cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel mutation of the ITGB2 gene in a Chinese Zhuang minority patient with leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Abstract Objectives To explore the clinical and molecular characteristics of a Chinese Zhuang minority patient with leukocyte adhesion deficiency type-1 (LAD-1) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDD). Methods Routine clinical and physical examinations were performed, and patient data was collected and analyzed. Protein expression levels of Itgb2 and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6pd) proteins were assessed by flow cytometry and the glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) substrate method, respectively. Whole exome sequencing was performed to investigate genetic variations of the patient and his parents. Results The patient had fester disease and delayed separation of the umbilical cord at birth. Staphylococcus was detected in the fluid secretion of the auditory meatus of the patient. He exhibited a recurrent cheek scab, swollen hand, and swollen gum. Hematological examination indicated dramatic elevation of leukocytes including lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils. A novel homozygous mutation was detected in the ITGB2 gene of the patient, which was determined to be a two nucleotide deletion at the site of c.1537–1538 (c.1537–1538delGT), causing a frameshift of 24 amino acids from p.513 and inducing a stop codon (p.V513Lfs*24). A base substitution mutation was identified at c.1466 (c.1466G>T) of G6PD on chromosome X of the patient, which resulted in an amino acid change from arginine to leucine at p.489 (p.R489L). The patient also showed deficient lymphocyte expression of CD18 (2.99%) and significant downregulation of the G6pd protein. Conclusions The patient was diagnosed with G6PDD and moderate LAD-1. The combination of LAD-1 and G6PDD in this case may have been due to the high incidence of genetic disease in this minority ethnic population. Analyzing existing LAD-1 and G6PDD cases from different populations can facilitate disease diagnosis and treatment. Particularly, reporting pathogenic mutations of LAD-1 and G6PDD will be crucial for genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis in an effort to decrease the incidence of these diseases.
Time-series machine-learning error models for approximate solutions to parameterized dynamical systems

Abstract This work proposes a machine-learning framework for modeling the error incurred by approximate solutions to parameterized dynamical systems. In particular, we extend the machine-learning error models (MLEM) framework proposed in Ref. Freno and Carlberg (2019) to dynamical systems. The proposed Time-Series Machine-Learning Error Modeling (T-MLEM) method constructs a regression model that maps features – which comprise error indicators that are derived from standard a posteriori error-quantification techniques – to a random variable for the approximate-solution error at each time instance. The proposed framework considers a wide range of candidate features, regression methods, and additive noise models. We consider primarily recursive regression techniques developed for time-series modeling, including both classical time-series models (e.g., autoregressive models) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), but also analyze standard non-recursive regression techniques (e.g., feed-forward neural networks) for comparative purposes. Numerical experiments conducted on multiple benchmark problems illustrate that the long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network, which is a type of RNN, outperforms other methods and yields substantial improvements in error predictions over traditional approaches.
Calcinosis in Juvenile Dermatomyositis.

Calcinosis in Juvenile Dermatomyositis A 4-year-old girl with juvenile dermatomyositis presented with weakness, rash, and palpable subcutaneous nodules. A radiograph of the pelvis showed extensive ...
A Vanadium Dioxide Microbolometer in the Transition Region for Millimeter Wave Imaging

This paper presents the design of a new class of microbolometer that exhibits high responsivity for passive imaging arrays (camera) at millimeter wave (mmW) band. The main objective is to exploit the non-linear behavior of phase-change material (PCM) vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ) by biasing the sensor at the transition cliff (~68 °C). Simulated results together with calculations show high responsivity of 7.5×103 V/W and low noise equivalent power (NEP) of 6.1 pW/√Hz. The corresponding response time of the proposed microbolometer is 376 µs. Two orders of magnitude improvement in device performance as compared with the state-of-the-art sensors is the direct result of both suspension in air by micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microfabrication processing as well as the sharp change in resistivity of VO 2 in its transition region.
Review of Bearingless Motor Technology for Significant Power Applications

This article reviews bearingless motor technology for medium and high power applications. Historically, bearingless motors have resided in research settings and certain niche commercial applications. Significant literature has been dedicated to developing designs that feature highly specific geometry, restricted by applications with a unique set of needs, oftentimes with low power requirements. The first part of this article reviews existing and potentially new use-cases of magnetic levitation in transportation and industrial applications. The second part of the article reviews bearingless motor technology for these applications, presents a comprehensive literature review of prototype test results, and highlights efforts to generalize and increase the power rating of bearingless motor technology. The final part of this article derives sizing equations of different bearingless motor topologies, which are summarized as a design tool for developing industrial-scale bearingless motor technology.
Meta-analysis of cardiomyopathy-associated variants in troponin genes identifies loci and intragenic hot spots that are associated with worse clinical outcomes.

