cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoid receptor in cultured human skin fibroblasts.

Abstract Human skin fibroblasts were grown in minimal essential medium with Earle's salts and 15% fetal calf serum. Confluent monolayer subcultures were incubated at 37°C, for 30 min with tritiated glucocorticoid dissolved in medium without fetal calf serum. Free and bound labelled steroids in cell sonicates were separated by chromatography using Sephadex G-25 columns. The specifically bound [ 3 H]-cortisol and [ 3 H]-trimacinolone acetonide represented 75% of the total bound radioactivity. There was no significant displacement of [ 3 H]-cortisol by progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone or estradiol-17β, but 5α-dihydrocortisol, cortisone, corticosterone and asdosterone produced partial displacement. Scatchard analysis of data showed K D and B max values of 0.4−8.6 M × 10 −9 and 1.5–11.4 fmol/μg DNA for triamcinolone acetonide. Using exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-150 and sucrose gradient, the molecular weight of the glucocorticoid-receptor complex was estimated to be 40,000. In a cell-free system the glucocorticoid-receptor in cytosol was translocated to nuclei while the glucocorticoid alone was not. Thus subcultured human skin fibroblasts contain a cytosol protein which specifically binds glucocorticoid and which appears to be similar to glucocorticoid receptors described in other cell systems.
Ability of various members of the hsp70 family of chaperones to promote assembly of the glucocorticoid receptor into a functional heterocomplex with hsp90.

Abstract To be in a conformation that binds steroid, the hormone-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) must be bound to the 90 kDa heat shock protein (hsp90). Rabbit reticulocyte lysate contains a protein chaperone system that assembles the receptor into a heterocomplex with hsp90 and converts it from a non-steroid-binding to a steroid-binding form. Assembly of the GR-hsp90 heterocomplex requires hsp70, and in this work we examine the activities of four members of the hsp70 protein family in GR-hsp90 heterocomplex assembly. Rabbit reticulocyte lysate was depleted of hsp70 by passing it through a column of ATP agarose, resulting in the inactivation of its GR-hsp90 heterocomplex assembly activity. Addition of purified animal (mouse) or plant (wheat germ) hsp70 to the hsp70-depleted lysate permits assembly of a GR-hsp90 heterocomplex with a high affinity steroid binding site. However, purified hsp70 homologues from bacteria (DnaK) or the endoplasmic reticulum (BiP) do not promote heterocomplex formation, despite the fact that both DnaK and BiP bind to the GR in the assay system. When added to whole (i.e. hsp70-containing) reticulocyte lysate, DnaK and BiP inhibit GR·hsp90 heterocomplex assembly. Wheat germ lysate forms a heterocomplex between mouse GR and plant hsp90, but the addition of purified rabbit hsp70 to the wheat germ lysate does not increase the amount of receptor-wheat hsp90 complex produced, despite the fact that the rabbit hsp70 binds to the GR when it is added to the wheat chaperone system. The conclusion is that binding of hsp70 to receptors does not necessarily reflect a physiologically meaningful interaction. When native receptor heterocomplexes isolated from cytosols contain hsp70, it is likely that the hsp70-bound receptors represent a minority of receptors that have not yet proceeded fully through the receptor heterocomplex assembly process, which includes the dissociation of hsp70 after the binding of hsp90.
Optical Coherence Tomography Phase Microscopy Using Buffered Fourier Domain Mode Locked (FDML) Lasers at up to 370,000 Lines per Second

Buffered FDML lasers are applied for phase-sensitive sub-nanometer OCT phase microscopy and dynamic surface displacement measurements at speeds up to 370,000 axial lines per second. Excellent phase stability is demonstrated at high speeds.
Macaca Moments Reconsidered: Electoral Panopticon or Netroots Mobilization?

ABSTRACT This article addresses popular misconceptions about so-called “Macaca moments”—high profile candidate gaffes that are captured on YouTube, receive a cascade of citizen views, and contribute to some substantial political impact. Since the 2006 Virginia Senate race, when Senator George Allen made the original “Macaca” gaffe and went on to be narrowly defeated by his challenger, the term has become synonymous with the transformative influence of YouTube. This article constructs a case study of that Senate race through the archived blog posts on DailyKos, the largest progressive blogging community in America. It compares this case study with a second high-profile candidate gaffe occurring in the 2008 election season—Michele Bachmann's verbal misstep on Hardball with Chris Matthews. The central argument of the article is that the impact of these high-profile moments, and of YouTube more generally, must be viewed in the context of the campaigns and organizations attempting to engage in partisan mobiliz...
Multiple target tracking with symmetric measurement equations revisited: unscented Kalman filters, particle filters, and Taylor series expansions

