cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CD3/SLAMF3-mediated co-stimulation promotes activation of the IL-2/IL-2R/STAT5 pathway and iTreg differentiation in naïve CD4+ T cells - implications for systemic lupus erythematosus (HUM3P.246)

We examined SLAMF3-mediated co-stimulation on IL-2 response of CD4 + T cells from SLE patients. Stimulation of naive CD4 + T cells with aCD3/aSLAMF3 upregulated surface CD25 (IL-2Ra) and CD122 (IL-2Rb), at higher level compared to aCD3/aCD28 activation. aCD3/aSLAMF3 co-stimulation of control naive CD4 + T cells led to increased pSTAT5 levels compared to aCD3/aCD28 activation Although naive CD4 + T cells from SLE patients displayed decreased pSTAT5 levels compared to control donors upon aCD3 or aCD3/aCD28 stimulation, co-stimulation of SLE T cells with aSLAMF3 restored pSTAT5 to normal levels. Total STAT5 levels remained unaltered after T cell activation. Exogenous IL-2 increased proliferation of aCD3/aSLAMF3-activated CD4 + T cells compared to aCD3/aCD28 stimulation. Naive CD4 + T cells activated with aCD3/aSLAMF3 under iTreg polarizing condition expressed significantly higher levels of FoxP3, CD25 and CTLA-4 compared to aCD3/aCD28 activation. In conclusion, SLAMF3-mediated co-stimulation enhances CD4 + T cell response to IL-2 in SLE patients by acting on the IL-2/IL-2R/STAT5 signaling pathway, increases naive CD4 + T cell proliferation in response to exogenous IL-2 and can promote iTreg phenotype generation. Of note, SLAMF3-mediated co-stimulation does not increase IL-2 by CD4+ T cells per se . Thus, aSLAMF3-based Ab therapy may emerge as a promising therapeutic agent in SLE by enhancing response to IL-2 and promoting iTreg differentiation.
Challenges in Treatment of Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia

Background Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a sinus heart rate inexplicably higher than one hundred beats per minute at rest that is associated with symptoms like palpitations, dyspnea or dizziness in the absence of primary causes of tachycardia. The diagnosis requires exclusion of other causes of tachycardia including medications/substances (such as anti-cholinergic, beta-blocker withdrawal, caffeine, and alcohol) or medical conditions (such as panic attacks, pulmonary embolism, fever, hyperthyroidism, hypovolemia, anemia, and pain). Methods Work up should include an EKG to differentiate other causes of tachycardia, 24 hour- Holter monitor if indicated, serum thyroid levels, hemoglobin levels and toxicology screen. Electrophysiological studies are not routinely recommended, but should be considered in certain patients in whom concurrent supraventricular tachycardia is suspected. Conclusion The underlying pathology in IST is yet to be completely understood. However, it is thought that the causes of IST can be broadly classified into two groups; either as an intrinsic increase in sinus node automaticity or an extrinsic cause. Among extrinsic causes, there is evolving evidence that IgG anti-β receptor antibodies are found in IST causing tachycardia. Managing patients with IST includes lifestyle modification, non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Ivabradine has recently emerged as an effective treatment of IST and was shown to be superior to beta-blockers.
Impacts of Air-sea Interactions on Regional Air Quality Predictions Using a Coupled Atmosphere-ocean Model in Southeastern U.S.

Air-sea interactions have significant impacts on coastal convection and surface fluxes exchange. They are important for the spatial and vertical distributions of air pollutants that affect public health, particularly in densely populated coastal areas. To understand the impacts of air-sea interactions on coastal air quality predictions, sensitivity simulations with different atmosphere-ocean coupling are conducted in this work over southeastern U.S. in July 2010 using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model with Chemistry (WRF/Chem). The results show that comparing to WRF/Chem without air-sea interactions, WRF/Chem with a 1-D ocean mixed layer model (WRF/Chem-OML) and WRF/Chem coupled with a 3-D Regional Ocean Modeling System (WRF/Chem-ROMS) predict the domain averaged changes in the sea surface temperature of 0.06°C and 0.94°C, respectively for July average. The simulated differences in the surface concentrations of O3 and PM2.5 between WRF/Chem-ROMS and WRF/Chem can be as large as 17.3 ppb and 7.9 µg m–3, respectively, with the largest changes occurring not only along coast and remote ocean, but also over some inland areas. Extensive validations against observations show that WRF/Chem-ROMS improves the predictions of most cloud and radiative variables, and surface concentrations of some chemical species such as SO2, NO2, maximum 1-h and 8-h O3, SO42–, NH4+, NO3–, and PM10. This illustrates the benefits and needs of using coupled atmosphere-ocean model with advanced model representations of air-sea interactions for regional air quality modeling.
Internal Information Quality and Capital Allocation within Conglomerates

Theoretical research on internal capital markets suggests an important role for internal information quality in the capital allocation process within conglomerates. Direct empirical evidence, however, has been sparse, largely because informational frictions inside firms are difficult for researchers to observe and measure. We leverage public reporting on internal control effectiveness mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and recent developments in the accounting literature to provide evidence that the quality of the internal information environment is positively associated with the efficiency of internal capital allocation. We find that firms with internal control weaknesses allocate internal capital less efficiently than firms without weaknesses, and that allocation efficiency improves following the remediation of control weaknesses, to a level similar to firms without weaknesses. We document similar results using other recently developed proxies for internal information quality, suggesting that our inferences are not confined to internal control issues, but rather are related to internal information quality more generally. We also show that internal information quality plays a particularly important role for firms with diverse operations and during periods of economic expansion, when misallocation due to agency and information frictions tends to otherwise be more severe.
T-Cell Immunopeptidomes Reveal Cell Subtype Surface Markers Derived From Intracellular Proteins.