Abstract Introduction Troponin (TNN)-encoded cardiac troponins (Tn) are critical for sensing calcium and triggering myofilament contraction. TNN variants are associated with development of cardiomyopathy; however, recent advances in genetic analysis have identified rare population variants. It is unclear how certain variants are associated with disease while others are tolerated. Objective To compare probands with TNNT2, TNNI3, and TNNC1 variants and utilize high-resolution variant comparison mapping of pathologic and rare population variants to identify loci associated with disease pathogenesis. Methods Cardiomyopathy-associated TNN variants were identified in the literature and topology mapping conducted. Clinical features were compiled and compared. Rare population variants were obtained from the gnomAD database. Signal-to-noise (S:N) normalized pathologic variant frequency against population variant frequency. Abstract review of clinical phenotypes was applied to “significant” hot spots. Results Probands were compiled (N = 70 studies, 224 probands) as were rare variants (N = 125,748 exomes; 15,708 genomes, MAF Conclusion TNNC1-positive probands had younger ages of diagnosis and poorer clinical outcomes. Mapping of TNN variants identified locations in TNNT2 and TNNI3 associated with heightened pathogenicity, RCM diagnosis, and increased risk of sudden death.
Biochemical characterization of G protein coupling to calcitonin gene–related peptide and adrenomedullin receptors using a native PAGE assay

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), adrenomedullin (AM), and adrenomedullin 2/intermedin (AM2/IMD) have overlapping and unique functions in the nervous and circulatory systems including vasodilation, cardioprotection, and pain transmission. Their actions are mediated by the class B calcitonin-like G protein–coupled receptor (CLR), which heterodimerizes with three receptor activity–modifying proteins (RAMP1–3) that determine its peptide ligand selectivity. How the three agonists and RAMPs modulate CLR binding to transducer proteins remains poorly understood. Here, we biochemically characterized agonist-promoted G protein coupling to each CLR·RAMP complex. We adapted a native PAGE method to assess the formation and thermostabilities of detergent-solubilized fluorescent protein–tagged CLR·RAMP complexes expressed in mammalian cells. Addition of agonist and the purified Gs protein surrogate mini-Gs (mGs) yielded a mobility-shifted agonist·CLR·RAMP·mGs quaternary complex gel band that was sensitive to antagonists. Measuring the apparent affinities of the agonists for the mGs-coupled receptors and of mGs for the agonist-occupied receptors revealed that both ligand and RAMP control mGs coupling and defined how agonist engagement of the CLR extracellular and transmembrane domains affects transducer recruitment. Using mini-Gsq and -Gsi chimeras, we observed a coupling rank order of mGs > mGsq > mGsi for each receptor. Last, we demonstrated the physiological relevance of the native gel assays by showing that they can predict the cAMP-signaling potencies of AM and AM2/IMD chimeras. These results highlight the power of the native PAGE assay for membrane protein biochemistry and provide a biochemical foundation for understanding the molecular basis of shared and distinct signaling properties of CGRP, AM, and AM2/IMD.
Bidirectional relationship between sleep and sedentary behavior in adults with overweight or obesity: A secondary analysis.

Study Objectives The relationships between daytime sedentary behavior and that night's sleep and sleep and next day's sedentary behavior are unknown. The purpose of this analysis was to examine these potentially bidirectional associations. Methods This study was a secondary analysis of baseline data from an ecological momentary assessment study to determine the triggers for dietary lapses during a weight loss intervention. Sedentary behavior, physical activity, and sleep were objectively measured using accelerometers. Linear mixed modeling was used to examine the bidirectional multivariate associations between activity and sleep characteristics for each outcome examined separately. The models included sex, age, body mass index (BMI), education, and day of the week (weekday vs. weekend). Results Participants were predominantly white (81.5%) and female (88.9%) with a mean age of 51.2 ± 10.6 years. Longer previous night's total sleep time (TST) (b = -0.320, standard error [SE] = 0.060; p < .001) and being a weekend (b = -63.845, SE = 9.406; p < .001) were associated with less sedentary time the next day. More daytime sedentary time was associated with less wake after sleep onset (b = -0.018, SE = 0.008; p = .016), fewer awakenings (b = -0.010, SE = 0.004; p = .016), and less TST (b = -0.060, SE = 0.028; p = .029) that night. Conclusions The bidirectional relationships between sedentary time and sleep characteristics are complex and may vary depending on participant characteristics and duration of sedentary and sleep time. Interventions to decrease sedentary behavior may benefit by targeting sleep duration and weekday activity.
PSGL-1 Is a T Cell Intrinsic Inhibitor That Regulates Effector and Memory Differentiation and Responses During Viral Infection

