cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Reliability-Based Multisensor Data Fusion with Application in Target Classification

The theory of belief functions has been extensively utilized in many practical applications involving decision making. One such application is the classification of target based on the pieces of information extracted from the individual attributes describing the target. Each piece of information is usually modeled as the basic probability assignment (BPA), also known as the mass function. The determination of the BPA has remained an open problem. Although fuzzy membership functions such as triangular and Gaussian functions have been widely used to model the likelihood estimation function based on the historical data, it has been observed that less emphasis has been placed on the impact of the spread of the membership function on the decision accuracy of the reasoning process. Conflict in the combination of BPAs may arise due to poor characterization of fuzzy membership functions to induce belief mass. In this work, we propose a multisensor data fusion within the framework of belief theory for target classification where shape/spread of the membership function is adjusted during the training/modeling stage to improve on the classification accuracy while removing the need for the computation of the credibility. To further enhance the performance of the proposed method, the reliability factor is deployed not only to effectively manage the possible conflict among participating bodies of evidence for better decision accuracy but also to reduce the number of sources for improved efficiency. The effectiveness of the proposed method was evaluated using both the real-world and the artificial datasets.
Dogs can scent-match individual Eurasian beavers from their anal gland secretion

Dogs Canis lupus familiaris are increasingly being used in wildlife conservation studies, due to their extensive ofactory capabilities. Dogs are a useful tool for species detection, species discrimination (or subspecies), and scent-matching of individuals within a species. Scent-matching can reduce or eliminate the need for expensive genotyping of obtained biological samples. We investigated the potential use of dogs to scent-match individual Eurasian beavers Castor fiber via anal gland secretion (AGS) samples, in 30 double blind floor platform experiments. We hypothesised that dogs can scent-match individual beavers when presented with AGS from different beavers of both sexes. We showed that dogs were able to scent-match individual beavers with average accuracy of 88.9%, sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 93.3%. Our results suggest that scent-matching dogs may be used as a reliable additional method to DNA analysing of biological samples to improve accuracy of individual beaver detection, and a better alternative than live-trapping/capturing in monitoring of specific beavers in e.g. a reintroduction project.
Extensive proteomic and transcriptomic changes quench the TCR/CD3 activation signal of latently HIV-1 infected T cells

Although the ability of HIV-1 to reside in a latent state in CD4+ T cells constitutes a critical hurdle to a curative therapy, the biomolecular mechanisms by which latent HIV-1 infection is established and maintained are only partially understood. E x vivo studies have shown that T cell receptor/CD3 stimulation only triggered HIV-1 reactivation in a fraction of the latently infected CD4+ T cell reservoir, suggesting that parts of the T cell population hosting latent HIV-1 infection events are altered to be TCR/CD3-activation-inert. We provide experimental evidence that HIV-1 infection of primary T cells and T cell lines indeed generates a substantial amount of TCR/CD3 activation-inert latently infected T cells. HIV-1 induced host cell TCR/CD3 inertness is thus a conserved mechanism that contributes to the stability of latent HIV-1 infection. Proteomic and genome-wide RNA-level analysis comparing CD3-responsive and CD3-inert latently HIV-1 infected T cells, followed by software-based integration of the data into protein-protein interaction networks (PINs) suggested two phenomena to govern CD3-inertness: (i) the presence of extensive transcriptomic noise that affected the efficacy of CD3 signaling and (ii) defined changes to specific signaling pathways. Validation experiments demonstrated that compounds known to increase transcriptomic noise further diminished the ability of TCR/CD3 stimulation to trigger HIV-1 reactivation. Conversely, targeting specific central nodes in the generated PINs such as STAT3 improved the ability of TCR/CD3 activation to trigger HIV-1 reactivation in T cell lines and primary T cells. The data emphasize that latent HIV-1 infection is largely the result of extensive, stable biomolecular changes to the signaling network of the host T cells harboring latent HIV-1 infection events. In extension, the data imply that therapeutic restoration of host cell TCR/CD3 responsiveness could enable gradual reservoir depletion without the need for therapeutic activators, driven by cognate antigen recognition.
Hypothetical high-level cognitive functions cannot be localized in the brain: another argument for a revitalized behaviorism.

