cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevention of acetic acid-induced colitis by desferrithiocin analogs in a rat model.

Iron contributes significantly to the formation of reactive oxygen species via the Fenton reaction. Therefore, we assessed whether a series of desferrithiocin analogs, both carboxylic acids and hydroxamates, could (1) either promote or diminish the iron-mediated oxidation of ascorbate, (2) quench a model radical species, 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS·+), and (3) when applied topically, prevent acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Surprisingly, most of the desferrithiocin analogs inhibited the Fenton reaction to an approximately equivalent degree; however, substantial differences were observed in the capacity of the analogs to scavenge the model radical cation. Four carboxylic acid desferrithiocin analogs and their respective N-methylhydroxamates were tested along with desferrioxamine and Rowasa, a currently accepted topical therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in a rodent model of acetic acid-induced colitis. The colonic damage was quantitated by two independent measurements. Although neither radical scavenging nor prevention of Fenton chemistry was a definitive predictor of in vivo efficacy, the overall trend is that desferrithiocin analogs substituted with an N-methylhydroxamate in the place of the carboxylic acid are both better free radical scavengers and more active against acetic acid-induced colitis. These results represent an intriguing alternative avenue to the development of improved IBD therapeutic agents.
Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disorders in Human Aging and Dementia

By 2030 the number of persons 65 years of age or older in the United States will double to 72 million. A significant number of these older Americans will likely develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that accounts for approximately two-thirds of all dementias. One of the major physiological changes that accompanies the aging process is an often profound disruption of an individual’s daily sleep–wake cycle, a disruption that can be further exacerbated by neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD. This article reviews what is known about sleep and circadian rhythms in normal aging and in AD.
Experience with Using General Usability Scenarios on the Software Architecture of a Collaborative System

Architecturally-sensitive usability scenarios are important usability concerns that require early consideration in software design so that architectural support can render them easy and cost-effective to implement. Examples include providing the ability to cancel a command, undo commands, aggregate data, etc. This chapter reports on our experiences applying these scenarios to the design of MER Board, a wall-sized interactive system developed by NASA to assist Mars Rover science teams with collaborative data analysis. We applied the scenarios during a major redesign of the software architecture that introduced usability as a valued quality attribute. In the process, we found that the scenarios were well-received by developers who readily understood how they related to MERBoard, that they applied to a collaborative workspace despite having been initially developed for a single-user desktop system, that they had a real impact on the architecture redesign, and that the scenario consideration process was quick and not too onerous for any of the team members.
Blood-brain barrier function in intracerebral hemorrhage.

In this paper, we review current knowledge on blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). BBB disruption is a hallmark of ICH-induced brain injury. Such disruption contributes to edema formation, the influx of leukocytes, and the entry of potentially neuroactive agents into the perihematomal brain, all of which may contribute to brain injury. A range of factors have been implicated in inducing BBB disruption, including inflammatory mediators (e.g., cytokines and chemokines), thrombin, hemoglobin breakdown products, oxidative stress, complement, and matrix metalloproteinases. While there is interaction between some of these mediators, it is probable that prevention of ICH-induced BBB disruption will involve blocking multiple pathways or blocking a common end pathway (e.g., by stabilizing tight junction structure). While the effects of ICH on BBB passive permeability have been extensively examined, effects on other ‘barrier’ properties (metabolic and transport functions) have been less well-studied. However, recent data suggests that ICH can affect transport and that this may help protect the BBB and the brain. Indeed, it is possible in small bleeds that BBB disruption may be beneficial, and it is only in the presence of larger bleeds that disruption has detrimental effects.
Dipole-bound anions: formed by Rydberg electron transfer (RET) and studied by velocity map imaging–anion photoelectron spectroscopy (VMI–aPES)

Here, we demonstrate the capabilities of the unique combination of Rydberg electron transfer (RET) and velocity map imaging–anion photoelectron spectroscopy (VMI–aPES) to form dipole bound anions and to measure their photoelectron spectra. For these purposes, we have chosen the dipole bound anions of acetonitrile, ammonia–water dimer, water dimer, dimethyl sulfoxide and thymine as examples. All of these had been previously formed and/or studied but by other methodologies.
Choosing a women's health career.

