cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probability-space surrogate modeling for fast multidisciplinary optimization under uncertainty

Abstract This paper proposes a probability-space surrogate modeling approach for computationally efficient multidisciplinary design optimization under uncertainty. This paper uses a probability-space surrogate as opposed to an algebraic surrogate so that the probability distributions of the required outputs at a given design input can naturally be obtained without repeated Monte Carlo runs of an algebraic surrogate at different realizations of the uncertain variables. We consider three probability-space surrogates with analytical solutions for prediction and inference - Multivariate Gaussian, Gaussian Copula, and Gaussian Mixture Model, and investigate their applicability to perform multidisciplinary design optimization under uncertainty. All the input design and random variables, coupling variables, objective and constraint functions are incorporated within the probability-space surrogate, which helps analytically obtain the distributions of coupling variables, objective and constraint functions at desired design inputs while enforcing multidisciplinary compatibility. The training points for the probability-space surrogates are obtained by performing one-pass analysis through the disciplinary models at different realizations of the input variables. The proposed methodology is demonstrated for reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) and reliability-based robust design optimization (RBRDO) in an aircraft design example. The performance of the probability-space surrogates is compared against a Kriging algebraic surrogate and fully coupled Monte Carlo analysis.
The Phylogeny of Carangiform Fishes: Morphological and Genomic Investigations of a New Fish Clade

Surveys and analyses of anatomical characters have allowed researchers to describe a wealth of anatomical features and contribute to our evolutionary understanding of fishes for centuries. However, most of these studies have focused on specific lineages or families rather than the broader evolutionary relationships. As such, there has been a lack of progress inferring higher-level relationships among percomorphs. With the use of large-scale DNA-based methods in multiple studies over the past two decades, the backbone of the phylogeny of fishes is becoming increasingly understood. Taking this DNA-based phylogenetic backbone into account, we have the opportunity to integrate discrete morphological characters and DNA sequence data to test earlier topologies and provide new and improved hypotheses of relationships. The carangiform fishes, which include approximately 1,100 species in 29–34 families, were initially recovered as a clade in DNA-based studies. Subsequent to its initial recovery, many molecular phylogenies have been published assessing carangiform relationships, but these studies present a conflicting array of hypotheses on the intrarelationships of this clade. In addition to this diversity of hypotheses, no studies have explicitly diagnosed the clade or its major subgroups from a morphological perspective or conducted a simultaneous analysis to put forth synapomorphies for relationships across the Carangiformes using a combination of molecular and morphological data. In this study, we performed combined analyses of new and previously identified discrete morphological characters and new and previously published genome-scale data to characterize the evolutionary history and anatomical variation within this clade of fishes. Our novel morphological dataset included 201 hard and soft tissue characters, and it was combined with a novel dataset of 463 ultraconserved element loci. Our combined analysis of these data resulted in a monophyletic Carangiformes, with a series of subclades nested within. We put forth a series of subordinal names based on the recovered branching pattern, morphological character evidence, and relative stability in large-scale studies. These suborders are the Centropomoidei, which includes Centropomidae, Lactariidae, Latidae, and Sphyraenidae; Polynemoidei, which includes Polynemidae and the infraorder Pleuronectoideo; Toxotoidei, which includes Leptobramidae and Toxotidae; Nematistioidei, which includes Nematistiidae; and Menoidei, which includes Menidae and Xiphioidea. Furthermore, we highlight and discuss morphological characters that support the relationships between two or more lineages of carangiform fishes. Finally, we highlight patterns of morphological convergence among some carangiform fishes and their previously hypothesized sister lineages.
Prevalence of Bactericidal/Permeability-Increasing Protein Autoantibodies in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: There have been varying reports on the prevalence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI-ANCA) specificity in cystic fibrosis (C...
Optimal Variable, Lane Group–Based Speed Limits at Freeway Lane Drops: A Multiobjective Approach

AbstractThis study develops optimal variable, lane group–based, speed limits for traffic control at freeway lane drop areas (e.g., work zones). The proposed approach adopts a simulation-optimizatio...
Intrauterine interventional therapy for fetal hypoplastic left heart syndrome with restrictive atrial septum at 27 gestational week: a case report

青岛市妇女儿童医院为1例左心发育不良综合征-限制性房间隔缺损胎儿成功实施胎儿房间隔造口术，对其临床资料进行总结分析。孕妇孕27周在青岛市妇女儿童医院产前检查发现胎儿左心发育不良伴限制性房间隔缺损，家属救治意愿强烈，青岛市妇女儿童医院多学科联合为胎儿实施球囊房间隔造口术，术中采用Boston Science 2.0 mm×10.0 mm冠脉球囊在卵圆孔上方打孔造口，取得成功，对其适应证、操作要点及手术效果进行介绍分析，为该技术进一步发展积累经验。
Assessment of mandibular kinematics values and its relevance for the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders

