cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Magic of Mercy: A Yom Kippur D’Var Torah

In the standard binary of justice and mercy, we often assume that justice is the mark of order, proportion, and balance, while mercy is disorderly, out of proportion, and imbalanced. The Biblical account of the ancient Yom Kippur ritual casts a different light on the matter, however. It suggests that the orderly machinery of the universe dispenses both justice and mercy. Mercy, too, is part of the architecture of the cosmos, natural and balanced. The synagogue liturgy of Yom Kippur, as it has developed over the centuries, mutes the Bible’s impersonally efficacious account of mercy. It focuses instead on the spiritual, the sacred, and the transformative dimensions of the day. But there is also power and beauty in the notion that magic can be invoked by an act of magic – a mechanical, automatically efficacious act of wiping the slate clean. The ritual of the Azazel was in some sense a “performative” in the philosophical sense – a gesture that did not so much convey a thought as do a thing. Yom Kippur is rightly a time of doubt, anxiety, and terror. The trick is to know the terror, but also let the magic work.
The Parshvanath yantram yields a constant-sum partially balanced incomplete block design

Yantrams have been used to generate mixture designs in the interior of a simplex. In this note, we show a connection between Parshvanath yantram and a particular partially balanced incomplete block...
A Demonstration of Anomalies in Evaluations of Bundling

The paper investigates the premise that bundling prompts consumers to purchase more than they ordinarily would. Two theoretical justifications for increased purchasing with bundling are reviewed, and an experiment regarding consumer evaluation of bundling is reported. Anomalies in the experimental results demonstrate that bundles appear to create contexts that influence evaluation and choice, and some support for increased purchasing was found. Further research is needed to understand more fully the bundle context, the effects created and the process evoked.
Integration Considerations for Infants and Toddlers with Multiple Disabilities.

The implementation of P.L. 99–457 will result in the expansion of services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities. With this expansion, the issue of providing opportunities for so...
NeMoSys: A System for Realistic Single Neuron Modeling

We describe a software package that allows for efficient simulation of current flow through neurons. Nemosys was specifically designed to model single neurons with complex geometries at the level of currents and voltages in individual branches. Neurons are represented as binary branched tree structures, where branches are constructed from linear strings of compartments. The program is set up to allow the user to simulate typical electrophysiological experimental protocols such as current clamp and voltage clamp. An implicit scheme of integration which takes advantage of the branched tree structure of the neuron is used to update the voltages and currents in each neuron at each timestep. One of the major computational benefits of this method is that time scales linearly with the number of compartments used to represent the neurons. Furthermore, voltage updates are decoupled from the conductance updates, so arbitrary conductances or synaptic connections can be incorporated easily, efficiently and stably. Nemosys can also be extended to allow simulations of networks of neurons.
Is the DOTS strategy sufficient to achieve tuberculosis control in low- and middle-income countries? 2. Need for interventions among private physicians, medical specialists and scientific societies.

Dans le premier de ces deux articles, on a vu comment, dans presque tous les pays a revenu intermediaire et dans de nombreux pays a faibles ressources, il est necessaire de proceder a des interventions complementaires a la strategie DOTS a fin d'obtenir une maitrise adequate de la tuberculose. Nous devons agir en deux grandes axes: 1) dans les universites et les ecoles de medecine, comme detaille dans le premier article, et 2) specifiquement parmi les medecins prives et les specialistes en medecine, un obstacle important pour de nombreux programmes nationaux contre la tuberculose (PNT). Ces medecins professionnels, et surtout les specialistes (dont la plupart travaillent egalement dans le secteur prive), representent un secteur d'influence dans le domaine de la sante, avec un certain standing social, et ont peu de tendance a suivre les recommandations du programme, qu'ils considerent comme trop simplistes ou rigides. Les medecins prives n'ont peu ou pas d'acces aux programmes d'information ou de formation, ce qui pourrait expliquer les etonnantes disparites dans leurs criteres cliniques. Tout ceci peu entrainer des distorsions importantes qui risque de compromettre les resultats du PNT. Le present article evalue la necessite d'intervenir aupres des medecins prives et des specialistes en medicine pour une meilleure maitrise de la tuberculose. Deux strategies sont decrites : obtenir des accords concrets et specifiques pour leur participation dans les activites du PNT, et mettre en place des programmes de formation pour ce groupe. A la conclusion de cet article est decrit le travail de l'UICTMR avec ces groupes en Amerique Latine.
Post Kidney Transplant: Cardiovascular Complications

