groups of 10) injected with shRNA-expressing HCT-116 cells. The effect of in vivo targeting of NRP2 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the growth of hepatic colorectal tumors derived from luciferase-expressing HCT-116 cells was assessed by measuring changes in bioluminescence and final tumor volumes. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results NRP2 expression was substantially higher in tumors than in adjacent mucosa. HCT-116 transfectants with reduced NRP2 levels had reduced VEGFR1 signaling, but proliferation was unchanged. Anchorage-independent growth, survival under hypoxic conditions, and motility/invasiveness were also reduced. In vivo, HCT-116 transfectants with reduced NRP2 demonstrated decreased tumor growth, fewer metastases, and increased apoptosis compared with control cells. Hepatic colorectal tumors in mice treated with NRP2 siRNAs were statistically significantly smaller than those in mice treated with control siRNAs (at 28 days after implantation, mean control siRNAs = 420 mm 3 , mean NRP2 siRNAs = 36 mm 3 , NRP2 vs control: difference = 385 mm 3 , 95% confidence interval = 174 mm 3 to 595 mm 3 , P= .005). Conclusion NRP2 on colorectal carcinoma cells is important for tumor growth and is a potential therapeutic target in human cancers where it is expressed.
Posthuman Soldiers in Postmodern War

The centrality of human-machine weapon systems is a key aspect of postmodern war. Since 1939 such systems have proliferated while improved interfaces have led to several types of actual cyborg soldiers. As the crisis of postmodern war deepens it is producing a series of quite different militarized bodies. Cyborgs proliferate in type so it is no surprise that we have pilot-cyborgs and teleoperators, info-cyborgs (from political operatives to clerks and including all the servants of the computers and weapons systems), and various fighting cyborg soldiers and sailors. There has also been a resurgence of a type of irregular warrior that many commentators describe as bestial. It is not a coincidence that while humanity is on the verge of producing real posthumans (quite possibly for military applications) so-called ‘prehuman’ types of war have broken out across the globe. War is based on bodies and its skewed logics have driven many cyborgian developments. Now, both war and our cyborg society are i...
Introduction to Biomechanics Related to Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Biomechanical issues of practical relevance to the physician in the clinical management of patients undergoing endovascular repair (EVR) of their abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is discussed. Following a brief description of key terms in vascular biomechanics, background on the current state of knowledge in the biomechanics of AAA pathogenesis and rupture is provided. This is followed by a discussion of key issues of biomechanical relevance in EVR such as the mechanics of endotension, the notion of intraaneurysmal sac pressure and potential pitfalls of techniques used to measure them, mechanics of graft fracture/kinking, and graft migration. The discussions are intended to provide an overview of this field to physicians.
Normalization of Serum Rapid Plasma Reagin Titer Predicts Normalization of Cerebrospinal Fluid and Clinical Abnormalities after Treatment of Neurosyphilis

Syphilis is caused by infection due to Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum, a spirochete that cannot be visualized by light microscopy and cannot be cultured. Depending on the stage of infection, the diagnosis of syphilis is established by documentation of reactive serum nontreponemal tests (rapid plasma reagin [RPR] test or venereal disease research laboratory [VDRL] test) and treponemal tests (T. pallidum particle agglutination assay [TPPA] or fluorescent treponemal anti-body-absorption [FTA-ABS] test), with or without characteristic symptoms or signs of syphilis. Because T. pallidum cannot be cultured, diagnosis of neurosyphilis relies on the following indirect measures: elevated CSF WBC count or protein concentration or reactivity of the CSF VDRL test. A reactive CSF VDRL test is considered to be diagnostic of neurosyphilis, but depending on the criteria used to define neurosyphilis, this test may be nonreactive in patients with neurosyphilis [1–3]. Standard benzathine penicillin G therapy is not recommended for persons with neurosyphilis, because it yields penicillin concentrations in the CSF that are too low to kill T. pallidum. Instead, treatment specifically for neurosyphilis, with intravenous (IV) aqueous crystalline penicillin G or with intramuscular (IM) aqueous procaine penicillin G (APPG) plus probenecid, is recommended [4]. Alternative regimens of doxycycline or ceftriaxone are also sometimes used, but there are few data on the efficacy of these regimens [5–8]. For patients who are neurologically asymptomatic, assessment of the efficacy of neurosyphilis treatment relies solely on normalization of CSF measures. For those with symptoms or signs, resolution of clinical abnormalities is also considered when determining the efficacy of treatment. Current guidelines recommend that lumbar puncture be serially repeated after neurosyphilis therapy until all CSF measures have normalized [4]. However, patients who have received treatment of neurosyphilis may be reluctant to undergo repeated lumbar punctures to assess the effectiveness of therapy. The goal of this study was to determine whether a decrease in serum RPR titer could serve as a surrogate for normalization of CSF and clinical abnormalities after treatment of asymptomatic or symptomatic neurosyphilis.
Discriminative Phonotactics for Dialect Recognition Using Context-Dependent Phone Classifiers

