cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoinitiated Reversible Formation of Small Gold Crystallites in Polymer Gels

Reversible formation of gold crystallites takes place in methanol-swollen cross-linked polymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride. Metal particles are generated in air-saturated gels via the photoreduction of Au(III) complexes. Oxidation of the crystallites proceeds through a dark reaction that regenerates the Au(III) species. The particle generation process remains completely reversible throughout several formation and decay cycles, indicating that this gel system behaves in a photoresponsive fashion.
Complex-zero signal generator for rapid system testing

The expanding use of pole-zero techniques in designing feedback control systems has made paramount a simple method for determining characteristic pole-zero locations of existing systems and components. As a step in this direction, a method is presented for determining characteristic pole locations of a system. Use is made of a signal from a ?zero generator.? This signal is fed into the system to cancel existing poles. A null method is used to determine when the pole is cancelled. The position of the zero given by the calibration of the zero generator then determines the location of the pole.
Picoeconomics: The Strategic Interaction of Successive Motivational States within the Person

Preface 1. The paradox of addiction 2. In search of the two minds 3. Temporary-preference theory 4. The interaction of interests: the effects of short-range interests 5. The interaction of interests 6. Freedom and compulsion 7. Self-generated reward as the basic impulse-control problem 8. The demon at the calliope 9. The texture of experience Appendices Bibliography Indices.
Nuclear localization of the G protein β5/R7-regulator of G protein signaling protein complex is dependent on R7 binding protein

The neuronally expressed G beta(5) subunit is the most structurally divergent among heterotrimeric G beta isoforms and unique in its ability to heterodimerize with the R7 subfamily of regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins. The complex between G beta(5) and R7-type RGS proteins targets the cell nucleus by an unknown mechanism. Although the nuclear targeting of the G beta(5)/R7-RGS complex is proposed to involve the binding of R7-binding protein (R7BP), this theory is challenged by the observations that endogenous R7BP is palmitoylated, co-localizes strongly with the plasma membrane, and has never been identified in the cytosol or nucleus of native neurons or untreated cultured cells. We show here mutant RGS7 lacking the N-terminal Disheveled, EGL-10, Pleckstrin homology domain is expressed in transfected cells but, unlike wild-type RGS7, is excluded from the cell nucleus. As the Disheveled, EGL-10, Pleckstrin homology domain is essential for R7BP binding to RGS7, we studied the subcellular localization of G beta(5) in primary neurons and brain from mice deficient in R7BP. The level of endogenous nuclear G beta(5) and RGS7 in neurons and brains from R7BP knockout mice is reduced by 50-70%. These results suggest that R7BP contributes significantly to the nuclear localization of endogenous G beta(5)/R7-RGS complex in brain.
Fractional Availability of Smectite Surfaces in Soils for Adsorption of Nitroaromatic Compounds in Relation to Soil and Solute Properties

Efficacy of soil clay minerals for the sorption of nonionic organic compounds may be reduced by soil organic matter (SOM) association with clays. Previously, we quantified the fractional availability (f a ) of soil clay surfaces for sorption of para-nitrocyanobenzene (p-NCB). Removal of SOM from a soil increased p-NCB sorption, demonstrating that SOM reduced the availability of clay surfaces for sorption of p-NCB. In this study, we extended our investigation of SOM-smectite interactions by measuring the availability of smectite surfaces in four soils to four nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) including p-NCB, 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), 1,4-dinitrobenzene (1,4-DNB), and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (1,3,5-TNB). Increased NAC sorption was consistently observed after SOM was removed from whole soils, indicating that SOM blocks the availability of soil smectite surfaces to NACs. Estimates for the f a of smectite surfaces in the four soils ranged from 1 to 0.3. These f a values were strongly negatively correlated with the ratio of SOM/smectite contents. Also, f a values differed systematically with NAC probe molecules, with SOM blocking fewer clay mineral sites from more strongly sorbing NACs. This suggests that smectite surface availability in soils may be an operationally defined quantity whose value depends on the probe molecule. Values of f a approaching 1 for strongly sorbing NACs suggest displacement of SOM from smectite surfaces by the sorbed compound.
Exponential Values for the Species-Area Relation.

Data on vegetation types in six 900-m2 plots in the Midwest reveal that the species-area curves are not logarithmic but more nearly approach an exponential equation of the form y = kx2 for areas less than 100 m2. For larger areas the curve appears to be sigmoid.
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor and Granulocyte Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Exacerbate Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice

Background— Recent studies have suggested a potential contribution of bone marrow–derived progenitor cells to vascular repair. Preliminary clinical studies have explored the possibility that mobilization of progenitor cells with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) can affect vascular repair. However, it is not known whether the short-term administration of G-CSF or GM-CSF exerts beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. Methods and Results— Apolipoprotein E–deficient mice were treated with either GM-CSF or G-CSF at a dose of 10 μg · kg−1 · d−1 SC administered daily for 5 days per week on alternating weeks for a total of 20 doses over an 8-week treatment period. We found that in animals maintained on a high-fat diet, both G-CSF and GM-CSF actually demonstrated an increase in atherosclerotic lesion extent. The increase in atherosclerotic extent was not associated with an increase in either inflammatory cells or expression of proinflammator...
Hypertension Accelerates the Growth of Experimental Aortic Aneurysms

