cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bayesian-game based power and spectrum virtualization for maximizing spectrum efficiency over mobile cloud-computing wireless networks

Mobile cloud-computing is a wireless network environment that focuses on sharing the publicly available wireless resources. Wireless network virtualization provides an efficient technique to implement the mobile cloud-computing by enabling multiple virtual wireless networks to be mapped onto one physical substrate wireless network. One of the most important challenges of this technique lies in how to efficiently allocate the wireless resources of physical wireless networks to the multiple virtual wireless network users. To overcome these difficulties, in this paper we propose the Bayesian-game based schemes to resolve the wireless resources allocation problem in terms of transmit power and wireless spectrum. We formulate this wireless resources allocation problem as the gaming process where each mobile user bids for the limited wireless resources from physical substrate wireless networks, and competes with the other mobile-user players bidding for the same resources. Since the bidding strategies for other mobile-user players are incomplete information, we propose the Bayesian-game based schemes to dictate the virtual users to request wireless resources based on the probabilities of these incomplete information. Our proposed game is guaranteed to converge to the Bayesian Nash Equilibrium, where each virtual user optimizes their resources request actions with the consideration to actions of the other mobile-user players. The extensive simulation results obtained validate and evaluate our proposed schemes.
Parameter Margins for Stabilized Conservative Multilinear Systems

Simple and elegant derivations of recent results concerning the computation of infinity-norm real-parameter margins for stabilized, mass-spring dynamical systems with the masses and the spring constraints as uncertain parameters are presented. The authors introduce the concept of critical frequency and gain for stabilized conservative systems whose uncertain parameters do not necessarily appear multilinearly in the numerator and denominator of the plant transfer function. An approach to parameter margin computation is presented.
Power grid adequacy evaluation involving substation cybersecurity issues

Modern power systems heavily rely on the associated cyber network, so it is crucial to develop novel methods to evaluate the overall power system adequacy considering the substation cybersecurity issues. In this study, human dynamic is applied to simulate the temporal behavior pattern of cyber attackers. The Markov game and static game are utilized to model the intelligent attack/defense behaviors in different attack scenarios. A novel framework for power system adequacy assessment incorporating the cyber and physical failures is proposed. Simulations are conducted based on a representative reliability test system, and the influences of critical parameters on system adequacy are carefully examined. It is concluded that effective measures should be implemented to ensure the overall system adequacy, and informed decisions should be made to allocate the limited resources for enhancing the cybersecurity of cyber-physical power grids.
Gas Core Reactor Neutronics —Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Verification

The development of a sound scientific data base that includes key information in the areas of neutronics, thermophysical properties, and materials for cyclic gaseous core reactors has been the obje...
Significant Reduction of Fluoroscopy in Pediatric Catheter Ablation Procedures: Long‐Term Experience from a Single Center

Background: Traditionally fluoroscopy has been used for navigation of catheters during electrophysiological procedures. Recent advances in electroanatomic mapping technologies resulted in a decrease and even in elimination of fluoroscopy exposure during these procedures. Methods: Electrophysiological procedures were performed with the use EnSite NavX™ or Velocity™ (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) systems. Following construction of the right atrial geometry, other relevant geometries were formed (right ventricle, coronary sinus, or left atrium). Fluoroscopy was used in patients with complex congenital heart disease, in younger children, and during transseptal punctures. Cryoablation or radiofrequency was used for catheter ablation. Results: A total of 305 patients underwent catheter ablation for various supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmia substrates using EnSite system guidance. No fluoroscopy was used in 191 (63%) of these cases. The mean fluoroscopy time in the rest of the procedures was 13.9 ± 11.6 minutes (0.2–60 minutes). The mean procedure time was 184 ± 71 minutes. No complications were noted except for temporary diaphragmatic paralysis in one patient and temporary AV block in another patient following cryoablation. Acute success rate in achieving complete elimination of arrhythmia substrates was 95% (290/305). The recurrence rate was (31/271) 11.4% at a mean follow-up time of 42 ± 23 months. Conclusions: Fluoroscopy can be significantly decreased or even eliminated in the majority of catheter ablation procedures. Long-term results demonstrate that this can be done efficiently and safely. (PACE 2012; 35:1067–1073)
Similarities in the immunoglobulin response and VH gene usage in rhesus monkeys and humans exposed to porcine hepatocytes

