cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Negative polarity: A semantico-syntactic approach

Negative Polarity Items (NPIs) e.g. any, are licensed in negative sentences, questions, antecedents of conditionals, complements of adversative predicates, etc. On the other hand, Positive Polarity Items (PPIs), e.g. some, cannot appear in the scope of clausemate negation, but are licit elsewhere. I propose the following two (syntactic) principles and a (semantic) filter to account for the distribution of NPIs and PPIs: (1) NPIs are subject to Principle A of the Binding Theory. (2) PPIs are subject to Principle B of the Binding Theory. (3) UEFilter: *Polarity operator in an Upward-Entailing (UE) clause. (A potential binder for polarity items in either negation, or an empty polarity operator licensed in the Comp of non-UE clauses.) The binding principles (1) and (2) (see Progovac 1988, 1991) capture the following general facts: (4) NPIs (as anaphors) need a licenser. (5) The licenser for NPIs has to be local. (In languages with long-distance NPI licensing, such as English, NPIs raise at LF in order to be bound locally.) (6) PPIs (as pronominals) need no licenser. (7) PPIs cannot be bound by a local licenser. The role of the semantic filter (3) is to predict licensing of NPIs in exactly those environments in which they occur. An UE clause allows inferences from subsets to supersets, as in: (8) Mary ate kale. =) Mary ate a green vegetable. The switch to Upward Entailment can accommodate two problematic cases for Downward Entailment (DE) (cf. Ladusaw 1980, 1982, 1983): yes/no questions and on/y. Although neither DE nor UE, they license NPIs. While Ladusaw assumes that DE licenses NPIs directly, it is claimed here that a polarity operator is licensed in the Comp of a non-UE clause, and that the operator in turn licenses NPIs. This assumption can account naturally for a set of otherwise puzzling facts: (i) that non-negative
Selective populations of hippocampal interneurons express ErbB4 and their number and distribution is altered in ErbB4 knockout mice

Neuregulins (NRGs) are ligands of ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases. The NRG1-ErbB4 pathway has been shown to modulate hippocampal synaptic plasticity and network oscillations in the adult rodent brain. To identify cells that mediate these effects, here we determine the expression pattern of ErbB4 in four functionally distinct classes of interneurons that represent the majority of all inhibitory neurons in the adult hippocampus. On the basis of data from nine mice and 25,000 cells, we show that ErbB4 is expressed in cells that are positive for cholecystokinin (CCK, 54%), parvalbumin (PV, 42%), or neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS, 39%) in a layer-specific and region-specific manner, whereas cells expressing somatostatin (SOM) are rarely immunoreactive for ErbB4 (1%). We next compared the numerical density (cells/mm(3)) and the distribution of interneurons between ErbB4-/- mice and wildtype controls. Based on data from 25 mice and 56,000 cells, we detected reductions of PV-positive and nNOS-positive cells in knockouts (-24% and -27%, respectively) but only a minor reduction of CCK-positive cells; no changes in SOM-positive cells were observed. The overall reduction of interneurons was verified by quantification of GAD67-immunoreactive cells (-24% in ErbB4-/- mice). The reduction of interneurons along the dorsoventral axis was more severe in intermediate and ventral portions than in the dorsal hippocampus, and regional reductions occurred in the CA1-3 regions and subiculum, whereas we found no significant changes in the dentate gyrus (DG). The expression by different populations of interneurons suggests that ErbB4 can modulate several microcircuits within the hippocampus and mediate the previously reported effects of NRG1 on network oscillations and synaptic plasticity. The selective reduction of GABAergic cells in ErbB4-/- mice is consistent with the role of NRG-ErbB4 signaling in the generation and migration of interneurons during development, and with neuronal and behavioral functional deficits in adult ErbB4 knockouts.
Anomaly detection in embedded systems

By employing fault tolerance, embedded systems can withstand both intentional and unintentional faults. Many fault tolerance mechanisms are invoked only after a fault has been detected by whatever fault-detection mechanism is used; hence, the process of fault detection must itself be dependable if the system is expected to be fault-tolerant. Many faults are detectable only indirectly as a result of performance disorders that manifest as anomalies in monitored system or sensor data. Anomaly detection, therefore, is often the primary means of providing early indications of faults. As with any other kind of detector, one seeks full coverage of the detection space with the anomaly detector being used. Even if coverage of a particular anomaly detector falls short of 100%, detectors can be composed to effect broader coverage, once their respective sweet spots and blind regions are known. This paper provides a framework and a fault-injection methodology for mapping an anomaly detector's effective operating space and shows that two detectors, each designed to detect the same phenomenon, may not perform similarly, even when the event to be detected is unequivocally anomalous and should be detected by either detector. Both synthetic and real-world data are used.
BERT: a tool for behavioral regression testing

