cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transition to Grandmotherhood.

This exploratory study examines grandparenthood as a role relationship. Grandmothers, in describing the transition to grandparenthood, tended to emphasize emotional/symbolic investment in grandchildren rather than instrumental/interactional dimensions of relationships. The data suggest that grandparental role conceptions are modified by family network variable: Ambiguity in the grandmother role is magnified by geographical distance and by paternal (rather than maternal) grandmotherhood.
Disclosure of Funding Sources and Conflicts of Interest in Phase III Surgical Trials: Survey of 10 General Surgery Journals

The last decade has shown burgeoning growth and the importance of industrial support for innovation and clinical trials that have advanced the practice of surgery. Quality clinical studies are expensive, as is the development of innovative technologies. The last decade has also shown only too clearly that some of those alliances have been abused by consequent bias of the outcomes or even for personal gain. As editors, we must be overly conscious of funding sources and especially situations of real or potential conflicts of interest. Editors, often informed by reviewers, must be on the look-out for malfeasance. However, as Tuech and colleagues have shown, we may miss some who stray from the righteous path. We thus fail in our responsibility to our readers to provide funding sources and how the ‘‘funding’’ was disbursed: for salary support of investigator, nurse, or study coordinator; materials/devices/medications used; data analysis; preparation of manuscript; unrestricted monetary ‘‘grants’’ often used for activities unrelated to the study at hand. Although we very closely and consciously review conflicts of interest that have been disclosed, there are others that were not disclosed, regardless of whether it was intentional. In those circumstances, neither we nor our readers are able to judge the validity of the reported data. Tuech et al. [1] have asked the question, and we, the Editors-in-Chief of the journal, SURGERY, as well as the Editor-in-Chief of the World Journal of Surgery, have heard them. We will address this topic at the next meeting of the Surgery Journal Editors Group (SJEG) this fall during the Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons. Each year the SJEG, which has representatives from many of the indexed surgery journals, meets to discuss topics of relevance to the field of medical publishing such as this important topic. It seems likely that the SJEG will adopt a general policy that all articles specify the source (and use) of funding and the presence or absence of pertinent disclosures of interest. The journal Surgery, which we co-edit, is adopting this policy immediately.
Protein folding in confined and crowded environments

Confinement and crowding are two major factors that can potentially impact protein folding in cellular environments. Theories based on considerations of excluded volumes predict disparate effects on protein folding stability for confinement and crowding: confinement can stabilize proteins by over 10kBT but crowding has a very modest effect on stability. On the other hand, confinement and crowding are both predicted to favor conformations of the unfolded state which are compact, and consequently may increase the folding rate. These predictions are largely borne out by experimental studies of protein folding under confined and crowded conditions in the test tube. Protein folding in cellular environments is further complicated by interactions with surrounding surfaces and other factors. Concerted theoretical modeling and test-tube and in vivo experiments promise to elucidate the complexity of protein folding in cellular environments.
“You put politics in the scale:” Stewart L. Udall and excess land law in California, 1961–1968

Abstract During the 1960s, Interior Secretary Stewart Udall faced controversy about enforcement of federal reclamation’s excess land law on California’s San Luis Project and the Imperial Irrigation District. The San Luis Project was a complex mix of state and federal funding and operation, and Udall ruled that excess land law did not apply to the state service area. Yet he overruled past practice on the Imperial Irrigation District and called for enforcement of land limits. This paper examines Udall’s effort to balance politics and principle.
A compiler for teaching about compilers

Projects in which students write a small compiler are common in compiler design courses, but even a small compiler can be daunting to students with no prior compiler-writing experience. When I recently taught compiler design, I developed a very small language with a highly modular compiler, focusing the project on implementing the core parts of a compiler without requiring students to build all the infrastructure from scratch. This paper describes the language and its compiler, and their successes (and occasional limitations) for teaching compiler design.
Flexi-View: a multi-dimensional data modeling system

This paper addresses the basic components of a system which facilitates the modeling of multi-dimensional data in terms of a relational database table. The name of the system is FLEXI-VIEW (XVU). FLEXI-VIEW is implemented in APL2 and runs on the IBM Virtual Machine/System Product (VM/SP) operating system.FLEXI-VIEW interfaces, via the auxiliary processors AP126 and AP127, to the Graphical Data Display Manager (GDDM) and the Structured Query Language Data System (SQL/DS).SQL is the centerpiece of the FLEXI-VIEW architecture. It was chosen in February of 1985 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as the standard language for relational Data Base Management Systems (DBMS). In addition, IBM has chosen SQL as its strategic relational DBMS product.The Interactive Chart Utility (ICU) is invoked by FLEXI-VIEW to deliver full-screen graphics and business charts. ICU is a component of GDDM which is responsible for creating, managing, and delivering the system's full-screen panels. Each panel is programmed function (PF) key and window driven.VM/SP, APL2, SQL/DS, and GDDM/ICU are IBM Program Products.
Classifier dependent feature preprocessing methods