A key epistemological difference between behaviorism and cognitivism concerns their respective attitudes toward the analysis of so-called cognitive processes into functional modules. Behaviorists generally say it is not possible. Cognitivists argue that this is an achievable goal. The question has been concretized by recent developments in brain imaging technology. A consideration of the matter suggests that technical and conceptual difficulties abound in the effort to localize “high-level cognitive functions” in narrowly circumscribed regions of the brain. Some of the most serious involve the ambiguous definition of the putative mental components that are to be localized and the generally unacknowledged nonlinear complexity of both psychological processes and the brain. In addition, the imaging techniques themselves are replete with technical difficulties that raise additional questions about this particular application, even though these wonderful machines can make extraordinary contributions to our knowledge of brain anatomy and physiology. The cumulative implication of these difficulties is that the cognitive approach to the study of scientific psychology has once again set out on a search for a chimera. New approaches to behaviorism may be required to set psychology back on the correct track.
Dermacentor variabilis: An Unusual foreign body of the external ear canal

Abstract This case helps identify common aural foreign bodies in the pediatric population, understand the management of aural foreign bodies, and reviews special considerations that should be made with a tick as an aural foreign body. This is a case report of one pediatric patient with an external auditory canal foreign body at a tertiary hospital which resulted in therapeutic removal of a Dermacentor variabilis.
Properties of Thermobifida fusca Peroxidase Tfu-1649 and its Combined Synergistic Effects with Xylanase on Lignocellulose Degradation

Lignocelluloses are comprised of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignins, which constitute plant biomass. Since peroxidases can degrade lignins, the authors examined peroxidase Tfu-1649, which is secreted from the thermophilic actinomycetes, Thermobifida fusca BCRC 19214. After cultivating for 48 h, the culture broth accumulated 43.66 U/mL of peroxidase activity. The treatment of four types of lignocellulolytic byproducts, i.e., bagasse, corncob, pin sawdust, and Zizania latifolia Turcz husk, with Tfu-1649 alone increased the total phenolic compounds, with limited reducing sugars, but treatment with xylanase, Tfu-11, and peroxidase Tfu-1649 showed synergistic effects. Hence, the co-operative degradation of lignocelluloses by both peroxidase and xylanase could contribute to biomass decomposition and further applications in the agricultural and environmental industries.
Plural marking in the second language: Atomicity, definiteness, and transfer

This paper examines whether second language (L2)-English learners whose native languages (L1; Korean and Mandarin) lack obligatory plural marking transfer the properties of plural marking from their L1s, and whether transfer is manifested both offline (in a grammaticality judgment task) and online (in a self-paced reading task). The online task tests the predictions of the morphological congruency hypothesis (Jiang 2007), according to which L2 learners have particular difficulty automatically activating the meaning of L2 morphemes that are incongruent with their L1. Experiment 1 tests L2 learners’ sensitivity to errors of –s oversuppliance with mass nouns, while Experiment 2 tests their sensitivity to errors of –s omission with count nouns. The findings show that (a) L2 learners detect errors with nonatomic mass nouns (sunlights) but not atomic ones (furnitures), both offline and online; and (b) L1-Korean L2-English learners are more successful than L1-Mandarin L2-English learners in detecting missing –s with definite plurals (these boat), while the two groups behave similarly with indefinite plurals (many boat). Given that definite plurals require plural marking in Korean but not in Mandarin, the second finding is consistent with L1-transfer. Overall, the findings show that learners are able to overcome morphological incongruency and acquire novel uses of L2 morphemes.
Effect of fiber misalignment on bending strength of pultruded hybrid polymer matrix composite rods subjected to bending and tension

Abstract It is demonstrated that the unusual failure of unidirectional hybrid carbon and glass fiber composite rods under bending and tension can be explained by a combined experimental, analytical, and numerical analysis. To simulate possible transportation, in-service, and installation conditions, ACCC® conductor cores, manufactured by CTC Global,were tested in three- and four-point bending experiments. Axial stresses were predicted analytically and numerically with the likely failure initiating locations identified for rods subjected to bending with applied axial tension. As expected under pure bending, composite rods will fail catastrophically from excessive compressive stress in the carbon composite region. The initiating damage mechanisms will change from compressive to tensile modes as axial tension increases. Natural fiber misalignment must be considered in the failure analysis of composite rods as it can significantly reduce bending strength and influence the locations of damage initiation.
Rebuttal comments on ''Mitigating grain growth in binary nanocrystalline alloys through solute selection based on thermodynamic stability maps''

Abstract Darling et al. (2014) outlined a new model for nanocrystalline stability and applied it to a large number of systems to demonstrate its utility/applicability and how to visualize/select promising solutes in these nanocrystalline systems. The present article addresses some of the concerns raised by Lejcek and Hofmann (2015) and those that additional readers may have about this work. In some cases we have found that their concerns reflect ones that are shared by the community in developing and applying these sorts of models. For instance, in utilizing thermodynamic properties from such a large database of systems, researchers should use due diligence in extrapolating results to real systems – this model should be used as a guide for selecting prospective binary systems that may exhibit some degree of thermodynamic stability in nanocrystalline materials. Last, there was an oversight in terms of the phase transformation temperature for Fe and Ti, which negligibly changed the model results. In short, the present article is intended to bring to light and clarify some of the items raised by Lejcek and Hofmann.
Information Production and IPO Offering Price Clusters: Further Evidence Explaining Underpricing and Long-Run Underperformance