Immunopeptidomes promise novel surface markers as ideal immunotherapy targets, but their characterization by mass spectrometry (MS) remains challenging. Until recently, cell numbers exceeding 109 were needed to survey thousands of HLA ligands. Such limited analytical sensitivity has historically constrained the types of clinical specimens that can be evaluated to cell cultures or bulk tissues. Measuring immunopeptidomes from purified cell subpopulations would be preferable for many applications, particularly those evaluating rare, primary hematopoietic cell lineages. Here, we test the feasibility of immunopeptidome profiling from limited numbers of primary purified human regulatory T cells (TReg ), conventional T cells (Tconv ), and activated T cells. The combined T cell immunopeptide dataset reported here contains 13 804 unique HLA ligands derived from 5049 proteins. Of these, more than 700 HLA ligands were derived from 82 proteins that we exclusively identified from TReg -enriched cells. This study 1) demonstrates that primary, lineage-enriched T cell subpopulations recovered from single donors are compatible with immunopeptidome analysis; 2) presents new TReg -biased ligand candidates; and 3) supports immunopeptidome surveys' value for revealing T cell biology that may not be apparent from expression data alone. Taken together, these findings open up new avenues for targeting TReg and abrogating their suppressive functions to treat cancer.
Mediate: A Spatial Tangible Interface for Mixed Reality

Recent Virtual Reality (VR) systems render highly immersive visual experiences, yet currently lack tactile feedback for feeling virtual objects with our hands and bodies. Shape Displays offer solid tangible interaction but have not been integrated with VR or have been restricted to desktop-scale workspaces. This work represents a fusion of mobile robotics, haptic props, and shape-display technology and commercial Virtual Reality to overcome these limitations. We present Mediate, a semi-autonomous mobile shape-display that locally renders 3D physical geometry co-located with room-sized virtual environments as a conceptual step towards large-scale tangible interaction in Virtual Reality. We compare this "dynamic just-in-time mockup" concept to other haptic paradigms and discuss future applications and interaction scenarios.
Molecular Characterization of the Burrowing Nematode Sibling Species, Radopholus Citrophilus and R. Similis

Burrowing nematodes, Radopholus spp. are migratory endophytoparasitic nematodes which are prevalent in many tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. They are highly destructive and damage a wide range of plants by destroying the cortex as they feed in roots (Ducharme, 1959; Ford et al., 1960). Radopholus spp. are considered to be among the 10 most damaging nematodes worldwide (Sasser and Freckman, 1987).
Chordal Inheritance Principles and Positive Definite Completions of Partial Matrices over Function Rings

Positive definite completions of partial matrices over function rings are considered. The basic problem is construction of completions of this form that, in addition, are in the same function ring. The main tools in solving this problem are inheritance principles which are developed as well.
BIOLOGICAL SULFUR, CLOUDS AND CLIMATE

Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are predominantly sulfate particles, and over the oceans the major source of sulfur for these particles appears to be dimethyl sulfide, a gas produced by marine biota. The reflection of sunlight by marine stratiform clouds is a major feature of the earth’s radiation budget, and these clouds will reflect more sunlight if their liquid water is distributed among more CCN, thus forming more (and smaller) droplets. These facts form the basis of a proposal that marine biogenic sulfur may be an important factor in determining the earth’s climate. Key implications of this proposal are (1) the possibility of a biota/climate feedback loop if the production of biogenic sulfur is sensitive to changes in climate, (2) the possibility that anthropogenic sulfur emissions may be altering the global climate through this same cloud-mediated mechanism, and (3) the possibility that anthropogenic pollution could alter climate by perturbing the sulfur-producing marine organisms.
Appetite for Growth: Challenges to Scale for Food and Beverage Makers in Three U.S. Cities:

Food and beverage (FaB) manufacturing represents a promising opportunity for small-scale “makers” and local economic development. The growth of entrepreneurial maker businesses can be understood in...
Structural basis for the target specificity of actin histidine methyltransferase SETD3.