During maintenance, software is modified and evolved to enhance its functionality, eliminate faults, and adapt it to changed or new platforms. In this demo, we present BERT, a tool for helping developers identify regression faults that they may have introduced when modifying their code. BERT is based on the concept of behavioral regression testing: given two versions of a program, BERT identifies behavioral differences between the two versions through dynamic analysis, in three steps. First, it generates a large number of test inputs that focus on the changed parts of the code. Second, it runs the generated test inputs on the old and new versions of the code and identifies differences in the tests' behavior. Third, it analyzes the identified differences and presents them to the developers. By focusing on a subset of the code and leveraging differential behavior, BERT can provide developers with more detailed information than traditional regression testing approaches---approaches that rely exclusively on existing test suites, which may be limited in scope and may not adequately test the changes in a program. BERT is implemented as a plug-in for Eclipse, a popular Integrated Development Environment, and is freely available. This demo presents BERT, its underlying technology, and examples of its usage.
Ventilation of the Cariaco Trench, a case of multiple source competition?

The joint evolution of potential temperature, salinity and tritium concentrations in the deep basin in the Cariaco Trench, over a 13 year period from late 1972 to early 1986, suggests a complex pattern of ventilation of the basin. Scrantonet al. (1987, Deep-Sea Research, 34, 945–963) found that a purely diffusive model could accommodate the observed evolution from 1973 to 1982 of concentrations of a range of hydrographic and chemical trace species, but the tritium data demand inclusion of two distinct convective ventilation sources with differently distributed depth penetration. Exploratory computations with an extension of Scranton's model, including penetrative convection effects, suggest that a single ventilation mode cannot explain the total observed evolution. The observed trends in temperature, salinity and tritium concentration can be individually matched by fitting simpler models, but jointly they demand injection of warm hypersalline shelf waters which reach the basin bottom, as well as input of Caribbean thermocline waters at the sill. While the overflow events at the sill appear not to have penetrated into the deepest basin layers in recent times, the observed bottom temperature demands at least episodic ventilation with Caribbean thermocline waters colder than 16.5°C. The apparent absence of such activity, for several decades through the mid-1980s, implies climatically persistent differences in the circulation dynamics of the southern Caribbean Sea. A theoretical discussion suggests that this may be but one example of extreme sensitivity of bottom ventilation processes in enclosed deep basins to forcing fluctuations, and that even weak geothermal heating may exert a significant influence on the stratification and ventilation statistics in such systems.
Under the curve: critical issues for elucidating D1 receptor function in working memory.

It has been postulated that spatial working memory operates optimally within a limited range of dopamine transmission and D1 dopamine receptor signaling in prefrontal cortex. Insufficiency in prefrontal dopamine, as in aging, and excessive transmission, as in acute stress, lead to impairments in working memory that can be ameliorated by D1 receptor agonist and antagonist treatment, respectively. Iontophoretic investigations of dopamine’s influence on the cellular mechanisms of working memory have revealed that moderate D1 blockade can enhance memory fields in primate prefrontal pyramidal neurons while strong blockade abolishes them. The combined behavioral and physiological evidence indicates that there is a normal range of dopamine function in prefrontal cortex that can be described as an “inverted-U” relationship between dopamine transmission and the integrity of working memory. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated a role for dopamine in promoting the excitability of prefrontal pyramidal cells and facilitating their N-methyl-d-aspartate inputs, while simultaneously restraining recurrent excitation and facilitating feedforward inhibition. This evidence indicates that there is a fine balance between the synergistic mechanisms of D1 modulation in working memory. Given the critical role of prefrontal function for cognition, it is not surprising that this balancing act is perturbed by both subtle genetic influences and environmental events. Further, there is evidence for an imbalance in these dopaminergic mechanisms in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia, and in related nonhuman primate models. Elucidating the orchestration of dopamine signaling in key nodes within prefrontal microcircuitry is therefore pivotal for understanding the influence of dopamine transmission on the dynamics of working memory. Here, we explore the hypothesis that the window of optimal dopamine signaling changes on a behavioral time-scale, dependent upon current cognitive demands and local neuronal activity as well as long-term alterations in signaling pathways and gene expression. If we look under the bell-shaped curve of prefrontal dopamine function, it is the relationship between neuromodulation and cognitive function that promises to bridge our knowledge between molecule and mind.
Effects of gestational methylmercury exposure on immunoreactivity of specific isoforms of PKC and enzyme activity during post-natal development of the rat brain