Effective T cell differentiation during acute virus infections leads to the generation of effector T cells that mediate viral clearance, as well as memory T cells that confer protection against subsequent reinfection. While inhibitory immune checkpoints have been shown to promote T cell dysfunction during chronic virus infections and in tumors, their roles in fine tuning the differentiation and responses of effector and memory T cells are only just beginning to be appreciated. We previously identified PSGL-1 as a fundamental regulator of T cell exhaustion that sustains expression of several inhibitory receptors, including PD-1. We now show that PSGL-1 can restrict the magnitude of effector T cell responses and memory T cell development to acute LCMV virus infection by limiting survival, sustaining PD-1 expression, and reducing effector responses. After infection, PSGL-1-deficient effector T cells accumulated to a greater extent than wild type T cells, and preferentially generated memory precursor cells that displayed enhanced accumulation and functional capacity in response to TCR stimulation as persisting memory cells. Although, PSGL-1-deficient memory cells did not exhibit inherent greater sensitivity to cell death, they failed to respond to a homologous virus challenge after adoptive transfer into naive hosts indicating an impaired capacity to generate memory effector T cell responses in the context of viral infection. These studies underscore the function of PSGL-1 as a key negative regulator of effector and memory T cell differentiation and suggest that PSGL-1 may limit excessive stimulation of memory T cells during acute viral infection.
Using Neural Network Ensembles to Separate Biogeochemical and Physical Components in Earth System Models

Abstract. Earth system models (ESMs) are useful tools for predicting and understanding past and future aspects of the climate system. However, the biological and physical parameters used in ESMs can have wide variations in their estimates. Even small changes in these parameters can yield unexpected results without a clear explanation of how a particular outcome was reached. The standard method for estimating ESM sensitivity is to compare spatiotemporal distributions of variables from different runs of a single ESM. However, a potential pitfall of this method is that ESM output could match observational patterns because of compensating errors. For example, if a model predicts overly weak upwelling and low nutrient concentrations, it may compensate for this by allowing phytoplankton to have a high sensitivity to nutrients. Recently, it has been demonstrated that neural network ensembles (NNEs) are capable of extracting relationships between predictor and target variables within ocean biogeochemical models. Being able to view the relationships between variables, along with spatiotemporal distributions, allows for a more mechanistically based examination of ESM outputs. Here, we investigated whether we could apply NNEs to help us determine why different ESMs produce different results. We tested this using three cases. The first and second case use different runs of the same ESM, except the physical circulations differ between them in the first case while the biological equations differ between them in the second. Our results indicate that the NNEs were capable of extracting the relationships between variables, allowing us to distinguish between differences due to changes in circulation (which do not change relationships) from changes in biogeochemical formulation (which do change relationships).
Inhibitors of Cerebral Protein or RNA Synthesis and Memory

An accumulating body of evidence suggests that cerebral RNA and protein synthesis may play an important role in memory storage (see reviews by Glassman, 1969; Barondes, 1970). The purpose of this report is to present and critically review evidence derived from studies of the effects of inhibition of cerebral protein or RNA synthesis on memory.
Functional oxygen-17 magnetic resonance imaging and localized spectroscopy.

Functional oxygen-17 magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and localized spectroscopy is defined as the ensemble of MR measurements aiming at in vivo, noninvasive characterization of oxygen transport and utilization. After a brief description of the present status of in vivo 0-MR, preliminary results are reported on oxygen delivery and consumption in cell suspensions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is shown that parallel P-MR at high magnetic fields has an important corroborative value.
War and Shadows: The Haunting of Vietnam

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Mai Lan Gustafsson Year: 2009 Pages: 216 Publisher: Cornell University Press ISBN: 978-0-8014-4770-9 (hard cover).
Stability of 125I-Labeled Staphylococcal Enterotoxins in Solid-Phase Radioimmunoassay

Staphylococcal enterotoxins, Types A, B, and C, were labeled with 125I by the chloramine-T method at approximately two levels of specific activity, 40 and 4 μCi/μg of protein. Toxins labeled with high specific activity showed extensive dissociation of 125I when stored at different temperatures, including -23 C. In contrast, toxins labeled with low specific activity did not show any significant loss of 125I when stored at -23 C for as long as 2 months. Enterotoxins, whether labeled with high or low activities, formed aggregates immediately upon labeling. Aggregate formation increased in high-activity-labeled toxins on storage at -23 C, and low-activity-labeled toxins showed no significant increase in aggregate formation, even after 2 months at -23 C. The aggregated forms of the enterotoxins were either devoid of antigenic activity in solid-phase radioimmunoassay or they possessed significantly reduced antigenic activity. Thus, a decrease in binding of 125I-labeled enterotxin to specific antibody in solid-phase radioimmunoassay results mainly from (i) loss of 125I on storage, and (ii) formation of aggregates with reduced antigenic activity.
Reduced Order Based Compensator Control of Thin Film Growth in a CVD Reactor

