cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discovery of SMAD4 promoters, transcription factor binding sites and deletions in juvenile polyposis patients

Inactivation of SMAD4 has been linked to several cancers and germline mutations cause juvenile polyposis (JP). We set out to identify the promoter(s) of SMAD4, evaluate their activity in cell lines and define possible transcription factor binding sites (TFBS). 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'-RACE) and computational analyses were used to identify candidate promoters and corresponding TFBS and the activity of each was assessed by luciferase vectors in different cell lines. TFBS were disrupted by site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) to evaluate the effect on promoter activity. Four promoters were identified, two of which had significant activity in several cell lines, while two others had minimal activity. In silico analysis revealed multiple potentially important TFBS for each promoter. One promoter was deleted in the germline of two JP patients and SDM of several sites led to significant reduction in promoter activity. No mutations were found by sequencing this promoter in 65 JP probands. The predicted TFBS profiles for each of the four promoters shared few transcription factors in common, but were conserved across several species. The elucidation of these promoters and identification of TFBS has important implications for future studies in sporadic tumors from multiple sites, and in JP patients.
PHOSPHORYLATED CARDIAC MYOSIN BINDING PROTEIN-C ENHANCES LUSITROPY

Cardiac myosin binding protein-C (MyBPC3) releases its inhibition on cross-bridge cycling when phosphorylated. Thus, we hypothesize that phosphorylated MyBPC3 enhances relaxation to mediate diastolic function as underlying mechanism and potential treatment for heart failure with preserved ejection
Gender, object, and humor

Male and female respondents rated jokes with either a female initiator/male target of joke or vice versa. For male respondents, the gender of the joke target made no difference. For female respondents, however, jokes with males as the target received significantly higher ratings than jokes with females as the target.
Analysis of two additional loci in Neurospora crassa related to Spore killer-2

Two new loci found in one strain of Neurospora crassa (P2604) collected in Malaya are related to the meiotic drive system Spore killer Sk-2. Sk-2 was found in Neurospora intermedia and introgressed into N. crassa. P2604 showed high resistance to killing when crossed to Sk-2. This resistance was found to be linked to, but not allelic to, resistance locus r(Sk-2) on LGIIIL. Analysis showed that the high resistance phenotype of P2604 requires resistance alleles at two different loci on LGIIIR. Strains carrying a resistance allele at only the proximal or the distal locus, respectively, were obtained and intercrossed. Highly resistant strains were obtained by rejoining the two genes. The proximal locus alone confers a low level of resistance. This locus was named pr(Sk-2) for partial resistance to Sk-2. The distal locus was named mod(pr) because its only known phenotype is to modify pr(Sk-2).
The Effect of Marital Disruption on Children’s Health

This study uses retrospective illness histories to investigate whether children’s health deteriorates after parental separation. Separation is associated with illness in a multivariate cross-sectional analysis as well as in an analysis of a sample of disrupted children only, in which illness rates before and after separation are compared. Three explanations are hypothesized: (1) divorce reduces the resources available to children, (2) the stress of divorce depletes children’s health, and (3) frailer children are selected into divorce. The first hypothesis has stronger support than the second, but the data are too poor for a rigorous test of either. The selection hypothesis is not supported.
Gas evolution during rapid, low-temperature pyrolysis of a North Dakota lignite

Abstract Low-temperature pyrolysis of low-rank coals is proposed as a possible technique for producing high-heating value solids. Results are presented showing gas yields and char compositions from low-temperature pyrolysis of a lignite at very short residence times. Tar evolution is observed even at temperatures less than 570K coinciding with the first release of CO 2 , presumably from carboxyl groups.
Circadian rhythms: biological clocks work in phospho-time.

Summary The 24 hour molecular oscillator requires precisely calibrated degradation of core clock proteins, like PERIOD. New studies shed light on a sequential series of PERIOD phosphorylation events that first inhibits, then accelerates PERIOD degradation.
A commentary on the POSTGRES rules system

This paper suggests modifications to the POSTGRES rules system (PRS) to increase its usability and function. Specifically, we suggest changing the rule syntax to a more powerful one and propose additional keywords, introduce the notion of rulesets whose purpose is to increase the user's control over the rule activation process, and expand the versioning facility to support a broader range of applications than is currently possible.
Called to Serve: Stories of Men and Women Confronted by the Vietnam War Draft

Tom Weiner has been on a journey for over forty years, beginning in 1969 on the night he learned his draft lottery number was 117. When called in for his Army physical, he nervously answered yes wh...
Inside-Out Horizon Scanner

The theory of performance for a horizon scanner with a reflecting cone and objective lens optical system is presented. The theory and equations describing the optics are given and a method of determining image plane irradiance for any object is shown. The expected performance of the device as a horizon scanner is presented. Experimental results of a horizon scanner model are presented which verify the optical calculations and theory.
Differentiation between Acetylcholinesterase and the Organophosphate-inhibited Form Using Antibodies and the Correlation of Antibody Recognition with Reactivation Mechanism and Rate *