Abstract Protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylation has been implicated in neuronal growth and differentiation [R.S. Turner, R.L. Mazzei, G.J. Raynor, P.R. Girard, J.F. Kuo, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 81 (1984) 3143–3147.]. We examined effects of gestational exposure to the neurotoxicant, methylmercury (CH 3 Hg), on the developmental profile of immunoreactivity (IR) for α , β , γ and ϵ PKC isoforms and cytosolic PKC activity. Long–Evans dams were dosed on gestational days (GD)6–15 (p.o.) with 0, 1, or 2 mg kg −1 day −1 CH 3 Hg dissolved in saline. Pups were sacrificed and perfused with buffered paraformaldehyde on post-natal days (PND) 1, 4, 10, 21, 45 and 85. The brains were sectioned sagittally, stained immunohistochemically, and examined throughout the medial to lateral extent. IR in neuronal cell bodies for PKC isoforms α , β , γ , and ϵ was densest in the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, shell of the inferior colliculus, pons, cerebral, piriform, and cerebellar cortex, whereas axonal staining was prominent in the brainstem, internal capsule, corpus callosum, anterior commissure, fornix and olfactory tract. In controls, the PKC α and ϵ IR was highest on PND1–4, decreased dramatically by PND10, and decreased further by PND21. In the neonate, the regional and cellular distributions of α and ϵ IR were similar. The PKC γ IR was greater at post-weaning ages (PND21–85) with the greatest regional density apparent in the hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum. Only the highest dose of CH 3 Hg (2 mg kg −1 day −1 ; GD6–15) produced a persistent decrease in regional α and ϵ , but not β or γ IR during the post-natal period. These regional and time-dependent changes in PKC isoforms were complemented by the examination of PKC activity in cortex, olfactory bulb, cerebellum and brainstem. Cytosolic PKC activity increased from PND1 to 10 in cortex, olfactory bulb, and cerebellum. On PND21, PKC activity decreased in the cortex and olfactory bulb, but remained high in the cerebellum. By contrast, PKC activity in the brainstem was highest on PND1 and 4 and decreased dramatically by PND21. CH 3 Hg (2 mg kg −1 day −1 ) significantly decreased PKC activity on PND1 and 4 in the cortex. The present results characterize the cellular and regional ontogeny of PKC isoenzymes α , β , γ and ϵ , and indicate that developmental exposure to CH 3 Hg can alter the ontogeny of specific isoforms and regional PKC activity.
The Bacteriology of Swiss Cheese. II. Bacteriology of the Cheese in the Press

Summary A study has been made of the bacteriology of Swiss cheese from the time the curd was dipped from the kettle until 21 hours later. Small cheeses with a green weight of about 55 pounds were used in most of the experiments, but results have been compared to those with large cheeses. A summary of results showed: S. thermophilus usually started to grow within three or four hours after dipping and increased in numbers rapidly until the sixth or eighth hour. Thereafter the increase in numbers was slow and in some cases the numbers decreased gradually until the twenty-first hour. L. helveticus (39a) usually decreased slowly in numbers until about the sixth to eighth hour in the press and then increased at a fairly rapid rate. The numbers after 21 hours were high with an active starter and low with a weak one. L. bulgaricus (Ga) usually decreased in numbers until about the fifth hour after dipping when a rapid increase in numbers took place. The pH of the cheese usually dropped more rapidly during the first seven or eight hours than during the later hours. This early drop in pH evidently was due chiefly to the action of the S. thermophilus organisms present. Most of the cells of S.thermophilus had a diameter 3 or 4 times and a volume approximately 27 or 64 times as great as that of cells grown at ordinary temperatures. This is one explanation for the large fermentative activity per cell during the first hours of the cheese in the press. Moreover, small amounts of acid can produce relatively large changes in pH during the early hours in the press, since the buffer value is relatively‘small in the early pH range. The pH of the cheese at three and at twenty-one hours after dipping may serve as an indication of the effectiveness of the S. thermophilus and lactobacillus starters, respectively. The relative change in pH is more significant than the actual pH value. The action of S. thermophilus is about the same in large cheeses as in small, but the growth and action of the lactobacillus cultures usually begin an hour or two later in the larger cheeses, because the interior cools more slowly than in smaller cheeses. Gas formation and growth by either Escherichia communior or Aerobacter aerogenes can be suppressed in cheese in the press by use of active starters. If A. aerogenes has been present in large numbers in the kettle contents, however, a poor quality cheese will probably result. Propionibacterium shermanii did not grow in cheese in the press. Bacteria of the tetracoccus or Lactobacillus casei types usually increased in numbers, if present, and under some conditions attained large numbers by the twenty-first hour. C. lactis died off rapidly in cheese in the press. Organisms of the Lactobacillus lactis and Lactobacillus longus types were able to grow rapidly but usually were not present in large numbers.
Citrulline synthesis: Regulation by alterations in the total mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content

