cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robustness, Flexibility, and the Role of Lateral Inhibition in the Neurogenic Network

Abstract Background: Many gene networks used by developing organisms have been conserved over long periods of evolutionary time. Why is that? We showed previously that a model of the segment polarity network in Drosophila is robust to parameter variation and is likely to act as a semiautonomous patterning module. Is this true of other networks as well? Results: We present a model of the core neurogenic network in Drosophila . Our model exhibits at least three related pattern-resolving behaviors that the real neurogenic network accomplishes during embryogenesis in Drosophila . Furthermore, we find that it exhibits these behaviors across a wide range of parameter values, with most of its parameters able to vary more than an order of magnitude while it still successfully forms our test patterns. With a single set of parameters, different initial conditions (prepatterns) can select between different behaviors in the network's repertoire. We introduce two new measures for quantifying network robustness that mimic recombination and allelic divergence and use these to reveal the shape of the domain in the parameter space in which the model functions. We show that lateral inhibition yields robustness to changes in prepatterns and suggest a reconciliation of two divergent sets of experimental results. Finally, we show that, for this model, robustness confers functional flexibility. Conclusions: The neurogenic network is robust to changes in parameter values, which gives it the flexibility to make new patterns. Our model also offers a possible resolution of a debate on the role of lateral inhibition in cell fate specification.
Inhibition of the electrooxidation of Cr(II) by adsorbed Cr(NCS)3

Abstract The electrooxidation of Cr(II) in the presence of 1–10 m M thiocyanate is inhibited over a wide potential range by adsorbed Cr(NCS) 3 . Blocking of the electrode and a repulsive diffuse double layer effect appear to be the major inhibiting mechanisms. The inhibition is removed at anodic potentials probably by faradaic removal of Cr(NCS) 3 and at cathodic potentials by reduction of Cr(NCS) 3 . Under the latter conditions an anodic “pseudo-prewave” is observed. The electroreduction of Cr(III)-thiocyanate complexes is discussed as it relates to the controlled potential electrooxidation of Cr(II) in the presence of thiocyanate and as it influences the electrooxidation of Cr(II).
Recovery of visual responses in foveal V1 neurons following bilateral foveal lesions in adult monkey.

Cells in the foveal representation of V1 cortex of adult primates became visually responsive after normal sensory input was removed. Immediately after foveae were lesioned bilaterally, a region was found where no cells' activity could be modulated by visual stimulation. Recordings made in that deafferented zone at > 2.5 months after lesions revealed that activity of over half of the cells could be modulated by visual stimuli presented to intact peripheral retina. Although response characteristics made cells with recovered driving quite unlike normal cells, the result suggests a level of visual cortical reorganization previously observed only in immature animals.
Humidity and time effects on spark-over

THIS INVESTIGATION was suggested when it was observed that gaps in high direct-voltage equipment exhibited erratic and rather low breakdown strength during moderately high humidity conditions. Electrode edges were slightly rough in some of the gaps.
Effect of trimethylsilyl groups on Beckmann rearrangements and fragmentations

Abstract Cyclic β-silyl ketones react with hydroxylamine- O -sulfonic acid in water to give as the major products olefinic nitriles resulting from silicon-directed Beckmann fragmentation reactions.
Neutron Source Based on a Counter-Deuterium Beam Linear IEC

A high-efficiency inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) neutron generator consists of linear IEC fusion chamber and ionization chambers at both ends, connected by an externally applied magnetic field. A pair of deuterium beams is produced in the ionization chambers that are positively biased so as to accelerate deuterium ions along the magnetic field towards the reaction chamber. For the purpose of achieving high-efficiency, the counter-streaming beam column is focused to form a thin filament. Such a configuration must avoid beam-driven instabilities such as the two-beam instability and Weibel’s instability. The stability analysis is performed showing that these modes are stabilized by an externally applied magnetic field parallel to the ion beams. The required magnetic field is less than several of 0.1 Tesla. Thus highly efficient neutron generator is potentially possible with counter-streaming ion beams focused and stabilized by an external magnetic field. An example giving specifications for such a neutron generator is presented.
Tutorial 1: Multi-year Results of Using an OPEN Global Research and Development Process on Three Different Application Domains

of the differences in the XML interfaces between several UML front-ends. The collected data was used to study the effectiveness of our OPEN Global Collaboration process and to support the analysis of the communication patterns among team members. We have learned that the first project used an architecture that enabled efficient communications. In addition, the data supported our hypothesis that a ‘system of systems’ process for global software development could help mitigate the communication needs in global software development projects. The second project consisted of architecture validation and testing of a mission critical Oil Drilling Platform [6], [5] with teams located in the United States, Italy, Brazil an d Germany. This project spanned two years and was divided into two phases. The first phase consisted of architecture development and review [5] and the second phase consisted of modeling, analysis and testing of the developed architecture [6]. The complexity and criticality of the missioncritical Oil Drilling Platform architecture required a div erse range of expertise for review and modeling. Our OPEN Global Collaboration process was used to recruit domain
Assessing Competitive R & D Capabilities

Editors note: This paper was Paper presented at the SCIP Annual Conference in San Francisco, April 1990.
Chronic escapable footshock causes a reduced response to morphine in rats as assessed by local cerebral metabolic rates.

