cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aggregation of equine platelets by PAF (platelet-activating factor)

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a lipid released as a result of immediate allergic reactions from basophils and mast cells as well as by a variety of other cell types and stimuli, is one of the most potent platelet agonists and hypotensive agents known. Equine platelets stimulated over a wide range of PAF concentrations aggregated in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Maximum aggregation was observed at concentrations of PAF as low as 3.58×10−14 M with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and 3.58×10−16 M with washed platelets. Furthermore, the aggregation observed did not appear to be breed-dependent. Finally, the platelet arachidonate pathway appeared to play no role in PAF-induced aggregation as exogenous arachidonate did not enhance the reaction, nor were equine platelets pretreated with 38 μM aspirin inhibited in their response to PAF. This level of aspirin totally inhibited the equine platelet aggregation response to arachidonate.
REGULATION OF MOUSE THYMIDYLATE SYNTHASE GENE EXPRESSION IN GROWTH-STIMULATED CELLS : UPSTREAM S PHASE CONTROL ELEMENTS ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE ESSENTIAL PROMOTER ELEMENTS

Expression of the mammalian thymidylate synthase (TS) gene in growth-stimulated cells is closely coordinated with entry into S phase. Previous studies with transfected TS minigenes have shown that sequences upstream of the coding region as well as an intron in the transcribed region are both necessary for proper regulation of TS mRNA content in growth-stimulated cells. The goal of the present study was to identify the upstream regulatory elements. Minigenes consisting of TS 5' flanking sequences linked to the TS coding region (interrupted by introns 1 and 2) were stably transfected into mouse 3T6 cells. Deletion and site-directed mutagenesis of the 5' flanking region revealed that there is a close correspondence between the upstream sequences that are necessary for S phase regulation and the 30 nucleotide region that is essential for promoter activity. These observations raised the possibility that regulation of the TS gene occurs at the transcriptional level. However, nuclear run-on assays showed that the rate of transcription of the TS gene changed very little during the G1-S phase transition. Furthermore, when the TS promoter was linked to an intron-less luciferase indicator gene, there was no change in expression following growth-stimulation. Therefore it appears that the TS gene is controlled primarily at the posttranscriptional level, and that the TS essential promoter region is necessary (although not sufficient) for proper S phase regulation.
Proportionate-Type Normalized Least Mean Square Algorithms With Gain Allocation Motivated by Mean-Square-Error Minimization for White Input

In the past, ad hoc methods have been used to choose gains in proportionate-type normalized least mean-square algorithms without strong theoretical under-pinnings. In this correspondence, a theoretical framework and motivation for adaptively choosing gains is presented, such that the mean-square error will be minimized at any given time. As a result of this approach, a new optimal proportionate-type normalized least mean-square algorithm is introduced. A computationally simplified version of the theoretical optimal algorithm is derived as well. Both of these algorithms require knowledge of the mean-square weight deviations. Feasible implementations, which estimate the mean-square weight deviations, are presented. The performance of these new feasible algorithms are compared to the performance of standard adaptive algorithms when operating with sparse, non-sparse, and time-varying impulse responses, when the input signal is white. Specifically, we consider the transient and steady-state mean-square errors as well as the overall computational complexity of each algorithm.
Early Language Intervention A Quantitative Synthesis of Single-Subject Research

Twenty single-subject investigations on early language interventions were reviewed. Treatments included direct reinforcement of verbalization and various training procedures including mand-model and time delay, and have generally been successful. Quantitative synthesis procedures utilizing a percentage of non-overlapping data outcome metric suggested that specific generalization training procedures were associated with stronger outcomes than were “train and hope” methods or assessments of spontaneous generalization. Implications for training and future research are discussed.
Phonetic, phonemic, and phonological factors in cross-language discrimination of phonotactic contrasts.

Previous research indicates that multiple levels of linguistic information play a role in the perception and discrimination of non-native phonemes. This study examines the interaction of phonetic, phonemic and phonological factors in the discrimination of non-native phonotactic contrasts. Listeners of Catalan, English, and Russian are presented with an initial #CC-#CeC contrast in a discrimination task. For the Catalan group, the phonemes and their phonetic implementation were native, but the #CC phonotactics were not. For Russian listeners, the phonemes and phonetic implementation were not native but Russian allows a large number of #CC sequences. For English listeners, none of the phonetics, phonemes, nor phonotactics are native. Two task variables, stimuli length and order of presentation, were also manipulated. Results showed that the Russian listeners were most accurate overall, suggesting that the presence of the phonotactic structure in the listeners' native language may be more important than either phonemic or phonetic information. The interaction between the task manipulations and the linguistic variables is also addressed.
Stable Isotopes of Lead for Source Identification

Lead is unique among all the metals in having variations among mining districts in the relative abundances of its stable (non-radioactive) isotopes. Since first described in 1927, many applications...
An electronic medical record just for neurologists: A daunting proposition.