In mobile applications, computational complexity is an issue that limits sophisticated algorithms from being implemented on these devices. This paper provides an initial solution to applying pattern recognition systems on mobile devices by combining existing preprocessing algorithms for recognition. In pattern recognition systems, it is essential to properly apply feature preprocessing tools prior to training classification models in an attempt to reduce computational complexity and improve the overall classification accuracy. The feature preprocessing tools extended for the mobile environment are feature ranking, feature extraction, data preparation and outlier removal. Most desktop systems today are capable of processing a majority of the available classification algorithms without concern of processing while the same is not true on mobile platforms. As an application of pattern recognition for mobile devices, the recognition system targets the problem of steganalysis, determining if an image contains hidden information. The measure of performance shows that feature preprocessing increases the overall steganalysis classification accuracy by an average of 22%. The methods in this paper are tested on a workstation and a Nokia 6620 (Symbian operating system) camera phone with similar results.
On the Sum-rate of the Vector Gaussian CEO Problem

We study the vector version of the Gaussian CEO problem. We present a lower bound on the sum-rate of any class of distributed quantizers that meet the quadratic distortion constraint, and show that it is tight in various situations including the symmetric one
Accuracy of determining the commutating inductance value of an automotive alternator by using armature and field circuit measurements

Experimental studies on an automotive alternator to evaluate the accuracy of commutating inductance value by armature circuit and field circuit measurements are described. This issue arises due to the fact that an automotive alternator uses a bridge rectifier to generate a DC voltage at its output and hence the current commutation comes into picture. It is generally recognized that the accurate method of determining this parameter is by means of measuring the commutation interval indicated by short circuit conditions across certain stater phase or line windings. However, in general physical access to the stator winding (of an automotive alternator) can be difficult to have. The other possible way suggested in the literature is by means of measurements done from the field circuit via the field terminals which (in case of an automotive alternator) may be available at the voltage regulator system. This can be easier (in many instances) to access in terms of electrical connections. It is noticed that the method loses accuracy by substantial amounts depending on the operating conditions of the alternator. >
Turbulent Mixing and Combustion in a Reacting Shear Layer

The temperature field is investigated in a gaseous mixing layer consisting of low-concentration hydrogen and fluorine. The results show the presence of large, hot structures separated by tongues of cool fluid that enter the layer from either side. The cores of the structures appear to be well mixed. the usual bell-shaped mean temperature profiles result from a duty cycle whereby a given point sees alternating hot and cool fluid, which results in the local mean. The adiabatic flame temperature is not achieved on average at any point across the layer. It is found that, in general, two different mean temperature profiles result from a given set of reactant compositions if the sides of the layer on which they are carried are reversed. These observations are not consistent with gradient diffusion concepts.
Maternal Beliefs about Vitamin Efficacy in Four U.S. Subcultures

Widespread use of supplemental vitamins continues in the absence of clear scientific evidence of efficacy. Observations in a variety of pediatric health settings suggest that their use may be based on expectations rooted in a variety of culturally based attitudes and beliefs. Mothers of well babies in four ethnic groups answered questionnaires, indicating their expectations of vitamin efficacy. We called those expectations aligned with organized Western medicine "Scientific"; those with less apparent basis in fact were termed "Magic." Black mothers expressed more Scientific responses than EMAs and Anglos, but the effects were contributed solely by data from mothers of girls. Spanish-speaking mothers of girls expressed significantly more Magic expectations than the Anglos and the English-speaking Mexican-Americans (EMAs); the Blacks and the EMAs expressed more than the Anglos. Mothers of boys showed no interethnic differences. Results reflect a strong interaction between ethnicity and sex of child.
Antibody-Mediated Enhancement of HIV-1 and HIV-2 Production from BST-2/Tetherin-Positive Cells

ABSTRACT BST-2/CD317/HM1.24/tetherin is a B-cell antigen overexpressed on the surface of myeloma cell lines and on neoplastic plasma cells of patients with multiple myeloma. Antibodies to BST-2 are in clinical trial for the treatment of multiple myeloma and are considered for the treatment of solid tumors with high BST-2 antigen levels. Functionally, BST-2 restricts the secretion of retroviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1, as well as members of the herpesvirus, filovirus, and arenavirus families, presumably by tethering nascent virions to the cell surface. Here we report that BST-2 antibody treatment facilitates virus release from BST-2 + cells by interfering with the tethering activity of BST-2. BST-2 antibodies were unable to release already tethered virions and were most effective when added early during virus production. BST-2 antibody treatment did not affect BST-2 dimerization and did not reduce the cell surface expression of BST-2. Interestingly, BST-2 antibody treatment reduced the nonspecific shedding of BST-2 and limited the encapsidation of BST-2 into virions. Finally, flotation analyses indicate that BST-2 antibodies affect the distribution of BST-2 within membrane rafts. Our data suggest that BST-2 antibody treatment may enhance virus release by inducing a redistribution of BST-2 at the cell surface, thus preventing it from accumulating at the sites of virus budding.
A multiscale data representation for distributed sensor networks

