cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epistemological vigilance and the project of a sociology of knowledge

L'A. examine les critiques adressees par H.-H. Kogler a l'encontre de la theorie de la connaissance developpee par P. Bourdieu et par K. Mannheim. Il presente, dans un premier temps, les perspectives de ces deux derniers auteurs, puis s'efforce de mettre en lumiere les hypotheses epistemologiques qui les sous-tendent. Il passe ensuite en revue les critiques de Kogler a l'encontre de la sociologie de la connaissance de Bourdieu. Il tente de repondre a ces objections en s'attachant a montrer le bien-fonde des analyses de Bourdieu en ce domaine. Il s'interroge sur la pertinence de la perspective de Kogler en matiere de sociologie de la connaissance et souligne que celui-ci preconise une vision hermeneutique de la connaissance
Adaptive fault-tolerance fault-tolerance for cyber-physical systems

Cyber-physical systems are increasingly used in life-critical applications, where the probability of catastrophic failure has to be kept below very low levels. Massive fault-tolerance has been used to mask failure to achieve such low levels. However, fault-tolerance is expensive. We argue here that the fault-tolerance needs of an application change depending on its current position in its state space and the range of control inputs that can be applied. We illustrate the applicability of such an approach using the inverted pendulum as a case-study, and discuss its potential benefits.
Development under the influence of cocaine. I. A comparison of the effects of daily cocaine treatment and resultant undernutrition on pregnancy and early growth in a large population of rats

After administering cocaine to pregnant and lactating dams in oral dosages ranging from 5 to 90 mg/kg/day, we observed a slight increase in fatalities starting at 60 mg/kg/day, followed by a sharp rise fatalities at higher dosages. Therefore, a dosage near 60 mg/kg/day by the oral route appears to mark a useful threshold between highly lethal dosages and an acceptable, sublethal dosage for chronic studies of pregnant rats. At 60 mg/kg/day, there was a marginal trend toward less weight gain in the cocaine-treated dams during pregnancy, followed by a much more pronounced lag in weight recovery following parturition. Neither prematurity nor any reduction in litter sizes and birth weights was consistently observed at dosages below 90 mg/kg/day; however, poor maternal care was evident when the dams received dosages of 80-90 mg/kg/day, producing a very high death rate in the neonatal offspring. Internal bleeding (intracranial and subcutaneous) was also observed in three neonates whose dams received cocaine at rates of 60-90 mg/kg/day, confirming a similar clinical observation and indicating a direct action of cocaine toxicity on the fetus. Although fetal growth and development were not significantly altered by administering the pregnant dams 60 mg/kg/day, there was a higher death rate in the offspring during the initial 24 hr after delivery. Weight gain appeared transiently retarded early in the suckling period, although similar growth retardation was observed in the offspring of pair-fed controls. These results indicate that the dam's undernourishment contributes much to the early growth retardation resultant from cocaine administration. The most striking effect of cocaine on the offspring, after considering undernourishment, appears to be an increased mortality in the neonatal period (60 mg/kg/day and higher), apparently resulting from poor maternal care. The greatest risk of all was the death of the dam at any point beginning with the second administration of cocaine at 60 mg/kg/day and increasing precipitously at any higher dosage.
Geological evolution of Ares Vallis on Mars: Formation by multiple events of catastrophic flooding, glacial and periglacial processes

Abstract Ares Vallis is one of the greatest outflow channels of Mars. Using high-resolution images of recent missions to Mars (MGS, 2001 Odyssey, and Mars Express), we investigated Ares Vallis and its valley arms, taking advantage of 3-dimensional analysis performed using the high-resolution stereo capability of the Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). In our view, Ares Vallis is characterized by catastrophic flood landscapes partially superimposed by ice-related morphologies. Catastrophic flood landforms include erosional terraces, grooved terrains, streamlined uplands, giant bars, pendant bars, and cataract-like features. Ice-related morphologies include probable kame features, thermokarstic depressions, and patterned grounds. Our investigations outline that throughout the Hesperian age, Ares Vallis and its valley arms had been sculpted by several, time-scattered, catastrophic floods, originating from Iani, Hydaspis and Aram Chaos. Geomorphological evidence suggests that catastrophic floods were ice-covered, and that climatic conditions of Mars at this time were similar to those of the present day. At the end of each catastrophic flood, ice masses grounded, forming a thick stagnant dead-ice body. Each catastrophic flood was followed by a relatively brief period of warmer-wetter climatic conditions, originated as a consequence of catastrophic flooding. During such periods thermokarstic depressions originated, liquid water formed meandering channels, and ice-contact deposits were emplaced by ice-walled streams. Finally, the climate turned into cold-dry conditions similar to the present-day ones, and ice masses sublimated.
Can children recognize pride