In this issue of Neurology® Clinical Practice , McCarthy et al.1 provide an overview of the electronic medical record (EMR) features that they distinguish as being vital to the practice of neurology in the electronic era. This is a necessary topic as more than 80% of neurologists are now using an EMR in their practice.2 We are being asked to provide higher quality, more cost-effective, and more efficient care, and to accomplish this using EMRs that have not been designed with the needs of our specialty in mind.1 This article is an important step forward in educating neurologists so that we are better able to communicate our needs to EMR vendors and those who implement these systems. However, a topic of this complexity is challenging to tackle in a brief review and there are some limitations.
GDF15, a Cardioprotective TGF-β Superfamily Protein

See related articles, pages 342–350 and 351–360 The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily proteins, comprising more than 40 members (broadly divided into the TGF-βs/activins/nodal family and the bone morphogenetic proteins [BMPs]/Mullerrian inhibiting substance/growth and differentiation factors [GDFs] family), were originally identified as molecules important for regulating development, differentiation, and tissue repair in various organs.1 TGF-β1, a founding member of the TGF-β superfamily, plays a key role in mediating cardiac hypertrophy2 and remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) as an autocrine/paracrine factor.3 Increased TGF-β1 expression is considered one of the few molecular markers that potentially discriminate between compensated and decompensated cardiac hypertrophy.3 Although TGF-β1 may function protectively after MI by promoting scar formation, inhibiting neutrophil infiltration, and facilitating cardiomyogenic differentiation of adult hematopoietic stem cells,4 such beneficial effects last only briefly and sustained activation of TGF-β1 causes structural remodeling, eventually leading to cardiac failure.5 Thus, TGF-β1 is generally regarded as detrimental, inducing cardiac hypertrophy and failure in the adult heart. Compared with the wealth of knowledge regarding the effects of TGF-β1 on the heart, much less is known as to how other members of the TGF-β superfamily affect cardiac hypertrophy and failure.6 In this issue of Circulation Research , two companion articles report the effect of growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), a 12-kDa secreted protein (and a 25-kDa disulfide-linked dimer) belonging to the TGF-β superfamily, on cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis.7,8 GDF15 is highly expressed in the placenta and the prostate, but not normally in many other organs, including the heart.9,10 However, expression of GDF15 is induced rapidly by IL-1, TNFα, and TGF-β in macrophages, thereby limiting macrophage activation and inflammation (Figure …
Measurements of In-Flight Cross-Track Antenna Patterns of Radar Depth Sounder/Imager

Antenna arrays with low sidelobes in the cross-track direction are needed for sounding and imaging ice-sheets margins including outlet glaciers. Weak radar signals from the ice-bed interface are often masked by off-vertical surface clutter from extremely rough crevassed surfaces in ice-sheet margins. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processing can be used to synthesize a large array for reducing clutter in the along-track direction. Low-side-lobe transmit- and receive-antenna patterns must be generated from a limited size array in the cross-track direction. Airborne antenna pattern measurements are critical to verifying pattern characteristics in the presence of a non-ideal ground plane and neighboring aircraft structures, as well as in-flight operational dynamics. In this paper, we describe a set of airborne measurements performed to determine and optimize antenna patterns for the very high frequency (VHF) array used to sound and image polar ice sheets. We measured antenna patterns by flying over a relatively smooth ice surface at an altitude of about 2700 m. The pattern data were obtained by processing the surface echoes with aircraft rolled from left to right over more than five cycles. We also simulated antenna patterns using a three-dimensional computer model of the entire airborne platform and compared with experimental results. The discrepancies between the measured and simulated results are less than 2.7 dB for 85% of the data samples. The measured pattern data will be used to optimize our array processing algorithms.
Item Response Analysis of the Continuous-Time Signals and Systems Concept Inventory

Item Response Theory was used to analyze version 3 of the Continuous-Time Signals and Systems Concept Inventory with a pool of 1276 students at 7 schools. The resulting estimates of question difficulty and student ability provide important data used to evaluate the design of the exam and prepare for the upcoming revision to version 4 of the inventory.
Conditional inactivation of p53 in mature B cells promotes generation of nongerminal center-derived B-cell lymphomas

The p53 tumor suppressor exerts a central role in protecting cells from oncogenic transformation. Accordingly, the p53 gene is mutated in a large number of human cancers. In mice, germ-line inactivation of p53 confers strong predisposition to development of different types of malignancies, but the early onset of thymic lymphomas in the majority of the animals prevents detailed studies of tumorigenesis in other tissues. Here, we use the Cre/Lox approach to inactivate p53 in mature B cells in mice (referred to as “CP” B cells) and find that such p53 inactivation results in the routine development of IgM-positive CP peripheral B-cell lymphomas. The CP lymphomas generally appear to arise, even in mice subjected to immunization protocols to activate germinal center reaction, from naive B cells that had not undergone immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain gene class switching or somatic hypermutation. In contrast to thymic lymphomas that arise in p53-deficient mice, which generally lack clonal translocations, nearly all analyzed CP B-cell tumors carried clonal translocations. However, in contrast to spontaneous translocations in other mouse B-cell tumor models, CP B-cell tumor translocations were not recurrent and did not involve Ig loci. Therefore, CP tumors might provide models for human lymphomas lacking Ig translocations, such as splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma or Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Our studies indicate that deletion of p53 is sufficient to trigger transformation of mature B cells and support the notion that p53 deficiency may allow accumulation of oncogenic translocations in B cells.
A SURVEY OF NEARBY MAIN-SEQUENCE STARS FOR SUBMILLIMETER EMISSION