Though several wavelet-based compression solutions for wireless sensor network measurements have been proposed, no such technique has yet appreciated the need to couple a wavelet transform tolerant of irregularly sampled data with the data transport protocol governing communications in the network. As power is at a premium in sensor nodes, such a technique is necessary to reduce costly communication overhead. To this end, we present an irregular wavelet transform capable of adapting to an arbitrary, multiscale network routing hierarchy. Inspired by the Haar wavelet in the regular setting, our wavelet basis forms a tight frame adapted to the structure of the network. We demonstrate results highlighting the approximation capabilities of such a transform and the clear reduction in communication cost when transmitting a compressed snapshot of the network to an outside user.
Subconjunctivally implantable hydrogels with degradable and thermoresponsive properties for sustained release of insulin to the retina

The objective of this work is to develop subconjunctivally implantable, biodegradable hydrogels for sustained release of intact insulin to the retina to prevent and treat retinal neurovascular degeneration such as diabetic retinopathy. The hydrogels are synthesized by UV photopolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) monomer and a dextran macromer containing multiple hydrolytically degradable oligolactate-(2-hydroxyetheyl methacrylate) units (Dex-lactateHEMA) in 25:75 (v:v) ethanol:water mixture solvent. Insulin is loaded into the hydrogels during the synthesis process with loading efficiency up to 98%. The hydrogels can release biologically active insulin in vitro for at least one week and the release kinetics can be modulated by varying the ratio between NIPAAm and Dex-lactateHEMA and altering the physical size of the hydrogels. The hydrogels are not toxic to R28 retinal neuron cells in culture medium with 100% cell viability. The hydrogels can be implanted under the conjunctiva without causing adverse effects to the retina based on hematoxylin and eosin stain, immunostaining for microglial cell activation, and electroretinography. These subconjunctivally implantable hydrogels have potential for long-term periocular delivery of insulin or other drugs to treat diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases.
GM1 ganglioside activates the high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor trkA.

The monosialoganglioside GM1 has been shown to possess neurotrophic activity in vitro and in vivo and is now used as an experimental treatment for a variety of neurological disorders and trauma. Little is known about the mechanism of action used by GM1. Because GM1 appears to enhance nerve growth factor (NGF) activity, we have used C6trk + cells, a derivative of C6-2B glioma cells that express the high-affinity receptor for NGF trkA, to determine whether the neurotrophic effects of GM1 occurs through induction of trkA activity. Exposure of C6trk + cells to NGF (10-50 ng/ml) resulted in a five- to 10-fold increase in trkA tyrosine phosphorylation within 5 min. Incubation of cells with GM1 resulted in a threefold increase in trkA phosphorylation beginning within 1 h and peaking between 3 and 6 h. Optimal responses to GM1 were obtained using 80-100 μM concentrations. Moreover, tyrosine phosphorylation of known trkA target proteins, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinases, and suc-associated neurotrophic factor-induced tyrosine-phosphorylated target, were activated upon stimulation of C6trk + cells with GMT. In addition, GM1 potentiated the NGF-mediated activation of tyrosine phosphorylation of trkA. GM1 failed to induce phosphorylation of trkA and target proteins in mock transfected cells. Thus, our data demonstrate that GM1 mimics some of the effects of NGF and suggest that the neurotrophic properties of GM1 may be attributed to its activation of trkA signal transduction.
Relief texture from specularities

In vision and graphics, advanced object models require not only 3D shape, but also surface detail. While several scanning devices exist to capture the global shape of an object, few methods concentrate on capturing the fine-scale detail. Fine-scale surface geometry (relief texture), such as surface markings, roughness, and imprints, is essential in highly realistic rendering and accurate prediction. We present a novel approach for measuring the relief texture of specular or partially specular surfaces using a specialized imaging device with a concave parabolic mirror to view multiple angles in a single image. Laser scanning typically fails for specular surfaces because of light scattering, but our method is explicitly designed for specular surfaces. Also, the spatial resolution of the measured geometry is significantly higher than standard methods, so very small surface details are captured. Furthermore, spatially varying reflectance is measured simultaneously, i.e., both texture color and texture shape are retrieved.
Popliteal hiatus of the lateral meniscus Anatomy and measurement at dissection of 10 specimens

The popliteal hiatus is the opening defined by the fascicles of the lateral meniscus, which permits the popliteal tendon to pursue its course from the tibia to its femoral attachment. The medial border of the popliteal hiatus is the body of the meniscus. Ten fresh-frozen knee specimens from human adult males (with no evidence of previous surgery to the knees) were dissected. The joints were disarticulated so that only the lateral structures remained intact. The perimeter of the meniscal attachment anterior to the hiatus measured 4.2+/ - 0.3 cm, and the perimeter posterior to the hiatus measured 3.4 +/- 0.5 cm. The total perimeter of the lateral meniscus was 8.9 +/- 0.7 cm. The length of the superior fascicle of the lateral meniscus was 0.9 +/- 0.2 cm. In this series, the length of the hiatus was 1.3 +/- 0.1 cm. The anatomy of the popliteal hiatus was constant. The popliteal hiatus is an anatomical structure and must be differentiated from pathologic lesions common to the same area.
Knowledge and Information Sharing in Transnational Knowledge Networks: A Contextual Perspective

