cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vapor phase oxidation of dimethyl sulfide with ozone over V2O5/TiO2 catalyst

Abstract The removal of volatile and odorous emissions from pulp and paper industrial processes usually generates secondary pollution which is treated further by scrubbing, adsorption, and catalytic incineration. Studies using a flow reactor packed with 10% vanadia/titania (V2O5/TiO2) catalyst showed complete conversion of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the presence of ozone. The molar yields of partial oxidation products were only 10–20%. Small amounts of partial oxidation products, such as and dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), were also formed. The results of the oxidation of DMS using ozone only, ozone plus catalyst, and oxygen plus catalyst suggest that the combined use of O3 with catalyst is essential for the complete destruction of DMS to CO2 and SO2. A Box-Behnken design was used to determine the factors that have a significant effect on the conversion and selectivity of the products. It was concluded that product selectivity is strongly influenced by temperature, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV), and ozone concentration. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, surface area measurements, and SEM techniques. Time-on-stream studies carried out in a 500 ppmv gas stream held at 150 °C for 6 h, using 2 g of the catalyst, an ozone-to-DMS molar ratio of 0.9, and a GHSV of 37,000 h−1, yielded 99.9% conversion of DMS. A plausible reaction mechanism has been proposed for the oxidation of DMS based on reaction product distribution and possible intermediates formed.
Synthesis of pentadentate mixed dithiolate chelating ligands derived from heterocycles and 2-mercaptoethylamines

Condensation of 2,6-pyridinedialdehyde with 2-mercaptoethylamines or 2-alkylthioethylamines yielded 2,6-bis(substituted-2-thiazolidinyl)pyridine or 2,6-bis-((2-alkyl-thio)ethylimino)methylpyridine. The thiazolidines can be reductively opened to give 2,6-bis-((substituted-2-thioethyl)aminomethyl)pyridines. Alternatively, the latter may be synthesized by reductive amination of 2,6-pyridinedialdehyde with 2-mercaptoethylamines. Reaction of 2,5-thiophenedicarbonyl chloride with 2-mercaptoethylamines led to N,N′-bis(substituted-2-thioethyl)-2,5-thiophenedicarboxamides. 2,6-Bis-((substituted-2-thioethyl)aminomethyl)pyridines and N,N′-bis(substituted-2-thioethyl)-2,5-thiophenedicarboxamides are novel pentadentate mixed NS dithiolate chelating reagents which can form ferric complexes of biomimetic importance.
Hydration of the Skin and Its Effect on Sweating and Evaporative Water Loss

Preliminary reports from this laboratory (1) have emphasized the relationship between the regional rates of insensible water loss and the vapor pressure of the skin. Skin vapor pressures were calculated from the equation developed for determination of skin humidity. Evidence indicates that calculation of skin vapor pressure from skin temperature alone, disregarding the role of relative humidity of the skin, is not valid.
The fine structure of fibrillar components and plasma membrane contacts in esophageal myoepithelium of Ascaris lumbricoides (var. suum).

Esophageal myoepithelium of Ascaris consists of syncytially arranged cells penetrated by deep plasmalemmal infoldings. Myofibrillae are transversely oriented to the long axis of the esophagus as bundles of thin (35–75) A and thick (140–175) A myofilaments. Nonmyofibrillar regions of the cytoplasm contain mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and bundles of tightly packed, filaments 75–100 A thick. The myoepithelial plasmalemma is deeply invaginated and forms extensive cavernous, membrane-bounded spaces within the cytoplasm. The invaginated plasmalemmae come into “close” junctional contact forming two, morphologically distinct types of contact in the myofibrillar regions. One is oriented transverse to the long axis of the myofibrils and is similar in morphology to intercalated disks of cardiac muscle. The other is oriented longitudinally with respect to the long axis of the myofibrils and is similar in morphology to “tight junctions” of electrotonic transmitting synapses and between some vertebrate smooth muscle cells. The significance of the above findings is discussed in terms of the function of the two types of fibrillar components and membrane contacts found in the myoepithelium.
Generation of femtosecond X-ray pulses via laser–electron beam interaction

The generation of femtosecond X-ray pulses will have important scientific applications by enabling the direct measurement of atomic motion and structural dynamics in condensed matter on the fundamental time scale of a vibrational period. Interaction of femtosecond laser pulses with relativistic electron beams is an effective approach to generating femtosecond pulses of X-rays. In this paper we present recent results from proof-of-principle experiments in which 300 fs pulses are generated from a synchrotron storage ring by using an ultrashort optical pulse to create femtosecond time structure on the stored electron bunch. A previously demonstrated approach for generating femtosecond X-rays via Thomson scattering between terawatt laser pulses and relativistic electrons is reviewed and compared with storage-ring based schemes.
Physeal Fractures in the Horse:I. Classification and Incidence