Abstract Background/purpose Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common conditions that involve the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), jaw muscles, or both, and can cause alteration in the mandibular kinematics. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between mandibular kinematics and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) as a clinical tool for evaluation and diagnosis of these patients. Materials and methods A retrospective study based on the analysis of the clinical findings from patients’ charts was carried out, with a sample size of 476 patients. Statistical analysis was made with chi-square test for qualitative variables and student t-test for quantitative variables. Then, odds ratio with its confidence interval were calculated. A p value Results Most patients were female (80.7%) and between 16 and 25 years old. Disc displacement with reduction (DDwR) and subluxation were associated with increased kinematic parameters, while disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR) and retrodiscitis were associated with decreased kinematic values. A soft end feel was related to osteoarthritis (OA). Structural incompatibility was most prevalent in older patients. Conclusion Mandibular kinematic values are associated with specific temporomandibular joint disorders and could be considered as a useful clinical tool to perform the right diagnosis of TMJD.
A Mathematical Model for Inheritance of DNA Methylation Patterns in Somatic Cells

DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic mechanism used by cells to regulate gene expression. Interestingly, DNA replication, a function necessary for cell division, disrupts the methylation pattern. Since perturbed methylation patterns are associated with aberrant gene expression and many diseases, including cancer, restoration of the correct pattern following DNA replication is crucial. However, the exact mechanisms of this restoration remain under investigation. DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) perform methylation by adding a methyl group to cytosines at CpG sites in the DNA. These CpG sites are found in regions of high density, termed CpG islands (CGIs), and regions of low density in the genome. Nearly, every CpG site in a CGI has the same state, either methylated or unmethylated, and almost all CpG sites in regions of low CpG density are methylated. We propose a stochastic model for the dynamics of the post-replicative restoration of methylation patterns. The model considers the recruitment of Dnmts and demethylating enzymes to regions of hyper- and hypomethylation, respectively. The model also includes the interaction between Dnmt1 and PCNA, an enzyme that localizes Dnmt1 to the replication complex. Using our model, we predict that the methylation of regions of DNA can be bistable. Further, we predict that recruitment mechanisms maintain methylation in CGIs, whereas the Dnmt1-PCNA interaction maintains methylation in low-density regions.
Eight cylindrical contact lead recordings in the subthalamic region localize beta oscillations source to the dorsal STN.

Abstract Background In Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has prominent oscillatory activity in the beta band, which may be related to the motor symptoms severity. Local field potential (LFP) studies using standard four-contact deep brain stimulation (DBS) leads indicate that the source of beta activity in the STN region is the dorsolateral segment of the nucleus. However, these leads have few contacts outside of the STN, making the source localization of beta activity around the STN region uncertain. Objective This study aimed to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics of the STN and the surrounding area in PD to better locate the source of these oscillations and their clinical relevance. Methods Eight PD patients were bilaterally implanted in the STN with the eight ring-contact DBS lead (Boston Scientific Corporation). LFPs were recorded intra-operatively from each DBS contact in the off medication state at rest. Each contact location was normalized relative to the STN borders based on microelectrode recordings. For each recording, power spectral density was computed, averaged over multiple frequency bands and phase reversal analysis was used to localize the source of oscillatory activity. Beta burst, high-frequency activity (HFA), and phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) were also computed. Neurophysiological signatures were correlated with hemibody symptoms severity and clinical outcomes. Results Beta band power and phase reversal localized the beta oscillator to the dorsal STN and correlated with pre-operative off medication hemibody bradykinesia and rigidity score. The contact along the electrode with the largest beta oscillatory power co-localized with the independently chosen optimized contact used for long-term chronic DBS. Lastly, beta bursting, HFA, and Beta-HFA PAC co-localized with the beta oscillator at the dorsal STN, and Beta-HFA PAC correlated with DBS effect. Conclusions Our findings support the hypothesis that the primary source of beta oscillations is located in dorsal STN, and argue against the alternative hypothesis that beta activity in the STN region arises from volume conduction from other sources. We demonstrate intrinsic STN beta-HFA PAC as an independent marker of DBS effect.
The effect of initial conditions on mixing transition of the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability

We investigate the late-time Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) growth of sinuous perturbations on an air/sulphur hexafluoride interface (Atwood number, (invariants of the reduced velocity gradient tensor), establishing the technique as a useful tool for turbulence detection in two-dimensional diagnostics.
New Baseline Renal Function after Radical or Partial Nephrectomy: A Simple and Accurate Predictive Model.