This paper reports on an interdisciplinary effort, which involves applied mathematicians, material scientists and physicists at North Carolina State University, to integrate new intelligent processing approaches with advanced mathematical modeling, optimization, and control theory to guide the construction and experimental implementation of a series of high pressure (up to 100 atm) organometallic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors. An integral component of this research program is the design of the reactor so that control and sensing are a basic component of the optimal design efforts for the reactor. We report here on the successful use of mathematics in a fundamental role in the development of linear and nonlinear feedback control methods for real-time implementation on the reactor. This is achieved in the required context of gas dynamics coupled with nonlinear surface deposition processes. The problems are optimal tracking problems (for the chemical component fluxes over the substrate) that employ state-dependent Riccati gains with nonlinear observations and the resulting dual state dependent Riccati equations for the compensator gains This control methodology is successfully combined with reduced order model methods based on proper orthogonal decomposition techniques. Computational results to support the efficacy of our approach and methods are also included.
Autonomous Four-Dimensional Mapping and Tracking of a Coastal Upwelling Front by an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Coastal upwelling is a wind-driven ocean process that brings cooler, saltier, and nutrient-rich deep water upward to the surface. The boundary between the upwelling water and the normally stratified water is called the "upwelling front." Upwelling fronts support enriched phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, thus they have great influences on ocean ecosystems. Traditional ship-based methods for detecting and sampling ocean fronts are often laborious and very difficult, and long-term tracking of such dynamic features is practically impossible. In our prior work, we developed a method of using an autonomous underwater vehicle AUV to autonomously detect an upwelling front and track the front's movement on a fixed latitude, and we applied the method in scientific experiments. In this paper, we present an extension of the method. Each time the AUV crosses and detects the front, the vehicle makes a turn at an oblique angle to recross the front, thus zigzagging through the front to map the frontal zone. The AUV's zigzag tracks alternate in northward and southward sweeps, so as to track the front as it moves over time. This way, the AUV maps and tracks the front in four dimensions-vertical, cross-front, along-front, and time. From May 29 to June 4, 2013, the Tethys long-range AUV ran the algorithm to map and track an upwelling front in Monterey Bay, CA, over five and one-half days. The tracking revealed spatial and temporal variabilities of the upwelling front.
Developing learning progression-based teacher knowledge measures

This study developed learning progression-based measures of science teachers’ content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). The measures focus on an important topic in secondary science curriculum using scientific reasoning (i.e., tracing matter, tracing energy, and connecting scales) to explain plants gaining weight and exchanging gases. Using a design-based research approach, we conducted the research in four cycles. The findings reported in this article were based on the data collected in the last two cycles (year 2011–2012 and year 2012–2013). This study contains two parts. First, 194 teachers participated in professional development workshops and completed a teacher assessment measuring CK and PCK. A learning progression-based scoring system was developed for these measures. Second, a subgroup of 25 teachers participated in a teaching experiment. These teachers taught a learning progression-based unit on plant growth and functioning. Their students took written assessments both before and after the teaching intervention. In this process, validity evidence from multiple sources was obtained and analyzed to evaluate the claim that the assessment scores tell how well teachers understand the knowledge essential for teaching the science topic. This validity argument supports our interpretations that led to three results. First, teachers' overall performance on CK was a bit higher than PCK, but not significantly different. Second, two challenges confronting teachers are adaptively applying scientific principles and understanding students' intuitive ideas. Third, there was a statistically significant relationship between teachers' measured CK and PCK and students' learning from the plant unit. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 52: 1269–1295, 2015.
Chapter 4i Methods For The Analysis Of Glasses And Ceramics By Atomic Spectrometry

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the implementation of modern spectrometers with stable excitation sources and electronics that has engendered atomic emission (AES) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) methods for determining major and minor amounts of selected elements in glasses, ceramics, and other similar materials. As each measurement is done using a spectral line that is characteristic only for the analyte, separations are usually unnecessary, leading to quick results. In most cases, AES and AAS signals are sufficiently stable, for major and minor components, to produce final results that are as accurate and precise as those acquired using the classical titrimetric and gravimetric procedures. The chapter presents to the laboratory technician with experience in AES and AAS some selected methods for determining the elements common to such substances. As AES and AAS methods are based upon comparisons with standards, it is desirable to have reasonable estimates of the elemental concentrations in a sample before beginning an analysis. A commonly used technique for obtaining semi-quantitative estimates is optical emission spectroscopy.
Anne of Green Gables: the transformation from Bildungsroman to romantic comedy

Anne of Green Gables tells a story of an adolescent and her gradual maturation into a young woman. In effect, Montgomery writes a Bildungsroman: a novel of maturation. Montgomery's Anne develops into a young woman who identifies with not only Matthew and Marilla, but also with all the other kindred spirits of Avonlea. As the novel progresses, Anne becomes part of the very same community that at one time did not want to embrace a little orphan girl. In Kevin Sullivan's Anne of Green Gables, a 1985 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBS) miniseries, the focus is not strictly on the formation of Anne from girl to young woman, but rather Anne's overly romantic notions on her vision of love. Sullivan's commentary adaptation exaggerates the roles of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poetic works and Gilbert Blythe's role of suitor to fulfill Anne's desire to have romance in her life. As a result, Montgomery's story of Anne as a Bildungsroman transforms to the screen as Sullivan's romantic comedy.
Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFβ)