The symmetric measurement equation (SME) approach to multiple target tracking is revisited using unscented Kalman and particle filters. The unscented Kalman filter (UKF) promises more accurate approximation of nonlinearities and simpler implementation of the SME approach than the EKF. The particle filter implementation offers the ability to explore the limits of the SME approach. In the first portion of this paper, experiences with SME for tracking one-dimensional motion are reviewed. The second portion of this paper discusses the challenges that arise when using the SME approach to track two-dimensional motion and introduces a new set of two-dimensional SME equations. Finally, Taylor series expansions are used to explore differences between Kalman filter-SME pairings. Using the Taylor series representation, we show how the choice of SME formulation affects the representation, and consequently approximation, of uncertainty in the Kalman filters.
A New Error Correction Circuit for Delay Locked Loops

A new error correction circuit (ECC) for delay-locked loops (DLLs) using combinational logic and a “peeled” voltage-controlled delay line (VCDL) layout is proposed. The ECC can be used to mitigate missing output pulses due to single-event effects in scaled CMOS processes. The implementation of the ECC results in no significant area penalty or performance degradation of the DLL. Simulations at LETs up to 100 MeV-cm2/mg show that the ECC mitigates missing pulses in DLLs fabricated at features sizes down to 40 nm and operating frequencies up to 1 GHz. In addition, any ion strike within the error correction logic components will have no significant impact on the DLL output signal. Emulated results obtained through an FPGA implementation of the ECC demonstrate the effectiveness and portability of the hardening technique.
Direct Observation of Electrocatalytic Synergy

Here we describe an approach that directly and unambiguously establishes the synergistic effect between surfaces when brought into close proximity (A's regime) through the use of a scanning tunneling microscope. As a model system, we have employed the electrocatalytic oxidation of CO chemisorbed onto a Pt(111) single-crystal electrode upon engaging a Ru tip. Not only have we been able to observe clear and compelling evidence of a synergistic effect, but also, this approach provides valuable mechanistic details not accessible from conventional measurements.
The Role of Gender and Friends’ Gender on Peer Socialization of Adolescent Drinking: A Prospective Multilevel Social Network Analysis

Although socializing effects of friends’ drinking on adolescent drinking behavior have been firmly established in previous literature, study results on the importance of gender, as well as the specific role that gender may play in peer socialization, are very mixed. Given the increasing importance of gender in friendships (particularly opposite-sex friendships) during adolescence, it is necessary to better understand the nuanced roles that gender can play in peer socialization effects on alcohol use. In addition, previous studies focusing on the interplay between individual gender and friends’ gender have been largely dyadic; less is known about potential gendered effects of broader social networks. The current study sought to further investigate potential effects of gender on friends’ influence on adolescent drinking behavior with particular emphasis on the number of same-sex and opposite-sex friends within one’s friendship network, as well as closeness to these friends. Using Waves I and II of the saturated sample of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), adolescent friendship networks were used to calculate the mean drinking behaviors of adolescent friends. Multi-level models estimated the effects of individual drinking behaviors, friend drinking behaviors, and school-level drinking behaviors on adolescent drinking 1 year later, as well as moderating effects of gender composition of friendship groups and male and female friend closeness on the relationship between friends’ drinking behaviors and adolescent drinking behavior. Results documented that gender composition of friendship groups did not influence the effect of friends’ drinking on individual drinking 1 year later. However, closeness to friends did influence this relationship. As closeness to male friends decreased, the influence of their drinking behavior increased, for both boys and girls. A similar effect was found for female friends, but only for boys. Female friend closeness did not affect the relationship between peer alcohol socialization and girls’ alcohol use. The findings indicate that the role of gender on alcohol socialization may be more complex than previously thought, particularly when examining the potential role that alcohol use may play as a mechanism for social bonding within opposite-sex friendships and same-sex male friendships.
Spectroscopic Line-Profile Studies of Long Magnetically Confined High-Current, Steady-State Vacuum Arcs

Spectroscopic studies of the line profiles of radiating ions in a magnetically confined, high-current, steady-state vacuum carbon arc have revealed ion temperatures up to 5,000,000°K in a 4.9-m long arc. The ion temperature is a quadratic function of the distance from the anode in a given arc, but for arcs of different lengths the highest arc temperature is roughly proportional to the arc length. The spectrum line profiles are essentially Gaussian (Doppler shape) for observations transverse to the arc column but in very long arcs are non-Gaussian, and sharper, for axial views. Helium, nitrogen, or argon fed to the arc through the cathode result in pronounced heating of the trapped ions, their transverse temperature being dependent on the charge state of the ion, thus suggesting strong radial electric field heating of the ions.
The Emergent Care and Treatment of Women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a prevalent and disabling condition for women and their partners. Clinical and empirical investigation into this disorder is still in developmental stages, and many questions about its etiology and treatment remain. Present understanding of HSDD leads to a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to this complex disorder. Emerging treatment views focus on multidisciplinary therapies that often integrate medical and psychosocial modalities.
The masking of racial and ethnic disparity in police use of physical force: The effects of gender and custody status