Seventy appendicular skeletal physeal fractures in 67 horses were reviewed and classified using the Salter-Harris classification. All the horses were less than 2 years old (mean age at injury 6.2 months). The mean age at injury for pressure physeal fractures (5.2 months) was significantly less (p < .05) than for traction physeal fractures (8.3 months). The majority (67.2%) of the horses were female. Forty-eight (69%) pressure physes and 22 (31%) traction physes were affected. The most common pressure and traction physeal fracture sites were the proximal femoral physis and the proximal ulnar physis, respectively. Sixty-seven physeal fractures were classified: 14 as Type I (20.9%), 42 as Type II (62.7%), six as Type III (8.9%), and five as Type IV (7.5%). Forty-six pressure physeal fractures were classified: six as Type I (13.0%), 30 as Type II (65.2%), five as Type Hi (10.9%), and 5 as Type IV (10.9%).
Consequences of Differentiated Leadership in Groups

This study addressed the unresolved issue of how differentiated leadership (leaders treating individuals within a group differently) affects group effectiveness. We developed and tested a group-lev...
ICEDB: Intermittently-Connected Continuous Query Processing

Current distributed database and stream processing systems assume that the network connecting nodes in the data processor is "always on," and that the absence of a network connection is a fault that needs to be masked to avoid failure. Several emerging wireless sensor network applications must cope with a combination of node mobility (e.g., sensors on moving cars) and high data rates ('media-rich sensors capturing videos, images, sounds, etc.). Due to their mobility, these sensor networks display intermittent and variable network connectivity, and often have to deliver large quantities of data relative to the bandwidth available during periods of connectivity. This paper describes ICEDB (Intermittently Connected Embedded Database), a continuous query processing system for intermittently connected mobile sensor networks. ICEDB incorporates two key ideas: (1) a delay-tolerant continuous query processor, coordinated by a central server and distributed, across the mobile nodes, and, (2) algorithms for prioritizing certain query results to improve application-defined "utility" metrics. We describe the results of several experiments that use data collected from a small deployed network of six cars driving in and around Boston and Seattle.
Superconductivity in the W-Tc and W2C-Tc systems

Abstract A series of compositions were prepared in the W-Tc and W 2 C-Tc systems and the lattice parameters and superconducting transition temperatures, T k , determined. Three phases occur in the W-Tc system: an A2-tye (bcc) solid solution extending from 0 to 50 at.% Tc with the T k increasing to 8.2 K; a sigma phase region from 60 to 75 at.% Tc where the T k increases from 7.1 to 9.0 K; and an A3-type (hcp) solid solution over the range of 82 to 100 at.% Tc in which the T k decreases from the maximum value of 10.3 K at the phase boundary to the 7.9 K value of Tc. The hexagonal W 2 C forms a continuous solid solution with technetium and is superconducting over the entire range. As the technetium content is increased, the T k of the W 2 C decreases from 3.3 K to a minimum value of 2.5 K at 50 at.% Tc and then rises smoothly to 7.9 K as the Tc concentration is increased from 50 to 100 at%. Similar measurements were also made on the W 2 CRe system.
WATER TRANSFER AND CELL STRUCTURE IN ISOLATED CRAYFISH MUSCLE FIBERS.

Changes in volume of crayfish single muscle fibers in response to changes in ionic or electrical conditions have been studied in conjunction with electrophysiological measurements and electron microscopic examinations. The occurrence of at least three mechanisms of water movements is revealed, two being processes which are superimposed on the normal osmotic water movement that results from a change in the concentration of solute in the medium. Differences between the time courses of the changes in volume and potential on changing Ki/Ko indicate that water may be distributed unequally for a time within compartments of the fiber. Electron micrographs reveal a selective accumulation of water at the periphery of the fiber under certain conditions. A correlation of H2O transfer with a change in membrane potential is apparent in crayfish muscle fibers and is probably due to electroosmotic effects. Electrokinetic water movements are produced whenever the membrane potential is changed to a considerable degree by changing the level of K and/or Cl in the medium, or by applying currents with an intracellular microelectrode. Depolarizations cause shrinkage. Hyperpolarizations or repolarizations cause swelling. The volume changes are independent of the occurrence or absence of swelling in the anion-permselective transverse tubular system. They indicate that the fiber membrane along the surface is heterogeneous, not only with respect to the signs of its fixed charge sites, but also with respect to the sizes and relative permselectivities of these charged channels.
‘Blacks and bubbas’: Stereotypes, ideology, and categorization processes in restaurant servers' discourse:

Individuals employ general, cognitively grounded categorization processes to form expectations for interactions with members of other social groups. Such categorizations sometimes surface in the form of racial, ethnic, or other stereotypes. But although much literature describes and/or tests the cognitive nature of stereotyping and categorization, less investigates how stereotypes and categories are formed in casual interaction, through casual discourse. This article analyzes data from 15 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with restaurant servers to investigate how they categorize customers by drawing on racial stereotypes and stereotypes related to class and/or cultural capital to produce two types of discriminatory discourse: ‘racetalk’ and what we term ‘regiontalk’. Our analyses suggest potential differences in the servers’ processes of categorization according to patron type, which we interpret with regard to the larger context of racism and classism in contemporary U.S. society.
A systematic approach to developing national technology policy and strategy for emerging technologies: A case study of nanotechnology for Thailand's agriculture industry