In this paper, we introduce a new approach to dialect recognition that relies on context-dependent (CD) phonetic differences between dialects as well as phonotactics. Given a speech utterance, we obtain the phone sequence using a CD-phone recognizer. We then identify the most likely dialect of these CDphones using SVM classifiers. Augmenting these phones with the output of these classifiers, we extract augmented phonotactic features which are subsequently given to a logistic regression classifier to obtain a dialect detection score. We test our approach on the task of detecting four Arabic dialects from 30s utterances. We compare our performance to two baselines, PRLM and GMM-UBM, as well as to our own improved version of GMM-UBM which employs fMLLR adaptation. Our approach performs significantly better than all three baselines at 5% absolute Equal Error Rate (EER). The overall EER of our system is 6%.
Interaction in graduate nursing web-based instruction

This article describes interaction and communication methods and issues in the context of two Web-based graduate nursing courses, a theory course and a research course. A conceptual model for graduate nursing Web-based instruction is presented in which learner-centered pedagogic philosophies and interaction techniques are combined to produce active learning at each phase of the Web-based courses. The focus is on asynchronous communication techniques because these represent the dominant communication form in the two courses. Asynchronous communication is interaction in which teacher and student activities are not occurring at the same time and/or place (Berge, 1999). Outcomes of the courses are examined briefly. (Index words: Web-based instruction, Communication, Interaction, Graduate nursing) J Prof Nurs 17:128-134, 2001. Copyright © 20012001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Issues and concerns in Internet based financial applications: an example from an auto finance system

The Internet is an important resource for both business-to-business and business-to-consumer commerce. Its advantages over private networks are often overshadowed by concerns about using public networks for commercial transactions. We present a case study that describes adoption of an Internet-based auto finance system by a financial institution and multiple auto dealerships. We discuss four issues that we needed to solve in order for the system to be accepted. These are: the implications of the open nature of the Internet on existing business-to-consumer relationships; security of enterprise data and systems; ensuring connectivity across enterprises; and the management of information assets generated by large volumes of electronic transactions.
New paradigms and new challenges

This paper lays out provocative assertions about major challenges for the modeling and simulation community. One relates to building M&S for the purpose of assisting the search for strategies that are flexible, adaptive, and robust despite uncertainty. A key aspect of this search is exploratory analysis, coupled with selective zoom. These, in turn, require multiresolution modeling with sound models (albeit, with uncertain data). But sound models must be adaptive models, since humans are adaptive. And rigorous analysis with adaptive models, such as those involving agents, requires new methods and attitudes, as well as new tools.
The distribution of play behaviour among Australian marsupials

The distribution of play behaviour among the Australian marsupial families was surveyed. The rate of play in each species observed was categorized on a three-point scale: 1 – no play observed or reported; 2 – play rudimentary; 3 – play common. Common play occurred in the larger-bodied Dasyuridae, in Myrmecobiius, in Vombatidae, and in all Macropodoidea. In all other marsupials, play was rudimentary or absent. Categorical rate of play was not correlated with body mass or with metabolic rate but was correlated with relative brain mass. The distribution of play in Australian marsupials supported the hypothesis that play acts to modify brain development.
A hermeneutic account of clinical psychology: Strengths and limits

Abstract There have been increasingly popular claims that hermeneutics provides an epistemology that is appropriate and sufficient for psychotherapy. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and explain those claims. Hermeneutics proves to provide terms that legitimize aspects of clinical expertise that have been most ignored within the traditional empiricist epistemology; namely, hermeneutics articulates and provides standards for therapeutic interpretations about clients’ idiosyncratic intentions and also for using clinical theories that defy empirical test. Nonetheless, hermeneutics also proves to be limited in its account of clinical knowledge. That is, clinicians who advocate hermeneutics have ruled out any legitimate basis on which clinical expertise can be influenced by knowledge about non‐intentional constraints on psychological life. Yet, therapists must use such knowledge, especially that which concerns the non‐intentional constraints imposed by human development. Thus, to realize its potential,...
BLISS: biding site level identification of shared signal-modules in DNA regulatory sequences

Regulatory modules are segments of the DNA that control particular aspects of gene expression. Their identification is therefore of great importance to the field of molecular genetics. Each module is composed of a distinct set of binding sites for specific transcription factors. Since experimental identification of regulatory modules is an arduous process, accurate computational techniques that supplement this process can be very beneficial. Functional modules are under selective pressure to be evolutionarily conserved. Most current approaches therefore attempt to detect conserved regulatory modules through similarity comparisons at the DNA sequence level. However, some regulatory modules, despite the conservation of their responsible binding sites, are embedded in sequences that have little overall similarity. In this study, we present a novel approach that detects conserved regulatory modules via comparisons at the binding site level. The technique compares the binding site profiles of orthologs and identifies those segments that have similar (not necessarily identical) profiles. The similarity measure is based on the inner product of transformed profiles, which takes into consideration the p values of binding sites as well as the potential shift of binding site positions. We tested this approach on simulated sequence pairs as well as real world examples. In both cases our technique was able to identify regulatory modules which could not to be identified using sequence-similarity based approaches such as rVista 2.0 and Blast. The results of our experiments demonstrate that, for sequences with little overall similarity at the DNA sequence level, it is still possible to identify conserved regulatory modules based solely on binding site profiles.