cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Etiology of Human Papilloma Virus Infections and the Development of Anal Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions

The human papilloma virus is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Long standing infections may develop when the virus is able to elude immune surveillance. In a minority of patients this may lead to chronic inflammation and an increased risk of developing anal malignancy. This risk is particularly pronounced in immunocompromised patients.
Enzyme-linked monoclonal antibody microstructured optical fiber monitor

A solid-core photonic crystal fiber (SC-PCF) with a microstructured all-silica steering wheel lattice containing a 3 μm diameter core is used to identify dye-free enzyme-linked monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of very small volumes <0.1uL for concentrations ranging from 0.1mg/mL to 10-12 mg/mL. The samples used in this study are mAbs, which are useful in detecting the presence of the botulism toxin. Human IgG antibodies (Southern Biotech Inc.) served as the “coating” antibody to detect an enzyme-linked mAb (Southern Biotech Inc.) - the “antigen”. The spectra for mAb samples linked with enzymes were compared to control samples without enzymes and conventional ELISA measurements. The SC-PCF at lengths 1m and 0.5m were filled with ~ 0.008 μL of each sample was coupled with a broadband LED light source with emission peaks in the 1280-1700 nm range. Absorption characteristics associated with these mAbs were measured using a standard optical spectrum analyzer. Spectra were collected for control antibody samples, enzyme-linked antibody and a third sample of a mixture of both antibodies. The measured spectra for the samples with varied concentrations were consistent with conventional ELISA measurements. Limitations due to bend loss were also investigated. A compact, real-time sensor based on this dye-free technology has the potential to benefit water quality monitoring, drug manufacturing and food quality control.
Informed consent documents for BRCA1 and BRCA2 screening: how large is the readability gap?

Abstract The decision to undergo testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, which are associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, can have long-term consequences on women’s lives. Women who decide to undergo such testing are required to sign informed consent documents, which indicate that they understand the test and its risks and benefits. These documents are generally written for advanced-level readers. However, the reading abilities of many women are substantially lower than the level of the consent forms, resulting in a ‘readability gap’. This disparity suggests that women may not fully understand the documents they are asked to sign. The ‘readability gap’ poses the serious issues about informed consent, raising questions about institutional review boards and the effectiveness of the documents that are currently in use.
Surgery for focal cortical dysplasia

Interest in surgery for focal cortical dysplasia has grown with the enhanced ability to detect these lesions preoperatively with modern imaging techniques. This article focuses on the surgical management of epilepsy associated with focal cortical dysplasia. The authors highlight the approaches practiced at Yale University, review their recent series of operative cases, and discuss a representative case example to illustrate important aspects of surgical strategy.
Solution of the Hartree-Fock first-order equation for the helium atom

The first-order equation for the ground state of the helium atom has been solved numerically. The perturbation energies and several one-electron properties are presented and compared to variational results. Since the method is not variational, the first-order solutions for excited states can be obtained easily with this approach.
An anti-ferroelectric gated Landau transistor to achieve sub-60 mV/dec switching at low voltage and high speed

Landau field effect transistors promise to lower the power-dissipation of integrated circuits (ICs) by reducing the subthreshold swing (S) below the Boltzmann limit of 60 mV/dec. The key idea is to replace the classical gate insulator with dielectrics that exhibit negative capacitance (NC) associated with double-well energy landscape, for example, ferroelectrics (FE), air-gap capacitors, or a combination thereof. Indeed, S is dramatically reduced, constrained only by the limits of hysteresis-free operation. Unfortunately, the following limitations apply (i) the need for capacitance matching constrains steep S only to the small subthreshold region for FE based negative capacitance field effect transistor (NCFET) and requires an insulator too thick for sub-20 nm scaling; (ii) the kinetics of mechanical switching for airgap based NCFET obviate high-speed operation; and (iii) the lattice mismatch between the substrate and the dielectric makes defect-free integration difficult. In this article, we demonstrate ...
Dependence of Post-Stable Fluidelastic Behavior on the Degrees of Freedom of a Tube Bundle