Purpose:Preoperative estimation of new baseline glomerular filtration rate after partial nephrectomy or radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma has important clinical implications. However, cu...
Do all facial emojis communicate emotion? The impact of facial emojis on perceived sender emotion and text processing

Abstract Facial emojis can express a variety of positive and negative emotions, and are commonly used in digital, written communication. However, little is known about how emojis impact text processing and how different emoji-text combinations give rise to a sender's mental state. In this study, we investigated how facial emojis with positive valence (= happy emojis) and facial emojis with negative valence (= upset emojis) embedded in emotionally ambiguous/neutral text affect the perceived mental state of the sender using ratings (Experiment 1) and the processing of the text messages using Event-Related Potentials (Experiment 2). We predicted that (1) the same text message with happy and upset emojis would convey different sender mental states, and (2) emoji valence would affect the processing of subsequent text in valence-specific ways. Our Experiment 1 results showed that while texts with upset emojis convey specific sender mental states, texts with happy emojis convey positive emotion more generally, with no further differentiation between emojis. In ERPs (Experiment 2), we found that emojis affect subsequent text processing at N400, and emoji valence affects processing downstream at the second word. We concluded that all facial-emojis impact text processing, but happy and upset emojis carry differential social-emotional salience and impact text processing differently when content becomes available.
Ælfric's Letter to the Monks of Eynsham: Critical and editorial history

The LME has won notice chiefly as an ancillary witness to the Regularis concordia , of which it is usually assumed to be a straightforward abridgement, and as a fixed point of reference in discussions of AElfric's identity or the chronology of his career. Otherwise, the text has drawn little attention and has, through a remarkable series of accidents and misunderstandings, often been confused in secondary literature with the Regularis concordia or any of the Latin or Old English reflexes thereof. Lucia Kornexl's survey of the editorial history of the Concordia has laid bare centuries of confusion surrounding that text; only a brief word remains to be said about the implications of this peculiar history for the modern reception of the LME . The earliest reference to AElfric's text occurs on the verso of a parchment flyleaf bound at the beginning of CCCC 265 itself. There a thirteenth-century hand has added a brief table of contents, of which the fifth item is, ‘Epistola Alfrici de consuetudine monachorum’. It is doubtful that this brief title alone accounts for the centuries-long tradition of calling AElfric's customary a ‘letter’, but noteworthy that the inclination antedates modern scholarship. In the sixteenth century the LME caught the attention of Matthew Parker's Latin secretary, John Joscelyn (1529–1603). Joscelyn's annotations occur in portions of CCCC 265, and he may be responsible for a few marginal notes added to the opening pages of the LME .
Seeking Relevance: Toward A Strategic Plan for Political Science

‎ Surveys suggest that in the 1970s most political scientists wished they had chosen a ‎different profession, a true tragedy, as Ricci (1984) writes. We discuss the causes of ‎alienation, but also offer data suggesting that the situation had improved markedly by ‎‎1999. We speculate that this has much to do with a better job market and more realistic ‎expectations about that job market. Nonetheless, all is not well. Both conservative ‎senators and prominent political scientists continue to question the importance of Political ‎Science (e.g., Cohen 1999). The APSA has attempted to increase its relevance by ‎returning to its Progressive roots, attempting to shape public policy in a statist direction. ‎We argue that such attempts will lack empirical power and political legitimacy, and thus ‎will have little impact. Instead, using lenses borrowed from strategic planning and from ‎the public personnel management literature, we argue that our field should build stronger ‎links with the applied world. Second, APSA needs to study and systematize public ‎personnel issues of the field, much as we have already (quite properly) done regarding ‎race and gender issues. Third, we should encourage political debate within the field. This ‎would require valuing political diversity and intellectual flexibility. Finally, to a ‎considerable degree the Political Science niche is that of a prep school for lawyers. This is ‎not the right market for us. Rather, given American voters' remarkable ignorance of the ‎political system, we should take over new markets: undergraduate civic education and the ‎training of secondary social studies teachers. In this way we can, over time, assure both a ‎more rational electorate and our own relevance. ‎
Belief, awareness, and limited reasoning: preliminary report

Several new logics for belief and knowledge are introduced and studied, all of which have the property that agents are not logically omniscient. In particular, in these logics, the set of beliefs of an agent does not necessarily contain all valid formulas. Thus, these logics are more suitable than traditional logics for modelling beliefs of humans (or machines) with limited reasoning capabilities. Our first logic is essentially an extension of Levesque's logic of implicit and explicit belief, where we extend to allow multiple agents and higher-level belief (i.e., beliefs about beliefs). Our second logic deals explicitly with "awareness", where, roughly speaking, it is necessary to be aware of a concept before one can have beliefs about it. Our third logic gives a model of "local reasoning", where an agent is viewed as a "society of minds", each with its own cluster of beliefs, which may contradict each other.
An Integrated System for Simultaneous, Multichannel Neuronal Stimulation and Recording