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is the prototype for a family of multifunctional secreted peptides that control many aspects of growth and development in a cell type-specific manner. Keywords: smad; cancer; cell cycle; human developmental disorders; skeleton; cardiovascular
Interaction of fibrin with VE-cadherin and anti-inflammatory effect of fibrin-derived fragments

Summary. Background: The interaction of the fibrin βN-domain with VE-cadherin on endothelial cells is implicated in transendothelial migration of leukocytes, and the β15–42 fragment representing part of this domain has been shown to inhibit this process. However, our previous study revealed that only a dimeric (β15–66)2 fragment, corresponding to the full-length βN-domain and mimicking its dimeric arrangement in fibrin, bound to VE-cadherin. Objective: To test our hypothesis that dimerization of β15–42-containing fragments increases their affinity for VE-cadherin and ability to inhibit transendothelial migration of leukocytes. Methods: Interaction of β15–42-containing fragments with VE-cadherin was characterized by ELISA and surface plasmon resonance. The inhibitory effect of such fragments was tested in vitro with a leukocyte transendothelial migration assay and in vivo with mouse models of peritonitis and myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. Results: First, we prepared the monomeric β15–42 and β15–64 fragments and their dimeric forms, (β15–44)2 and (β15–66)2, and studied their interaction with the fibrin-binding domain of VE-cadherin, VE-cad(3). The experiments revealed that both dimeric fragments bound to VE-cad(3) with high affinity, whereas the affinities of β15–42 and β15–64 were significantly lower. Next, we tested the ability of these fragments to inhibit leukocyte transmigration in vitro and infiltration into the inflamed peritoneum in vivo, and found that the inhibitory effects of the dimers on these processes were also superior. Furthermore, (β15–44)2 significantly reduced myocardial injury induced by ischemia–reperfusion. Conclusion: The results confirm our hypotheses and indicate that (β15-66)2 and (β15-44)2, which exhibited much higher affinity for VE-cadherin, are highly effective in suppressing inflammation by inhibiting leukocyte transmigration.
Self-help medical advice was popular in the 1930s, too

Self-help books proliferate today, but the concept of helping oneself in health matters is certainly not a modern phenomenon, Dr. Mark Clarfield notes. He recently studied a self-help booklet from 1936, What to do until the doctor comes, in which he found not only some sound advice but also some harmless suggestions, useless treatments and dangerous remedies.
Relaxation vegetation index in non-linear modelling of ground plant cover by satellite remote-sensing data

Abstract In order to obtain a model equation for the calculation of percentage plant cover by multi-spectral radiances remotely-sensed by satellites, a regression procedure is used to connect space remote-sensing data to ground plant cover measurement. A traditional linear regression model using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is examined by remote-sensing data of the SPOT satellite and ground measurement of LCTA project for a test site at Hohenfels. Germany. A relaxation vegetation index (RVI) is proposed in a non-linear regression modelling to replace the NDVI in linear regression modelling to get a better calculation of percentage plant cover. The definition of the RVI is where X i is raw remote-sensing data in channel i. Using the RVI, the correlation coefficient between calculated and observed percentage plant cover for a test scene in 1989 reaches 0·9 while for the NDVI it is only 0·7; the coefficient of multiple determination R 2 reaches 0·8 for the RVI while it is only 0·5 for th...
The energy surface for isomeric [C2H3O]+ ions: Further experimental evidence

Mass spectra from collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) of [C2H3O]+ ions, including isotopically labeled analogs, provide further information on the isomers [CH3CO+] (a), [CH2CO+H] (b), [+CH2CHO] (c) and (d). Our data generally support the recent conclusions from theory by Radom and coworkers and from experiment by Terlouw, Holmes and coworkers. Most acetyl-containing molecular ions form a ions in high purity only at low energies, consistent with isomerization of higher energy molecular ions to form the more stable enol which dissociates to b. Isomer d, prepared from (CICH2)2CHOH, undergoes facile hydrogen scrambling, presumably through a degenerate 1,2-hydrogen shift. Theory suggests that c undergoes spontaneous isomerization to a and d; although [C2H3O]+ ions from BrCH2CHO appear to consist of a and ∼15% d, the latter are formed without substantial hydrogen scrambling.
The A and B fragments of normal type I procollagen have a similar thermal stability to proteinase digestion but are selectively destabilized by structural mutations