The use of porcine cells and organs as a source of xenografts for human patients would vastly increase the donor pool; however, both humans and Old World primates vigorously reject pig tissues due to xenoantibodies that react with the polysaccharide galactose α (1,3) galactose (αGal) present on the surface of many porcine cells. We previously examined the xenoantibody response in patients exposed to porcine hepatocytes via treatment(s) with bioartficial liver devices (BALs), composed of porcine cells in a support matrix. We determined that xenoantibodies in BAL-treated patients are predominantly directed at porcine αGal carbohydrate epitopes, and are encoded by a small number of germline heavy chain variable region (VH) immunoglobulin genes. The studies described in this manuscript were designed to identify whether the xenoantibody responses and the IgVH genes encoding antibodies to porcine hepatocytes in non-human primates used as preclinical models are similar to those in humans. Adult non-immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were injected intra-portally with porcine hepatocytes or heterotopically transplanted with a porcine liver lobe. Peripheral blood leukocytes and serum were obtained prior to and at multiple time points after exposure, and the immune response was characterized, using ELISA to evaluate the levels and specificities of circulating xenoantibodies, and the production of cDNA libraries to determine the genes used by B cells to encode those antibodies. Xenoantibodies produced following exposure to isolated hepatocytes and solid organ liver grafts were predominantly encoded by genes in the VH3 family, with a minor contribution from the VH4 family. Immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene (VH) cDNA library screening and gene sequencing of IgM libraries identified the genes as most closely-related to the IGHV3-11 and IGHV4-59 germline progenitors. One of the genes most similar to IGHV3-11, VH3-11cyno, has not been previously identified, and encodes xenoantibodies at later time points post-transplant. Sequencing of IgG clones revealed increased usage of the monkey germline progenitor most similar to human IGHV3-11 and the onset of mutations. The small number of IGVH genes encoding xenoantibodies to porcine hepatocytes in non-human primates and humans is highly conserved. Rhesus monkeys are an appropriate preclinical model for testing novel reagents such as those developed using structure-based drug design to target and deplete antibodies to porcine xenografts.
Probabilistic performance of state estimation across a lossy network

We consider a discrete time state estimation problem over a packet-based network. In each discrete time step, a measurement packet is sent across a lossy network to an estimator unit consisting of a modified Kalman filter. Using the designed estimator algorithm, the importance of placing a measurement buffer at the sensor that allows transmission of the current and several previous measurements is shown. Previous pioneering work on Kalman filtering with intermittent observation losses is concerned with the asymptotic behavior of the expected value of the error covariance, i.e.E[P"k] ~. We consider a different performance metric, namely a probabilistic statement of the error covariance Pr[P"[email protected]?M]>[email protected], meaning that with high probability the error covariance is bounded above at any instant in time. Provided the estimator error covariance has an upper bound whenever a measurement packet arrives, we show that for any finite M this statement will hold so long as the probability of receiving a measurement packet is nonzero. We also give an explicit relationship between M and @e and provide examples to illustrate the theory.
Predictors of Time to Nursing Home Placement in White and African American Individuals With Dementia

Objective: This study examined the influence of racial group identification on nursing home placement (NHP) for individuals with dementia before and after adjusting for the possible mediating effec...
Family Networks of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Appalachia

The prevalence of obesity and diabetes has been studied in adolescent and adult populations in poor, medically underserved rural Appalachia of West Virginia. A web-based questionnaire about obesity and diabetes was obtained in 989 family members of 210 Community Based Clinical Research (CBPR) trained adolescent members of a network of 18 science clubs, incorporating 142 families. After age-correction in < 20 years old, 50% of both adolescents and adults were obese. The frequency distribution of obesity was trimodal. In the overall population 10.4% had type 2 diabetes, while 24% of adult, obese subjects had type 2 diabetes. A new metric, the family diabetes risk potential, identified a trimodal distribution of risk potential. In the lowest most common distribution 43% of families had a diabetic family member. In the intermediate distribution, 69% had a diabetic family member, and in the distribution with highest scores all the families had a diabetic member. In conclusion, the poorest counties of rural Appalachia are at crisis level with the prevalence of obesity and diabetes. The distribution of age-corrected obesity and family diabetes risk potential are not normally distributed. We suggest that targeting individual family units at greatest risk offers the most efficient strategy for ameliorating this epidemic.
Practitioner–Faculty Dialectic: Balancing Professional Identities in Adult Education

Professional identities are socially produced and maintained in communities of practice. Becoming a faculty member often requires dual participation in at least two broad communities of practice—vocational and academic. While negotiating membership in higher education, faculty members generally maintain some level of expertise and credibility in their disciplines. This study explores this dialectic from the vantage point of adult education. Interviews with eight adult education faculty members revealed three dimensions of the practitioner–academic identity dialectic: Intellectual Seduction, Inside-Out, and Silencing the Practitioner Voice. These dimensions coalesce into a core theme: Balancing Act. The findings illustrate a continuous tension between professional identities as adult education practitioner and academic. Further, they imply social and cultural scripting of faculty identity and professional experience in relation to an ethos of adult education practice.
OBSERVATION OF MORPHOLOGY OF POLYSTYRENIC MATERIALS USING OXYGEN PLASMA ETCHING

The application of the plasma etching method to determine the size distribution of polybutadiene particles in high impact polystyrene is described
EVALUATION OF ATTITUDES TOWARD LEARNING RESOURCES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

The study attempted to identify attitudes and practices related to the use of media-oriented resources in higher education. Responses of 519 faculty members on a 24-item questionnaire were correlat...
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-DNA Adducts and Survival among Women with Breast Cancer