We searched for submillimeter emission around 10 Vega-type stars and one Herbig Ae star with the four-color bolometer at 1300 μm and the 19 channel bolometer array at 870 μm using the Heinrich Hertz Telescope at the Submillimeter Telescope Observatory. All of our sources were undetected at 870 μm. In the case of HD 131156, we have a 3 σ detection at 1300 μm. We report a flux of 6.25 ± 1.88 mJy for the HD 131156 disk and a corresponding dust mass of 2.4 ± 0.7 lunar masses. However, we did not detect HD 131156 at 870 μm, so we are cautious about the 1300 μm detection. We performed follow-up infrared observations of HD 131156 using MIRLIN at the Palomar 200 inch telescope, which resolved both components of the binary. The data are photospheric, implying that the system does not have a hot, inner dust component. We report submillimeter upper limits on fluxes for the remaining systems.
Nab-paclitaxel-based compared to docetaxel-based induction chemotherapy regimens for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

We previously reported that nab-paclitaxel-based induction chemotherapy (IC) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy resulted in low relapse rates (13%) and excellent survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We compare the disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) between patients given nab-paclitaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil with cetuximab (APF-C) and historical controls given docetaxel, cisplatin, and fluorouracil with cetuximab (TPF-C). Patients with locally advanced HNSCC were treated with APF-C (n = 30) or TPF-C (n = 38). After 3 cycles of IC, patients were scheduled to receive cisplatin concurrent with definitive radiotherapy. T and N classification and smoking history were similar between the two groups and within p16-positive and p16-negative subsets. The median duration of follow-up for living patients in the APF-C group was 43.5 (range: 30–58) months versus 52 (range: 13–84) months for TPF-C. The 2-year DSS for patients treated with APF-C was 96.7% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 85.2%, 99.8%] and with TPF-C was 77.6% (CI: 62.6%, 89.7%) (P = 0.0004). Disease progression that resulted in death was more frequent in the TPF-C group (39%) compared with the APF-C group (3%) when adjusted for competing risks of death from other causes (Gray's test, P = 0.0004). In p16 positive OPSCC, the 2-year DSS for APF-C was 100% and for TPF-C was 74.6% (CI: 47.4%, 94.6%) (P = 0.0019) and the 2-year OS for APF-C was 94.1% (CI: 65.0%, 99.2%) and for TPF-C was 74.6% (CI: 39.8%, 91.1%) (P = 0.013). In p16 negative HNSCC, the 2-year DSS for APF-C was 91.7% (CI: 67.6%, 99.6%) and for TPF-C was 82.6% (CI: 64.4%, 94.8%) (P = 0.092). A 2-year DSS and OS were significantly better with a nab-paclitaxel-based IC regimen (APF-C) compared to a docetaxel-based IC regimen (TPF-C) in p16-positive OPSCC.
Smoother implementations for discrete-time Gaussian reciprocal processes

The smoothing problem for discrete-time Gaussian reciprocal processes is examined. In this case, the smoother takes the form of a second-order two-point boundary-value nearest-neighbor model. This smoother is non-causal, but admits causal implementations which extend the two-filter and Rauch-Tung-Striebel smoothing formulas of Gauss-Markov processes. A multirate implementations based on a block cyclic reduction method is also described. >
Benextramine-neuropeptide Y (NPY) binding site interactions: characterization of 3H-NPY binding site heterogeneity in rat brain.

Abstract Pre-incubation of rat brain membranes with 200 μM benextramine followed by extensive dilution and washing to remove unbound ligand reduced B max for N-[propionyl- 3 H]-NPY ( 3 H-NPY) specific binding by 61% relative to control membranes treated identically but in the absence of benextramine. When rat brain membranes were co-incubated with 3 H-NPY and 57 μM benextramine, there was a significant shift to the right; the apparent Kd for 3 H-NPY binding increased two-fold relative to control membranes. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that benextramine is a competitive and irreversible ligand for a population (60–65%) of rat brain NPY binding sites. ‘Paired tube’ assays were then used to determine the selectivity of these benextramine-sensitive and insensitive 3 H-NPY binding site populations. PYY, NPY and NPY 13–36 each displaced 100% of 3 H-NPY from rat brain membrane binding sites both in the absence and presence of 1 mM benextramine. In contrast, [Leu 31 ,Pro 34 ]NPY displayed the same binding site selectivity as benextramine in displacing 65% of 3 H-NPY from specific binding sites on untreated rat brain membranes, and it failed to displace 3 H-NPY from membranes treated with 1 mM benextramine. Thus the selectivity of the benextramine-insensitive 3 H-NPY binding site population—PYY >= NPY > NPY 13–36 ⪢[Leu 31 ,Pro 34 ]NPY—is characteristic of a Y 2 -like NPY binding site population, while the benextramine-sensitive 3 H-NPY binding sites appear to be a Y 1 -like binding site population.
Half-center oscillator computational models: the influence of neuronal parameters