Previous studies demonstrated that the thermal stability of the procollagen triple helix can be assayed by digesting the protein for short periods with high concentrations of trypsin and chymotrypsin. Here we cleaved human type I procollagen or collagen with vertebrate collagenase to generate A fragments from the three-quarter amino termini and B fragments from the one-quarter carboxy termini of the molecules. The thermal stabilities of the fragments were then assayed by rapid trypsin/chymotrypsin digestion. Both fragments were resistant up to 36°C and completely degraded between 37°C and 39°C. In subsequent experiments the same assay was carried out with type I procollagens synthesized by fibroblasts from two patients with lethal variants of osteogenesis imperfecta. With one, the A fragments were selectively destabilized, an observation consistent with previous data indicating that the mutation in the patient produced a deletion of 84 amino acids from the middle of the α1(I) chain. With procollagen synthesized by fibroblasts from the second patient the B fragments were selectively destabilized, an observation consistent with preliminary data indicating a mutation that alters the primary structure of the carboxy-terminal region of the α1(I) chain. Therefore, the procedures described here present a simple and direct method for locating mutations that destabilize the collagen triple helix.
Ionic conductivities of Na4MgP2O8 and partially substituted Na4+xMgP2−xSixO8 solid solutions

Abstract Ionic conductivity measurement of pure Na 4 MgP 2 O 8 shows a phase transition similar to that of Na 3 PO 4 . The tetragonal low temperature α-phase of Na 4 MgP 2 O 8 prepared by solid state reaction has only moderate ionic conductivity, ∼7.2×10 −5 S/cm at 300°C. The high temperature cubic γ-form of Na 4 MgP 2 O 8 has a conductivity of 3.6×10 −3 S/cm at 400°C. Substitution of Si IV for P V stabilizes the cubic γ-phase of Na 4+ x MgP 2− x Si x O 8 for 0.0⩽x⩽0.3 and enhances the ionic conductivity. The conductivity of γ-Na 4+ x MgP 2− x Si x O 8 increases with Si content to a maximum of σ 300°C∼2.9×10 −3 S / cm at x =0.2.
Automatic extraction of highlights from a cricket video using MPEG-7 descriptors

Sports videos appeal to a vast majority of people. Hence, video streaming of sports videos presents a profitable business opportunity. As a result, there is an astronomical increase in the amount of sports content available on the internet. Businesses and users face a new problem of perusing such large amounts of multimedia content quickly for the required information. One technique that can enable quick overview of multimedia content is video summarization. In this paper, an approach to summarize a cricket game video by using highlights extraction process is presented. The video is first segmented into shots. Key frames are extracted from each shot and low level features are extracted from the key frames. Feature are used to extract views or states. The states and their transitions in the cricket game are represented by a Hidden Markov Model, based on which the game highlights are extracted. The performance of the proposed summarization scheme is evaluated for accuracy.
A vision-based approach for estimating contact forces: Applications to robot-assisted surgery

The primary goal of this paper is to provide force feedback to the user using vision-based techniques. The approach presented in this paper can be used to provide force feedback to the surgeon for robot-assisted procedures. As proof of concept, we have developed a linear elastic finite element model FEM of a rubber membrane whereby the nodal displacements of the membrane points are measured using vision. These nodal displacements are the input into our finite element model. In the first experiment, we track the deformation of the membrane in real-time through stereovision and compare it with the actual deformation computed through forward kinematics of the robot arm. On the basis of accurate deformation estimation through vision, we test the physical model of a membrane developed through finite element techniques. The FEM model accurately reflects the interaction forces on the user console when the interaction forces of the robot arm with the membrane are compared with those experienced by the surgeon on the console through the force feedback device. In the second experiment, the PHANToM haptic interface device is used to control the Mitsubishi PA-10 robot arm and interact with the membrane in real-time. Image data obtained through vision of the deformation of the membrane is used as the displacement input for the FEM model to compute the local interaction forces which are then displayed on the user console for providing force feedback and hence closing the loop.
Age-related decline in striatal volume in monkeys as measured by magnetic resonance imaging.

Age-related declines in striatal markers for the dopamine system have been demonstrated in several species. The current study investigated structural changes during aging in the rhesus monkey striatum. Male monkeys were studied using a volumetric spoiled gradient recall (SPGR) magnetic resonance imaging protocol. The caudate nucleus and putamen were segmented by manual tracing using landmarks made in the orthogonal planes. The whole brain volume (defined as volume of gray and white matter plus cerebrospinal fluid in ventricles and sulci) was measured using a semi-automated algorithm. There was no correlation between age and whole brain volume. There were age-related declines in normalized (i.e. brain region/whole brain volume) caudate nucleus and putamen volumes. Monkeys in the young group (n = 7, 39-45 months old) had larger volumes of both the caudate nucleus and putamen than animals in the middle-age (n = 5, 120-180 months) or old (n = 7, 291-360 months) groups. The current results provide normative data to assess potential interventions (e.g. caloric restriction) in the aging process.
Proactive and Retroactive Effects of Negative Suggestion.

