cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Host response transcriptional profiling reveals extracellular components and ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters gene enrichment in typhoid fever-infected Nigerian children

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is a human-specific pathogen that causes typhoid fever, and remains a global health problem especially in developing countries. Its pathogenesis is complex and host response is poorly understood. In Africa, typhoid fever can be a major cause of morbidity in young infected children. The onset of the illness is insidious and clinical diagnosis is often unreliable. Gold standard blood culture diagnostic services are limited, thus rapid, sensitive, and affordable diagnostic test is essential in poor-resourced clinical settings. Routine typhoid fever vaccination is highly recommended but currently licensed vaccines provide only 55-75% protection. Recent epidemiological studies also show the rapid emergence of multi-drug resistant S. Typhi strains. High-throughput molecular technologies, such as microarrays, can dissect the molecular mechanisms of host responses which are S. Typhi-specific to provide a comprehensive genomic component of immunological responses and suggest new insights for diagnosis and treatment. Global transcriptional profiles of S. Typhi-infected young Nigerian children were obtained from their peripheral blood and compared with that of other bacteremic infections using Agilent gene expression microarrays. The host-response profiles of the same patients in acute vs. convalescent phases were also determined. The top 96-100 differentially-expressed genes were identified and four genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. Gene clusters were obtained and functional pathways were predicted by DAVID (Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery). Transcriptional profiles from S. Typhi-infected children could be distinguished from those of other bacteremic infections. Enriched gene clusters included genes associated with extracellular peptides/components such as lipocalin (LCN2) and systemic immune response which is atypical in bacterial invasion. Distinct gene expression profiles can also be obtained from acute vs. convalescent phase during typhoid fever infection. We found novel down-regulation of ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters genes such as ABCA7, ABCC5, and ABCD4 and ATPase activity as the highest enriched pathway. We identified unique extracellular components and ABC transporters gene enrichments in typhoid fever-infected Nigerian children, which have never been reported. These enriched gene clusters may represent novel targeted pathways to improve diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and next-generation vaccine strategies for typhoid fever in Africa.
Differential effects of bilateral dopamine depletion in neonatal and adult rats

Both Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and Parkinson's disease are associated with decreased brain dopamine, yet each disorder is characterized by a different set of motor symptoms. Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is manifested in early childhood, while parkinsonism usually does not appear until adulthood, suggesting that age at the time of dopamine loss is one determinant of the effects of neurotransmitter deficiency. Support for this view is found in studies of animals given dopamine-depleting lesions at different ages and then tested in adulthood. Animals lesioned as neonates show a supersensitivity to dopamine agonists, especially D1-dopamine receptor agonists, and to MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist. In addition, neonatally treated animals show a 'priming' effect following repeated exposure to D1-dopamine agonists. Animals depleted of dopamine as adults are more supersensitive to agonists acting on the D2-dopamine receptor, and do not evidence priming to dopamine agonists or an enhanced response to MK-801. These differential pharmacological profiles suggest that the changes in neurotransmitter systems following dopamine depletion are, at least in part, determined by age at the time of the lesion.
Teaching behavioral sciences in schools of medicine: observations on some Latin-American schools.

Abstract This paper discusses the conceptualization and implementation of teaching behavioral sciences in schools of medicine. Data were collected through interviews with key personnel and documents obtained from ten schools of medicine in Latin-America. Observations lead to a conceptual clarification of the terms social medicine and community medicine. Consideration of variations in scope and sequence of curricula programming leads to tentative identification of three “types” of curricula: traditional, expanded and integrated. Recommendations are made for changes in curricula to enhance the teaching of behavioral sciences in other schools of medicine.
Dirichlet’s principle and wellposedness of solutions for a nonlocal p-Laplacian system☆

Abstract We prove Dirichlet’s principle for a nonlocal p -Laplacian system which arises in the nonlocal setting of peridynamics when p = 2 . This nonlinear model includes boundary conditions imposed on a nonzero volume collar surrounding the domain. Our analysis uses nonlocal versions of integration by parts techniques that resemble the classical Green and Gauss identities. The nonlocal energy functional associated with this “elliptic” type system exhibits a general kernel which could be weakly singular. The coercivity of the system is shown by employing a nonlocal Poincare’s inequality. We use the direct method in calculus of variations to show existence and uniqueness of minimizers for the nonlocal energy, from which we obtain the wellposedness of this steady state diffusion system.
Quantitative CT of emphysema and the airways.

Abstract:Chronic lung disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Quantitative techniques for assessing emphysema and related airway disease have been slow to gain acceptance among radiologists, who have traditionally used description of structural changes to evaluate
Adiponectin, gut hormones, and insulin resistance.