The rhythmic activity of the heartbeat neuronal network of the leech is based on pairs of inhibitory interneurons that make reciprocal spike-mediated and graded synapses across the ganglionic midline. Here we build upon our previous research, where we modeled such a pair of HN(4) reciprocally inhibitory interneurons, known as a half-center oscillator model [1]. We aim at investigating the changes in this model’s oscillatory activity and bursting characteristics based on cellular and synaptic parameters. To achieve this, we varied eight parameters in all combinations by using a brute-force approach, which resulted in a parameter space of 10,485,760 models. After changing a parameter, a model was run for 100 s to allow the system to establish stable activity, and then, it was run for another 100 s, from which the data were recorded and analyzed. We performed all the simulations and we built a SQL database table for their firing characteristics [2,3]. Now, we use the entire database to ask fundamental questions about the activity of half-center oscillators. First, we subdivide the models into those in which the component cells are intrinsically silent, spiking or bursting, and then, ask whether or not oscillators of these different types respond to parameter changes similarly. The results we have so far show that in approximately 36.46% (3,823,240 simulations) of the models both cells were silent, in 27.72% (2,906,249) both cells were spiking, and in 22.03% (2,310,359) both cells were bursting. The rest of the simulations (13.79% or 1,445,912) did not show symmetric activity in the two model cells. Out of the bursting models, in 18.96% (438,041) both cells showed irregular activity (Figure ​(Figure11 A), in 18.19% (420,307) the component cells produced spikeless plateau potentials (Figure ​(Figure11 B), in 8.18% (189,041) the two cells showed asymmetric bursting activity, and in 54.67% (1,262,970) both cells were bursting with standard bursting activity (Figure ​(Figure11 C). We will now use this last sample of bursting models and then the entire database to ask mechanistic questions about their alternating activity. We will be particularly interested in parameter changes which correspond to known neuromodulations such as the modulation of h current by myomodulin [4]. Figure 1 Half-center computational models.A. Irregular; B. Plateau; C. Regular.
XAS STUDY OF Fe MINERALOGY IN A CHRONOSEQUENCE OF SOIL CLAYS FORMED IN BASALTIC CINDERS

The characterization of poorly crystalline minerals formed by weathering is difficult using conventional techniques. The objective of this study was to use cutting-edge spectroscopic techniques to characterize secondary Fe mineralogy in young soils formed in basaltic cinders in a cool, arid environment. The mineralogy of a chronosequence of soils formed on 2, 6, and 15 thousand year old basaltic cinders at Craters of the Moon National Monument (COM) was examined using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy in combination with selective extractions. Fe K-edge XAFS is useful for determining speciation in poorly crystalline materials such as young weathering products. Over 86% of Fe in the soil clay fractions was contained in poorly crystalline materials, mostly in the form of ferrihydrite, with the remainder in a poorly crystalline Fe-bearing smectite. The XAFS spectra suggest that ferrihydrite in the 15 ka soil clay is more resistant to ammonium oxalate (AOD) extraction than is ferrihydrite in the younger materials. Fe in the poorly crystalline smectite is subject to dissolution during citrate-bicarbonate- dithionite (CBD) extraction. The results indicate that relatively few mineralogical changes occur in these soils within the millennial time frame and under the environmental conditions associated with this study. Although the secondary mineral suite remains similar in the soils of different ages, ferrihydrite crystallinity appears to increase with increasing soil age.
Properties and Relationships of Conjugated Polyenes Having a Reciprocal Eigenvalue Spectrum – Dendralene and Radialene Hydrocarbons

While reviewing molecules corresponding to reciprocal graphs (graphs with all reciprocal eigenvalue pairs), new examples of reciprocal graphs are presented. Essential features of cross-conjugation are delineated, and how this phenomenon is important in the design of conducting and ferromagnetic polymers is discussed. Some recursion equations for determining characteristic polynomials of comb and ladder graphs are presented.
Total Knee Arthroplasty in Rheumatoid Disease and Other Associated Inflammatory Arthropathies

Total knee arthroplasty, the most frequently performed orthopedic procedure for RA, significantly increases the patients range of motion and ability to perform activities of daily living while decreasing the pain as reported by Yano et al. (Mod Rheumatol. 2010;20(5):452-7). This surgery, while able to change someones entire functional life, is not without its potential complications.
Democracy, Localism, and The Future of The Climate Movement