Abstract The 2-deoxy- d -[ 14 C]glucose (2-DG) method was used to examine the effects of morphine sulfate (MS) on local cerebral metabolic rates for glucose (LCMR glu ) in male F-344 rats required to turn a wheel manipulandum in order to escape from nociceptive footshock. This nociceptive stimulus was identical with that utilized in a previous 2-DG study from this laboratory [15] except that animals were exposed to 15 daily 30 min sessions of footshock prior to the 2-DG testing day rather than a single footshock exposure. This allows a direct comparison of the effects of morphine in chronic and acute pain. Unlike the acute footshock study, morphine in chronic footshock rats did not have a significant effect compared with chronic footshock alone in any of the 73 measured brain structures, including limbic and midline thalamic structures previously shown to be important in morphine-induced analgesia during acute pain [15]. Whereas 93% of measured cerebral structures showed decreases in LCMR glu following morphine administration in the acute footshock rats, morphine given to chronic footshock rats caused decreases in only 56% of the structures as compared with chronic footshock plus saline. It is hypothesized that these differential effects of morphine are due in part to a habituation to the chronic stressor such that chronic footshock rats are less stressed than acute footshock rats. Additionally, it is suggested that chronic exposure to pain produces a constant elevation of opioid peptides leading to opioid receptor downregulation and consequently morphine tolerance. These results demonstrate that, even in the presence of the same nociceptive stimulus, morphine can have widely disparate effects on brain metabolism if there are differences in the pain history of the animal.
Myasthenia in SCID mice grafted with myasthenic patient lymphocytes: role of CD4+ and CD8+ cells.

Objectives: Acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-specific CD4+ cells are present in MG patients, and synthesis of the high-affinity immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies (autoAb) against the muscle AChR that causes MG symptoms requires intervention of CD4+ cells. The role of CD4+ cells in MG pathogenesis has been postulated but never proven. MG patients do not have anti-AChR cytotoxic phenomena, and it has been assumed that CD8+ cells do not have a pathogenic role in MG. However, CD8+ cells may facilitate rodent experimental MG, raising the possibility that CD8+ cells might be necessary also in MG. In this study we examined whether CD4+ and CD8+ cells play a role in the pathogenesis of MG and whether CD4+ cells specific for AChR epitope sequences recognized by most MG patients (“universal” epitopes) drive the synthesis of pathogenic antibodies. Methods: First we characterized a chimeric human-mouse model of MG in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice engrafted with blood lymphocytes (BL) from MG patients. We used that model to determine whether CD4+ and CD8+ cells are necessary for transfer of MG symptoms. We engrafted SCID mice intraperitoneum with BL from 19 MG patients and 5 healthy controls. We engrafted some mice with either BL, BL depleted in CD4+ or CD8+ cells from the same patient, or CD4+ depleted BL reconstituted with CD4+ T cells from the same patient, specific for “universal” AChR epitopes or for two unrelated antigens, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids. We tested the mice for myasthenic symptoms for 7 to 18 weeks. Results: Mice transplanted with BL, or CD8+ depleted BL, or CD4+-depleted BL reconstituted with anti-AChR CD4+ cells from MG patients frequently developed myasthenic weakness. The mice had human anti-AChR Ab in the serum and bound to muscle AChR. Mice transplanted with BL from controls, or CD4+-depleted BL from MG patients, or CD4+-depleted BL from an MG patient reconstituted with CD4+ cells specific for tetanus or diphtheria toxoids did not develop myasthenic weakness or anti-AChR Ab. Conclusions: CD4+ cells are necessary for MG pathogenesis; CD8+ cells may not be. CD4+ cells specific for “universal” AChR epitopes help the synthesis of pathogenic Ab.
A True Spectrum Top and a Complementary One

To make a true spectrum top—which is not copyright, so far as I know—take a disc of white paper, and one of black, of equal size. Spin the white one on a disc of cardboard mounted on a nail, and while it is spinning draw a small brush well charged with lamp-black water-colour paint, steadily and not too slowly from centre to circumference of the disc, thus describing a spiral line. Make a radial cut in each of the discs, and after interlocking them as in the well-known colour discs, place them on the top. We thus obtain a top in which the lines are spiral, and the relative sizes of black and of white areas are easily regulated by turning one disc to right or left, while the other is held still. If the lines be not too thin or too thick, and not too near together, and if the relative areas of black and white be adjusted suitably to the light, the top exhibits, when spun, broad bands of colour, each band containing all the colours of the spectrum in their natural order. The spaces between the lines should be not less than five times as broad as the lines themselves. The brightest effects are produced in my own case, by lamplight, with the areas of light and dark almost equal; by daylight, with the dark area about three times as great as the light. Other proportions, however, seem to give better results with other people.
Dual electrolyte-semiconductor contact CdSe electrochemical photocell