Renal transplantation remains the gold standard treatment to improve survival in end-stage renal disease. Cardiovascular disease, as in the general population, is the front-runner cause of mortality in renal transplant recipients. Congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, arrhythmias, and peripheral arterial disease constitute common causes of cardiovascular events and deaths. Post-transplant inflammatory milieu, immunosuppressive agents, episodes of graft rejection, post-graft failure renal replacement therapy, as well as traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity, chronic kidney disease, proteinuria, and diabetes mellitus, add to a transplant recipient’s cardiovascular risk profile. Medical management of risk factors include strategies employed in the chronic kidney disease population with credence given to approaches specific for transplant recipients, such as choice of maintenance immunosuppression, steroid tapering or withdrawal, and particular anti-hypertensive regimens. Overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients has declined, over the last few decades, likely secondary to improved detection and timely management of risk factors. However, this requires delicate balancing of robust induction and maintenance immunosuppression to avoid rejection episodes with meticulous treatment of all cardiovascular risk factors in a transplant recipient.
Release behavior of pH sensitive microcapsules containing corrosion inhibitor

Abstract A pH sensitive microcapsule (pH-MC) which can be decomposed in corrosive environments on metal substrates was synthesized and its release behavior was investigated. Ester chains which can be hydrolyzed under both alkaline and acidic conditions were successfully introduced into the shell wall of the pH-MC. In separate sets of experiments, cerium nitrate was encapsulated as a corrosion inhibitor, whereas aluminum nitrate was used to investigate the release property due its amphoteric nature. Study of the release behavior with the aluminum nitrate-containing pH-MC (Al-MC) demonstrated that the Al-MCs are sensitive to acidic and basic environments and are inactive in neutral environments. It was also found that hydrolysis of the ester chains occurred prior to release of the core materials. When immersed in an electrolyte with the cerium nitrate-containing pH-MC (Ce-MC), the open circuit potential (OCP) of a steel substrate showed a nobler potential than when immersed in an electrolyte without Ce-MC.
Accountability or Efficiency? Body-Worn Cameras as Replicative Technology:

Body-worn cameras (BWCs) have been implemented and studied at an unprecedented rate since their emergence in the mid-2000s, largely due to their touted benefits of increasing police accountability....
Making Texts in Electronic Health Records Comprehensible to Consumers: A Prototype Translator

Narrative reports from electronic health records are a major source of content for personal health records. We designed and implemented a prototype text translator to make these reports more comprehensible to consumers. The translator identifies difficult terms, replaces them with easier synonyms, and generates and inserts explanatory texts for them. In feasibility testing, the application was used to translate 9 clinical reports. Majority (68.8%) of text replacements and insertions were deemed correct and helpful by expert review. User evaluation demonstrated a non-statistically significant trend toward better comprehension when translation is provided (p=0.15).
Preclinical Biodistribution, Dosimetry and Toxicology of [11C]NOP46 - a potential PET biomarker for chronic pain in humans.

253 Objectives: Chronic pain results in long-term hyper-excitability (LTH) associated with activation of protein kinase G‐1α (PKG) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) with the region of pain. The balanol derivative NOP46, N-((3R,4R)-4-(4-(2-fluoro-3-methoxy-6-propoxybenzoyl)benzamido)pyrrolidin-3-yl)-1H-indazole-5-carboxamide has a high affinity to activated PKG. The chemical structure of NOP46 has an anisole moiety where a Carbon-11 methyl group can be inserted. The short half-life of [11C]NOP46 permits multiple administrations of tracers in short intervals to the same subject and may provide a novel method to visualize chronic pain in human. Methods: O-Desmethyl [11C]NOP46 was prepared by way of methylation with [11C]-methyl triflate in GE-FxC Pro synthesis module. Chemical identity of the labeled product [11C]NOP46 was determined by reversed-phase HPLC. In vitro biodistribution and dosimetry studies of [11C]NOP46 was carried out in normal rats to determine the route of excretion and to estimate human dosimetry. GLP Toxicology studies were performed using IV dosing of 22, 44, and 110 μg/kg in anticipation of a first-in-human clinical trial. Results: [11C]NOP46 was successfully produced on the GE FxC Pro platform. The range of the production results (n = 3) are Radiochemical yield = 27.7-31.8 mCi at end-of-synthesis (EOS), radiochemical purity > 99 %, drug concentration = 1.02-1.93 µg/mL, total chemical impurity = 0.09-0.12 µg/mL, and specific activity = 870-1,828 mCi/µmol. HPLC confirmed the chemical identity. Three successful validations were carried out. Rodent biodistribution studies were conducted with all major organs at 5-time points (3 male, 3 female rats for each time points). Human dosimetry was estimated using OLINDA software. Biodistribution study demonstrated primary hepatobiliary excretion and a calculated TEDE of 0.00806 and 0.005 rem/mCi in males and females, respectively. Preclinical toxicology studies demonstrated that a single intravenous (bolus) administration of NOP46 to Sprague Dawley rats at dose level of 110 μg/kg was systemically well tolerated with no evidence of any treatment related immediate or any delayed adverse effects. Conclusions: The production method of [11C]NOP46 has been successfully developed and validated. Human dosimetry has been estimated using the data obtained from our rodent studies. First-in-human trial of [11C]NOP46 may provide a novel method to assess chronic pain in human individuals. Acknowledgments: Study was sponsored by MedTech Inc.
The Use of a Novel Perfusion-Based Human Cadaveric Model for Simulation of Dural Venous Sinus Injury and Repair.