SETD3 is an actin histidine-N3 methyltransferase, whereas other characterized SET-domain enzymes are protein lysine methyltransferases. We report that in a pre-reactive complex SETD3 binds the N3-protonated form (N3-H) of actin His73, and in a post-reactive product complex, SETD3 generates the methylated histidine in an N1-protonated (N1-H) and N3-methylated form. During the reaction, the imidazole ring of His73 rotates ~105°, which shifts the proton from N3 to N1, thus ensuring that the target atom N3 is deprotonated prior to the methyl transfer. Under the conditions optimized for lysine deprotonation, SETD3 has weak lysine methylation activity on an actin peptide in which the target His73 is substituted by a lysine. The structure of SETD3 with Lys73-containing peptide reveals a bent conformation of Lys73, with its side chain aliphatic carbons tracing along the edge of imidazole ring and the terminal e-amino group occupying a position nearly identical to the N3 atom of unmethylated histidine.
Neuroendocrine Markers Insulinoma-Associated Protein 1, Chromogranin, Synaptophysin, and CD56 Show Rare Positivity in Adenocarcinoma Ex-Goblet Cell Carcinoids

Background Adenocarcinoma ex-goblet cell carcinoid (AdexGCC) was considered a neuroendocrine adenocarcinoma, despite majority of tumor cells being negative for conventional neuroendocrine markers such as chromogranin and synaptophysin. Recently, insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) has been identified as a novel neuroendocrine marker that is more sensitive than chromogranin, synaptophysin, and CD56 in pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors. Methods We studied this marker in conjunction with chromogranin, synaptophysin, and CD56 in 36 appendiceal AdexGCCs (21 primaries, 15 metastatic). Results Primary AdexGCCs showed staining for INSM1, chromogranin, synaptophysin, and CD56 in 13/21 (62%), 18/21 (86%), 18/21 (86%), and 9/19 (47%) cases, respectively. However, the mean proportion of tumor cells stained for INSM1, chromogranin, synaptophysin, and CD56 was only 8.0% (median 1%, range 0-70%), 15.7% (median 2%, range 0-70%), 19.9% (median 5%, range 0-90%), and 5.6% (median 0%, range 0-50%), respectively. Metastatic AdexGCCs showed staining for INSM1, chromogranin, synaptophysin, and CD56 in 8/15 (53%), 11/15 (73%), 12/15 (80%), and 3/14 (21%) cases. The mean proportion of tumor cells stained for INSM1, chromogranin, synaptophysin, and CD56 in metastatic tumors was 1% (median 1%, range 0-3%), 12% (median 1%, range 0-85%), 17% (median 5%, range 0-85%), and 2% (median 0%, range 0-20%), respectively. Conclusions Primary and metastatic AdexGCCs showed no difference in INSM1, chromogranin, synaptophysin, or CD56 staining. INSM1 exhibits low expression in AdexGCCs and is expressed by a lower proportion of tumor cells compared to chromogranin and synaptophysin.
Supervised Machine Learning Approach for Effective Supplier Classification

Supplier assessment plays a critical role in the supply chain management, which involves the flow of goods and services from the initial stage (raw material procurement) to the final stage (delivery). Supplier assessment is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach that requires several criteria for the proper assessment of the suppliers. When there are several criteria involved, it makes the supplier assessment process more complicated. For a comprehensive and robust assessment process, we propose the use of supervised machine learning algorithms to classify various suppliers into four categories: excellent, good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. In this paper, supervised learning (classification) algorithms are applied for a supplier assessment problem where a model is trained based on the previous historical data and then tested on the new unseen data set. This method will provide an efficient way for supplier assessment that is more effective in terms of accuracy and time when compared to MCDM approach. Classification algorithms such as support vector machines (with linear, polynomial and radial basis kernels), logistic regression, k-nearest neighbors, and naive Bayes methods are used to train the model and their performance is assessed against a test data. Finally, the performance measures from all the classification methods are used to assess the best supplier.
Preparing for sperm-targeted contraception: College students' perceptions and intentions related to non-hormonal intravas injectable gel.

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate college students' perceptions and behavioral intentions related to a new long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) for people with penises: non-hormonal intravas injectable gel (NH-IVIG). Design and sample Data collection utilized predictive constructs from the theory of planned behavior. An online questionnaire surveyed undergraduates (ages 18-24 years) at a Midwestern, liberal arts college (N = 460). Results Of potential NH-IVIG users, 28.6% of males and 51.4% of females reported being overall likely to use or encourage its usage. The top three hypothetical NH-IVIG promoters were low cost, reversibility, and infrequent administration. High cost, new product uncertainties, plus administration via injection for the males, were the most frequently cited NH-IVIG deterrents. A majority of potential users indicated intentions to use protective barriers or other contraceptives simultaneously with NH-IVIG; females were more likely overall. Most respondents (males, 90.4%; females, 98.5%) agreed all sexual partners should be equally responsible for contraception. Over half trusted both males and females to use contraception, but females were significantly more trusted and trusting. Conclusion Understanding factors influencing NH-IVIG usage can direct initiatives for sperm-targeted LARCs to mitigate risk behaviors and optimize public health promotion.
A Bayesian Markov Model with Pólya-Gamma Sampling for Estimating Individual Behavior Transition Probabilities from Accelerometer Classifications