Recent research has shown that pride, like the "basic" emotions of anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise, has a distinct, nonverbal expression that can be recognized by adults (J. L. Tracy & R. W. Robins, 2004b). In 2 experiments, the authors examined whether young children can identify the pride expression and distinguish it from expressions of happiness and surprise. Results suggest that (a) children can recognize pride at above-chance levels by age 4 years; (b) children recognize pride as well as they recognize happiness; (c) pride recognition, like happiness and surprise recognition, improves from age 3 to 7 years; and (d) children's ability to recognize pride cannot be accounted for by the use of a process of elimination (i.e., an exclusion rule) to identify an unknown entity. These findings have implications for the development of emotion recognition and children's ability to perceive and communicate pride.
The Exocyst Affects Protein Synthesis by Acting on the Translocation Machinery of the Endoplasmic Reticulum

We previously showed that the exocyst complex specifically affected the synthesis and delivery of secretory and basolateral plasma membrane proteins. Significantly, the entire spectrum of secreted proteins was increased when the hSec10 (human Sec10) component of the exocyst complex was overexpressed, suggestive of post-transcriptional regulation (Lipschutz, J. H., Guo, W., O'Brien, L. E., Nguyen, Y. H., Novick, P., and Mostov, K. E. (2000) Mol. Biol. Cell 11, 4259–4275). Here, using an exogenously transfected basolateral protein, the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), and a secretory protein, gp80, we show that pIgR and gp80 protein synthesis and delivery are increased in cells overexpressing Sec10 despite the fact that mRNA levels are unchanged, which is highly indicative of post-transcriptional regulation. To test specificity, we also examined the synthesis and delivery of an exogenous apical protein, CNT1 (concentrative nucleoside transporter 1), and found no increase in CNT1 protein synthesis, delivery, or mRNA levels in cells overexpressing Sec10. Sec10-GFP-overexpressing cell lines were created, and staining was seen in the endoplasmic reticulum. It was demonstrated previously in yeast that high levels of expression of SEB1, the Sec61β homologue, suppressed sec15-1, an exocyst mutant (Toikkanen, J., Gatti, E., Takei, K., Saloheimo, M., Olkkonen, V. M., Soderlund, H., De Camilli, P., and Keranen, S. (1996) Yeast 12, 425–438). Sec61β is a member of the Sec61 heterotrimer, which is the main component of the endoplasmic reticulum translocon. By co-immunoprecipitation we show that Sec10, which forms an exocyst subcomplex with Sec15, specifically associates with the Sec61β component of the translocon and that Sec10 overexpression increases the association of other exocyst complex members with Sec61β. Proteosome inhibition does not appear to be the mechanism by which increased protein synthesis occurs in the face of equivalent amounts of mRNA. Although the exact mechanism remains to be elucidated, the exocyst/Sec61β interaction represents an important link between the cellular membrane trafficking and protein synthetic machinery.
Rural-Nonrural Disparities in Postsecondary Educational Attainment Revisited

Using data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study, this study revisited rural-nonrural disparities in educational attainment by considering a comprehensive set of factors that constrain and support youth's college enrollment and degree completion. Results showed that rural students were more advantaged in community social resources compared to nonrural students, and these resources were associated with a significant increase in the likelihood of bachelor's degree attainment. Yet results confirmed that rural students lagged behind nonrural students in attaining a bachelor's degree largely due to their lower socioeconomic background. The findings present a more comprehensive picture of the complexity of geographic residence in shaping college enrollment and degree attainment.
Influenza Studies. XX. Identification of Fixed Type Pneumococcus Carriers: A Study of Technical Methods.

Paths of pneumonia transmission have as yet been defined but roughly; questions continue to arise after examination of all available data. How long after recovery do patients continue to disseminate infective pneumococci, or may dissemination be from healthy carriers having no pneumonic history? Is it practicable to combat pneumonia, like diphtheria, by freeing convalescents from the germs, or are the germs so widely distributed through the community that their numbers could not be affected thereby? Many such questions must remain unsettled until we have reliable means for recognition of the carrier condition.
Phase I Trial of Radiotherapy Concurrent with Twice-Weekly Gemcitabine for Head and Neck Cancer: Translation From Preclinical Investigations Aiming to Improve the Therapeutic Ratio

BACKGROUND: Once-weekly gemcitabine concurrent with radiotherapy was highly effective in the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) but limited by high mucosal toxicity. Pre-clinical investigations suggested that delivering gemcitabine at substantially lower doses twice weekly during radiotherapy improved the therapeutic ratio. We sought to translated these preclinical findings to a phase I trial. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with non-resectable HNC were scheduled to receive gemcitabine twice weekly during the last 2 weeks (total 5 infusions) of hyperfractionated radiotherapy delivering 1.2 Gy twice daily to total 76.8 Gy. Tumor biopsies to measure active intracellular (phosphorylated) gemcitabine were planned after the first drug delivery. Patients were assigned to escalating dose cohorts using the Continuous Reassessment Method. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients evaluable for toxicity were divided into cohorts receiving twice weekly treatment with 10, 20, 33, or 50 mg/m2 gemcitabine. Dose-limiting toxicity was grade 3-4 confluent mucositis/pharyngitis, and the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) was 20 mg/m2. Median survival was 20 months, with no difference between cohorts receiving lower (10, 20 mg/m2) or higher (33, 50 mg/m2) gemcitabine doses. Tumor biopsies after the first drug delivery showed only a minority of tumor cells in the specimens. CONCLUSION: These findings validate preclinical models that show that gemcitabine is radiation sensitizer at doses far below those used for systemic chemotherapy. However, the improvement in the therapeutic ratio predicted from the preclinical study did not translate into a substantial relative increase in the MTD of the drug in the clinical phase I trial.
Design, Test, and Repair of MLUT (Memristor Look-Up Table) Based Asynchronous Nanowire Reconfigurable Crossbar Architecture