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are mammary carcinogens in animal studies, and a few epidemiologic studies have suggested a link between elevated levels of PAH-DNA adducts and breast cancer incidence. An association between PAH-DNA adducts and survival among breast cancer cases has not been previously reported. We conducted a survival analysis among women with newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer between 1996 and 1997, enrolled in the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project. DNA was isolated from blood samples that were obtained from cases shortly after diagnosis and before treatment, and assayed for PAH-DNA adducts using an ELISA. Among the 722 cases with PAH-DNA adduct measurements, 97 deaths (13.4%) from all causes and 54 deaths (7.5%) due to breast cancer were reported to the National Death Index (NDI) by December 31, 2002. Using Cox proportional hazards models and controlling for age at diagnosis, we did not find evidence that all-cause mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57–1.37), or breast cancer mortality (HR = 1.20; 95% CI: 0.63–2.28) was strongly associated with detectable PAH-DNA adduct levels compared with non-detectable adducts; additionally, no dose-response association was observed. Among a subgroup with treatment data (n=520), adducts were associated with over a two-fold higher mortality among those receiving radiation, but mortality for adducts was reduced among hormone therapy users. Results from this large population-based study do not provide strong support for an association between detectable PAH-DNA adducts and survival among women with breast cancer, except perhaps among those receiving radiation treatment.
Two constructions of affine Lie algebra representations and boson-fermion correspondence in quantum field theory

We establish an isomorphism between the vertex and spinor representations of affine Lie algebras for types Dl(1)and Dl + 1(2). We also study decomposition of spinor representations using the infinite family of Casimir operators and prove that they are either irreducible or have two irreducible components. We show that the vertex and spinor constructions of the representations can be reformulated in the language of two-dimensional quantum field theory. In this physical context, the two constructions yield the generalized sine-Gordon and Thirring models, respectively, already in renormalized form. The isomorphism of representations implies an equivalence of these two models which is known in quantum field theory as the boson-fermion correspondence
An angiogenin-binding protein from endothelial cells.

Abstract A 42-kDa bovine protein that binds bovine angiogenin [angiogenin binding protein (AngBP)] has been identified as a dissociable cell-surface component of calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells and a transformed bovine endothelial cell line, GM7373. Binding of 125I-labeled bovine angiogenin (125I-Ang) to AngBP occurs with an apparent Kd approximately 5 x 10(-10) M and is specific, saturable, and inhibited by excess unlabeled angiogenin. 125I-Ang can be crosslinked efficiently to AngBP by a water-soluble carbodiimide, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbo-diimide. Bovine ribonuclease A competes with the binding of 125I-Ang to AngBP, but lysozyme does not. Direct binding to AngBP of 125I-labeled bovine ribonuclease A is, however, much weaker than that of 125I-Ang. Two enzymatically active derivatives of angiogenin cleaved at residues 60-61 and 67-68, respectively, fail to induce angiogenesis and also bind to AngBP only weakly. AngBP has been isolated by treatment of cells with heparan sulfate, affinity chromatography on angiogenin-Sepharose of the material dissociated from the cell surface, and gel filtration HPLC. The results suggest that AngBP has the characteristics of a receptor that may likely function in angiogenesis.
An Analysis of Pedagogical Effects of Alternative Teaching Approaches of Goal Programming

Lee, Shim, and Lee [12] suggested the superiority of the signal flow graph (SFG) method over the modified simplex method in enhancing students' learning of goal programming (GP). The present study empirically investigated this claim by analyzing the effect of the SFG method of GP on students' learning. In the process, this study also developed an effective tool for measuring GP knowledge. The findings showed that students who learned the SFG method understood GP better and more easily than those who learned the concept through the modified simplex method. The students who learned the SFG method of GP were also less dependent on rules or formulas than the students who learned the modified simplex method.
Bangkok's Linguistic Landscapes: Environmental Print, Codemixing and Language Change

This paper examines the linguistic landscapes of 15 Bangkok neighbourhoods to explore questions of language contact, language mixing and language dominance. It provides a linguistic framework for analysis of types of codemixing. It highlights the importance and influence of English as a global language. It examines the signs from government sources versus those from the private sector. It also reveals the extent of linguistic diversity in a large metropolitan area like Bangkok by a comparison of various neighbourhoods. Moreover it offers evidence of a shift from Chinese to English as the major language of wider communication in the city. From a linguistic perspective, the paper documents the influence of English on the development of Thai, not just in the form of lexical borrowing, but also in the areas of orthography, pronunciation and syntax. At the same time, the study provides evidence of a nascent Thai variety of English. At the theoretical level, this study calls into question the boundaries of a sp...
Intratumoral IL-12 Gene Therapy Results in the Crosspriming of Tc1 Cells Reactive Against Tumor-associated Stromal Antigens