BACKGROUND Dural sinus injuries are potentially serious complications associated with acute blood loss. It is imperative that neurosurgery trainees are able to recognize and manage this challenging scenario. OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of a novel perfusion-based cadaveric simulation model to provide the fundamentals of dural sinus repair to neurosurgical trainees. METHODS A total of 10 perfusion-based human cadaveric models underwent superior sagittal sinus (SSS) laceration. Neurosurgery residents were instructed to achieve hemostasis by any method in the first trial and then repeated the trial after watching the instructional dural flap technique video. Trials were timed until hemostasis and control of the region of injury was achieved. Pre- and post-trial questionnaires were administered to assess trainee confidence levels. RESULTS The high-flow extravasation of the perfusion-based cadaveric model mimicked similar conditions and challenges encountered during acute SSS injury. Mean ± standard deviation time to hemostasis was 341.3 ± 65 s in the first trial and 196.9 ± 41.8 s in the second trial (P < .0001). Mean trainee improvement time was 144.4 s (42.3%). Of the least-experienced trainees with longest repair times in the initial trial, a mean improvement time of 188.3 s (44.8%) was recorded. All participants reported increased confidence on post-trial questionnaires following the simulation (median pretrial confidence of 2 vs post-trial confidence of 4, P = .002). CONCLUSION A perfusion-based human cadaveric model accurately simulates acute dural venous sinus injury, affording neurosurgical trainees the opportunity to hone management skills in a simulated and realistic environment.
COVID-19 Progression Timeline and Effectiveness of Response-to-Spread Interventions across the United States

Abstract Motivated by the rapid upsurge of COVID-19 cases in the United States beginning March 2020, we forecast the disease spread and assess the effectiveness of containment strategies by using an estalished network-driven epidemic dynamic model. Our model is initialized using the daily counts of active and confirmed COVID-19 cases across the US. Based on our model predictions for the March 14-16 timeframe, the national epidemic peak could be expected to arrive by early June, corresponding to a daily active count of ≈ 7% of the US population, if no containment plans are implemented. Epidemic peaks are expected to arrive in the states of Washington and New York by May 21 and 25, respectively. With a modest 25% reduction in COVID-19 transmissibility via community-level interventions, the epidemic progression could be delayed by up to 34 days. Wholesale interstate traffic restriction is ineffective in delaying the epidemic outbreak, but it does desynchronize the arrival of state-wise epidemic peaks, which could potentially alleviate the burden on limited available medical resources. In addition to forecasting the arrival timeline of the state-wise epidemic peaks, we attempt at informing the optimal timing necessary to enforce community-level interventions. Our findings underscore the pressing need for preparedness and timely interventions in states with a large fraction of the vulnerable uninsured and liquid-asset-poverty populations. Forecast website https://sites.google.com/view/covid19forecast
Clinical and genetic analysis of a case with infantile Parkinsonism with motor delay due to tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and genetic variants in a child featuring tyrosine hydroxylase-deficient infantile Parkinsonism with motor delay. Methods Clinical feature of the patient was summarized. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples taken from the child and her family members. All exons of GCH1, TH and SPR genes were subjected to targeted capture and next-generation sequencing. Suspected variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. Results The child could not sit alone at 7 month and 11 days. Physical examination suggested motor retardation and hypotonia, limb stiffness, head nodding, slight torticollis, and language and intellectual developmental delays. She developed involuntary shaking of limbs at 3 month old, which lasted approximately 10 seconds and aggregated with excitement and before sleeping. Cranial MRI revealed widening of subarachnoid space on the temporomandibular and particularly temporal sides. Genetic testing revealed that she has carried a nonsense c. 457C>T (p.R153X) variant, which was known to be pathogenic, and a novel missense c. 720C>G (p.I240M) variant of the TH gene. The two variants were derived from her father and mother, respectively. Conclusion The child was diagnosed as tyrosine hydroxylase-deficient infantile Parkinsonism with motor delay due to compound heterozygous variants of the TH gene. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of TH gene variants. Key words: Tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency; Infantile Parkinsonism with motor delay; TH gene; Genetic variant
Efficacy and Tolerability of Clobazam in Adult Drug-Refractory Epilepsy (P1.5-035)