Abstract The total adenine nucleotide content of rat liver mitochondria was varied in vitro over a wide range in order to investigate a possible relationship between net changes in the total matrix ATP + ADP + AMP content and the overall rate of citrulline synthesis. Isolated mitochondria were specifically depleted of matrix adenine nucleotides by incubating with inorganic pyrophosphate ( G. K. Asimakis and J. R. Aprille, 1980, Arch. Biochem. Biophys.203, 307–316 ); alternatively, matrix adenine nucleotides were increased by incubating mitochondria with 1 m m ATP at 30 °C. No exogenous ATP or ADP was included in the subsequent incubations for the determination of citrulline synthesis. Rates varied from 0.1 to 1.6 μmol citrulline/mg protein/h as a linear function of total adenine nucleotide content in the range 2–15 nmol (ATP + ADP + AMP)/mg protein. Further increases in the matrix ATP + ADP + AMP content caused no further increase in citrulline synthesis rates. Changes in the total adenine nucleotide content were reflected in proportional changes in both the ATP and ADP content of the matrix. The ATP ADP ratio did not change significantly. Therefore, the variations in citrulline synthesis were most simply explained as the effect of different concentrations of ATP on the activity of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase. It was concluded that net changes in the total adenine nucleotide content can contribute to the control of citrulline synthesis. These findings are significant in the context of recent evidence which shows that the matrix adenine nucleotide pool size is under hormonal control.
Generation and Characterization of Antibodies Against Synthetic Peptides of Porcine Zona Pellucida ZP3α

OBJECTIVE Use of synthetic zona peptides as target immunogens is a promising approach to an anti-fertility vaccine. To elucidate contraceptive epitopes, we raised polyclonal antibodies against synthetic peptides of pig ZP3 alpha and evaluated for immunogenicity, ability to inhibit in vitro boar sperm-pig zona attachment, and cross-reactivity with human zonae. METHODS Five synthetic peptides were chosen based on hydropathicity analysis of ZP3 alpha, synthesized and coupled to keyhold limpet haemocyanin (KLH). Pairs of male rabbits were immunized with each peptide-KLH conjugate using a multi-site intradermal injection protocol. Resulting antisera were evaluated for immunoreactivity with cognate peptide and ZP3 alpha/EBGD (purified endo-beta-galactosidase-digested ZP3 alpha), contraceptive potential using an in vitro pig gamete bioassay, and cross-reactivity with human zonae using indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS All anti-peptide-KLH sera demonstrated immunoreactivity with cognate peptide. Anti-peptide sera, except for anti-alpha-3-KLH serum, were less immunoreactive with ZP3 alpha/ EBGD. Antisera directed against alpha-1-KLH, alpha-2-KLH, and alpha-3-KLH demonstrated significant (P < .00001) inhibition of boar sperm-pig zona attachment. Only anti-alpha-2-KLH and anti-alpha-3-KLH sera cross-reacted with human zonae. CONCLUSION Synthetic peptides of pig ZP3 alpha are immunogenic, elicit antibodies cross-reactive with human zonae, and have in vitro contraceptive activity. These data support continued investigation of synthetic ZP3 alpha peptides as potential target immunogens for anti-fertility vaccine development.
Development of Electromagnetic Stimulation System as Treatment for Muscle Activation

The presented work addresses the implementation of electromagnetic stimulation with feedback control. Preliminary testing is conducted as a proof of principle to evaluate the feasibility of the experimental system for future in vitro experiments on mice muscle. Therefore, this study focuses on applying a Proportional-Integral controller to carry out contractions of a BioMetal Fiber based on set trajectories specified to the control algorithm. The experimental setup captures the instantaneous position of the BioMetal Fiber, which is used as feedback and modulated via high frequency electromagnetic fields. Consequently, the effectiveness of the controller and the two-coil electromagnetic system are evaluated to develop improved strategies for system tracking.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Calcium transport in and out of brain nerve endings in vitro—the role of synaptosomal plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase in Ca2+-extrusion

Abstract The effects of cellular cations and ATP on calcium transport in and out of the nerve endings (synaptosomes) of mice brain were studied. The synaptosomes accumulated 45 Ca time-dependently in the absence of ATP or other additions for at least 10 min. When ATP was present, the overall 45 Ca accumulation was decreased and was maximal at about 4 min, after which it started to decline. Studies on the effects of cations with or without ATP at 4 min revealed selective activities for different cations. Mg 2+ inhibited 45 Ca accumulation in the absence of ATP but increased 45 Ca accumulation when ATP was present. Similarly, ATP increased 45 Ca accumulation only when Mg 2+ was present. Na + , on the other hand, inhibited 45 Ca accumulation both in the presence and absence of ATP and/or Mg 2+ . K + increased 45 Ca accumulation in the presence of ATP with or without Mg 2+ ; however, K + -stimulation was not noted in the presence of 100 mM Na + , and in fact, K + became inhibitory. The ATP-stimulated 45 Ca accumulation in the presence of Mg 2+ peaked within 4–6 min and then declined, suggesting release of 45 Ca. Compatible with this notion, in 45 Ca-loaded synaptosomes, ATP evoked 45 Ca release which was accompanied by the appearance of P i in the medium. Although ATP-activated 45 Ca-release can occur in the presence of Mg 2+ , Mg 2+ is not required and, infact, is inhibitory. Rapid release of 45 Ca was also noted when 45 Ca-loaded synaptosomes were incubated in the presence of Na + without ATP. It is concluded that Mg 2+ , Na + , + K and ATP each has a specific role in regulating Ca 2+ permeability of the plasma membrane, calcium binding and calcium extrusion.
Adsorption of the Vapor Phase Components in Cigarette Smoke by Activated Carbon in Vented Filters