Hypertension has long been suspected to increase the growth rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), but there is little experimental evidence to support this hypothesis. Using an established model, aneurysms were induced in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and in a unique strain of genetically hypertensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKHT) rats by perfusing an isolated segment of the infrarenal aorta with elastase (n = 14, each group). Aortic diameter was measured with a micrometer and systolic blood pressure (sBP) determined by tail plethysmography. Rats were killed at 7 or 14 days, aneurysm diameter was measured, and aneurysms were examined histologically. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in WKHT rats (164 ± 15 mm Hg) compared to WKY animals (119 ± 7 mm Hg, P < 0.001). Initial aortic size was 1.10 ± 0.02 mm in the two groups. Aneurysms in the hypertensive animals were significantly larger at Day 7 (WKY, 2.31 ± 0.09 mm; WKHT, 2.54 ± 0.22 mm; P = 0.02) and Day 14 (WKY, 2.36 ± 0.25; WKHT, 3.45 ± 0.89; P = 0.001). Overall, the mean AAA growth rate of the WKYHT group was nearly twice that of the WKY group: 0.13 ± 0.09 mm/day vs 0.07 ± 0.03 mm/day, (P = 0.004). Growth rates were also positively correlated with sBP (r = 0.82, P < 0.0001). Both groups showed elastic lamellar disruption and inflammatory cell infiltration within the wall of the aorta. As demonstrated in this experimental model, hypertension does indeed increase the rate of growth of AAA.
"Conducting is Everywhere!" A Case Study of the Development of Preservice Music Teacher Occupational Identity in a Beginning Conducting Course

Research on pre-service music teacher occupational identity often highlights two competing identities: performer and teacher (L’Roy, 1983; Roberts, 1991; Pellegrino, 2009). Of the many factors that contribute to the occupational identity of the pre-service music teacher (Woodford, 2002), conducting has the potential to integrate performer and teacher identities. Previous research indicates that high school and college ensemble conductors have an influence on the occupational identity of the pre-service music teacher (L’Roy, 1983; Bauer & Berg, 2001; Isbell, 2008), yet little is known about how socialization to the norms of a conducting community influences the development of pre-service music teacher occupational identity. The present investigation used qualitative case study methodology (Stake, 1995) to describe the status of pre-service music teacher occupational identity at one institution during a first-semester beginning conducting course. Using a community of practice framework (Wenger, 1998), I examined the following questions: (1) how does conducting instruction influence the development of pre-service music teacher occupational identity; (2) how does a student’s perceived trajectory relate to their approach to conducting instruction; (3) how does a student’s previous and current socialization impact the awareness and participation in a conducting community of practice? Data analysis suggested four primary themes: (a) conducting as teaching; (b) conducting as performing; (c) participants learn by watching others conduct; (d) participants seek to assume the role of the expert. Findings suggest that a pre-service music teacher’s occupational identity is affected by their perceived trajectory (Wenger, 1998) as they interact in or move through a community of practice.
Quantum fluctuations in holographic theories with hyperscaling violation

In this short note we use holographic methods to study the response of quantum critical points with hyperscaling violation to a disturbance caused by a massive charged particle. We give analytical expressions for the two-point functions of the fluctuations of the massive probe as a function of arbitrary (allowed) values of the hyperscaling violation exponent $\ensuremath{\theta}$ and the dynamical exponent $z$. We point out the existence of markedly different behaviors of the two-point functions in the parameter space of $\ensuremath{\theta}$ and $z$ at late times. In particular, as expected, the late-time dynamics of the probe becomes independent of its inertial mass in the range $z+2\ensuremath{\theta}/dg2$.
Sputum Induction and Bronchoscopy for Assessment of Ozone-Induced Airway Inflammation in Asthma

Background Neutrophilic airway inflammation, as defined by cell counts in respiratory tract lining fluid (RTLF), is a key end point in many studies of respiratory toxicity in both healthy and asthmatic subjects. BAL and sputum induction (SI) are the most common methods of sampling RTLF in such studies. However, the comparability of these methods (BAL and SI) after experimental treatment has not been investigated in a head-to-head controlled trial. Methods To determine whether BAL and SI are comparable and can be used in place of each other in the assessment of neutrophilic airway inflammation after ozone (O 3 ) exposure, we exposed 13 asthmatic subjects to either 0.2 ppm of O 3 or filtered air (FA) followed by either BAL or SI. Subjects then underwent the alternate (O 3 or FA) exposure followed by the same method of RTLF sampling. Next, subjects repeated the same exposure protocol with the alternate method of RTLF sampling. Differences in inflammatory indexes including the percentage of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (%PMNs) between the exposures were then correlated by regression analysis. Results The %PMNs in sputum was poorly correlated with that in BAL fluid ( R = 0.12). The correlation between the %PMNs in sputum and in the bronchial fraction of BAL (BFx) fluid, however, was somewhat higher ( R = 0.50). Furthermore, the uncertainty of the estimate of %PMN values in BFx fluid and BAL fluid based on those of sputum values, using regression models, was almost as great as the magnitude of the O 3 effect itself ( ie , 9.7% and 5.5% estimate errors for O 3 effects of 17.0% and 7.5%, respectively). Conclusion We concluded that SI and BAL indexes are not directly interchangeable in the assessment of O 3 -induced airway inflammation in asthmatic subjects.
Using Repeated Measures of Symptom Score, Uroflowmetry and Prostate Specific Antigen in the Clinical Management of Prostate Disease