In 2005, in response to a decline in residency applications in obstetrics and gynecology (OB GYN), the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Presidential Task Force outlined strategies for attracting medical students to OB GYN. Application rates have increased since then, but little is known about which interventions are effective. We aimed to identify modifiable and nonmodifiable variables that may contribute to students choosing OB GYN for their careers; this information could be used to inform curriculum design, faculty development, and innovative exposures to women’s health. This qualitative study received institutional review board approval. Eligible participants were students who applied or recently matched into OB GYN residency programs from the class of 2014–2016 at our institution. Students were interviewed with open-ended questions and a Likert-type survey. Thematic analysis was performed. Ten qualitative interviews were completed and analyzed. Intrinsic themes such as the potential for a meaningful job in women’s health, advocacy for women, or empowerment of women were identified as factors contributing to participant career choice. Extrinsic themes such as positive impressions during the clinical clerkship and welcoming teams were also identified. Most students indicated that the clerkship was the most influential experience. Participants identified important events, including some that even preceded medical school that guided them toward OB GYN. The data guide us to consider the importance of emphasizing the unique combination of characteristics in OB GYN and improving the learning environment in the clerkship as a way to encourage student recruitment.
Numerical simulation of crystalline silicon solar cells with full area metal oxide rear contacts

In this study, we investigate the effectiveness of MoOx, and TiO2layers as minority carrier selective contacts in crystalline silicon solar cells. We use numerical simulation to show that it is possible to achieve an improvement in open circuit voltage by up to 70 mV for TiO2and 100 mV for MoOxwith one-sun efficiencies exceeding 20%. We further determine the material parameters of primary importance to each of the materials in determining their effectiveness at surface passivation, finding that the density of surface defects is most important for TiO2, while the electron affinity predominates for MoOx.
Modeling and Analysis of Microgrid Cluster Simulation Based on RTDS

In areas with abundant distributed energy, the trend of microgrid cluster is becoming more and more obvious. In order to achieve the real-time simulation of operation status, and to verify the coordination control and energy management strategies of microgrid cluster, this paper builds up a microgrid cluster model based on the demonstration project of Sanli Yizhong, covering photovoltaic, fan, gas turbine, fuel cell, etc. The operation status of grid-tied and islanding are simulated and the fault information is collected, so as to verify the validity of the microgrid cluster model.
Regional cortical thickness and neuroticism across the lifespan.

Abstract Neuroticism is associated with greater reactivity to stress and lifetime psychopathology. In the present study we examined the association between neuroticism and regional and total cortical thickness (CT) across the lifespan, accounting for gender. We also assessed interactions among these factors. 450 subjects between 19 and 80 years were included. Participants completed the International Personality Item Pool and a structural MRI scan. Total CT and the mean values of CT in five regions of interest were examined. We also investigated the interaction effect among age, gender and neuroticism on CT. There was no significant association between neuroticism and regional/total CT. A significant interaction between neuroticism, age, and gender on the thickness of the anterior cingulate was found. Women high in neuroticism showed a thinner anterior cingulate cortex than women low in neuroticism, with increasing age. In contrast, men high in neuroticism had a thicker anterior cingulate cortex compared to men low in neuroticism, with increasing age. Overall, high neuroticism was associated with differential cortical thickness in the anterior cingulate among men and women with increasing age.
Editorial Commentary: Anatomic Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction: All-Autograft Technique