Two types of polyclonal antibodies were generated from (a) a decapeptide sequence that includes the active site serine of acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE10S) and (b) the identical decapeptide sequence phosphorylated at the active site serine of acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE10SP). The anti-AChE10S antiserum was found to specifically recognize native, control, and vehicle-treated recombinant mouse AChE (rMoAChE) but did not recognize rMoAChE that was phosphorylated by the four organophosphate (OP) compounds tested. Conversely the anti-AChE10SP antiserum recognized phosphoserine rMoAChE that resulted from reaction with phosphorous oxychloride (POCl3) but did not recognize native or vehicle-treated rMoAChE. Anti-AChE10SP also did not recognize OP-AChE conjugates that resulted from the reaction of rMoAChE with other OP compounds that afford neutral or monoanionic phosphoserine groups thereby indicating a high specificity for a precise OP conjugate. Antisera recognition correlated well with the rates of enzyme inhibition, aging, and oxime-induced reactivation indicating these antisera can both quantify the extent and type of inhibition and also differentiate between select mechanisms of inhibition. The ability to discern mechanistic differences between native AChE and OP-AChE conjugates suggests that these antisera can be used to identify biomarkers of OP exposure in a mechanism-based approach.
Room-temperature mechanical properties of LAST (Pb–Sb–Ag–Te) thermoelectric materials as a function of cooling rate during ingot casting

In this study, we focus on the room-temperature mechanical properties of LAST (Pb–Sb–Ag–Te) materials fabricated using casting with slow-cool temperature profiles (cooling rate 5°C h−1). The higher biaxial flexural strength is potentially beneficial for the mechanical integrity of thermoelectric devices.
A hierarchical network-based algorithm for multi-scale watershed delineation

Watershed delineation is a process for defining a land area that contributes surface water flow to a single outlet point. It is a commonly used in water resources analysis to define the domain in which hydrologic process calculations are applied. There has been a growing effort over the past decade to improve surface elevation measurements in the U.S., which has had a significant impact on the accuracy of hydrologic calculations. Traditional watershed processing on these elevation rasters, however, becomes more burdensome as data resolution increases. As a result, processing of these datasets can be troublesome on standard desktop computers. This challenge has resulted in numerous works that aim to provide high performance computing solutions to large data, high resolution data, or both. This work proposes an efficient watershed delineation algorithm for use in desktop computing environments that leverages existing data, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Hydrography Dataset Plus (NHD+), and open source software tools to construct watershed boundaries. This approach makes use of U.S. national-level hydrography data that has been precomputed using raster processing algorithms coupled with quality control routines. Our approach uses carefully arranged data and mathematical graph theory to traverse river networks and identify catchment boundaries. We demonstrate this new watershed delineation technique, compare its accuracy with traditional algorithms that derive watershed solely from digital elevation models, and then extend our approach to address subwatershed delineation. Our findings suggest that the open-source hierarchical network-based delineation procedure presented in the work is a promising approach to watershed delineation that can be used summarize publicly available datasets for hydrologic model input pre-processing. Through our analysis, we explore the benefits of reusing the NHD+ datasets for watershed delineation, and find that the our technique offers greater flexibility and extendability than traditional raster algorithms.
Monoclinic Crystallites in Ethylene Copolymers Detected by Solid-State NMR and X-ray Diffraction

By solid-state NMR and X-ray diffraction techniques, monoclinic crystallites are found to exist in ethylene copolymers with high comonomer content and bulky side groups. In the copolymers, the monoclinic form can nucleate and grow under quiescent conditions, at ambient temperature and pressure. The monoclinic:orthorhombic population ratio increases with comonomer content and cooling rate during crystallization. Compared to the orthorhombic form, monoclinic crystallites have a lower average melting point and possibly a smaller thickness. It is proposed that the formations of the monoclinic crystalline structures in ethylene copolymers and in deformed linear polyethylene share a common mechanism: the monoclinic nuclei are favored by the crystalline−amorphous interface, which increases in importance as the nucleus size decreases at increasing comonomer content or as a result of shear or fast cooling.
Sodium and Lithium Interactions with the Na+/Dicarboxylate Cotransporter