HLA-A2 transgenic mice bearing established HLA-A2neg B16 melanomas were effectively treated by intratumoral (i.t.) injection of syngeneic dendritic cells (DCs) transduced to express high levels of interleukin (IL)-12, resulting in CD8+ T cell-dependent antitumor protection. In this model, HLA-A2-restricted CD8+ T cells do not directly recognize tumor cells and therapeutic benefit was associated with the crosspriming of HLA-A2-restricted type-1 CD8+ T cells reactive against antigens expressed by stromal cells [i.e., pericytes and vascular endothelial cells (VEC)]. IL-12 gene therapy-induced CD8+ T cells directly recognized HLA-A2+ pericytes and VEC flow-sorted from B16 tumor lesions based on interferon (IFN)-γ secretion and translocation of the lytic granule-associated molecule CD107 to the T cell surface after coculture with these target cells. In contrast, these CD8+ T effector cells failed to recognize pericytes/VEC isolated from the kidneys of tumor-bearing HHD mice. The tumor-associated stromal antigen (TASA)-derived peptides studied are evolutionarily conserved and could be recognized by CD8+ T cells harvested from the blood of HLA-A2+ normal donors or melanoma patients after in vitro stimulation. These TASA and their derivative peptides may prove useful in vaccine formulations against solid cancers, as well as, in the immune monitoring of HLA-A2+ cancer patients receiving therapeutic interventions, such as IL-12 gene therapy.
Iodide release from the thyroid as an acute response to epinephrine and norepinephrine.

The effects of epinephrine. norepinephrine and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) on the release of plasma inorganic iodide131 from the thyroid gland were determined by catheterization of the thyroid vein and measurement of total plasma I131 and protein-bound I131 levels in the dog. Inorganic plasma I131 levels increased 60% or more in 5 of 6 dogs following epinephrine administration and in one of 3 dogs receiving norepinephrine. Two dogs receiving TSH iv had significant increases in thyroid vein inorganic I131. The inorganic I131 rise occurred simultaneously with increases in PBI131. Control experiments during a comparable experimental period failed to demonstrate significant changes in inorganic I131 levels. Administration of epinephrine to 2 hypophysectomized dogs yielded inconclusive results as to changes in inorganic plasma I131 levels.
Linear estimation of boundary value processes

In this paper we discuss the problem of estimating boundary value processes in one or several dimensions. The estimator dynamics are described, and by using operator transformations for these dynamics, several implementations are obtained which either diagonalize or triangularize the linear least-squares estimator. These implementations enable us to compute the estimate of the process by using two-filter type of smoothing formulas, or more general smoothing formulas similar to those used for solving the smoothing problem for 1-D causal processes.
Hepatobiliary MR Contrast Agents: 5-Substituted Iron-EHPG Derivatives

A series of iron(III) ethylenebis(2-hydroxyphenyl)glycine [Fe(EHPG)]- derivatives have been examined for their role as paramagnetic hepatobiliary contrast agents for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The 5-substituted complexes, Fe(5-Me-EHPG)-, Fe(5-Cl-EHPG)-, and Fe(5-Br-EHPG)-, have been compared to the parent compound in rat biodistribution and MR imaging studies; correlative in vitro parameters for the complexes, including octanol-buffer partition coefficients and albumin binding affinity, have also been obtained. The three new derivatives exhibited higher degrees of lipophilicity and albumin binding affinity and varying degrees of improvement in liver-to-blood and bile-to-liver concentration ratios measured at 30 min postinjection. The 5-Cl complex had the best overall performance in terms of these tissue ratios as well as in terms of total biliary excretion. Sequential MR images of rats after administration of the complexes revealed subtle pharmacokinetic differences among the derivatives and, in general, correlated well with and complemented the biodistribution results. This study points to the sensitivity of hepatocellular uptake and excretion to simple chemical modifications and, moreover, demonstrates the importance of screening multiple derivatives to select optimal hepatobiliary MR imaging agents.
Elliptic Integrals of Large Moduli

Tables of complete elliptic integrals of the first kind for large moduli are presented in this paper. While elliptic integrals are used in various kinds of engineering work, these tables are particularly useful in calculating mutual and self-inductances of cylindrical coils.
Diffraction Characterization For Process Monitoring, Linewidth Measurement And Alignment

An automated He-Ne laser spectrometer is used to explore fundamental issues associated with non-destructive IC process monitoring on diffraction from drop-in test sites. The system is also used to explore how diffraction alignment signals are affected by incidence angle variations and resist coating. The apparatus consists of an x-ray spectrometer stage which has been retrofit with a He-Ne laser system. The system is automated through the use of an IBM-PC with stepping motor controllers and an auto-ranging current to voltage converter. The diffraction from 3.0µm period features on a specially fabricated wafer consist-ing entirely of drop-in test sites is characterized and correlated with other optical and SEM measurements. Site-to-site correlations across the wafer in various directions show a very significant "bull's eye" effect especially beyond a 3 cm radius. A similar sensitivity is not seen in either image-shearing or line-edge-scanning optical measure-ments. Theoretically, a physical optics model for the diffraction from the structure is shown to be too approximate to predict the measured site-to-site diffraction signals. To explore issues associated with diffraction based alignment, such as might occur with zone plate alignment signals, the first order diffraction is studied as a function of incidence angle and resist coating thickness. The incidence angle did not show rapid variations which might be expected while resist thickness changes gave very significant signal level fluctuations.
Self-administration of injectable contraceptives