Numerous electrochemical photocells have been investigated for the purpose of converting solar energy into electricity [1-4]. Although as yet, no commercially viable photoelectrochemical cells (PEC) have been developed, several appear to be promising [5-7]. CdSe-based cells have been studied extensively due to their suitable bandgap (1.7eV) and the possibility of deposition in the form of a thin film on various electrode materials [8]. When this film is dipped into an electrolyte, a depletion layer is formed that leads to charge separation due to photo-excitation. The work done by Tien et al. [9] on pigmented lipid membranes suggests that energy transduction is possible even if semiconductor electrolyte contacts are made on both sides of the semiconductor. In the present communication we report such a study on CdSe pellets.
A dynamic model of glucocorticoid receptor phosphorylation and cycling in intact cells

Glucocorticoid receptors have been proposed to undergo an ATP-dependent recycling process in intact cells, and a functional role for receptor phosphorylation has been suggested. To further investigate this possibility we have examined the phosphate content of the steroid-binding protein of all glucocorticoid receptor forms which have been isolated from WEHI-7 mouse thymoma cells. By labeling of intact cells with 32Pi for 18–20 h in the absence of hormone, covalent binding of [3H]dexamethasone 21-mesylate, immunopurification and SDS-PAGE analysis, the steroid binding protein was found to contain, on average, 2–3 phosphates as phosphoserine. One third of the phosphates were associated with proteolytic fragments encompassing the C-terminal steroid-binding domain. The central DNA-binding domain was not phosphorylated, leaving the other two thirds of the phosphates localized in the N-terminal domain. The phosphate content of various receptor forms from cells incubated with 32Pi and [35S]methionine was compared using 35S to normalize for quantity of protein. In ATP-depleted cells a non-steroid-binding form of the receptor (the “null” receptor) is found tightly bound to the nucleus, even without steroid. The phosphate content of null receptors was two thirds that of cytosolic receptors from normal cells, suggesting phosphorylation-dependent cycling in the absence of hormone. Addition of glucocorticoid agonists, but not antagonist, to 32P- and 35S-labeled cells increased the phosphate content of the cytosolic steroid-binding protein up to 170%, indicating an average increase in the phosphates from about 3 to 5. After 30 min of hormone treatment the phosphate content of the steroid-binding protein of cytosolic activated (DNA-binding) and nonactivated receptors, and that of nuclear receptors extractable with high salt concentrations and/or DNase I digestion, was the same. No change in the phosphate content of the 90-kDa heat shock protein associated with unliganded and nonactivated receptors was detected following association of the free protein with the receptor and following hormone binding of the receptor. Analysis of the unextractable nuclear receptors indicated that they contained less phosphate (60% of that of cytosolic receptors), similarly to null receptors, indicating that dephosphorylation is associated with the unextractable nuclear fraction. The rate of hormone-dependent phosphorylation appeared to be much faster than the rate of dephosphorylation in the presence of hormone, the latter determined by a chase of the 32P label with unlabeled phosphate. Our results show that phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are involved in the mechanism of action of glucocorticoid receptors. We propose that receptors may be recycled, following hormone-induced phosphorylation, both through pathways which involve nuclear dephosphorylation and pathways in which the receptors are recycled without dephosphorylation.
Coprime Group Actions Fixing All Nonlinear Irreducible Characters

The main result of this paper is the following: Theorem A. Let H and N be finite groups with coprime orders and suppose that H acts nontrivially on N via automorphisms. Assume that H fixes every nonlinear irreducible character of N. Then the derived subgroup of N is nilpotent and so N is solvable of nilpotent length≦ 2. Why might one be interested in a situation like this? There has been considerable interest in the question of what one can deduce about a group Gfrom a knowledge of the set cd(G) = ﹛x(l)lx ∈ Irr(G) ﹜ of irreducible character degrees of G.Recently, attention has been focused on the prime divisors of the elements of cd(G). For instance, in [9], O. Manz and R. Staszewski consider π-separable groups (for some set π of primes) with the property that every element of cd(G) is either a 77-number or a π'-number.
Optimizing Disjunctive Association Rules

We analyze several problems of optimizing disjunctive association rules. The problems have important applications in data mining, allowing users to focus at interesting rules extracted from databases. We consider association rules of the form \(\bigwedge_{j=1}^{n}(A_{i_j}=v_j)\rightarrow C_2\), where \(\{A_{i_1},A_{i_2},\ldots,A_{i_n}\}\) is a subset of the categorical attributes of the underlying relation R, and C 2 is any fixed condition defined over the attributes of the relation R. An instantiation of the rule binds the variables v j ’s to values from the corresponding attribute domains. We study several problems, in which we seek a collection of instantiations of a given rule that satisfy certain optimality constraints. Each of the problems can re-interpreted as looking for one optimized disjunctive association rule. We exhibit efficient algorithms for solving the optimized support and optimized confidence problems, the weighted support/confidence problem, and the shortest rule problem. We discuss time and splace complexity of the designed algorithms and show how they can be improved by allowing for approximate solutions.
Editor's Introduction - Autonomy of Inquiry: Shaping the Future of Emerging Scientific Communities