The purpose of the present study was to examine racial and ethnic disparity in police use of physical force. Data from the Phoenix, Arizona Use-of-Force Project was used to assess disparity between White, Black, and Hispanic citizens. Racial and ethnic disparity in police use of physical force was found only for male citizens not in custody. The findings suggest that assessments of racial and ethnic disparity need to be situationally orientated in the theoretical meaning that race and ethnicity play in modern American society. Simple overall tests of disparity may not be adequate to understand and address the complex effects of race and ethnicity in the criminal justice system; thus, these disparities may lead to situations that further exacerbate already strained minority-majority relations in America.
The adipose tissue production of adiponectin is increased in end-stage renal disease.

Adiponectin has antidiabetic properties, and patients with obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance have low plasma adiponectin levels. However, although kidney disease is associated with insulin resistance, adiponectin is elevated in end-stage renal disease. Here we determine whether adipose tissue production of adiponectin is increased in renal disease in a case–control study of 36 patients with end-stage renal disease and 23 kidney donors. Blood and tissue samples were obtained at kidney transplantation and donation. The mean plasma adiponectin level was significantly increased to 15.6mg/ml in cases compared with 8.4mg/ml in controls. Plasma levels of the inflammatory adipokines tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly higher in cases compared with controls. Adiponectin mRNA and protein expression in visceral and subcutaneous fat were significantly higher in cases than controls, while adiponectin receptor-1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in peripheral blood cells, muscle, and adipose tissue in cases compared with controls. Thus, our study suggests that adipose tissue production of adiponectin contributes to the high plasma levels seen in end-stage renal disease.
Bile Pigment Formation in Plants

The unicellular alga Cyanidium caldarium evolves carbon monoxide during the syntheis of the bile pigment, phycocyanobilin. Carbon monoxide and phycocyanobilin were produced in stoichiometric amounts at comparable rates. Therefore, the mechanism of bile pigment formation in this plant parallels that in mammals.
Detection of targets using distributed multi-modal sensors with correlated observations

Multiple unattended ground sensors (UGSs) equipped with seismic, passive infrared (PIR) and ultrasonic sensors are used to detect and track people for better situational awareness. The majority of the false alarms are caused by animals. We fuse the detections of individual sensors at each node using algorithms based on the Neyman-Pearson criteria to achieve the required false alarm rate with the assumption that the sensor observations are independent. However, the sensors are observing the same phenomenon and hence the observations are not independent. In this paper, we explore the joint probability distributions between the sensors using copulas to improve the detection statistics. We identify several copula functions suitable for fusing the data in order to improve the detection statistics.
Further evidence that ultraviolet radiation-enhanced reactivation of simian virus 40 in monkey kidney cells is not accompanied by mutagenesis.

Abstract Can simian virus 40 (SV40) be used to detect mutagenic DNA repair in cultured mammalian cells? The published evidence from different laboratories are in direct conflict. In order to decide between the conflicting evidence, we conducted experiments in two separate laboratories using experimental protocols similar to those previously used to investigate mutagenic repair with viral probes. Mutagenesis in SV40 virus stocks obtained by infecting ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated or unirradiated CV-1 monkey kidney cells with UV-irradiated or unirradiated temperature-sensitive SV40 mutant ts B201 was investigated. The frequency of reversion of the ts mutant to phenotypically wild-type virus was determined by assaying the virus stocks at permissive (33°) and non-permissive (39°) temperatures. These data show that (a) the reversion frequency for unirradiated virus propagated in irradiated cells was more than that in unirradiated cells; (b) irradiated virus gave more reversion than unirradiated virus in unirradiated and irradiated cells; and (c) irradiated virus had a lower reversion frequency in irradiated cells than in unirradiated cells. Reactivation experiments carried out in parallel with the mutagenesis showed enhanced reactivation in UV-irradiated SV40 in UV-irradiated CV-1 cells. We conclude that enhanced reactivation of UV-irradiated SV40 was not mutagenic in monkey kidney cells.
Curcumin modulation of high fat diet-induced atherosclerosis and steatohepatosis in LDL receptor deficient mice