Although depot-medroxyprogesterone represents a highly effective contraceptive, its use is associated with poor continuation rates. Although the major reason for discontinuation is menstrual irregularity, the time, expense and inconvenience of clinic visits also pose a barrier to use. Self-administration of the 104-mg subcutaneous formulation might make clinic visits unnecessary. Many medications can be safely self-administered by subcutaneous injection, and patient satisfaction is high. Appropriate patient selection, adequate training, use of prefilled injection devices and counseling regarding bleeding patterns are likely to maximize success rates with self-administration. By improving the convenience of this contraceptive method, self-injection might improve both compliance and continuation rates. The potential for self-administration of this contraceptive deserves formal study.
Metabolism: Sweet enticements to move

The formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones is a carefully orchestrated dance. A study reveals that the metabolism of sugar by glycolysis contributes to its regulation.
Changes in intramuscular cytokine levels during masseter inflammation in male and female rats.

The present study was conducted to examine cytokine profiles in the masseter muscle before and after complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammation and possible sex differences in the cytokine levels. Age matched male and female Sprague Dawley rats were injected with CFA in the mid-region of the masseter muscle. Muscle tissue surrounding the injection site was extracted 6h, 1, 3 and 7 days after the injection to measure TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-4 levels with Luminex multi-analyte profiling (xMAP) technology. The cytokine levels were compared to those obtained from naive rats. CFA injection into the masseter muscle led to a significant time effect in the level of TNF-α compared to that of naive rats. The pattern of changes in TNF-α level after CFA injection was significantly different between the male and female rats owing to the differences in basal levels. CFA injection induced significant time-dependent increases in the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the masseter muscle in both male and female rats. The level of IL-4 was slightly, but significantly, reduced in both sexes at 6h and 3 days after CFA-induced inflammation. No significant sex differences were observed in the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 or IL-4. The results provided novel information about distinct cytokine profiles during CFA-induced muscle inflammation, and the basis for further pursuing contributions of each cytokine in pain processing and analgesic responses in both sexes.
The bittersweet feeling of success: An examination of social perception in negotiation.

Abstract A social preparation framework was used to examine how social cues and intergroup relations affect social judgment and behavior in negotiation. In Experiment 1, subjects negotiated and then learned that their opponent felt happy/disappointed/neutral. Negotiators felt less successful when their opponent was happy than when the opponent was disappointed. This effect occurred independent of negotiators′ actual performance on the task. The feeling of success was "bittersweet", however, in that individuals who felt successful also regarded themselves as less honest, less sincere, less generous, and less fair - in short, less honourable in the negotiations. Experiment 2 tested the prediction that intergroup relationships govern the inverse affect and bittersweet effects. Individuals who negotiated with a disappointed opponent felt successful when the opponent was an out-group member, but not when the opponent was an in-group member. Negotiators allocated substantially more resources to in-group members who expressed disappointment with a previous outcome than to out-group members who expressed disappointment.
A Sublimation-initiated Mesoscale Downdraft and Its Relation to the Wind Field below a Precipitating Anvil Cloud

Abstract A simple, one-dimensional model is developed to examine the potential for a sublimation-initiated mesoscale downdraft to influence the dynamics of the subanvil region by advecting horizontal momentum from a high-level precipitating anvil cloud downward into the middle or lower troposphere. Model results suggest that this vertical advection can occur on a time scale of several hours or less, although it is found to be highly dependent upon the snow mixing ratio within the overlying anvil cloud and lapse rates in the environment below. The study is motivated by an examination of data from a 50-MHz radar wind profiler on 24 June 1985 that suggests downward momentum advection from anvil base may have produced unbalanced flow in midlevels, owing to strong flow within the anvil and weak midlevel geostrophic winds. For this situation, we hypothesize that as the anvil cloud both dissipated and was advected horizontally away from the profiler site by the strong, upper-level winds, the downdraft weakened a...
Radioimmunoassay data processing with a small programmable calculator.