This research develops a systematic approach for policy makers to strategically define the national technology policy for emerging technologies. In this approach, a hierarchical decision model is built and qualified expert opinions are used as measurements. There are four levels in the hierarchy: mission, objectives, technological goals, and research strategies. Three panels are formed based on their background and expertise in order to minimize and balance any possible biases among the members. The objectives, technological goals, and research strategies are evaluated and prioritized, according to their contribution to the country's mission, by quantifying the experts' judgments. This research also demonstrates several approaches for the validation of results. Inconsistency measure, intraclass correlation coefficient, and statistical test for the reliability of the experts and group agreement are used for that purpose. Finally, HDM sensitivity analysis is brought in to study the robustness of the rankings, especially at the technology level that may be caused by potential changes in the national strategic direction.
Learning 3-D object orientation from images

We propose a learning algorithm for estimating the 3-D orientation of objects. Orientation learning is a difficult problem because the space of orientations is non-Euclidean, and in some cases (such as quaternions) the representation is ambiguous, in that multiple representations exist for the same physical orientation. Learning is further complicated by the fact that most man-made objects exhibit symmetry, so that there are multiple “correct” orientations. In this paper, we propose a new representation for orientations—and a class of learning and inference algorithms using this representation—that allows us to learn orientations for symmetric or asymmetric objects as a function of a single image. We extensively evaluate our algorithm for learning orientations of objects from six categories.
3′ UTR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene and sudden infant death syndrome: Haplotype analysis

Brion S. Maher, Mary L. Marazita, Casey Rand, Lili Zhou, Elizabeth M. Berry-Kravis, and Debra E. Weese-Mayer* Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Division of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Department of Pediatrics, Rush Children’s Hospital at Rush University Medical Center, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois
Parental influences on adolescent physical activity: a longitudinal study

Physical inactivity is increasing among adolescents in the U.S., especially among girls. Despite growing evidence that parents are an important influence on adolescent health, few longitudinal studies have explored the causal relationship between parental influence and physical activity. This study examines how the relationships between parental influences and adolescent physical activity differ by gender and tests whether these relationships are mediated by adolescents' self-esteem and depression. Data are from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The sample includes 13,246 youth, grades 7 to 12, interviewed in 1995 and again 1 year later. Logit models were used to evaluate parental influences on achieving five or more bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week [MVPA] and whether the relationship between parental influence and MVPA was mediated by adolescents' level of self-esteem and depression. Family cohesion, parent-child communication and parental engagement positively predicted MVPA for both genders one year later (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for females, 1.09 [1.05–1.12], 1.13 [1.07–1.19], 1.25 [1.17–1.33] and males, 1.08 [1.04–1.11], 1.14 [1.07–1.23], 1.23 [1.14–1.33], respectively); however, parental monitoring did not (odds ratio and confidence intervals for females and males, 1.02 [.97–1.07]). For both females and males, self-esteem mediated the relationship between parental influence and physical activity. Depressive symptoms were only a mediator among males. Females reported higher levels of parent-child communication and lower family cohesion compared with males. There were no gender differences in levels of parental monitoring and engagement. Females had significantly lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of depressive symptoms than males. Strategies to promote physical activity among adolescents should focus on increasing levels of family cohesion, parental engagement, parent-child communication and adolescent self-esteem.
Experimental tests of the effects of Al substitution on the goethite-water D/H fractionation factor

Twelve goethite samples with different degrees of substitution of Al for Fe were synthesized at 22°C to 48°C and pH values of 1.5 to 14 under closed system conditions and used to study the effects of Al substitution on the hydrogen isotopic fractionation between goethite and its ambient water. The syntheses followed two pathways: 1) Fe 3+ hydrolysis in high pH aqueous solutions; 2) oxidation of Fe 2+ to Fe 3+ in mid to low pH solutions. XRD and SEM analyses indicated that, irrespective of temperature and pH, goethite was the predominant product of the syntheses in all of the experiments (with degrees of Al substitution as high as ~13 mole percent). “High temperature nonstoichiometric” (HTN) water is present in all of the samples and rapidly exchanges D/H with ambient vapor at room temperature. Uncertainties in the value of the apparent D/H fractionation factor ( e-v) between HTN water and ambient exchange water at 22°C lead to significant uncertainties in determinations of the D values of structural hydrogen ( Ds) in goethites which contain high proportions of HTN water. As determined for the samples of this study, e-v has a nominal value of 0.942 (±0.02). Ds values determined using an e-v value of 0.942 indicate that Al substitution increases the D value of structural hydrogen in goethite by about 1.4 (±0.4) ‰ for each increase in Al of 1 mole %. This dependence on Al is of the same sign as, but somewhat larger in magnitude than, the effect of Al predicted by a published model (~0.7‰ per mole % Al). The overall uncertainties in the current results suggest that an increase of ~1‰ per mole % Al, as adopted by previous studies, may be a reasonable estimate with which to adjust Ds values of natural goethites to those of the pure FeOOH endmember and could be valid for degrees of Al substitution of up to at least 15 mole %. These synthesis experiments also yield a hydrogen isotopic fractionation factor ( D G-W) between pure goethite ( -FeOOH) and liquid water of 0.900 (±0.006), which is analytically indistinguishable from the published value of 0.905 (±0.004). Thus, use of an D G-W value
Pre-clinical screening of immunomodulatory compounds using the parent-into-F1 model.