The recently proposed nanoscale asynchronous crossbar architecture based on memristor-based look up table (MLUT) combines the advantages of nanoscale memristor crossbar technology and clockless logic paradigm for viable nanoscale computing. Potential technical merits of the proposed MLUT architecture includes: 1) better manufacturability due to structural simplicity and regularity; 2) improved robustness over PVT (process-voltage-temperature) variations; 3) event-driven low-power/noise asynchronous operation; and 4) encoding-level logic inversion. In spite of having numerous merits over the clocked counterparts and previous asynchronous designs, it is bound to have inevitable defects and faults due to nondeterministic and unconventional nanoscale assembly and operation. In order to overcome defect issues in the proposed MLUT-based nanoscale asynchronous crossbar architecture, there is a need to develop efficient design, test, and repair techniques. Typical approach so far has been to test every crosspoint on each crossbar MLUT exhaustively; this is not only laborious but is also prohibitively time and space consuming for designs involving large number of MLUTs. This paper introduces a novel testing scheme based on “Divide and Conquer” approach to efficiently locate the defective memristors in a MLUT. The proposed testing scheme leverages upon a special current additive property of the memristor-based multiplexer. It performs binary isolation of regions, reducing the search space by half whenever applicable. Numerical simulations clearly demonstrate that the approach is generic, deterministic, and scalable. A faster MLUT programming technique and a repair technique utilizing partially defective MLUTs are also proposed and extensively validated through parametric simulations.
A Comparison of Blow Fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Beetle (Coleoptera) Activity on Refrigerated Only versus Frozen-Thawed Pig Carcasses in Indiana

To have large numbers of replicates in forensic entomology research, it is often necessary to freeze carcasses and thaw them before use in experiments. Research on the effects of freezing on decomposition is minimal in the literature and the effect that it has on insect (e.g., blow fly, beetle) activity is virtually unknown. The objective of this study was to compare the differences in insect activity occurring on refrigerated only versus frozen-thawed pig carcasses, and to characterize the associated dipteran fauna. Seven pigs, frozen for 2 mo and then thawed before the experiment, were compared with seven pigs killed and stored in a walk in refrigerator ≈12 h before the start of the experiment. No significant differences in time to the appearance of adult flies, eggs, larvae, or the initiation and conclusion of larval migration were observed between refrigerated only and frozen-thawed pig carcasses. Beetles from the family Staphylinidae also did not show a significant difference in arrival times. Phormia regina (Meigen), Lucilia coeruleiviridis (Macquart), Cochliomyia macellaria (F.), Pollenia rudis (F.), and Hydrotaea leucostoma (F.) comprised the dipteran taxa present on the carcasses. Results suggest that freezing pigs before exposure in the field does not significantly alter blow fly life events or the appearance of staphylinid beetles.
The Tenuous Thread: A Venetian Lawyer's Apology for Jewish Self-Government in the Seventeenth Century

Ghettoization stimulated sixteenth-century Italian Jewry to develop larger and more complex political structures, because the Jewish community now became responsible for municipal tasks. This development, however, raised theological objections in Catholic circles because Christian doctrine traditionally forbade the Jewish people dominion. It also aroused hostility among the increasingly centralized governments of early modern Europe, who viewed Jewish self-government as an infringement of the sovereignty of the state. The earliest appearance of the term “state within a state,” which has become a shorthand expression for the latter view, was recently located in Venice in 1631.
Mechano-biology as an optimization principle for biological tissue engineering

Rapid prototyping and direct fabrication has provided researchers and scientist with a wealth of opportunities to fabricate synthetic tissue replacements, so called scaffolds. The goal is to fill critical size defects with such materials and allow the body to slowly degrade them and build de-novo biological tissue on its place. However, for this process to take place the structural organization levels of these synthetic tissue replacements need to follow design criteria that promote cell attachment, cell proliferation, and maintain the cell's differentiated function. The scaffold's architecture defines the ultimate shape of the newly grown tissue. Furthermore, since most scaffolds are needed for tissue repair in load-bearing applications, the mechano-biological component affects tissue growth long after biochemical factors (e.g., growth hormones) or pre-seeded cells are lasting. This article describes current efforts in identifying mechano-biological principle that are believed to guide tissue formation b...
The effects of various milk proteins on the foaming properties of egg white