As government agencies increasingly collaborate with international counterparts on critical global issues, transnational knowledge and information sharing grow in importance. This paper explores the nature of Transnational Knowledge Networks (TKNs) and identifies critical contextual factors that hinder or enhance their performance. We explore a set of contextual distances that separate the participating organizations and discuss their potential influence on the success of TKNs. The paper concludes with a conceptual framework and a set of testable hypotheses to guide the next phase of our research in understanding knowledge and information sharing across national and cultural boundaries.
Carbonate-fluxed Melting of MORB-like Pyroxenite at 2·9 GPa and Genesis of HIMU Ocean Island Basalts

We present partial melting experiments on a carbonate-added, mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-like pyroxenite composition (G2C; 5 wt % CO2). Experiments were conducted at 2·9 GPa and 1000^15008C and the resulting partial melt compositions were compared with those of alkalic ocean island basalts (OIBs). The solidus is estimated between 1000 and 10508C and the liquidus is between 1450 and 14758C. The subsolidus assemblage is cpx þ garnet þ rutile þ calcio-dolomitic solid solution, and the near-solidus melt is carbonatitic (5 5 wt % SiO2, 51· 3w t % TiO2,50· 5w t % Al2O3 ,3 1wt %5CaO525 wt %). At 1245^ 12758C, with the disappearance of rutile, a carbonated basaltic melt is found to coexist with carbonatitic melt, cpx, and garnet. The silicate melts are alkalic basalts with SiO2 of � 44^47 wt % on a volatile-free basis, and the melt becomes most silica-poor and CO2rich at the temperature of complete mixing of carbonate and silicate melt (i.e. at 1345^13758C). The onset of carbonated silicate melting in our study is � 60^708C cooler than the solidus of the carbonate-free MORB-pyroxenite at a similar pressure. G2C-derived carbonated silicate partial melts are similar to nephelinitic to basanitic ocean island basalts in general, and those derived from the HIMU mantle end-member in particular.The key similarities in major and minor element signatures include low SiO2 and highTiO2 ,F eO*, CaO, and Na2O.The main discrepancies between G2C partial melts and natural alkalic OIBs are higher Al2O3, lower CaO/Al2O3, and lower MgO of the former. We hypothesize that such discrepancies might be resolved if carbonated MORB-like pyroxenite produces partial melts at somewhat higher pressures and if a hybrid peridotite^carbonated pyroxenite source is considered. Geodynamic consideration of carbonated silicate melting of pyroxenite bodies beneath ocean islands suggests that volatile-enriched alkalic OIBs with the HIMU signature are probably generated from subducted, carbonated crust over a depth range, with the onset of melting as deep as 180^200 km, for a potential temperature of � 15008C. However, rather than a direct decompression of carbonated ocean crust, the key processes involved in the generation of a carbonated silicate melt in equilibrium with MORB-pyroxenite may involve melt^rock reaction and melt^melt mixing.
Background matching behaviour and pathogen acquisition: plant site preference does not predict the bacterial acquisition efficiency of vectors

Many insect-borne pathogens are heterogeneously distributed within their hosts: therefore, a vector’s within-plant distribution may be a predictor of its exposure to pathogens. In this study, we set out to quantify plant site preference, in the context of background matching, and investigated its effect on acquisition of a bacterial pathogen by its leafhopper vectors. The two green-coloured species, Graphocephala atropunctata and Draeculacephala minerva, preferred green plant tissue and artificial backgrounds whereas the brown-coloured Homalodisca vitripennis preferred brown stem tissue and backgrounds. Within-plant feeding site did not predict either the acquisition success or the number of plant-pathogenic Xylella fastidiosa cells acquired by the vectors; an 86% mortality for G. atropunctata was reported on the lignified stem tissue. Overall, H. vitripennis acquired significantly more cells than G. atropunctata. A novel artificial diet-based transmission system was used to further illustrate that the observed between-species difference in the number of cells acquired was independent of vector-host plant interactions. H. vitripennis, a less efficient vector of the bacterium X. fastidiosa on grapevines, acquired more bacterial cells than G. atropunctata, possibly due to its larger size. Contrary to previous assumptions, pathogen acquisition efficiency by the vectors did not explain their reported differences in inoculation. Vector interactions with the host during the inoculation stage should be evaluated as another determinant of X. fastidiosa transmission efficiency.
Dynamics of signature propagation