The negative effects of false information presented either prior to (proactive interference; PI) or following (retroactive interference; RI) true information was examined with word definitions (Experiment 1) and trivia facts (Experiment 2). Participants were explicitly aware of which information was true and false when shown, and true-false discrimination was evaluated via multiple-choice tests. Negative suggestion, defined as poorer performance on interference items than noninterference (control) items, consistently occurred when the wrong information followed the correct information (RI) but not when it preceded the correct information (PI). These effects did not change as a function of retention interval (immediate, 1 week, or 3 weeks) or number of incorrect alternatives (1 or 3). Implications of this outcome for experiencing incorrect information in both academic and nonacademic situations are considered.
A new bird from the Upper Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation of Montana

A partial humerus, ulna, and radius compose the type specimen of a new bird, Piksi barbarulna, new genus and species, from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Two Medicine Formation of western Montana. This ornithothoracine taxon differs from all other birds in having an enlarged dorsal epicondyle and a reduced ventral condyle on the humerus with corresponding modifications on the articular surface of the ulna. Among modern birds, Piksi is most similar to galliforms, but the paucity of unambiguous characters and its unusual morphology defy placement within any extant "order" and strongly questions any neornithine affinities. Instead, Piksi appears to have a fairly basal position within Ornithothoraces. Several morphologic features of Piksi occur in phylogenetically diverse but morphologically similar birds, such as galliforms, tinamous, and some columbiforms. The new bird comes from an inland, relatively dry paleo-environment. Atypical for a Cretaceous avian record dominated by waterfowl, Piksi appears to rep...
ABS12: Patient views of the patient asthma APGAR

Collecting health information directly from patients prior to a physician visit can save physician time and may provide patients additional ability to guide asthma visits. To assess patients (and parents) opinions regarding the use of the Patient ASTHMA APGAR during asthma related physician visits. Patients and parents of patients (n= 83) from seven rural family medicine practices who participated in the pilot study of the Patient ASTHMA APGAR. On-site focus groups in the seven sites with immersion-crystallization analysis. Sites were spread from Pennsylvania to Washington state with 4 sites within Minnesota. The 83 participants included 12 children and adolescents, 10 parents of children or adolescents with asthma and 61 adults with asthma. The age ranged from 6 years to 78 years and 17 of the attendees were men or boys. The group reported no dislikes or problems with the form, found it to be easily readable and could be completed in five to seven minutes. The groups' impression of the value of the ASTHMA APGAR fell into six major domains: improved focus of asthma visits, identification of triggers, better communication with physicians, specific needs-focused education provided, better asthma care and ability to assess control asthma at home. Specific quotations will be provided to illustrate each domain. Every attendee desired to have their physician's office continue using the form. These volunteer focus group members found the completion of a simple asthma assessment form to be useful in the conduct and outcomes of visits for routine asthma care as well as visits for asthma attacks. Conflict of interest and funding No conflicts of interest and funding was provided by the Agency for HealthCare Research and Quality.
Representation of temporal change in solid models

Solid models are static entities, usually defined by a boundary representation model as a set of enclosing surfaces. Constructive Solid Geometry and existing feature-based computer-aided design environments create procedural descriptions of 3D objects as history or CSG trees. These representations are temporally fixed, i.e., they describe the state of a 3D object at a particular point in time.This paper describes a method to represent and capture the temporal evolution of solid models—what we call the model process history of an object. We define the process history to be the total set of states the model goes through during the design process—the search space of the detailed design process. This paper presents our work to develop a representational formalism we call model process graphs (MPGs). We use MPGs to integrate a traditional 3D solid model's BRep and feature-based descriptions with a model of the temporal changes that occur during the design process. We believe that MPG representations can have valuable application for many design and manufacturing problems. The paper briefly defines our MPGs that will (1) create a record of the design process; (2) store process-based design rationale; (3) represent in-process shapes for machined artifacts. We anticipate that MPG-like representations will find application in other design and manufacturing problems in which important process knowledge is embodied by temporal changes that occur as models evolve to their final forms.
Classifying implicit memory tests: Category association and anagram solution

In three experiments we investigated the nature of two implicit memory tests, free associating to category names and solving anagrams, by manipulating several variables during study. Additional implicit and explicit tests were included for comparison (word fragment completion and free recall). Primed category association responded like free recall by showing an advantage from generating words relative to reading them out of context, a levels of processing effect, and no effect of study modality (visual or auditory). The results of these variables on anagram solution were less clear cut, but tended to resemble the effects of primed word fragment completion (a modality effect, only a slight levels of processing effect, and little priming from pictures). Dissociations were obtained between explicit and implicit tests (e.g., free recall and primed fragment completion), but more importantly between implicit tests (e.g., primed fragment completion and category association). Because implicit tests can be dissociated, no single system underlies their performance; we emphasize instead their processing requirements to explain dissociations among tests.
Propagation of rinderpest virus in suckling mice and its comparison to murine adapted strains of measles and distemper