Measurements of American Urological Association symptom score, peak urine flow rate and prostate specific antigen (PSA) are often followed over time in urological management. However, their interpretation is confounded by within-patient variability due to chance. Data from 2 clinical trials are used to examine the magnitude of this variation. When these measures are repeated at a short interval variation is modest and might easily be misinterpreted as a true change in patient condition. For example, approximately 20% of patients might be expected to have a chance increase or decrease in symptom score by at least 4.9 points, in peak urine flow rate by at least 4.1 ml. per second or in PSA by at least 1.6 ng./ml. Clinicians can use these data to help interpret repeated measures of these variables in patients, and can consider obtaining paired measurements to decrease the effect of chance variation when they plan on following them over time.
Alcohol consumption, alcohol outlets, and the risk of being assaulted with a gun.

Background: We conducted a population-based case–control study to better delineate the relationship between individual alcohol consumption, alcohol outlets in the surrounding environment, and being assaulted with a gun. Methods: An incidence density sampled case–control study was conducted in the entire city of Philadelphia from 2003 to 2006. We enrolled 677 cases that had been shot in an assault and 684 population-based controls. The relationships between 2 independent variables of interest, alcohol consumption and alcohol outlet availability, and the outcome of being assaulted with a gun were analyzed. Conditional logistic regression was used to adjust for numerous confounding variables. Results: After adjustment, heavy drinkers were 2.67 times as likely to be shot in an assault when compared with nondrinkers (p < 0.10) while light drinkers were not at significantly greater risk of being shot in an assault when compared with nondrinkers. Regression-adjusted analyses also demonstrated that being in an area of high off-premise alcohol outlet availability significantly increased the risk of being shot in an assault by 2.00 times (p < 0.05). Being in an area of high on-premise alcohol outlet availability did not significantly change this risk. Heavy drinkers in areas of high off-premise alcohol outlet availability were 9.34 times (p < 0.05) as likely to be shot in an assault. Conclusions: This study finds that the gun assault risk to individuals who are near off-premise alcohol outlets is about the same as or statistically greater than the risk they incur from heavy drinking. The combination of heavy drinking and being near off-premise outlets resulted in greater risk than either factor alone. By comparison, light drinking and being near on-premise alcohol outlets were not associated with increased risks for gun assault. Cities should consider addressing alcohol-related factors, especially off-premise outlets, as highly modifiable and politically feasible approaches to reducing gun violence.
Songbird use of Floodplain and Upland Forests Along the Upper Mississippi River Corridor During Spring Migration

Abstract. The Upper Mississippi River is thought to provide important stopover habitat for migrating landbirds because of its north-south orientation and floodplain forests. The river flows through the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota where forests are plentiful, yet forests of the floodplain and Driftless Area uplands differ greatly in landscape setting, tree species composition, and topography. We compared landbird assemblages in these upland and floodplain forests over three springs, 2005–2007, using line-transect surveys at randomly selected areas in and within 16 km of the floodplain. We found more species of both transient and locally breeding migrants per survey in floodplain than in upland forest. Detections of transient neotropical migrants did not differ statistically by habitat. Detections of locally breeding neotropical and temperate-zone migrants and transient temperate-zone migrants were greater in floodplain than in upland forest. Between floodplain and up...
A reel-to-reel compatible printed accelerometer

This paper describes the fabrication and testing of a one-axis polymer-based capacitive accelerometer made using a reel-to-reel/roll-to-roll compatible, printing-based process. The accelerometer is a suspended parallel-plate sense capacitor made from a laser-printed polystyrene composite material on a flexible plastic substrate. With a simple analog voltage readout circuit, device sensitivity is 58mV/g with +/−1.5g range. This device demonstrates fabrication of ultra-low-cost MEMS sensors on flexible polymer substrates.
Culture as an Explanation of Technology Acceptance Differences: An Empirical Investigation of Chinese and US Users

This article examines the issue of the acceptance of technology across two cultures. To do this an extended technology acceptance model was tested in China and the US. Over one hundred participants, across both cultures, were surveyed as to their perceptions regarding technology acceptance. Cultural values were also measured for each group. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the research model. In general, the model explained a more than adequate amount of variance and achieved acceptable levels of significance. Differences across the two cultures were explained utilizing the cultural values of the participants. Implications for both research and practice were provided
Understanding the variable fluorescence quantum yield of tryptophan in proteins using QM-MM simulations. Quenching by charge transfer to the peptide backbone