Abstract Objective Consuming curcumin may benefit health by modulating lipid metabolism and suppressing atherogenesis. Fatty acid binding proteins (FABP-4/aP2) and CD36 expression are key factors in lipid accumulation in macrophages and foam cell formation in atherogenesis. Our earlier observations suggest that curcumin's suppression of atherogenesis might be mediated through changes in aP2 and CD36 expression in macrophages. Thus, this study aimed to further elucidate the impact of increasing doses of curcumin on modulation of these molecular mediators on high fat diet-induced atherogenesis, inflammation, and steatohepatosis in Ldlr −/− mice. Methods Ldlr −/− mice were fed low fat (LF) or high fat (HF) diet supplemented with curcumin (500 HF + LC; 1000 HF + MC; 1500 HF + HC mg/kg diet) for 16 wks. Fecal samples were analyzed for total lipid content. Lipids accumulation in THP-1 cells and expression of aP2, CD36 and lipid accumulation in peritoneal macrophages were measured. Fatty streak lesions and expression of IL-6 and MCP-1 in descending aortas were quantified. Aortic root was stained for fatty and fibrotic deposits and for the expression of aP2 and VCAM-1. Total free fatty acids, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol as well as several inflammatory cytokines were measured in plasma. The liver's total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL content were measured, and the presence of fat droplets, peri-portal fibrosis and glycogen was examined histologically. Results Curcumin dose-dependently reduced uptake of oxLDL in THP-1 cells. Curcumin also reduced body weight gain and body fat without affecting fat distribution. During early intervention, curcumin decreased fecal fat, but at later stages, it increased fat excretion. Curcumin at medium doses of 500–1000 mg/kg diet was effective at reducing fatty streak formation and suppressing aortic expression of IL-6 in the descending aorta and blood levels of several inflammatory cytokines, but at a higher dose (HF + HC, 1500 mg/kg diet), it had adverse effects on some of these parameters. This U-shape like trend was also present when aortic root sections were examined histologically. However, at a high dose, curcumin suppressed development of steatohepatosis, reduced fibrotic tissue, and preserved glycogen levels in liver. Conclusion Curcumin through a series of complex mechanisms, alleviated the adverse effects of high fat diet on weight gain, fatty liver development, dyslipidemia, expression of inflammatory cytokines and atherosclerosis in Ldlr −/− mouse model of human atherosclerosis. One of the mechanisms by which low dose curcumin modulates atherogenesis is through suppression of aP2 and CD36 expression in macrophages, which are the key players in atherogenesis. Overall, these effects of curcumin are dose-dependent; specifically, a medium dose of curcumin in HF diet appears to be more effective than a higher dose of curcumin.
One-Nanosecond Overlap Coincidence Counting to Track PET Agents over Six Decades

Residue functions track the clearance of radio-labeled substrates through key metabolic pathways. Fast positron coincidence detection (BaF2, CsF) has a millihertz benchtop background. Subnanosecond resolution is preserved by delay-trimming NIM negative logic in a three-fold overlap "AND" circuit, enabling measurements over six decades of dynamic range on isolated animal preparations.
Path-protection routing and wavelength assignment in WDM mesh networks under shared-risk-group constraints

This study investigates the problem of fault management in a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM)-based optical mesh network in which failures occur due to fiber cuts. In reality, bundles of fibers often get cut at the same time due to construction or destructive natural events, such as earthquakes. Fibers laid down in the same duct have a significant probability to fail at the same time. If two fibers reside in the same cable (bundle of fibers) or the same duct, we say that these two fibers are in the same Shared Risk Group (SRG). When path protection is employed, we require the primary path and the backup path to be SRG-disjoint, so that the network is survivable under single-SRG failures. Moreover, if two primary paths go through any common SRG, their backup paths cannot share wavelengths on common links. This study addresses the routing and wavelength-assignment problem in a network with path protection under SRG constraints. Off-line algorithms for static traffic is developed to combat single-SRG failures. The objective is to minimize total number of wavelengths used on all the links in the network. Both Integer Linear Programs (ILPs) and heuristic algorithms are presented and their performances are compared through numerical examples.
The Relative Importance of Seeding Method, Soil Ripping, and Soil Variables on Seeding Success

We conducted a field experiment to examine how seeding method, soil ripping, and soil characteristics affected the initial establishment and growth of seeded species and if differences among treatments persisted into the second growing season. We planted seeds into a compacted field plot where most of the topsoil had been removed. The native seed mixture of Artemisia californica, Eschscholzia californica, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Lupinus succulentus, Nassella pulchra, and Vulpia microstachys represented different seed sizes and life histories. Three seeding methods (hydroseeding, imprinting, and drilling) and three ripping depths (0, 20, and 40 cm) were combined in a factorial experiment. Soil organic matter and NO 3 - were used as covariates. For two years, we measured density, percent cover, mean size, and flower production of the selected species, and weed emergence. Only seeding method and soil variation affected initial establishment of natives. Small-seeded species had higher density in imprinted and hydroseeded than drilled treatments, whereas large-seeded species had higher density in imprinted and drilled than hydroseeded treatments. These patterns persisted with only slight modification into the second year. Weed density in year 1 decreased with soil ripping. In year 1, Vulpia height and Lupinus height and flowering were greater with drilling or imprinting than hydroseeding but were not affected by ripping. Eschscholzia, Lupinus, and Vulpia produced seeds in the first year, but only Vulpia reestablished success-fully in the second year. Vulpia had high cover in the second year that increased with increasing NO 3 - , but did not vary by treatment. In year 2 perennial Nassella, and to some extent Eriogonum, grew largest, produced more inflorescences, and had their highest percent cover in the 40-cm rip treatment. Size and inflorescence production also increased with increasing NO 3 - ; sometimes this relationship was stronger than the effects of treatments. We found only positive associations between estimated biomass (density X height) of annuals and survival of shrubs. Potential for erosion control, as measured by total density in year 1 and total vegetative cover in year 2, was greatest in imprinted and hydroseeded treatments and increased with increasing NO 3 - . This relatively simple experiment yielded information critical to understanding optimum seeding methods and seedbed preparation and indicates that seeding method can be determined by seed size and germination biology. Although an experiment such as this enables some generalizations, it does not eliminate the need for site-specific experiments prior to restoration.
Occupancy dynamics of breeding crawfish frogs in southeastern Indiana

