cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Allergen avoidance in the treatment of asthma: Problems with the meta-analyses

Decreasing exposure to indoor allergens has been studied extensively and is a well accepted part of the treatment for allergic disease. The 2007 revision of the evidence-based guidelines recommends allergen avoidance as part of the management of asthma. In contrast, a recent meta-analysis concluded that dust mite avoidance is "of no use" in the treatment of asthma. There are obvious sources of bias that could have influenced the evaluation of published trials either by the guideline panel or by the group conducting the meta-analysis. An important issue is whether meta-analysis is a valid method of evaluating studies such as those on dust mite avoidance that are highly variable. Reading the published series of 4 meta-analyses on this subject from the Cochrane Library suggests that decisions about which trials to include can have a major effect on the outcome. The process of meta-analysis may also have other potential conflicts. The recent meta-analysis on dust mite avoidance appears to be seriously flawed because of the decisions about inclusion and exclusion as well as the way in which studies were evaluated. The conclusion is that the criticisms of the recommendations in the 2007 guidelines were not well founded.
New method to determine characteristic time of viscoelastic fluids

Abstract An extra dimensionless parameter involving the ratio of the elastic and viscous forces, the Weissenberg number, is necessary to correlate the friction and heat transfer behavior of viscoelastic fluids. The evaluation of the Weissenberg number requires a measurement of the first normal force difference or, alternatively, the determination of the characteristic time of the fluid. We suggest that the characteristic time of viscoelastic fluids can be determined by a simple pressure drop measurement. The basis for the proposed method is presented. More detailed measurements are required to validate the procedure.
The Benthic Macrofauna Associated with the Oyster Reefs of the James River Estuary, Virginia, U.S.A.†‡

Productive, natural oyster reefs within the James River estuary, were quantitatively sampled for associated macrofauna for a year. The 192 samples yielded 142 taxa. Mean faunal density on these reefs ranged from 5,757 to 57,857 m−2. Over 770/0 of the individuals collected belonged to 11 taxa. The number of species and informational diversity (H') decreased up the estuarine gradient. The quality of available shell surface was deemed important in determining density. The spatial heterogeneity provided by the shell surface allowed development of a densely populated, diverse faunal assemblage which differs from soft-bottom assemblages principally in quantitative aspects. The assemblage is not spatially or temporally homogeneous and undergoes significant changes in community structure both seasonally and along the estuarine gradient.
Agronomic Water Mass Balance vs. Well Measurement for Assessing Ogallala Aquifer Depletion in the Texas Panhandle

The Ogallala Aquifer is depleting faster than it is being replenished. Interpretation of well data suggests that the water table in some counties is not declining, or not as much as might be expected in view of the amount of land being irrigated. As the Ogallala Aquifer in the Texas Panhandle receives almost no recharge, a possible explanation is that the current method of using well data for estimating the quantity of water remaining in the aquifer is underestimating water in storage. This study used an agronomic water mass balance approach to estimate how much water has been used for irrigation compared to amounts estimated by well data. The major finding was in counties where irrigation well capacities have declined significantly but irrigation is continuing, there is likely more water in storage than presently estimated, but the amounts of water being used for irrigation in those counties are greater than estimated changes of water in storage. The proposed hypothesis for this difference is there are mounds of water between wells that are not being accounted for and data are presented and discussed to support this conjecture.
Canine intracranial gliomas: Relationship between magnetic resonance imaging criteria and tumor type and grade

Limited information is available to assist in the ante-mortem prediction of tumor type and grade for dogs with primary brain tumors. The objective of the current study was to identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria related to the histopathological type and grade of gliomas in dogs. A convenience sample utilizing client-owned dogs (n=31) with gliomas was used. Medical records of dogs with intracranial lesions admitted to two veterinary referral hospitals were reviewed and cases with a complete brain MRI and definitive histopathological diagnosis were retrieved for analysis. Each MRI was independently interpreted by five investigators who were provided with standardized grading instructions and remained blinded to the histopathological diagnosis. Mild to no contrast enhancement, an absence of cystic structures (single or multiple), and a tumor location other than the thalamo-capsular region were independently associated with grade II tumors compared to higher grade tumors. In comparison to oligodendrogliomas, astrocytomas were independently associated with the presence of moderate to extensive peri-tumoral edema, a lack of ventricular distortion, and an isointense or hyper-intense T1W-signal. When clinical and MRI features indicate that a glioma is most likely, certain MRI criteria can be used to inform the level of suspicion for low tumor grade, particularly poor contrast enhancement. Information obtained from the MRI of such dogs can also assist in predicting an astrocytoma or an oligodendroglioma, but no single imaging characteristic allows for a particular tumor type to be ruled out.
Hippocampal cell density and subcortical metabolism in temporal lobe epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: Correlations between hippocampal cell density and subcortical metabolism in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) were studied to explore possible links between subcortical function and the regulation of hippocampal excitability. Methods: Resected hippocampal cell densities were correlated with cortical and subcortical regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (CMRglu), as measured by [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18-FDGPET), in 39 patients with intractable TLE who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL). CMRglu was measured ipsilateral and contralateral to the resected temporal lobe. Linear regression techniques were used for statistical analysis. Results: Hilar cell densities correlated positively and significantly with CMRglu in the bilateral thalamus, putamen and globus pallidus, and the ipsilateral caudate. Dentate granule cell densities correlated positively and significantly with CMRglu in the bilateral thalamus and putamen. There was no significant correlation between cell densities and CMRglu in any cortical region, including the hippocampus. Conclusions: We postulate that hippocampal cell loss results in decreased efferent synaptic activity to the thalamus and basal ganglia, causing decreased neuronal activity in these structures with consequent hypometabolism. This synaptic activity has a significant bilateral component. Subcortical hypometabolism in patients with TLE may reinforce the epileptogenic potential of mesial temporal lobe discharges.
Working together: Farnesyl transferase inhibitors and statins block protein prenylation

Farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs) have so far proved to have limited value as single agents in clinical trials. This PharmSight will focus on the use of a novel group of FTIs that are most effective in vitro when used in combination with the “statin” class of anti-hypercholesterolemic agents, which also block protein prenylation. We recently showed that these novel FTIs in combination with lovastatin reduce Ras prenylation and induce an apoptotic response in malignant peripheral nerve sheath cells. The combination of statins with these new FTIs may produce profound synergistic cytostatic and cytotoxic effects against a variety of tumors and other proliferative disorders. Since statins are well tolerated in the clinic, we suggest that this combination approach should be tested in in vivo models.
Combining supervised and unsupervised monitoring for fault detection in distributed computing systems

Fast and accurate fault detection is becoming an essential component of management software for mission critical systems. A good fault detector makes possible to initiate repair actions quickly, increasing the availability of the system. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First a new concept of supervised and unsupervised monitoring is proposed for system fault detection. We use a statistical method, canonical correlation analysis (CCA), to model the contextual dependencies between system inputs u and internal behavior x. By means of CCA, the space x is transformed into two subsets of variables, which are monitored in a supervised and unsupervised manner respectively. By doing so, our approach can reduce the false alarms resulting from unusual workload changes, and hence achieve high fault detection rate. Second, in order to test the performance of our approach, we simulate a variety of system faults in a real e-commerce application based on the multi-tiered J2EE architecture. Experimental results demonstrate that the CCA based approach can detect injected failures at their early stages when unusual phenomenon is very weak, and hence contribute to enormous time and cost savings in managing large scale distributed systems.
Iron hydroxy carbonate formation in zerovalent iron permeable reactive barriers: characterization and evaluation of phase stability.

Predicting the long-term potential of permeable reactive barriers for treating contaminated groundwater relies on understanding the endpoints of biogeochemical reactions between influent groundwater and the reactive medium. Iron hydroxy carbonate (chukanovite) is frequently observed as a secondary mineral precipitate in granular iron PRBs. Mineralogical characterization was carried out using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy on materials collected from three field-based PRBs in the US (East Helena, MT; Elizabeth City, NC; Denver Federal Center, CO). These PRBs were installed to treat a range of contaminants, including chlorinated organics, hexavalent chromium, and arsenic. Results obtained indicate that chukanovite is a prevalent secondary precipitate in the PRBs. Laboratory experiments on high-purity chukanovite separates were carried out to constrain the room-temperature solubility for this mineral. An estimated Gibbs energy of formation ({Delta}{sub f}G{sup o}) for chukanovite is - 1174.4 {+-} 6 kJ/mol. A mineral stability diagram is consistent with observations from the field. Water chemistry from the three reactive barriers falls inside the predicted stability field for chukanovite, at inorganic carbon concentrations intermediate to the stability fields of siderite and ferrous hydroxide. These new data will aid in developing better predictive models of mineral accumulation in zerovalent ironmore » PRBs.« less
Neuronal growth cones: specific interactions mediated by filopodial insertion and induction of coated vesicles.