The accelerating disruption of the Earth's climate systems is the defining issue of our time. The persistent failure of international climate diplomacy has encouraged local, regional, and some national-level solutions and spurred an emerging global movement for climate justice, mainly rooted in communities that bear disproportionate impacts from climate change. This article discusses the ways in which movements from below, seeking economic and energy democracy, are shaping our responses to the crisis. How can the imperative for immediate climate action and the ethical agenda of climate justice be furthered by movements seeking democratic alternatives and a more genuinely ecological future?
Diamond Homoepitaxy Kinetics: Growth, Etching, and the Role of Oxygen

Growth and etch rates for diamond homoepitaxy have been measured in situ using Fizeau interferometry. Experiments were conducted in a hot-filament reactor using hydrogen, methane, and oxygen feed gases at a reactor pressure of 25 torr. The substrate temperature dependence for growth on diamond(lOO) was studied for 0.5% and 1% CH4 and 0-0.44% O2. Apparent activation energies of 17 and 5 kcal/mol were determined for growth from 0.5% and 1% CH4 in hydrogen, over the ranges of 700 - 1000 °C and 800 - 1050 °C, respectively. When a minimal amount of Oxygen was added to the feedstock, the growth-rate behavior was similar for that with pure methane. With greater amounts of added oxygen, growth rates were higher than those without Oxygen at low temperatures, proceeded through a maximum, and then decreased until etching was observed at high temperatures. Similar behavior was observed for growth from 1% CH4 with and without oxygen. We also measured the temperature dependence for etching of homoepitaxial diamond films in hydrogen with 0-0.1% O2, and observed etch rates of 0.01 - 0.1 microns/hr in the range of 950 - 1150 °C. We propose that oxygen facilitates diamond growth at low temperatures by enhancing the removal of both sp2- and sp3-bonded “errors” and/or by increasing the efficiency of carbon incorporation by roughening the diamond surface, and that these etching processes become dominant at high temperatures.
Sea Lice Control II: Evaluation of a Photomechanical Device as an Alternate Sea Lice Control Strategy

Sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, mobile stages were caught using a light trap, in cages holding Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, and their abundance determined through calculation. Seasonal changes were shown with an increase in abundance as the temperature increased toward the end of the season. Analysis of manual lice-count data indicated variations in lice abundance between cages with and without deployed light traps. Analysis indicated that these variations were in larval presence (P = 0.006) and presence of gravid females (P = 0.015), but not in abundance of in pre-adults (P = 0.172). Cage net condition also affected the abundance and infection intensity of sea lice on Atlantic salmon within aquaculture cages. Abundance of larvae were affected by net condition (P = 0.01), as were abundance of pre-adults on salmon (P = 0.04). The infection intensity of gravid females, however, did not vary with net condition (P = 0.74). Other species of zooplankton such as, American lobster, Homarus americanus...
P5-03-04: Circadian Modulation of Estrogen Receptor alpha Promoter Activity.

The circadian clock is a molecular mechanism that synchronizes environment variations with physiological changes. Disruption of the circadian clock has been linked to increased risk in diseases and a number of disorders (e.g. jet lag, insomnia, coronary heart disease and cancer). Period 2 (PER2), a circadian protein, is at the center of the clock9s function. The complete loss of per2 has been shown to be common in several types of cancer including breast and ovarian. Epidemiological studies established a correlation between circadian disruption and the development of estrogen dependent tumors. The expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) mRNA oscillates in a 24-hour period and, unlike PER2, ERa peaks during the light phase of the day. Because up regulation of ER relates to tumor development, defining the mechanisms of ERa expression will contribute to our comprehension of cellular proliferation and regulation of normal developmental processes. The overall goal of this project is to investigate the molecular basis for circadian control of estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) transcription. Transcriptional activation of ERa was measured using a reporter system in Chinese Hamster Ovary and MCF-7 cell lines. Data show that PER2 influence ERa transcription through a non-canonical mechanism independent of its circadian counterparts. Promoter analysis using the Alibaba 2.0 suite revealed the presence of various putative novel partners. Among them, OCT-1 was found to directly interact with Per2, in vitro, and with corresponding response element within the ERa promoter. The predicted binding site of OCT-1 is 267 bps upstream of the promoter. Pull-down assays were used to map direct interaction of various PER2 recombinant proteins and the DNA-binding domain of OCT-1. Radiolabeled OCT-1 was found to bind to the C-terminal end of PER2. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to determine direct binding of OCT-1 to the promoter. ChIP assay confirmed the recruitment of PER2 to the estrogen promoter by OCT-1. Fluorescence anisotropy and surface plasmon resonance were employed to establish the binding affinity of OCT-1 to the ERa promoter and PER2. OCT-1 was found to have a high affinity for the ERa promoter (∼10 nM). Furthermore, OCT-1 recruits PER2 to the estrogen promoter. Preliminary data suggests that the transcription factor PER2 might play a role in the regulation of the estrogen promoter. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-03-04.
Effects of Topic Familiarity on Query Reformulation Strategies