We studied the occupancy dynamics of breeding crawfish frogs (Lithobates areolatus )a t 45 randomly selected grasslands across 208 km 2 at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, in southeastern Indiana, USA, during March 2010 and 2011. We developed a suite of hypotheses explaining the relationship between occupancy, detection, and environmental covariates. We fit our hypotheses using multiseason occupancy models, and compared them in an information-theoretic, model-selection framework. Our top model suggested that the detection probability had a positive, linear relationship with time, temperature, and the amount of rain 24 hours before the survey, and had a quadratic relationship with date, which peaked on 19 March. Our top model supported our hypothesis that occupancy probability was positively correlated with grassland size; larger grasslands were more likely to be occupied by crawfish frogs. Based on our results, we recommend that managers conserve large tracts of grasslands near breeding sites. We recommend that in southeastern Indiana crawfish frog-breeding surveys be conducted in mid- to late-March, and that each call point be surveyed for 15 minutes. We provide a model to increase the precision of detection probability estimates for call surveys that target calling crawfish frogs. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Ozone flux to vegetation and its relationship to plant response and ambient air quality standards

Abstract The National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone is based on occurrences of the maximum 8 h average ambient ozone concentration. However, biologists have recommended a cumulative ozone exposure parameter to protect vegetation. In this paper we propose a third alternative which uses quantifiable flux-based numerical parameters as a replacement for cumulative ambient parameters. Herein we discuss the concept of ozone flux as it relates to plant response and the NAAQS, and document information needed before a flux-based ozone NAAQS for vegetation can be implemented. Additional research is needed in techniques for determining plant uptake and in the quantification of plant defensive mechanisms to ozone. Models which include feedback mechanisms should be developed to relate ozone flux, loading, and detoxification with photosynthesis and plant productivity.
Expansion Of An Infrared Detection Technique Using Conductive Mesh In Microwave Shielding Applications

An IR transparent, but microwave opaque, conductive mesh structure is developed to shield an infrared (IR) system from intense electromagnetic (EM) interference in the microwave range . To prevent potentially damaging EM radiation from penetrating or coupling into the IR system, the IR scanner is enclosed in a Faraday cage. One implication of this IR camera shielding technique is an ability to acquire accurate IR data in any noisy EM environment. A second application of the conductive mesh involves the investigation of EM fields in a copper cylinder, closed at both ends, constructed with a copper mesh section incorporated at one end of the cylinder. Using several positions for the detection material, three-dimensional field profiles are obtained and the results are presented.
Increased ATP content/production in the hypothalamus may be a signal for energy-sensing of satiety: studies of the anorectic mechanism of a plant steroidal glycoside

A steroidal glycoside with anorectic activity in animals, termed P57AS3 (P57), was isolated from Hoodia gordonii and found to have homologies to the steroidal core of cardiac glycosides. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of the purified P57AS3 demonstrated that the compound has a likely central (CNS) mechanism of action. There is no evidence of P57AS3 binding to or altering activity of known receptors or proteins, including Na/K-ATPase, the putative target of cardiac glycosides. The studies demonstrated that the compound increases the content of ATP by 50-150% in hypothalamic neurons. In addition, third ventricle (i.c.v.) administration of P57, which reduces subsequent 24-h food intake by 40-60%, also increases ATP content in hypothalamic slice punches removed at 24 h following the i.c.v. injections. In related studies, in pair fed rats fed a low calorie diet for 4 days, the content of ATP in the hypothalami of control i.c.v. injected animals fell by 30-50%, which was blocked by i.c.v. injections of P57AS3. With growing evidence of metabolic or nutrient-sensing by the hypothalamus, ATP may be a common currency of energy sensing, which in turn may trigger the appropriate neural, endocrine and appetitive responses as similar to other fundamental hypothalamic homeostatic centers for temperature and osmolarity.
Elliptical and Circular Cylindrical Sandwich Shells with Different Facings