Abstract A reasonable basis for the puzzling variation of tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence quantum yields in proteins arises naturally through quantum mechanics-molecular dynamics simulations in which the energy of the lowest Trp ring-to-amide backbone charge transfer (CT) state is monitored during dynamics trajectories for 16 Trps in 13 proteins. The energy, fluctuations, and relaxation of the high lying CT state are highly sensitive to protein environment (local electric field) and rotamer conformation, leading to large variations in 1 L a fluorescence yield and lifetime.
Information center management control measures: a survey and comparison

The authors report on a survey of information center (IC) management control measures. Data were obtained by interviewing individuals in 20 different organizations using a semistructured questionnaire consisting of over 100 questions. Wherever possible, results of the survey are compared with descriptions and prescriptions found in the literature. Twenty-five generalizations are formulated regarding management control measures currently employed in the context of the IC. Among these are: the most common measures of IC successes are level of usage and user satisfaction; organizations do not usually have formal procedures for evaluating applications developed by either users or IC staff; on average, 61% of IC budget is allocated to personnel, 29% to hardware, and 10% to software; ICs do not usually charge for their services; and return-on-investment is not usually calculated for the IC. >
Volunteerism and humanitarian engineering -- Part I [Guest Editor's Introduction]

The five articles in this special issue focus on the involvement of engineers and the engineering community in humanitarian and voluntary activities.
Two-Dimensional Critical Point Configuration Graphs

The configuration of the critical points of a smooth function of two variables is studied under the assumption that the function is Morse, that is, that all of its critical points are nondegenerate. A critical point configuration graph (CPCG) is derived from the critical points, ridge lines, and course lines of the function. Then a result from the theory of critical points of Morse functions is applied to obtain several constraints on the number and type of critical points that appear on cycles of a CPCG. These constraints yield a catalog of equivalent CPCG cycles containing four entries. The slope districts induced by a critical point configuration graph appear useful for describing the behavior of smooth functions of two variables, such as surfaces, images, and the radius function of three-dimensional symmetric axes.
Work-heat tolerance of distance runners.

Physical training in a cool environment by subjects not previously trained improves their work-heat tolerance, but can not replace heat acclimatization to the standard heat stress conditions employed by a variety of investigators. This is attributed to the inability of these subjects to sustain prolonged work at high metabolic rates. Thus, they are not maintaining high core body temperatures long enough to bring about an adaptive change to heat. On the other hand, the intense and prolonged (years) training of long distance runners in a temperature environment at high metabolic rates has acclimatized them for at least 4 hours of mild work (MR 160 kcal/m2-hr) in both hot dry (50/27 C db/wb) and hot wet (36.7/33.1 C db/wb) environments, but not for work at high energy expenditures (MR 540 kcal/m2-hr) in a less severe thermal stress (35/21 C db/wb). These highly trained athletes can improve their work-heat tolerance at high metabolic rates in a warm climate by training at competitive speeds in a cool environment dressed in sweat clothing or by training at near competitive speeds in the heat. In either of these situations the athlete is cautioned to consume water at frequent intervals to offset the dehydration associated with excessive sweating under these conditions. Language: en
Posttranslational Acetylation of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Integrase Carboxyl-Terminal Domain Is Dispensable for Viral Replication

A recent report sought to demonstrate that acetylation of specific lysines within integrase (IN) by the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) p300 regulates human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integration and is essential for viral replication (A. Cereseto, L. Manganaro, M. I. Gutierrez, M. Terreni, A. Fittipaldi, M. Lusic, A. Marcello, and M. Giacca, EMBO J. 24:3070-3081, 2005). We can corroborate the efficient and specific acetylation of the IN carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) (amino acids 212 to 288) by p300 using purified recombinant components. Although arginine substitution mutagenesis of the isolated CTD confirms that the majority of p300 acetylation occurs at lysine residues 264, 266, and 273, the pattern of acetylation is not uniform and a hierarchy of reactivity can be established. Several combinatorial mutations of the CTD lysines modified by p300 in vitro were reconstructed into an otherwise infectious proviral plasmid clone and examined for viral growth and frequency of productive chromosomal integration. In contrast to the findings of Cereseto and coworkers, who used epitope-tagged viruses for their experiments, we find that an untagged mutant virus, IN K(264/266/273)R, is fully replication competent. This discrepancy may be explained by the use of an acidic epitope tag placed at the extreme carboxyl terminus of integrase, near the target site for acetylation. Although the tagged, wild-type virus is viable, the combination of this epitope tag with the RRR substitution mutation results in a replication-defective phenotype. Although IN belongs to the very small set of nonhistone proteins modified by HAT-mediated activity, an obligate role for acetylation at the reactive CTD lysines in HIV-1 IN cannot be confirmed.
Toll-like receptor 9 trafficking and signaling for type I interferons requires PIKfyve activity