Objective: To characterize the local adult drug-refractory epilepsy population and determine the efficacy and tolerability of clobazam in this group. Background: Drug-refractory epilepsy occurs in approximately 30% of epilepsy patients and is notoriously difficult to treat. After failure of two anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), only 3% of patients will become seizure-free with additional seizures medications. Clobazam is a promising long-acting benzodiazepine which was FDA-approved for use in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in 2011. Design/Methods: This was a single center retrospective chart review performed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Subjects were >18 years old with drug-refractory epilepsy who were prescribed clobazam between 2010 and 2017. Patients were followed by the Penn Epilepsy Center with outpatient clinic visits both prior to and at least 1 month after initiation of clobazam. Data was collected on baseline demographics and epilepsy severity, as well as seizure frequency after reaching maximum tolerable dose, time to discontinuation, and adverse side effects. Primary outcome measures were rate of >50% seizure reduction and seizure freedom rate. Results: 417 patients met study criteria. Prior to clobazam, patients were on an average of 2.4 active AEDs and 81.2% had seizures at least once a month. Post-intervention, 50.3% of patients experienced a >50% reduction in seizure frequency and 19.9% achieved seizure freedom, with no statistically significant difference between epilepsy types. 51% of patients experienced at least 1 side effect, most commonly lethargy/fatigue (30.7%) and mood changes (10.8%). A total of 143 (34.2%) patients discontinued clobazam, with the majority (55%) citing adverse effects as the reason for discontinuation. Conclusions: Clobazam is effective as an adjunctive therapy for adult drug-refractory epilepsy. Rates of seizure reduction and seizure freedom were higher than what has been historically reported for other AEDs. Adverse side effects were common and limited tolerability in a minority of patients. Disclosure: Dr. Levinson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jamil has nothing to disclose. Dr. Khankhanian has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hill has nothing to disclose. Dr. Davis has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with UCB and UpToDate. Dr. Davis has received research support from Eisai Inc.
The Top 50 Most-Cited Shoulder Arthroscopy Studies.

Purpose To determine the 50 most frequently cited studies in the orthopaedic shoulder arthroscopy literature and to conduct a bibliometric analysis of these studies. Methods The Clarivate Analytics Web of Knowledge database was used to gather data and metrics using Boolean queries to capture all possible iterations of shoulder arthroscopy research. The search list was sorted so that articles were organized in descending order based on the number of citations and included or excluded based on relevance to shoulder arthroscopy. The information extracted for each article included author name, publication year, country of origin, journal name, article type, and the level of evidence. Results For these 50 studies, the total number of citations was calculated to be 13,910, with an average of 278.2 citations per paper. The most-cited article was cited 1134 times, whereas the second- and third-most cited articles were cited 920 and 745 times, respectively. All 50 articles were published in English and came from 7 different orthopaedic journals. The United States was responsible for most of the included articles (31), followed by France (9) and Japan (3). Conclusions The majority of the most-cited articles in shoulder arthroscopy are case series and descriptive studies originating from the United States. In addition, more than one half of the top 50 most-cited studies were published after 2004, which suggests that article age may be less important in the accumulation of citations for a rapidly growing field like shoulder arthroscopy. Clinical Relevance The top 50 most-cited studies list will provide researchers, medical students, residents, and fellows with a foundational list of the most important and influential academic contributions to shoulder arthroscopy.
Participatory Multicriteria Evaluation of Metropolitan Transportation Planning System Scenarios: Navigating Trade-Offs for Collaborative Design of Sustainable Communities

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in the US policy context represent an example of a polycentric governance innovation to mediate persistent conflict between the local and state government agencies. The MPOs are required by federal law to develop a long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), at least every 5 years. Regional-scale priorities in MTP constrain economic growth and environmental sustainability options of local communities. These priorities set up synergies and trade-offs between regional, state, and federal transportation planning systems vis-a-vis local community goals.
Coronavirus disease 2019 management.

Purpose of review Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute multisystem disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Investigations are ongoing in the search for effective therapeutics, with clinical approaches evolving based upon such evidence. Recent findings The antiviral agent, remdesivir, and the immunomodulator, dexamethasone, are the first therapeutics for which there is evidence of efficacy from randomized trials. Subgroup analyses suggest remdesivir is beneficial in hospitalized patients whose severity of illness falls at the lower end of the spectrum, while dexamethasone is more beneficial in hospitalized patients whose severity of illness falls at the higher end of the spectrum. We recommend that inpatients who require supplemental oxygen but are not mechanically ventilated receive both remdesivir and dexamethasone, and inpatients who require mechanical ventilation receive dexamethasone monotherapy. Additional evidence regarding anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, convalescent plasma, and a variety of antiinterleukin therapies is forthcoming. Summary The body of evidence related to COVID-19 therapeutics continues to evolve and, as a result, management is likely to change with time. As new evidence is generated and published, the optimal approach to managing patients with COVID-19 should be reconsidered.
Abstract P127: Non-English Speakers and English Speakers Score Differently on Individual Components of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale

Introduction: The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is widely used for rapid assessment of neurologic deficits in acute stroke. Multiple components of the scale require intact lang...
Do High Schools Choose Financial Education Policies Based on Their Neighbors

Financial Education courses required for high school graduation make a difference in students' future financial lives. Given that schools exercise local control, there are a variety of types of courses offered and required by US high schools. It remains unclear why and where this variation exists. Using a novel data set of unique high school personal finance course offerings and requirements paired with distances between high schools in the US, we approximate a network of nearby peer high schools. We use this network of peer schools to measure the potential influence of nearby schools on an individual high school's decision to offer financial education courses. We find that high schools are more likely to require or offer financial education courses similar to those of their peer schools. Having an additional peer that incorporates financial education into their curriculum makes it more likely a high school will change their curriculum to do the same. This is true across types of courses: required standalone courses, required courses that incorporate but do not solely focus on personal finance, and standalone electives. The results indicate that schools' nearby peers are related to what types of services to offer their students, and these networks are more predictive than economic or demographic characteristics of the school in determining personal finance course requirements. Local networks can potentially provide momentum in expanding access to financial education.
Macrophage ROBOcalls rattle adipose nerves.

Immune cells can promote the thermogenic phenotype of white adipocytes during cold exposure, in a process known as ‘browning’ or ‘beiging’. Wang et al. now reveal a potential mechanism whereby alternatively activated macrophages prompt adipose sympathetic nerve fibres to release norepinephrine and promote adipocyte beiging.
Maternal urinary bisphenol a during pregnancy and maternal and neonatal thyroid function in the CHAMACOS study

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic bottles, food and beverage can linings, thermal receipts, and dental sealants. Animal and human studies suggest that BPA may disrupt thyroid function. Although thyroid hormones play a determinant role in human growth and brain development, no studies have investigated relations between BPA exposure and thyroid function in pregnant women or neonates. Objective: Our goal was to evaluate whether exposure to BPA during pregnancy is related to thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women and neonates. Methods: We measured BPA concentration in urine samples collected during the first and second half of pregnancy in 476 women participating in the CHAMACOS (Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas) study. We also measured free thyroxine (T4), total T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in women during pregnancy, and TSH in neonates. Results: Associations between the average of the two BPA measurements and maternal thyroid hormone levels were not statistically significant. Of the two BPA measurements, only the one taken closest in time to the TH measurement was significantly associated with a reduction in total T4 (β = –0.13 µg/dL per log2 unit; 95% CI: –0.25, 0.00). The average of the maternal BPA concentrations was associated with reduced TSH in boys (–9.9% per log2 unit; 95% CI: –15.9%, –3.5%) but not in girls. Among boys, the relation was stronger when BPA was measured in the third trimester of pregnancy and decreased with time between BPA and TH measurements. Conclusion: Results suggest that exposure to BPA during pregnancy is related to reduced total T4 in pregnant women and decreased TSH in male neonates. Findings may have implications for fetal and neonatal development.
Opportunities and Challenges for Software Engineering Education

As we approach the 21st century, we are aware of our ever-increasing reliance on computer-based systems. These systems, which range from information systems to embedded systems, represent a crucial component of today' s workplace. An increasing number of these systems are mission-critical systems. The software engineer of the future must be prepared to develop the large, complex systems that will be required. Educating software engineers with the knowledge they need to meet the ever-changing demands of today' s global workplace represents a true academic challenge. We will discuss numerous software engineering education issues, including the current state of software engineering education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Finally, we will discuss some specific opportunities and difficulties with educating the software engineer for the next century.
Endotoxemia in critically ill patients: why a reliable test could be beneficial

The detection of endotoxemia may provide a clue to the cause of sepsis or may indicate translocation of endotoxin from the gastrointestinal tract. A reliable endotoxin activity assay (EAA) offers the potential to determine Gram-negative infections in critically ill patients. In addition, a reliable EAA may indicate the adequacy of gastrointestinal tract perfusion, as well as potentially help to predict morbidity and mortality. A recent study by Marshall and colleagues, published in the present issue of Critical Care, evaluated the use of a whole blood EAA in a medical–surgical intensive care unit and found that 58% of the patients had positive endotoxin assays. However, only 13.5% of the population had a documented Gram-negative infection. This discrepancy and the observation that translocation and other causes of endotoxemia may not reflect true Gram-negative infection might severely limit the clinical utility of this EAA. Further study may better define the potential role of this technique in the diagnostic evaluation of the critically ill patient.
Theoretical-Experimental Correlation of Material Models for Nonlinear Deformation of Graphite