Over two decades, research in Chinese management has exploited existing questions, theories, constructs, and methods developed in the Western context. Lagging are exploratory studies to address questions relevant to Chinese firms and to develop theories that offer meaningful explanations of Chinese phenomena. Framed as a debate between pursuing a theory of Chinese management versus a Chinese theory of management, this forum, through the voices of thirteen scholars, provides an analysis of the reasons for the current status of Chinese management research and offers alternatives to shape the future of Chinese management studies. Based on the principle of autonomy of inquiry and heeding the warning of the constraint of normal science, the Chinese management research community can shape its own future by engaging in research that may contribute to global management knowledge and address meaningful local management problems.
Contributions of Psychiatric Consultation in the Investigation of Serial Murder

This article focusses on enhancing communication between investigative officers assigned to serial murder cases and their psychiatric consultants. In view of the interdisciplinary interest in this topic, it must be pointed out that my purpose in presenting this article is not for the validation of psychiatric diagnosis of psychodynamic formulations. For those who are primarily interested in the validity of psychiatric formulations as applied to violent crime and predictions of dangerousness, standard texts are recommended where metapsychological issues are thoroughly discussed, and the very important issues of the validity of psychiatry. The reader, if not already acquainted with the literature of "Antipsychiatry", of Laing (1967), and the literature of Szasz (1961) can read these authors concerning the issues of validity in the field of psychiatric consultation to the criminal justice system. A well-known dilemma in clinical psychiatry is the retrograde reconstruction of clinical material, both fantasy a...
Radix 16 SRT dividers with overlapped quotient selection stages: A 225 nanosecond double precision divider for the S-1 Mark IIB

This paper compares the three simplest SRT division methods by using them to design a divider that produces four quotient bits per cycle (radix 16). The three methods are distinguished by the number of bits found per stage of quotient selection logic: (a) one bit per stage (radix 2) with quotient digits chosen from the set {−1, 0, 1} (b) two bits per stage (radix 4) with quotient digits {−2, −1, 0, 1, 2}, or (c) two bits per stage (radix 4) with quotient digits {−3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3}. For each method, we compare several ways to overlap multiple stages of quotient selection logic and we consider both irredundant and redundant (carry-save) representations for the remainder. The cost and performance of each alternative is evaluated in terms a specific ECL gate array technology. We find that we can build a 15% faster divider with radix four stages than with radix two stages, for about the same amount of hardware. Between the two radix 4 alternatives, method (c) offers 5% more speed than method (b) at the cost of 20% more hardware. A radix 16 divider using method (b) has been built for the S-1 Mark IIB computer under development at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. This divider consists of eight ECL gate arrays and has a 12.5 nanosecond cycle time. It performs IEEE single and double precision floating point division in 150 and 225 nanoseconds, respectively, the shortest times reported for any general purpose computer.
Association between hospital volume and network membership and an analgesia, sedation and delirium order set quality score: a cohort study

Introduction Protocols for the delivery of analgesia, sedation and delirium care of the critically ill, mechanically ventilated patient have been shown to improve outcomes but are not uniformly used. The extent to which elements of analgesia, sedation and delirium guidelines are incorporated into order sets at hospitals across a geographic area is not known. We hypothesized that both greater hospital volume and membership in a hospital network are associated with greater adherence of order sets to sedation guidelines.
High-resolution 3-D T2-weighted imaging in the diagnosis of labyrinthitis ossificans: emphasis on subtle cochlear involvement

Meningitis is the most common cause of acquired sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children. Labyrinthitis ossificans develops in a significant number of patients with meningitis-related SNHL. Reduced T2 signal on MRI within the membranous labyrinth is often noted in the fibrous and ossifying stages of labyrinthitis ossificans. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the distribution and extent of involvement of the cochlea in children being evaluated for labyrinthitis ossificans; using high-resolution 3-D T2-weighted imaging, and to evaluate for subtle involvement of the scala tympani within the basal turn of the cochlea. A retrospective review from 2002 to 2012 was performed using a cochlear implant database and PACS search function. Twenty-four patients were found to have MR findings consistent with labyrinthitis ossificans, 13 previously reported. Axial 3-D T2-weighted sequences were obtained in all patients. The presence of abnormal decreased T2 signal within the scala tympani and vestibuli of the cochlea was noted and graded according to the extent. The electronic medical record was reviewed for audiometry and risk factors as well as correlative operative findings. The average age at imaging was 4.2 years. M:F ratio = 5:1. Eighty-eight percent (21/24) of patients had bilateral SNHL. The most common risk factor for labyrinthitis ossificans was meningitis (19/24 or 79%). Eighteen (75%) patients had a history of bacterial meningitis. The mean age for the onset of labyrinthitis was 1.2 years with an average of 2.2-year interval to imaging. Nineteen patients (79%) underwent placement of a cochlear implant. Cochlear obstruction was documented in 83% (40/48) of the ears. Lower grade (1) cochlear obstruction was present in 14 ears and limited to the scala tympani. Statistical analysis was performed correlating MRI imaging and surgical findings. Subtle, isolated involvement of the scala tympani within the proximal basal turn is a common finding in labyrinthitis ossificans and history typical for meningitis is not uniformly present. The extent of cochlear obstruction is important and has surgical implications.
QNQKE targeting motif for the SMN-Gemin multiprotein complexin neurons