The use of accelerometers in wildlife tracking provides a fine-scale data source for understanding animal behavior and decision making. Current methods in movement ecology focus on behavior as a driver of movement mechanisms. Our Markov model is a flexible and efficient method for inference related to effects on behavior that considers dependence between current and past behaviors. We applied this model to behavior data from six greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) during spring migration in mid-continent North America and considered likely drivers of behavior, including habitat, weather and time of day effects. We modeled the transitions between flying, feeding, stationary and walking behavior states using a first-order Bayesian Markov model. We introduced Polya-Gamma latent variables for automatic sampling of the covariate coefficients from the posterior distribution, and we calculated the odds ratios from the posterior samples. Our model provides a unifying framework for including both acceleration and Global Positioning System data. We found significant differences in behavioral transition rates among habitat types, diurnal behavior and behavioral changes due to weather. Our model provides straightforward inference of behavioral time allocation across used habitats, which is not amenable in activity budget or resource selection frameworks. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.
Metal-organic frameworks for environmental applications

Summary Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials consisting of metal nodes and organic linkers that organize themselves into rigid crystal structures. The inclusion of redox-sensitive metals and light-harvesting organic linkers in the structure could make MOFs powerful photocatalysts to break down recalcitrant organic pollutants. However, broad applications of MOFs in environmental settings require the overcoming of several technical hurdles. In this review, we provide key technical insights into the enhancement of the environmental stability and photocatalytic activity of MOFs in different environmental settings. We also identified several key challenges the scientific community needs to further explore to advance the applications of MOFs for environmental cleanup.
Manipulative-Based Instructional Sequences in Mathematics for Students With Disabilities:

Manipulative-based instructional sequences—including both concrete and virtual manipulative instructional sequences—are evidence-based or research-based mathematical interventions for students with...
Bipartite Biotokens: Definition, Implementation, and Analysis

Cryptographic transactions form the basis of many common security systems found throughout computer networks. Supporting these transactions with biometrics is very desirable, as stronger non-repudiation is introduced, along with enhanced ease-of-use. In order to support such transactions, some sort of secure template construct is required that, when re-encoded, can release session specific data. The construct we propose for this task is the bipartite biotoken . In this paper, we define the bipartite biotoken, describe its implementation for fingerprints, and present an analysis of its security. No other technology exists with the critical reissue and secure embedding properties of the bipartite biotoken. Experimental results for matching accuracy are presented for the FVC 2002 data set and imposter testing on 750 Million matches.
Massive Hematochezia from Ascending Colonic Varices

A 54-year-old man with a history of alcohol use presented with hematochezia and syncope. Upon arrival to the hospital, his bleeding had stopped. He was hemodynamically stable with hemoglobin of 11g/dL, international normalized ratio of 1.8 and platelets of 37K/mcL. Nasogastric aspirate found bilious gastric contents without blood. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed mild gastritis without evidence of bleeding. Colonoscopy discovered a purple-colored semi-circumferential ascending colon lesion that inflated and deflated spontaneously, without arterial pulsation. The lesion would disappear completely upon deflation, except for a visible fibrin plug, indicative of recent bleeding. Computed tomography further delineated the structure as varices, surrounding the right colon (Figure). Nearly 36 hours after presentation, the patient developed recurrent substantial hematochezia. He required intubation and massive transfusion for a hemoglobin nadir of 5g/dL. During emergent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement, large ascending colonic varices feeding from the superior mesenteric vein were confirmed and embolized. Bleeding ceased and he was ultimately discharged to alcohol rehabilitation. Figure Computed tomography, axial view. Arrows indicate varices. Esophageal and gastric varices are frequent complications of advanced liver disease. Ectopic varices (ECV), those not found in the esophagus and stomach, are less common; reported locations of ECV include the small bowel, gallbladder, colon, and rectum.1 Non-cirrhotic causes of ECV include congenital venous anomalies, splenic vein thrombosis, superior mesenteric vein obstruction and congestive heart failure.2 Given their often-obscure location, ECV can be difficult to identify. Once located, the ideal therapeutic intervention is unknown. Endoscopic options include band ligation and injection of tissue adhesives.1 TIPS with angiographic variceal embolization represents another approach for portal decompression in the setting of hemorrhage. Although scarcely reported in the literature, ECV should be considered a source of gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in a patient with liver disease. As seen in this case, colonic varices can cause profound hemorrhage, requiring prompt evaluation and intervention.
Evidence for a noncatalytic carrier protein in cholesterol biosynthesis.