Two theoretical material models for nonlinear deformation of graphite due to Jones and Nelson are compared with Jortner's experimental results for uniaxial off-axis loading and biaxial loading of ATJ-S graphite specimens. The material models are extensions of the Jones weighted compliance matrix model and the Isabekian and Khachatryan restricted compliance matrix material model from linear to nonlinear deformation behavior. Both models include different behavior under tension loading than under compression loading.
Learning structural descriptions of grammar rules from examples

This paper describes a LISP program that can learn English syntactic rules The key idea is that the learning can be made easy, given the right initial computational structure: syntactic knowledge is separated into a fixed mterpicter and a variable set of highly constrained pattern-action grammar rules Only the grammar rules are learned, via induction from example sentences presented to the program. The interpreter is a simplified version of Marcus's parser for English [I], which parses sentences without backup. The currently implemented program acquires about 707 of a simplified core grammar of English What seems to make the induction easy is that the rule structures and their actions are highly constrained: there are only four actions, and they manipulate only very local parts of the parse tree.
A truncated protein kinase domain of the large subunit of herpes simplex virus type 2 ribonucleotide reductase (ICP10) expressed in Escherichia coli.

The amino-terminal domain of the large subunit of herpes simplex virus type 2 ribonucleotide reductase (ICP10) contains a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase that has characteristics of a growth factor receptor (Chung, T. D., Wymer, J. P., Smith, C. C., Kulka, M., and Aurelian, L. (1989) J. Virol. 63, 3389-3398; Chung, T. D., Wymer, J. P., Kulka, M. Smith, C. C., and Aurelian, L. (1990) Virology 179, 168-178). To characterize this protein kinase (PK) domain further we constructed a bacterial expression vector (pJL11) containing DNA sequences encoding ICP10 amino acid residues 1-445. Bacteria containing pJL11 were induced to express a 29-kDa protein (designated pp29la1) that represents a truncated portion of the ICP10-PK domain (includes PK catalytic motifs I-V) as demonstrated by immunoprecipitation with antibodies that recognize different antigenic domains, competition studies with extracts of ICP10-positive eukaryotic cells, and peptide mapping.pp29la1 has autophosphorylating and transphosphorylating activity for calmodulin. The enzyme is activated by Mn2+ but not by Mg2+ ions, and autophosphorylation is inhibited by histone. It differs from the authentic ICP10-PK in that phosphorylation is specific only for threonine.
A novel biosensor for on-line dialysis monitoring

Monitoring of urea in dialysate is critical to determine if patients with renal insufficiency receive adequate dialysis. Currently, dialysate is monitored through conductance measurements, yet questions exist if conductance can specifically monitor urea. A novel optical sensing method was developed that utilizes layer-by-layer self-assembled ultrathin films of polyions, an absorbing pH-sensitive dye, and urease which may be directly applied to dialysis tubing. Changes in pH caused by conversion of urea to ammonia cause the dye to change color which can be tracked through a photodetection system. A prototype sensor was suspended in solutions of different pH levels to test the sensitivity, and measurements of spectral absorbance changes in the sensor were collected with a UV-Vis spectrometer. Discrete wavelengths were also monitored with a compact, custom photodetection circuit. Experiments with urease were also conducted to determine the changes in pH due to typical urea concentrations in dialysate. Through measurements of absorbance, the sensor was found to be sensitive to pH changes with a nearly linear relationship between pH and absorbance. These findings suggest that the application of the layer-by-layer technique for sensor chemistry immobilization and basic absorbance detection circuitry to produce a device for clinical environments may increase dialysis efficiency.
Association between protein intake and 1-y weight and height gains in Bangladeshi children aged 3–11 y

We examined 1-y weight and height gains among 238 rural Bangladeshi children aged 3-11 y old to address the hypothesis that dietary protein composition is associated with growth velocity. Energy-adjusted total protein and energy-adjusted protein from sources other than cereal (animal, pulses, and vegetables) were associated with higher weight gains, after adjustment for age, sex, land ownership, diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, other fevers, nutritional status at the beginning of the study, and average body mass index of the mother [daily intake of energy-adjusted noncereal protein (beta +/- SE): 14.2 +/- 6.4 g.y-1.g-1, P = 0.03; total protein: 13.1 +/- 6.3 g.y-1.g-1, P = 0.04; and protein as percent of energy intake: 39.5 +/- 20.2 g.y-1.% of energy from protein-1, P = 0.05]. These findings are compatible with the hypotheses that protein intake may be a limiting factor for weight gain in this population, or that higher protein intake from animal sources (mostly fish) and legumes (lentils and peas) may be accompanied by higher intakes of limiting micronutrients.
Comparison of anidulafungin's and fluconazole's in vivo activity in neutropenic and non-neutropenic models of invasive candidiasis

We compared the rate and extent of anidulafungin's and fluconazole's activity in neutropenic and non-neutropenic mice with Candida albicans invasive candidiasis. In immunocompetent mice, anidulafungin significantly improved survival vs. controls and fluconazole, and significant reductions in (1→3)-β-D-glucan and fungal burden were observed. In neutropenic animals, the highest doses of anidulafungin (5 mg/kg) and fluconazole (10 mg/kg) also improved survival and reduced fungal burden. However, there were no differences in survival between these antifungals as anidulafungin's activity was attenuated in this model. These results demonstrate that the extent of anidulafungin in vivo efficacy may be dependent on host immune status.
Rumination, gender, and depressive symptoms associated with caregiving strain in bipolar disorder.