Abstract The two-electrode voltage clamp was used to study the currents associated with transport of succinate by the cloned Na+/dicarboxylate cotransporter, NaDC-1, expressed inXenopus oocytes. The presence of succinate induced inward currents which were dependent on the concentrations of succinate and sodium, and on the membrane potential. At −50 mV, theK 0.5 succinate was 180 μm and the K 0.5 Na+ was 19 mm. The Hill coefficient was 2.3, which is consistent with a transport stoichiometry of 3 Na+:1 divalent anion substrate. Currents were induced in NaDC-1 by a range of di- and tricarboxylates, including citrate, methylsuccinate, fumarate, and tricarballylate. Although Na+ is the preferred cation, Li+ was also able to support transport. TheK 0.5 succinate was approximately 10-fold higher in Li+ compared with Na+. In the presence of Na+, however, Li+ was a potent inhibitor of transport. Millimolar concentrations of Li+ resulted in decreases in apparent succinate affinity and in the I max succinate. Furthermore, lithium inhibition under saturating sodium concentrations showed hyperbolic kinetics, suggesting that one of the three cation binding sites in NaDC-1 has a higher affinity for Li+ than Na+. We conclude that NaDC-1 is an electrogenic anion transporter that accepts either Na+ or Li+ as coupling cations. However, NaDC-1 contains a single high affinity binding site for Li+ that, when occupied, results in transport inhibition, which may account for its potent inhibitory effects on renal dicarboxylate transport.
Modeling of CO2 capture by aqueous monoethanolamine

The process for CO2 removal from flue gases was modeled with RateFrac. It consists of an absorber, a stripper, and a cross heat exchanger. The solvent used in the model contains about 30 wt % monoethanolamine (MEA) in water. MEA reacts with CO2 in the packed absorber. The finite reaction rate requires a kinetic characterization. The RateFrac absorber model was integrated with a FORTRAN user kinetic subroutine to make the model consistent with the interface pseudo-first-order model and with a regressed Electrolyte-NRTL equilibrium model. It was adjusted with laboratory wetted wall column data and field data from a commercial plant. Sensitivity analyses were performed on process variables to find operating conditions at low steam requirement. Many variables strongly affect the process performance, but an overall optimization shows that there are no economical ways to reduce the steam requirements by more than 10%. The reboiler duty can be reduced from that of a base case representing current industrial operating conditions, by 5% if acids are added to the solvent, by 10% if the absorber height is increased by 20%, and by 4% if the absorber is intercooled with a duty of one-third of the reboiler duty. The power plant lost work is affected by varying stripper pressure, but not significantly, so any convenient pressure can be chosen to operate the stripper.
Propensity for experiencing flow: The roles of cognitive flexibility and mindfulness.

This study examined cognitive skills related to flow disposition. College students from a mid-sized U.S. university (64 women and 41 men, M age = 20 years, age range = 18–28 years) were recruited from undergraduate classes to complete a survey that contained the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (Feldman, Hayes, Kumar, Greeson, & Laurenceau, 2007), the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (Martin & Ruben, 1995), and the Dispositional Flow Scale-2 General (Jackson & Eklund, 2002). A hierarchical regression analysis indicated that when demographic variables and history of mindfulness meditation were held constant cognitive flexibility and mindfulness were good predictors of flow disposition, R 2 = .42, adjusted R 2 = .39, F(5, 99) = 14.30, p < .001. Conclusions and implications are discussed.
Not Doing What You Are Told: Early Perseverative Errors in Updating Mental Representations via Language.

This research examined the ability of young (N = 96) children to learn about a change in the location of a hidden object, either via an adult’s verbal testimony or from direct observation. Thirty-month-olds searched with equal accuracy whether they were told about the change or directly observed it. By contrast, when 23-month-olds were told about the change of location, they often returned to the container where they had last observed the object—even when that container was visibly empty. When interference from prior observational encoding was minimized, 23-month-olds, and even 19-month-olds, successfully updated their knowledge of the object’s location on the basis of language. The processing demands of updating experience-based representations from new verbal information are discussed.
Perceptions of attitudinal similarity in ethnic groups in the U.S.: ingroup and outgroup homogeneity effects

The outgroup homogeneity phenomenon was examined by having majority group members (White Americans) judge the variability in attitudes about intergroup relations in their own group and one outgroup (African Americans). A preliminary study found the threat of the attitude statements to the group doing the judging seemed to affect whether or not participants showed outgroup or ingroup homogeneity. For the present study, statements about ethnic group relations were prerated to obtain two sets of items that aroused either high or low threat to White Americans. White students judged the homogeneity of these items for their own group and for African Americans. Outgroup homogeneity was found for the low threat items and ingroup homogeneity was found for the high threat items. This study demonstrates that the homogeneity effect depends on the threat of the attitude content to the group doing the judging. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical chain and risk analysis applied to high-risk industry maintenance: A case study

Abstract In this case study, the Theory of Constraints and Risk Assessment are applied to the turnaround process of an IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle) plant. Turnaround project has been analysed as it had always been implemented up to 2006, identifying any related problems and inconsistencies, and then to describe the reengineering of this process, assessing and emphasizing the changes involved and identifying further opportunities for improvement. The aim of the study is to develop a prioritization method for Work Packages, within the Critical Chain context, in order to minimize the risks related to accidents in the refinery plants. This study addresses the applicability and necessity of the risk analysis process to examine and evaluate the schedule and cost features of a turnaround project. A comparison between the performance obtained for the turnaround using classic project management techniques and results obtained using the new planning system showed that the proposed method allowed the company to maximize the quality and safety of work and to minimize the turnaround time and cost. We also found that while improvement is feasible for turnaround in certain areas, the development of a maintenance improvement strategy that appreciates the needs of different stakeholders (providers, manufacturing units, etc.) is indispensable. Turnaround improvement strategy relates to policy, anticipation of problems, responsiveness of people and monitoring outcomes.
Time-resolved femtosecond laser desorption from alkali halide crystals