Abstract A requirement for the 105,000 x g supernatant of rat liver (S105) is demonstrated for five different reactions in cholesterol biosynthesis. This is best delinated using a buffer-washed acetone powder of liver microsomes. Incubation of S105 alone with each substrate yields chemically unchanged substrate. Evidence that S105 contains a protein responsible for this requirement includes the observations that it is nondialyzable, heat-labile, and destroyed by trypsin. Chromatography of S105 on Sephadex G-75 yields a protein peak which travels at the void volume and has associated with it both endogenous cholesterol and the ability to stimulate sterol synthesis as assayed in the conversion of Δ7-cholestenol to Δ5,7-cholestadienol. In addition, virtually all of the cholesterol present in the 105,000 x g supernatant of liver is bound to protein. These results plus other observations support the following hypothesis. S105 contains a noncatalytic carrier protein (STEROL CARRIER PROTEIN) which originates from the endoplasmic reticulum, binds the substrate, and makes the substrate reactive to the sterol-synthesizing enzymes present in the acetone powder of liver microsomes. The participation of Sterol Carrier Protein (SCP) may be of key importance in the understanding of the enzymatic synthesis of cholesterol.
Algorithmic aspects of uncertainty driven scheduling

In this paper we discuss the algorithmic aspects of uncertainty driven scheduling which is a new design paradigm. Slack oriented design flow could be used to address the uncertainty problem in high level synthesis. We formalize the concept of slack and discuss different variations of the slack driven scheduling problem. The complexity issues are studied in detail and algorithms are proposed to solve the problem. These algorithms and proofs heavily exploit the concepts and techniques of graph theory and combinatorial optimization problems.
Density-functional theory of one-electron propagators

Abstract The effective action approach to Kohn-Sham density-functional theory provides a rigorous basis for carrying out systematic, first-principles calculations of the ground and excited state properties. In this work we apply the effective action formalism for developing the exact density-functional formulation of one-electron propagators. In particular, expressions for the exact Green's function and the self-energy operator are obtained entirely in terms of Kohn-Sham derived quantities.
Query preprocessing: improving web search through a Vietnamese word tokenization approach

In this poster paper, we propose a novel approach to improve web search relevancy by tokenizing a Vietnamese query text prior submitting it to a search engine. Evaluations demonstrate its effectiveness and practical value.
Work in progress: Performing signal analysis laboratories using Android devices

In this paper, we present a graphical-programming application to support signal processing education on the Android operating system. This application features a simulation environment and a palette of DSP functions, which will allow students to perform laboratories using Android smartphones and tablets. In order to demonstrate the application of the software in a classroom setting, a number of laboratories which incorporate the proposed functionalities have been developed. A set of assessments designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the software is also presented.
Classification of 2 × 2 non-strictly hyperbolic systems for plane waves in isotropic elastic solids

Abstract The governing equations for plane waves in generally nonlinear isotropic elastic solids are a system of 6 × 6 hyperbolic conversation laws. For the half-space Riemann problem in which the initial conditions at t = 0, x > 0 and the boundary conditions at x = 0, t > 0 are constant, the system is equivalent to 3 × 3 system in the full-space Riemann problem. It is further reduced to a 2 × 2 system due to the fact that one of the characteristic wave speeds is linearly degenerate. For hyperelastic materials for which there exists a potential W whose gradients provide the strains, the wave curves near an isolated umbilic point are represented by the potential of the form W(σ, τ) = m 3 σ 3 + 1 2 στ 2 + 1−k 6 τ 3 which contains two parameters k and m. The classification of the geometry of wave curves depends on the values of k and m and can be classified into five cases. The potential function considered here is equivalent to W = a 3 σ c + bσ 2 τ + στ 2 considered by Schaeffer and Shearer where a and b are parameters. The classification presented here seems to provide simpler algebraic expressions. It also renders more refined classification as shown in the paper.
Essential laminations and Dehn surgery on 2-bridge knots

Abstract In this paper we show that any nontrivial Dehn surgery on a nontorus 2-bridge knot produces a manifold which is covered by R 3 . In particular, this manifold is irreducible and has infinite fundamental group. (As a consequence, it is also clear that 2-bridge knots satisfy property P, although this was shown previously by Takahashi (1981) using more algebraic techniques.) The result is a consequence of showing that such a manifold is laminar , that is it contains an essential lamination . We accomplish this by constructing in the exterior of each nontorus 2-bridge knot an essential lamination which remains essential in all manifolds produced by nontrivial Dehn filling. We call an essential lamination with this property persistent . The examples of essential laminations produced in this way are of interest since they tend support the conjecture that “most” manifolds with infinite fundamental group contain essential laminations.
Clozapine decreases smoking in patients with chronic schizophrenia

The puzzle of why patients with schizophrenia show an extremely high prevalence of cigarette smoking has intrigued researchers for many years. Approximately 80% of patients with schizophrenia smoke (Hughes et al 1986). This is more than twice the prevalence of smoking in the general population. We have reported (McEvoy et al 1991) that heavy smoking was associated with a lack of therapeutic response to the classical antipsychotic haloperidol. Clozapine may be therapeutically effective in patients who are nonresponsive to haloperidol (Kane et al 1988). We report here the changes that occurred in smoking among a group of treatment-refractory patients with schizophrenia when they were switched from haloperidol to clozapine in an ongoing double-blind trial examining treatment response at three distinct clozapine plasma level ranges.
The rheumatoid factor: An analysis of clinical utility

The rheumatoid factor (RF) is a frequently ordered diagnostic test, yet it possesses significant limitations in sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value. Recognition of these limitations could improve the test's utility by encouraging more selective test ordering and more circumspect interpretation of test results. An analysis of 563 requests for RF from a teaching hospital revealed a positive predictive value of only 24% to 34%. The RF performs best under conditions of moderate pretest likelihood of rheumatoid arthritis, and otherwise has rather limited clinical utility.
Sex-role orientation, identity formation, and self-esteem in college men and women