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a heritable neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons that is caused by the impaired expression of the full-length form of the survival of motor neuron protein (SMN), which may have a specialized function in neurons related to mRNA localization. We have previously shown that a population SMN complexes contain Gemin ribonucleoproteins and traffic in the form of granules to neuronal processes and growth cones of cultured neurons. A QNQKE sequence within exon 7 has been shown to be necessary for both cytoplasmic localization of SMN and axonal function. Here we show that the QNQKE sequence can influence the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of the SMN-Gemin complex and its localization into neuronal processes. QNQKE exerted a stronger effect on SMN localization in primary neurons compared with COS-7 cells. By using double-label fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence, SMN granules within neuronal processes colocalized with poly-(A) mRNA and PABP. These findings provide further evidence in support of a neuronal function for SMN and motivation to investigate for impaired assembly and/or localization of mRNP complexes as an underlying cause of SMA.
A Study of Problem Difficulty Evaluation for Semantic Network Ontology Based Intelligent Courseware Sharing

Testing and evaluation is an integral part of the learning process. Educators have often tried to device methods for design of test-ware. Intelligent design and compilation of test-ware is a very interesting problem with immense applications. This research aims at automating the process of intelligent design of test-ware by providing qualitative assessment of questions. In this attempt, we provide some synthetic parameters for the evaluation of question in its concept space. The parameters are tested in some real world scenarios and intuitive inferences are deduced predicting the performance of the parameters. It is observed that the difficulty of a question is often a function of the concepts it tests. Concept knowledge can be represented in the form of linked concepts in semantic nets, the links representing the relationships between the concepts. If this directed graph is known, complexity of a question can be computed by synthetic means.
Validation of cardiac output using real-time measurement of oxygen consumption during cardiac catheterization in children under 3 years of age.

Objective To validate a method for determination of cardiac index (CI) using real-time measurement of oxygen consumption (VO2) in young children undergoing cardiac catheterization. Design Retrospective review comparing thermodilution cardiac index (TDCI) to CI calculated by the Fick equation using real-time measured VO2 (RT-VO2) and VO2 derived from 2 published predictive equations. Paired t-test and Bland-Altman analysis were used to compare TDCI to Fick CI. A survey to ascertain pediatric cardiac catheterization practices regarding VO2 determination was also conducted. Setting Quaternary care children's hospital cardiac catheterization laboratory. Patients Children <3 years old with structurally normal hearts undergoing cardiac catheterization under general anesthesia with at least one set of contemporaneous TDCI and RT-VO2 measurements. Results Thirty-six paired measurements of TDCI and RT-VO2 were made in 27 patients over a 2-year period. Indications for catheterization included congenital diaphragmatic hernia postrepair (n = 13), heart disease post-orthotopic heart transplant (n = 13), and suspected cardiomyopathy (n = 1). Mean age was 21.5 ± 8 months; median weight was 9.9 kg (IQR 8.57, 12.2). RT-VO2 was higher than VO2 predicted by the LaFarge equation (190 ± 31 vs. 173.8 ± 12.8 mL/min/m2, P < .001), but there was no difference between TDCI and Fick CI calculated using VO2 from any method. Bland–Altman analysis showed excellent agreement between TDCI and Fick CI using RT-VO2 and VO2 predicted by the Lundell equation; Fick CI using VO2 predicted by the LaFarge equation showed fair agreement with TDCI. Conclusions In children <3 years with a structurally normal heart, RT-VO2 generates highly accurate determinations of Fick CI as compared with TDCI. Additionally, in this population, VO2 derived from the LaFarge and Lundell equations generates accurate Fick CI compared with TDCI. Future studies are needed to identify factors associated with inaccurate VO2 generated from these predictive equations.
Activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α pathway accelerates bone regeneration

The hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) pathway is the central regulator of adaptive responses to low oxygen availability and is required for normal skeletal development. Here, we demonstrate that the HIF-1alpha pathway is activated during bone repair and can be manipulated genetically and pharmacologically to improve skeletal healing. Mice lacking pVHL in osteoblasts with constitutive HIF-1alpha activation in osteoblasts had markedly increased vascularity and produced more bone in response to distraction osteogenesis, whereas mice lacking HIF-1alpha in osteoblasts had impaired angiogenesis and bone healing. The increased vascularity and bone regeneration in the pVHL mutants were VEGF dependent and eliminated by concomitant administration of VEGF receptor antibodies. Small-molecule inhibitors of HIF prolyl hydroxylation stabilized HIF/VEGF production and increased angiogenesis in vitro. One of these molecules (DFO) administered in vivo into the distraction gap increased angiogenesis and markedly improved bone regeneration. These results identify the HIF-1alpha pathway as a critical mediator of neoangiogenesis required for skeletal regeneration and suggest the application of HIF activators as therapies to improve bone healing.
Steady-state thermal response using equivalent-circuit models from simulation data of a 2D thermal system with radiation