Precision electronics that provide multi-electrode stimulation and recording capabilities are an important tool for the experimental study of neuronal development and plasticity. Towards this end, we present a custom analog integrated circuit (IC), fabricated in a 0.35-mum process, incorporating stimulation buffers and recording preamplifiers for multiple electrodes onto a single die. The architecture of the IC allows for arbitrary, independent configuration of electrodes for stimulation or recording, and the IC includes artifact-elimination circuitry that returns the stimulation electrode to its previous voltage following stimulation, minimizing the interference with recording. We analyze the thermal noise levels in the recording preamplifiers and experimentally measure input-referred noise as low as 4.77 muVrms in the frequency range of 30 Hz-3 kHz at a power consumption of 100 muW from a total power supply of 3.8 V. We also consider the temporal response and stability of the artifact elimination circuitry. We demonstrate that the use of the artifact-elimination circuitry with a 30-mum diameter stimulation electrode permits a return to recording mode in les 2 ms after stimulation, facilitating near-simultaneous stimulation and recording of neuronal signals. (Patent applied for, U.S. No. 2007/0178579.)
At the Watershed: Preparing for Research Data Management and Stewardship at the University of Minnesota Libraries

Like many research universities, the University of Minnesota (UMN), and its Libraries, attempts to understand the nature and intensity of data produced by its researchers, and address the management and stewardship of its institutional research output. The recent activities of the Libraries, in support of and in conjunction with campus-wide efforts, illustrate a set of approaches that show the Libraries to be at the watershed, integrated into and contributing leadership to the growing river of campus-wide exploration and planning of cyberinfrastructure needs. This brief article highlights the hiring of the "science librarian cohort," the Libraries' study concerning the needs and behaviors of scientific researchers, the implementation of the University Digital Conservancy, the Libraries' involvement in the UMN's Research Cyberinfrastructure Alliance, and its initiation of the e-Science and Data Services Collaborative.
Towards experimental entanglement connection with atomic ensembles in the single excitation regime

We present a protocol for performing entanglement connection between pairs of atomic ensembles in the single excitation regime. Two pairs are prepared in an asynchronous fashion and then connected via a Bell measurement. The resulting state of the two remaining ensembles is mapped to photonic modes and a reduced density matrix is then reconstructed. Our observations confirm for the first time the creation of coherence between atomic systems that never interacted, a first step towards entanglement connection, a critical requirement for quantum networking and long distance quantum communications.
Developing a Scorecard to Assess Global Progress in Scaling Up Diarrhea Control Tools: A Qualitative Study of Academic Leaders and Implementers

Background In 2010, diarrhea caused 0.75 million child deaths, accounting for nearly 12% of all under-five mortality worldwide. Many evidence-based interventions can reduce diarrhea mortality, including oral rehydration solution (ORS), zinc, and improved sanitation. Yet global coverage levels of such interventions remain low. A new scorecard of diarrhea control, showing how different countries are performing in their control efforts, could draw greater attention to the low coverage levels of proven interventions.
Impact of Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies on the Atlantic Tropical Storm Activity and West African Rainfall

Abstract The association between rainfall over the Sahel and Sudan region and tropical storm activity in the Atlantic is examined using the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis and sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) from 1949 to 1998. Evidence indicates that both are influenced by global SSTAs. The SSTA modes generating favorable atmospheric conditions for tropical storms to develop are also in favor of a wet rainfall season in the Sahel and Sudan region. The easterly waves over West Africa become tropical storms only if the atmospheric conditions over the Atlantic are favorable. These conditions are responses to SSTAs. In addition to ENSO, a multidecadal trend mode also plays a role. The positive phase of the trend mode features positive loadings in the North Pacific and the North Atlantic, and negative loadings over the three southern oceans. The positive (negative) phases of both modes are associated with increased (reduced) Atlantic tropical storm activity, and with wet (dry) West African monsoon seasons. The ...
Comparison of subtraction terms in two renormalization schemes

We compare in detail the structure of the subtraction terms of the time-ordered distributions of the BPH-theory and the time-ordered distributions constructed in a previous paper [1]. These distributions are graphwise defined and derived in the framework of an LSZ-theory. We find that the subtraction terms of the ф4-theory are identical in structure, but differ in the regularizations used.
Intrapartum oxytocin use for labor acceleration in rural India

Objective: To examine factors associated with the use of oxytocin for acceleration of labor in women delivered at home in rural India. Method: Quantitative data were collected from 527 women who were delivered at home and qualitative interviews were carried out with 21 mothers and 9 birth attendants. Results: Oxytocin use was associated with higher education and socioeconomic status, primigravidity, and delivery by a traditional birth attendant. Conclusion: Labor acceleration with oxytocin occurs indiscriminately In India. Oxytocin use should be regulated, and training for birth attendants should be provided as well as health education for pregnant women.
SU‐FF‐I‐40: Proton Computed Tomography Reconstruction Using Compressed Sensing and Prior Image Constrained Compressed Sensing