The positive ion yield as a function of delay between ultraviolet femtosecond pulse pairs for four alkali halide single crystals has been measured. Two-pulse correlation allows direct observation of solid state and surface dynamics on an ultrafast timescale. The ion yield from 265 nm irradiated NaBr, KCl, KBr, and KI depends critically on the time delay between the two sub-threshold pulses. Following irradiation of single crystal NaBr and KCl, the positive ion desorption yield displays three distinct features; a coherence peak, followed by rise, and decay features. In contrast, the yield of K+ from KBr displays only the coherence peak and picosecond decay features while the yield from KI shows only the coherence feature. The data suggest that although the nanosecond ion desorption mechanism may be dominated by defect photoabsorption, significant electron-hole pair production may contribute to the desorption mechanism following femtosecond excitation.
CHARACTERIZATION OF TOMATO RIPENING PROCESS AS INFLUENCED BY INDIVIDUAL SEAL‐PACKAGING AND TEMPERATURE

Tomatoes were individually seal-packaged and ripened at two temperatures, 12 and 21° C. Both the temperature and seal-packaging delayed the tomato ripening process. The delay in ripening due to seal-packaging occurred prior to the ‘turning’ and ‘pink’ USDA color maturity stage when stored at 21° C and 12° C, respectively. Lower concentrations of lycopene were associated with lower chroma values in seal-packaged fruits. Both temperature and seal-packaging prolonged the ripening period but did not affect the firmness values at various color stages of tomatoes.
Relationship of insecticide resistance to carboxylesterases in Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) from midsouth cotton.

Laboratory assays were done to quantify proportions of phenotypes in laboratory colonies resistant to several classes of insecticides in the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover. Resistance to a carbamate (aldicarb), an organochlorine (endosulfan), an organophosphate (chlorpyrifos), and a pyrethroid (bifenthrin) was documented. Significant declines in numbers of individuals resistant to bifenthrin and endosulfan but not for chlorpyrifos occurred during a 5-mo interval after the first bioassays. Resistance ratios between clonal susceptible and resistant cotton aphid colonies for chlorpyrifos indicated a significant 4-fold difference in LC50 estimates for the two colonies. Spectrophotometric analyses indicated Significantly higher carboxylesterase activity in resistant aphids compared with susceptible aphids. Results from isoelectric polyacrylamide focusing gel techniques also showed differences in carboxylesterases, both in differences in banding patterns and in expression of comigrating bands.
A more careful look at the syntax–discourse interface

In this article, we compare results from two recent comprehensive studies on syntax–discourse interface properties. Both Valenzuela (2005, 2006) and Ivanov (2009) investigate the L2 acquisition of clitic left dislocation (CLLD) as a marker of topicality in L2 Spanish and L2 Bulgarian. However, Valenzuela argues that near-native speakers of Spanish demonstrate residual optionality at the syntax–discourse interface while Ivanov claims that advanced learners of Bulgarian are ultimately successful at the interface. Assuming a syntactic analysis of the clitic-doubling phenomenon based on Lopez (2009), Bulgarian and Spanish CLLD look very much alike. Displaced objects that have antecedents in the previous discourse, that is, topics, have to be doubled by a clitic to avoid (potential) confusion and infelicity. Valenzuela's near-native Spanish speakers are 100% accurate in accepting specific dislocated objects doubled by a clitic. We argue that their inferior accuracy on generic dislocates may be due to some participants’ heeding discourse cues over semantic cues in processing these sentences. Ivanov's advanced participants as a group display native-like choices. We suggest that when subjected to a more careful scrutiny, the external (syntax–discourse) interface does not look very different from the internal interfaces, after all.
Workflow Optimization: Current Trends and Future Directions

In an attempt to maximize productivity within the medical imaging department, increasing importance and attention is being placed on workflow. Workflow is the process of analyzing individual steps that occur during a single event, such as the performance of an MRI exam. The primary focus of workflow optimization within the imaging department is automation and task consolidation, however, a number of other factors should be considered including the stochastic nature of the workload, availability of human resources, and the specific technologies being employed. The purpose of this paper is to determine the complex relationship that exists between information technology and the radiologic technologist, in an attempt to determine how workflow can be optimized to improve technologist productivity. This relationship takes on greater importance as more imaging departments are undergoing the transition from film-based to filmless operation. A nationwide survey was conducted to compare technologist workflow in film-based and filmless operations, for all imaging modalities. The individual tasks performed by technologists were defined, along with the amount of time allocated to these tasks. The index of workflow efficiency was determined to be the percentage of overall technologist time allocated to image acquisition, since this is the primary responsibility of the radiologic technologist. Preliminary analysis indicates technologist workflow in filmless operation is enhanced when compared with film-based operation, for all imaging modalities. The specific tasks that require less technologist time in filmless operation are accessing data and retake rates (due to both technical factors and lost exams). Surprisingly, no significant differences were reported for the task of image processing, when comparing technologist workflow in film-based and filmless operations. Additional research is planned to evaluate the potential workflow gains achievable through workflow optimization software, improved systems integration, and automation of advanced image processing techniques.
Assessing the Mutagenicity Potential of Multiphoton Excitation during Imaging of Intrinsic Fluorescence from Cells and Tissues