Abstract We have developed three programs for data processing for radioimmunoassays RIA implemented on a small, inexpensive, programmable calculator (Texas Instrument Co., Model 59): 1) The first program performs a weighted logit-log regression for analysis of the RIA standard curve, and provides several descriptive statistics: slope, intercept, ED50 (and their corresponding standard errors), residual variance, and correlation coefficient. This program also provides: dose interpolation for unknowns; an estimate of the precision (percent coefficient of variation) for each result; corrections for variable sample volumes or recoveries; and the mean and standard error of the mean for samples analyzed in replicate. 2) The second program uses the “four parameter Logistic model” to describe the dose response curve and perform dose interpolation. This is the equivalent to the use of the Logit-log method, with provision for adjustment for the position of the 0% and 100% response. As such, it is more flexible and v...
The occurrence and characterization of a common antigen relationship between Ustilago maydis and Zea mays

Abstract Antigenic determinants of Ustilago maydis and Zea mays (corn) were compared to see if they contained common antigens. A pair of compatible haploid lines (10A 4 and 17D 4 ) and two diploid solopathogenic lines (410 qq and 132) of the fungus were used that were highly virulent on the inbred corn selection B-164 which was also used in the serological studies. Hordeum vulgare (barley) var. “California Mariout” and Avena sativa (oat) var. “Victory” were used as “resistant” hosts. Serological comparisons of corn, barley and oat with the lines of Ustilago maydis showed that corn and all Ustilago maydis lines shared certain antigens in common; that a strong antigenic relationship existed between the solopathogenic line 132 and 3-day-old oat seedlings (the antigenic relationship of line 132 with 6-week-old oat seedlings was, however, much weaker); that barley did not have any antigens in common with any of the Ustilago maydis lines tested; and that antigenic comparison of the four lines of Ustilago maydis used did not indicate any qualitatively significant serological differences among them. The common antigens between corn and the smut lines 17D 4 and 132 were associated with their ribosomes. In corn and line 17D 4 the common antigens appeared in the protein components of their ribosomes. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of current concepts on the functional role of the ribosome.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Lipoprotein LprG Binds Lipoarabinomannan and Determines Its Cell Envelope Localization to Control Phagolysosomal Fusion

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) virulence is decreased by genetic deletion of the lipoprotein LprG, but the function of LprG remains unclear. We report that LprG expressed in Mtb binds to lipoglycans, such as lipoarabinomannan (LAM), that mediate Mtb immune evasion. Lipoglycan binding to LprG was dependent on both insertion of lipoglycan acyl chains into a hydrophobic pocket on LprG and a novel contribution of lipoglycan polysaccharide components outside of this pocket. An lprG null mutant (Mtb DlprG) had lower levels of surface-exposed LAM, revealing a novel role for LprG in determining the distribution of components in the Mtb cell envelope. Furthermore, this mutant failed to inhibit phagosome-lysosome fusion, an immune evasion strategy mediated by LAM. We propose that LprG binding to LAM facilitates its transfer from the plasma membrane into the cell envelope, increasing surface-exposed LAM, enhancing cell envelope integrity, allowing inhibition of phagosome-lysosome fusion and enhancing Mtb survival in macrophages.
1998 NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF THE LEGAL STATUS OF PARENT EDUCATION

This article reports the findings of a legislative survey conducted to determine the legal status of parent education in the United States. Specifically, this survey reveals that since 1994. the number of states that enacted legislation authorizing or mandating attendance at parent education programs has more than quadrupled. The article features a state-by-state analysis of the various legal models currently in effect, including the source of authority, attendence model, and legal circumstances giving rise to participation. A capsule summary describing specific characteristics of the governing law of each state is also provided for reference.
Bacterial cell wall products increases stabilization of HIF-1 alpha in an oligodendrocyte cell line preconditioned by cobalt chloride or desferrioxamine

Abstract We examined the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipotechoic acid (LTA) on the regulation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1) alpha on the MO3.13 cells, a human oligodendroglial cell line . Our study shows that MO3.13 cells express the toll like receptors (TLR's) but do not increase cellular levels of HIF-1 alpha following exposure to bacterial cell wall products. When MO3.13 cells were preconditioned by desferrioxamine (DFO) or cobalt chloride (CoCl 2 ) and then treated with either LPS or LTA, HIF-1 alpha levels were higher than that induced by DFO or CoCl 2 alone. The increase in HIF-1 alpha was due to increased protein stability that was mediated by activation of the ERK-MAP kinase pathway.
Alternative Treatment to Lymphocyte Immunization for Treatment of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion: Immunotherapy With Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Treatment of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: American Experience

PROBLEM: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is the cause of childlessness in 2–5% of reproducing couples. Immunological mechanisms have been proposed as an etiology in some cases of RSA. Various forms of immunotherapy have been attempted in individuals thought to have an immunologic mechanism associated with RSA. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been used in a pilot study to successfully treat women with RSA. METHOD: To evaluate the efficacy of IVIG in the prevention of RSA as prospective randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was undertaken. Women experiencing two or more consecutive RSAs receive either IVIG 500 mg/kg/month or placebo (albumin). RESULTS: To date 92 women have been enrolled in the study and 58 pregnancies have been achieved. The outcome of the 58 pregnancies include 20 deliveries, 9 ongoing pregnancies and 29 losses. Fourteen (49%) of the 29 pregnancy losses were blighted ova (empty gestational sacs) and 15 (51%) were intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFD's) occurring in the first trimester of pregnancy. Of 14 blighted ova, 8 were in women receiving IVIG and 6 were receiving placebo. Fifteen IUFD's occurred: 3 (20%) in women receiving IVIG and 12 (80%) placebo. Of 11 pregnancy losses occurring in women receiving IVIG, 8 (73%) were blighted ova and 3 (27%) were IUFD's. Eighteen losses occurred in women receiving placebo: 6 (33%) were blighted ova and 12 (67%) were IUFD's. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest IVIG may be effective treatment for RSA. Analysis of data from the completed randomized placebo-controlled trial will test this suggestion.
Expression of Plastid Genes: Organelle-Specific Elaborations on a Prokaryotic Scaffold