This paper discusses the dynamics of signature propagation associated with imaging and lidar operation through a realistic turbulent atmosphere in the vicinity of chemical plumes. Traditional phase screen models represent the propagation through artificial turbulence without dynamic compatibility. In contrast, three new models, AIRFLOS, CHAFFSIM, and SIMLIGHT have been developed to provide a first principles physics approach to modeling signature propagation through a dynamically consistent atmosphere. Solving the Navier Stokes equations the AIRFLOS model computes the turbulence and index of refraction over complex terrain and structures as a function of space and time, CHAFFSIM computes the chemical concentration motion, and SIMLIGHT models the electromagnetic energy propagation. Together these models allow simulation of imaging systems and lidar propagation through a realistic atmospheric environment. Included also is the ability to capture the dynamics of signature variability through environmental heating and cooling.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Matching pursuit with damped sinusoids

The matching pursuit algorithm derives an expansion of a signal in terms of the elements of a large dictionary of time-frequency atoms. This paper considers the use of matching pursuit for computing signal expansions in terms of damped sinusoids. First, expansion based on complex damped sinusoids is explored; it is shown that the expansion can be efficiently derived using the FFT and simple recursive filterbanks. Then, the approach is extended to provide decompositions in terms of real damped sinusoids. This extension relies on generalizing the matching pursuit algorithm to derive expansions with respect to dictionary subspaces; of specific interest is the subspace spanned by a complex atom and its conjugate. Developing this particular case leads to a framework for deriving real-valued expansions of real signals using complex atoms. Applications of the damped sinusoidal decomposition include system identification, spectral estimation, and signal modeling for coding and analysis-modification-synthesis.
Adopted Pedagogies: Nahua Incorporation of European Music and Theater in Colonial Mexico City

In 1519 Spanish conquistadors arrived on the shores of Mesoamerica under the leadership of Hernando Cortes. Following the defeat of Mexico-Tenochtidan, the Aztec capital, Cortes requested that members of the Franciscan order be sent from Spain to lead the conversion effort. In 1523 the first three Franciscans arrived, among them fray Pedro de Gante. One year later another 12 Franciscans made the journey. They established themselves in the southeastern portion of Mexico-Tenochtitlan, and under their direction Nahua laborers built the principal Franciscan religious compound, San Francisco, and the first indigenous chapel in New Spain, San Josef de los Naturales. Together this friary and chapel served as the main point of interaction for Franciscan conversion efforts within the altepetl, ethnic state, of Mexico-Tenochtidan. In the courtyard of San Francisco, next to the indigenous chapel, fray Pedro established an indigenous school aimed at the indoctrination of the Nahua peoples of Mexico-Tenochtitlan and other outlying altepetl. Although its students were primarily members of indigenous nobility, other promising Nahuas received an education there as well.
ClariNet: a noise analysis tool for deep submicron design

Coupled noise analysis has become a critical issue for deep-submicron, high performance design. In this paper, we present, ClariNet, an industrial noise analysis tool, which was developed to efficiently analyze large, high performance processor designs. We present the overall approach and tool flow of ClariNet and discuss three critical large-processor design issues which have received limited discussion in the past. First, we present how the driver gates of a coupled interconnect network are represented with accurate linear models. Second, we show how to speed the analysis of large designs by using noise filters based on reduced interconnect representations and then pruning the nets coupled to a signal net. Third, we show how to incorporate logic and timing correlations into noise analysis to reduce its pessimism. We present the results from several industrial circuits, including a large high performance microprocessor design and a DSP design.
Synthesis of pyrazoles and isoxazoles as potent αvβ3 receptor antagonists

We describe a series of pyrazole and isoxazole analogs as antagonists of the α v β 3 receptor. Compounds showed low to sub-nanomolar potency against α v β 3 , as well as good selectivity against α IIb β 3 . In HT29 cells, most analogs also demonstrated significant selectivity against α v β 6 . Several compounds showed good pharmacokinetic properties in rats, in addition to anti-angiogenic activity in a mouse corneal micropocket model. Compounds were synthesized in a straightforward manner from readily available glutarate precursors.
Abstract O.32: An Improved Point-of-care Differentiation Of Kawasaki Disease From Other Febrile Illnesses

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) shares many clinical features with other pediatric febrile illnesses (FC). Clinical confusion can lead to a missed or delayed diagnosis that increases the risk of coronary artery damage. In the present study, we improved our previous KD diagnostic algorithm for point-of-care diagnosis. Methods and Results: We reviewed clinical records of 534 acute KD and 318 FC patients (development dataset) and subsequent 268 acute KD and 161 FC patients (validation dataset). KD subjects met the American Heart Association definition. Using clinical data and lab test results, we integrated our previously developed linear discriminant analysis (LDA)-based clinical model with a newly developed decision tree-based algorithm to improve KD diagnosis. To train the decision trees, sub cohorts were constructed based upon the 5 KD classic criteria. Our 1 st clinical model (LDA) stratified the subjects into FC (FC diagnosis, negative predictive value NPV >=95%), undecided (88/802 KD, 167/479 FC), and KD (KD diagnosis, positive predictive value PPV >=95%) subgroups. The subsequent 2 nd clinical model (decision trees) further classified the undecided group into FC, undecided, and KD subgroups, resulting in a much-improved algorithm with only 59/479 FC (Specificity>76%) and 26/802 KD (Sensitivity>95%) undetermined. Conclusions: Our computer-based algorithm that incorporates only clinical findings and readily available clinical laboratory data now has sufficient sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing acute KD from FC patients that a multicenter, prospective clinical trial is warranted to test the performance of the diagnostic algorithm against the gold standard of expert clinical opinion.
Membrane-targeting liquid crystal nanoparticles (LCNPs) for drug delivery