Purpose: To study the feasibility of protoncomputed tomography(CT)reconstruction using compressed sensing (CS) and prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS). ProtonCTimages can be used for pre‐therapy planning, image guidance and registration verification. Method and Materials: Projections of 200 MeV proton beams onto an ellipsoid phantom was simulated using Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit. The position and energy of the entrance and exit protons were recorded. Straight‐line path (SLP) estimation was used to represent proton paths, and simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) with CS was used to reconstruct a protonstopping powerimage for a 2‐mm thick slice of the phantom. PICCS was used to reconstruct the image from highly undersampled data with an accurate and well‐registered prior image. A Gradient transform was used to yield a sparse data set for CS and PICCS. Results: SART with CS reconstructed a 320×320 protonstopping powerimage of the central slice of the phantom after 10 iterations. A proton/pixel ratio of 0.2 is sufficient to reconstruct an image of correct geometry. The average protonstopping power of the reconstructed materials cortical bone, water, and air were found to agree with the expected values from ICRU Report 49 within 8.3%, 0.6%, and 3.8% respectively. Employing a prior image and PICCS in the reconstruction, a proton/pixel ratio as low as 0.05 was found to be sufficient, and the reconstruction time of less than 2 minutes was achieved using a serial algorithm. Reconstruction artifacts in the images were minimal. Conclusion: With CS, or with PICCS plus a prior image, SART can reconstruct a protonCTimage of good quality within minutes. This paves the road to a clinically feasible approach toward low‐dose pre‐proton therapy treatment planning and image guidance using a fast‐reconstructed protonCTimage with a well‐registered kV‐CT prior image.
Regulatory roles of natural antisense transcripts

Mammalian genomes encode numerous natural antisense transcripts, but the function of these transcripts is not well understood. Functional validation studies indicate that antisense transcripts are not a uniform group of regulatory RNAs but instead belong to multiple categories with some common features. Recent evidence indicates that antisense transcripts are frequently functional and use diverse transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulatory mechanisms to carry out a wide variety of biological roles.
Vanadate-based transition-state analog inhibitors of Cre–LoxP recombination

Cre recombinase exchanges DNA strands at the LoxP recognition site via transphosphorylation reactions that involve pentacoordinate transition states. We demonstrate that meta-vanadate ion (VO(3)(-)) and appropriate DNA substrates assemble a transition-state analog-like complex in the Cre active site. Meta-vanadate inhibits recombination of LoxP-derived oligonucleotide substrates that contain a gap at either or both scissile phosphates, but does not inhibit reactions with intact LoxP. The 3(')-hydroxyl group of the gapped substrate is required for inhibition, suggesting that vanadate is ligated by three oxo ligands. Assembly of the inhibited complex is slow (t(1/2)=19min at 4mM NaVO(3)) and requires Cre, substrates, and meta-vanadate. Holliday junction intermediates accumulated at lower meta-vanadate concentrations, suggesting that the second strand exchange is inhibited more readily than the first. The apparent K(D) for meta-vanadate is 1.5-2mM and binding shows positive cooperativity. This methodology may have general application for mechanistic studies of recombinase/topoisomerase-mediated strand exchange reactions.
Role and issues of CCS in long-term sustainable emission reductions and toward sustainable development

Abstract The Copenhagen Accord recognizes the scientific view that the increase in global temperature should be below 2 degrees Celsius, and deep cuts in global emissions are required. According to the Fourth Assessment Report of IPCC, the global emissions in 2050 should be reduced by 50% at least compared to the 2000 level in order to achieve below around 2 degrees Celsius and 450 ppmv- CO2eq.. However, the future improvement over 4% p.a. will be needed to achieve halving global emissions within a few percent of GDP losses, while the historical carbon intensity was improved by 1.2% p.a, There are large gaps between historical trends and the required efforts for such a challenging target. In addition, historical trends indicate that it is very difficult to achieve reductions in primary energy consumptions. Therefore, decarbonization of the energy, i.e., carbon intensity improvement, is indispensable for deep emission cuts. Although the developed countries had some trends of the decarbonization, it is also far from such targets of large emission reductions. De-carbonization technologies of nuclear power, renewable energies and Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) are significant. Most emission reduction scenarios including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report and the International Energy Agency (IEA) show increase in carbon price to advance carbon emissions for the future under the assumptions on sustainable global cooperation for emission reductions. However, It is difficult to sustain global cooperative intention to tackle global warming over 100 years in a real world. The carbon price rather should be decreased in the long-run for sustainable development and sustainable global actions for emission reductions. In addition, historical and currently planed carbon prices of emission trading schemes in many countries are low in the real world, and high carbon prices, particularly explicit prices, are unacceptable politically. CCS development and deployment has risks of intermittent carbon price in near- and mid-term and of carbon price converging zero in long-term. This paper discusses this gap between proposed scenarios assuming ideal world including continuous increase in carbon price and politically acceptable carbon prices in the real world, and outlook of plausible CCS deployment considering the gap.
Analysis of normal and mutant forms of human adenosine deaminase — A review