The Sanders-type theory of elliptical sandwich shells with different facings is formulated. The governing equations account for transverse shear strains and for rotations about the normal to the middle surface of the shell. The constitutive equations correspond to a sandwich shell where each facing is formed of an even number of regular symmetrically laminated layers. Accordingly, the matrix of extensional, coupling and bending stiffnesses is fully populated, except for the elements A16 and A26 that are equal to zero. In addition, a geometrically nonlinear formulation is presented for an elliptical facing resting on an elastic foundation, based on the Sanders nonlinear shell theory. In this formulation, the rotations about the normal to the middle surface as well as transverse shear strains are disregarded. Both the governing equations for the sandwich shell and the nonlinear solution for a facing are reduced to the corresponding results for a circular cylindrical shell if the radius of curvature of the s...
A comparison of ground truth estimation methods

Knowledge of the exact shape of a lesion, or ground truth (GT), is necessary for the development of diagnostic tools by means of algorithm validation, measurement metric analysis, accurate size estimation. Four methods that estimate GTs from multiple readers’ documentations by considering the spatial location of voxels were compared: thresholded Probability-Map at 0.50 (TPM0.50) and at 0.75 (TPM0.75), simultaneous truth and performance level estimation (STAPLE) and truth estimate from self distances (TESD). A subset of the publicly available Lung Image Database Consortium archive was used, selecting pulmonary nodules documented by all four radiologists. The pair-wise similarities between the estimated GTs were analyzed by computing the respective Jaccard coefficients. Then, with respect to the readers’ marking volumes, the estimated volumes were ranked and the sign test of the differences between them was performed. (a) the rank variations among the four methods and the volume differences between STAPLE and TESD are not statistically significant, (b) TPM0.50 estimates are statistically larger (c) TPM0.75 estimates are statistically smaller (d) there is some spatial disagreement in the estimates as the one-sided 90% confidence intervals between TPM0.75 and TPM0.50, TPM0.75 and STAPLE, TPM0.75 and TESD, TPM0.50 and STAPLE, TPM0.50 and TESD, STAPLE and TESD, respectively, show: [0.67, 1.00], [0.67, 1.00], [0.77, 1.00], [0.93, 1.00], [0.85, 1.00], [0.85, 1.00]. The method used to estimate the GT is important: the differences highlighted that STAPLE and TESD, notwithstanding a few weaknesses, appear to be equally viable as a GT estimator, while the increased availability of computing power is decreasing the appeal afforded to TPMs. Ultimately, the choice of which GT estimation method, between the two, should be preferred depends on the specific characteristics of the marked data that is used with respect to the two elements that differentiate the method approaches: relative reliabilities of the readers and the reliability of the region boundaries.
Improving Student Retention in Online College Classes: Qualitative Insights from Faculty:

This article provides qualitative insights into addressing the issue of student retention in online classes in higher education. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted at random with 16 faculty who teach online courses at a large community college in the Northeast about how to improve online student retention. Qualitative analysis using grounded theory methodology revealed participants discussed that student retention in online courses could be increased by making changes to the screening process for potential online students, improving the student orientation for online courses, the college administration providing additional support to faculty who do online teaching, and online faculty being more responsible to students. Administrators should be aware that changes made in any of these areas may improve student retention in online classes.
Predictors associated with terminal renal function in deceased organ donors in the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND Factors determining renal function at organ recovery in deceased kidney donors are not well established. METHODS The authors studied the prevalence and risk factors associated with elevated prerecovery creatinine and calculated glomerular filtration rate in 458 deceased organ donors identified through the California Donor Transplant Network between January 2005 and December 2006. Data collected retrospectively included demographics, medical history, laboratory values, mechanism of death, and medical treatment in the intensive care unit. Factors were analyzed by both univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS There were 260 men and 198 women in the study. The age was 43.2 +/- 14.9 yr, and body mass index was 26.9 +/- 6.0 (mean +/- SD). In multivariate analysis, several factors were important determinants of both prerecovery creatinine and glomerular filtration rate. Admission creatinine or glomerular filtration rate were major determinants of respective prerecovery values (P < 0.0001). Higher body mass index was associated with worse renal function (P < 0.01). Higher average glucose values and greater variability in glucose (when included) were associated with worse prerecovery renal function (P < 0.01). Administration of desmopressin acetate was highly associated with preserved renal function (P < 0.001). Lower platelet count (P < 0.0001) and proteinuria (P = 0.005) were also associated with worse renal function. CONCLUSION The data identify several important factors that predict renal function at kidney recovery in deceased donors. In particular, tighter control of blood glucose may improve renal function in potential organ donors, but prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A strategy for scheduling partially ordered program graphs onto multicomputers

The issue of scalability is key to the success of massively parallel processing. Due to their distributed nature, message-passing multicomputers are appropriate for achieving scalar performance. However, the message-passing programming model lacks programmability due to difficulties encountered by the programmers to partition and schedule the computation over the processors and to establish efficient inter-processor communication in the user code. Therefore, this paper presents a compile-time scheduling heuristic, called BLAS, that maps programs onto the processors of a message-passing multicomputer. In contrast to other methods proposed in the literature, BLAS takes a more global approach in attempt to balance the tradeoff between exploitation of parallelism and reducing communication overhead. To evaluate the effectiveness of BLAS, detailed simulation studies of scheduling SISAL programs are presented. >
Pulmonary cement embolism after kyphoplasty.