Abstract Several techniques for posterolateral corner reconstruction have been described in the literature, typically using allogeneic tissue. Autograft reconstruction has potential value because of decreased cost and limited allograft supply in some locations. Initial results of this hamstring autograft tendon technique are promising, but further research is needed to directly compare reconstruction graft sources.
A LIGHT-PARTICLE MULTIDETECTOR FOR INTERMEDIATE ENERGY HEAVY-ION REACTION

A light-particle multidetector system was built for heavy-ion reaction mechanism research at intermediate energies (10-100MeV/u). It is able to discriminate light particles (p, α etc.) and give the information about energy, position and multiplicity of light charged particles with 36 units, θ=5°-20°, φ=0°-360°, every unit covers a solid angle of △θ=5°, △θ= 30°. The result of a tentative measurement shows that satisfactory resolution for light particles can be obtained.
Analysis of operational and mechanical anomalies in scheduled commercial flights using a logarithmic multivariate Gaussian model

Abstract This paper presents a machine learning approach to evaluate the performance of aircrafts using on-board sensor information on commercially scheduled flights with the aim to further improve system health monitoring strategies in air transportation. Logarithmic multivariate Gaussian models are trained to evaluate the performance of aircrafts at different flight phases (takeoff, ascent, cruise, etc.) separately. By including a forward synchronization, feature selection, and mini-batch training process, this model overcomes challenges introduced by the large size and high dimensionality of flight datasets. This framework also addresses the re-sampling issue in existing literature causing difficulties in handling time-series signals with different lengths. For demonstration and validation, the developed model is applied to analyze performance anomalies associated with the mechanical system and pilot operation in a historical flight dataset. Compared with existing literature focusing on similar datasets, this evaluation methodology shows promise in detecting performance anomalies especially at approach and takeoff phases. Therefore, the developed model is expected to be an effective addition to the current anomaly analysis and monitoring technologies for scheduled commercial flights. Applications include assisting transportation management systems by handling large amounts of historical flight datasets to analyze mechanical and operational anomalies, which may potentially improve future aeronautical system design and pilot training.
Passive Coping Strategies During Repeated Social Defeat Are Associated With Long-Lasting Changes in Sleep in Rats.

Exposure to severe stress has immediate and prolonged neuropsychiatric consequences and increases the risk of developing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Importantly, PTSD develops in only a subset of individuals after exposure to a traumatic event, with the understanding of this selective vulnerability being very limited. Individuals who go on to develop PTSD after a traumatic experience typically demonstrate sleep disturbances including persistent insomnia and recurrent trauma-related nightmares. We previously established a repeated social defeat paradigm in which rats segregate into either passively or actively coping subpopulations, and we found that this distinction correlates with measures of vulnerability or resilience to stress. In this study, we examined differences between these two behavioral phenotypes in sleep changes resulting from repeated social defeat stress. Our data indicate that, compared to control and actively coping rats, passively coping rats have less slow wave sleep (SWS) for at least two weeks after the end of a series of exposures to social defeat. Furthermore, resilient rats show less exaggerated motor activation at awakenings from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and less fragmentation of REM sleep compared to control and passively coping rats. Together, these data associate a passive coping strategy in response to repeated social defeat stress with persisting sleep disturbances. Conversely, an active coping strategy may be associated with resilience to sleep disturbances. These findings may have both prognostic and therapeutic application to stress-associated neuropsychiatric disorders, including PTSD.
Impedance Spectroscopy Study on the Two-phase to Three-phase Transformation in Polymer Derived SiC Pyrolyzed at High Temperature

Abstract The electrical behavior and evolution of free carbon phase and ceramic phase in pristine polymer derived (PDC) SiC matrix with high pyrolysis temperature were studied by complex impedance spectroscopy. The results from low pyrolysis temperature (1300-1500°C) showed that the contact resistance at the free carbon and amorphous PDC SiC interphase decreases with increasing pyrolysis temperature. At this temperature range, the dielectric response of the system is not sensitive to the increased ordering of non-ferromagnetic carbon clusters. At higher pyrolysis temperature (1600-1800°C), transformation of free carbon from nanocrystalline carbon to turbostratic phase occurs. This phenomenon leads to the introduction of inductance in the equivalent circuit. The percolative network of turbostratic carbon acts as a conductive helical winding in the PDC system. The study demonstrated that when an alternate current of certain frequency made to flow through the PDC system, it behaves as an inductor. Also, carbon cluster- turbostratic carbon transition observed with microstructural investigation is correlated with the equivalent circuit model.
Healthcare Utilization, Unmet Service Needs, and Medication Adherence Among People Living with HIV/AIDS.