Multiphoton-excited intrinsic fluorescence emission signals from cells and tissues can be used for metabolic imaging and studies of disease morphology in chronic animal imaging experiments, and has diagnostic potential as a future in vivo clinical imaging tool. However, the signals are generally weak and require high laser intensities for imaging. Consequently, not only are viability studies important, but an investigation into the extent that multiphoton excitation is a mutagenic agent is critical. Information on the magnitude of permissible intensity levels of femtosecond pulsed near-IR light is vital to human clinical applications, yet there are currently no regulations that specifically indicate such parameters. This study is directed towards determining whether multiphoton imaging of cellular autofluorescence using 700 - 800 nm wavelength excitations causes mutations in mammalian cells. The induction of mutation by pulsed laser radiation employed for multiphoton imaging entails a risk of carcinogenicity in living tissue. The assessment of potential laser illumination toxicity was carried out by the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl (HPRT) mammalian cell gene mutation assay, which measures mutation at the HPRT gene locus in cells, and is one of a handful of reporter loci that have been used as molecular biomarkers for both human and rodent exposure to mutagens and UV light. Experiments were performed to assess possible mutagenic effects of various intensities of 755 nm, 100 fs laser irradiation. Laser powers ranging from 20 to as high as 100 mW delivered as raster scanned excitation through a 0.7 NA objective for 20 seconds was found to be nonmutagenic to the HPRT gene locus test system, while higher laser powers initiated mutagenic responses.
Modeling biofilms with dual extracellular electron transfer mechanisms

Electrochemically active biofilms have a unique form of respiration in which they utilize solid external materials as terminal electron acceptors for their metabolism. Currently, two primary mechanisms have been identified for long-range extracellular electron transfer (EET): a diffusion- and a conduction-based mechanism. Evidence in the literature suggests that some biofilms, particularly Shewanella oneidensis, produce the requisite components for both mechanisms. In this study, a generic model is presented that incorporates the diffusion- and the conduction-based mechanisms and allows electrochemically active biofilms to utilize both simultaneously. The model was applied to S. oneidensis and Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms using experimentally generated data found in the literature. Our simulation results show that (1) biofilms having both mechanisms available, especially if they can interact, may have a metabolic advantage over biofilms that can use only a single mechanism; (2) the thickness of G. sulfurreducens biofilms is likely not limited by conductivity; (3) accurate intrabiofilm diffusion coefficient values are critical for current generation predictions; and (4) the local biofilm potential and redox potential are two distinct parameters and cannot be assumed to have identical values. Finally, we determined that simulated cyclic and squarewave voltammetry based on our model are currently not capable of determining the specific percentages of extracellular electron transfer mechanisms in a biofilm. The developed model will be a critical tool for designing experiments to explain EET mechanisms.
Tracking dioxins: From chips to finished product

Abstract To define current loadings and origins of dioxins contamination at bleached kraft mills successfully using dioxins control technology, samples of chips, brownstock, and fully bleached pulp were collected from such operations and analyzed for dioxins. For comparison, samples from two TMP pulp mills were also included in the survey. Ambient deposition and chips contaminated with polychlorinated phenols appear to be the remaining, low level sources of dioxins affecting some kraft as well as some TMP operations.
Comparison of Online and Classroom-Based Student Evaluations of Instruction.

In recent years, colleges have been moving from traditional, classroom‐based student evaluations of instruction to online evaluations. Because of the importance of these evaluations in decisions regarding retention, promotion and tenure, instructors are justifiably concerned about how this trend might affect their ratings. We recruited faculty members who were teaching two or more sections of the same course in a single semester and assigned at least one section to receive online evaluations and the other section(s) to receive classroom evaluations. We hypothesised that the online evaluations would yield a lower response rate than the classroom administration. We also predicted that there would be no significant differences in the overall ratings, the number of written comments, and the valence (positive/neutral/negative) of students’ comments. A total of 32 instructors participated in the study over two semesters, providing evaluation data from 2057 students. As expected, online evaluations had a signifi...
Adaptive Elastic Net for Generalized Methods of Moments