Using vented charcoal filters, the adsorption efficiencies of acetaldehyde, isoprene and acetone, the major components in the vapor phase of cigarette smoke, were studied. Filter ventilation was found to raise the adsorption efficiency of the adsorbent. The effect of increasing the ventilation rate through the filter was greatest for the adsorption of acetaldehyde. In order to clarify the effects of decreases of the flow rate and the concentration caused by ventilation, the adsorption by unvented charcoal filters under varied conditions was also measured. Although both raised the adsorptions of the three components, the lowered concentration was contributed to mainly by an increase of adsorption by the vented charcoal filters. Regardless of whether the filter was perforated or not, the adsorptions of the three components depended on the volume of the air drawn in at the top of the lighted end of the cigarette.
Estimating Life Expectancy for Use in Determining Lifetime Costs of Care

An accurate estimate of life expectancy is an essential component of any estimation of anticipated lifetime costs of care after spinal cord injury. Estimates of life expectancy based on age at injury, neurologic level of lesion, completeness of injury, ventilator dependency, and the amount of time since injury have been published by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) and are updated annually on its web site. More precise estimates that include consideration of other factors such as gender, race, and the presence of preexisting major medical conditions can also be obtained from the NSCISC. This article describes the common analytical approaches used in estimating life expectancy, the strengths and limitations of these approaches, and the dangers of attempting to extrapolate from these results without a sound scientific basis.
Comparison between coherent and noncoherent optical video communication

Coherent optical communication offers very high sensitivity and enormous bandwidth as compared with the existing noncoherent system. Unfortunately it is still under experimentation and research. With the anticipation of voluminous communication, it is predicted that coherent systems will play a significant role in future applications. This paper will develop a model for a coherent frequency modulated video receiver using heterodyne detection and will highlight the potential signal to noise ratio improvements over the noncoherent receiver. The requirements to achieve such a high quality system will also be emphasized.
Practical issues for using solar-reflective materials to mitigate urban heat islands

Solar-reflective or high-albedo, alternatives to traditionally absorptive urban surfaces such as rooftops and roadways can reduce cooling energy use and improve urban air quality at almost no cost. This paper presents information to support programs that mitigate urban heat islands with solar-reflective surfaces: estimates of the achievable increase in albedo for a variety of surfaces, issues related to the selection of materials and costs and benefits of using them. As an example, we present data for Sacramento, California. In Sacramento, we estimate that 20% of the 96 square mile area is dark roofing and 10% is dark pavement. Based on the change in albedo that is achievable for these surfaces, the overall albedo of Sacramento could be increased by 18%, a change that would produce significant energy savings and increase comfort within the city. Roofing market data indicate which roofing materials should be targeted for incentive programs. In 1995, asphalt shingle was used for over 65% of residential roofing area in the U.S. and 6% of commercial. Built-up roofing was used for about 5% of residential roofing and about 30% of commercial roofing. Single-ply membranes covered about 9% of the residential roofing area and over 30% of the commercial area. White, solar-reflective alternatives are presently available for these roofing materials but a low-first-cost, solar-reflective alternative to asphalt shingles is needed to capture the sloped-roof market. Since incoming solar radiation has a large non-visible component, solar-reflective materials can also be produced in a variety of colors.
Emitter size effects in high speed HBTs

Driven by advantageous physical properties, III-V semiconductors have been dominating the search for suitable high speed telecommunication systems. Integration of high speed III-V semiconductor devices into circuits and telecommunication systems requires miniaturization of the III-V devices and a comprehensive understanding of the size effects on the device performance. In this work we present the results of a systematic study of the emitter size effects of InAlAs/InGaAs Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (HBTs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), lattice matched to InP substrates. With the device dimensions reduced, size effects, surface recombination and carrier trapping effects dominate current transport over the conventional drift diffusion current transport mechanisms. Although, reduction of the emitter size in HBTs traditionally results in reduced current gain, our work shows that careful design of the HBT structure and processing derails allow the formation of small high speed devices with improved current gain characteristics. The improved performance of HBTs indicate that further increase in device density in high speed integrated circuits and systems is possible.
Host Plant Specialization Driven by Sexual Selection