A deficiency of the enzyme adenosine deaminase is associated with an autosomal recessive form of severe combined immunodeficiency disease in man. The molecular forms of the normal human enzyme have now been well characterized in an effort to better understand the nature of the enzyme defect in affected patients. In some human tissues adenosine deaminase exists predominantly as a small molecular form while in other tissues a large form composed of adenosine deaminase (small form) and an adenosine deaminase-binding protein predominates. The small form of the enzyme purified to homogeneity by antibody affinity chromatography is a monomer of native molecular weight of 37,600. The adenosine deaminase-binding protein, purified by adenosine deaminase affinity chromatography, appears to be a dimer of native molecular weight 213,000 and contains carbohydrate. Based on direct binding measurements, chemical cross-linking studies and sedimentation equilibrium analyses, small form adenosine deaminase has been shown to combine with purified binding protein in a molar ratio of 2:1 respectively to produce the large form adenosine deaminase. Reduced, but widely ranging levels of adenosine deaminating activity, have been reported in various tissues of adenosine deaminase deficient patients. Further, the characteristics of this residual enzyme activity have been analyzed immunochemically to substantiate genetic heterogeneity in this disorder. While many types of immunodeficiency are currently recognized in man, in most cases the molecular defect is unknown. The discovery of a deficiency of the enzyme, adenosine deaminase, ADA, (EC 3.5.4.4), in some patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease represented an early clue to the pathogenesis of immune dysfunction at the molecular level 1-4. Affected patients with markedly reduced levels of ADA exhibit a defect of both cellular and humoral immunity characterized clinically by severe recurrent infections with a fatal outcome if untreated. Attempts to elucidate the nature of the genetic mutation(s) leading to the reduction of ADA activity in these immunodeficient patients have been complicated in part by an incomplete understanding of the nature of ADA in normal tissues. In this review we will consider the structural characteristics of the normal and mutant forms of ADA as they are currently understood.
Third-order correlation function and ghost imaging of chaotic thermal light in the photon counting regime

In a near-field three-photon correlation measurement, we observed the third-order temporal and spatial correlation functions of chaotic thermal light in the single-photon counting regime. In the study, we found that the probability of jointly detecting three randomly radiated photons from a chaotic thermal source by three individual detectors is 6 times greater if the photodetection events fall in the coherence time and coherence area of the radiation field than if they do not. From the viewpoint of quantum mechanics, the observed phenomenon is the result of three-photon interference. By making use of this property, we measured the three-photon thermal light lensless ghost image of a double spot and achieved higher visibility compared with the two-photon thermal light ghost image.
Predictors of Quantitative and Qualitative Halstead Finger-Tapping Scores in Low Socioeconomic Status School-Age Children

Two hundred and thirteen low socioeconomic school-age children in grades 1 through 8 were administered the Halstead Finger Oscillation (or Tapping) Test (HFTT). All children were age appropriate for their grade in school and were not requiring special education services. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that a composite age/grade classification score, gender, and estimated level of intelligence accounted for approximately 40% of the variability in dominant and nondominant hand scores for these children (multiple R = .627, R 2 = +.393 for the dominant and multiple R = +.607, R 2 = +.368 for the nondominant hand). Only the age/grade level of the child (R 2 = .168) predicted the ability to inhibit adjacent finger movements when performing the HFTT task. Regional normative data for low socioeconomic school-age children are presented. Neurodevelopmental changes in the cortical and subcortical systems underlying finger movement may account for some of the variability observed in children when ...
Recombinant rabbit tryptophan hydroxylase is a substrate for cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Abstract A full-length cDNA clone for rabbit tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) was modified and subcloned into a bacterial expression vector. Expression of this gene in the protease-deficient strain of bacteria, BL21[DE3], produced TPH immunoreactive protein which exhibited enzyme activity. Treatment of the recombinant enzyme (in bacterial extracts) with the purified catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase and [ y - 32 P]-ATP resulted in specific phosphorylation of TPH. This expression system provides a means of generating and purifying large amounts of this important enzyme. Moreover, these experiments establish that TPH will serve as an in vitro substrate for cAMP-dependent protein kinase.
PKM2 and the Tricky Balance of Growth and Energy in Cancer

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Lv et al. (2011) identify a novel feedback mechanism in which increased glycolysis induces the acetylation and chaperone-mediated autophagic degradation of the glycolytic regulator PKM2, revealing a novel metabolic feedback loop that drives tumor growth.
Enzymatic sulfation of bile salts: III. Enzymatic sulfation of taurolithocholate in human and guinea pig fetuses and adults

Abstract The activities of bile salt sulfotransferase, the enzyme responsible for the sulfation of bile salts, were determined in fetal and adult livers of humans and guinea pigs. Fetal enzyme activities in guinea pigs were approximately one-tenth of the adult and increased gradually as the gestation progressed. The bile salt sulfotransferase activities were found in human fetal livers but only 14% of the adult fatty liver activity. The result indicates human or guinea pig fetuses are capable of sulfating lithocholate derived from the mother.
When resources don't rescue: flowering phenology and species interactions affect compensation to herbivory in Ipomopsis aggregata