Tissue culture rinderpest virus was propagated in suckling mice through 16 serial intracerebral passages. The virus produced a lethal infection in mice 4–6 days following inoculation. The incubation period decreased progressively from 14 days to 4 days, and the mortality gradually increased until 100% was reached on the 6th passage. The LD50 titer of the infected brain material also gradually increased with passage and has remained relatively constant after the 5th passage ranging between 102.8 and 103.8 per 0.01 ml. The identity of the mouse propagated virus was unequivocally established by serum neutralization tests in suckling mice and cell cultures, and complement fixation tests employing infected mouse brains as antigens. Further identification was made by successful immunization of rabbits.
The Emphysema Response to Forced Straining (Valsalva's Maneuver)

Changes in arterial pressure were recorded during and after forced straining (Valsalva's maneuver) in 29 patients with emphysema. The response in these patients differed greatly from that found in normal subjects and in patients with cardiac disease. Additional physiologic data did not serve to define the mechanisms of this unique response in emphysema to forced straining.
Fast implementations and rigorous models: Can both be accommodated in NMPC?

In less than two decades, nonlinear model predictive control has evolved from a conceptual framework to an attractive, general approach for the control of constrained nonlinear processes. These advances were realized both through better understanding of stability and robustness properties as well as improved algorithms for dynamic optimization. This study focuses on recent advances in optimization formulations and algorithms, particularly for the simultaneous collocation-based approach. Here, we contrast this approach with competing approaches for online application and discuss further advances to deal with applications of increasing size and complexity. To address these challenges, we adapt the real-time iteration concept, developed in the context of multiple shooting (Real-Time PDE-Constrained Optimization. SIAM: Philadelphia, PA, 2007; 25–52, 3–24), to a collocation-based approach with a full-space nonlinear programming solver. We show that straightforward sensitivity calculations from the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker system also lead to a real-time iteration strategy, with both direct and shifted variants. This approach is demonstrated on a large-scale polymer process, where online calculation effort is reduced by over two orders of magnitude. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fractional-step method for solving 3D, time-domain Maxwell equations

Abstract Stable and efficient implicit and explicit fractional-step methods for solving three-dimensional, time-dependent Maxwell equations have been successfully developed. These numerical procedures are characteristic-based schemes with the intrinsically accurate no-reflection wave condition on the boundaries of truncated computational domain. Excellent simulations tot electromagnetic phenomena have been achieved for a three-dimensional wave guide and an oscillating electric dipole.
Antibody-dependent enhancement of HSV-1 infection by anti-gK sera.

We previously reported that vaccination of BALB/c mice with the baculovirus expressed HSV-1 glycoprotein K (gK) or passive transfer of gK purified IgG to naive BALB/c mice causes severe exacerbation of HSV-1 induced corneal scarring following ocular challenge. In addition, a productive chronic infection, rather than a latent infection, is found in most trigeminal ganglia. These phenomena are accompanied by a very high T(H)1+T(H)2 response in the eye (Ghiasi, H., Cai, S., Nesburn, A.B., Wechsler, S.L., 1996. Vaccination with herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein K impairs clearance of virus from the trigeminal ganglia resulting in chronic infection. Virology 224, 330-333; Ghiasi, H., Cai, S., Slanina, S., Nesburn, A. B., Wechsler, S.L., 1997. Nonneutralizing antibody against the glycoprotein K of herpes simplex virus type-1 exacerbates herpes simplex virus type-1-induced corneal scarring in various virus-mouse strain combinations. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 38, 1213-1221; Ghiasi, H., Hofman, F.M., Cai, S., Perng, G.C., Nesburn, A.B., Wechsler, S.L., 1999. Vaccination with different HSV-1 glycoproteins induces different patterns of ocular cytokine responses following HSV-1 challenge of vaccinated mice. Vaccine 17, 2576-2582). In the studies reported here, we investigated the hypothesis that anti-gK serum produces antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of ocular HSV-1 infection. We found that gK vaccinated mice had significantly higher HSV-1 titers in their eyes than gD or mock-vaccinated mice and that anti-gK sera enhanced HSV-1 infection in the macrophage cell line U937. In addition, passive transfer of anti-gK sera to naive mice 24 h prior to ocular HSV-1 challenge also increased viral replication. These results were consistent with ADE of HSV-1 by sera to gK. This suggests that the severely exacerbated corneal disease seen following HSV-1 ocular challenge of gK vaccinated mice is a result of ADE. The ability of gK sera to cause harmful ADE may impact HSV-1 vaccine development.
Labor market analysis and public policy : the case of Morocco

This article uses detailed industry and household data to understand why Morocco's labor market performed poorly in 1985-95. The data indicate that marked structural changes and weak demand in the product market were responsible. This article makes two contributions to the literature. The first is specific: it underscores that the demand for labor is a derived demand and that the performance of the product market is an important determinant of the performance of the labor market. The second is more general: it demonstrates that this kind of microeconomic analysis, using data sets that are often available in developing countries, can inform policy design.