We are pleased to see confirmation of our findings on changes in adiponectin and insulin after bariatric surgery in the recent meta-analysis by Butner and colleagues [1]. We would like to emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up that the authors draw upon in their conclusion and its effect on adipokine levels after bariatric surgery. In our study, no significant difference in adiponectin levels between Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding patients was evident until after 9 months [2]. Only at 24 months after surgery did a significant correlation emerge between adiponectin levels and insulin resistance [2]. This correlation, however, existed only in our gastric bypass patients. We would like to address the authors’ statement that our study provided no mention of diabetes in our inclusion or exclusion criteria [1]. Exclusion criteria consisted of age less than 18 years, pregnancy, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, ischemic cardiomyopathy, or a current history of smoking [2]. Diabetic patients participated in our study. We applaud the authors for their review of data examining the roles of adipokines and gut hormones in the mechanism of weight loss following bariatric surgery. Research into the role of brain-gut crosstalk and enteric hormone production has become increasingly popular and clearly plays a crucial role in weight loss and insulin resistance [3]. With the recent popularity and established efficacy of GLP1 analogues in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, new research is attempting to address changes in incretin levels after bariatric surgery to elucidate whether GLP1 or a yet identified intestinal factor is responsible for a reversal of insulin resistance and weight loss [4, 5]. We agree with the authors’ assertion that further long-term research is needed and add that an investigation into GLP1 and its role as a pharmacologic agent to treat obesity is warranted.
Study of the 1.704 MeV 1+ state in 206Pb

Abstract The 1.704 MeV level in 206 Pb has been excited with electron bremsstrahlung and the resonantly scattered radiation observed with a 45 cm 3 Ge(Li) detector. From the scattering yield, a value Γ 0 2 Γ = 6.2 ± 0.6 meV was obtained. A self-absorption experiment gave Γ 0 = 9.8 ± 1.8 meV. The experimental width for the M 1 transition to the ground state is approximately one third of the width expected on the basis of the most recent shell model calculations. It is suggested that at least part of this reduction is caused by weak components in the 206 Pb wavefunctions originating from the coupling to strong M 1 excitations in 206 Pb.
Phylogeography and Spatio-Temporal Genetic Variation of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Populations in the Florida Keys

Aedes aegypti (L.) is the principal mosquito vector of dengue fever, the second-most deadly vector-borne disease in the world. In Ae. aegypti and other arthropod disease vectors, genetic markers can be used to inform us about processes relevant to disease spread, such as movement of the vectors across space and the temporal stability of vector populations. In late 2009, 27 locally acquired cases of dengue fever were reported in Key West, FL. The last dengue outbreak in the region occurred in 1934. In this study, we used 12 microsatellite loci to examine the genetic structure of 10 Ae. aegypti populations from throughout the Florida Keys and Miami to assess gene flow along the region's main roadway, the Overseas Highway. We also assessed temporal genetic stability of populations in Key West to determine whether the recent outbreak could have been the result of a new introduction of mosquitoes. Though a small amount of geographic genetic structure was detected, our results showed high overall genetic similarity among Ae. aegypti populations sampled in southeastern Florida. No temporal genetic signal was detected in Key West populations collected before and after the outbreak. Consequently, there is potential for dengue transmission across southeastern Florida; renewed mosquito control and surveillance measures should be taken.
Reliability of echocardiographic measurements of myocardial perfusion using commercially produced sonicated serum albumin (Albunex).

Abstract Objectives . The purpose of this study was to assess the reproducibility and pitfalls of intracoronary and aortic root sonicated albumin injections, using time-intensity curves, in a large sample of normal dogs. Background . The utility of a new myocardial contrast echocar-diographic agent, sonicated serum albumin (Albunex), is currently under investigation. However, the reproducibility, injection techniques and general pitfalls of this contrast agent have not been well characterized. Methods . We administered sequential intracoronary and aortic root injections (518 injections) of sonicated albumin in 25 closed chest normal dogs to measure the effectiveness and reproducibility of this product. Time-intensity curves, as a measure of myocardial perfusion, were derived and quantified using an on-line videodensitometric analysis system and two-dimensional echocardiography. Measurements included peak intensity, area under the curve, half-time of descent, alpha-parameter and transit time within a 31- × 31-pixel “region of interest” in the anterior septum. Analyses provided 80% power and a type I error protection of 95%. Results . The best reproducibility of the variables was half-time of descent for aortic root injections (coefficient of variation [CV] 20%) and peak intensity for intracoronary injections (CV 25%), whereas aortic root area under the curve showed the most variability (CV 41%). Analysis of variance for repeated measures of serial intracoronary and aortic root injections showed no significant systematic variability within subjects for the measured variables. In a comparison between intracoronary and aortic root injection sites, paired t tests showed no significant difference for mean values between these two techniques. There was also no statistically significant difference between manual versus power intracoronary injections. Finally, there was no significant difference among three injection rates (1, 2 and 3 ml/s) in paired intracoronary injections, nor was there a difference among injection rates in paired aortic root injections, except for a lower peak intensity with a 1-ml/s injection rate compared with a 2-ml/s injection rate (p = 0.01). Potential pitfalls include preparation of sonicated albumin, delivery techniques and measurement variables. Conclusions . We conclude that the results of serial injections of sonicated albumin show no systematic change or trend in normal dogs. Both intracoronary and aortic root injections at standard injection rates by hand or power injector can be used to quantify time-intensity curves, as measure of myocardial perfusion, with similar variability ranging from 20% to 41%. These results are important in the human model, especially after coronary interventions.
Modeling skin permeability to hydrophilic and hydrophobic solutes based on four permeation pathways