Abstract We are interested in the factors that guide individual neuronal growth cones during embryonic development. Here we report on the discovery of a highly specific interaction between developing growth cones in the grasshopper embryo as revealed by transmission electron microscope serial-section reconstructions. Numerous filopodia from an identified growth cone (MP1) insert deep within another identified growth cone (pCC), inducing the formation of coated pits and vesicles. This interaction is highly specific, since filopodia from other nearby growth cones that contact the surface of the two interacting neurons neither penetrate them nor induce coated vesicles. These specific filopodial interactions may play an important role in the subsequent development of these neurons.
The onset of meromixis during restoration of Mono Lake, California: Unintended consequences of reducing water diversions

Diversions of freshwater streams out of the Mono Lake basin since 1941 have led to a gradual decrease in size, an approximate doubling of lake-water salinity, and associated environmental impacts. To restore Mono Lake, the state of California amended Los Angeles' water rights by restricting diversions until the surface elevation rises 6 m above its 1982 low stand. Given the reduced volume of the lake, the cessation of diversions and an above average snowmelt runoff in 1995 led to an abrupt l-m rise in surface elevation and the onset of persistent chemical stratification (meromixis). Long-term simulations using a one-dimensional vertical mixing model modified for application to hypersaline Mono Lake predict the current episode of meromixis is likely to persist for several decades, given the management policy of the state. A similar episode of meromixis in the mid-1980s following record snowmelt runoff in 1982–1983 and reduced diversions led to reductions in vertical mixing, recycling of nutrients, and primary productivity. That episode ended following an extended period of drought and the resumption of diversions. The ecological consequences of the predicted multidecade period of meromixis are largely unknown.
Structure of the MutL C-terminal domain: a model of intact MutL and its roles in mismatch repair

MutL assists the mismatch recognition protein MutS to initiate and coordinate mismatch repair in species ranging from bacteria to humans. The MutL N-terminal ATPase domain is highly conserved, but the C-terminal region shares little sequence similarity among MutL homologs. We report here the crystal structure of the Escherichia coli MutL C-terminal dimerization domain and the likelihood of its conservation among MutL homologs. A 100-residue proline-rich linker between the ATPase and dimerization domains, which generates a large central cavity in MutL dimers, tolerates sequence substitutions and deletions of one-third of its length with no functional consequences in vivo or in vitro. Along the surface of the central cavity, residues essential for DNA binding are located in both the N- and C-terminal domains. Each domain of MutL interacts with UvrD helicase and is required for activating the helicase activity. The DNA-binding capacity of MutL is correlated with the level of UvrD activation. A model of how MutL utilizes its ATPase and DNA-binding activities to mediate mismatch-dependent activation of MutH endonuclease and UvrD helicase is proposed.
Does SV Centauri harbor an accretion disk

Light synthesis simulation of SV Cen UBV photometry by Drechsel et al. (1982) exhibits appreciable residuals. These residuals, together with large Roche model overcontact but also large calculated intercomponent temperature difference, suggests that the light synthesis Roche model is inapplicable. The substantial rate of period change indicates rapid mass transfer in a pre-mass-reversal system. An accretion disk surrounding a nearly normal size secondary provides a possible explanation of the photometric residuals. Excess radiation longward of 200 nm, by comparison with a spectrum synthesis simulation, provides qualitative support for the model. This model is inconsistent with the Lubow-Shu criterion for accretion disk formation. The text provides a speculative scenario showing why an accretion disk may nonetheless form.
Holographic Encoding with Completely Incoherent Light

Information about the depth dimension can be stored in photographic recordings of ordinary scenes by introducing a camera movement and a shutter modulation during the exposure. Each object point is recorded as a one-sided zone-plate pattern where the focal length of the zone plate is related to the depth location of the point. This recording is equivalent to a hologram and the object can be reconstructed using coherent light and conventional holographic techniques. Experimental verification of the scheme is shown.
An integrated intelligent machining system for axisymmetric parts using PC-based CAD and CAM software packages

Machining process planning involves the formation of a set of directions describing the machining operations required to transform raw stock into a finished part. Conventional process planning, performed manually, relies on the knowledge and competence of an experienced process planner and tends to be time consuming and error prone. In the past two decades, much effort has been spent on improving process planning by utilizing the power of a computer to emulate the capabilities of an experienced planner. During the same period, computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software has been developed to enhance design productivity and to assist the NC code generation facets of the machining process. The entire planning process may be automated be integrating CAD and CAM using computer-aided process planing (CAPP). The research described in this paper outlines the design and development of an intelligent CAPP system integrating two commercial CAD and CAM software packages, Autocad and Mastercam.
IQGAP1 Protein Binds Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) and Modulates Trastuzumab Resistance

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 20–25% of breast cancers. Increased HER2 expression is an adverse prognostic factor and correlates with decreased patient survival. HER2-positive (HER2(+)) breast cancer is treated with trastuzumab. Unfortunately, some patients are intrinsically refractory to therapy, and many who do respond initially become resistant within 1 year. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying HER2 signaling and trastuzumab resistance is essential to reduce breast cancer mortality. IQGAP1 is a ubiquitously expressed scaffold protein that contains multiple protein interaction domains. By regulating its binding partners IQGAP1 integrates signaling pathways, several of which contribute to breast tumorigenesis. We show here that IQGAP1 is overexpressed in HER2(+) breast cancer tissue and binds directly to HER2. Knockdown of IQGAP1 decreases HER2 expression, phosphorylation, signaling, and HER2-stimulated cell proliferation, effects that are all reversed by reconstituting cells with IQGAP1. Reducing IQGAP1 up-regulates p27, and blocking this increase attenuates the growth inhibitory effects of IQGAP1 knockdown. Importantly, IQGAP1 is overexpressed in trastuzumab-resistant breast epithelial cells, and reducing IQGAP1 both augments the inhibitory effects of trastuzumab and restores trastuzumab sensitivity to trastuzumab-resistant SkBR3 cells. These data suggest that inhibiting IQGAP1 function may represent a rational strategy for treating HER2(+) breast carcinoma.
Directly Observed Care: Can Unannounced Standardized Patients Address a Gap in Performance Measurement?