Abstract Several experimental studies of fluidelastic instability in tube bundles have revealed the existence of post-stable hysteresis behavior. The objective of the present study was to determine the dependence of this behavior on the number of degrees of freedom of the bundle. We tested two different bundle geometries in air cross-flow. We controlled both the number of flexible tubes in the bundle and, using highly asymmetric beams, the number of degrees of freedom per flexible tube. We also varied tube mass within the mass-damping parameter range of mδ/pd2 = 1·9?23, and we varied the number of tube rows upstream of the flexible tubes of interest. We found that a dominant tube typically controls the fluidelastic instability and post-stable behavior of a fully flexible bundle. Furthermore, a single-degree-of-freedom system (a tube constrained to move transverse to the flow) can display similar post-stable behavior as that of the entire bundle. Thus, for the arrays investigated, the fluidelastic mechanism requires neither fluid coupling between tubes nor coupling between streamwise and transverse motion of a single tube to generate hysteresis. However, the exact details of the post-stable behavior (e.g., hysteresis effects, limit cycle amplitudes) depend quite strongly on array misalignment and the number of upstream tube rows. Amplitude-dependent dampimg measurements reported here suggest that finite limit cycles result from fluidelastic, not structural, nonlinearity. Also, transient excitation tests indicate that turbulence may be substantially more likely than previously thought to excite instability of an array operating just inside a hysteresis region. For broad hysteresis regions, such reductions in critical velocity are as significant to heat-exchange design as array pitch and pattern effects. The present work suggests that a nonlinear, single-degree-of-freedom model would be a good first step towards their prediction.
Gamma-radiation-induced degradation of actively pumped single-mode ytterbium-doped optical fibers

The integration of optical components into the digital processing units of satellite subsystems has the potential to remove interconnect bottlenecks inherent to the volume, mass, complexity, reliability and crosstalk issues of copper-based interconnects. Assuming on-board high-bandwidth communications will utilize passive optical fibers as a communication channel, this work investigates the impact of gamma irradiation from a Co-60 source on both passive optical fibers and ytterbium-doped single-mode fibers operated as amplifiers for a 1060-nm light source. Standard optical patch cables were evaluated along with active Yb-doped double-clad fibers. Varied exposure times and signal transmission wavelengths were used to investigate the degradation of the fibers exposed to total doses above 100 krad (Si). The effect on the amplified signal gain was studied for the Yb-doped fibers. The increased attenuation in the fibers across a broad wavelength range in response to multiple levels of gamma radiation exposure along with the effect that the increased attenuation has on the actively pumped Yb-doped fiber amplifier performance, is discussed.
The logic of success

Etude du probleme de la verification, de la justification et de la confirmation de l'hypothese, a la lumiere du paradigme relationnel de la philosophie des sciences traditionnelle. Adoptant une epistemologie computationnelle, l'A. examine les notions de sous determination, scheme conceptuel, revolution et defaisaibilite, d'une part, et evalue la these de Church face au probleme de Hume, d'autre part.
Effects of vessel compliance on flow pattern in porcine epicardial right coronary arterial tree

The compliance of the vessel wall affects hemodynamic parameters which may alter the permeability of the vessel wall. Based on experimental measurements, the present study established a finite element (FE) model in the proximal elastic vessel segments of epicardial right coronary arterial (RCA) tree obtained from computed tomography. The motion of elastic vessel wall was measured by an impedance catheter and the inlet boundary condition was measured by an ultrasound flow probe. The Galerkin FE method was used to solve the Navier-Stokes and Continuity equations, where the convective term in the Navier-Stokes equation was changed in the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) framework to incorporate the motion due to vessel compliance. Various hemodynamic parameters (e.g., wall shear stress-WSS, WSS spatial gradient-WSSG, oscillatory shear index-OSI) were analyzed in the model. The motion due to vessel compliance affects the time-averaged WSSG more strongly than WSS at bifurcations. The decrease of WSSG at flow divider in elastic bifurcations, as compared to rigid bifurcations, implies that the vessel compliance decreases the permeability of vessel wall and may be atheroprotective. The model can be used to predict coronary flow pattern in subject-specific anatomy as determined by noninvasive imaging.
The Diagnosis of Deep-Vein Thrombosis: An Application of Decision Analysis

Using information from the medical literature on the accuracy and complications of diagnostic tests and therapy, a decision-analysis model is developed and used to evaluate alternative diagnostic strategies for deep-vein thrombosis. With the help of an integrated computer-software package, the probability of death or major complication of different diagnostic strategies is computed, and the strategies exhibiting the least morbidity and mortality are identified. The sensitivity of the results to changes in the parameters of the model are explored. The work provides surprising insights into the role of diagnostic tests.
The effect of potential emigration on the optimal linear income tax

Abstract This paper amends a standard model of optimal linear income taxation to allow individuals to escape taxation by migrating. The income tax is used only to redistribute income in this model. It is found that, if individuals with low and high ability levels are prevented from migrating, then the optimal marginal tax and poll subsidy increase. But preventing migration at ability levels in some intermediate interval lowers the optimal marginal tax.
Interpretation and Implementation of Good Publication Practice