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) traffic to distinct membranes for signaling. TLR7 and TLR9 recognize viral nucleic acids in the endosomes and induce robust anti-viral program. Signaling from these TLRs bifurcate at the level of distinct endosomal compartments, namely VAMP3(+) and LAMP(+) endosomes, to mediate the induction of cytokine and type I interferon (IFN) genes, respectively. The formation of the TLR9 endosome competent for IFNs induction requires AP-3. Phosphoinositides (PIs) mark distinct subcellular membranes and control membrane trafficking. However, their role in TLR trafficking and signaling in different dendritic cell (DC) subsets remains unclear. Here, we examined the role of phosphatidylinositol 3P 5-kinase, PIKfyve, in TLR9 trafficking and signaling. We demonstrate that inhibition of PIKfyve activity preferentially blocks TLR9 signaling for type I IFN induction in FLT3L-bone marrow-derived DCs. By confocal microscopy using RAW264.7 cells, we show that trafficking of both TLR9 and CpG to the LAMP1(+) compartment was blocked by PIKfyve inhibitor treatment, whereas their trafficking to the VAMP3(+) endosome remained intact. Further, AP-3 recruitment to TLR9 endosomes was impaired by PIKfyve inhibition. These data indicate that PIKfyve provides critical PIs necessary for the formation of endosome from which TLR9 signals to induce type I IFNs.
Onion maggot (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) resistance to chlorpyrifos in New York onion fields

A larval immersion bioassay was developed to identify susceptibility of onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), to chlorpyrifos and to determine whether this assay could be used to predict control in onion fields. Laboratory colonies were established from larvae collected in New York onion fields during 2003 and 2004, providing us with test insects to use in bioassays. The larval assay effectively determined susceptibility of D. antiqua to chlorpyrifos, and results were congruent with an adult bioassay. However, use of similar-aged larvae (4 d old) in the assays was critical because larvae became more tolerant to chlorpyrifos as they aged. In a field survey, six of the 13 populations had LC50 values above the recommended field rate of 3,600 ppm (range 4,031-6,869). Over two successive seasons in the same field, susceptibility of D. antiqua to chlorpyrifos decreased in two of three fields (by 45 and 42%) and remained the same in another field, indicating that resistance is not predictable from year to year. Based on the relationship between damage in the field and LC50 values from 11 of the populations mentioned above, all five populations that had LC50 values above the field rate caused unacceptable levels of damage, whereas five of six populations that had LC50 values below the field rate did not cause serious damage.
Reciprocal Expression of ospA and ospC in Single Cells of Borrelia burgdorferi

Outer surface proteins (Osp) A and C of the Lyme disease spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) are selectively produced and of functional significance in the tick vector and mammalian host, respectively. Some studies indicate a simple, reciprocal relationship where the signals and pathways that turn on ospC also turn off ospA. Other studies indicate a more complex regulation where many spirochetes produce both proteins and others produce one of the proteins or neither protein. Here, we have used flow cytometry to characterize ospA and ospC transcript and protein levels in individual bacterial cells grown in culture. The results support a simple, reciprocal model where, at the level of single cells, the transcription of ospC is linked to the repression of ospA. We also demonstrate that under conditions conducive for OspC production, spirochetes display an “all or none” response, with some cells displaying high levels of ospC transcription and others demonstrating little or no transcription. Despite the reciprocal regulation of ospA and ospC at the single-cell level, we propose that spirochetes display an array of phenotypes due to stochasticity in the pathways that regulate osp expression and the slow turnover of outer surface proteins.
Comparative proliferative kinetics of cells from normal human epidermis and benign epidermal hyperplasia (psoriasis) in vitro.

Proliferation kinetics of epidermal cells from normal human skin and lesions of psoriasis (benign epidermal hyperplasia) were studied in vitro. Epithelial out-growths were obtained from skin explants and the cell cycle studied using the conventional method of following two successive curves of labeled mitoses after an initial pulse with 3H thymidine. The length of Tc was 59 hr and 53.5 hr respectively for normal and psoriatic cells. The shorter Tc for psoriasis was due to a shorter duration of S. The growth fraction was 66% and 74% for normal and psoriatic cells respectively as determined by continuous labeling with 3H thymidine. Under the conditions of the present experiments, therefore, normal and psoriatic epidermal cells showed no significant difference in proliferative capacity.
A novel ultrawide band locationing system using swarm enabled learning approaches