Contrasting hypotheses that psychological androgyny (Bem, 1974, 1975) would be associated with (1) identity confusion and a lack of personal integration or (2) identity achievement and high levels of integration were tested. Sex-role orientation, ego-identity status, and self-esteem were determined for 111 college men and women. The results support the second hypothesis, that high levels of masculinity and femininity (androgynous orientation) are conducive to identity achievement and high self-esteem. In contrast, low levels of masculine and feminine characteristics (undifferentiated sex-role orientation) were associated with uniformly low self-esteem and a lack of personal integration (identity diffusion). Sex-typing was most often associated with premature identity commitments and a lack of personality differentiation (identity foreclosure) and with high self-esteem in males but low self-esteem in females. Cross-sex-typing was associated with high levels of self-esteem and identity achievement in females, but with somewhat lower self-esteem in males and either unsuccessful (diffusion) or transitional (moratorium) levels of identity resolution.
Late Eocene Amphipithecus and the Origins of Catarrhine Primates

Amphipithecus mogaungensis, from the Late Eocene of Burma, is shown to be an independently evolved form; it does not seem to be related to the New World omomyids, nor is it a close relative of the Early Oligocene catarrhines from Fayum. It may possibly be a lemuroid.
Chronic NMDA receptor stimulation: therapeutic implications of its effect on adenosine A1 receptors

It is known that stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors has a modulatory effect on the excitability of postsynaptic NMDA receptors. Conversely, acute stimulation of NMDA receptors results in release of adenosine via calcium-independent mechanisms. These findings indicate a close functional relationship between these receptors. It is, therefore, possible that chronic, low level stimulation of the NMDA receptor may have a negative impact on these modulatory processes. To investigate this possibility, we have subjected C57BL mice either to an acute injection of a N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA, 0.01 mg/kg) or deoxycoformycin (1 mg/kg) followed by a convulsant dose of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) (60 mg/kg) or to chronic, low level (20 mg/kg i.p. daily) exposure to NMDA for 8 weeks. One day after the last injection of NMDA, animals were injected either with a convulsant dose of NMDA alone, or with either CPA at 0.001 or 0.01 mg/kg, or with 1 mg/kg deoxycoformycin followed 15 min later by 60 mg/kg NMDA. Neither CPA nor deoxycoformycin were protective when NMDA was given acutely at 60 mg/kg. Chronic treatment with NMDA alone or chronic administration of NMDA followed by 0.001 mg/kg CPA had no significant effect on mortality following a convulsant dose of NMDA. However, when the chronic regimen of NMDA was followed by either 0.01 mg/kg CPA or 1 mg/kg deoxycoformycin, mortality was reduced to 10% (CPA), or eliminated completely (deoxycoformycin). Moreover, combination of chronic NMDA treatment with either CPA (both doses) or deoxycoformycin produced a significant improvement in other measures, i.e., seizure onset, intensity of neurological impairment, and extension of time to death.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Consultation in a teacher center: a network model

Abstract School consultation is presented from the perspective of the network model. A network in the form of a teacher center, developed for teachers of gifted/talented children, is described. The teacher center network is compared to a different network, and issues relevant to both instances are discussed.
Academic Marketing Research and Institutional Objectives: Realities and Possibilitics

Studies consistently fail to confirm that research increases teaching effectiveness; moreover, critics of academic marketing research doubt its practical value. This article suggests that criteria commonly used to evaluate research productivity for promotion and tenure purposes may be partly to blame for the alleged shortcomings. Potential remedies are offered as well.
Scale-sensitive (multiscale) deconvolution of astronomical interferometric images

We describe a scale sensitive deconvolution algorithm for interferometric images. An ideal sky model should be able to pick up correlated emission on all scales and of all shapes. Though the problem can be well formulated mathematically, there are two issues: (1) it is computationally prohibitive, and (2) the choice of an appropriate basis to represent the image is not clear. The work presented here is an interim step towards developing a fully scale sensitive deconvolution algorithm which is computationally efficient as well. This approach, though restrictive as compared to the most general model for the sky, is an enormous improvement over other scale insensitive algorithms and forms the logical limit of multi-resolution CLEAN approach. The sky image is represented using parameterized basis functions with finite support and the algorithm solves for these parameters. The computational load in this approach is reduced by working with an analytical approximation of the Point Spread Function.
The Ff gene 5 single-stranded DNA-binding protein binds to the transiently folded form of an intramolecular G-quadruplex.