Publication of clinical trial results in medical journals helps to inform the medical community of the efficacy and safety data available for new and existing drugs. However, publications reporting industry-sponsored research often undergo intense scrutiny and criticism. To ensure that these publications are developed in an ethical and scientifically rigorous manner, it is essential for companies to follow good publication practices. We review the various available guidelines that relate to preparing and publishing clinical research results, explore interpretations of the guidelines, and suggest ways to apply the principles from these guidelines to the publication development process.
Hydrolysis of permethrin by pyrethroid esterases from resistant and susceptible strains of Amblyseius fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract Pyrethroid-hydrolyzing activity in whole body homogenates of three insecticide-resistant and one susceptible strain of the predator mite, Amblyseius fallacis Garman has been examined in vitro . The highest esterase activity was found in the synthetic pyrethroid-resistant GH-1 strain body homogenate. All three pyrethroid-resistant strains had esterases that hydrolyzed trans -permethrin two times faster than cis -permethrin but isomer specificity was not observed in the susceptible strain. The pyrethroid esterases of the GH-1 strain were very sensitive to inhibition by dichlorovos, S,S,S -tributhylphosphorotrithioate, and 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanone. Carbaryl and tetraethylpyrophosphate exhibited moderate inhibition in the GH-1 strain. Eserine sulfate and piperonyl butoxide only inhibited permethrin hydrolysis at higher concentrations. Fifteen esterase bands were resolved from body homogenates by gradient gel electrophoresis in the GH-1 strain, and were identified as carboxylesterases. The major pyrethroid-hydrolyzing activity was located in E5–E12 bands from GH-1 and composite susceptible strain esterases. Six esterase bands exhibiting low pyrethroid-hydroloyzing activity were also obtained from the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch).
Reply to van de Sandt and Rimmelzwaan: Matching epitope display with functional avidity

We appreciate the comments of van de Sandt and Rimmelzwaan (1) on our paper (2), as well as the opportunity to respond.
The assignment of the resonances of the backbone amide protons of arginine vasopressin and gramicidin S in D2O by decoupling during exchange

The resonances of six of the seven backbone amide protons of [8-arginine]vasopressin (AVP) and of all four nonequivalent backbone amide protons of gramicidin S (GS) in D2O were assigned by decoupling of the amide protons from their respective vicinal Cα protons while exchange of the amide protons for deuterons was occurring. The simple pulsed Fourier transform method involving only a (π/2-FID) sequence of pulses was used. This method of assigning resonances of exchangeable protons is termed on-the-fly decoupling. Values for the chemical shifts of the amide protons (δNH) and for the coupling constants between vicinal amide and Cα protons of AVP in D2O are shown to be quite similar to the corresponding ones previously published for [8-lysine]vasopressin in H2O at a slightly different acidity and temperature [J. D. Glickson, D. W. Urry, and R. Walter, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 69, 2566 (1972)]. Values for the δNHS of GS in D2O are shown to be quite similar to the corresponding ones previously published for this peptide in CH3OH at the same temperature [D. W. Urry, in “The Enzymes of Biological Membranes” (A. Martonosi, Ed.), Vol. 1, pp. 31–69, Plenum, New York, 1976]. It is concluded that on-the-fly decoupling can be used to assign resonances of exchangeable protons in compounds dissolved at millimolar concentrations in solvents with exchangeable deuterons and that the spectral simplification that results when signals from rapidly exchanging protons are not observed may be advantageous.
Fecundity, longevity and caloric patterns in female Heliothis virescens: Changes with age due to flight and supplemental carbohydrate

Abstract Bomb calorimetry, survivorship and fecundity analysis of female moths indicated that feeding on 5% sucrose reduces the impact of flight activity on longevity and oviposition. Flight has only a slight to moderate effect on longevity or reproductive capacity in fed females; but in unfed females, flight significantly decreased longevity and fecundity. By comparisons to unfed or unflown females, it is concluded that female moths use lipids as the primary flight fuel prior to the initiation of oviposition. Once oviposition begins the female increases its usage of carbohydrates as the flight fuel. Older females which are unable to obtain nectar cannot maintain their flight capacity, resulting in decreased reproductive potential. Therefore, nectar quantity, quality, and likelihood of availability can be important factors determining moth longevity and reproductive and flight capacities in the field.
Factors that influence the advisement of nursing students regarding baccalaureate completion: associate degree nursing faculty perceptions

Associate degree nursing faculty engage in career advisement. This article describes research regarding faculty perceptions of factors that influence their advisement of students to matriculate in baccalaureate degree completion programs. Study participants reported a belief that given adequate support and a period of recuperation, graduates were well prepared to educationally advance. In addition, the degree to which linkages had been established with baccalaureate completion programs influenced advisement strategies. Furthermore, faculty described a moral obligation to advise students based on a perceived relationship that was uniquely collegial. Recommendations focus on intentional strategies to support students' educational continuation.
Institutional and Individual Research Productivity in Five Nominated Multicultural Psychology Journals.