We propose a new informational role for the offering price of an equity IPO. Offering prices are quoted either in whole prices (e.g., $2, $11, $19, etc) or fractional prices (e.g., $2.35, $11.15, $15.75, etc). Using Jay R. Ritter's sample of 1,526 IPOs issued during the period 1975 to 1984, we find the presence of offering price clusters around whole prices. Using the same sample, we examine the relation between these clusters, initial underpricing and long-run underperformance. The results indicate that fractional offering prices are associated with lower initial underpricing and better long-run performance. Our tests indicate that offering price clusters serve as a proxy for the quality of information produced by underwriters.
Follicular dendritic cells inhibit human B-lymphocyte proliferation

In germinal centers, B lymphocytes are intimately associated with follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). It has been hypothesized that FDCs are involved in the regulation of B-cell growth and differentiation through cell-cell interactions. In this study, highly enriched preparations of FDCs were isolated by cell sorting using the FDC restricted monoclonal antibody DRC-1. When irradiated FDCs were cultured with mitogen stimulated B cells, B cell 3H-TdR uptake was inhibited by up to 80%. This inhibitory effect was not seen when paraformaldehyde fixed FDCs were added to B-cell cultures, suggesting that the FDCs needed to be metabolically active. Moreover, supernatants from cultured FDCs were similarly able to inhibit B-cell proliferation. These results demonstrate that FDCs may downregulate the clonal expansion of B cells that occurs within lymphoid follicles as part of the normal physiologic immune response. Potentially, the loss of the inhibitory role of FDCs in vivo may be of importance in certain infectious and neoplastic processes in which germinal centers are affected.
Early Cenozoic decoupling of the global carbon and sulfur cycles

[1] Changes in carbon and sulfur cycling over geologic time may have caused considerable modification of atmospheric and oceanic composition and climate. Here we calculate pyrite sulfur (Spy) and organic carbon (Corg) burial rates from recently improved Cenozoic stable isotope records, and from these rates we infer global changes in Corg burial environments. Given predominantly normal shelf-delta organic carbon burial, the global Spy burial flux should be coupled to Corg burial. However, we find that the major early Cenozoic peak in Corg burial coincides with a minimum in Spy burial. Although the calculated magnitude of variations in global pyrite burial flux is sensitive to our assumptions about the concentration of sulfate in paleoseawater, a non-steady-state isotope mass balance model indicates very low Spy burial rates during the Paleocene and a dramatic increase starting near the Paleocene-Eocene boundary, dropping off to a fairly constant Cenozoic rate beginning in the middle Eocene. High Corg/Spy burial ratios (C/S mole ratio ≈15–30) coinciding with the Paleocene carbon isotope maximum most likely reflect enhanced accumulation of terrestrial organic carbon in Paleocene terrestrial swamps. We suggest that rapid burning of accumulated Paleocene terrestrial organic carbon could have significantly contributed to the short-lived negative carbon isotope excursion at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary in addition to or possibly even as an alternative to release of gas hydrates from the continental slopes. An early Eocene minimum in calculated Corg/Spy burial ratios (C/S mole ratio ≈2–4) suggests that the predominant locus of organic carbon burial shifted to euxinic environments in a warm early Eocene ocean.
The Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project: Strategies for Active Participation in a Low- to Moderate-Income Community

This paper shares the early results of a study that is investigating strategies to bridge the "digital divide" [15, 16, 17, 18] -- the gap between those who benefit from new technology and those who do not -- by examining the role of community technology for the purpose of community building and economic development in a low- to moderate-income housing development. Since January 2000, the Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project, a partnership between the Camfield Tenants Association and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has taken place at Camfield Estates, a 102-unit, low-to moderate-income housing development in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and its surrounding environs. With support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, RCN Telecom Services, Microsoft, and others, every family at Camfield has been offered a state-of-the-art desktop computer, software, high-speed Internet connection via cable-modem, and eight weeks of comprehensive courses - free of charge. Camfield residents are also supported by the Creating Community Connections (C3) System, a web-based, community building system designed at the MIT Media Laboratory, to establish and strengthen relationships between community residents, local businesses, and neighborhood institutions (e.g., libraries, schools, etc.) and organizations. Of the 102 units at Camfield, approximately 80 are presently occupied, while approximately 60 units have elected to participate in the project in some capacity, from among two rounds of sign-ups in September 2000 and January 2001. This paper is a case study of the Camfield Estates-MIT project to-date, including the history and background of the project, the theoretical frameworks guiding the initiative, the project methodology that has been employed to foster resident engagement and integrate community technology and community building, early results, and a set of recommendations and lessons learned for other initiatives.
Observation of pressure and wind fields over the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas (West Mediterranean)