Barrier properties of skin originate from low permeability of stratum corneum. The objective of this paper is to compile fundamentally-based analytical expressions that can be used to predict skin permeability to hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic solutes. Solute permeation through four possible routes in stratum corneum including free-volume diffusion through lipid bilayers, lateral diffusion along lipid bilayers, diffusion through pores, and diffusion through shunts was analyzed. Contribution of free-volume diffusion through lipid bilayers was determined using Scaled Particle Theory. This theory relates solute partition and diffusion coefficients to the work required to create cavities in a lipid bilayers to allow solute incorporation and motion. Contribution of lateral lipid diffusion was determined from the literature data. Contribution of pores was estimated using hindered transport theory. This theory assumes that hydrophilic solutes permeate across the skin through imperfections in the lipid bilayers modeled as pores. Finally, contribution of shunts was determined using a simple diffusion model. The model yielded a series of equations to predict skin permeability based on solute radius and octanol-water partition coefficient. Predictions of the model compare well with the experimental data.
A Multifaceted Approach to Historic District Interpretation in Georgia

Abstract There are many different approaches to the study of historic districts and buildings. This essay suggests utilizing a multifaceted approach, which provides a greater capacity for interpretation and augments current efforts to document, preserve, and promote historic commercial districts. This approach would shift the study of the commercial building from a problem of classifying and interpreting architectural features to the understanding of the motivations for building the district and eventually understanding the economic role that each building contributed to the district. The City of Douglasville9s commercial historic district is examined as a case study in the context of late nineteenth-century ““New South”” ideology.
Scavenger Receptor BI Protects against Septic Death through Its Role in Modulating Inflammatory Response.

Sepsis is a leading cause of death that is characterized by uncontrolled inflammatory response. In this study, we report that scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI), a high density lipoprotein receptor, is a critical survival factor of sepsis. We induced sepsis using an established septic animal model, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). CLP induced 100% fatality in SR-BI-null mice but only 21% fatality in wild type littermates. SR-BI-null mice exhibited aberrant inflammatory responses with delayed inflammatory cytokine generation at the early stage of sepsis and highly elevated inflammatory cytokine production 20 h after CLP treatment. To understand the mechanisms underlying SR-BI protection, we elucidated the effect of mac ro phage SR-BI on inflammatory cytokine generation. Macrophages from SR-BI-null mice produced significantly higher levels of inflammatory cytokines than those of wild type controls in response to LPS. Importantly, transgenic mice overexpressing SR-BI were more resistant to CLP-induced septic death. Using an HEK-BlueTM cell system, we demonstrated that expression of SR-BI suppressed TLR4-mediated NF-κB activation. To understand why SR-BI-null mice had a delayed inflammatory response, we elucidated the effect of SR-BI on LPS clearance during sepsis. Compared with wild type controls, SR-BI-null mice had lower plasma LPS levels in the early stage of sepsis and elevated plasma LPS levels 20 h following CLP treatment. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that SR-BI is a critical protective modulator of sepsis in mice. SR-BI exerts its protective function through its role in modulating inflammatory response in mac ro phages and facilitating LPS recruitment and clearance.
A Novel, Layered Phase in Ti‐Rich SrTiO3 Epitaxial Thin Films

Sr2Ti7O14, a new phase, is synthesized by leveraging the innate chemical and thermo-dynamic instabilities in the SrTiO3-TiO2 system and non-equilibrium growth techniques. The chemical composition, epitaxial relationships, and orientation play roles in the formation of this novel layered phase, which, in turn, possesses unusual charge ordering, anti-ferromagnetic ordering, and low, glass-like thermal conductivity.
Increased Walking Variability in Elderly Persons with Congestive Heart Failure