Abstract β-Lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, casein, lactoferrin and xanthine oxidase increased the overrun of egg white foams. Proteose-peptones (either purified from milk or prepared by plasmin hydrolysis of casein) did not act as foam depressants with egg white foams but increased the overrun of egg white. A foam depressing agent tentatively identified as a lipoprotein occurred in both whey protein and casein. This foam depressant was resistant to proteolysis, was not affected by heat and was removed by ultrafiltration using a 100 000 mol. wt cutoff membrane.
Forensics of digital librarianship

Purpose – This paper seeks to examine important issues relating to digital preservation with a focus on file integrity and digital forensics.Design/methodology/approach – This is a viewpoint paper.Findings – This paper highlights important issues relating to digital preservation and offers suggestions on comprehensive approaches to achieving a high level of integrity with library digital repositories.Practical implications – Libraries have always had as a part of their core mission the preservation of information and cultural heritage. The seriousness with which the challenges associated with digital preservation are met will determine the reputation of libraries as continuing to be a reliable preserver of cultural heritage and research data.Social implications – Libraries play an important role in cultural heritage and preservation of research data. This role is manifested both generally and specifically within the academic context. It is important that libraries stay at the forefront of developing relia...
Patterns of Substance Use Among a Large Urban Cohort of HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex With Men in Primary Care

The present study sought to identify characteristics of HIV-infected MSM that are associated with the use of specific substances and substance abuse in general. Participants were 503 HIV-infected MSM who were receiving primary care. A self-assessment and medical records were used to obtain information about past 3-month alcohol and drug use and abuse, and demographics, HIV-disease stage and treatment, sexual risk, and mental health. Associations of these four domains with substance use and abuse outcomes were examined using hierarchical block-stepwise multivariable logistic regression. Substance use and abuse in the sample was high. Transmission risk behavior was significantly associated with over half of the outcomes. The associations of demographic and HIV-disease stage and treatment variables varied by substance, and mental health problems contributed differentially to almost every outcome. These findings should be considered for designing, implementing, and evaluating substance use programming for HIV-infected MSM.
Experimental design methodology: the scientific tool for performance evaluation

With the rapid growth of the signal and image processing technology in the last several decades has arisen the need for means of evaluating and comparing the numerous algorithms and systems that are created or are being developed. Performance evaluation, in the past, has been mostly ad hoc and incohesive. In this paper we present a systematic step by step approach for the scientific evaluation of signal and image processing algorithms and systems. This approach is based on the methodology of Experimental Design. We illustrate this method by means of an example from the field of automatic object recognition.
Behavioral responses of male Periplaneta americana L. to female sex pheromone components, periplanone-A and periplanone-B

Bioassays were performed on malePeriplaneta americana L. using synthetic (−)-periplanone-B (P-B) and Hauptmann's (−)-periplanone-A (P-A), and their mixtures at various ratios to estimate the roles of both periplanones for the sexual communication of the species. Both P-A and P-B elicited qualitatively the same responses, such as antennal movement, rapid locomotion, wing raising, and homosexual behavior of male cockroaches, but the threshold of the pheromone activities for P-B was two orders of magnitude lower than that of P-A. Neither synergistic nor inhibitory but only a simple integrated effect on the responses was observed when mixtures of P-A and P-B were applied.
The Full Phase Behavior for Block Copolymers in Solvents of Varying Selectivity

The phase behavior of six poly(styrene-b-isoprene) (SI) diblock copolymers has been mapped out in the styrene-selective solvents di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and dimethyl phthalate (DMP). The polymer molecular weights were chosen to make the melt order−disorder transition (ODT) experimentally accessible, and the styrene compositions f ranged from 0.23 to 0.70, to access the full range of melt morphologies. For each polymer a phase diagram was constructed, with polymer volume fractions, φ, ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 and temperatures, T, from 0 to 250 °C. Phase assignments were based on small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and the ODTs and order−order transitions (OOTs) were located by a combination of SAXS, rheology, and static birefringence. The critical micelle temperatures (cmt) in dilute solution were determined by dynamic light scattering. In this manner the full “phase cube” was mapped out in each solvent, enabling generation of phase maps (φ,f) at constant T and (f,T) at consta...
Acting on surprise: emotional response, multiple-channel information seeking and vaccination in the H1N1 flu epidemic

A survey conducted among college students (N = 205), one of the groups most susceptible to the H1N1 influenza virus, examined how people responded to the unexpected public health crisis from their initial emotional reaction, to information seeking, to vaccination behavior. Results showed that surprise upon first learning of the H1N1 flu was positively related to multiple-channel information seeking. People who used multiple channels to get updated about the pandemic reported more favorable attitudes about getting vaccinated against the H1N1 flu and were more likely to regard getting vaccinated as the norm. These cognitive antecedents were positively related to their actual vaccination behavior.
Contributions of Conformational and Structural Defects to the Hyperpolarizabilities of Polymers.