Long records of pressure and wind data along the NW Italian coast are used to investigate the most relevant space and time scales influencing the marine dynamics of the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas, in the N. Eastern part of the W. Mediterranean Sea. Both parameters indicate that some basic oscillations (20, 6–8, 4 and 2–3 days) affect the atmosphere of the two basins. From the spatial structure analysis a general system for the whole Ligurian-Tyrrhenian basin and a more local system fitting the cyclonic circulation of the Ligurian Sea are emphasized. The reliability of the evidenced structures and their spatial coherence constitute an indication that, for time scales longer than a few days, the meteorological coastal data provide a realistic representation of the principal events of the basins.
Some Results for the Adaptive Boundary Control of Stochastic Linear Distributed Parameter Systems

Linear distributed parameter systems are an important family of models for many physical phenomena. A useful subfamily of these models is described by analytic semigroups, [14]. To model some perturbations or inaccuracies in these models it is often reasonable to introduce white noise in these systems to obtain linear stochastic distributed parameter systems. For controlled linear distributed parameter systems it is often natural to consider that the control occurs on the boundary or at discrete points because in many applications it is impractical or not feasible to apply the control throughout the domain.
Joint patterning defects caused by single and double mutations in members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family

The mouse brachypodism locus encodes a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-like molecule called growth/differentiation factor 5 (GDF5). Here we show that Gdf5 transcripts are expressed in a striking pattern of transverse stripes within many skeletal precursors in the developing limb. The number, location and time of appearance of these stripes corresponds to the sites where joints will later form between skeletal elements. Null mutations in Gdf5 disrupt the formation of more than 30% of the synovial joints in the limb, leading to complete or partial fusions between particular skeletal elements, and changes in the patterns of repeating structures in the digits, wrists and ankles. Mice carrying null mutations in both Gdf5 and another BMP family member, Bmp5, show additional abnormalities not observed in either of the single mutants. These defects include disruption of the sternebrae within the sternum and abnormal formation of the fibrocartilaginous joints between the sternebrae and ribs. Previous studies have shown that members of the BMP family are required for normal development of cartilage and bone. The current studies suggest that particular BMP family members may also play an essential role in the segmentation process that cleaves skeletal precursors into separate elements. This process helps determine the number of elements in repeating series in both limbs and sternum, and is required for normal generation of the functional articulations between many adjacent structures in the vertebrate skeleton.
Protease inhibitor content of human dietary samples

A large body of experimental work has revealed that protease inhibitors (PI) are highly effective suppressors of carcinogenesis. Little is known about the level of PI activity in the diet of the US population. In the present study, we assayed the levels of PI activity in dietary samples from 31 free-living subjects who saved duplicate portions of all foods consumed over two 24-hour periods, six months apart. The majority of samples (90%) contained detectable PI activity; 82% contained trypsin inhibitory activity; 61% contained chymotrypsin inhibitory activity. Of those samples containing chymotrypsin inhibitory activity, 87% also contained trypsin inhibitory activity. The median concentration of soluble chymotrypsin inhibitory activity present in these samples was 6.5 micrograms/g food (range 0-150 micrograms/g food), whereas the median concentration of soluble trypsin inhibitory activity was 14.5 micrograms/g food (range 0-465 micrograms/g food). We conclude that a) human diet samples contain both chymotrypsin and trypsin inhibitory activity, b) the levels of PI in some of these samples was similar to that found to be anticarcinogenic in animal studies, and c) due to the large within-subject variation in PI intake, assessment of long-term dietary intake in epidemiological studies will be necessary to accurately classify subjects according to PI intake.
Interactive target tracking for persistent wide-area surveillance

Persistent aerial surveillance is an emerging technology that can provide continuous, wide-area coverage from an aircraft-based multiple-camera system. Tracking targets in these data sets is challenging for vision algorithms due to large data (several terabytes), very low frame rate, changing viewpoint, strong parallax and other imperfections due to registration and projection. Providing an interactive system for automated target tracking also has additional challenges that require online algorithms that are seamlessly integrated with interactive visualization tools to assist the user. We developed an algorithm that overcomes these challenges and demonstrated it on data obtained from a wide-area imaging platform.
Motion planning and control from temporal logic specifications with probabilistic satisfaction guarantees

We present a computational framework for automatic deployment of a robot from a temporal logic specification over a set of properties of interest satisfied at the regions of a partitioned environment. We assume that, during the motion of the robot in the environment, the current region can be precisely determined, while due to sensor and actuation noise, the outcome of a control action can only be predicted probabilistically. Under these assumptions, the deployment problem translates to generating a control strategy for a Markov Decision Process (MDP) from a temporal logic formula.We propose an algorithm inspired from probabilistic Computation Tree Logic (PCTL) model checking to find a control strategy that maximizes the probability of satisfying the specification. We illustrate our method with simulation and experimental results.
The Culture of Children's Reading Education in Korea and the United States