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of congestive heart failure on a person's ability to walk at a steady pace while ambulating at a self-determined rate. SETTING: Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, a primary and tertiary teaching hospital, and a social activity center for elderly adults living in the community. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven elderly subjects (aged 70-93 years) with well compensated congestive heart failure (NY Heart Association class I or II), seven elderly subjects (aged 70-79 years) without congestive heart failure, and 10 healthy young adult subjects (aged 20-30 years). MEASUREMENTS: Subjects walked for 8 minutes on level ground at their own selected walking rate. Footswitches were used to measure the time between steps. Step rate (steps/minute) and step rate variability were calculated for the entire walking period, for 30 seconds during the first minute of the walk, for 30 seconds during the last minute of the walk, and for the 30-second period when each subject's step rate variability was minimal. Group means and 5% and 95% confidence intervals were computed. MAIN RESULTS: All measures of walking variability were significantly increased in the elderly subjects with congestive heart failure, intermediate in the elderly controls, and lowest in the young subjects. There was no overlap between the three groups using the minimal 30-second variability (elderly CHF vs elderly controls: P < 0.001, elderly controls vs young: P < 0.001), and no overlap between elderly subjects with and without congestive heart failure when using the overall variability. For all four measures, there was no overlap in any of the confidence intervals, and all group means were significantly different (P < 0.05).
Au nanoparticle templated synthesis of pNIPAm nanogels

We have explored a synthetic route toward poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm) nanogels by growing a pNIPAm shell onto a metal nanoparticle seed. Nuclei compatible with precipitation polymerization of thermoresponsive polymers were formed by adsorption of NH2-terminated pNIPAm on Au nanoparticles. The adsorbed pNIPAm layer, when heated above the LCST, collapses onto the Au nanoparticle surface. This polymer layer thus serves as a hydrophobic nucleus for growing pNIPAm oligoradicals during polymer synthesis, resulting in the formation of a pNIPAm shell. Etching of the Au core from the polymer-coated particles with KCN results in hollow hydrogel nanoparticles. The rate of Au core etching as studied by the decrease in Au nanoparticle plasmon absorbance was shown to depend on polymer shell composition, shell thickness, and the thermosensitivity of the polymer. Efficient quenching of fluorophores incorporated in the polymer shell by the core Au nanoparticles was observed; however, the shell fluorescence was re...
Evidence for the distortion of C2H4 and C2H2 chemisorbed on W(100)

Abstract The adsorption of C 2 H 4 on W(100) has been studied by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy with h ν = 21.22 eV. The spectrum measured after in initial saturation exposure at 80 K exhibits structure which correlates well with energy levels recently calculated by Demuth and Eastman (DE) for sp 3 rehybridized C 2 H 4 . Dehydrogenation of the adsorbate, either by subsequent heating to 295 K or direct adsorption at 295 K, yields a spectrum which correlates with DE's calculation for sp 2 rehybridized C 2 H 2 . These results suggest that C 2 H 4 and C 2 H 2 may be distorted from their planar and linear structures respectively and that the CC bonds on these molecules are stretched by adsorption on W(100). Qualitative arguments suggest that the bonding site for both melecules is directly over a W atom and that the Dewar—Chatt model for πd bonding in organometallic compounds is applicable.
The tumorigenic phenotype of a mutated form of Fc gamma RIIB1, lacking the ability to generate soluble receptor and allowing a low-level of ligand binding

Non immunohematopoietic murine tumor cells ectopically expressing Fc gamma RIIB1 (B1) were recently shown to express a higher tumorigenicity phenotype than cells not expressing this receptor. Utilizing a genetic approach we studied the possible contribution of a soluble form of B1 to tumor enhancement. A mutated form of the B1, lacking the cleavage site responsible for the generation of soluble B1 was produced using gene splicing by overlap extension PCR. A deletion confirmed by sequence analysis from 172 to 178 residues was generated. Stable transfectants expressed the B1 deleted form (B1 Delta) both as specific RNA and as a membrane protein receptor allowing a low level of ligand binding. The soluble form of B1 was undetectable in tissue culture supernatants of Bib transfected cells while it was present in supernatants of wild type B1-transfectants. Stable B1 Delta transfectants were significantly more tumorigenic than negative control transfectants. Tumor incidence was almost as high as that of intact B1 and lagged in the latency period before the appearance of palpable tumors. It is suggested that the soluble B1 has a minimal contribution to tumor enhancement.
Complex formation between the biopolymer glycogen and histone

On mixing the biopolymer glycogen with histone, partial complex formation takes place. Experimental absorption data of such mixtures in the ultraviolet agree with figures calculated on the basis of complex formation with an order of 107M−1 for the association constant.
The effect of treatment with 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) on the initial rapid proton liberation during hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate by myosin