In this paper, an adaptive learning algorithm is developed using particle swarm to identify and mitigate the non-line of sight (NLOS) signals in ranging measurements. Training data is generated using the IEEE 802.15.4a UWB channel model for different conditions. Multiple metrics derived from this data are fused to identify the NLOS signals. Specifically, kurtosis, mean excess delay and root mean square delay are used as metrics for fusion. The fusion strategy is derived using PSO, considering the correlation between multiple classifiers. We compare the fusion methodology achieved by PSO for the correlated data set to the likelihood ratio based fusion methodology assuming independence. Further, the paper presents an NLOS mitigation approach derived using PSO. A scalar called “error mitigation ratio (EMR)” is defined. The EMR transform a NLOS measurement into an equivalent LOS measurement. The PSO identifies the EMR using the training data. Application of PSO generated EMR enhances the positioning accuracy and is demonstrated in this paper for indoor wireless channel. This mitigation approach enables us to arrive at a position for the unknown node even when one of the measurements is identified as NLOS. Finally, PSO is used for multilateration to combine measurements from three nodes. Comparisons are done with the linearized least square method.
Case report of rare chronic myelogenous leukemia related multibacterial splenic abscess presenting with scrotal swelling

INTRODUCTION Splenic abscesses associated with leukemia are rare. Most reported cases of splenic abscesses occur after chemotherapy and are related to the immunosuppressive effects of the chemotherapy. Their etiology is most frequently fungal.
Antibodies to synthetic antibody-combining sites antibodies against a surface-simulation peptide with antibody-combining activity toward lysozyme antigenic site 3 react with lysozyme antibodies

Recently, we reported the synthesis and immunochemistry of two peptides designed, by complementarity and surface-simulation synthesis, to mimic antibody-combining sites against two antigenic sites of lysozyme. In the present work antibodies were raised against one of these peptides, which is complementary to antigenic site 3 of lysozyme, to determine whether these antibodies will react with anti-lysozyme antibodies. Radioiodinated antipeptide antibodies were bound by immunoadsorbents of the immune IgG from two goat anti-lysozyme antisera but not by adsorbents of myoglobin, non-immune goat IgG or immune IgG of antisera against cytochrome c. The binding of anti-peptide antibodies to adsorbents of anti-lysozyme antibodies was fully inhibited by free lysozyme but not by bovine serum albumin, human hemoglobin A, horse cytochrome c or bovine ribonuclease A. Thus, antisera against an antibody-combining site can be raised by immunizing with a peptide which probably does not exist in the antibody but is designed by surface-simulation synthesis to mimic an antibody-combining site.
Combining dependent tests to compare the diagnostic accuracies--a non-parametric approach.

In this paper, we propose a non-parametric approach for comparing diagnostic accuracies in multi-reader receiver operating characteristic (ROC) studies. The approach constructs a test from each reader by extending the conventional non-parametric method and then combines all the individual test statistics to draw an overall conclusion on the relative accuracies of different diagnostic tests. The method can handle both continuous and ordinal data. Compared to the existing non-parametric methods, the method is robust and effectively deals with the possible heterogeneity among readers. It can also be applied to the analysis of correlated ROC studies. The method is applied to a real example and its finite sample performance is examined through simulation studies. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrative Analysis of Transcriptome Variation in Uterine Carcinosarcoma and Comparison to Sarcoma and Endometrial Carcinoma

Large-scale cancer genomics has made a huge impact onto cancer research. It has allowed the characterization of tumor types in an unprecedented depth. More recent studies target the joint analysis of multiple tumor types to gain insight into similarities and differences on a molecular level. Here we present an analysis of Uterine Carcinosarcoma. The histological similarities to sarcomas and carcinomas warrants an in-depth analysis to Uterine Endometrial Carcinoma as well as Sarcomas and we have used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas to understand transcriptome similarities and diffrences between these tumor types. We have performed a differential transcriptome analysis of Uterine Carinosarcoma to Uterine samples from GTEx to find genes with tumor specifc splicing or expression patterns, which may not only be of interest for a deeper mechanistic understanding of the development and progression of Uterine Carcinosarcoma, but may also be potential tumor markers. Similarities and differences to Sarcomas and Endometrial Carcinomas present new opportunities for the development of new and targeted drug therapies. Finally we have also studied genetic determinants of gene expression and splicing changes and identifed germline variants that explain expression and splicing differences between individuals. This analysis demonstrates the opportunities of integrative comparative analysis between multiple tumor types.
The Role of Brain Maturation in the Evolution of the Primates

In 1959 I showed a close allometric relationship between the maximum lifespans for captive extant mammalian species and their adult brain weights and body weights (Sacher, 1959). The same quantitative relationship was later found to hold within individual taxa as diverse as the Rodentia (Sacher, unpublished), the Odontoceti (Sacher, 1981), and, in particular, the Haplorhini (Sacher, 1975).
Targeting of the epidermal growth factor receptor with mesoporphyrin IX-peptide conjugates