The Ff gene 5 protein (g5p) is classified as a single-stranded DNA-binding protein. However, we previously showed that g5p binds with high affinity to a SELEX-selected G-rich 58-mer DNA oligomer, I-3, that forms an intramolecular G-quadruplex [Wen, J.-D., Gray, C. W., and Gray, D. M. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 9300-9310]. In 200 mM NaCl at 37 degrees C, g5p binds to I-3 in two stages, the first stage being the formation of a discrete intermediate complex that appears to be a precursor to a saturated g5p x I-3 complex. For the present paper, CD spectroscopy and DMS methylation techniques were used to investigate the binding of g5p to the I-3 oligomer and to the truncated 26-nucleotide core of the I-3 oligomer. The core sequence, called I-3c26, was d(GGGGTCAGGCTGGGGTTGTGCAGGTC). Results were the following: (1) The g5p binds in one stage to I-3c26 in 200 mM NaCl at 37 degrees C. (2) The intermediate complex of g5p.I-3 is formed by the binding of g5p to the core sequence. (3) G-quadruplex structures are maintained in both the g5p x I-3 and g5p x I-3c26 complexes, but the bound G-quadruplex structures are altered from their respective steady-state folded forms in 200 mM NaCl. (4) CD kinetics measurements showed that the I-3c26 quadruplex folds in two stages and that a transiently folded form is apparently the same as the altered structure to which g5p binds. (5) DMS methylation protection and interference experiments identified two guanines that are differentially involved in the steady-state folded and g5p-bound G-quadruplex structures. A model for a possible I-3c26 G-quadruplex structure is described.
A Mathematical Description of Water Flow through Plant Tissues

Abstract Non-steady-state flow of water through plant tissues is a complex process to study because of the number of hydraulic parameters involved and the geometric intricacy of the tissues. The importance of understanding water flow through plants together with the increasing power of computers and numerical solution methods have suggested revisiting earlier mathematical approaches to the transport process. In this paper, equations are derived for a one-dimensional case including terms for resistance and capacitance with particular consideration of an inductance term for kinetic energy used in the acceleration of water. Calculations of power into each component for several test cases suggest that the inductance term is not likely to be very important for flow in plant tissues. Lastly, equations for a three-dimensional case are derived and expressed for rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems.
Diffusion by one wave and by many waves

[1] Radiation belt electrons and chorus waves are an outstanding instance of the important role cyclotron resonant wave-particle interactions play in the magnetosphere. Chorus waves are particularly complex, often occurring with large amplitude, narrowband but drifting frequency and fine structure. Nevertheless, modeling their effect on radiation belt electrons with bounce-averaged broadband quasi-linear theory seems to yield reasonable results. It is known that coherent interactions with monochromatic waves can cause particle diffusion, as well as radically different phase bunching and phase trapping behavior. Here the two formulations of diffusion, while conceptually different, are shown to give identical diffusion coefficients, in the narrowband limit of quasi-linear theory. It is further shown that suitably averaging the monochromatic diffusion coefficients over frequency and wave normal angle parameters reproduces the full broadband quasi-linear results. This may account for the rather surprising success of quasi-linear theory in modeling radiation belt electrons undergoing diffusion by chorus waves.
Partially Unfolded Forms and Non-Two-State Folding of a β- Sandwich: FHA Domain from Arabidopsis Receptor Kinase- Associated Protein Phosphatase

FHA domains adopt a β-sandwich fold with 11 strands. The first evidence of partially unfolded forms of a β-sandwich is derived from native-state hydrogen exchange (NHX) of the FHA domain from Kinase-Associated Protein Phosphatase from Arabidopsis. The folding kinetics of this FHA domain indicate that EX2 behavior prevails at pH 6.3. In the chevron plot, rollover in the folding arm and bends in the unfolding arm suggest folding intermediates. NHX of this FHA domain suggests a core of six most stable β-strands and two loops, characterized by rare global unfolding events. Flanking this stable core are β-strands and recognition loops with less stability, termed subglobal motifs. These suggest partially unfolded forms (near-native intermediates) with two levels of stability. The spatial separation of the subglobal motifs on the flanks suggests possible parallelism in their folding as additional β-strands align with the stable core of six strands. Intermediates may contribute to differences in stabilities and m-values suggested by NHX or kinetics relative to chemical denaturation. Residual structure in the unfolded regime is suggested by superprotection of β-strand 6 and by GdmCl-dependence of adjustments in amide NMR spectra and residual optical signal. The global folding stability depends strongly on pH, with at least 3 kcal/mol more stability at pH 7.3 than at pH 6.3. This FHA domain is hypothesized to fold progressively with initial hydrophobic collapse of its stable 6-stranded core followed by addition of less stable flanking β-strands and ordering of recognition loops.
Stable Decomposition for Dynamic Optimization

Dynamic optimization problems are usually solved by transforming them to nonlinear programming (NLP) problems with either sequential or simultaneous approaches. However, both approaches can still be inefficient to tackle complex problems. In addition, many problems in chemical engineering have unstable components which lead to unstable intermediate profiles during the solution procedure. If the numerical algorithm chosen utilizes an initial value formulation, the error from decomposition or integration can accumulate and the Newton iterations then fail as a result of ill-conditioned constraint matrix. On the other hand, by using suitable decomposition, through multiple shooting or simultaneous collocation, the author's algorithm has favorable numerical characteristics for both stable and unstable problems; by exploiting the structure of the resulting system, a stable and efficient decomposition algorithm results. In the paper, the new algorithm for solving dynamic optimization is developed. This algorithm is based on the nonlinear programming (NLP) formulation coupled with a stable decomposition of the collocation equations. Solution of this NLP formulation is considered through a reduced Hessian successive quadratic programming (SQP) approach. The routine chosen for the decomposition of the system equations is COLDAE, in which the stable collocation scheme is implemented. To address the mesh selection, we will introduce a new bilevel framework that will decouple the element placement from the optimal control procedure. We also provide a proof for the connection of the algorithm and the calculus of variations
Spontaneous progression of hyperplastic outgrowths of the D1 lineage to mammary tumors: Expression of mouse mammary tumor virus and cellular proto‐oncogenes