Research productivity was examined across 5 highly nominated multicultural psychology journals. This yielded a ranking of 40 highly productive institutions and individuals between 1994 and 2007. The results are potentially useful in beginning to track trends in the publication of multicultural psychology studies in research journals. Methodological and interpretational limitations are discussed. Se examino la productividad de las investigaciones publicadas en 5 renombradas revistas de psicologia multicultural. Esto dio como resultado un ranking de 40 instituciones e individuos altamente productivos entre 1994 y 2007. Los resultados son potencialmente utiles para empezar a rastrear tendencias en la publicacion de estudios de psicologia multicultural en revistas de investigacion. Tambien se discuten las limitaciones metodologicas y de interpretacion.
Anonymity of Memory-Limited Chaum Mixes Under Timing Analysis: An Information Theoretic Perspective

Anonymous communication, where users communicate without revealing the identities of communicating parties or the paths of data flow is critical in data networks. On the Internet, Chaum mixes, intermediate nodes, or proxy servers, which use layered encryption and packet shuffling methods to hide source identities, are used to provide anonymity to network users. In this paper, an information theoretic framework is developed to study the maximum anonymity achievable by packet shuffling when the mixes are memory limited—in other words, they can store a finite number of packets. Using the Shannon entropy of the a posteriori distribution of packet sources from an eavesdropper’s perspective as the measure of anonymity, the maximum achievable anonymity of a single mix with buffer size $b$ (packets) serving two independent Poisson sources with equal arrival rates is shown to be $\log \big [2\cos \big (\frac {\pi }{b+3}\big )\big ]$ . For a general multiuser system, the maximum anonymity as buffer size $b\rightarrow \infty $ is shown to approach the entropy of the source arrival probabilities at a convergence rate no lesser than ${1}/{b^{2}}$ . When the arrival probabilities of the general multiuser system can be expressed as a rational fraction ${k}/{2^{n}}$ for some fixed $n$ , this convergence rate is shown to be achievable. The anonymity analysis is extended to a general network of mixes connecting the sources to a common destination, where the source anonymity achievable on the destination link is shown to be lower bounded by a weighted sum of the anonymity achievable by each individual mix.
The measurement of instantaneous heat transfer coefficients around the circumference of a tube immersed in a high temperature fluidized bed

Abstract Instantaneous and time-averaged local heat transfer coefficients are obtained for an immersed heat transfer tube in a high temperature (900 K) fluidized bed. Surface temperature measurements are made by very fine ribbon thermocouples circumferentially located 120° around the surface of the immersed tube. Surface temperature measurements are converted to local instantaneous heat transfer coefficients by solving the conduction equation for the tube wall. Results from this work are compared to previous work in fluidized beds.
Rural-urban comparisons of nursing home residents with multiple sclerosis.

Context Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurologic disease that disables younger adults, affecting as many as 350,000 Americans. Purpose The objectives of this study are to develop profiles of nursing home residents with MS from rural areas and compare them to residents with MS who lived in urban areas, suburban areas, and large towns. Methods We analyzed all admission assessments for residents with MS (13,357 assessments) in the Minimum Data Set between June 23, 1998, and December 31, 2000, that also had the resident's ZIP code of primary residence before admission. Findings Urban and rural comparisons of residents with MS demonstrate a range of significant demographic differences. Significantly greater proportions of MS residents from rural areas exhibited a sense of initiative or involvement in activities of the nursing facility compared with residents with MS from urban and suburban areas. The differences in the utilization of physical and occupational therapies were striking, with MS residents from rural areas averaging significantly fewer minutes of these therapies. We also found that MS residents from rural areas averaged fewer minutes of psychological therapy in the nursing facility and also were less likely to have seen a licensed mental health specialist than MS residents from urban areas. Conclusions Nursing home residents with MS from rural areas receive fewer therapies and less mental health care than residents with MS from other areas.
Examination of oxygen vacancy formation in Mn-doped CeO2 (111) using DFT+U and the hybrid functional HSE06

MnOx–CeOx mixed oxide systems exhibit interesting sulfur adsorption capacities and catalytic activity. We examined the electronic structure of Mn-doped fluorite CeO2 bulk solid and surface using density functional theory (DFT) with the Hubbard U term or the Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof (HSE06) hybrid functional. We specifically evaluate the reducibility and formation energies of Mn-doped CeO2 surfaces. The use of a U value on the d-states of Mn is examined, and a value of 4 eV is chosen based upon results from DFT+U calculations on bulk MnOx,1 XANES characterization of oxidation states in calcined and reduced Mn-doped CeO2, and comparison with HSE06 hybrid functional results. Electronic structure impacts of the U inclusion are discussed. The concentration and orientation of Mn atoms doped into the surface of CeO2 have a great influence on the reducibility of the surface. Based upon formation energies, Mn will not favor doping into the surface of CeO2 in a fully oxidized system (Mn4+). Under reducing environmen...
NEGOTIATED INTERACTION IN TARGET LANGUAGE CLASSROOM DISCOURSE. Jamila Boulima. Amsterdam: Benjamins, 1999. Pp. xiv + 338. $79.00 cloth.