The ability of plants to tolerate, or compensate for, herbivore damage is highly variable and has been the subject of much research. Although many plants can compensate for herbivore damage, and some even overcompensate, we cannot yet generalize about the conditions that promote a positive response to damage. Here, we asked how abiotic resources (i.e. plant nutrient status) coupled with biotic interactions – i.e. subsequent interactions with pollinators, seed predators and nectar robbing bumble bees – affect the compensatory ability of Ipomopsis aggregata, a monocarpic herb that has been the subject of much previous debate. We hypothesized that compensation to herbivore damage in I. aggregata (Polemoniaceae) would depend first on plants having an ample supply of resources and, second, on the outcome of subsequent interactions with mutualist pollinators and enemy pre-dispersal seed predators and nectar robbing bumble bees. We used a fully-factorial experiment in which plants were watered, fertilized or left as unmanipulated controls, crossed with clipping to simulate herbivore damage to the apical meristem. Resource addition enhanced both male and female components of fitness, but resource enhancement did not provide the means for plants to fully compensate for simulated herbivory. Clipped plants produced significantly more inflorescences, but at the expense of a delay in flowering and fewer total flowers. Clipping significantly reduced losses to dipteran pre-dispersal seed predators by delaying flowering time, but early flowering plants produced higher numbers of seeds despite incurring higher rates of predation. Clipped plants incurred a higher risk to nectar robbers in one of two years. Overall, clipped plants suffered severe reductions (a nearly 50% reduction in total seed set) in female success, but clipping combined with nutrient addition enhanced male function through increases in per-flower pollen production. However, because clipped plants produced significantly fewer flowers than unclipped plants, whole-plant pollen production was significantly reduced by clipping. Pollinator visitation and nectar robbing were variable between clipping treatments and between years and (nectar robbing) among sites. Our results demonstrate that the variability in plant response to herbivory can, at least in part, be driven by plant interactions with mutualists and enemies. Thus, accounting for such interactions and their variability is important to fully understanding plant compensation for herbivore damage and will likely go far to explain variation in plant response that appears to be independent of resources.
Child sexual abuse prevention programs: do they decrease the occurrence of child sexual abuse?

Abstract Objective: The primary goal of the current study was to determine whether rates of child sexual abuse differed among undergraduate women who either had or had not participated in a sexual abuse prevention program during childhood. A secondary goal was to determine whether differences emerged in sexual satisfaction or avoidance of sexual activity between those women who had or had not participated in such a program. Method: Eight hundred and twenty-five women undergraduates from a New England state university filled out a survey on “sexual experiences” for research credit. Respondents were asked detailed questions regarding past histories of child sexual abuse and participation in school-based prevention programs during childhood. Additionally, they responded to questions about their current sexual satisfaction and sexual behaviors. Results: Sixty-two percent of the sample reported having participated in a “good touch-bad touch” sexual abuse prevention program in school. Eight percent of respondents who reported ever having had a prevention program also reported having been subsequently sexually abused, compared to 14% of respondents who did not ever have a prevention program. No differences were found in adult sexual satisfaction or on behavioral measures of sexual activity between those respondents who had and had not participated in a prevention program. Conclusions: This is the first study to find that school-based child sexual abuse prevention programs are associated with a reduced incidence of child sexual abuse. Additionally, contrary to concerns voiced in the literature, there was no evidence that prevention programs are associated with decreased sexual satisfaction or avoidance of sex in adulthood. Implications of the results for further study are discussed.
Use of orthogonal or parallel plating techniques to treat distal humerus fractures

Distal humerus fractures continue to be a complex fracture to treat. This article describes two surgical techniques that can be used to tackle these difficult fractures: Parallel plating and orthogonal plating. Both techniques have yielded excellent outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation; yet each has its own set of unique considerations. However, the key to successful treatment of these difficult fractures regardless of technique remains obtaining anatomic reduction with stable fixation and the implementation of early motion.
Food‐derived polyphenols inhibit pancreatic cancer growth through mitochondrial cytochrome C release and apoptosis

There is increasing evidence that food-derived polyphenols have a beneficial effect for cancers. Our purpose was to determine the effect and mechanism of action of these compounds on pancreatic cancer. We measured effects of quercetin on pancreatic cancer in a nude mouse model. We also investigated the effects of quercetin, rutin, trans-resveratrol and genistein on apoptosis and underlying signaling in pancreatic carcinoma cells in vitro. Quercetin decreased primary tumor growth, increased apoptosis and prevented metastasis in a model of pancreatic cancer. In vitro quercetin and trans-resveratrol, but not rutin, markedly enhanced apoptosis, causing mitochondrial depolarization and cytochrome c release followed by caspase-3 activation. In addition, the effect of a combination of quercetin and trans-resveratrol on mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activity was greater than the expected additive response. The inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition prevented cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation and apoptosis caused by polyphenols. Nuclear factor-kappa B activity was inhibited by quercetin and trans-resveratrol, but not genistein, indicating that this transcription factor is not the only mediator of the polyphenols' effects on apoptosis. The results suggest that food-derived polyphenols inhibit pancreatic cancer growth and prevent metastasis by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in cytochrome c release, caspase activation and apoptosis.
Identifying Adverse Drug Events from Patient Social Media: A Case Study for Diabetes