In addition to maintaining the structural integrity of the cell, the plasma membrane regulates multiple important cellular processes, such as endocytosis and trafficking, apoptotic pathways and drug transport. The modulation or tracking of such cellular processes by means of controlled delivery of drugs or imaging agents via nanoscale delivery systems is very attractive. Nanoparticle-mediated delivery systems that mediate long-term residence (e.g., days) and controlled release of the cargoes in the plasma membrane while simultaneously not interfering with regular cellular physiology would be ideal for this purpose. Our laboratory has developed a plasma membrane-targeted liquid crystal nanoparticle (LCNP) formulation that can be loaded with dyes or drugs which can be slowly released from the particle over time. Here we highlight the utility of these nanopreparations for membrane delivery and imaging.
Interpersonal Relationships in Late Adulthood

Interpersonal relationships have been thought of as tremendously important for health and well-being across the life-course. Much of the focus on adult relationships in behavior genetics, however, has been on early adult relationships, mating, procreation, and the early years of marriage rather than on relationships in later adulthood. Research on simplistic phenotypes (e.g., marital status) dominates the literature. The authors discuss how many basic questions such as how the role of genetic and environmental influences on relationships varies across the life-course, by gender, by circumstance remain unaddressed. Is the choice of a mate at age 20 driven by the same qualities as mate selection at age 75? Are there time periods during which dyadic/partner interaction effects might be more powerful than others? What genetic and environmental influences contribute to the maintenance of long term social bonds in different social contexts? The authors argue that well-designed, genetically-informed studies of later life relationships have the potential to contribute significantly to public health and can provide insight into the bio-psycho-social and neural pathways involved in the development and maintenance of long-term attachments.
Application research and the establishment of large-scale activities of major epidemic infectious disease risk assessment system

Objective To establish a risk assessment system and discuss its application in large-scale activities of public health security. Methods On the basis of the description of the risk factors of infectious diseases,historical data review,expert consultation,and risk matrix method,the risk level of the outbreak of the major infectious diseases during large scale events in our district were analyzed,and emergency measures were focused. Results On the rehearsals for the protection of base security of National Day,24 kinds of important infectious diseases events and 132 potential risk points were found,the possibility and harm degree of risk sources were analyzed,and the ability of the control and respond to events were estimated as well. Conclusion The risk management for the security safe guard of public health at the Olympic city level and the rehearsal base of sixtieth anniversary of National Day was first introduced to our district,a risk assessment framework and system was established,satisfactory results in largescale activities for health protection were achieved.
Chloride transport across the membrane of parotid secretory granules.

The Cl- transport pathways in secretory granules isolated from the parotid glands of rats were characterized by the technique of ionophore-induced lysis in defined salt solutions. The granules were...
Fathering Interventions for Men who Use Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment: Perceived Benefits and Risks

Intervention classes for fathers that use family violence are in the very early stages of development. The purpose of this paper is to better understand how fathering interventions are minimizing risks and maximizing benefits in working to address the service and knowledge gaps toward fathers that use IPV, CM, or both IPV and CM. Initially, the service and knowledge gaps are identified as well as the perceived benefits and risks of offering fathering interventions. Then, based on the analysis, several recommendations are made for the implementation of these interventions. Following this, I describe two widely available intervention curricula, and discuss the ways these classes are similar and dissimilar from the recommendations. Taken together, though the two programs contain similar content and recommendations, they differ in their therapy delivery methods, depth of focus on fathering intervention, and on what types of fatherperpetrated violence they address. Both intervention classes illustrate some of the perceived benefits as well as risks identified in the literature. Recommendations are made for future intervention practice, related necessary research, and needed policy. This paper concludes with the acknowledgement that these interventions are working to create collaborative systems that provide safety to victims, assess men’s individual risks, and use well thought out and effective therapeutic strategies to elicit behavior changes in fathers. Fathering Interventions i
Oxytetracycline age validation of an adult shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus after 6 years at liberty.