Abstract: An 80-year-old female with a history of osteoporosis was evaluated for sudden onset axial low back pain with bilateral lower extremity weakness, hyperreflexia, pain, urinary retention, and decreased rectal tone. Computed tomography of the lumbar spine revealed L1 compression fracture, retropulsion of bone causing spinal canal compromise with associated severe central canal stenosis. Following cement kyphoplasty of L1 with polymethyl methacrylate, the patient developed tachycardia and dyspnea. Chest radiograph and computed tomographic pulmonary angiogram revealed a large collection of hyperdense material within the right lower lobe pulmonary artery, consistent with pulmonary cement emboli. Management and imaging are discussed.
The EKZ/AMC childhood cancer survivor cohort: methodology, clinical characteristics, and data availability

Purpose Childhood cancer survivors are at high risk of late adverse effects of cancer treatment, but there are still many gaps in evidence about these late effects. We described the methodology, clinical characteristics, data availability, and outcomes of our cohort study of childhood cancer survivors.
Sedimentation velocity studies of the high–molecular weight aggregates of the HIV gp41 ectodomain

Accumulation of the HIV envelope protein gp41 is observed in the brain tissues of patients suffering from HIV-associated dementia. Previously, we have shown by electron microscopy that the extracellular domain of SIV gp41, which is analogous to that of HIV, forms high–molecular weight aggregates in vitro, and we have postulated that such high–molecular weight aggregates are responsible for neurological damage in a manner similar to protein deposition diseases such as Alzheimer’s and the prion diseases. In this manuscript, we have characterized the self-association of the HIV gp41 ectodomain by sedimentation velocity. We show that discreet species of the gp41 high–molecular weight aggregates are present. The maximum population occurs at 20 S, which corresponds to ~5 trimers of gp41, suggesting that five trimers are required for nucleation of the high–molecular weight aggregates. The concentration dependence of the gp41 self-association indicates that it occurs by mass action. The temperature dependence of gp41 self-association suggests that it is driven by entropy, indicating that intermolecular hydrophobic interactions between trimers of gp41 are driving the association.
Insights into the Abnormalities of Chronic Renal Disease Attributed to Malnutrition

Low values of serum proteins and loss of lean body mass are commonly found in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) and especially in dialysis patients. These abnormalities have been attributed to malnutrition (i.e., an inadequate diet), but available evidence indicates that this is not the principal cause. In contrast, there is persuasive evidence that secondary factors associated with the CRI condition cause abnormalities in protein turnover and ultimately result in low serum protein levels and loss of lean body mass. Recent reports have identified some factors that could interfere with the control of protein turnover in CRI patients, including acidosis, inflammation, and/or resistance to anabolic hormones. Each of these stimulates protein breakdown in muscle and activates a common proteolytic pathway, the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Moreover, acidosis or inflammation suppress hepatic albumin synthesis. Understanding the biochemical mechanisms that regulate the ubiquitin-proteasome and other catabolic pathways are required to identify new strategies for preventing protein deficits that are associated with CRI.
Occupational Relevance and Body Mass Bias in Military Physical Fitness Tests

Recent evidence makes a compelling case that US Army, Navy, and Air Force health-related physical fitness tests penalize larger, not just fatter, service members. As a result, they tend to receive lower scores than their lighter counterparts, the magnitude of which can be explained by biologic scaling laws. Larger personnel, on the other hand, tend to be better performers of work-related fitness tasks such as load carriage, heavy lifting, and materiel handling. This has been explained by empirical evidence that lean body mass and lean body mass to dead mass ratio (dead mass = fat mass and external load to be carried/lifted) are more potent determinants of performance of these military tasks than the fitness test events such as push-ups, sit-ups, or 2-mile-distance run time. Because promotions are based, in part, on fitness test performance, lighter personnel have an advancement advantage, although they tend to be poorer performers on many tests of work-related fitness. Several strategies have been proposed to rectify this incongruence including balanced tests, scaled scores, and correction factors--yet most need large-scale validation. Because nearly all subjects in such research have been men, future investigations should focus on women and elucidate the feasibility of universal physical fitness tests for all that include measures of health- and work-related fitness while imposing no systematic body mass bias.
Modeling of deadband function of governor model and its effect on frequency Response characteristics