Patient social media sites have emerged as major platforms for discussion of treatments and drug side effects, making them a promising source for listening to patients' voices in adverse drug event reporting. However, extracting patient reports from social media continues to be a challenge in health informatics research. In light of the need for more robust extraction methods, the authors developed a novel information extraction framework for identifying adverse drug events from patient social media. They also conducted a case study on a major diabetes patient social media platform to evaluate their framework's performance. Their approach achieves an f-measure of 86 percent in recognizing discussion of medical events and treatments, an f-measure of 69 percent for identifying adverse drug events, and an f-measure of 84 percent in patient report extraction. Their proposed methods significantly outperformed prior work in extracting patient reports of adverse drug events in health social media.
Eeg Concomitants of Hypnotic Susceptibility

Abstract Numerous historical attempts have been directed at understanding eledrocortical concomitants of hypnosis. Today, with the availability of more sophisticated multichannel recording technologies and signal-processing approaches, it is possible to reconsider and update previous attempts. The most solid relationship between electro-cortical activity and hypnotizability exists in the EEG theta frequency range. Given the stable eledrocortical differences found in high and low susceptible individuals, the question arises whether we can use additional EEG measures to help understand the nature of these individual differences. One possible alternative is the pointwise or fractal dimension, which we examined during baseline conditions with high and low hypnotic susceptible individuals. The dimensionality measures suggest that high susceptible individuals display underlying brain patterns associated with imagery, whereas low susceptible individuals show patterns consistent with cognitive activity (i.e., men...
Mechanisms of Purifying Amoebae by Migration on Agar Surfaces

SYNOPSIS. Purification by migration on solid agar plates was studied with a small soil amoeba, Acanthamoeba sp., and a large fresh-water amoeba, Amoeba proteus. Purification seems accomplished largely by two mechanisms: egestion and attrition of contaminating organisms. Digestion may also play a role but probably is less important. The migration method is applicable to motile forms of the two amoebae which differ greatly in volume and motility. Therefore the method may be of potential value in purifying many species. Modifications which should extend the usefulness of the method are considered.
Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide–nickel nanocomposites for urea electrolysis

Abstract Urea has been demonstrated as a stable, non-toxic, and non-flammable hydrogen carrier for long-term sustainable energy supply. Electrocatalytic oxidation using nickel catalysts has been used as an effective approach for hydrogen production via urea electrolysis. In this work, graphene–nickel nanocomposites were synthesized through one-step electrochemical reduction process and developed as electrocatalysts for hydrogen production through urea electro-oxidation. The graphene–nickel nanocomposites diminished the surface blockage effect observed with other catalysts during the oxidation of urea, and enhanced the current density of this reaction. The improved electrochemical performance of the urea electrolysis process using graphene–nickel nanocomposites as the electrocatalysts shows potential for future applications in hydrogen production and fuel cells.
Female-Specific Induction of Rat Pituitary Dentin Matrix Protein-1 by GnRH

Hypothalamic GnRH is the primary regulator of reproduction in vertebrates, acting via the G protein-coupled GnRH receptor (GnRHR) in pituitary gonadotrophs to control synthesis and release of gonadotropins. To identify elements of the GnRHR-coupled gene network, GnRH was applied in a pulsatile manner for 6 hours to a mixed population of perifused pituitary cells from cycling females, mRNA was extracted, and RNA sequencing analysis was performed. This revealed 83 candidate-regulated genes, including a large number coding for secreted proteins. Most notably, GnRH induces a greater than 600-fold increase in expression of dentin matrix protein-1 (Dmp1), one of five members of the small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoprotein gene family. The Dmp1 response is mediated by the GnRHR, not elicited by other hypothalamic releasing factors, and is approximately 20-fold smaller in adult male pituitary cells. The sex-dependent Dmp1 response is established during the peripubertal period and independent of the dev...
American neuroborreliosis presenting as cranial polyneuritis and radiculoneuritis.

Lyme disease is a tickborne illness caused primarily by Borrelia burgdorferi in the United States. CNS involvement typically manifests as 1 or a combination of 3 classic syndromes: meningitis, radiculoneuritis, and cranial neuritis. While facial nerve involvement represents about 80% of cranial neuritis in Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), other cranial nerves may also be individually involved; however, multiple cranial nerve involvement is unusual. We report a case of LNB with simultaneous involvement of the third, fifth, sixth, and seventh cranial nerves in addition to cervical and thoracic radiculoneuritis.