Users employ various Query Reformulation (QR) Strategies to improve their search experiences as well as to retrieve the better results. In this exploratory research, we investigate the association of topic familiarities with such QR strategies. We design a user study where 38 participants with different levels of Topic Familiarity (TF) took part in the TREC Genomics Search Track (a total of five search tasks). We conducted two experiments: 1) we evaluate a set of predefined QR strategies to discover if participants with a specific level of TF tends to use a specific QR strategy. 2) we propose a supervised classification system that classifies consecutive queries made by the participants with different levels (low, medium, and high) of topic familiarity. Various lexical and distributional semantic features are implemented and feature analysis shows that participants with low familiarity tend to alter the spelling and use stemming for QR whereas participants with medium or higher familiarity are inclined to add new terms and phrases to reformulate queries.
Designing Lenses with a Computer

Designing a lens with a computer requires that all the data which describe the lens specifications be fed to the computer as numbers. Features of such a computer program are described. Ray tracing is employed to evaluate a merit function, defined as the sum of the squares of the weighted ray deviations from the centroid of the image element. An iterative procedure is used to find lens parameter values which minimize the merit function.
Connecting Leadership and Learning: Do Versatile Learners Make Connective Leaders?

Abstract Recent failures in leadership, suggest that creating better-quality leadership development programs is critical. In moving from theory to practice, this paper examined the relationship between learning style and leadership style which may enable us to move away from one-size-fits-all leadership development programs. Utilizing Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model and Connective Leadership theory, approximately 3600 college students were analyzed to discover whether versatility in learning styles translates into versatility in leadership styles. One group of versatile learners reported using a wider range of leadership styles suggesting that learning flexibility may transfer to leadership flexibility. Surprisingly, learners of all types reported utilizing Power and Intrinsic styles of leadership above all others. Implications for leadership development include considering individual differences when crafting leadership programs, matching learning styles to leader training, and the need to move beyond one set of leadership behaviors to increase flexibility in dealing with complex situations. Using a large sample rarely seen in management studies, this paper makes key contributions to the literature.
Threshold responses to interacting global changes in a California grassland ecosystem

Final Report for Threshold responses to interacting global changes in a California grassland ecosystem
In-‘Visible’ Multilingualness: Linguistic Exhibitionism in the Post-Global Turn

A number of theorists have used the term linguistic exhibitionism in passing reference to the use of linguistic diversity for display purposes in the realm of creative writing. Kachru (1996) mentions the term to describe an emerging use of indigenized English on the part of postcolonial Indian writers—as an additional “linguistic arm” (xv); yet another stylistic option available to authors writing in English, and a clever cultural allusion to the multi-armed deities of India. The current study retains the use of this term for literary creation, but expands its meaning to include the semiotic weight implicit in multilingual appropriation. This, in a bid to provide a definition incorporative of meanings more in line with current trends in the post-global era keen on visibly deploying the materiality of multilingualism itself in cultural creation (Pandey 2014a). Such a use of multilingualism signals a subverted and, as argued in this book, superficial rather than in-depth spotlighting of true global linguistic diversity.
The Presidential Nominating Process, Campaign Money, and Popular Love”

Could it be that money doesn’t matter in American elections? A fixation on campaign finance reduces the influence of money on politics as purely transactional. But what if you are self-financed or don’t spend very much money on campaigns, yet still draw enormous media attention? Donald Trump’s candidacy forces us to reexamine the roots of success in American politics. What Trump lacks in campaign money, he more than makes up for with claims to great personal wealth and the exhortation of capitalism and favorable markets as a panacea for America’s ills, especially the ills defined by Trump. Over the years, Trump cultivated an aspiration to consume as he did, despite failed businesses and failed marriages. These events lead us to reexamine traditional views about the relevance of campaign cash in American campaigns.
Reducing Data Entry Errors and Costs in a Clinical Laboratory in Uganda: Utilizing Six Sigma Quality Improvement Tools

The Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Core Laboratory at the Infectious Disease Institute, Kampala, Uganda, provides clinical laboratory support to more than 70 research protocols, clinics, and hospitals in Kampala and surrounding rural areas. With increased numbers of clients and testing volume, the manual requisition data entry errors, at the preanalytic phase, have steadily increased, prompting laboratory management to …
Resonance effects in near-threshold electron-impact excitation of the 143.4 nm line in the Pb+ ion

Electron-impact excitation of the resonance transition 6s 26d 2 D 3/2 → 6s 26p 2 P o 1/2 (143.4 nm) in the Pb+ ion within the (6–100) eV energy range is studied spectroscopically using a crossed-beam technique. The observed distinct structure in the energy dependence of the effective excitation cross section (including the energy region above the ion ionization potential) is primarily due to the decay of atomic and ionic autoionizing states, produced mainly by excitation of an electron from the subvalence 5d 10 shell, to the resonance levels (directly or via the cascade transitions). The absolute cross section value for the line under investigation was determined by normalizing the experimental curve at the electron beam energy of 100 eV to the theoretical data obtained by the Van-Regemorter formula and found to be (0.5 ± 0.3) × 10-16 cm2.
Computational Design of Metal–Fabric Orbital Debris Shielding