Frequency Response has been the focus of increased attention and analysis recently due to its importance to the reliability of the network. The models used by the utilities proved to be insufficient and the inability to duplicate events using the existing models and databases has led to several initiatives to address these shortfalls. In this work, the effect of the dead-band in the governor/turbine model is investigated. For this purpose, IEEEG1 model is used to study the frequency response of the steam generators. Many of the existing industrial software used by the utilities ignore the dead-band function in their governor model. Using the incorrect parameters for the dead-band function can lead to the significantly incorrect frequency response, it is even worth in case of ignoring the dead-band function. In this paper, the effect of the dead-band setting on the frequency response is studied. The response of the generator during the frequency deviation is analyzed both with and without the dead-band. ETAP is used as a good candidate for an industrial software to study the effect of the frequency deviation on the generator response. Ignoring the dead-band is shown to depict a very optimistic picture of the frequency response.
Toward the Next Generation of Air Quality Monitoring Indicators

This paper introduces an initiative to bridge the state of scientific knowledge on air pollution with the needs of policymakers and stakeholders to design the "next generation" of air quality indicators. As a first step this initiative assesses current monitoring and modeling associated with a number of important pollutants with an eye toward identifying knowledge gaps and scientific needs that are a barrier to reducing air pollution impacts on human and ecosystem health across the globe. Four outdoor air pollutants were considered e particulate matter, ozone, mercury, and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) e because of their clear adverse impacts on human and ecosystem health and because of the availability of baseline data for assessment for each. While other papers appearing in this issue will address each pollutant separately, this paper serves as a summary of the initiative and presents recommendations for needed investments to provide improved measurement, monitoring, and modeling data for policyrelevant indicators. The ultimate goal of this effort is to enable enhanced public policy responses to air pollution by linking improved data and measurement methods to decision-making through the development of indicators that can allow policymakers to better understand the impacts of air pollution and, along with source attribution based on modeling and measurements, facilitate improved policies to solve it. The development of indicators represents a crucial next step in this process.
Bupropion-Induced Acute Dystonia

OBJECTIVE:To report a case of acute dystonia consisting of neck stiffness, trismus, and unilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and subluxation secondary to an increase in sustained-release (SR) bupropion.CASE SUMMARY:A 44-year-old white man with a history of chronic low-back pain and tension headaches, taking no other medications, was started on bupropion SR 150 mg once a day for depression. The dosage was increased to 150 mg SR twice a day and eventually augmented with buspirone 15 mg 3 × a day. He developed bilateral trismus, inability to rotate his head laterally, and spontaneous left TMJ subluxation. Symptoms recessed with discontinuation of both medications and failed to reappear with a trial of buspirone 15 mg 3 × a day alone. A retrial of bupropion alone evidenced no adverse effects at a dosage of 150 mg SR once a day. However, when the dosage was increased to 150 mg SR twice a day, the patient reexperienced initial signs of neck stiffness, jaw muscle tightness, and left TMJ subluxation with...
Mind-Set Interventions Are a Scalable Treatment for Academic Underachievement

The efficacy of academic-mind-set interventions has been demonstrated by small-scale, proof-of-concept interventions, generally delivered in person in one school at a time. Whether this approach could be a practical way to raise school achievement on a large scale remains unknown. We therefore delivered brief growth-mind-set and sense-of-purpose interventions through online modules to 1,594 students in 13 geographically diverse high schools. Both interventions were intended to help students persist when they experienced academic difficulty; thus, both were predicted to be most beneficial for poorly performing students. This was the case. Among students at risk of dropping out of high school (one third of the sample), each intervention raised students’ semester grade point averages in core academic courses and increased the rate at which students performed satisfactorily in core courses by 6.4 percentage points. We discuss implications for the pipeline from theory to practice and for education reform.
Improved wafer-level VFTLP system and investigation of device turn-on effects

We present an improved wafer-level VFTLP measurement system. This system produces pulses with sub-150 ps rise time and few distortions at the rising edge. By introducing a broadband power divider, the oscilloscope no longer limits the pulse amplitude, and arbitrarily high pulse voltages can be measured. Turn-on effects in diodes and NMOSFETs are investigated using this system.
Keynes's Changing Conception of Probability

One of the most actively discussed aspects of Keynes's thought during the last decade has been his concern with uncertainty and probability theory. As the concerns of current macroeconomic theorists have turned increasingly to the effects of expectations and uncertainty, interest has grown in the fact that Keynes was the author of A Treatise on Probability (1921) and that uncertainty plays a prominent role in Chapter 12 of The General Theory as well as in three 1937 papers in which he summarized The General Theory's main point. Not surprisingly, though, there has been very little agreement in this recent discussion about exactly what the significance of Keynes's early work in probability was to his later work as an economist, or about what the roles of uncertainty and expectations are in The General Theory.