Activation of the innate immune system by toll-like receptors (TLR) provides an early response to pathogens and shapes the subsequent antigen-specific adaptive immune response [1]. Unmethylated cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) motifs present in bacterial DNA, but not vertebrate DNA, can be detected by Toll like receptor 9 (TLR9) – bearing DC and B cells resulting in a pro-inflammatory Th1 response [2–4]. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) expressing these CpG motifs exhibit similar in vivo biologic activity and have been shown to reduce disease severity for selected pathogens, to promote vaccine responses and to enhance anti-tumor responses (reviewed in Ref. [4]). Conversely, suppressive DNA sequences have also been identified [4]. TTAGGG elements in mammalian telomeric DNA and synthetic ODNs containing these motifs can inhibit pro-inflammatory and Th1 cytokine production [5] and have been reported as beneficial in autoimmune conditions such as collagen-induced arthritis [6] and lupus nephritis [7].
Microarray profiling of progesterone-regulated endometrial genes during the rhesus monkey secretory phase

Background: In the endometrium the steroid hormone progesterone (P), acting through its nuclear receptors, regulates the expression of specific target genes and gene networks required for endometrial maturation. Proper endometrial maturation is considered a requirement for embryo implantation. Endometrial receptivity is a complex process that is spatially and temporally restricted and the identity of genes that regulate receptivity has been pursued by a number of investigators. Methods: In this study we have used high density oligonucleotide microarrays to screen for changes in mRNA transcript levels between normal proliferative and adequate secretory phases in Rhesus monkey artificial menstrual cycles. Biotinylated cRNA was prepared from day 13 and days 21–23 of the reproductive cycle and transcript levels were compared by hybridization to Affymetrix HG-U95A arrays. Results: Of ~12,000 genes profiled, we identified 108 genes that were significantly regulated during the shift from a proliferative to an adequate secretory endometrium. Of these genes, 39 were upregulated at days 21–23 versus day 13, and 69 were down-regulated. Genes up-regulated in Pdominant tissue included: secretoglobin (uteroglobin), histone 2A, polo-like kinase (PLK), spermidine/spermine acetyltransferase 2 (SAT2), secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) and metallothionein 1G (MT1G), all of which have been previously documented as elevated in the Rhesus monkey or human endometrium during the secretory phase. Genes down-regulated included: transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI or BIGH3), matrix metalloproteinase 11 (stromelysin 3), proenkephalin (PENK), cysteine/glycine-rich protein 2 (CSRP2), collagen type VII alpha 1 (COL7A1), secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4), progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1), chemokine (C-X-C) ligand 12 (CXCL12) and biglycan (BGN). In addition, many novel/unknown genes were also identified. Validation of array data was performed by semiquantitative RT-PCR of two selected up-regulated genes using temporal (cycle day specific) endometrial cDNA populations. This approach confirmed up-regulation of WAP four-disulfide core domain 2 (WFDC2) and SLPI during the expected window of receptivity. Conclusion: The identification of P-regulated genes and gene pathways in the primate endometrium is expected to be an important first step in elucidating the cellular processes necessary for the development of a receptive environment for implantation.
Knowledge Flow in Interdisciplinary Teams

Knowledge flow in interdisciplinary teams has become of particular interest as research and alliances cross traditional disciplinary boundaries, and as computing is applied in any domain. The problem is how to share and/or pool knowledge toward a common goal among people with diverse backgrounds. To understand the needs of such groups, it is important to find out what knowledge and learning flows form the basis of their relationships. To explore this, social network data were collected from members of three interdisciplinary teams about what they learned from their closest 5-8 co-workers, and what co-workers learned from them. Results show exchange of factual knowledge to be only one of a number of learning relations that support the teams. Other important relations include learning the process of doing something, information about methods, engaging jointly in research, learning about technology, generation of new ideas, socialization into the profession, access to a network of contacts, and administration work. Distributions of these relations are examined.
Probabilistic calling context