Abstract The initial rate of proton liberation during MgATP hydrolysis by myosin was followed in a stopped flow spectrophotometer: before and after treatment with 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) with and without removal of the corresponding light chain. At pH 8, 20°, and in the presence of MgCl2, the biphasic pattern of the initial rate of proton liberation for native myosin became monophasic following treatment with DTNB, removal of the corresponding light chain, and regeneration of the steady state ATPase activity. The rate constant characterizing the single exponential term increased with MgATP concentration attaining a maximum value of 100 s−1 at 300 μM MgATP with an apparent 2° rate constant of 7 × 105 M−1s−1. Both the biphasic and monophasic pattern of initial proton liberation observed for myosin and subfragment 1 respectively ( Pemrick, S.M. and F.G. Walz, 1972 . J. Biol. Chem. 247 : 2959) can be explained by differences in the relative amounts of the DTNB light chain.
Adjustment and development in Latin America: The failure of Peruvian Heterodoxy, 1985–90

Abstract This article analyzes the failure of the Peruvian stabilization and development program, 1985–1990. It critically assesses major contributions during the 1980s to a theory of heterodox stabilization strategies for Latin American countries, and articulates a more comprehensive approach to the conceptualization and study of heterodox programs. This approach revolves around three key elements: the need to break inflationary inertia, the necessity of reconciling short- and long-term policies, and the importance of evaluating et ante the plan's political-economic feasibility. Serious misconceptualization with respect to all three elements are found to explain the disastrous outcome of Peru's heterodox program. Lessons for future heterodox programs are discussed.
Thermal gantmakher resonance

Abstract A heat pulse technique is suggested as a way of measuring ω c , the cyclotron frequency. The result will be sensitive to surface scattering.
The role of T-cell subpopulations in experimental Chagas' disease.

A variety of immune mechanisms have been examined for their potential role in protective immunity in Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Most well studied is the participation of the humoral immune response, in particular the activity of lytic antibodies in immune control of T. cruzi (LimaMartins et al., 1985; Martins et al., 1985; Krettli and Brener, 1976; Lages-Silva et aL, 1987; Muller et al., 1986). The contribution of the cellular arm of the immune system has also been noted but the exact mechanism(s) through which this contribution is made has not been defined (Trischmann, 1983, 1984). To date, investigations have largely concentrated on the role of T cells as helper cells in the antibody response and as the source of cytokines, including those capable of activating macrophages to kill intracellular parasites (Reed et al., 1987, 1989; Plata et al., 1987). Studies by Trischmann (Trischmann, 1983, 1984) suggest that T cells in .7". cruzL-infected mice exert an anti-parasite effect which precedes and is independent of the antibody responses.
The Effect of Public Support on College Attainment

This study estimates the extent that state financial support for higher education raises college attainment. Despite its manifest importance for policy, this is the first study to estimate this effect directly. Many studies have estimated the effect of college price on attendance, but state support for higher education and college price do not have a one-to-one correspondence. Moreover, state support for higher education can affect enrollment through college quality, not just price. A two-stage instrumental-variables approach is employed to account for the possibility that state funding for higher education may endogenously depend on anticipated college enrollment. Using 22 years of U.S. interstate data (1985-2006) and controlling for fixed state effects, the results of this study indicate that state funding for higher education has significant causal effects on both college enrollment and degree attainment. The estimated state-support elasticity of college enrollment and college degree attainment is about 0.35.
Community Economic Development Strategies in Rural Washington: Toward a Synthesis of Natural and Social Capital*

Routes to economic development attract considerable attention in community and rural sociology. Social scientists draw increasingly on studies of social capital and environmental surroundings as they examine the factors that facilitate and inhibit economic development. However, few empirical analyses exist that analyze the impact of the combination of social infrastructure and natural capital on different forms of economic development such as on industrial recruitment and self-development. Using data collected from six communities in Washington State, the interaction of a community's social infrastructure and natural capital on industrial recruitment and self-development efforts is examined. Results suggest that while natural capital positively impacts a community's successful recruitment of outside industries, it is not significant for a community's level of self-development. However, a community's social infrastructure, measured by the existence of active civic organizations, local businesses that support local community projects, community-wide fund-raising capacity, and extra-local linkages to nearby communities, state, and national agencies, positively affects both industrial recruitment and self-development. These findings illustrate the need for communities and local activists to carefully weigh their advantages and potential shortcomings when deciding on an economic development strategy.
High electric fields in sodium chloride

Abstract Space charge polarization measurements have been done with NaCl single crystals, made photoconducting through F centers. Either a silver or an electrolyte electrode is a blocking electrode for the flow of electrons into the crystal. As current flows, a space charge appears near the cathode, due to immobile ionized F centers. If the terminals of the crystal are then connected together, there is a current flow in the opposite direction within the crystal as the accumulated space charge is neutralized. Integrating the current which flows during this process gives the total polarization charge for a given applied voltage. A Schottky barrier is formed at the cathode. The experimental data give the magnitude of the field and its distribution within the crystal for any applied voltage. When the silver electrode is the cathode, the field in the crystal cannot be increased beyond the value of 1·5 × 10 6 V/cm. At this field a current begins to flow through the blocking electrode which is apparently due to field emission of electrons. When the cathode is an electrolyte solution, the field may be made as high as 4.4 × 10 6 V/cm before the apparent field emission current begins. This field is substantially higher than the accepted value of the dielectric breakdown field for NaCl.
Emission Spectrum of ZnIn