Chloroplasts and their nonphotosynthetic relatives in the plastid organelle family evolved from a cyanobacterial endosymbiont (for review, see [Timmis et al., 2004][1]). The subsequent coevolution of the chloroplast and nuclear genomes produced an organelle that is eubacterial at its core but with
Milk folate secretion and folate status of suckling pups during iron deficiency

Abstract The present study was designed to determine when in lactation maternal iron deficiency results in a depression of milk folate secretion and the extent to which the quantity of folate delivered to the nursing rat pup is diminished. Dams (n=42) were fed diets containing 2 mg/kg folate and either 8 (Fe-) or 250 (Fe+) mg/kg iron throughout gestation and lactation. On either d 7, 12 or 17, dams were milked and animals were sacrificed. Both free and total milk folate activities increased from d 7 to d 17 among Fe+ animals (p
Note on an error in a table of theoretical coefficients for gamma-gamma directional correlations

Abstract Theoretical values of Taylor and McPherson for gamma-gamma directional correlation coefficients for a 2(2,3)4(2)2 cascade have been found to be in error. A correct table of values is given.
How the Opinions of Racial Minorities Influence Judgments of Discrimination

We investigated the influence of target versus non-target group members on judgments of racial discrimination. In Study 1, Black individuals were regarded as better sources of information about racial discrimination than White individuals. In Study 2, Black peers were more influential than White peers on judgments of discrimination. In Study 3, the influence of Black peers was moderated by internal concern with prejudice, and mediated by the perceived credibility of the peer. We discuss these findings in terms of targeted social referencing, whereby members of relevant target groups exert more influence than members of non-target groups over assessments of discrimination.
Orbital-angular-momentum-based reconfigurable and “lossless” optical add/drop multiplexing of multiple 100-Gbit/s channels

We propose reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexing in a data link using orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode division multiplexing. Adding/dropping of one OAM mode from three multiplexed OAM modes, each carrying 100 Gbit/s QPSK data is demonstrated, with an OSNR penalty of <; 2dB.
Microwave-Driven Zeolite−Guest Systems Show Athermal Effects from Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics

Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations show that steady-state systems obtained by microwave heating are qualitatively different from those at thermal equilibrium. This difference arises because energy transfer from hotter to colder species is not efficient enough to equilibrate the distribution of energy. Under nonequilibrium conditions, we found that microwave radiation can selectively heat methanol in a binary mixture of methanol-benzene adsorbed in faujasite zeolite. The difference in steady-state temperatures follows the trend Tmethanol > Tbenzene > Tzeolite, which is qualitatively consistent with recent experimental results.
Strategies for Improving Patient Safety: Linking Task Type to Error Type

This article reviews the connection between task type (skill based, rule based and knowledge based) and human error. Using real-life examples, each task type and error type is described in detail. Understanding how task type contributes to medical error enhances the ability of nurses to make meaningful changes in health care systems. Through error wisdom, nurses and other health care providers can more successfully navigate health care delivery and ultimately provide safer care to patients.
Properties of the Passive Films Formed on Ferritic Stainless Steels in Cl− Solutions

Abstract The pitting resistance of Fe-Cr and Fe-Cr-Mo alloys has been correlated with characteristics of the passive films as analyzed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Increased film protectiv...
Molecular Simulations Illuminate Rhodopsin Activation Based on New Crystal Structures