(2004). The Culture of Children's Reading Education in Korea and the United States. Childhood Education: Vol. 80, The Culture of Teaching, pp. 261-265.
Glycosylation Provides Both Stimulatory and Inhibitory Effects on Cell Surface and Soluble CD44 Binding to Hyaluronan

Glycosylation has been implicated in the regulation of CD44-mediated cell binding of hyaluronan (HA). However, neither the relative contribution of N- and O-linked glycans nor the oligosaccharide structures that alter CD44 affinity for HA have been elucidated. To determine the effect of selective alteration of CD44 oligosaccharide composition on the affinity of CD44 for HA, we developed a novel strategy based on the use of affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE). Soluble recombinant CD44–immunoglobulin fusion proteins were overproduced in the mutant CHO cell line ldl-D, which has reversible defects in both N- and O-linked oligosaccharide synthesis. Using this cell line, a panel of recombinant glycosidases, and metabolic glycosidase inhibitors, CD44 glycoforms with defined oligosaccharide structures were generated and tested for HA affinity by ACE. Because ldl-D cells express endogenous cell surface CD44, the effect of any given glycosylation change on the ability of cell surface and soluble CD44 to bind HA could be compared. Four distinct oligosaccharide structures were found to effect CD44-mediated HA binding: (a) the terminal α2,3-linked sialic acid on N-linked oligosaccharides inhibited binding; (b) the first N-linked N-acetylglucosamine residue enhanced binding; (c) O-linked glycans on N-deglycosylated CD44 enhanced binding; and (d) N-acetylgalactosamine incorporation into non–N-linked glycans augmented HA binding by cell surface CD44. The first three structures induced up to a 30-fold alteration in the intrinsic CD44 affinity for HA (Kd = 5 to >150 μM). The fourth augmented CD44-mediated cellular HA avidity without changing the intrinsic HA affinity of soluble CD44.
Predominance of neuronal mRNAs in individual Alzheimer's disease senile plaques

The sequestration of RNA in Alzheimer's disease (AD) senile plaques (SPs) and the production of intraneuronal amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) prompted analysis of the mRNA profile in single immunocytochemically identified SPs in sections of AD hippocampus. By using amplified RNA expression profiling, polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization, we assessed the presence and abundance of 51 mRNAs that encode proteins implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. The mRNAs in SPs were compared with those in individual CA1 neurons and the surrounding neuropil of control subjects. The remarkable demonstration here, that neuronal mRNAs predominate in SPs, implies that these mRNAs are nonproteinaceous components of SPs, and, moreover, that mRNAs may interact with Aβ protein and that SPs form at sites where neurons degenerate in the AD brain. Ann Neurol 1999;45:174–181
Coronary artery dissection secondary to blunt chest trauma

A 38-yr-old woman presented with an anterolateral myocardial infarction following blunt chest trauma sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Subsequent cardiac catheterization revealed a large left ventricular aneurysm and angiographic evidence of dissection of the proximal left anterior descending artery. Review of the literature and management are discussed.
Medication cost savings associated with weight loss for obese non-insulin-dependent diabetic men and women

Abstract Background. The cost of diabetes mellitus can be defined in both medical and economic terms, Although there is an abundance of literature concerning the medical management of diabetes, few studies have assessed the financial impact of its treatment, This study examined the savings in prescription costs associated with a weight reduction program for obese men and women with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Research design and methods. Forty subjects ages 40-70 years who had body mass indexes of 30-40 kg/m2 and NIDDM of more than 1 year duration were assigned to one of two 800-kcal weight-loss programs for 12 weeks. A cost analysis was done on the 32 subjects who were taking anti-hypertensive and/or anti-diabetes medications, A list of medications and monthly amounts was obtained at the start, upon completion, and 1 year following completion of the diet, The average out-of-pocket cost for a month′s supply of each prescription was calculated by polling 16 retail pharmacies in Lexington, Kentucky. Results. Subjects lost an average of 15.3 kg (33.7 lb) over the 12 weeks, At 1-year follow-up, subjects maintained a mean 9,0-kg (19.8 lb) weight loss, The average monthly prediet out-of-pocket cost for anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetes medications and supplies was $63.30 per subject, Following completion of the diet, this cost per month decreased to $20.40 and at 1-year follow-up the average monthly cost per subject was $32.40, The estimated average savings in prescription costs per subject over the year was $442.80. Conclusions. Significant short- and long-term savings in prescription costs were obtained following a la-week hypocaloric weight reduction program for obese individuals with NIDDM.
Could in-plane exchange anisotropy induce the observed antiferromagnetic transitions in the undoped high-Tc materials?