There are three potential sources of information for evaluating a clinician’s performance: documentation, patient report, and directly observed care. Current measures draw on just two of these: data recorded in the medical record and surveys of patients. Neither captures an array of performance characteristics, including clinician attention to symptoms and signs while taking a history or conducting a physical exam, accurate recording in the medical record of information obtained during the encounter, evidence based communication strategies for preventive care counseling, and effective communication behavior. Unannounced Standardized Patients (USPs) have been widely deployed as a research strategy for systematically uncovering significant performance deficits in each of these areas, but have not been adopted for quality improvement. Likely obstacles include concerns about the ethics of sending health professionals sham patients, the technical challenges of the subterfuge, and concerns about the relatively small sample sizes and substantial costs involved. However, the high frequency of significant and remediable performance deficits unmasked by USPs, and the potential to adapt registration and record keeping systems to accommodate their visits, suggest that their selective and purposeful deployment could be a cost effective and powerful strategy for addressing a gap in performance measurement.
Dose adjustment practices among allergists for local reactions to immunotherapy

Background Dose adjustments for local reactions to immunotherapy have been previously proposed. Several studies have shown that systemic reactions from immunotherapy injections are not predicted by previous local reactions. However, no previous reports have evaluated the prevalence and rationale of dose adjustment protocols within allergists' practices. Objective To examine allergists' response after patients' local reaction to immunotherapy. Methods On behalf of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Immunotherapy and Diagnostics Committee, an electronic survey was sent to all practicing allergists of the ACAAI. Participants were asked whether they make dose adjustments for local reactions to immunotherapy and the rationale behind this decision. Strategies to prevent and minimize local reactions were also queried. Results A total of 2,797 electronic letters were successfully sent, and 761 allergists (27.2%) responded to the survey, with 94.7% of the participants having completed a fellowship in allergy and immunology. Common strategies used by allergists to prevent and minimize local reactions included a dose adjustment based on the local reaction from the previous injection (79.1%) and pretreatment with an antihistamine (70.1%). Most allergists (91.9%) dose adjusted for local reactions. Most of these dose adjustments were based on protocols that included criteria for both repeating and decreasing the dose of immunotherapy based on the size of the local reaction. Rationales used by allergists for local reaction dose adjustment protocols included beliefs that local reactions cause discomfort that leads to patient noncompliance (88.9%), local reactions are predictive of future local reactions (45.7%), and local reactions are predictive of future systemic reactions (29.2%). Conclusions Our survey results indicate that most allergists dose adjust for local reactions to allergen immunotherapy. Although most allergists agree that local reactions are not predictive of future systemic reactions, the 2 main reasons for dose adjustments include the concern that local reactions cause discomfort that may lead to patient noncompliance with immunotherapy and the concern that local reactions are predictive of future local reactions.
Comparative Analysis of 16S Ribosomal RNA Sequences of Thermus Species

Summary Partial 16S rRNA sequences of six Thermus or Thermus -like bacteria isolated from hot spring environments were determined using the reverse transcriptase dideoxy sequencing method. All of these sequences are related, and as a group show phylogenetic affinity with Deinococcus radiodurans . Sequences for “ Thermus thermophilus ” and “ Thermus flavus ” are indistinguishable. Thermus aquaticus , a Thermus -like Yellowstone hot spring cyanobacterial mat isolate, Thermus filiformis and “ T. thermophilus ”/“ T. flavus ” have distinct sequences which form a loose cluster. Thermus ruher is more distantly related to the other Thermus species.
Using adaptive difficulty to optimize videogame-based training performance: The moderating role of personality.