BACKGROUND Comorbidity rates and service needs are high among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The effects of service utilization and unmet service needs on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations among PLWHA's service utilization, unmet service needs, and ART adherence. METHODS PLWHA (N=162) 18 years or older were recruited from a Nevada statewide needs assessment project in 2016. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire on paper or online. The independent variables were service utilization and unmet service needs. The outcome variable was ART adherence. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between the amount of utilized services and unmet service needs with ART adherence. RESULTS Only 12 (7.5%) participants reported they received all the needed services. The ART nonadherence group showed significantly higher unmet medical service needs compared to the ART adherence group (p=0.007). Unmet medical service needs (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.69, CI 0.53-0.90) and unmet support service needs (AOR 0.68, CI 0.48-0.97) were negatively associated with ART adherence. However, utilizing medical services (AOR 1.06, CI 0.87-1.30) and support services (AOR 0.88, CI 0.74-1.04) in the current year were not significantly associated with ART adherence. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that health promotion programming should focus not only on introducing new services at the community level, but also work to optimize the availability and awareness of current services. Furthermore, health promotion programs should focus on filling service coverage gaps and improving the facilitation of services.
Cryotherapy for the management of refractory hypotony secondary to post-goniotomy cyclodialysis cleft.

Abstract Purpose To report on the management of an unusual case of post-goniotomy hypotony. Observation A 41-year-old female with pigmentary glaucoma presented with a post-goniotomy cyclodialysis cleft and signs of hypotony maculopathy. Indirect cyclopexy closed the visible cleft but did not resolve her hypotony, despite neither ultrasonographic nor gonioscopic evidence of an open cleft or communication channel. Cryotherapy-induced cyclopexy and subsequent viscoelastic agent fill increased the intraocular pressure back to baseline. Conclusions and importance: This is the first reported case of cryotherapy correcting hypotony in a patient with no gonioscopic or ultrasonographic evidence of a cyclodialysis cleft. It demonstrates the utility of cryotherapy in the management of persistent ocular hypotony despite no detectable channel of aqueous outlet.
Predictive factors for early discharge (≤24 hours) and re-admission following robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in children.