A tiny in-plane {ital XY} anisotropy {lambda}=0.02 could induce a substantially high Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition at {ital kT}{sub {ital c}}/{ital J}=0.25 in the 2D spin-1/2 antiferromagnet. Examination of transverse and longitudinal correlations indicates a Heisenberg-to-{ital XY} crossover near {ital T}{sub {ital c}}, with a scaling relation suggesting an ordering transition at {ital T}{sub {ital c}}{similar to}250 K for the anisotropies measured in the undoped high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} copper oxides. The results also have implications for Kosterlitz-Thouless condensation in general 2D quantum systems.
Emotionality and REMD: A rat swimming model

Abstract The drugs used in treating people who suffer depressive illness typically reduce REM sleep. We report a non-pharmacological validation of a screening test which is selectively sensitive to those drugs. This indicates that REMD, not other drug effects, is operative. We define a measure of emotionality, which is sensitive to REM status, in that context. Emotional defecation increases during REM rebound providing a model outcome which parallels clinical findings.
Roles of CD4+ T and B cells in influenza virus infection

Abstract Studies in mice have shown that influenza virus infection induces vigorous CD4+ T (Th) and B cell responses which are quite effective in controlling the infection in the absence of a concomitant CD8+ T (Tc) cell response. The Th-dependent (TD) antibody (Ab) response appears to play an important role in the control of the infection in this situation, but Th and B cells also contribute significantly to anti-viral defense by mechanisms that are independent of each other. The role of the TD Ab response was investigated by systemic treatment of infected severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice with monoclonal Abs (MAbs). In vivo, Abs may control the infection by suppressing the release of progeny virus from infected host cells (yield reduction [YR]) and/or by preventing released progeny virus from infecting new host cells (virus neutralization [VN]). MAbs to NA and M2, which exhibited only YR, suppressed virus growth in the lung but failed to resolve the infection. They appeared to operate primarily by directing innate defenses against infected host cells. By contrast, HA-specific MAbs, which displayed both YR and VN, were capable of clearing the infection, indicating that VN is essential for Ab-mediated recovery. YR and VN appeared to act additively in these MAbs. Some HA-specific MAbs that lacked measurable VN in vitro appeared to require the presence of innate defense mechanisms for VN in vivo.
What We Know and What We Don’t Know About Variation in Social Organization: Melvin Ember’s Approach to the Study of Kinship

Focusing on Melvin Ember’s kinship interests, this article tries to summarize what we know and don’t know about the conditions favoring different aspects of cultural variation in kinship and social...
Challenges in dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI imaging of cervical lymph nodes to detect metastatic disease

Purpose To identify and overcome challenges in using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to distinguish tumor from nontumor in the cervical lymph nodes of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Materials and Methods Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), motion, node heterogeneity, and tissue normalizations were examined. Twenty-one patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were scanned before a neck dissection (two-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-echo: 10 locations/13 seconds). Peak time, peak enhancement, maximum upslope, and washout slope were measured in pathologically confirmed tumor and nontumor nodes and in the submandibular gland and the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Results Surface coil arrays provided high coverage and high S/N. Motion averaged 1.1 pixels and was corrected. Large tumor nodes were heterogeneous in their contrast enhancement, while the nontumor nodes were homogeneous. The contrast enhancement parameters were significantly different for all regions except for the submandibular gland compared to the nontumor nodes. Conclusion Challenges of dynamic imaging of cervical lymph nodes were overcome and significant differences were found between the tumor and nontumor nodes, indicating that dynamic imaging is feasible and may aid this patient population. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;17:455–462. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Stopping of crosslinking reaction in a PDMS polymer at the gel point

A method has been developed to stop the crosslinking reaction of a polydimethylsiloxane system without disturbing the state of the sample. Oscillatory shear experiments on samples just before and just beyond the gelation point demonstrated the transition of the material from a viscoelastic liquid to a viscoelastic solid. At the gel point the loss modulus and the storage modulus were found to be identical over several decades of frequency and for temperatures ranging between -50°C and +180°C. Both moduli were proportional to the square root of the frequency.
The Limit Law of the Iterated Logarithm

For the partial sum $$\{S_n\}$$ of an i.i.d. sequence with zero mean and unit variance, it is pointed out that $$\begin{aligned} \lim _{n\rightarrow \infty }(2\log \log n)^{-1/2}\max _{1\le k\le n}{S_k\over \sqrt{k}} =1\quad \mathrm{{a.s}}. \end{aligned}$$
Charging effects in passivated silicon detectors

Abstract Ion-implanted passivated silicon detectors undergo a gradual, then rapid increase in leakage current when exposed to ionizing radiation in the presence of gas between 5–200 Torr. Conditions for generating this effect are discussed and a mechanism is proposed to explain this behavior. Methods for preventing this effect and for recovering detectors damaged in this way are presented.
A study of Einstein’s equations of unified field