The topic of this book, part of a new series published by Benjamins entitled Pragmatics and beyond, is negotiated interaction. It begins with a lengthy introduction to the subject matter, and then presents an empirical study of negotiated interaction in English as a foreign language classrooms in Morocco. The first two chapters (a third of the text) seek to operationalize interaction and define the role of negotiated interaction in second language acquisition (SLA). These chapters are useful in the sense that they provide a fairly comprehensive review of the literature prior to 1991. However, the field has come a long way since that time, and a decade of crucial work is missing from this 1999 book.
High-order triangle-based discontinuous Galerkin methods for hyperbolic equations on a rotating sphere

High-order triangle-based discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods for hyperbolic equations on a rotating sphere are presented. The DG method can be characterized as the fusion of finite elements with finite volumes. This DG formulation uses high-order Lagrange polynomials on the triangle using nodal sets up to 15th order. The finite element-type area integrals are evaluated using order 2N Gauss cubature rules. This leads to a full mass matrix which, unlike for continuous Galerkin (CG) methods such as the spectral element (SE) method presented in Giraldo and Warburton [A nodal triangle-based spectral element method for the shallow water equations on the sphere, J. Comput. Phys. 207 (2005) 129-150], is small, local and efficient to invert. Two types of finite volume-type flux integrals are studied: a set based on Gauss-Lobatto quadrature points (order 2N-1) and a set based on Gauss quadrature points (order 2N). Furthermore, we explore conservation and advection forms as well as strong and weak forms. Seven test cases are used to compare the different methods including some with scale contractions and shock waves. All three strong forms performed extremely well with the strong conservation form with 2N integration being the most accurate of the four DG methods studied. The strong advection form with 2N integration performed extremely well even for flows with shock waves. The strong conservation form with 2N-1 integration yielded results almost as good as those with 2N while being less expensive. All the DG methods performed better than the SE method for almost all the test cases, especially for those with strong discontinuities. Finally, the DG methods required less computing time than the SE method due to the local nature of the mass matrix.
Well ordered polymer melts from blends of disordered triblock copolymer surfactants and functional homopolymers

Addition of a functional homopolymer induces disorder-to-order transition in commercially available Pluronic surfactant melts. This approach may facilitate the use of amphiphilic surfactants in the industrial fabrication of structured nanomaterials.
Ornithine decarboxylase, fatty acid synthetase, and lipid levels in selected organs of the postnatal developing male miniature pig

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) activities were determined in tissues from male neonate and juvenile miniature swine (Hormel-Hanford strain) at various ages. ODC activity was measured in liver, brain, kidney, pancreas, and spleen at one day and at 1, 4, 8, 12 and between 24 and 32 weeks. Hepatic FAS activity, total lipid, triglyceride, and total cholesterol were measured at 2, 8, 16, and 32 weeks. Generally, tissue ODC activity was highest in the spleen at all ages. Three postnatal patterns of ODC activity were observed for the different organs. The mean values of FAS activity, total lipid, and cholesterol were highest at 8 weeks compared to other sampling periods.
A Rapid in vitro Screening System for the Identification and Evaluation of Anticancer Drugs

We report the development of an in vitro screening system that can be used to identify new anticancer drugs that are specifically cytotoxic for dividing cells. The screening system takes advantage of the potential of many cell lines, including tumor cells, to stop dividing when they are plated at high cell density. The cytotoxic effects of anticancer drugs on dividing (i.e., cells plated at low cell density) and nondividing cells (i.e., cells plated at high cell density) is measured by the incorporation of 51Cr. This in vitro system was evaluated by measuring the cytotoxic effects of the anticancer drugs cisplatin, thiotepa, doxorubicin, methotrexate, and vinblastine on the cell lines B/C-N, ME-180, and MCF-7. In this in vitro system the concentrations of the anticancer drugs that produced significant cytotoxicity on only dividing cells are similar to the concentrations that are used clinically. The fact that this in vitro system is rapid, simple, applicable to many cell types, and able to predict effective concentrations of anticancer drugs should make it useful for the screening of new anticancer drugs and for the design of preclinical studies.
Women's work participation and fertility in metropolitan areas

This report examines the hypothesis that a high rate of participation of women in the labor force tends to reduce birth rates in a community. Among metropolitan areas in eight countries about 1950 the proportion of women working was negatively correlated with the child-woman ratio. This relationship held even when the percentage of women married was controlled by partial correlation. Among metropolitan areas of the United States in 1960, women's work participation was negatively associated with various measures of fertility. This was true for eight categories of women grouped by color and age. Further, communities wit?' high levels of female employment tended to have both low proportions of married women and low marital fertility. On the whole, the correlations for nonwhites were lower than those for whites and fell into a somewhat different pattern. The evidence examined is consistent with the hypothesis, but the nature of the causal connection between work participation and fertility is not directly demonstrated.
Real Sources of European Currency Policy: Sectoral Interests and European Monetary Integration