The synthesis and in vitro evaluation of four mesoporphyrin IX-peptide conjugates designed to target EGFR, over-expressed in colorectal and other cancers, are reported. Two peptides with known affinity for EGFR, LARLLT (1) and GYHWYGYTPQNVI (2), were conjugated to mesoporphyrin IX (MPIX, 3) via one or both the propionic side chains, directly (4, 5) or with a triethylene glycol spacer (7, 8). The conjugates were characterized using NMR, MS, CD, SPR, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. Energy minimization and molecular dynamics suggest different conformations for the conjugates. SPR studies show that conjugate 4, bearing two LARLLT with no PEG spacers, has the greatest affinity for binding to EGFR, followed by conjugate 7 with two PEG and two LARLLT sequences. Molecular modeling and docking studies suggest that both conjugates 4 and 7 can bind to monomer and dimer EGFR in open and closed conformations. The cytotoxicity and cellular targeting ability of the conjugates were investigated in human HEp2 cells over-expressing EGFR. All conjugates showed low dark- and photo-toxicities. The cellular uptake was highest for conjugates 4 and 8 and lowest for 7 bearing two LARLLT linked via PEG groups, likely due to decreased hydrophobicity. Among the conjugates investigated 4 is the most efficient EGFR-targeting agent, and therefore the most promising for the detection of cancers that over-express EGFR.
Cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate-dependent kinase and phosphoproteins in human amnion.

3',5'-Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modulates prostaglandin production in human amnion membranes. The major effects of cAMP are presumably mediated through the phosphorylation of specific regulatory phosphoproteins following cAMP activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and phosphoproteins have not previously been characterized in human amnion. Total homogenates, cytosol, and membrane fractions from human amnion were examined for [3H]cAMP binding activity and cAMP-dependent kinase activity. cAMP-dependent kinase activity was barely detectable in crude amnion fractions. Cytosol was therefore partially purified by DEAE column chromatography for further examination. Two peaks of coincident [3H]cAMP binding and cAMP-dependent kinase activity were demonstrated at 70 and 140 mM NaCl, characteristic of the Type I and Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozymes. [3H]cAMP binding to the material from both peak fractions was saturable and reversible. Scatchard analysis of [3H]cAMP binding to the peak fractions was linear for peak I and curvilinear for peak II. Assuming a one-site model, [3H]cAMP binding to the Type I isozyme showed a KD = 4.17 x 10(-8) M and Bmax = 73 pmole/mg protein; using a two-site model, [3H]cAMP binding to the high-affinity site for the Type II isozyme had a KD = 3.94 x 10(-8) M and Bmax = 6.3 pmole/mg protein. Other cyclic nucleotides competed for these [3H]cAMP binding sites with a potency order of cAMP much greater than cGMP greater than (BU)2cAMP.cAMP caused a dose-dependent increase in cAMP-dependent kinase activity in the peak fractions; half-maximal activation was observed with 5.0 x 10(-8) M cAMP. The ability of cAMP to increase phosphorylation of endogenous proteins in both crude amnion cytosol and cytosol from cultures of amnion epithelial cells was assessed using [32P]ATP, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. cAMP stimulated 32P incorporation into three proteins having Mr = 80,000, 54,000, and 43,000 (P less than .01). Half-maximal 32P incorporation into these proteins occurred at 1.0 x 10(-7) M cAMP. cAMP-dependent kinase is present in human amnion; specific cAMP-enhanced phosphoproteins are also present. Hormones elevating cAMP levels in amnion may exert their effects by activating cAMP-dependent kinase and phosphorylating these phosphoproteins.
Beyond reform Agency `after theory'

This article assesses the peculiar condition of being `after' theory. Any attempt to better understand why theory now haunts contemporary intellectual practice more than it challenges it must make ...
Changes in the Structure of the Cellulose Fiber Wall during Dilute Acid Pretreatment in Populus Studied by 1H and 2H NMR

Dilute acid pretreatment (DAP) is a frequently employed technique in biofuel production to increase overall sugar and subsequent ethanol yields from downstream fermentation. This is done prior to enzymatic deconstruction of cellulose to increase accessible surface area as well as to remove or redistribute hemicellulose and lignin, which have an inhibitory effect on enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study, the effect of DAP on the supramolecular and ultrastructure of lignocellulosic biomass was evaluated by both 1H and 2H NMR techniques. A series of DAPs were conducted on Populus using ∼0.10 M H2SO4 at ∼160 °C for varying residence times. 2H spin−lattice (T1) times of deuterium oxide (D2O) adsorbed within the lignocellulosic biomass were measured on untreated and pretreated Populus, and an inverse Laplace transform of the T1 decays was then used to generate pore size distributions. The resulting distributions indicate that substantial pore expansion within the cellulose fibril bundles occurs during pretreatmen...
Aircraft assembly resource model based on multi-domain integrated design

To provide service for resource library development by classifying assembly resources effectively,and to promote assembly simulation effect,the resource classification method in accordance with elements such as resource property,simulation process and assembling work was proposed.The resource definition model and information integrated model were also built based on the map group method to describe resource attribute and express by BNF. Multi-domain integrated model was designed,and the types and attributes of aircraft assembly resources were studied systematically.The mapping process of design-model was contemporarily given.Assembly resources model for certain kind of small aircraft was obtained and the effectiveness of this method was proved.
Analysis on HIV testing and its influencing factors among young female migrants working in entertainment venues in Luyang District,Hefei