Only a few months before his death,Einstein revised his equation of unified field theory of relativity without assuming anya priori given condition. He considered these equations as more transparent than the previous ones. These equations will be studied and solved in tensorial form in a series of papers. In this paper, which is the first of the series, the form of the solution of the first system of equations is obtained and it has been shown that the linearized forms of these equations is the same as those of previous ones. Another set of field equations has also been obtained and studied on the same lines.
Asymptotics of resonant states

Abstract We prove that under certain assumptions if lu + b 2 u = 0, b > 0, where l is an operator Schrodinger equation defined in section 2 and u exp(− br ) → 0 as r → ∞ then u ϵ L 2 . This result shows in particular that the resonant states behave exactly as O ( r −1 , exp( ikr )) as r → ∞. It also provides dichotomy theorems in a general situation.
Minimising knowledge specification costs in a cellular network expert system

The intent of this paper is to provide a model of reference for future design of knowledge specification so readers are aware of the various costs involved in satisfying the increasing network operators' demand especially in the area of telecommunications. The paper will adopt some well-received industry specifications for this purpose. The paper shall explain the key factors on writing knowledge specifications in XML and why leveraging on Java platform is the recommended knowledge model. To address some conventional drawbacks, the recommendation is to create the trouble ticket interface by referring to the OSS/J Trouble Ticket API specification.
The strength and ductility of Ni3Si

Abstract Experiments at room temperature on polycrystalline Ni 3 Si (with 23 at.% Si) have established that the addition of a small amount of boron (0.19 at.%) not only raises the ductility, as reported earlier by Oliver and White [ Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 81 , 241 (1987)] and by Taub and Briant [ Acta metall. 35 , 1597 (1987)], but also lowers the effectiveness with which grain boundaries impede slip. Auger electron spectroscopy revealed that nickel cosegregates with boron to grain boundaries. The two mechanical effects are attributed to a boron-induced increase in the ease with which grain boundaries transmit slip. This increase, in turn, is attributed to constitutional disordering within the vicinity of the grain boundaries. In addition, the experiments suggest that the yield strenght, α y , is related to the grain size, d , through the expression: α y = α 0 + kd − n , where α 0 and k are constants and where 0.5 ⪕ n ⪕ 1.0 . This relationship is explained in terms of a dislocation interaction model of the yield strength.
A STUDY OF THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF THE SOLID-LAYERED FLUOROCARBON, POLY(CARBON MONOFLUORIDE)*

Isothermal-thermogravimetric analyses were used to obtain kinetic data on the CFx decomposition. Weight of samplevs. time curves were obtained for compounds having stoichiometries CF0,61, CF0.96, CF1.08, and CF1.12 for several different temperatures over the range 450–650° and in both a nitrogen atmosphere and in vacuum. A small percentage of fluorine in the atmosphere was shown to strongly inhibit thermal decomposition.
Family-facilitated juvenile sex trafficking

The purpose of this research was to explore the understudied characteristics and dynamics of family-facilitated juvenile sex trafficking (FF-JST). Drawing from case records of juvenile sex trafficking (JST) victims in Florida, the current study examined child maltreatment histories, perpetrator–victim relationship patterns, trafficker motivations, and exploitive strategies observed in cases involving FF-JST. Demographics, JST risk factors, and child maltreatment histories reported in 19 FF-JST cases were compared with 43 JST cases involving nonrelative traffickers. Examination and comparison of the two subsets of JST cases revealed unique characteristics and dynamics operating in FF-JST including extensive maltreatment histories involving multiple types of child maltreatment. Review of these cases also exposed specific complexities that obstruct detection of family-facilitated exploitation and hinder victim recovery.
Formation of δ-aminolevulinic acid from glutamic acid by a partially purified enzyme system from wheat leaves

A method for partial purification of an enzyme system from greening wheat leaves which converts 14C-labeled glutamate to δ-aminolevulinic acid is described. The purification entails the successive use of anion and cation exchange, followed by moleculr sieving. The enzyme system is unstable in crude form, but the stability is markedly increased after column chromatography on CM-cellulose. The pH profile and the cofactor requirements suggest that at least two enzymes are involved.
Psychoanalysis and psychopharmacology: new research, new paradigms

Abstract Despite initial resistance among psychoanalysts to combining psychotropic medication and psychoanalysis [4] , [12] , [15] , recent surveys indicate that approximately 20–35% of patients in analysis are also taking psychotropic medication [5] , [14] , [18] . However, until recently there has been little systematic investigation of the concomitant application of these treatments. This article will review several new studies that explore various aspects of the combined use of medication and psychoanalysis and will discuss their ramifications for clinical practice, training and research.
Role of ERK1/2 MAPK Signaling in the Maintenance of Myelin and Axonal Integrity in the Adult CNS