Hybrid particle–finite element methods, developed specifically to simulate hypervelocity impact physics, may be used to compliment experimental and analytical research on micrometeoroid and orbital...
Japanese encephalitis virus: ecology and epidemiology.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is a mosquito-borne zoonotic flavivirus that infects a wide range of vertebrate species in an enzootic cycle primarily of large waterfowl birds and swine. Horses and humans are considered bystanders to this enzootic cycle and, once infected, dead-end hosts. JE infection in humans can manifest in a spectrum of disease from asymptomatic infection to a mildly febrile symptomatic illness to a life-threatening disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS). The latter is associated with a high morbidity and mortality as well as long-term neurologic sequelae. The pathogenesis and disease severity of JE is discussed elsewhere in this volume. JE is the most common cause of encephalitis in most of Asia and causes an estimated 35,000 cases of encephalitis annually (Igarashi 1992). By all accounts this is an underestimate of the true disease burden of this virus and evidence suggests that this virus is endemic over a far wider region today than 50 years ago, despite the use of an effective vaccine for humans and animals.
Trust management for cheating detection in distributed massively multiplayer online games

In this paper we examine the use of trust metrics for punishing dishonest (cheating) and malicious (griefing) behavior in peer-to-peer massively multiplayer online games (MMOG’s). In particular, we first replicate the work of Goodman and Verbrugge and then propose a metric of our own. Our approach uses a reinforcement learning trust metric that can more rapidly and accurately detect dishonest and malicious behavior. We use a genetic algorithm which keeps in mind the goals of the system to select the parameters for our trust metric. Our metric produces a system which removes dishonest and malicious players from the system much faster than the original while nonetheless retaining a low false positive rate. The metric also produces a surprising result in which cheating and griefing are treated equally, despite being unequal offenses.
Inverted Two-Step Floating Catchment Area Method for Measuring Facility Crowdedness

The popular two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method has been widely used in the literature to measure spatial accessibility of residents for a service. The 2SFCA method accounts for the ratio between the supply capacity and demand amount of the service as well as the complex spatial interaction between them. This article introduces an inverted two-step floating catchment area (i2SFCA) method that is derived from an extension of the classic Huff model and used to capture the “crowdedness” (scarcity of resource or intensity of competition) for facilities. The method is illustrated and validated by a case study of evaluating hospital inpatient services in Florida. Several possible uses of the measure are also discussed.
Tandem synthesis of 1-formyl-1,2,3-triazoles.

Abstract A tandem method for preparing 4-formyl-1,2,3-triazoles via a two-step one-pot acetal cleavage/CuAAC reaction was developed. Using this method, 4-formyl-1,2,3-triazole analogs with both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents were prepared in good yield and purity. Expansion of this method to a three-step tandem reaction that incorporates an additional step of azide substitution was also successful, circumventing the need for organic azide isolation. This one-pot method, noteworthy in its simplicity and mild conditions, utilizes practical, readily available reactants and relies on protic solvent to promote acid-catalyzed acetal cleavage.
Responsiveness of the Traumatic Brain Injury–Quality of Life (TBI-QOL) Measurement System

Abstract Objective To assess the responsiveness of the Traumatic Brain Injury–Quality of Life (TBI-QOL) measurement system. Design Participants completed the 20 TBI-QOL item banks and the Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools–Objective (PART-O) Productivity Subscale at baseline and 6-month follow-up assessments. Participants were categorized into 4 groups (increased productivity, unchanged productivity, and decreased productivity) based on PART-O Productivity scores. Paired sample t tests were used to compare TBI-QOL scores at baseline and 6 months, and standardized response means and Cohen's d were computed to estimate effect sizes. Setting Three traumatic brain injury (TBI) Model Systems rehabilitation centers in the United States. Participants Two hundred one community-dwelling adults with TBI. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures 20 TBI-QOL item banks. Results As expected, given that there was no intervention, group mean TBI-QOL subdomain scores for the entire sample showed no change or small improvement over the 6-month study period. At the follow-up assessment, 72 participants reported increased productivity, 71 reported decreased productivity, and 58 reported the same level of productivity as they had 6 months prior. When compared with participants who reported unchanged or decreased productivity, participants who reported increased productivity on the PART-O subscale had clinically meaningful ( d ≥0.30) improvements on 7 TBI-QOL measures. The largest improvement was in the Independence subdomain (mean change, 7.06; df =0.84), with differences also observed in the Mobility, Positive Affect and Well-Being, Resilience, Grief/Loss, Ability to Participate, and Satisfaction with Participation subdomains. Conclusions The 20 TBI-QOL item banks demonstrate responsiveness to change and measurement stability in a community-dwelling sample. Researchers may use the TBI-QOL to detect changes in HRQOL after a clinical intervention and clinicians may use it in their daily practices to monitor patient recovery.
Early versus Delayed Natalizumab for Multiple Sclerosis (P1.380)