Model selection and estimation are crucial parts of econometrics. This article introduces a new technique that can simultaneously estimate and select the model in generalized method of moments (GMM) context. The GMM is particularly powerful for analyzing complex datasets such as longitudinal and panel data, and it has wide applications in econometrics. This article extends the least squares based adaptive elastic net estimator by Zou and Zhang to nonlinear equation systems with endogenous variables. The extension is not trivial and involves a new proof technique due to estimators’ lack of closed-form solutions. Compared to Bridge-GMM by Caner, we allow for the number of parameters to diverge to infinity as well as collinearity among a large number of variables; also, the redundant parameters are set to zero via a data-dependent technique. This method has the oracle property, meaning that we can estimate nonzero parameters with their standard limit and the redundant parameters are dropped from the equation...
Tracking variable environments : there is more than one kind of memory

Three kinds of memory help herbivores track changes in the environment. The first is the collective memory of the species with genetic instructions that have been shaped by the environment through millennia. This includes skin and gut defense systems. Auditory and visual stimuli and sensations of pain impinge upon the skin defense system that evolved in response to predation. The taste of food and the sensations of nausea and satiety are an integral part of the gut defense system that evolved in response to toxins and nutrients in plants. The second kind of memory in social mammals is represented by the mother, a source of transgenerational knowledge, who increases efficiency and reduces risk of learning about foods and environments. The third kind of memory is acquired by individual experience. Postingestive feedback from nutrients and toxins enables individuals to experience the consequences of food ingestion and to adjust food preference and selection commensurate with a food's utility. The three memories interact, each linking the past to the present, and collectively shape the present and future of every individual. Thus, the dynamics of foraging involves appreciating the uniqueness of individuals and subgroups of animals, each with their own genetic and behavioral history, and recognizing that foraging behaviors may not be stable, optimal, or even predictable in the conventional sense.
Complement in monoclonal antibody therapy of cancer

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been used as targeted treatments against cancer for more than a decade, with mixed results. Research is needed to understand mAb mechanisms of action with the goal of improving the efficacy of currently used mAbs and guiding the design of novel mAbs. While some mAb-induced tumor cell killing is a result of direct effects on tumor cell signaling, mAb opsonization of tumor cells also triggers activation of immune responses due to complement activation and engagement of antibody receptors on immune effector cells. In fact, complement has been shown to play an important role in modulating the anti-tumor activity of many mAb through complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, and through indirect effects by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Complement activity can have both agonistic and antagonistic effects on these processes. How the balance of such effects impacts on the clinical efficacy of mAb therapy remains unclear. In this review, we discuss the mAbs currently approved for cancer treatment and examine how complement can impact their efficacy with a focus on how this information might be used to improve the clinical efficacy of mAb treatment.
Localization for flat modules in algebraic K-theory

There are two localization theorems in algebraic K-theory which yield long esact sequences for the K-groups of certain triples of exact categories: One handles the quotient of an Ahelian category [9], and the other relates a ring and its localization by nonzero divisors. We present here a localization theorem for certain categories of R-modules flat over a base ring d (Theorem 4.8). The problem encountered in [6] was the lack of suitable non-Abelian quotient categories for the filtration by relative codimension of support: We find a suitable quotient category and use techniques of Quillen to obtain the long exact sequence. The proof is longer than the proof in [9] of the localization theorem for Abelian catcgorics, and dots not retain the symmetry between monies and epis. This asymmetry leads to the introduction of relatively torsion-free modules, for they tend to map into or onto enough other modules. Useful tools include a generalization of Waldhauscn’s cofinality theorem and a modification of Quillen’s resolution theorem. The quotient category obtained is not very computable; a slightly larger exact category is more so. The K-groups are the same if cofinality can be established, but we can only do this for codimension <l (Theorem 5.2). This is good enough to show that the first two sheaves in the resolution of .X,(X) constructed in [6j are flasque (Proposition 6.4). If X is smooth over S of relative dimension 2, and S is finite, then we can see that A”(X) :: H’(X, Z,) is g enerated by classes of coherent C’,-modules finite and free over CS , and the relations can be described (Section 9) with no reference to higher K-theory. Recall that when 5’ is a field, -if’(X) is the group of zero cycles on X modulo rational equivalence. When S is not a field, A’(S) may yield information about the infinitesimal str-ucture of the cycle class group, as in [2]; moreover A”(X) is part of a graded ring A’(X) which might harbor Chern classes for vector bundles on the singular variety X. The relations for A2(X) can be found by computing boundary maps from higher K-theory and using the fact that K, of a local ring is generated by symbols. They are those given by exact sequences and those of the form c(y, f, g) q -= 0, 463
Copolymers of itaconic anhydride and methacrylate-terminated poly(lactic acid) macromonomers.