Abstract: We propose a new mechanism based on sexual selection to explain the evolution of diet breadth in insects. More specifically, we show that mate choice in females for certain diet‐derived male pheromones can be exploited by maternal effect genes that preferentially place offspring on a specific host plant, resulting in specialization. Our analytical model also suggests that the process is more likely to occur with species that show male‐congregating mating strategies, such as lekking and hilltopping. The model offers a new explanation for the similarity between the composition of male lepidopteran pheromones and the chemistry of their host plants and also suggests a novel mechanism of host plant shift. This is the first time that sexual selection has been proposed to drive host plant specialization and the first time that a mechanism with selection acting solely on the adult stage has been shown to be capable of determining larval feeding habits.
Distributed Bayesian learning in multiagent systems: Improving our understanding of its capabilities and limitations

In this article, we study social networks of agents, where agents learn not only from private signals (i.e., signals only available to the agents receiving them), but from other agents too. Based on all the available information, agents modify their beliefs in events of interest and make decisions on which actions to take based on the beliefs. In doing so, they optimize functions that reflect some (cumulative) reward. This problem has been studied in various disciplines including control theory, operations research, artificial intelligence, game theory, information theory, economics, statistics, computer science, and signal processing.
Equivalency of Microtest computer MMPI administration for standard and special scales

Abstract This study examined the equivalence of the Microtest computer version of MMPI administration with traditional paper-pencil MMPI administration procedures. Eighty community volunteers were administered the MMPI twice under one of four conditions: computer-computer, traditional-traditional, computer-traditional, or traditional-computer. No significant differences were found between administration formats for means and standard deviations for the regularly scored validity and clinical scales and for 27 additional special scales. The rank-order of scores and the test-retest reliability for the computer format were found to be similar to the test-retest correlations for the traditional version. In general, the findings offer tentative support for the equivalency of Microtest and traditional MMPI administration procedures. However, post hoc evaluation of power indicates that conclusions regarding equivalency of the two administration formats must be tempered by the less than adequate statistical power for some of the analyses, particulary those associated with examination of test-retest correlation data. The issue of power has been ignored in previous computer equivalency studies and the current findings emphasize the need to consider this issue in future research planning and reporting.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide: a potent and selective stimulator of gastrointestinal somatostatin secretion

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) exists in nerves throughput the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, and exogenous CGRP has been reported to inhibit many endocrine and exocrine secretions of the gut and pancreas. Because somatostatin also has widespread inhibitory actions and because both gut and pancreatic somatostatin secretion may be under peptidergic control, we examined the influence of CGRP on circulating levels of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) and on hormone output from the duodenal lobe of the dog pancreas in situ. Intravenous infusion of human QGRP in anesthetized dogs increased arterial SLI in a dose-dependent manner. During iv infusion of CGRP at 500 pmol/min, the increment of circulating SLI (change at 20 min, +175 ± 24 fmol/ml) was composed of nearly equimolar amounts of SLI-14 and SLI-28, suggesting an effect of CGRP on both gastric and intestinal somatostatin secretion. The effect of iv CGRP (500 pmol/min) on arterial SLI exceeded those of iv CCK-8 (440 pmol/min), iv isopr...
Uncertainty Analysis in Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling

The concentration of a pollutant in the atmosphere is a random variable that cannot be predicted accurately, but can be described using quantities such as ensemble mean, variance, and probability distribution. There is growing recognition that the modeled concentrations of hazardous contaminants in the atmosphere should be described in a probabilistic framework. This paper discusses the various types of uncertainties in atmospheric dispersion models, and reviews sensitivity/uncertainty analysis methods to characterize and/or reduce them. Evaluation and quantification of the range of uncertainties in predictions yield a deeper insight into the capabilities and limitations of atmospheric dispersion models, and increase our confidence in decision-making based on models.
Existing and emerging standards for software safety

This paper describes several standards that deal with aspects of software safety. Four descriptive attributes common to such standards are defined and specific standards are contrasted using these attributes. >
Midline spikes: is it another benign EEG pattern of childhood?

Summary: Clinical and electrographic features were retrospectively studied in 57 patients with midline (Fz, Cz, Pz) spikes as the only epileptiform activity in their EEG to determine possible predictors of outcome. Our study confirmed previous reports of early age of onset, activation by sleep, and Cz as the most frequent spike location. In contrast to previous studies with smaller numbers of patients, midline spikes were more common in males and most often associated with partial complex seizures and were not activated by sleep at an older age. Of the 29 patients who were followed for 6 months to 9 years, only 15 (52%) achieved good seizure control. Although a tendency toward a poor outcome was noted with several independent variables (positive family history of epilepsy, later age of seizure onset, abnormal EEG background activities, abnormal neuroimaging, abnormal neurologic examination), none was of statistical significance. This study suggests that epilepsy with midline spikes is not necessarily benign and that future studies with larger patient groups may be necessary to identify factors that influence prognosis.
Cellular vitamin C increases chromate toxicity via a death program requiring mismatch repair but not p53