Perlick DA, Gonzalez J, Michael L, Huth M, Culver J, Kaczynski R. Calabrese J. Miklowitz DJ. Rumination, gender, and depressive symptoms associated with caregiving strain in bipolar disorder. Objective: To evaluate the associations between indices of caregiving strain, ruminative style, depressive symptoms, and gender among family members of patients with bipolar disorder. Method: One hundred and fifty primary caregivers of patients enrolled in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD) participated in a cross-sectional study to evaluate the role of ruminative style in maintaining depressive symptoms associated with caregiving strain. Patient lifetime diagnosis and current episode status were evaluated by the Affective Disorder Evaluation and the Clinical Monitoring Form. Caregivers were evaluated within 30 days of the patient on measures of family strain, depressive symptoms, and ruminative style. Results: Men and women did not differ on depression, caregiver strain, or ruminative style scores. Scores suggest an overall mild level of depression and moderate caregiver strain for the sample. Greater caregiver strain was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with rumination and level of depressive symptoms, controlling for patient clinical status and demographic variables. Rumination reduced the apparent association between strain and depression by nearly half. Gender was not significantly associated with depression or rumination. Conclusion: Rumination helps explain depressive symptoms experienced by both male and female caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder. Interventions for caregivers targeted at decreasing rumination should be considered.
Mechanism of pertussis toxin B oligomer-mediated protection against Bordetella pertussis respiratory infection

Immunization with the B oligomer of pertussis toxin protected neonatal mice from a lethal respiratory challenge with Bordetella pertussis. All mice immunized with 8 micrograms of B oligomer survived aerosol challenge and had peripheral leukocyte counts and weight gains similar to those of mice immunized with pertussis toxoid before challenge and to those of control mice that were not challenged. Unprotected mice challenged with an aerosol of B. pertussis had an increase in peripheral leukocyte count, failed to gain weight, and died within 21 days of challenge. Protection appeared to be dose dependent, since a dose of 1 microgram of B oligomer per mouse prevented death in 100% of the mice challenged with B. pertussis, whereas 0.4 micrograms of B oligomer protected 50% of the challenged mice. Mice immunized with the B oligomer had increases in immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-B oligomer in sera and in IgG and IgA anti-B oligomer in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids 1 to 3 weeks after respiratory challenge. Specific anti-B oligomer antibodies could not be detected in unimmunized, infected mice at the same time after challenge. Intravenous administration of the monoclonal antibody 170C4, which binds to the S3 subunit of the B oligomer, protected neonatal mice from B. pertussis respiratory challenge, while administration of an IgG1 anti-tetanus toxin monoclonal antibody, 18.1.7, was not protective. We conclude that anti-B-oligomer-mediated neutralization of pertussis toxin is one mechanism of protection in the mouse model of B. pertussis aerosol challenge.
Hydroconversion of liquid hydrocarbons in a staged autothermal reactor

An autothermal staged reactor was assembled containing a top stage of Rh-Ce/alpha-Al2O3 which generated heat and H-2 by reacting CH4 and air that passed through a downstream stage containing 0.5 wt% Pt/gamma-Al2O3 mixed with either HBEA, HZSM-5, or USY in a heat-integrated non-isothermal reactor. The H-2 produced subsequently reacts in a 20:1 ratio with a co-feed of hexane or decane or 2-decanone fed to the reactor between the stages. The large-sized pores of HBEA and USY allowed deoxygenation of 2-decanone to form decene isomers which can crack or cyclize to form up to a 36% yield of methylated and ethylated monoaromatics. The medium-sized pores of HZSM-5 restricted decene formation from 2-decanone by catalyzing cracking reactions to C2-6 compounds which can cyclize to form aromatics. By contrast, the reactor effluent from non-oxygenated reactants decane and hexane contained less than 5% aromatics. Thus, we extend the scope of staged autothermal reactor functionality to hydrocracking and hydroisomerization of higher saturated and oxygenated hydrocarbons. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Claiming Exodus: A Cultural History of Afro‐Atlantic Identity, 1774–1903. By Rhondda Robinson Thomas. (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2013. Pp. xii, 199. $34.95.)