Introduction Minimally invasive pyeloplasty (MIP) for correction of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction in children has significantly improved the postoperative management of these patients. In this study, we sought to examine the factors associated with early discharge (≤24 hours) in children that underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP). Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all children who underwent RALP from 2012 to 2018 in our center. Descriptive statistics and a non-adjusted risk analysis were performed to evaluate the factors associated with early discharge (≤24h), readmission, and complications within the first 30 days after the procedure. Results Eighty-nine patients out of 124 total pyeloplasties (72%) stayed ≤24 hours post-surgery. Of the variables analyzed, later cases were statistically associated with length of stay (LOS); the first 55 patients had a lower probability of being hospitalized for ≤24 hours (odds ratio [OR] 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09-0.64, p=0.004). Conclusions Robotic-assisted pyeloplasty for children is associated with a high rate of early recovery, short hospital stay, low re-admission, and complication rate. Although not statistically significant, patients with shorter operative room time also had a shorter LOS. An increased LOS was observed in the initial patients of our series, and this is most likely explained because of the initial learning curve of all the team for the procedure itself and the more conservative postoperative management.
Implications of SMAD4 Status in Pancreatic Carcinoma Treated With Radiation Therapy: A Multi-Institutional Analysis.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Loss of the tumor suppressor gene SMAD4 is a critical genetic alteration in pancreatic carcinoma (PC). We hypothesized that SMAD4 status in PC is associated with outcomes in patients who received neoadjuvant (NARx) or adjuvant (ARx) radiotherapy. MATERIALS/METHODS PC patients who underwent surgical resection at two high-volume centers following NARx-or those treated with ARx-between 2008-2019 were identified. SMAD4 status was determined based on immunohistochemical staining and classified as preserved (SMAD4+) or lost (SMAD4-). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and multivariate analysis were used to analyze correlations between SMAD4 status, radiation therapy, and clinical outcome measures. RESULTS A total of 290 patients (mean age at diagnosis 66 years, 51% female) were identified; 131 (45%) were SMAD4+ and 159 (55%) SMAD4-. Resectable disease was diagnosed in 95 (33%) and borderline-resectable disease in 166 (57%); 29 patients (10%) had locally-advanced disease. NARx was administered in 147 (51%) in combination with chemotherapy while 143 (49%) received ARx; 26 (18%) of which received ARx solely. NARx in SMAD4- PC was associated with a significantly increased incidence of near-complete/complete histopathologic response and reduced incidence of none/poor response compared to SMAD4- PC not treated with NARx (12% vs 2% and 44% vs 19% respectively, P = 0.001). On adjusted analysis, NARx was a significant predictor of histopathologic response in SMAD4- patients (HR: 3.5, 95% CI 1.6-7.6, P < 0.001) while no association was seen for SMAD4+ PC. Neither radiation therapy receipt nor SMAD4 status were associated with overall survival (OS). Yet, SMAD4- PC had a worsened disease-free survival (DFS) compared to SMAD4+ PC (19 vs 16 months, P = 0.03). This difference persisted even among patients who had received NARx (21 vs 16 months, P = 0.04) and those with histopathologic treatment response (24 vs 16 months, P = 0.031). No difference in DFS between SMAD4- and SMAD4+ PC was identified in the ARx group. Lastly, NARx, significantly improved local-recurrence free survival in SMAD4+ PC but not in SMAD4- PC (33 vs 21 months, P = 0.047). CONCLUSION `Outcomes following surgical resection for PC remain primarily driven by SMAD4 status irrespective of radiation therapy timing (NARx vs ARx). However, this analysis suggests that SMAD4 status may help identify a subset of patients who are most likely to benefit from NARx.
MO-B-BRB-01: Optimize Treatment Planning Process in Clinical Environment

The radiotherapy treatment planning process has evolved over the years with innovations in treatment planning, treatment delivery and imaging systems. Treatment modality and simulation technologies are also rapidly improving and affecting the planning process. For example, Image-guided-radiation-therapy has been widely adopted for patient setup, leading to margin reduction and isocenter repositioning after simulation. Stereotactic Body radiation therapy (SBRT) and Radiosurgery (SRS) have gradually become the standard of care for many treatment sites, which demand a higher throughput for the treatment plans even if the number of treatments per day remains the same. Finally, simulation, planning and treatment are traditionally sequential events. However, with emerging adaptive radiotherapy, they are becoming more tightly intertwined, leading to iterative processes. Enhanced efficiency of planning is therefore becoming more critical and poses serious challenge to the treatment planning process; Lean Six Sigma approaches are being utilized increasingly to balance the competing needs for speed and quality. In this symposium we will discuss the treatment planning process and illustrate effective techniques for managing workflow. Topics will include: 1. Planning techniques: (a) beam placement, (b) dose optimization, (c) plan evaluation (d) export to RVS. 2. Planning workflow: (a) import images, (b) Image fusion, (c) contouring, (d) plan approval (e) plan check (f) chart check, (g) sequential and iterative process 3. Influence of upstream and downstream operations: (a) simulation, (b) immobilization, (c) motion management, (d) QA, (e) IGRT, (f) Treatment delivery, (g) SBRT/SRS (h) adaptive planning 4. Reduction of delay between planning steps with Lean systems due to (a) communication, (b) limited resource, (b) contour, (c) plan approval, (d) treatment. 5. Optimizing planning processes: (a) contour validation (b) consistent planning protocol, (c) protocol/template sharing, (d) semi-automatic plan evaluation, (e) quality checklist for error prevention, (f) iterative process, (g) balance of speed and quality Learning Objectives: 1. Gain familiarity with the workflow of modern treatment planning process. 2. Understand the scope and challenges of managing modern treatment planning processes. 3. Gain familiarity with Lean Six Sigma approaches and their implementation in the treatment planning workflow.
GENETIC VARIATION IN THE EXPRESSION OF ADH IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