In this paper, we develop a methodology to obtain medium-order electrical equivalent circuits (ECs) of the thermal behavior of 2D systems with radiation. The method combines several elements: (a) The use of detailed finite-element (FE) simulations of steady-state thermal behavior; (b) graph theoretic partitioning of FE meshes to decompose the geometry at intermediate levels of detail; and (c) physically-guided estimation of the parameters of the EC. We have also implemented a viewfactor based on radiative heat transfer model by including voltage-controlled curren source in equivalent circuit. In order to have a non-zero view-factor, two surfaces must "see" each other directly. The equivalent circuit is updated to represent a radiation boundary condition as voltage (i.e. temperature) controlled current source (i.e. heat source) attached at the radiation surface under considiration. The example examined in this paper is a 2-D cavity.
Evaluation of two point-of-care ethylene glycol tests for dogs.

Objective To evaluate 2 point-of-care ethylene glycol (EG) tests in dogs. Design Prospective, randomized, blinded laboratory evaluation. Setting University teaching hospital. Animals Ten healthy adult dogs. Interventions Jugular venipuncture and in vitro evaluation for detection of EG in canine blood. Measurements Whole blood samples were centrifuged and separated, and the plasma was divided into 30 aliquots. The aliquots were mixed with EG to provide EG concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 mg/dL. The EG concentration of each sample was confirmed using gas chromatography. For the VetSpec EG Qualitative Reagent Test Kit, 100 μL of each sample was added to test vials and compared with 20 and 50 mg/dL reference vials. For the Kacey EG Test Strips, 20 μL of each sample was added to the test circle and compared with the color chart provided by the manufacturer. For each test, samples were prepared in groups of 5 and presented in randomized order to 2 readers who were blinded to the presumed EG concentration. Samples were scored as negative, 20–50 mg/dL, or greater than 50 mg/dL. For each test, the sensitivity and specificity for detecting EG was calculated. Cohen's unweighted kappa coefficient was calculated to determine the degree of agreement between readers. Main Results For detecting EG, the Kacey EG Test Strips had excellent sensitivity and specificity (both 100%) and good agreement between readers. The VetSpec EG Qualitative Reagent Test Kit was less sensitive and specific (65% and 70% for the first reader, 95% and 40% for the second) with less agreement. Conclusions Of the 2 systems evaluated, the Kacey EG Test Strips displayed greater accuracy and ease of use.
On the Unproved Synergism of the Inhalation Toxicity of Fire Gas

Reports on synergistic actions of toxic combustion gas mixtures generated in fires are critically reviewed and claims on synergism are tested by the toxicity index concept developed by the author.
An Eighteenth Century Attorney's Financial Advice to His Client: A Note on the Correspondence of Joseph Newton to Mrs. Dorothea Gibbon, 1773-1779

The letters written by Joseph Newton, Mrs. Gibbon's attorney, shed some light on the type of financial advice given the widow of the 1770's. Specifically they deal with the question as to whether Mrs. Gibbon should sell her holdings of New South Sea Annuities. These letters (thirty in all) are held in the Special Collections Department of the Rutgers University Library. Mrs. Gibbon was the stepmother of Edward Gibbon, the author of "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."
Influence of Habitat Characteristics on Detected Site Occupancy of the New Mexico Endemic Sacramento Mountains Salamander, Aneides Hardii

The Sacramento Mountains Salamander (Aneides hardii) is a state-listed threatened species endemic to three mountain ranges in south-central New Mexico. Information about the ecological requirements of this species is inadequate for managers to make informed conservation decisions, yet changes in management practices are needed throughout the species range because of poor forest health. During summer 2004, we examined patterns of A. hardii distribution in relation to several abiotic and biotic parameters on 36 plots, each of which was 9.6-ha in area and located in mixed conifer forest. We evaluated 18 a priori logistic regression models using Akaike's Information Criterion corrected for small-sample bias (AICc). The model with the highest ranking (lowest AICc value) included soil moisture and soil temperature, and the second highest ranked model (DAICc 5 0.05) included only soil temperature. Soil temperature was lower, and soil moisture was higher on plots where salamanders were detected. The relative importance of canopy cover and log volume was low in this study likely because the study plots, all of which had sufficient canopy cover and log volume, had similar disturbance history. We recommend managers focus on practices that ensure salamander microhabitats remain cool and moist in conservation areas. Resource managers are challenged with bal- ancing human interests and the conservation of threatened and endangered species. This is a current issue in the western United States because of the need to manage forests for catastrophic fire prevention while considering the response of sensitive forest species to silvicultural practices. Fire suppression has
The Salience of Complex Tax Changes: Evidence from the Child and Dependent Care Credit Expansion

The literature on tax salience finds taxpayers are less responsive to the financial implications of a low-salience tax change than to an otherwise equivalent price change. This paper adds to this literature by showing that taxpayers are more responsive to the more salient features of a given complex tax change. Data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey is used to show that taxpayers responded to the direct implications of the 2003 expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Credit, but did not respond to the expansion’s less salient interactions with other elements of the tax code.
HPCC and the National Information Infrastructure: an overview.