The spectrum of ZnIn shows bands which can be analyzed into four systems. Two narrow systems at $\ensuremath{\lambda}4102$ and $\ensuremath{\lambda}4511$ appeared continuous. Systems at $\ensuremath{\lambda}5308$ ($B\ensuremath{-}A$) and $\ensuremath{\lambda}5625$ ($D\ensuremath{-}C$) were photographed with a dispersion of 5 \AA{}/mm. A possible vibrational analysis has been made for them. These systems exhibit an isotope effect which shows ZnIn as the emitter. Probable electronic states are $^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}\ensuremath{-}^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ for $\ensuremath{\lambda}5308$ and $^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}\ensuremath{-}^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ for $\ensuremath{\lambda}5625$. Constants obtained are as follows: for $B^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{-}A^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ subsystem, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}=18810.8$, ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=201.2$, ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}}{{x}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0.6$, ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=146.7$, ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}{{x}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=0.7$; for $B^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{\frac{3}{2}}\ensuremath{-}A^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ subsystem, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}=18831.2$, ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=193.9$, ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}}{{x}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0.6$ and for $D\ensuremath{-}C$ system, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}=17732.0$, ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=107.0$, ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}}{{x}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=1.0$, ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=56.1$, and ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}{{x}_{e}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=0.1$.
Planning for fiber optic use at the University of Massachusetts

Planning for fiber optic use at the University of MassachusettsD.R. SailerUniversity of Massachusetts at Amherst, Telecommunication Network Services239 Whitmore Building, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003ABSTRACTThe University of Massachusetts is planning to use fiber optic cable as the primary medium for a campus high speeddata network. In the University environment, it is critical to identify primary users and work cooperatively with them in theplanning and implementation of the new network. With the installation of a new telecommunications system and associatednew cableplant, theUniversity plannedfor fiberoptic useby installing two, one-inch innerducts specifically for fiberoptic cablein every conduitrun to ailmajor buildings on campus. The University commissioned a topological design forpulling fiber opticcable in a four phased plan that included all major academic, administrative and residential buildings. Beginning with the firstphase, twelve to seventy-two strand, 62.5/125 micron fiber optic cable willbepulledto twenty-two buildings. A six node FDDIbased network with Ethernet extensions will be implemented over this cable.1. INTRODUCTIONThe University of Massachusetts at Amherst is a large research and teaching institution with 1,380 faculty, 21,000undergraduate students and 6,600 graduate students. It is a comprehensive institution and includes an excellent engineeringprogram, and one ofthe leading computer science departments in the country. Within its 10 colleges, schools and faculties, theUniversityoffers associate's degrees in eightareas,bachelor'sdegrees in 97 areas, master's degreesin 71 areas, and the doctoratein 50. More than 90% of the full-time faculty hold the highest degree in their fields. Approximately 4,900 courses are offered.It has the sixth largest resident student population in the country with over 1 1 ,000 students in 4 1 residence halls and 395 familyhousing apartments.There are five major computing centers on campus, each with a combined annual operating budget of more than $10
Receptors coupled to heterotrimeric G proteins of the G12 family.

Much regarding the engagement of the G 12 family of heterotrimeric G proteins (G 12 and G 13 ) by agonist-activated receptors remains unclear. For example, the identity of receptors that couple unequivocally to G 12 and G 13 and how signals are allocated among these and other G proteins remain open questions. Part of the problem in understanding signaling through G 12 and G 13 is that the activation of these G proteins is rarely demonstrated directly and is instead presumed usually from far removed downstream events. Furthermore, receptors that couple to G 12 and G 13 invariably couple to additional G proteins, and thus few events can be linked unambiguously to one G protein or another. In this article, we document receptors that reportedly couple to G 12 , G 13 or both G 12 and G 13 , evaluate the methodology used to understand the coupling of these receptors, and discuss the ability of these receptors to couple also to G q .
Bounceback branchpoints: using conditional inference trees to analyze readmissions.