Calling context enhances program understanding and dynamic analyses by providing a rich representation of program location. Compared to imperative programs, object-oriented programs use more interprocedural and less intraprocedural control flow, increasing the importance of context sensitivity for analysis. However, prior online methods for computing calling context, such as stack-walking or maintaining the current location in a calling context tree, are expensive in time and space. This paper introduces a new online approach called probabilistic calling context (PCC) that continuously maintains a probabilistically unique value representing the current calling context. For millions of unique contexts, a 32-bit PCC value has few conflicts. Computing the PCC value adds 3% average overhead to a Java virtual machine. PCC is well-suited to clients that detect new or anomalous behavior since PCC values from training and production runs can be compared easily to detect new context-sensitive behavior; clients that query the PCC value at every system call, Java utility call, and Java API call add 0-9% overhead on average. PCC adds space overhead proportional to the distinct contexts stored by the client (one word per context). Our results indicate PCC is efficient and accurate enough to use in deployed software for residual testing, bug detection, and intrusion detection.
Detection of genotype-environment interaction in case-control studies of birth defects: how big a sample size?

Detecting interactions between risk factors in case-control studies of birth defects and other conditions usually requires increasing the sample size beyond that needed to detect marginal effects. A special case of such interaction is genotype-environment interaction in which the effects of an exposure on disease risk are modified by genetic susceptibility. When case-control studies are designed to detect marginal effects of an exposure (i.e., in the whole population), under many plausible interaction schemes, no additional case and control subjects are needed to detect genotype-environment interaction. On the contrary, inclusion of genotypic information generally can improve the statistical power of the original study. Using the example of oral clefts, maternal cigarette smoking, and genetic variation at the transforming growth factor alpha gene, we illustrate sample size and power issues in designing case-control studies when prior information is available on both the marginal effects of the exposure and the genetic factor.
Bathocyroe fosteri gen.nov., sp.nov.: a mesopelagic ctenophore observed and collected from a submersible

Observations during four dives in the submersible ‘Alvin’ in June 1976 revealed that ctenophores were the most abundant large plankters between 400–700 m. From specimens collected with a slurp-gun device, Bathocyroe fosteri gen.nov., sp.nov., a species characterized by strong lobes, large auricles and red pigmentation of the gut, is described. Few ctenophores have been collected previously from deep water, but observations from submersibles indicate that several species occur throughout the mesopelagic zone.
A computational strategy for multiscale systems with applications to Lorenz 96 model

Numerical schemes for systems with multiple spatio-temporal scales are investigated. The multiscale schemes use asymptotic results for this type of systems which guarantee the existence of an effective dynamics for some suitably defined modes varying slowly on the largest scales. The multiscale schemes are analyzed in general, then illustrated on a specific example of a moderately large deterministic system displaying chaotic behavior due to Lorenz. Issues like consistency, accuracy, and efficiency are discussed in detail. The role of possible hidden slow variables as well as additional effects arising on the diffusive time-scale are also investigated. As a byproduct we obtain a rather complete characterization of the effective dynamics in Lorenz model.
Optimization of energy detector receivers for UWB systems

Practical and low complexity implementation of receivers is of vital importance for the successful penetration of the ultrawideband (UWB) technology. Energy detector receiver is an attractive solution for UWB signal reception trading off complexity with performance. In this paper, joint estimation of the optimal threshold, synchronization point, and integration interval for energy detection based ultrawideband signal reception with on-off keying (OOK) modulation is developed. Suboptimal reception derived from the optimal solution is also given for practical implementations. Gaussian approximation of the received signal statistics enables low complexity solutions at the expense of some performance degradation. The performances of the optimal and suboptimal solutions are evaluated and compared.
Biology and reproductive behavior of Murgantia histrionica (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Life history parameters and reproductive behaviors of the harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica Hahn (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), were determined. Total developmental time from egg to adult was48 d. After a sexual maturation period of7 d, both sexes mated repeatedly, with females laying multiple egg masses of 12 eggs at intervals of 3 d. Adult females lived an average of 41 d, whereas adult males lived an average of 25 d. Courtship and copulation activities peaked in the middle of the photophase. In mating experiments in which mixed sex pairs of virgin and previously mated bugs were combined in all possible combinations, the durations of courtship and copulation by virgin males were signiÞcantly longer with both virgin and previously mated females than the same behaviors for previously mated males. When given a choice between a virgin or previously mated female, previously mated males preferred to mate with virgin females, whereas virgin males showed no preference for virgin over previously mated females. Analyses of mating behaviors with ethograms and behavioral transition matrices suggested that a primary reason for failure to copulate by virgin males was the incorrect rotation of their pygophores to the copulation position, so that successful alignment of the genitalia could not occur.
Web Search via Hub Synthesis

We present a model for web search that captures in a unified manner three critical components of the problem: how the link structure of the web is generated, how the contentof a web document is generated, and how a human searcher generates a query. The key to this unification lies in capturing the correlations between these components in terms of proximity in a shared latent semantic space. Given such a combined model, the correct answer to a search query is well defined, and thus it becomes possible to evaluate web search algorithms rigorously. We present a new web search algorithm, based on spectral techniques, and prove that it is guaranteed to produce an approximately correct answer in our model. The algorithm assumes no knowledge of the model, and is well-defined regardless of the model's accuracy.
The Largest Genomics Study of NMO in History: Whole Genome Sequencing of 150 Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica (P4.007)