In the thirty years before Economic and Monetary Union was achieved, European currency policies varied widely among countries and over time. In this article, I argue that the sectoral impact of regional exchange-rate arrangements, in particular their expected real effects on European trade and investment, exerted a powerful influence on the course of European monetary integration. The principal benefit of fixing European exchange rates was facilitation of cross-border trade and investment within the European Union (EU); the principal cost of fixed rates was the loss of national governments' ability to use currency policy to improve their producers' competitive position. Empirical results indeed indicate that a stronger and more stable currency was associated with greater importance of manufactured exports to the EU's hard-currency core, while depreciations were associated with an increase in the net import competition faced by the country's producers. This suggests a powerful impact of real factors related to trade and investment, and of private interests concerned about these factors, in determining national currency policies.
Activation loop phosphorylation controls protein kinase D-dependent activation of nuclear factor κB

Activation of the inducible transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) occurs in cells exposed to oxidative stress, and the serine/threonine kinase protein kinase D (PKD) is critical for signal relay to NF-κB. We have recently delineated two coordinated events that control PKD activation in response to oxidative stress: phosphorylation at Tyr463 by the tyrosine kinase Abl, and phosphorylation at the activation loop Ser738/Ser742 by the protein kinase C (PKC) isoform PKCδ. The result is fully active PKD that controls NF-κB activation through the IκB kinase (IKK) complex. Here, we investigate the mechanism by which PKD controls IKK/NF-κB activation. Resveratrol, a potent antioxidant, blocks both PKD activation and NF-κB induction. In particular, resveratrol blocked PKD activation loop phosphorylation and activity, and this was caused by a specific inhibition of the Ser738/Ser742 kinase PKCδ. On the other hand, resveratrol did not affect Abl kinase activity and had no effect on Tyr463 phosphorylation. Moreover, we show that the mechanism by which resveratrol inhibits NF-κB is by blocking the translocation of PKD to the IKK complex, specifically by inhibiting Ser738/Ser742 phosphorylation. We therefore propose that rather than acting as an antioxidant, resveratrol specifically blocks oxidative stress-dependent NF-κB activation by interfering with PKD phosphorylation and association with the IKK complex.
Detection of anti-ESA antibodies in human samples from PRCA and non-PRCA patients: an immunoassay platform comparison

Background. The immunological methods for detecting antibodies to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) differ in assay sensitivity. However, this parameter, routinely determined in clinical assays using a high-affinity nonhuman polyclonal antibody, gives a one-dimensional assessment of antibody detection. We compare three widely used immunological methods and evaluate the ability of each to detect mature human antibodies and human antibodies characteristic of an early immune response. Methods. The detection of anti-ESA antibodies was compared between a radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) assay, an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) bridging enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based immunoassay. All three methods were validated for sensitivity, specificity and precision. Specimens from clinical studies or post market testing were categorized as pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) or non-PRCA and then analyzed in each method. Results. Among the antibody-mediated PRCA samples, which contain high affinity neutralizing antibodies, there was strong correlation between all methods. The results from non-PRCA sample analysis show high correlation between RIP and ECL methods; however, differences between the SPR immunoassay and the ECL and RIP were demonstrated. The samples that scored positive in the SPR immunoassay and negative by RIP and ECL were characterized to be of low antibody concentration, contained a high percentage of rapidly dissociating antibodies, or were antibodies of the IgM isotype. Conclusions. All three immunological methods are appropriate for detection of antibodies associated with antibodymediated PRCA. However, the SPR immunoassay platform detected an early, low affinity IgG and IgM antibody response as well as detected and characterized a pathogenic antibody response associated with antibody-mediated PRCA.
Efficiency-optimized flux trajectories for closed-cycle operation of field-orientation induction machine drives

A structured design procedure for system integration is presented. A dynamic programming scheme is developed which optimizes efficiency of an induction-machine drive which is operated in closed-cycle and which has both control and state constraints. Application of rotor-flux feed-forward field-orientation control for an induction machine reduces the system equations to contain only three state variables: rotor flux, velocity, and position. Maximum stator current and rotor velocity are set as constraints. Saturation effects are modelled to provide a state-dependent constraint on the rotor-flux magnitude. Load is treated as a function of the rotor position, which is appropriate for many mechanical system applications. To optimize efficiency for closed-cycle operation of the motor, both machine losses as well as the cycle time must be minimized using an appropriate objective function. State trajectories of the system that simultaneously optimize machine efficiency and cycle time are found by dynamic programming. Flux trajectories for the optimal solution are found to vary significantly over the machine cycle. The validity of the energy optimization is investigated experimentally on a feedforward, field-oriented induction machine. >
Allometric equation choice impacts lidar-based forest biomass estimates: A case study from the Sierra National Forest, CA