While videogames can easily be tailored to provide “adaptive training,” little research exists examining whether this benefit enhances training outcomes. The current study investigated three task d...
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Antibacterial Agents

This article reviews pharmacodynamics of antibacterial drugs, which can be used to optimize treatment strategies, prevent emergence of resistance and rationalize the determination of antimicrobial susceptibility. Important pharmacodynamic concepts include the requirements for bactericidal therapy for endocarditis and meningitis, for synergistic combinations to treat enterococcal endocarditis or to shorten the course of antimicrobial therapy, for obtaining maximal plasma concentration/minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratios that are greater than 10 or 24 hour-area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC)/MIC ratios that are greater than 100-125 for concentration-dependent agents against gram-negative bacilli and 25-35 against Streptococcus pneumoniae, and for obtaining percent of time that drug levels are greater than the MIC that is at least 40% to 50% of the dosing interval for time-dependent agents.
POST-IRRADIATION PHOSPHORYLATION OF STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE CHROMOSOME 1 (SMC1) IS INDEPENDENT OF THE FANCONI PROTEIN PATHWAY

Purpose To confirm the sensitivity of cells from patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) to ionizing radiation, and to determine whether the phosphorylation of structural maintenance chromosome 1 (SMC1) was associated with radiosensitivity, as it is in other DNA repair disorders. Methods and materials Using lymphoblastoid cell lines from FA patients before and after exposure to ionizing radiation, the colony survival assay, radioresistant DNA synthesis, and SMC1 phosphorylation were measured. FA lymphoblastoid cell lines that had been transfected with the wild-type FANC gene were used as controls. Results Cells from FA patients of six complementation groups were radiosensitive. Despite this, SMC1 phosphorylation was normal in each case; radioresistant DNA synthesis, a measure of S phase checkpoint integrity, was defective in FANCD2 lymphoblastoid cell lines and was corrected in FANCD2 + D2 cells. Conclusions The data indicate that the FANC pathway proteins play a major role in the cellular responses to ionizing radiation, but not in SMC1 phosphorylation or in the S phase checkpoint of FANCD2-deficient cells. Thus, SMC1 activation is not a common denominator of radiosensitivity, as has been suggested by radiation responses of cells from ataxia-telangiectasia, Nijmegen breakage syndrome, or Mre11 deficiency patients.
Cancellation of the Gordon–Haus effect in an optical transmission system with a resonant medium

We propose to suppress the Gordon–Haus jitter completely by inserting a sample with a resonant medium in each stage of a soliton transmission line. The jitter is suppressed when a proper choice of the medium parameters is made, so that the entire transmission line will possess zero path-averaged dispersion and zero path-averaged nonlinearity.
lac operator DNA modification in the presence of proteolytic fragments of the repressor protein

Singly end-labeled DNA fragments containing the lactose operator were methylated in the presence of the lactose repressor and homogeneous preparations of its proteolytic fragments. Binding of core protein produced by mild trypsin digestion yielded a methylation perturbation pattern that differed significantly from that elicited by binding to intact repressor, although similarities in the patterns for these related proteins were noted in the central, asymmetric region of the operator. An NH2-terminal peptide (residues 1 to 56) from lac repressor bound operator fragments in a nitrocellulose filter assay, but failed to perturb DNA methylation significantly relative to the pattern in the absence of peptide. Binding of hybrid tetramers of core and intact repressor monomers produced related but unique methylation patterns for the purines on the operator fragment. The general pattern of perturbation observed suggests preferred binding of a single NH2 terminus to the promoter-distal region of the operator and asymmetric interaction of the core region with the operator sequence. Differences in purine methylation patterns produced by the presence of effector complexes of repressor and core protein suggest the possible nature of changes in protein topology that result in the affinity changes accompanying induction.
Research Review: In a rush to permanency: preventing adoption disruption

Since the late 1990s, US, UK and Canadian policy have increasingly focused on improving permanency outcomes for looked-after children. Although the ideal permanency outcome of reunification is attained for about half of the children entering out-of-home care, an increasing number of children are adopted each year. The vast majority of adoptions are stable and secure, but concerns about adoption disruption haunt child welfare workers when making this important permanency decision. Despite a variety of definitions employed in the literature, adoption disruption is a general term used to describe the failure or breakdown of an adoptive child’s placement. Studies dating back to the 1970s have reported adoption disruption rates and the characteristics associated with those involved in such cases. This paper reviews available research, principally from the United States, and offers possible explanations for the wide range of reported disruption rates in the literature. After reviewing the research, practice implications for improving adoption outcomes and suggestions for future research are presented.
An experimental and computational study of effects of microtubule stabilization on T-cell polarity.

T-killer cells eliminate infected and cancerous cells with precision by positioning their centrosome near the interface (immunological synapse) with the target cell. The mechanism of centrosome positioning has remained controversial, in particular the role of microtubule dynamics in it. We re-examined the issue in the experimental model of Jurkat cells presented with a T cell receptor-binding artificial substrate, which permits controlled stimulation and reproducible measurements. Neither 1-µM taxol nor 100-nM nocodazole inhibited the centrosome positioning at the “synapse” with the biomimetic substrate. At the same time, in micromolar taxol but not in nanomolar nocodazole the centrosome adopted a distinct peripheral rather than the normally central position within the synapse. This effect was reproduced in a computational energy-minimization model that assumed no microtubule dynamics, but only a taxol-induced increase in the length of the microtubules. Together, the experimental and computational results indicate that microtubule dynamics are not essential for the centrosome positioning, but that the fit of the microtubule array in the deformed body of the conjugated T cell is a major factor. The possibility of modulating the T-cell centrosome position with well-studied drugs and of predicting their effects in silico appears attractive for designing anti-cancer and antiviral therapies.
Swing-out of the β3 hybrid domain is required for αIIbβ3 priming and normal cytoskeletal reorganization, but not adhesion to immobilized fibrinogen.