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze a large number of NMO patients and controls with whole genome sequencing and determine if there was any evidence of a mendelian inheritance pattern. Background: Neuromyelitis optica is an autoimmune disorder commonly characterized by autoantibodies directed against aquaporin 4. A few studies have identified HLA associations, but these genetic studies have been limited to SNP analyses. Design/Methods: 150 DNA samples from NMO patients and 10 samples from the parents of 5 NMO patients were submitted for whole genome sequencing. Genomes were sequenced to at least 30X coverage using Illumina short read technology. Read data were aligned and variants called using the CASAVA1.8.2 pipeline. For gene definition we used ENSEMBL (Release 68) gene models. Variants were annotated for novelty and frequency relative to HapMap3, and missense mutations were analyzed for functional impact using the combined SIFT/PolyPhen2 module of Condel. HLA types were determined from genome sequences using Omixon software (http://www.omixon.com/hla). Results: Data from the whole genome sequencing confirmed prior studies examining the association with certain HLA types. Specifically, 38% of seropositive NMO patients had DQB*03:01 alleles. 32 of seronegative patients had DRB1*03:01 alleles. No specific mutations were identified in AQP4 genes. Conclusions: NMO patients have different HLA restrictions based on serostatus. There were no specific mutations in AQP4 genes. This is the largest genetic study of NMO in history. Study Supported by Biogen Idec. Samples were provided by the Accelerated Cure Project with some costs of sample acquisition provided by the Guthy Jackson Foundation Disclosure: Dr. Greenberg has received personal compensation for activities with Chugai, GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, Diogenix, Biogen Idec, Amplimmune, Acorda, and MSAA. Dr. Greenberg has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for JAMA Neurology. Dr. Greenberg holds stock and/or stock options in DioGenix, Inc, which sponsored research in which Dr. Greenberg was involved as an investigator. Dr. Greenberg has received research support from Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation, Accelerated Cure Project, and Biogen Idec. Dr. Kerr has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee. Dr. Kerr holds stock and/or stock options in Biogen Idec which sponsored research in which Dr. Kerr was involved as an investigator. Dr. Harris has nothing to disclose. Dr. Day-Williams has nothing to disclose. Dr. Carulli has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee.
HDAC inhibition induces microRNA-182 which targets Rad51 and impairs HR repair to sensitize cells to sapacitabine in acute myelogenous leukemia.

Purpose: The double-strand breaks elicited by sapacitabine, a clinically active nucleoside analogue prodrug, are repaired by RAD51 and the homologous recombination repair (HR) pathway, which could potentially limit its toxicity. We investigated the mechanism by which histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors targeted RAD51 and HR to sensitize acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells to sapacitabine. Experimental Design: Chromatin immunoprecipitation identified the role of HDACs in silencing miR-182 in AML. Immunoblotting, gene expression, overexpression, or inhibition of miR-182 and luciferase assays established that miR-182 directly targeted RAD51. HR reporter assays, apoptotic assays, and colony-forming assays established that the miR-182, as well as the HDAC inhibition–mediated decreases in RAD51 inhibited HR repair and sensitized cells to sapacitabine. Results: The gene repressors, HDAC1 and HDAC2, became recruited to the promoter of miR-182 to silence its expression in AML. HDAC inhibition induced miR-182 in AML cell lines and primary AML blasts. miR-182 targeted RAD51 protein both in luciferase assays and in AML cells. Overexpression of miR-182, as well as HDAC inhibition–mediated induction of miR-182 were linked to time- and dose-dependent decreases in the levels of RAD51, an inhibition of HR, increased levels of residual damage, and decreased survival after exposure to double-strand damage-inducing agents. Conclusions: Our findings define the mechanism by which HDAC inhibition induces miR-182 to target RAD51 and highlights a novel pharmacologic strategy that compromises the ability of AML cells to conduct HR, thereby sensitizing AML cells to DNA-damaging agents that activate HR as a repair and potential resistance mechanism. Clin Cancer Res; 1–13. ©2016 AACR .
Abstract 22: Cost of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Medicare Patients