Ascorbate (Asc) plays a key role in reductive activation of carcinogenic chromium(VI) in vivo. In addition to much higher rates (t 1/2 = 1 min for 1 mM Asc), its reactions at physiological conditions differ from other reducers by low yields of Cr(V) intermediates. Human cells in culture are severely Asc deficient, which results in distorted metabolism and potentially abnormal responses to Cr(VI). We found that restoration of physiological Asc levels in human lung cells (primary IMR90 fibroblasts and epithelial H460 cells) increased clonogenic lethality and apoptosis by Cr(VI). Enhanced cytotoxicity in mass cultures was more evident after normalization for lower Cr uptake caused by leakage of Asc into media. Asc did not change uptake-adjusted yields of Cr-DNA adducts and had no effect on cytotoxicity when delivered shortly after Cr(VI) exposure. Protein and Ser-15 phosphorylation levels of p53 did not show any association with the presence of Asc and there were no increases in p53-driven reporter activity in Cr-treated cells. Stable silencing of p53 expression by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) had no effect on toxicity of Cr(VI) in both -Asc and +Asc IMR90 and H460 cells. In contrast, shRNA-mediated depletion of essential components of MutS or MutL mismatch repair complexes greatly improved survival of all Cr-treated cells and eliminated Asc-potentiated effects on cell death. Thus, mismatch repair-mediated enhancement of Cr(VI) cytotoxicity by Asc should promote the selection of MSI+/wt-p53 phenotype found among chromate-induced human lung cancers. Our findings also indicate that Asc plays a dual role in Cr(VI) toxicity: protective outside and potentiating inside the cell.
Using the Internet in Asthma Management Current Concepts and Challenges

An essential component of quality asthma care is ongoing communication between patients and their caregivers. To make healthy, lifelong changes in their behavior, patients need to receive simple, consistent, and reinforcing messages. Interactive, electronic communication has the capacity to facilitate the timely exchange of data, including asthma-related information, among patients, their healthcare team, and other relevant decision-makers. Internet-based solutions are rapidly evolving and may be helpful, but use of the Internet for comprehensive asthma management still presents many practical challenges. Specifically, the following challenges require further investigation: (i) variable access to the Internet by patients and providers in practice settings; (ii) accelerative and unpredictable changes in asthma-specific knowledge, hardware, software, and infrastructure support; (iii) variations in website designs, navigation, and functionality; and (iv) the lack of systematic evaluation of the cost effectiveness of digital health interventions with regard to asthma-specific patient outcomes.
Recent advances in the understanding of biological implications and modulation methodologies of monoclonal antibody N-linked high mannose glycans

With the prevalence of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in the biopharmaceutical industry, the use of mammalian cell culture systems, particularly Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, has become the main method for the production of therapeutics. Despite their similarity to human cells, one major challenge of mammalian cell based biopharmaceutical production is controlling aberrant glycosylation, especially glycans with five to nine mannose residues-high mannose glycoforms. Glycosylation plays a critical role in determining the therapeutic profile of therapeutic glycoproteins; high mannose glycoforms in particular have been shown to have a significant impact on clinical efficacy and pharmacokinetics. Thus, producing glycoform profiles with consistent levels of high mannose is necessary to reduce batch-to-batch therapeutic variability and to meet regulatory standards. Studies have shown that high mannose glycoforms can be modulated through the genetic engineering of cell lines, addition of inhibitors to key enzymes in the glycosylation pathways, and varying cell culture conditions. Focusing on these three types of techniques, this review will examine and critically assess current methods for high mannose glycosylation control and future developments in this area.
High Mobility Group Protein HMGB2 Is a Critical Regulator of Plasmodium Oocyst Development

The sexual cycle of Plasmodium is required for transmission of malaria from mosquitoes to mammals, but how parasites induce the expression of genes required for the sexual stages is not known. We disrupted the Plasmodium yoelii gene encoding high mobility group nuclear factor hmgb2, which encodes a DNA-binding protein potentially implicated in transcriptional regulation of malaria gene expression. We investigated its function in vivo in the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Δpyhmgb2 parasites develop into gametocytes but have drastic impairment of oocyst formation. A global transcriptome analysis of the Δpyhmgb2 parasites identified ∼30 genes whose expression is down-regulated in the Δpyhmgb2 parasites. These genes are conserved in all malaria species, and more than 90% of these genes show a peak of mRNA expression at the gametocyte stage. Surprisingly, the transcripts coding for the Plasmodium berghei orthologues of those genes are stored and translated in the ookinete stage. Therefore, sexual stage protein expression appears to be both transcriptionally and translationally regulated with Plasmodium HMGB2 acting as an important regulator of malaria sexual stage gene expression.
A class of adaptive sampling schemes for selecting the better of two binomial populations