In general, fy electron delocalization is the key to hyperpolarizabilities of polyenes and polyphosphazenes. In polyenes, defects in the regular conjugation pattern have large effects on the hyperpolarizabilities. Charged defects greatly enhance the hyperpolarizability for the longer chains, with increases being approximately an order of magnitude. The large macroscopic hyperpolarizability of polyacetylene is certainly enhanced by these defects, and may even be due principally to defects, and not the it delocalization along the backbone. Conformational changes from the all-trans conformation reduce the hyperpolarizability, but by relatively small amounts. The hyperpolarizabilities of polyphosphazenes are smaller than those of the polyenes, due to the reduced delocalization of the it electrons. The hyperpolarizability of polyphosphazene has not shown any equivalent method for enhancement by defects. Bond alternation reduces the hyperpolarizability, suggesting that conjugation defects, if present, will have a similar effect. Conformation defects also tend to reduce the hyperpolarizability, by a larger amount than for the polyenes. The largest hyperpolarizabilities for polyphosphazene have been found for the regular cis-trans conformation which has the largest fy type bonding interaction.
A compact dual-band antenna for portable wireless communications

We present a novel dual-band conformal antenna for use in portable wireless communication devices. Our design is based upon the wire inverted-F antenna (WIFA). The design employs two parallel closely-spaced WIFA elements embedded in the plastic case of the communications device. The WIFA elements are fed by a single microstrip transmission line located just above the grounding shell of the device. The microstrip line is oriented perpendicular to the WIFA elements and connected to a single coaxial cable feed that penetrates the grounding shell to reach the interior transmitter/receiver electronics. The length of each WIFA element is scaled according to the desired operating frequencies. This allows automatic operation of the antenna at two frequency bands simultaneously. Our conformal antenna design has a small footprint. We apply our design to Motorola's StarTac(R) cellular phone and demonstrate that the new antenna design provides a good radiation performance and bandwidth along with flexible positioning on the surface of the StarTac(R). We use FDTD modeling to obtain results for the voltage standing-wave ratio and radiation patterns.
Resident Physicians' Knowledge of Underserved Patients: A Multi-Institutional Survey

OBJECTIVE To measure actual and perceived resident physician knowledge of underserved patient populations. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Using the existing literature on vulnerable patient populations and interviews with experts in the field, we designed a cross-sectional, multi-institutional survey to assess actual and perceived resident knowledge of topics related to underserved populations. The survey of actual knowledge consisted of 30 multiple-choice questions, and the survey of perceived knowledge consisted of 15 items based on 3-point Likert scales of confidence. RESULTS A total of 498 surveys were completed at 18 residency programs representing 7 different specialties at 10 US institutions. Assessment of perceived knowledge demonstrated that residents were very confident only 14.0% of the time, somewhat confident 66.4% of the time, and not at all confident 19.6% of the time. Assessment of actual knowledge revealed that the average percent correct across all 30 questions was 38%. Women scored better than men (average score, 40.6% vs 36.0%; P =.01), and African Americans scored higher than members of other racial or ethnic groups (average score, 43.5% vs 38.0%; P =.04). Associations between residents' perceived and actual knowledge were generally high. CONCLUSION For the US residents surveyed, the actual and perceived knowledge about most topics relating to underserved populations was low, whereas associations between actual and perceived knowledge were high. These findings suggest the need to improve resident education regarding underserved patient populations.
Leaf litter is an important mediator of soil respiration in an oak-dominated forest

The contribution of the organic (O) horizon to total soil respiration is poorly understood even though it can represent a large source of uncertainty due to seasonal changes in microclimate and O horizon properties due to plant phenology. Our objectives were to partition the CO2 effluxes of litter layer and mineral soil from total soil respiration (SR) and determine the relative importance of changing temperature and moisture mediating the fluxes. We measured respiration in an oak-dominated forest with or without the O horizon for 1 year within the Oak Openings Region of northwest Ohio. Mineral soil and O horizon respiration were subtracted from mineral soil respiration (MSR) to estimate litter respiration (LR). Measurements were grouped by oak phenology to correlate changes in plant activity with respiration. The presence of the O horizon represented a large source of seasonal variation in SR. The timing of oak phenology explained some of the large changes in both SR and LR, and their relationship with temperature and moisture. The contribution to SR of respiration from the mineral soil was greatest during pre- growth and pre-dormancy, as evident by the low LR:MSR ratios of 0.65±0.10 (mean ± SE) and 0.69±0.03, respec- tively, as compared to the other phenophases. Including moisture increased our ability to predict MSR and SR during the growth phenophase and LR for every pheno- phase. Temperature and moisture explained 85% of the variation in MSR, but only 60% of the variation in LR. The annual contribution of O horizon to SR was 48% and the ratio of litter to soil respiration was tightly coupled over a wide range of environmental conditions. Our results suggest the presence of the O horizon is a major mediator of SR.
Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating among College Women in China, South Korea, and the United States: Contrasting Predictions from Sociocultural and Feminist Theories.

Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating were compared across groups of college women from China (n = 109), South Korea (n = 137), and the United States (n = 102). Based on cultural differences i...
A Selenium Analogue of Firefly D-Luciferin with Red-Shifted Bioluminescence Emission†

A selenium analogue of amino-D-luciferin, aminoseleno-D-luciferin, is synthesized and shown to be a competent substrate for the firefly luciferase enzyme. It has a red-shifted bioluminescence emission maximum at 600 nm and is suitable for bioluminescence imaging studies in living subjects.
On codes designed via algebraic lifts of graphs

Over the past few years several constructions of protograph codes have been proposed that are based on random lifts of suitably chosen base graphs. More recently, an algebraic analog of this approach was introduced using the theory of voltage graphs. The strength of the voltage graph framework is the ability to analyze the resulting derived graph algebraically, even when the voltages themselves are assigned randomly. Moreover, the theory of voltage graphs provides insight to designing lifts of graphs with particular properties. In this paper we illustrate how the properties of the derived graphs and the corresponding codes relate to the voltage assignments. In particular, we present a construction of LDPC codes by giving an algebraic method of choosing the permutation voltages and illustrate the usefulness of the proposed technique via simulation results.
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS-NEGATIVE HUMAN MALIGNANT T-CELL LINES

Two lymphoblastoid lines, CCRF-CEM and HSB-2, with properties of malignant cells, derived from children with leukemia secondary to lymphosarcoma, have T-cell properties and lack Epstein-Barr virus antigens.
Antecedent Antimicrobial Use Increases the Risk of Uncomplicated Cystitis in Young Women

To examine whether antecedent antimicrobial use influenced subsequent relative risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) in premenopausal women, data were analyzed from two cohorts of women observed prospectively for 6 months to determine risk factors for UTI. Using a Cox proportional hazards model to adjust for covariates, we found that 326 women in a University cohort and 425 women in a health-maintenance organization cohort were at increased risks for UTI (2.57 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24-5.32] and 5.83 [95% CI, 3.17-10.70], respectively) if antimicrobials had been taken during the previous 15-28 days but not during the previous 3, 7, or 14 days. The increased risks were noted both for women whose antimicrobial use was for treatment of a previous UTI and for women who received antimicrobials for other illnesses. These results suggest that recent antimicrobial use increases a woman's risk of UTI, perhaps by altering the indigenous urogenital flora and predisposing to vaginal colonization with uropathogens.
Frequency dependent effects on Cai transients and cell shortening in myocytes that survive in the infarcted heart

Myocytes that survive in the epicardial border zone of the healing canine infarcted heart provide the substrate for inducible reentrant ventricular arrhythmias. These myocytes have been shown to have altered Ca2+ currents which could impact on Cai homeostasis in these cells. Objective and Methods: To directly measure and compare intracellular Ca2+ transients and cell shortening in myocytes dispersed from control noninfarcted hearts with those from epicardial border zone of 5 day infarcted canine hearts using the Ca2+ sensitive indicator fura-2/AM. Studies were designed to determine and compare the effects of rate and premature stimulation on intracellular Ca2+ in the two cell types. Results: Epicardial cells from noninfarcted hearts (1) exhibited an increase in amplitude of the fura-2 ratio with decreasing pacing cycle length (CL), while cells from the infarcted heart showed the opposite effect; (2) showed more marked acceleration of relaxation of the Cai transient with decreasing CL than myocytes from the infarcted heart; (3) exhibited little or no post rest potentiation in contrast to cells from the infarcted heart; and (4) showed a more rapid recovery during restitution protocols than cells from the infarcted heart. Cell shortening differences were also observed between cell populations in that most cells from the infarcted zone did not show any degree of cell shortening despite the reasonable intracellular Ca2+ transient. Conclusions: The handling of intracellular Ca2+ in myocytes that have survived in the epicardial border zone is very different from that of normal epicardial myocytes suggesting that there may exist marked heterogeneity in intracellular Ca2+ handling in cells in the in situ healing infarcted heart. Electrophysiologic implications of these findings are discussed.
Cryptococcus neoformans Phosphoinositide-Dependent Kinase 1 (PDK1) Ortholog Is Required for Stress Tolerance and Survival in Murine Phagocytes