The National Information Infrastructure (NII) or "information superhighway" is a high-priority federal initiative to combine communications networks, computers, databases, and consumer electronics to deliver information services to all U.S. citizens. The NII will be used to improve government and social services while cutting administrative costs. Operated by the private sector, the NII will rely on advanced technologies developed under the direction of the federal High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program. These include computing systems capable of performing trillions of operations (teraops) per second and networks capable of transmitting billions of bits (gigabits) per second. Among other activities, the HPCC Program supports the national supercomputer research centers, the federal portion of the Internet, and the development of interface software, such as Mosaic, that facilitates access to network information services. Health care has been identified as a critical demonstration area for HPCC technology and an important application area for the NII. As an HPCC participant, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) assists hospitals and medical centers to connect to the Internet through projects directed by the Regional Medical Libraries and through an Internet Connections Program cosponsored by the National Science Foundation. In addition to using the Internet to provide enhanced access to its own information services, NLM sponsors health-related applications of HPCC technology. Examples include the "Visible Human" project and recently awarded contracts for test-bed networks to share patient data and medical images, telemedicine projects to provide consultation and medical care to patients in rural areas, and advanced computer simulations of human anatomy for training in "virtual surgery."
Roberto Bolaño, Cervantes y Soldados de Salamina

This article analyzes the role of Roberto Bolano as a fictional character in Javier Cercas’ Soldados de Salamina. Through Roberto Bolano’s identification with Miguel de Cervantes, the novel converts Bolano in the archetypical figure of a modern novelist. The association of the Chilean author with Cervantes goes beyond the fictional discourse of Soldados de Salamina, since Bolano himself shows in his works the influence of the Cervantine figure of a writer.
Anti-atherogenic effect of trivalent chromium-loaded CPMV nanoparticles in human aortic smooth muscle cells under hyperglycemic conditions in vitro

Atherosclerosis, a major macrovascular complication associated with diabetes, poses a tremendous burden on national health care expenditure. Despite extensive efforts, cost-effective remedies are unknown. Therapies for atherosclerosis are challenged by a lack of targeted drug delivery approaches. Toward this goal, we turn to a biology-derived drug delivery system utilizing nanoparticles formed by the plant virus, Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV). The aim herein is to investigate the anti-atherogenic potential of the beneficial mineral nutrient, trivalent chromium, loaded CPMV nanoparticles in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) under hyperglycemic conditions. A non-covalent loading protocol is established yielding CrCl3-loaded CPMV (CPMV-Cr) carrying 2000 drug molecules per particle. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we show that CPMV-Cr is readily taken up by HASMC in vitro. In glucose (25 mM)-stimulated cells, 100 nM CPMV-Cr inhibits HASMC proliferation concomitant to attenuated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA, proliferation marker) expression. This is accompanied by attenuation in high glucose-induced phospho-p38 and pAkt expression. Moreover, CPMV-Cr inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), in glucose-stimulated HASMCs. Finally glucose-stimulated lipid uptake is remarkably abrogated by CPMV-Cr, revealed by Oil Red O staining. Together, these data provide key cellular evidence for an atheroprotective effect of CPMV-Cr in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) under hyperglycemic conditions that may promote novel therapeutic ventures for diabetic atherosclerosis.
K 0 − K ¯ 0 mixing in the six-quark model

Using the leading-logarithm approximation, strong-interaction corrections to ${K}^{0}\ensuremath{-}{\overline{K}}^{0}$ mixing in the six-quark model are computed in quantum chromodynamics. The full calculation involving the mixing of eight operators at some stages is done, as well as an approximate, much simpler calculation. Numerically, the exact and approximate results agree to high accuracy and both show that the corrections to the real and imaginary parts can be large. How to obtain the free-quark limit of these and other results is shown explicitly.
What makes big-O analysis difficult: understanding how students understand runtime analysis

We are interested in increasing comprehension of how students understand big-O analysis. We conducted a qualitative analysis of interviews with two undergraduate students to identify sources of difficulty within the topic of big-O. This demonstrates the existence of various difficulties, which contribute to the sparse research on students' understanding of pedagogy. The students involved in the study have only minimal experience with big-O analysis, discussed within the first two introductory computer science classes. During these hour-long interviews, the students were asked to analyze code or a paragraph to find the runtime of the algorithm involved and invited students to write code that would in a certain runtime. From these interactions, we conclude that students that have difficulties with big-O could be having trouble with the mathematical function used in the analysis and/or the techniques they used to solve the problem.
Activity of gallium meso-and protoporphyrin ix against biofilms of multidrug-resistant acinetobacter baumannii isolates