a b s t r a c t Regression modeling of biomass estimates from an airborne, multiple return lidar system using regional biomass allometric equations differs significantly from those using national scale Jenkins allometric equa- tions with respect to the amount of variation explained, variables selected and variables of importance. Our discrete return lidar data were collected in September 2007 at 121 plots in a conifer dominated forest site in the Sierra Nevada mountains that include a full range of forest density. We regressed field plot-level estimates of biomass derived from field data and two different allometric equations with a range of lidar metrics. We compared regression performance across eight models: (1) point clouds alone, (2) point clouds with an empirical relationship between DBH and height (i.e., volume), (3) individual tree-level metrics, and (4) all data combined, and across two allometric equations - (A) Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA), and (B) Jenkins. In lower biomass plots, the reference above ground biomass (AGB) esti- mates from regional allometric equations and Jenkins equations were closely related; in plots with large biomass they were different. This finding suggests that published equations from large biomass plots are either not readily available or less represented in national scale allometric equation compiling. Models using reference AGBs calculated from regional allometric equations performed much better than those using reference AGBs calculated from Jenkins allometric equations. In these cases adjusted R 2 improve- ment ranged from 0.07 to 0.11. The regression model that used regional allometric equations with lidar metrics and individual tree data provided the best overall R 2 (0.79) with lowest RMSE suggesting that in most conditions regional biomass equations should be preferred over national equations. The inclu- sion of volumetric metrics shows that lidar variables are more sensitive to the reference AGBs calculated from regional allometric equations, and care should be taken when substituting regional equations using national scale compiled allometric equations in regional biomass studies. In addition, consistent with previous studies, the mean height of individual trees identified was chosen by both models with both reference AGBs calculated from regional allometric equations and those calculated from Jenkins equa- tions, supporting the need to identify individual trees for biomass prediction. Based on these results, we conclude that the selection of allometric equations can influence the capacity of lidar data to estimate biomass significantly, and a careful selection of allometric equations is required for regional lidar biomass studies.
Crowdsourcing Translation: Professional Quality from Non-Professionals

Naively collecting translations by crowd-sourcing the task to non-professional translators yields disfluent, low-quality results if no quality control is exercised. We demonstrate a variety of mechanisms that increase the translation quality to near professional levels. Specifically, we solicit redundant translations and edits to them, and automatically select the best output among them. We propose a set of features that model both the translations and the translators, such as country of residence, LM perplexity of the translation, edit rate from the other translations, and (optionally) calibration against professional translators. Using these features to score the collected translations, we are able to discriminate between acceptable and unacceptable translations. We recreate the NIST 2009 Urdu-to-English evaluation set with Mechanical Turk, and quantitatively show that our models are able to select translations within the range of quality that we expect from professional translators. The total cost is more than an order of magnitude lower than professional translation.
NeSh: A joint shadowing model for links in a multi-hop network

Accurate analysis and simulation in multi-hop (sensor, ad hoc, and mesh) networks requires accurate representation of physical layer fading processes. Current models either ignore fading or assume independent fading on links. In reality, the shadowing losses on two geographically proximate links are correlated by the common environment through which the radio waves travel. In this paper we propose a network shadowing (NeSh) model which connects shadowing on all links in a network to a model for the physical environment in which the network operates, thus explaining shadowing correlations between links. The NeSh model is then used to analyze connectivity in a simple multi-hop network.
Prejudice as Stress: Conceptual and Measurement Problems

In the field of social sciences, there has been a renewed interest in studying prejudice and discrimination as stressors and assessing their impact on various health outcomes. This raises a need for theoretically based and psychometrically sound measures of prejudice. As researchers approach this task, there are several conceptual issues that need to be addressed. The author describes 3 such issues related to (1) individual versus structural measures of the impact of prejudice, (2) objective versus subjective assessments of stress, and (3) measures of major events versus everyday discrimination. How researchers approach the problem of measurement depends on the specific study aims, but they must consider these conceptual issues and understand the advantages and limitations of various approaches to the study of prejudice as stress.
Overexpression of Isoforms of Nitric Oxide Synthase 1 Adaptor Protein, Encoded by a Risk Gene for Schizophrenia, Alters Actin Dynamics and Synaptic Function