Historically, the Bible is the single most important book in the black experience in the United States, a fact that detains few writers in this almost postbiblical age. Literary scholar Rhondda Rob...
Where M&A Pays and Where It Strays: A Survey of the Research

This article uses a large and growing body of academic studies to refute the popular notion that corporate mergers and acquisitions generally fail to increase productivity and end up reducing shareholder value. A careful review of the evidence starts by con. rming the obvious–namely, that the shareholders of selling firms earn large returns from M&A–and goes on to demonstrate an economic reality that is not widely understood: shareholders of acquirers generally earn about the required rate of return on investment, and hence M&A is at least a value-maintaining proposition. Of greatest interest to corporate practitioners, however, is the very large dispersion of outcomes that underlies the average returns. Closer inspection of this variability shows that certain circumstances and company characteristics are reliably associated with value-increasing M&A. In particular, acquisitions of related companies tend to be better received by the market and to produce higher post-merger operating returns than diversifying transactions (though there are a number of successful instances of the latter). Other fairly reliable indicators of value-increasing M&A are transactions involving mergers of equals or smaller, private targets (where the bidding competition is less intense) and deals structured as earnouts and financed primarily with cash rather than stock.
Cell-free Synthesis of Histories directed by Messenger RNA from Sea Urchin Embryos

A PROMINENT class Of light polyribosomes in cleaving sea urchin embryos has been shown to synthesize histones1–4. A rapidly-labelled “9S” RNA having the characteristics of mRNA can be isolated from these polyribosomes5–7. We present here evidence that this 9S RNA programmes the cell-free synthesis of all the major histone classes. A similar class of mRNA obtained from S-phase HeLa polyribosomes8–9 also promotes in vitro histone synthesis10.
Reaction of glycals with pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride) giving ferrier rearranged sugar fluorides

Abstract Treatment of certain glycals with pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride) afford Ferrier rearranged fluorides, which have been characterized by their 19 F n.m.r. spectra and the preparation of derivatives.
Optimizing grid connected renewable energy resources with variability

The randomness of photovoltaic (PV) and wind as renewable energy resources (RER) are best modeled as stochastic variable resources with given status and probability density function (pdf). The objective's multiple criteria consist of cost and reliability. These are interlinked by the impact of RER and networks consisting of voltages, flows and available generation resources. To account for the variability and randomness, heuristic technique is developed so as to handle the resources in the implication of the optimal power flow. This will account for the stochastic nature of the problem. The scheme proposed is a framework towards building or designing a stochastic optimal power flow for handling variability of the load randomness. Case studies are proposed under different power output of PV and wind contributions are tested for both the performance load flow and optimization.
Population-level response of coyotes to a pulsed resource event

From foraging theory, generalist predators should increase consumption of prey if prey availability increases. Pulsed resource events introduce a large influx of prey to predators that may exhibit a functional response of increased consumption rate on, or specialization to, this abundant food resource. We predicted that coyotes (Canis latrans) would respond functionally to numerical increases of neonate white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during the pulsed resource event of parturition. We used howl surveys and deer camera surveys with occupancy modeling to estimate densities for coyotes, adult deer, and fawns, respectively, in Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA, 2009–2011. We estimated biomass of adult and fawn deer consumed by coyotes during 2 periods [fawn limited mobility period (LMP) and social mobility period (SMP)] in May–August each year. Coyote densities were 0.32 and 0.37/km2 for 2010–2011, respectively. Adult deer densities (3.7–3.9/km2) and fawn densities (0.6–1.3/km2) were similar across years. Overall, fawn hair occurrence in coyote scats was 2.3 times greater in LMP than SMP. Estimated consumption of fawns between periods (n = 157–880) by coyotes varied, suggesting a functional response, with increasing consumption of fawns relative to their availability. Coyotes, on average, consumed 2.2 times greater biomass of fawns than adults across years, and consumed 1.5 times greater fawn biomass, on average, during LMP than SMP. We suggest that consumption rates of coyotes is associated positively with increases in fawn density, and fawn consumption by coyotes follows predictions of optimal foraging theory during this pulsed resource event.
Time dependent mixing in a salt wedge estuary

Abstract Measurements of the profiles of salinity and velocity at a station in the Duwamish River estuary indicate that the turbulent mixing through the density interface is highly time dependent with the most intense mixing occurring at the maximum current speed during the ebb. Additional measurements of the turbulent kinetic energy and the turbulent flux of salt by the eddy correlation technique verify that interpretation. The vertical turbulent salt flux and the turbulent kinetic energy vary by an order of magnitude over the tidal cycle and approximately half of the total vertical salt transport takes place during a short time centered about the maximum ebb. Different mechanisms of turbulence generation operate at various times during the tidal cycle and the intense mixing periods are shown to coincide with conditions favorable for the formation of an internal hydraulic jump.