Background We sought to identify risks for 30-day readmission in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Methods We reviewed 2011 American College of Surgery National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data to identify patients readmitted after colorectal surgery. We found 3,228 readmissions from 30,412 records. Using statistically suggestive variables from logistic regression (P < .1), we built conditional inference trees (CTREES) with subsampled records to identify combined risks. Results Logistic regression identified 27 potentially significant variables. Using these in new logistic regression and CTREES, we found classification accuracies of 0.70 and 0.63, respectively. CTREES predicted that the majority of patients who required reoperation during their hospitalization were predicted to require readmission (n = 496), along with the majority of patients who developed organ space infection (n = 671). Patients with deep infections discharged ≤10 days from their index operation required readmission in 443 of 459 of records; this approach predicted a >99% risk of readmission in patients with these infections who were discharged ≤5 days (220/222). Additionally, >90% (253/271) of patients who returned to the operating room and were discharged ≤8 days from the first operation are predicted to return. Conclusion Subgroups identified using the CTREES model demonstrate that patients with deep space infections or who return to the operating room have a greater readmission rate if they are discharged early. Modeled patients found to have organ space infections and who returned to the operating room had 30-day readmission risks of >50%, with those discharged a rate of >90%. We show herein that CTREES can be used with retrospective data on surgery populations to bring hidden patterns into relief.
XY sex chromosome complement, compared with XX, in the CNS confers greater neurodegeneration during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Women are more susceptible to multiple sclerosis (MS) and have more robust immune responses than men. However, men with MS tend to demonstrate a more progressive disease course than women, suggesting a disconnect between the severity of an immune attack and the CNS response to a given immune attack. We have previously shown in an MS model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, that autoantigen-sensitized XX lymph node cells, compared with XY, are more encephalitogenic. These studies demonstrated an effect of sex chromosomes in the induction of immune responses, but did not address a potential role of sex chromosomes in the CNS response to immune-mediated injury. Here, we examined this possibility using XX versus XY bone marrow chimeras reconstituted with a common immune system of one sex chromosomal type. We found that experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice with an XY sex chromosome complement in the CNS, compared with XX, demonstrated greater clinical disease severity with more neuropathology in the spinal cord, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex. A candidate gene on the X chromosome, toll-like receptor 7, was then examined. Toll-like receptor 7 expression in cortical neurons was higher in mice with XY compared with mice with XX CNS, consistent with the known neurodegenerative role for toll-like receptor 7 in neurons. These results suggest that sex chromosome effects on neurodegeneration in the CNS run counter to effects on immune responses, and may bear relevance to the clinical enigma of greater MS susceptibility in women but faster disability progression in men. This is a demonstration of a direct effect of sex chromosome complement on neurodegeneration in a neurological disease.
High-fidelity sectional analysis of warping functions, stiffness values and wave properties of beams

A systematic formulation for geometrically exact deformation analysis and 2D cross-sectional analysis for obtaining structural stiffness values and warping functions of general isotropic/anisotropic beams is presented here. The formulation is developed using easy-to-understand mathematics and new concepts of local displacements, orthogonal virtual rotations and Jaumann stress and strain measures, and provides straightforward explanations for and clear insight into the physical meanings of all structural terms. The derived beam theory accounts for initial curvatures, geometric non-linearities, in-plane and out-of-plane warpings, elastic couplings, and 3D stresses. For sectional analysis, the six constraints for preventing rigid-body motions and singularity in analysis are obtained naturally and uniquely in this formulation. Central solutions from sectional analysis of different beam cross-sections are presented to reveal the problems of other methods in the literature, especially the popular but erroneous method using flexural deformation to derive shear stiffness values and shear correction factors instead of the correct method using pure shearing. Decaying boundary solutions from sectional analysis are not well examined and understood in the literature, and non-decaying boundary solutions have never been studied at all. This paper presents methods to use decaying boundary solutions for analysis of problems involving warping restraints, free edges, and local self-balanced load distributions. Furthermore, the influences of different dynamic warpings on different wave speeds are also demonstrated.
Antiproliferative factor, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor, and epidermal growth factor in men with interstitial cystitis versus chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Abstract Objectives To determine whether men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) have urine markers previously described for patients with interstitial cystitis (IC; presence of antiproliferative factor [APF] activity, decreased levels of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor [HB-EGF], and increased levels of epidermal growth factor). Methods Clean catch urine specimens were collected from 41 symptomatic patients with CP/CPPS, 36 asymptomatic men without bladder disease who served as the control group, and 24 men with IC. APF activity was determined by 3 H-thymidine incorporation into primary normal adult human bladder epithelial cells. HB-EGF and epidermal growth factor levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Men with CP/CPPS did not differ significantly from asymptomatic controls for any of the three markers tested ( P >0.49). In contrast, APF activity was present significantly more often and HB-EGF levels were significantly lower in the urine specimens from men with IC than in the specimens from controls or patients with CP/CPPS ( P P = 0.06). Conclusions These findings indicate that at least two of the urine biomarkers previously identified in women with IC (presence of APF activity and decreased levels of HB-EGF) are also found in men with IC, but not in men with CP/CPPS. This finding suggests that IC and CP/CPPS may be two different disorders with distinct pathophysiologies. It also confirms the utility of the presence of APF activity and HB-EGF levels as markers for IC in men, as well as in women, with this disorder.
Motivating Students to Offer Their Best: Evidence Based Effective Course Design.