Objective: To evaluate differences in outcomes between multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who receive early versus delayed natalizumab treatment. Background: Several highly effective disease modifying therapies (DMTs) are available for MS including natalizumab, alemtuzumab, and ocrelizumab. These treatments are often reserved for patients experiencing breakthrough disease on other DMTs due to concern about adverse events such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. We hypothesized that patients receiving natalizumab within one year of diagnosis (early starters) would have better outcomes than those receiving it later (delayed starters). Design/Methods: We randomly selected patients receiving natalizumab at our center. Their charts were reviewed to obtain key data including age, gender, date of diagnosis, date of natalizumab initiation, and severity of the diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging scan. Patients were divided into those receiving natalizumab ≤1 year after diagnosis and those receiving it >1 year after diagnosis. Propensity scores for early natalizumab were calculated to minimize indication bias. The primary outcome was timed 25 foot walk (T25FW) time. Secondary outcomes included the nine hole peg test, patient health questionnaire 9, PROMIS physical and mental function assessments, and subscores from the NeuroQOL on mobility, upper extremity function, sleep, and fatigue. Analysis of covariance was used to calculate adjusted means for both early and late natalizumab starters with adjustment for age, gender, propensity score, and disease duration. Results: One hundred patients were included of whom 30 were early starters and 70 were delayed starts. The mean age was 39.4±9.3 years and patients received an average of 47.0±35.9 natalizumab infusions. The adjusted mean T25FW was 6.9 seconds among early starters and 8.7 among late starters (p=0.0496). All other outcomes significantly favored early starters except the NeuroQOL sleep and fatigue subscores. Conclusions: Patients who start natalizumab within one year of diagnosis have better outcomes over a range of functional measures. Disclosure: Dr. Conway has nothing to disclose.
Iodine deficiency disorders, endemic goitre and endemic cretinism

This chapter deals with conditions caused directly by dietary deficiency of iodine, and because the writer has worked in the west coasts of Scotland and California, both areas where iodine deficiency is rare, the text is based on published data, rather than personal experience. Iodine deficiency is a serious international health problem affecting about 400000000 people in Asia alone. It may cause only goitre, and the term endemic goitre is used when more than 10% of the population have enlargement of the thyroid. In many regions, a considerably higher percentage have this finding. Goitre alone is not a major health hazard, but local complications from goitre are problematic, and become more common as the size of the thyroid increases.
pH Related Potassium Movements in Rabbit Atrium

A relationship between the distribution of hydrogen and potassium ions across cell membranes has been documented by numerous studies using both in vivo and in vitro preparations (Adler and Fray, 1977). Potassium appears to leave the cells of both skeletal and cardiac muscle when extracellular acidosis is produced and to enter the cells under conditions of extracellular alkalosis. There has as yet been no explanation for the mechanism of the exchange. We were particularly interested in this problem because a period of myocardial ischemia results in both an extracellular acidosis and a movement of potassium from the myocardial cells (Case et al., 1969). The specific question we asked was whether the decrease in extracellular pH could be the initiating factor in potassium loss. To investigate this, we chose an isolated rabbit atrial preparation which could be superfused with solutions of various composition while recording both intracellular and extracellular potassium activity.
Creative thinking and collective mobilisation in the Muslim world

ABSTRACTTo what extent does openness to new ideas and creativity (ONIC) help explain the elite-challenging collective mobilisation in the Muslim world? Are religious Muslims who are open to creativ...
Autonomous Scooter Navigation for People with Mobility Challenges

Despite the technical success of existing assistive technologies, for example, electric wheelchairs and scooters, they are still far from effective enough in helping the blind and elderly navigate to their destinations in a hassle-free manner. Riders often face challenges in driving scooters in some indoor and crowded places, especially on sidewalks with numerous obstacles and other pedestrians. People with certain disabilities, such as the blind, are often unable to drive their scooters well enough. In this paper, we propose to improve the safety and autonomy of the navigation by designing a cutting-edge autonomous scooter, which allows people with mobility challenges to navigate independently and safely in possibly unfamiliar surroundings. We focus on the localization and navigation challenges for the autonomous scooter where the current location, maps, and nearby obstacles are unknown. Solving these challenges will enable the scooter to both travel within buildings and perform tight maneuvers in densely crowds automatically.
Microbially-derived nanofibrous cellulose polymer for connective tissue regeneration.

Abstract Among a vast array of biomaterials investigated for tissue engineering applications, bacterial cellulose (BC) has not been evaluated in depth, despite the material's strong potential of applicability in the field of biotechnology. In this study we investigate the effect of sugar concentration and culture duration on physical and mechanical properties of BC. BC was grown in culture media with different glucose concentrations (weight percent) of 1.25%, 2.50%, 5.00%, 10.00%, 15.00% and also in media with fructose concentration of 5.00%. The swelling ratio of harvested BC sheets did not change significantly with concentration of glucose or the type of sugar (fructose vs glucose). Swelling ratio did not change significantly with culture duration either. Cellulose production rate was significantly higher (p