Cryptococcus neoformans PKH2-01 and PKH2-02 are orthologous to mammalian PDK1 kinase genes. Although orthologs of these kinases have been extensively studied in S. cerevisiae, little is known about their function in pathogenic fungi. In this study, we show that PKH2-02 but not PKH2-01 is required for C. neoformans to tolerate cell wall, oxidative, nitrosative, and antifungal drug stress. Deletion of PKH2-02 leads to decreased basal levels of Pkc1 activity and, consequently, reduced activation of the cell wall integrity mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in response to cell wall, oxidative, and nitrosative stress. PKH2-02 function also is required for tolerance of fluconazole and amphotericin B, two important drugs for the treatment of cryptococcosis. Furthermore, OSU-03012, an inhibitor of human PDK1, is synergistic and fungicidal in combination with fluconazole. Using a Galleria mellonella model of low-temperature cryptococcosis, we found that PKH2-02 is also required for virulence in a temperature-independent manner. Consistent with the hypersensitivity of the pkh2-02Δ mutant to oxidative and nitrosative stress, this mutant shows decreased survival in murine phagocytes compared to that of wild-type (WT) cells. In addition, we show that deletion of PKH2-02 affects the interaction between C. neoformans and phagocytes by decreasing its ability to suppress production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and reactive oxygen species. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that Pkh2-02-mediated signaling in C. neoformans is crucial for stress tolerance, host-pathogen interactions, and both temperature-dependent and -independent virulence.
Exercise in Hypertension A Clinical Review

The current exercise prescription for the treatment of hypertension is: cardiovascular mode, for 20-60 minutes, 3-5 days per week, at 40-70% of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2(max)). Cardiovascular exercise training is the most effective mode of exercise in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. Resistance exercise is not the preferred mode of exercise treatment, but can be incorporated into an exercise regime provided the diastolic blood pressure response is within safe limits. It is inconclusive whether durations longer than 30 minutes produce significantly greater reductions in blood pressure. A frequency of three exercise sessions per week has been considered to be the minimal frequency for blood pressure reduction. Higher frequencies tended to produce greater reductions, although not significantly different. Evidence still exists that high intensity exercise (>75% VO2(max)) may not be as effective as low intensity exercise (<70% VO2(max)) in reducing elevated blood pressures. Exercise can be effective without a change in bodyweight or body fat. Bodyweight or body fat loss and anti-hypertensive medications do not have an added effect on blood pressure reduction associated with exercise. beta-blockade is not the recommended anti-hypertensive medication for effective exercise performance in non-cardiac patients. Not all hypertensive patients respond to exercise treatment. Differences in genetics and pathophysiology may be responsible for the inability of some hypertensive patients to respond to exercise. Ambulatory technology may allow advances in individualising a more effective exercise prescription for low-responders and non-responders.
Screening for sub-threshold psychotic experiences and perceived need for psychological services.

Aim Sub-threshold psychotic experiences (PEs) are common in the general population and may increase risk for psychological distress and psychosis onset, generating a need for effective community screening instruments. This study aimed to explore the utility of a brief, self-report, psychosis risk screening tool in predicting perceived need for psychological treatment among a non-clinical sample, above and beyond that accounted for by accompanying forms of psychopathology or trait neuroticism. Methods Construct validity, predictive validity and test–retest reliability of the brief, self-report questionnaire for screening putative prepsychotic states were determined among college students (N = 679). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between PEs and perceived need for psychological services. Results With the exception of auditory perceptual disturbances, PEs were not significantly associated with one's need for services, or the belief from others that services are needed, after controlling for neuroticism, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Auditory perceptual disturbances were significantly associated with the perceived need for psychological services, even after accounting for these additional symptoms. Conclusions These results confirm the usefulness of the psychosis risk screening tool in evaluating the presence of sub-threshold PEs, particularly auditory perceptual disturbances. The relationship between other PEs and a perceived need for psychological services, however, was largely explained by the existence of neurotic traits and anxiety and depressive symptoms. Screening for auditory perceptual disturbances may be useful in identifying unmet clinical need among young adults.
On the structure of the minimum-time control law for multiple robot arms handling a common object

The problem of the structure of the minimum-time control for multiple robot arms cooperatively handling a common object is addressed. The dynamical system is modeled by considering the arms as closed kinematic chains. It is shown that the structure of the minimum-time control law for individual joint actuators requires that at least one of the actuators is always saturated on any finite-time subinterval, while the rest of them are either saturated or singular depending upon the motion configurations and robot parameters. Thus, it is suggested that the totally singular optimal control does not exist in this problem, while a partially singular control may occur. The theoretical result should provide insight into the dynamic characteristic of the multiple-robot system which can be valuable in the path planning and design specifications of the system. >
The immediate reproducibility of T wave alternans during bicycle exercise.

BLOOMFIELD, D.M., et al.: The Immediate Reproducibility of T Wave Alternans During Bicycle Exercise. A number of recent studies have demonstrated that the microvolt level T wave alternans measured during bicycle exercise can identify patients at high risk for developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias. However, little is known about the reproducibility of T wave alternans measured during bicycle exercise. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the immediate reproducibility of T wave alternans measured during bicycle exercise testing. Thirty-five patients with congestive heart failure underwent two sequential bicycle exercise tests with the measurement of T wave alternans. The T wave alternans tests were randomly sorted and then classified by two readers who were blinded to the patient and the sequence of the two tests. Tests were classified as determinate (positive or negative) or indeterminate according to previously published criteria. Of the 22 patients that had two determinate T wave alternans tests, 18 (82%) of 22 patients had concordant test results (kappa 0.58). Of the four patients who had discordant test results on the two tests, three patients had one test that was borderline and difficult to interpret. One patient had two sequential tests that were clearly different. Of the ten patients whose initial test was indeterminate, five became determinate on the second test. T wave alternans measured during bicycle exercise has an acceptable reproducibility when measurements are made from two sequential exercise tests performed within a short period. This data suggests that the measurement of T wave alternans during exercise is reliable. Repeating the exercise test with a second measure of T wave alternans during the same session can significantly reduce the proportion of patients with indeterminate test results.
Alefacept (LFA3-Ig), portal venous donor specific transfusion (PVDST), and sirolimus prolong renal allograft survival in non-human primates