Proper communication between neurons depends upon appropriate patterning of dendrites and correct distribution and structure of spines. Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by alterations in dendrite branching and spine density. Nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP), a risk gene for schizophrenia, encodes proteins that are upregulated in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of individuals with schizophrenia. To elucidate the effects of NOS1AP overexpression observed in individuals with schizophrenia, we investigated changes in actin dynamics and spine development when a long (NOS1AP-L) or short (NOS1AP-S) isoform of NOS1AP is overexpressed. Increased NOS1AP-L protein promotes the formation of immature spines when overexpressed in rat cortical neurons from day in vitro (DIV) 14 to DIV 17 and reduces the amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). In contrast, increased NOS1AP-S protein increases the rate of actin polymerization and the number of immature and mature spines, which may be attributed to a decrease in total Rac1 expression and a reduction in the levels of active cofilin. The increase in the number of mature spines by overexpression of NOS1AP-S is accompanied by an increase in the frequency of mEPSCs. Our findings show that overexpression of NOS1AP-L or NOS1AP-S alters the actin cytoskeleton and synaptic function. However, the mechanisms by which these isoforms induce these changes are distinct. These results are important for understanding how increased expression of NOS1AP isoforms can influence spine development and synaptic function.
“No one speaks Korean at school!”: Ideological discourses on languages in a Korean family

ABSTRACTThis study examined how a Korean family with temporary immigrant status in the United States employed ideological discourses on languages to make sense of their experiences. The parents initially accepted but later rejected ideologies on children’s learning of English. English-as-a-legitimate-language ideology in the United States and English-as-linguistic-capital ideology challenged the parents’ efforts to teach their children Korean. The focal child showed a sign of internalizing the language ideologies dominant at school. This study urges educators to pay attention to immigrant parents’ perspectives on their children’s language experiences and the impact of English-only ideology on the experiences of transnational families and children.
Rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral amyloid tumors of the breast, and multiple cutaneous amyloid nodules.

Massive amyloid infiltrates in both breasts and on the skin of the abdomen developed in a 60-year-old woman in the course of long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. This is only the second report in the English literature describing amyloidosis occurring in nonneoplastic breast tissue. Although the amyloid deposits are probably secondary to the chronic inflammatory process and possibly part of a subclinical generalized amyloidosis, the pattern of organ involvement is very unusual for secondary amyloidosis.
Three Ways to Maximize the Area of an Inscribed Quadrilateral

(1986). Three Ways to Maximize the Area of an Inscribed Quadrilateral. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 238-239.
Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae): Directional Selection for Large and Small Pupal Size

Directional selection for large and small pupal diameter was conducted in a laboratory strain of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Realized heritabilities between 0.2 and 0.5 were obtained during two phases of selection (six cycles and four cycles) with a six-cycle period without selection in between. A symmetrical change of approximately two pupal weight class units (ca. 1.5 mg) occurred in both selection directions. These changes remained stable when selection was relaxed. Standardized data were obtained on unselected laboratory flies relating pupal size class to percentage of adult emergence, sex ratio, pupal weight, adult thorax length, and adult head width. Percentage of emergence was progressively reduced, with declining size below the modal classes. Significantly more females than males emerged from the two smallest, and three largest, size classes. Males were more numerous in the modal classes. Pupal weight and size class were each positively correlated with adult head width and thorax length.
A new electro-absorption modulator structure based on Ge/SiGe coupled quantum wells for on-chip optical interconnects

In this paper, a novel electro-absorption modulation mechanism based on coupled-quantum-wells (CQWs) is proposed and demonstrated. Compared to a quantum-confined-stark-effect (QCSE) modulator with multiple fully decoupled single-QWs, the newly designed CQW modulator has two sub-quantum-wells partially coupled with a small barrier in between. Modulation is based on the change of electron and hole wave-function overlap in the CQWs, which requires a small bias electric field of 50 kV/cm bias electrical field. Theoretically, the power consumption of this new CQW modulator can be lower than 20 fJ/bit and the speed can be higher than 10 Gbps, which outperforms the best Ge/SiGe QCSE modulator that has been previously demonstrated. A proof-of-concept Ge/SiGe CQW modulator based on this novel modulation mechanism was designed and fabricated. Instead of a traditional PIN diode structure, the new CQW modulator uses a PIP structure.
Myasthenia gravis therapy: immunoadsorbent may eliminate need for plasma products

This in vitro study assessed the effectiveness of a new immunoadsorbent (Asahi IM-TR 350) in removing anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody from plasma with minimal loss of albumin. Plasma procured from a myasthenia gravis patient undergoing routine plasma exchange was perfused through the immunoadsorbent and recirculated in vitro to simulate a clinical treatment. To assess the temperature dependency of sorption, perfusion was performed at various temperatures. Plasma solute concentrations were taken before and after perfusion to calculate solute rejection coefficients. The immunoadsorbent has a high sorption capacity for anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody, while allowing a minimum loss of albumin. For patients with myasthenia gravis, this immunoadsorbent can provide an alternative to plasma exchange that does not require the use of plasma products.
The Management of Penetrating Vascular Injuries

Vascular disruption secondary to penetrating head trauma is most commonly in the form of surgically treatable intracranial and intracerebral hemorrhage. This article discusses the management of major cerbrobascular lesions associated with penetrating injuries to the neck and cranial vault, excluding traumatic aneurysms.