In an effort to design cyclic anhydride copolymers that have biodegradable characteristics and are derived from renewable resources, the copolymerization of itaconic anhydride and methacrylate-terminated poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) was studied. Polymers with anhydride concentrations from 85 to 15 mol % have been synthesized successfully with retention of the cyclic anhydride. Molecular weights range from 9000 to 70 000 with higher molecular weights for higher concentrations of PLLA macromonomer. High conversions are observed for samples containing 50% and less itaconic anhydride with a slight tendency for the polymer to be enriched in the monomer in smaller concentration. These copolymers show glass transition temperatures between 31 and 73 °C, increasing with increased itaconic anhydride content. No evidence of crystallinity from the PLLA is observed for these copolymers.
Orthorhombic distortions of Dy/Lu superlattices

Abstract Low-temperature X-ray measurements reveal that the spontaneous ferromagnetic transition in a Dy/Lu superlattice is accomplished by the formation of orthorhombic domains. In contrast with bulk dysprosium, in which the magnetoelastic distortion is discontinuous and area is not preserved, this superlattice experiences a continuous distortion below the transition temperature which preserves the area of the unit cell in the basal plane. The distortion is less than one-half that of single-crystal dysprosium. X-ray linewidths indicate the formation of columnar domains of common distortion whose extent along the c -axis at 20 K is comparable to the structural coherence at 300 K. The strain in the basal plane is less than one lattice parameter per domain, demonstrating the importance of epitaxial clamping in this system.
Package size effects on the gains of patch antennas and finite patch arrays

This paper discusses the package size effect on a patch or patch array, particularly on antenna gain variations which are important for phased array applications. Study indicates choosing the package size properly can minimize the variation.
Flavor improvement of soybean preparations by genetic removal of lipoxygenase-2

Lipoxygenase-mediated oxidation of fatty acids has long been implicated in the production of off-flavors in soybean products. This assumption was tested by use of preparations from soybean lines nearly isogenic to the cultivar Century that lack the lipoxygenase isozyme or isozyme combinations L1, L2, L3, L1 + L3, or L2 + L3. Near-isogenic lines were used to ensure that any effects observed were due to elimination of lipoxygenase isozymes, and not to other unrecognized genetic differences between lines. Full-fat soy flour and unblanched soymilk preparations from the lines were evaluated by a six-member taste panel for eight flavor and/or aroma attributes common to soybeans. By comparison to near-isogenic controls, removal of the L2 isozyme from soymilk preparations produced significantly lower scores for beany, rancid and oily flavor and aroma attributes, as well as higher scores for dairy and cereal flavor and aroma attributes. Similar trends were noted for soy flour flavor attributes. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) numbers, a measure of lipid oxidation, were lower in homogenized soy flour suspensions from lines lacking L2. Removal of the L1 and L3 isozymes did not result in improved flavor scores or lower TBA numbers. Total oil content and the fatty acid profile of the near isolines did not vary appreciably. The results indicated that genetic removal of the L2 isozyme may reduce off-flavors in soy products.
Dispense and self-planarization process on a modified surface for multiple height 3-D microfabrication

A photoresist dispense and self-planarization (DSP) approach as a simple and cost-effective photoresist coating method has been exercised on a surface property modified substrate, where the oxygen plasma treatment of a substrate through a shadow mask selectively modifies the open area to a hydrophilic property. The non-plasma-treated area repels the dispensed photoresist while one on the plasma treated surface spontaneously spreads out to the boundary between the plasma treated and not-treated surface, allowing to form pre-defined polymer islands. Photoresist islands with various thicknesses on a single substrate have been successfully demonstrated by dispensing an appropriate amount of photoresist on each area with its dimension known. Also photoresist has been tilted to some degree to obtain a non-planar surface and a pillar array with multiple heights has been demonstrated.
Thermoplastic sandwich structure design and manufacturing for the body panel of mass transit vehicle

Abstract Weight savings in vehicles enhances fuel efficiency and decreases maintenance costs, especially in mass transit systems. Lightweight composite materials, such as glass fiber reinforced polymers, have been used to replace traditional steel and aluminum components. In this paper, a mass transit bus side body panel was designed, analyzed, and manufactured using thermoplastic composite materials. The design featured a sandwich composite with E-glass fiber/polypropylene (glass/PP) face sheets and PP honeycomb core as constituents that provide low weight, high strength and energy absorption benefits. The panel was designed and analyzed using Pro/Engineer 2001 (Pro/E), Altair ® Hypermesh ® 6.0 (Hypermesh) and ANSYS 7.0 (ANSYS). A single diaphragm forming process was used to manufacture the glass/PP face sheets. This process provides excellent consolidation, which was confirmed by microstructural analysis of the face sheets. The face sheets and core material were adhesively bonded and tested to validate the model. The failure of the body panel occurred by adhesive failure when the load reached 11.7 kN. The static loading requirements of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) for the body panel were met. The thermoplastic composite body panel exhibited excellent weight saving of more than 55% compared to a conventional bus with aluminum skin and supporting steel bars.
The Changing Prognosis of Classic Hemophilia (Factor VIII Deficiency)

Objective: To estimate relative risk of mortality and median life expectancy for patients with classic hemophilia by a life-table analysis, taking into account deaths that may have occurred in infa...
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome and platelet count ≥250×10 9 are associated with venous thromboembolic disease