Structural and functional analyses of integrin αIIbβ3 has implicated swing-out motion of the β3 hybrid domain in αIIbβ3 activation and ligand binding. Using data from targeted molecular dynamics (TMD) simulations, we engineered two disulfide-bonded mutant receptors designed to limit swing-out (XS-O). XS-O mutants cannot bind the high Mr ligand fibrinogen in the presence of an activating mAb or after introducing mutations into the αIIb subunit designed to simulate inside-out signaling. They also have reduced capacity to be “primed” to bind fibrinogen by pretreatment with eptifibatide. They can, however, bind the small RGD venom protein kistrin. Despite their inability to bind soluble fibrinogen, the XS-O mutants can support adhesion to immobilized fibrinogen, although such adhesion does not initiate outside-in signaling leading to normal cytoskeletal reorganization. Collectively, our data further define the biologic role of β3 hybrid domain swing-out in both soluble and immobilized high Mr ligand binding, as well as in priming and outside-in signaling. We also infer that swing-out is likely to be a downstream effect of receptor extension.
Equivalence between Fraïssé’s conjecture and Jullien’s theorem

Abstract We say that a linear ordering L is extendible if every partial ordering that does not embed L can be extended to a linear ordering which does not embed L either. Jullien’s theorem is a complete classification of the countable extendible linear orderings. Fraisse’s conjecture, which is actually a theorem, is the statement that says that the class of countable linear ordering, quasiordered by the relation of embeddability, contains no infinite descending chain and no infinite antichain. In this paper we study the strength of these two theorems from the viewpoint of Reverse Mathematics and Effective Mathematics. As a result of our analysis we get that they are equivalent over the basic system of RCA 0 + Σ 1 1 - IND . We also prove that Fraisse’s conjecture is equivalent, over RCA 0 , to two other interesting statements. One that says that the class of well founded labeled trees, with labels from { + , − } , and with a very natural order relation, is well quasiordered. The other statement says that every linear ordering which does not contain a copy of the rationals is equimorphic to a finite sum of indecomposable linear orderings. While studying the proof theoretic strength of Jullien’s theorem, we prove the extendibility of many linear orderings, including ω 2 and η , using just ATR 0 + Σ 1 1 - IND . Moreover, for all these linear orderings, L , we prove that any partial ordering, P , which does not embed L has a linearization, hyperarithmetic (or equivalently Δ 1 1 ) in P ⊕ L , which does not embed L .
Low energy alkali ion scattering from a clean and adsorbate covered Mo(001) surface

Abstract Low energy alkali ion scattering has been applied to study the interaction of oxygen and carbon with Mo(001). Qualitative interpretation of the K + energy distributions, obtained from a surface which contains about 0.7 monolayers of oxygen, indicates that the oxygen is located in the four-fold site of an unreconstructed surface. CO and C 2 H 4 , which also adsorb dissociatively, yield very similar ion energy distributions indicating that also for C and for mixed C and O sub-monolayers, the adatoms occupy four-fold sites. Comparison of the experimental K + energy distributions with those obtained by computer simulation further strengthens this conclusion. Analysis of the energy distributions and also of the dependence of Li + scattering upon polar incidence angle, yields a value of 0.3 A for the height of the oxygen atoms.
Reflections on Concrete Buildings

In the last few years there have been many constructions and characterizations of finite groups acting chamber-transitively on finite building-like geometries. A number of these even dealt more generally with locally finite geometries: ones in which all stars are finite. Many of the examples, and some of the results, are concerned with quotients of affine buildings over locally compact local fields. The purpose of this note is two-fold: to discuss many of the known examples from a somewhat new point of view (§2), and to describe a characterization theorem due jointly to Liebler, Tits and myself (§3).
Critical condition facing needle exchange programs: The politics of science

I was asked in January to write this editorial in response to the question, “what is the most critical contemporary unresolved issue that is associated with syringe and needle exchange programs (NE...
Cyclic 2',3'-phosphates and nontemplated nucleotides at the 3' end of spliceosomal U6 small nuclear RNA's