Objective To study the utilization of HIV counseling and testing service and its influencing factors among young female migrants working in entertainment venues in Luyang District,Hefei. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to recruit eligible participants,22 entertainment venues in Luyang District were randomly selected to be survey sites. Surveys included demographic characteristics,HIV /STIs-related knowledge,the awareness and utilization of HIV counseling and testing service,STI or genital tract infectious during past year,abortion,sexual behavior during past 6months and sexual partner. Results Totally,180 participants met study inclusion criteria and completed the survey. 33.9% participants known to consult HIV in regular hospitals or centers for disease control( CDC). 47. 2% participants known that CDC provide free HIV testing services. Only 16. 1% reported they ever consulted HIV,and 31. 7% reported they ever had HIV test. The multivariate logistic regression revealed that the age between 26 and 29,to be married or cohabitation with boyfriend,known to consult HIV in regular hospitals or CDC,had sex with boyfriend during past 6 months,and higher HIV / STIs-related knowledge increased the HIV test behavior. Conclusion The awareness of HIV counseling and testing for young female migrants working in entertainment venues should be improved. More HIV /AIDs-related health education should be given to them to expand the coverage of HIV counseling and testing service.
Ion-Exchanged Lithium Aluminosilicate Glass: Strength and Dynamic Fatigue

Sodium for lithium and potassium for lithium ion-exchanges of a lithium aluminosilicate glass were conducted and the resulting strength and dynamic fatigue characteristics were studied. Four-point bend mechanical tests revealed that greater strengthening can be achieved by the potassium for lithium ion-exchange, compared to the sodium for lithium ion-exchange, and that the dynamic fatigue tendency is strongly suppressed by both exchanges. This suppression of dynamic fatigue characteristics of ion-exchange strengthened glass was explained by the ability of the surface compressive layer to delay the onset of slow crack growth. Bulk stresses continue to increase in magnitude while the crack is arrested in the surface compressive stress region. Upon offsetting the surface compressive stress, the crack rapidly propagates into a high-magnitude tensile stress field until the fracture toughness is reached, resulting in minimal crack growth prior to material failure. A slow crack growth model utilizing a fracture mechanics weight function was developed to simulate the experiments. Dynamic fatigue characteristics of the as-received glass, without ion-exchange treatment, were also measured and simulated for comparison.
Influence of Dietary Magnesium on the Amplitude of Wave V of the Auditory Brainstem Response

Thirty-six weanling guinea pigs were fed either a low (600 ppm) or normal (3000 ppm) diet of magnesium for 8 weeks. One half of each diet group received intramuscular injections of magnesium-depleting drugs, furosemide and gentamicin. The other half were controls and received equal intramuscular injections of saline. Auditory brainstem responses were obtained from all animals before and after 8 weeks of treatment of diet and drugs to examine the effects of treatment upon hearing and auditory brainstem function. A three-way analysis of variance of dietary magnesium, by drug and by sex, showed no significant differences in auditory brainstem wave V thresholds, wave V latencies, or interpeak wave I-V latencies between the control and experimental groups. The low magnesium diet group, which received drugs, had significantly greater wave V auditory brainstem response amplitudes. Results can be explained on the basis of magnesium influencing the uptake of calcium into both the hair cells and associated brainstem pathways.
Preoperative Interventions and Charges Before Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background The cost effectiveness of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been well established, but little data exist regarding preoperative interventions and their costs. The purpose of this study was to examine preoperative interventions and their associated charges within the 2-year period before TKA. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing TKA between 2007 and 2011 was conducted using the PearlDiver Patient Record Database. Patients' inpatient and outpatient billing records were tracked over the 2-year period before receiving a TKA. Results A total of 35,596 patients from Medicare and 47,064 from United Healthcare underwent TKA from 2009 to 2011. In the 2-year period before TKA, the per patient average charge was $3545.82 for Medicare and $3281.57 for United Healthcare. In the 2-year period before TKA, 21.4% (Medicare) and 23.3% (United Healthcare) of all patients received a magnetic resonance imaging, with between 31.9% (Medicare) and 45.6% (United Healthcare) of these occurring within 3 months of surgery ( P P Conclusion Interventions and costs before TKA occur largely within 6 months preoperatively, with a substantial portion occurring within 3 months. These interventions may not be clinically or cost effective for certain patients, such as those with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis. Foregoing these interventions and opting to perform TKA earlier may reduce costs and prevent unnecessary tests and procedures.
High-Speed Management: A Revolution in Organizational Communication in the 1990s

A series of revolutions have taken place within the global economy, transforming the theoretical basis for organizational coalignment and thus all information and communication processes. This essay tracks the principal bases for that transformation. It then explicates a new theory of organizational communication: high-speed management. High-speed management has as its goal the achievement and maintenance of sustainable competitive advantage through innovative, flexible, adaptive, efficient, and rapid response to environmental change. This essay then details the transformation high-speed management has made in small group communication processes by exploring organizational continuous improvement programs. Continuous improvement programs aim at establishing and maintaining a sustainable competitive advantage through four communication processes: (a) negotiated linking, (b) New England-style town meetings, (c) cross-functional teamwork, and (d) case studies in world-class benchmarking processes.