We consider a family of single step allocation methods for the reduction of number of patients given the poorer of two treatments in a sequential comparative clinical trial. The object of the trial is to choose the better treatment with a probability ≧ P∗, where P∗ is assigned, when the difference in success probabilities is greater than or equal to an assigned δ∗. We use the formulation of the trial as a symmetrical selection procedure, Bechhofer, Kiefer, Sobel, 1968, Sobel, Weiss, 1970. If the stopping rule is the difference in successes then either alternating allocation or play the winner allocation appears to be optimal (Robbins, 1956, Sobel, Weiss, 1970.) When the stopping rule takes failures into account alternating allocation is not optimal, and other sirategies become important
Children's questions about science fair: Preliminary results of an analysis of digital library reference questions

In this study, the researcher used a data set that contained science-related questions from the Internet Public Library's Kidspace Ask A Question email reference form. The data showed that the majority of the questions were asked by middle school students in the United States who were preparing for science fair. A closer inspection of the question text showed that students are concerned about the process of assembling a project as well as the project's content. This finding suggests that digital libraries can support young science learners by developing a metadata vocabulary for process.
Wires, switches, and wiring. A route toward a chemically assembled electronic nanocomputer

A Boolean logic, nonreversible computing machine should, in principle, be capable of 1018 bit operations per second at a power consumption of 1 W. In order to build such a machine that can even approach this benchmark for efficiency, the development of a robust quantum-state switch capable of ambient operation, as well as a bottom-up manufacturing technology, will be necessary. My group, in collaboration with Hewlett Packard, has developed much of the architecture for such a machine, which we call a chemically assembled electronic nanocomputer (CAEN). More recently, in a collaborative effort with Fraser Stoddart's group at UCLA, we have begun to build it. The fundamental unit of the machine is a field- programmable molecular switch, and the fundamental architecture is a hierarchical organization of wire/switch lattices called crossbars. Electronically, singly configurable molecular-based switch devices based on rotaxane molecular compounds have been fabricated in high yield. These switches were used to construct simple molecular-based logic structures and read-only memory elements.
On Capacity Under Receive and Spatial Spectrum-Sharing Constraints

Capacity is often studied under constraints on the channel input signals. This paper investigates the behavior of capacity when constraints are placed on the channel output signal (as well as generalizations thereof). While such a change in perspective leaves the point-to-point problem (essentially) unchanged, the main conclusion is that in certain network scenarios, including multiple-access and relay situations, both the structure of the problem and the conclusions change. For example, capacity results are found for the many-user Gaussian multiple-access channel (MAC) with arbitrarily dependent sources, cooperation, or feedback, and for the nondegraded Gaussian relay network. The investigations are motivated by recent questions arising in spectrum sharing and dynamic spectrum allocation: Multiple independent networks share the same frequency band, but are spatially mostly disjoint. One approach to grant coexistence is via spatial interference power restrictions, imposed at the network level, rather than at the device level. The corresponding capacity question is posed and partially answered in this paper
US FDA oncology drug approvals in 2014

Cancer is a close second to heart disease for cause of death in the USA, and could soon surpass heart disease as the population ages and the incidence of cancer continues to increase. While heart disease can be addressed through behavior modification and education (e.g., smoking cessation, dietary changes, exercises that promote cardiovascular fitness), pharmacology and improved surgical devices and methods, cancer ultimately requires improved and novel drug treatments to bring mortality rates down. In 2014, the US FDA approved 17 drugs and/or drug combinations in 12 disease sites for a total of 19 indications in melanoma, hematologic malignancies, gastrointestinal carcinoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, gynecologic malignancies and lymphoma/lymphoproliferative disorders.
Management Outcomes of Facial Nerve Tumors Comparative Outcomes with Observation, CyberKnife, and Surgical Management

Objectives. Primary facial nerve tumors (FNTs) present in varying ways. In this study, the authors present their institu- tional experience with the management of facial nerve tumors, including their recommendations for available thera- pies such as observation, microsurgical decompression or removal, and stereotactic radiation. They emphasize the audi- tory and facial nerve function outcomes. Study Design. Retrospective case review. Setting. Tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods. Retrospective review of all cases of FNT seen at the authors' tertiary care academic medical center over a 10-year period (2002-2011). The clinical pre- sentation, treatment modality, and outcome parameters of cochlear and facial nerve function were assessed. Results. Twelve patients were identified. House-Brackmann grades on presentation were 4 grade I, 2 grade II, 2 grade III, 1 grade IV, and 3 grade V, with 2 grade V patients declin- ing to grade VI shortly after presentation. Seven patients presented with serviceable hearing and 4 with nonservice- able hearing. Treatment options/arms included observation with serial clinicoradiological review (2 cases), stereotactic radiation with the CyberKnife (3 cases), wide fallopian canal decompression (3 cases), microsurgical excision and repair (3 cases), and biopsy followed by observation (1 case). At the end of the review period, facial nerve function was stable in 8 patients, improved in 3, and declined in 1, and none had documented worsening of hearing based on American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation classification.