Spliceosomal U6 small nuclear RNA (U6 RNA) in species as diverse as man, frog, fruitfly, and soybean have at their 3' ends a cyclic 2',3'-phosphate (greater than p) apparently derived from uridylic acid residues that were added post-transcriptionally. The 3' ends of U6 RNA's from various sources may be processed in different ways, or to different extents, depending on the organism or stage of development. The presence of a greater than p terminus on U6 RNA may influence the activity of U6 RNA either directly during splicing or indirectly by ensuring that the RNA has a defined length or proper conformation (or both).
Beyond expert systems—Reasoning, judgment, and wisdom

Abstract Artificial intelligence and expert systems have dealt primarily in the domain of logical or deductive reasoning on well-structured problems. There are, however, a vast number of managerial and other tyoe problems that require creativity, value judgments, and wisdom. As “intelligent” systems begin to be utilized by managers, new or improved methods and approaches will be required to support “rich” and value-laden problem domains. This article discusses issues and focuses attention on the nature of judgement, wisdom, and heuristics in managerial problem solving.
Silicon optical diode with 40 dB nonreciprocal transmission

A passive all-silicon optical diode is demonstrated to realize a record high nonreciprocal transmission ratio (NTR) of 40 dB. Individual microrings that make up the device are experimentally studied to explain the nonlinear power dynamics. There is a compromise between the NTR and insertion loss, and possible solutions for further improvements are discussed. This work provides a way to realize extremely high optical nonreciprocity on chip for optical information processing applications.
Visual exploration of academic career paths

Online bibliographic databases have become widely available and are important resources to scientific researchers. These databases store rich information and many evolve into digital libraries. Using a bibliographic database of a specific discipline, we can extract a co-authorship and citation network of individual professionals. This allows for the study of patterns in scholarly contributions as well as for the exploration of scientific disputes associated with an individuals career. We have designed a visualization tool, which we call PathWay, to discover and understand patterns and trends in the bibliographic data over a selected period of time. With PathWay, we conducted case studies on a bibliography of approximately 400,000 scientists in physics over a 26 year time period. In this paper, we show how PathWay can be used to characterize one's academic career path in terms of the publication record, conduct comparative studies that would be difficult to do with conventional search methods, and also provide a way to gain insight into the emergence and the career implications of the scientific disputes associated with publications.
Partially bound systems as sensitive probes of microsolvation: A microwave and ab initio study of HCN...HCN-BF3

The complex HCN···HCN−BF3 has been investigated by rotational spectroscopy and ab initio methods. The experimental B−N bond distance is 2.299(28) A, which represents a contraction of 0.174(57) A relative to that previously determined in HCN−BF3. The observed N···H distance, on the other hand, is 2.185(25) A, which is only 0.045(25) A shorter than that in (HCN)2. A block-localized wave function energy decomposition analysis indicates that significant energetic differences between HCN−BF3 and HCN···HCN−BF3 arise from a combination of distortion, polarization, and charge-transfer energies, with the net result that the remote HCN unit increases the effective dative bond energy by about 20%. In addition, electron density difference maps reveal migration of charge from the inner nitrogen to the boron atom. The large magnitude of the bond contraction, the increase in bond strength, and the flow of charge from HCN to BF3 indicate that the additional HCN unit drives the dative bond formation forward within the HCN...
Automatic page composition with nested sub-layouts

This paper provides an overview of a system for the automatic composition of publications. The system first composes nested hierarchies of contents, then applies layout engines at branch points in the hierarchies to explore layout options, and finally selects the best overall options for the finished publications. Although the system has been developed as a general platform for automated publishing, this paper describes its application to the composition and layout of a magazine-like publication for social content from Facebook. The composition process works by assembling design fragments that have been populated with text and images from the Facebook social network. The fragments constitute a design language for a publication. Each design fragment is a nested mutable sub-layout that has no specific size or shape until after it has been laid-out. The layout process balances the space requirements of the fragment’s internal contents with its external context in the publication. The mutability of sub-layouts requires that their layout options must be kept open until all the other contents that share the same space have been considered. Coping with large numbers of options is one of the greatest challenges in layout automation. Most existing layout methods work by rapidly elimination design options rather than by keeping options open. A further goal of this publishing system is to confirm that a custom publication can be generated quickly by the described methods. In general, the faster that publications can be created, the greater the opportunities for the technology.
The synthesis, metallation and functionalization of bromo-F-menthyl diphenylphosphine oxide

Abstract Bromo- F -methyl diphenylphosphine oxide is conveniently prepared via reaction of bromo- F -methane and ethyl diphenylphosphinite. Metallation with zinc provides a stable organozinc derivative in high yield. This organozinc compound provides a useful synthetic intermediate for the introduction of the F -methylene diphenylphosphine oxide group into organic compounds. Reaction with trivalent phosphorus derivatives gives the mixed P(V)-P(III) compounds; further oxidation gives the P(V)-P(V) derivatives. The synthesis and functionalization of this new organozinc compound will be discussed.
Optimization and integration of high‐performance ground penetrating imaging radar system: A research prototype