Acinetobacter baumannii is a challenging pathogen due to antimicrobial resistance and biofilm development. The role of iron in bacterial physiology has prompted the evaluation of iron-modulation as an antimicrobial strategy. The non-reducible iron analog gallium(III) nitrate, Ga(NO3)3, has been shown to inhibit A. baumannii planktonic growth; however, utilization of heme-iron by clinical isolates has been associated with development of tolerance. These observations prompted the evaluation of iron-heme sources on planktonic and biofilm growth, as well as antimicrobial activities of gallium meso- and protoporphyrin IX (Ga-MPIX and Ga-PPIX), metal heme derivatives against planktonic and biofilm bacteria of multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates of A. baumannii in vitro. Ga(NO3)3 was moderately effective at reducing planktonic bacteria (64 to 128 µM) with little activity against biofilms (≥512 µM). In contrast, Ga-MPIX and Ga-PPIX were highly active against planktonic bacteria (0.25 to 8 µM). Cytotoxic effects in human fibroblasts were observed following exposure to concentrations exceeding 128 µM of Ga-MPIX and Ga-PPIX. We observed that the gallium metal heme conjugates were more active against planktonic and biofilm bacteria, possibly due to utilization of heme-iron as demonstrated by the enhanced effects on bacterial growth and biofilm formation.
A procedure for concentration of normal urinary albumin and globulins.

SummaryA procedure for concentration of albumin and globulins from normal urine is described. The albumin appears to be identical with serum albumin, and excretory rate is about 16 mg/day, under conditions of normal activity. Excretion of globulins amounts to less than 6 mg/day.
The role of protein synthesis on the generation of tissue factor activity by leukocytes.

SummaryPeripheral leukocytes incubated with adsorbed serum and endotoxin generate procoagulant (tissue factor) activity. The generation of tissue factor activity is inhibited if actinomycin D, cycloheximide, or puromycin are added at the beginning of the incubation but no inhibition occurs if actinomycin D or cycloheximide are added after 2 hr incubation.I thank Dr. S. S. Shapiro for a gift of plasma deficient in factor VII. I thank Mrs. M. Chierego, Mrs. B. Troy, and Mr. S. Panagatos for their technical assistance. This study was supported in part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (HE-13155).
Comparison of rates of union and hardware removal between large and small cannulated screws for calcaneal osteotomy.

Background:The calcaneal osteotomy is a common procedure to correct hindfoot malalignment. Reported union rates are high, utilizing fixation methods including staples, plates, and most commonly cannulated screws. We began our practice using 6.5 mm and 7.3 mm cannulated screws, but complaints of postoperative posterior heel pain led to hardware removal in many patients. A switch to smaller 4.5 mm cannulated screws resulted in fewer symptoms, thus we hypothesized that using a smaller screw would decrease screw removal while maintaining an equally high union rate.Methods:The records of patients who underwent a calcaneal osteotomy by 2 surgeons between January 1996 and April 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The rates of hardware removal and union were compared between osteotomies held with two 7.3 mm, 6.5 mm, and 4.5 mm cannulated screws.Results:There were 272 feet that met the inclusion criteria. The hardware removal rate for 130 osteotomies held with two 7.3 mm screws was 29.2% and the removal rate for 1...
Arrangements and cohomology

To a matroidM is associated a graded commutative algebraA=A(M), the Orlik-Solomon algebra ofM. Motivated by its role in the construction of generalized hypergeometric functions, we study the cohomologyH * (A, d ω) ofA(M) with coboundary mapd ω given by multiplication by a fixed element ω ofA 1. Using a description of decomposable relations inA, we construct new examples of “resonant” values of ω, and give a precise calculation ofH 1 (A, d ω) as a function of ω. We describe the setR 1(A={ω|H 1(A(M,d ω)≠}, and use it as a tool in the classification of Orlik-Solomon algebras, with applications to the topology of complex hyperplane complements. We show thatR 1(A) is a complete invariant of the quadratic closure ofA, and show under various hypotheses that one can reconstruct the matroidM, or at least its Tutte polynomial, from the varietyR 1(A). We demonstrate with several examples thatR 1 is easily calculable, may contain nonlocal components, and that combinatorial properties ofR 1(A) are often sufficient to distinguish nonisomorphic rank three Orlik-Solomon algebras.
Rendering Mosquitoes Resistant to Arboviruses through RNA Interference

Dengue viruses (DENV) are the most important of the arthropod-borne viruses, or arboviruses. Recognized in the 1870s, dengue fever is considered a reemerging disease due to recent increases in numbers and the widespread distribution of severe cases during the last 30 years. Thus, DENV infect 50 to 100 million humans—more than 2.5 billion are at risk— each year in more than 100 countries in tropical and subtropical regions. Infections with DENV can result in self-limiting dengue fever or more severe hemorrhagic fever.
Positron emission tomography study of voluntary saccadic eye movements and spatial working memory

1. The purpose of this study is to define the cortical regions that subserve voluntary saccadic eye movements and spatial working memory in humans. 2. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during per...