Background: The financial impact of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the US remains unknown. A rigorous comparison to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) costs and payments is warranted. Methods: Medicare claims provided hospital charges and Medicare payments for patients undergoing SAVR or TAVR between January and December 2012. Hospital-specific cost-to-charge ratios were used to estimate hospital costs. Charges, payments, and costs were examined in a group of TAVR and SAVR patients propensity-matched by age, sex, and common comorbidities (n=3281 pairs). Results: In the propensity-matched sample, Medicare payments were lower for TAVR hospitalizations ($52,200 ± $28,200) than for SAVR hospitalizations ($56,300 ± $32,600, p<0.001). Estimated hospital costs were not significantly different between TAVR ($55,700 ± $26,700) and SAVR ($54,700 ± $36,600) hospitalizations (p=0.185). The difference between estimated hospital costs and payer reimbursements was greater for TAVR hospitalizations ($2,800 ± $23,500, representing a net loss) than for SAVR hospitalizations (-$2,600 ± $18,500, representing a net profit, p<0.01). Post-procedure length of stay was significantly shorter for TAVR patients than for SAVR patients (6.6 ± 5.6 days vs. 10.0 ± 8.1 days, p<0.001). The same was true for total ICU stay (TAVR 3.4 ± 5.1 days vs. SAVR 6.2 ± 8.2 days, p <0.001). Conclusions: Among similarly high-risk patients, Medicare pays more on average for SAVR index hospitalizations than for TAVR index hospitalizations. Conversely, SAVR hospitalizations represent a net profit to providers, whereas TAVR hospitalizations represent a net loss. The magnitude of this loss may affect the future growth of TAVR programs as well as the diffusion of other, new high-cost cardiovascular interventions. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Abstract 460: IL-33 Treatment Prevents Cyclosporine A-Induced Hypertension, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Vascular Remodeling in Mice

The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) causes systemic and renal vascular remodeling, endothelial dysfunction, and hypertension and this is associated with decreased anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Tregs). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), a heterogeneous population of immature granulocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, play a central regulatory role in immune responses by inhibiting various pro-inflammatory innate and adaptive immune cells as well as stimulating Treg expansion. We hypothesized that CsA causes vascular remodeling, endothelial dysfunction, and hypertension in part by decreasing MDSCs and that augmentation of MDSCs in vivo with IL-33 treatment can prevent these effects. Daily treatment of male C57BL6/J mice for 1 week with CsA (50 mg/kg/day, ip) and IL-33 (0.5 ug/day, ip) prevented the CsA-induced decrease in splenic MDSC levels (Day 7 % of lymphocytes: Con=3.7±0.9, CsA=2.1±0.5*, CsA+IL-33=3.2±0.3; *p
Hydrogen sulfide deactivates common nitrobenzofurazan-based fluorescent thiol labeling reagents.

Sulfhydryl-containing compounds, including thiols and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), play important but differential roles in biological structure and function. One major challenge in separating the biological roles of thiols and H2S is developing tools to effectively separate the reactivity of these sulfhydryl-containing compounds. To address this challenge, we report the differential responses of common electrophilic fluorescent thiol labeling reagents, including nitrobenzofurazan-based scaffolds, maleimides, alkylating agents, and electrophilic aldehydes, toward cysteine and H2S. Although H2S reacted with all of the investigated scaffolds, the photophysical response to each scaffold was significantly different. Maleimide-based, alkylating, and aldehydic thiol labeling reagents provided a diminished fluorescence response when treated with H2S. By contrast, nitrobenzofurazan-based labeling reagents were deactivated by H2S addition. Furthermore, the addition of H2S to thiol-activated nitrobenzofurazan-based reag...
Anthropogenic Currents and Shoreline Water Quality in Avalon Bay, California

Shoreline concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and fecal indicator viruses (FIV) in Avalon Bay (Catalina Island, California) display a marked diurnal pattern (higher at night and lower during the day) previously attributed to the tidal flux of sewage-contaminated groundwater and the tidal washing of contaminated sediments, coupled with light and dark die-off of FIB and FIV (Boehm, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 2009, 43, 8046−8052). In this paper we document the existence of strong (peak velocities between 20 to 40 cm/s) transient currents in the nearshore waters of Avalon Bay that occur between 07:00 and 20:00 each day. These currents, which have a significant onshore component, are generated by anthropogenic activities in the Bay, including prop wash from local boat traffic and the docking practices of large passenger ferries. A budget analysis carried out on simultaneous measurements of FIB at two cross-shore locations indicates that anthropogenic currents contribute to the diurnal cycling ...
The Competition Knowledge Test

The Competition Knowledge Test has been reported to be a reliable measure of competitive behavior and those often misconstrued as competitive behavior. This confusion was illustrated by 486 college students. Mean time to administer the test was 32 min. The 60-item multiple-choice test was designed for use in teaching and research.
CLOSURE THEOREMS FOR SEQUENTIAL-DESIGN PROCESSES

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on stochastic control and decision processes that occur in a variety of theoretical and applied contexts, such as statistical decision problems, stochastic dynamic programming problems, gambling processes, optimal stopping problems, stochastic adaptive control processes, and so on. It has long been recognized that these are all mathematically closely related. That being the case, all of these decision processes can be viewed as variations on a single theoretical formulation. The chapter presents some general conditions under which optimal policies are guaranteed to exist. The given theoretical formulation is flexible enough to include most variants of the types of processes. In statistical problems, the distribution of the observed variables depends on the true value of the parameter. The parameter space has no topological or other structure here; it is merely a set indexing the possible distributions. Hence, the formulation is not restricted to those problems known in the statistical literature as parametric problems. In nonstatistical contexts, the distribution does not depend on an unknown parameter. All such problems may be included in the formulation by the device of choosing the parameter space to consist of only one point, corresponding to the given distribution.
Combinatorial and analytic properties of the n-dimensional Hermite polynomials