INTRODUCTION Prior research has demonstrated that platelet count and inflammation are dominant contributors to hypercoagulability. Our objective is to determine whether elevated platelet count and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) have an association with the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized patients with a high clinical index of suspicion for thromboembolic disease. METHODS We performed a retrospective medical record review of 844 medical and surgical patients with suspected VTE hospitalized from July 2012 to May 2013 who underwent screening by venous duplex and computed tomography pulmonary angiogram. For our purposes, thrombocytosis was arbitrarily defined as platelet count ≥250×10(9)/L. RESULTS Venous thromboembolic disease was detected in 229 patients (25.9%). Thrombocytosis was present in 389 patients (44%) and SIRS was present in 203 patients (23%) around the time of imaging. Thrombocytosis and SIRS were positively correlated with VTE (P<0.001). There was no correlation between thrombocytosis and SIRS. Multivariate analysis revealed that SIRS (odds ratio 1.91, 95% confidence interval 1.36-2.68, P<0.001) and thrombocytosis (odds ration 1.67, 95% confidence interval 1.23-2.26, P=0.001) were independently associated with VTE. CONCLUSION Patients at high risk for VTE should be routinely assessed for thrombocytosis (≥250×10(9)/L) and SIRS; if either is present, consideration for empiric anticoagulation should be given while diagnostic imaging is undertaken.
The Cycle of Social Exclusion for Urban, Young Men of Color in the United States: What Is the Role of Incarceration?

This article explores how incarceration amplifies the disconnection from school and work experienced by urban, young men of color in the United States and ultimately leads to their social exclusion. The authors draw on longitudinal data collected in interviews with 397 men age 16 to 18 in a New York City jail and then again one year after their release. Using logistic regression analysis, the authors found that though incarceration did not appear to exacerbate disconnectedness directly, it was associated with unstable housing, which in turn may contribute to several negative outcomes related to social exclusion. These findings may inform advocates, policy makers, and researchers in their efforts to meet the needs of socially excluded youth, in particular those with criminal justice histories.
Phenotypic comparison between mesothelial and microvascular endothelial cell lineages using conventional endothelial cell markers, cytoskeletal protein markers and in vitro assays of angiogenic potential

Endothelial and mesothelial cells are mesodermally derived simple squamous epithelial cells. A controversy concerning the ontogenetic origin of neoplasms derived from these cell types, commonly cited in the literature, is whether Kaposi's sarcoma is a mesothelioma or an angioma. To assess the similarities and differences between these cell types, pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) and pericardial mesothelial cells (PMC) were cultured in vitro. PMVEC and PMC were found to be difficult to distinguish from one another by histological criteria alone. Both cell types formed contact-inhibited, and 'cobblestone', monolayers typical of simple epithelial cells. PMVEC and PMC demonstrated positive immunoreactivity to Factor VIII-related antigen and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) antigen. They also showed uptake of 1,1'-dioctacecyl-1,3,3,3',3-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanine perchlorate acetylated low density lipoprotein (DiI-Ac-LDL) in 4 h. Both PMVEC and PMC expressed low ACE activities when compared to macrovessel endothelial cells. PMVEC and PMC shared similar isoform profiles for vimentin and actin. Both cell types expressed the simple epithelial keratins, cytokeratins 8 and 19, though PMC contained 50% more cytokeratins than PMVEC. Additionally, PMC contained cytokeratin 18, an intermediate filament protein not detectable in PMVEC. PMC formed 15 times as many epithelial ringlets or "stomata" as PMVEC. PMVEC but not PMC could be induced in vitro to differentiate into branching tube-like structures in response to their culture environment. Reorganization of PMVEC into vessel-like structures was more rapid and complete than PMC when embedded in three-dimensional collagen I lattices, cultured on Matrigel or exposed to a shaped-pulsed electromagnetic field. The angiogenic response of PMVEC to specialized culture conditions in vitro may reflect their phenotypic differentiation state characterized by anastomosing vascular structures in vivo, whereas PMC remain differentiated into monolayer sheet-like structures.
The Consequences of Placing versus Parenting Among Young Unmarried Women

SUMMARY This paper compares the consequences of placing versus parenting for young women who experienced a non-marital teenage pregnancy. We examined whether placers were faring better, worse or no differently from parenters four years after giving birth. The findings clearly indicate that relative to parenting, resolving a teenage pregnancy by relinquishing one's infant for adoption is a positive choice resulting in more favorable outcomes on a broad variety of sociodemographic and social psychological outcomes. At the bivariate level, on virtually every outcome except feelings about the pregnancy resolution decision, placers fared significantly better than parenters. When control was introduced for sociodemographic background factors and several post-birth mediators, the differences in sociodemographic outcomes and feelings about the pregnancy resolution decision remained unchanged. However, the differences between placers and parenters on virtually all of the remaining social psychological outcomes, we...