Mammary cancer in mice is characterized by progression through defined stages of preneoplasia, with the most common preneoplastic stage being the hyperplastic alveolar nodule (HAN). We determined the relative levels of RNA expression of various cellular proto-oncogenes and endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus genes in outgrowths and tumors of three sublines of the transplantable D1 HAN preneoplastic outgrowth line. The three sublines differed in relative tumor-producing capabilities. Subline D1B produced a high incidence of tumors with short latency periods, whereas sublines D1C and D1D produced low incidences of tumors with long latency periods. No consistent alteration in proto-oncogene expression correlated with relative tumorigenicity, although tumors frequently contained higher levels of one or more proto-oncogene transcripts as compared with preneoplastic tissue. Slightly elevated (2- to 6-fold) levels of different oncogene transcripts were detected in 13 of 17 tumors as compared with outgrowth tissue, including abl (2 tumors), fps (5 tumors), Ha-ras (6 tumors), and Ki-ras (8 tumors). One tumor contained 45 times more Ki-ras-specific RNA than outgrowth tissue because of a comparable amplification of Ki-ras DNA sequences. Elevated levels of Ha-ras occurred more frequently in tumors of a high-incidence subline than in a less-aggressive subline (5/10 vs 1/7), but this difference was not statistically significant. However, consistent changes in MMTV expression accompanied progression from preneoplastic tissues to mammary tumors. All 17 tumors displayed reduced levels of the MMTV-specific long terminal repeat (LTR) transcript (1.6 kb) as compared with HAN tissue; tumors with moderate levels of LTR transcript expressed the 3.8-kb envelope message as well, one not detected in HANs. Expression of the LTR transcript is apparently influenced by factors in addition to the methylation status of endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus genes, which was similar in outgrowths and tumors. As the survey of representative proto-oncogenes failed to identify a uniform change between HAN and tumors, it is likely that other genes are involved in tumor progression in the mammary gland.
Occupational differences in the wage penalty for obese women

Abstract Prior research indicates overweight women are penalized with lower wages. The connection between weight and wages is tested for several occupational categories. The results suggest weight significantly reduces pay only for women in sales and service occupations, a finding consistent with customer discrimination. Obese females who are self-employed also receive a significant wage penalty in customer-oriented occupations, suggesting the pay discrepancy is not originating from employer discrimination.
Rapid and accurate identification of mycobacteria by sequencing hypervariable regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene.

We developed a method to identify mycobacteria by sequencing hypervariable regions of the polymerase chain reaction–amplified 16S ribosomal RNA gene. This method is nearly specific for mycobacteria and uses positive culture from liquid or solid medium without the need for lengthy subculture. It shortens identification time to 3 days, which is much faster than the conventional biochemical method (mean, 8 weeks). It applies to all mycobacteria (approximately 100 species), unlike current nucleic acid hybridization methods, which probe only 4 species. The identifications are the same or are species specific for the well-characterized mycobacteria (59/68 [87%]) or more accurate for recently proposed species (9/68 [13%]). The method requires a single sequencing reaction, which is efficient and cost-effective. Therefore, this method is clinically and academically useful.
Self‐similar collapse of stationary bulk foams

In bulk foams, the dependence of bubble size on time can be deduced from a hypothesis of statistical self-similarity and the scaling characteristic of the volume change rate of a foam bubble. If this rate, v, scales as the mean bubble volume 3 to the power a, the total surface area of the foam decreases as an inverse of time to the power 1/[3 (I - a)]. Coarsening of polyhedral foam scales with a = 5/6, when molecular diffusion limits gas transport across lamellae and liquid drainage through Plateau borders limits lamella thinning. Excess liquid is released by disappearing small bubbles and flows into the lamellae and Plateau borders of growing large bubbles. If none of this liquid accumulates in the foam, coarsening is exponential and a = 1. When resistance to mass transfer at the lamella surfaces is the rate-limiting step, polyhedral foam coarsens with (11 = 1/3. Coarsening of slowly draining, spherical-bubble foam scales with a = 0. The theory is compared with nine measurements of the total surface area of polyhedral and spherical-bubble foams pregenerated from aqueous solutions of sodium lauryl sulfate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, alpha-olefin sulfonate with alkyl chain lengths from C14 to C16, and two shaving creams. The theory also proves that the collapse of a two-dimensional, polygonal foam is self-similar and scales with a = 1. In all cases, our theory agrees well with experiment and numerical calculations.