Oligodendrocytes form myelin during postnatal development and then maintain a functional myelin sheath throughout adult life. While many regulators of developmental myelination have been identified, the signal transduction mechanisms that regulate oligodendrocyte functions in adulthood are not well understood. The extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1 and -2 (ERK1/2), downstream mediators of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), have emerged as prominent regulators of myelin formation. Here, we investigated whether these signaling molecules are also required for myelin maintenance in the adult CNS. Inducible conditional ablation of Erk1/2 in oligodendrocytes of the adult CNS resulted in a downregulation of myelin gene expression. Although myelin thickness was reduced and some axons were demyelinated, the majority of axons were wrapped by intact myelin sheaths that appeared structurally normal. However, late onset of progressive axonal degeneration, accompanied by astrogliosis, microglial activation, partial loss of oligodendrocytes, and functional impairment, occurred in the adult mice lacking ERK1/2 activity. Conditional ablation of Fibroblast Growth Factor receptors-1 and -2 (FGFR1/2) in oligodendrocytes also resulted in downregulation of myelin gene expression and development of axonal degeneration as the mice aged. Further, the level of the key transcription factor myelin gene regulatory factor (Myrf) was downregulated or upregulated in mice with genetic loss or gain of ERK1/2 function, respectively. Together, our studies demonstrate that ERK1/2-MAPK signaling is required for the long-term maintenance of myelin and axonal integrity in the adult CNS and suggest that FGFR1/2 and Myrf may, in part, contribute to signaling upstream and downstream of ERK1/2 in maintaining these oligodendrocyte functions during adulthood.
NASA satellite data assist in tornado damage assessments

During the period of 25–28 April 2011, the southeastern United States was raked by several episodes of severe weather. Numerous tornadoes caused extensive damage and, tragically, the deaths of more than 300 people. Meteorologists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) performed extensive surveys to assess the intensity, duration, and ground track of tornadoes reported during the event. Survey activities included visits to the affected locations, analysis of radar data, aerial surveys, and interviews with eyewitnesses.
Dihydroxamic acid complexes of iron (III): ligand pKa and coordinated water hydrolysis constants

Abstract A series of dihydroxamic acid ligands of the formula [RN(OH)C(O)] 2 (CH 2 ) n , ( n = 2, 4, 6, 7, 8; R = CH 3 , H) has been studied in 2.0 M aqueous sodium perchlorate at 25.0 °C. These ligands may be considered as synthetic analogs to the siderophore rhodotorulic acid. Acid dissociation constants (p K a ) have been determined for the ligands and for N -methylacetohydroxamic acid (NMHA). The p K a1 and p K a2 values are: n = 2, R = CH 3 (8.72, 9.37); n = 4, R = CH 3 (8.79, 9.37); n = 6, R = CH 3 ; n = 7, R = CH 3 (8.95, 9.47); n = 8, R = CH 3 (8.93, 9.45); n = 8, R = H (9.05, 9.58). Equilibrium constants for the hydrolysis of coordinated water (log K ) have been estimated for the 1:1 feeric complexes of the ligands n = 2, 4, 8; R = CH 3 . The N = 8 ligand forms a monomeric complex with Fe(III) while the n = 2 and 4 ligands form dimeric complexes. For hydrolysis of the n = 8 monomeric complex, log K 1 = −6.36 and log K 2 = −9.84. Analysis of the spectrophotometric data for the dimeric complexes indicates deprotonation of all four coordinated waters. The successive hydrolysis constants, log K 1–4 , for the dimeric complexes are as follows: n = 2 (−6.37, −5.77, −10.73, −11.8); n = 4 (−5.54, −5.07, −11.57, −10.17). The log K 2 values for the dimers are unexpectedly high, higher in fact than log K 1 , inconsistent with the formation of simple ternary hydroxo complexes. A scheme is proposed for the hydrolysis of the ferric dihydroxamate dimers, which includes the possible formation of μ-hydroxo and μ-oxo bridges.
Application of Micro-specialization to Query Evaluation Operators

Relational database management systems support a wide variety of data types and operations. Such generality involves much branch condition checking, which introduces inefficiency within the query evaluation loop. We previously introduced micro-specialization, which improves performance by eliminating unnecessary branching statements and the actual code branches by exploiting invariants present during the query evaluation loop. In this paper, we show how to more aggressively apply micro-specialization to each individual operator within a query plan. Rather than interpreting the query plan, the DBMS dynamically rewrites its object code to produce executable code tailored to the particular query. We explore opportunities for applying micro-specialization to DBMSes, focusing on query evaluation. We show through an examination of program execution profiles that even with a simple query in which just a few operators are micro-specialized, significant performance improvement can be achieved.
Improved neurodevelopmental outcomes following long-term high-dose oral acyclovir therapy in infants with central nervous system and disseminated herpes simplex disease.

Improved Neurodevelopmental Outcomes following Long-Term High-Dose Oral Acyclovir Therapy in Infants with Central Nervous System and Disseminated Herpes Simplex Disease