Abstract We investigate some combinatorial and analytic properties of the n-dimensional Hermite polynomials introduced by Hermite in the late 19-th century. We derive combinatorial interpretations and recurrence relations for these polynomials. We also establish a new linear generating function and a Kibble–Slepian formula for the n-dimensional Hermite polynomials which generalize the Kibble–Slepian formula for the univariate Hermite polynomials and the Poisson kernel (Mehler formula) for the n-dimensional Hermite polynomials.
Achieving the BpTRUth: emergency department hypertension screening and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services quality measure

In 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) instituted a Physician Quality Reporting System measure for screening and referring patients with elevated blood pressure (BP). The aims of this study were to (1) assess the reliability of ED triage BP as a metric to establish when the CMS threshold (≥120/80 mm Hg), and other clinically relevant BP thresholds (≥140/90 and ≥160/100 mm Hg) have been met, using BP measured with a highly accurate device (BpTRU) in the emergency department as the gold standard; and (2) determine whether correct identification varies by gender, race, or triage acuity. Using the BpTRU, we calculated the proportion of patients whose triage BP accurately indicated a need for further referral and treatment for hypertension according to three suggested BP thresholds (≥120/80, ≥140/90, and ≥160/100 mm Hg). Of 354 patients, the median age was 39 years, 48.9% were women, and 66.4% were White. At the three suggested BP thresholds (≥120/80, ≥140/90, and ≥160/100 mm Hg), 66.1%, 74.0%, and 88.8% of patients were confirmed to meet the CMS threshold, respectively. There were no differences by gender, race, or triage acuity. Emergency department triage BP would reliably identify elevated BP using the CMS threshold in up to two-thirds of those without known hypertension.
Intractable cerebral Nocardia mexicana in a GvHD patient successfully treated with linezolid

Intractable cerebral Nocardia mexicana in a GvHD patient successfully treated with linezolid
Functional MRI Studies of Eyeblink Classical Conditioning

The imaging technique of fMRI has a number of advantages over other brain imaging techniques that results in physiological images of the best possible spatial and temporal resolution. This imaging technique coupled with the precision possible from the large data base on the neural basis of eyeblink classical conditioning make studies of fMRI and eyeblink classical conditioning potentially significant. The neural basis of human associative learning may be imaged as it progresses in various structures in the brain.
The Future of Intramedullary Limb Lengthening

The development of lengthening nail has spurred surgeons to apply reversible lengthening nails for intra-fragmentary compression in acute fractures and non-unions. Likewise, an opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (for gonarthrosis) can now be achieved with a specially designed lengthening nail. Short residual limbs following femoral amputations may ultimately yield to double telescopic lengthening nails. Also, bone transport can be achieved with modified lengthening nails. Finally, the subject of cosmetic stature surgery is worthy of debate, with the strong emotions on both sides of the aisle.
The political ecology of human-elephant relations: comparing local perceptions of elephants around Chyulu Hills and Mount Kasigau in southern Kenya

Abstract Although African elephants have a global appeal and donors especially in the global North significantly support their protection, rural African's attitudes towards elephant conservation are complex, and discouraging in certain locations. A proper understanding of the attitudes of people living around protected areas towards elephants is important for designing successful elephant conservation programs. Using a political ecology framework, this study assessed attitudes towards elephant among two communities living near protected areas in the Tsavo region of Kenya; the Kamba who live around Chyulu Hills National Park and the Kasigau Taita who live around Mt. Kasigau Forest, Kenya. I conducted in depth interviews with local residents, to examine the link between local attitudes towards elephants with the political-ecological history of extra-local effects especially the establishment and management of protected areas. The results show that residents around Mt. Kasigau had more favorable attitudes towards elephants than those around the Chyulu Hills National Park. This article concludes that local perceptions about elephants in the Tsavo region are political, they are embedded in issues of rights to livelihood, and access to and control over lands and resources. I argue that local meanings and concerns about elephants need to be integrated in the management plans of protected areas. Key Words: elephants, Chyulu Hills, Mount Kasigau, conservation, political ecology, protected areas
Asymmetric Oxidative Coupling of Phenols and Hydroxycarbazoles.

The first examples of asymmetric oxidative coupling of simple phenols and 2-hydroxycarbazoles are outlined. Generation of a more vanadium catalyst by ligand design and by addition of an exogenous Bronsted or Lewis acid was found to be key to coupling the more oxidatively resistant phenols. The resultant vanadium complex is both more Lewis acidic and more strongly oxidizing. Good to excellent levels of enantioselectivity could be obtained, and simple trituration readily provided the products with ≥95% ee.