Sometimes we question whether students are incapable or capable and/or willing or unwilling in regards to their academics. This study determined where students lie in regards to these concepts and showed one example of motivating students to do their best via course design, in this particular case by the use of a writing process model.
Gas and vapor permeability of perfluoroalkylated polymers

Three polymers bearing benzene rings: polystyrene, poly(2,6-dimethyl-p-phenylene oxide) and poly(diphenylacetylene), were chemically modified with bis(heptafluorobutyryl) peroxide. The heptafluoropropylated products have higher gas permeabilities than the parent polymers. In the pervaporation of aqueous ethanol, modified poly(diphenylacetylene) showed ethanol permselectivity.
Object guided autonomous exploration for mobile robots in indoor environments

Autonomous mobile robotic teams are increasingly used in exploration of indoor environments. Accurate modeling of the world around the robot and describing the interaction of the robot with the world greatly increases the ability of the robot to act autonomously. This paper demonstrates the ability of autonomous robotic teams to find objects of interest. A novel feature of our approach is the object discovery and the use of it to augment the mapping and navigation process. The generated map can then be decomposed into into semantic regions while also considering the distance and line of sight to anchor points. The advantage of this approach is that the robot can return a dense map of the region around an object of interest. The robustness of this approach is demonstrated in indoor environments with multiple platforms with the objective of discovering objects of interest. 1. MOTIVATION Robots have shown a lot of potential in exploration, mapping and navigation of indoor environments. Robots are ideal for applications such as discovery of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Robotic teams can achieve this task faster, provide dense maps of regions around an object of interest and a model of the discovered object. The model of the discovered object can then be viewed by a human user and take the necessary actions. Semantic mapping and object discovery have gained interest independently. The intersection of these areas provides an interesting insight into using robots to discover objects of interest in indoor environments. Given the intended application, an object guided approach to indoor navigation is ideal. Robots can use knowledge of the environment and the semantic labeling to guide their ability to autonomously navigate and discover objects of interest. To achieve this, we propose an algorithm that combines the knowledge of discovered objects into the mapping process. This can provide an insight into the environment and aid the process of modeling the discovered objects.
The real vampires of New Orleans and Buffalo: a research note towards comparative ethnography

This research note is an elaboration of my ethnographic work of the last 5 years and is here presented to raise careful discussion of the little-explored identity and phenomenon of “real vampirism”. An auxiliary purpose of these preliminary findings is to draw attention specifically to a yet unexplored dimension of the real vampire identity: geographical specificity. This line of enquiry is informed by the intensive ethnographic fieldwork I conducted in 2009–2011 in the New Orleans metropolitan area, and by supplementary ethnographic work in 2011–2013 in Buffalo, New York. Also explored is what I term “defiant culture”, through which, I posit, vampire self-identification is able to achieve a measure of empowerment by resisting “normalcy” while critiquing and challenging the power structures that re/produce it.
Molecular Structure Effects on Diffusion of Cations in Clays

The roles of molecular structure and charge are examined in the transport of cations within montmorillonite clay films. The series of Ru(NH 3 ) 6 3+ , Co(NH 3 ) 3+ , Co(en) 3 3+ , Co(sep) 3+ and Co(bpy) 3 3+ are examined in detail via electrochemical and spectrochemical methods. The electrochemical signal is enhanced both in minimizing the time required to develop the signal and in the magnitude of the signal for Ru(NH 3 ) 6 3+ . In addition, the potential for the observed reduction peak is shifted negative and the current peak associated with reduction disappears with rinsing of the clay film. These observations are characteristic of a compound that is held by simple electrostatic charge characteristics. In contrast, the compounds Co(NH 3 ) 3+ , Co(en) 3 3+ and Co(sep) 3+ , while showing rapid and enhanced signal development, eventually evolve a signal that is diminished with respect to the bare electrode, consistent with a hydrophobic mode of retention. The signal for Co(bpy) 3 3+ is slow to be observed, is diminished with respect to the bare electrode and is shifted positive in potential, all hallmarks of a strong, non-electrostatic mode of binding within the clay.
Implantable devices for optical neural interfaces

Optical neural control requires light delivery techniques dependent on the experimental goal and biological model. Several light sources and neural interfaces have been implemented featuring one or more of the following criteria: deep illumination, specific and/or comprehensive access, spectral control, temporal precision, high resolution patterning. We've developed 3D needle-type waveguide arrays as potentially compact neural interfaces for light transmission of as much as 90% of input light to depths >1mm in tissue; various experimental paradigms are easily accommodated as the arrays can be modified to project different illumination volumes at defined depths, wavelengths and patterns.