This paper reports the design, development, and field experimentation of a new ground penetrating imaging radar system. This research prototype unit features full system optimization, which successfully integrates the key components of antenna sensitivity, data-acquisition waveforms, synthetic-aperture scan, and image reconstruction algorithms, for optimal system performance.© 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 15, 220–223, 2005
Human Telomerase RNA Pseudoknot and Hairpin Thermal Stability with Glycine Betaine and Urea: Preferential Interactions with RNA Secondary and Tertiary Structures†

Thermal denaturation of the human telomerase RNA (hTR) DeltaU177 pseudoknot and hTR p2b hairpin was investigated by dual UV-wavelength absorbance spectroscopy in aqueous glycine betaine and urea solutions. The hTR DeltaU177 pseudoknot contains two helix-loop interactions that comprise the tertiary structure, as well as a GC-rich 6 bp stem (stem 1) and an AU-rich 9 bp stem (stem 2). The p2b hairpin also contains GC-rich stem 1 and a unique uridine-rich helix with a pentaloop. Glycine betaine stabilizes the pseudoknot tertiary structure in 135 mm NaCl and facilitates only a minor destabilization of tertiary structure in 40 mm NaCl. As with double-helical DNA, glycine betaine interacts more strongly with the surface area exposed upon unfolding of GC-rich stem 1 than either AU-rich stem 2 or the hairpin uridine-rich helix. Urea was shown to destabilize all RNA pseudoknot and hairpin secondary and tertiary structures but exhibits a stronger preferential interaction with AU-rich stem 2. Correlating these interactions with water-accessible surface area calculations indicates that the extent of interaction of glycine betaine with the surface area exposed upon RNA unfolding decreases as the nonpolar character of the unfolded RNA surface increases. As expected, the extent of interaction of urea with the surface area exposed for unfolding RNA increases as the fraction of amide functional groups increases. However, interaction of urea with amide functional groups alone cannot explain the stronger preferential interaction of urea with AU-rich stem 2. Interaction of urea with adenine relative to guanine and cytosine bases or sequence-dependent hydration is proposed for the stronger preferential interaction of urea with AU-rich duplexes.
Nonapeptide mechanisms of social cognition, behavior and species-specific social systems

Nonapeptide functions have been explored in a diverse literature that has burgeoned in recent years, particularly in relation to affiliation, bonding and human social cognition. However, brain distributions of the oxytocin-like and vasopressin-like peptides are fundamentally similar across all vertebrate animals, including many species that do not exhibit social bonds, grouping, or even parent-offspring interaction. Hence, unifying principles extend beyond, and may even constrain, nonapeptide effects on social cognition and behavior. Conversely, nonapeptide receptor distributions are highly species-specific, suggesting almost limitless functional variation. Drawing on the vast recent literature, we here present a phylogenetically integrated review of both ubiquitous vertebrate features and species diversity, highlighting important nonapeptide effects on socially relevant physiology, sensorimotor integration, assignment of valence, and functional connectivity.
Restraint under Open Access: Are Voluntary Incentives Sufficient or Is Coercion Required?: Discussion

In describing the inefficiencies of open access fisheries, earlier writers (e.g., Gordon) relied heavily on some simplifying assumptions. In particular, it was assumed that inputs (effort) were homogenous and their supply to the industry was perfectly elastic. The potential for cooperation among the individual participants was ignored. The end result, after some hand waving, was that entry would lead to the complete dissipation of the rental value of the resource. This particular open access model with its average-product argument has been applied to other resource areas and is widely evident in the public choice literature. Despite the widespread application of the model, there remains skepticism about its predictive powers and the policy implications drawn from it. Three of the four papers presented at this session are reflective of that skepticism. In that regard, they are not alone. One can, for example, find numerous anthropological studies arguing that communities have, on occasion, established informal arrangements for controlling entry and the use of resources in such areas as fishing and grazing. A distinctive feature of many of those studies is a cautious approach to the full dissipation implication found in the traditional open access model. The traditional model has been criticized because it ignores the potential for cooperation and instead treats producers as though they were "a sack full of ornery cats" (Johnson, p. 246). Furthermore, challenges to the complete dissipation argument are not restricted to anthropological literature. Experiments involving finite repetition of the prisoners' dilemma game suggest that players do not always follow the single-period dominant strategy (defection). Instead, they achieve some measure of cooperation. Finally, there is the existence of institutions such as nature groups who finance the purchase of lands even where benefits accrue to numerous individuals who were not a party to the transaction. In those cases it appears that the free rider problem does not completely dominate the outcome. If, however, full dissipation does not occur, does it then follow that some form of explicit cooperation with internally imposed rules and sanctions has evolved? The answer appears to be no. First, individual participants may not be homogenous, and thus, the supply function of effort is not perfectly elastic. In that case, the rental value of the resource need not be