RT-1l recipient)were sensitized with whole blood 0.5cc IP. Total IgG/ IgM and DSA titers were analyzed by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. Orthotopic liver transplantation and heterotopic heart transplantation were performed using standard techniques. Sensitized animals (SA) underwent transplantation 14 days after transfusion. C3d deposition and endothelial cell integrity were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Plasmapheresis was performed using a 2 25% plasma volume centrifugation protocol (3d-preop/1daypostop). Blockade of classical complement cascade was performed with 10mg/kg anti-C5 mAb IV q4hr 5 doses.
Synaptic arrangements between inner hair cells and tunnel fibers in the mouse cochlea

Hair cells, the sensory cells of the organ of Corti, receive afferent innervation from the spiral ganglion neurons and efferent innervation from the superior olivary complex. The inner and outer hair cells are innervated by distinctive fiber systems. Our electron microscopical studies demonstrate, however, that inner hair cells, in addition to their own innervation, are also synaptically engaged with the fibers destined specifically to innervate outer hair cells, within both the afferent and efferent innervation. Serial sections of the afferent tunnel fibers (destined to innervate outer hair cells) in the apical turn demonstrate that, while crossing toward the tunnel of Corti, they receive en passant synapses from inner hair cells. Each inner hair cell (in a series of five in the apical turn) was innervated by two tunnel fibers, one on each side. We show here for the first time that, in the adult, the afferent tunnel fibers receive a ribbon synapse from inner hair cells and form reciprocal contacts on their spines. Vesiculated efferent fibers from the inner pillar bundle (which carries the innervation to outer hair cells) form triadic synapses with inner hair cells and their synaptic afferent dendrites; the vesiculated terminals of the lateral olivocochlear fibers from the inner spiral bundle synapse extensively on the afferent tunnel fibers, forming triadic synapses with both afferent tunnel fibers and their synaptic inner hair cells. This intense synaptic activity involving inner hair cells and both afferent and efferent tunnel fibers, at their crossroad, implies functional connections between both inner and outer hair cells in the process of hearing.
The Tolerance to Aluminum of Triticum N‐Genome Amphiploids

Aluminum limits wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields on acid soils. An aluminum-tolerant, N-genome Triticum species was used to produce amphiploids, which were tested lor tolerance to 0.44 mM aluminum in solution, to assess the possibility of transferring tolerance to bread wheat. Two types of amphiploids, having the N-genomc (Triticum uniaristatum) in common, were produced by treating three different Triticum ventricosum (DDNN) ×Triticum turgidum (AABB) hybrids and a single Triticum ventricosun×Triticum timopheevii (AABB) hybrid with colchicine. It would appear that the N-genome amphiploids can be utilized to transfer tolerance to aluminum to cultivated Triticum species and to study the genetics of tolerance in the N genome.
Racial/ethnic disparities in timing of death during childhood among children with congenital heart defects.

BACKGROUND Infants with congenital heart defects (CHD) have increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Little is known about racial/ethnic differences in timing of death during childhood. Our intent was to investigate racial/ethnic differences in mortality for CHDs during specific time periods in childhood. METHODS Texas Birth Defect Registry data were used for a retrospective cohort study with 30,015 singleton infants with a CHD, born January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2007, to non-Hispanic (NH) white, NH-black, or Hispanic women. Texas Birth Defect Registry data were linked to Texas death records to ascertain death. Kaplan–Meier survival probabilities and multivariable Cox-proportional hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS NH-blacks and Hispanics with specific CHDs had increased mortality during the postneonatal period and early childhood. NH-blacks had increased postneonatal mortality compared with NH-whites for transposition of the great arteries (HR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.5–4.0), pulmonary valve atresia without ventricular septal defect (HR = 4.1; 95% CI, 1.7–9.7), Ebstein's anomaly (HR = 8.6; 95 CI, 1.2–61.1), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2–3.7), coarctation of the aorta (HR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2–3.5), ventricular septal defect (HR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.6−2.8), and atrial septal defect (HR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1−1.8). Hispanics had increased postneonatal mortality risk for tetralogy of Fallot (HR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1–3.5). Racial/ethnic increases in mortality risk were also observed during infancy and childhood. CONCLUSION Racial/ethnic differences in mortality were most notably observed during the postneonatal period and early childhood. Future studies should assess factors associated with this disparity in mortality risk for infants with CHDs. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 97:628–640, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.