The rhodopsin proteolipid system was modeled through all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the microsecond timescale and compared to experimental 2H NMR data. The post-isomerization behavior of the covalently bound ligand, retinal, was tested for two independent models: (i) the counterion-switch (neutral binding pocket) and (ii) complex-counterion (negative binding pocket) [1]. Each model leads to distinct geometrical rearrangements, with direct implications for interpretation of recent rhodopsin crystal structures [2,3]. The distinctive feature of the counterion-switch simulation entails fluctuations of the C11=C12-C13=C14 dihedral angle. These motions are correlated with changes in the C5-, C9-, and C13-methyl group orientations, and result in a long-axis flip of the polyene chain within the binding pocket of rhodopsin. In contrast, the complex-counterion simulation produced retinal fluctuations at the C7=C8-C9=C10 dihedral. This facilitates stabilization of the methyl group orientations (≈60° with respect to the membrane normal), consistent with 2H NMR results for the Meta I state [4]. Recently, a putative structure of the fully-activated Meta II state revealed a long-axis flip of the retinylidene chain relative to its orientation in the dark state [2]. Our simulations show that electrostatic changes to the rhodopsin binding pocket lead to alternate pathways of retinal conformational release. Agreement between simulation and spectroscopy indicates that the retinylidene flip may only occur in the Meta I ↔ Meta II transition. These simulations provide an essential framework for interpreting molecular snapshots (crystal structures) of membrane protein activation, illuminating how small-scale changes in a GPCR binding pocket can affect large-scale membrane protein-lipid bilayer dynamics.[1] K. Martinez-Mayorga et al. (2006) JACS 128:16502.[2] H.-W. Choe et al. (2011) Nature 471:651.[3] J. Standfuss et al. (2011) Nature 471:656.[4] G.F.J. Salgado et al. (2006) JACS 128:11067.
Information security for agent‐based WWW medical information retrieval

Electronic information retrieval is becoming a necessity for most businesses, including medical practice. Agent technology promises to provide a facile means for intelligently searching the Internet. However, any agent or other electronic information placed onto the Internet poses a security risk. Encryption and firewalls are traditional methods for increasing Internet information security, but are these techniques sufficient to protect adequately electronic information carried by Internet agents? Need to know and partial information strategies are discussed as methods for improving information security for Internet agents.
Transforming or restraining rumination: The impact of compassionate reappraisal versus emotion suppression on empathy, forgiveness, and affective psychophysiology

We tested the effects of practicing compassionate reappraisal vs. emotional suppression as direct coping responses to victims’ ruminations about a past interpersonal offense. Participants (32 females, 32 males) were randomly assigned to learn one coping strategy which immediately followed three of six offense rumination trials (counterbalanced). For both strategy types, coping (vs. offense ruminating) reduced ratings of negative emotion, decreased the use of negative emotion language, and reduced tension at the brow muscle (corrugator EMG). Only compassionate reappraisal coping (vs. offense rumination) immediately prompted greater empathy and emotional forgiveness toward the offender. Empathy ratings for the first coping trial mediated the relationship between strategy type and empathy ratings for the final rumination trial. Compassionate reappraisal strategy participants increased their empathy toward the offender while ruminating at the end of the study. Compassionate reappraisal participants (vs. emoti...
Designing interventions to reduce psychological distance in globally distributed teams

In this paper we consider how the concept of psychological distance can inform interventions that promote positive outcomes in globally distributed teams. We focus on two primary characteristics of such teams: physical distance between members, and social distance in the form of heterogeneity among members. We present a theoretical model describing how these characteristics of geographically distributed teams affect how members think and feel about each other. We discuss teambuilding interventions informed by the psychological distance perspective.
On the mathematics of exchange processes in fixed columns. V. The equilibrium-theory and perturbation solutions, and their connexion with kinetic-theory solutions, for general entry conditions

The equilibrium-theory equations for an exchange process in a fixed column are reduced to ∂ u ∂ x + ∂ v ∂ y = 0 , u − r v + ( r − 1 ) u v = 0. For r
Information Processing Abilities and Performance on Two Perceptual-Motor Tasks

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the hypothesized information-processing mechanisms, thought to be reflected by the slope and intercept of the regression of choice reaction time on stimulus information or information transmitted could account for performance on two novel laboratory tasks. In addition, analyses were performed to determine whether these theorized mechanisms represent stable within individual abilities or task specific capabilities. Analysis indicated that the slopes obtained from two different choice reaction time paradigms were unrelated while intercepts were moderately correlated. Examination of the pattern of zero-order correlations further showed that regression components were not meaningfully related to performance on either novel task, suggesting that knowledge of information-processing mechanisms, as assessed in choice RT paradigms, did not enhance the understanding of performance in more complex tasks.
Aromatic metabolism in plants III. Quinate dehydrogenase from mung bean cell suspension cultures

Quinate dehydrogenase (Quinate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.24) was extracted from liquid suspension cultures of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.). The cells were disrupted by ultrasonic energy, and the enzyme purified by precipitation with ammonium sulfate and elution from columns of Sephadex G-50 and hydroxylapatite. The enzyme was unstable but the activity could be maintained for several weeks after purification of hydroxylapatite when stored at pH 7.5 and at −20°. The optimum pH for activity was 9.6. The enzyme was specific for NAD+. Addition of phenylpyruvate, phenylalanine, cinnamate, or shikimate had no effect on its activity. The enzyme was inhibited by sulfhydryl inhibitors, borate, molybdate, and dehydroquinate. 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid were competitive inhibitors. The cells also contained 5-dehydroquinate dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.10) and shikimate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.25) and thus contained all the enzymes necessary for the interconversion of quinate and shikimate. Quinate dehydrogenase resembled shikimate dehydrogenase in its pH optimum, inhibition by borate and by the substituted benzoic acids.