This study presents findings on an oxytetracycline injected adult male shortfin mako Isurus oxyrinchus recaptured in waters off of southern California after 6 years at liberty. During the period at liberty, the vertebral band-pair deposition rate was validated at one per year. This result indicates that from a time at or near sexual maturity, male I. oxyrinchus in the north-east Pacific Ocean exhibit a band-pair deposition rate of one band pair per year, while deposition rates for juveniles in the area have been validated at two band pairs per year.
A model-to-model interface for concurrent multiscale simulations

Abstract We present a low-level model-to-model interface that will enable independent models to be linked into an integrated system of models. The interface is based on a standard set of functions that contain appropriate export and import schemas that enable models to be linked with no changes to the models themselves. These ideas are presented in the context of a specific multiscale materials problem that couples atomistic-based molecular dynamics calculations to continuum calculations of fluid flow to examine the influence of interactions of the fluid with an adjacent solid on the fluid flow.
Relationships between functional load and auditory confusability under different speech environments

Functional load (FL) is an information-theoretic measure that captures a phoneme’s contribution to successful word identifi- cation. Experimental findings have shown that it can help ex- plain patterns in perceptual accuracy. Here, we ask whether the relationship between FL and perception has larger conse- quences for the structure of a language’s lexicon. Since re- ducing FL minimizes the risk of misidentifying a word in the case where a listener inaccurately perceives the initial phoneme, we predicted that in spoken language, where perceptual accu- racy is important for successful communication, the lexicon will be structured to reduce FL in auditorily confusable initial phonemes more than in written language. To test this predic- tion, we compared FL of all initial phonemes in spoken and academic written genres of the COCA corpus. We found that FL in phoneme pairs in the spoken corpus is overall higher and more variable than in the academic corpus, a natural conse- quence of the smaller lexical inventory characteristic of spoken language. In auditorily confusable pairs, however, this differ- ence is relatively reduced, such that spoken FL decreases rel- ative to academic FL. We argue that this reflects a pressure in spoken language to use words for which inaccurate perception does minimal damage to word identification.
The Interventional Radiology Interest Group: An Integral Tool for Medical Student Recruitment

Education is evolving in the field of interventional radiology. Technical skills are no longer the primary focus of training, while a stronger emphasis is placed on longitudinal patient care. Interventional radiologists are now expected to perform rounds on their patients in the hospital and promote continuity of care in the outpatient setting (Murphy et al. Semin Intervent Radiol 2005;22:6-9). The recent establishment of residency programs in interventional radiology (RPIR) aims to foster this transition by integrating clinical rotations such as the intensive care unit and expanding resident time in the clinic (Siragusa et al. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2013;24:1609-12). With the new training model comes a greater need for early exposure of medical students to the field, as trainees now apply for RPIR during their 4th year of medical school. To address this issue, interventional radiology interest groups (IRIGs) have been developed by passionate students with a desire to educate their colleagues and further their own knowledge of IR. IRIGs inform medical students about the specialty through unique activities such as hands-on device workshops and information sessions. In coordination with supportive advisors, IRIGs play a vital role in recruiting talented trainees, many of whom may well become the next leaders of our field. This article will discuss the process of starting an IRIG and how to maximize available resources to foster its success.
TL1A-Ig induces transplantation tolerance (P1003)

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member 15 (TL1A) is the natural ligand for TNFRSF25. We previously reported that TNFRSF25 stimulation with an agonist antibody 4C12 selectively expands pre-existing Tregs in vivo. To compare TL1A to 4C12, we generated a soluble mouse hexameric TL1A-Ig fusion protein. TL1A-Ig mediates proliferation of Foxp3+ Treg in vitro. TNFRSF25 stimulation by TL1A-Ig in vivo induces expansion of Tregs to 30-35% of all CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood within 5 days of treatment. With daily injections of TL1A-Ig elevated levels of Tregs can be maintained for at least 20 days. TL1A-Ig expanded Tregs express high levels of the activation/memory markers KLRG1 and CD103 and are highly suppressive ex vivo. TL1A-Ig mediated Treg expansion in vivo is protective against allergic lung inflammation by reversing the ratio of Tconvs:Tregs in the lung and blocking eosinophil exudation into the bronchoaveolar fluid. We tested the potential of TNFRSF25 agonists in transplant tolerance in several models. (1) TL1A-Ig injections 12 days after injection of allogeneic splenocytes caused diminished alloantigen-specific T cell responses in mixed lymphocyte reactions as compared to mice treated with allogeneic splenocytes only. (2) TNFRSF25 mediated Treg expansion in vivo significantly prolonged allogeneic skin graft survival. Thus, TL1A-Ig fusion proteins are potent and tightly controllable agents that may provide therapeutic benefit in asthma and transplant tolerance.
APPROACH TO THE ADULT PATIENT WITH ACUTE DIARRHEA

SUMMARY Acute diarrhea in the adult is caused primarily by acute infectious organisms, mainly viruses but also bacteria and parasites. The majority of cases are self-limited and resolve without sequelae or specific intervention. Diagnostic evaluation should be restricted to those with severe symptoms such as significant volume depletion or dysentery or who are altered hosts due to immunosuppression or chronic illness. Diagnostic testing in less ill patients with probable viral illnesses is unrevealing and wasteful of patient resources. Therapy consists simply of correcting the major harm caused by organisms: volume depletion. Specific therapy with antibiotics should be restricted to situations in which proven efficacy has been demonstrated. The approach to the patient with acute infectious diarrhea is strictly a clinical one, with a careful and thoughtful ordering of diagnostic tests in cases in which the information is likely to change management and outcome for the patient.
The Organizational Choice Decision in Business Format Franchising: An Empirical Test

This paper empirically investigates the franchising make-or-buy decision providing a comprehensive test of the economizing perspective of organizational choice while controlling for the potential influence of resource scarcity factors. The study reported here extends the extant empirical franchising literature in three ways. First, this study takes the outlet as the unit of analysis and explores organizational choice within the franchise system. Second, the analysis is more inclusive, simultaneously accounting for both of the component elements of the free-riding hazard. And third, this study provides one of the rare empirical investigations of the adoption of multi-unit franchising — the ownership of two or more outlets by a single franchisee. The econometric analysis, using discrete choice methods, provides strong support for the hypothesis that ownership mode of individual outlets (single-unit franchise, multi-unit franchise or company-owned outlet) turns on the relative levels of the contracting hazards present.
The Role of Proteins in Vesicular Stomatitis Virus RNA Replication

The negative-strand RNA genome of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) serves as template for two types of RNA-synthesis reactions, transcription and replication. A major distinction between the two RNA-synthesis processes is a requirement for protein synthesis. Transcription, the synthesis of the leader RNA and five discrete monocistronic messenger RNAs (mRNAs), does not require protein synthesis. Replication, the production of full-length copies of the viral RNA, requires continuous synthesis of viral proteins. This chapter will focus on the question of what newly synthesized protein or proteins are required to effect and maintain the transition from transcription to replication of the negative-strand RNA. Reviews of negative-strand virus RNA replication, including discussions of the nature of the template and specific sequences involved in replication, were presented by Wertz (1980), Lazzarini et al. (1981), and Ball and Wertz (1981). This chapter will concentrate on work that has been carried out since these previous reviews.
Regaining the Great Moderation

This is an op-ed style recommendation to give the FED the authority to establish a surcharge/rebate on commercial transactions. This would provideus with a direct mechanism to stimulate or restrain aggregate demand.
Modifiers of Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes in Black Americans: The Jackson Heart Study.

BACKGROUND 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is lower in black compared with white Americans but is not consistently associated with outcomes in this group, possibly due to genetic and other biological differences. We examined the association of plasma 25(OH)D and renal outcomes in black Americans with a focus on effect modifiers. METHODS We studied associations between baseline 25(OH)D with (i) annual rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline and (ii) incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Jackson Heart Study, a prospective cohort of black Americans. Plasma 25(OH)D levels were corrected for monthly variation in sunlight exposure using the residual method. We used adjusted generalized linear models to evaluate outcomes and assessed potential effect modification by diabetes mellitus, vitamin D binding protein (DBP) genotype, obesity, dietary sodium intake, and use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors. RESULTS Among 5164 participants with 25(OH)D available, plasma 25(OH)D was 14.5 ± 6.5 ng/mL (mean ± SD), and eGFR was 94.1 ± 22.0 mL/min/1.73 m2. Over a median of 8 years, eGFR decline was 1.3 ± 2.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year in 3228 participants with complete data, and 220 out of 1803 eligible participants developed incident CKD. Overall, 25(OH)D was not associated with eGFR decline in fully adjusted models. However, higher 25(OH)D was associated with slower eGFR decline among those with diabetes: each 5 ng/mL higher 25(OH)D was associated with a 0.27 mL/min/1.73 m2/y slower eGFR decline (95% CI, 0.13 to 0.41; P < 0.001). Higher 25(OH)D was not associated with incident CKD overall, but it was associated with lower odds of incident CKD among participants with the GG or GT genotype at rs7041 in the gene encoding DBP [OR, 0.69 per 5 ng/mL higher 25(OH)D; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.93; P-interaction = 0.005]. Other interactions were not significant. CONCLUSION These findings support a potential benefit of higher 25(OH)D for kidney health in black Americans with diabetes or specific variants in DBP.
L-threonine dehydrase as a model of allosteric control involving ligand-induced oligomerization.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses L-threonine dehydrase as a model of allosteric control involving ligand-lnduced oligomerization. The threonine dehydrase system represents one of the simplest examples of allosteric behavior involving ligand-influenced oligomeric equilibria, and it can be established that this process functions in energy-linked control of threonine utilization. L-threonine dehydrase can be described as a system of three types of random binding equilibria: (1) dehydrase-substrate, (2) dehydrase-effector, and (3) dehydrase-dehydrase. These interactions can be looked upon as a series of 12 binding equilibria arranged as 6 linked functions among pairs of equilibria. The relationship among these can be depicted as a cube where M is monomer, D is dimer, A is the allosteric effector AMP, and T is threonine. For threonine dehydrase, the equilibrium constants for some of these binding processes are such that it is possible to study several of the equilibria in the virtual absence of others.