ABSTRACT Several chromosomes derived from natural populations have been identified that affect the expression of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) . Second chromosomes, which also carry the structural gene Adh, show a great deal of polymorphism of genetic elements that determine how much enzyme protein accumulates. The level of enzyme was measured in third instar larvae, 6-to-8-day-old males and in larval fat bodies and alimentary canals. In general, activities in the different organs and stages are highly correlated with one another. One line was found, however, in which the ADH level in the fat body is more than twice the level one would expect on the basis of the activity in alimentary canal. We have also found evidence of third-chromosome elements that affect the level of ADH.
Endothelial dysfunction and peroxynitrite formation are early events in angiotensin-induced cardiovascular disorders

Angiotensin II (ANG II) is a well-established participant in many cardiovascular disorders, but the mechanisms involved are not clear. Vascular cell experiments suggest that ANG II is a potent stimulator of free radicals such as superoxide anion, an agent known to inactivate nitric oxide and promote the formation of peroxynitrite. Here we hypothesized that ANG II reduces the efficacy of NO-mediated vascular relaxation and promotes vascular peroxynitrite formation in vivo. ANG II was infused in rats at sub-pressor doses for 3 days. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate were unchanged on day 3 despite significant reductions in plasma renin activity. Thoracic aorta was isolated for functional and immunohistochemical evaluations. No difference in isolated vascular contractile responses to KCI (125 mM), phenylephrine, or ANG II was observed between groups. In contrast, relaxant response to acetylcholine (ACh) was decreased sixfold without a change in relaxant response to sodium nitroprusside. Extensive prevalence of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT, a stable biomarker of tissue peroxynitrite formation) immunoreactivity was observed in ANG II-treated vascular tissues and was specifically confined to the endothelium. Digital image analysis demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between ACh relaxant response and 3-NT immunoreactivity. These data demonstrate that ANG II selectively modifies vascular NO control at sub-pressor exposures in vivo. Thus, endothelial dysfunction apparently precedes other established ANG II-induced vascular pathologies, and this may be mediated by peroxynitrite formation in vivo. Wattanapitayakul, S., Weinstein, D. M., Holycross, B. J., Bauer, J. A. Endothelial dysfunction and peroxynitrite formation are early events in angiotensin-induced cardiovascular disorders.
UNBOUNDED OPERATORS, LIE ALGEBRAS, AND LOCAL REPRESENTATIONS

We prove a number of results on integrability and extendability of Lie algebras of unbounded skew-symmetric operators with common dense domain in Hilbert space. By integrability for a Lie algebra g, we mean that there is an associated unitary representation U of the corresponding simply connected Lie group such that g is the dierential of U. Our results extend earlier integrability results in the literature; and are new even in the case of a single operator. Our applications include a new invariant for certain Riemann surfaces.
Precision of Color Differences Derived from a Multidimensional Scaling Experiment

A multidimensional ratio-scaling method was used to analyze one observer’s color difference judgments made on two sets of colored tiles of equal luminous reflectance. The precision of the observed color differences was found to be approximately ±30%. Taking this precision into account, the analysis indicated that all colors could be represented by points in a two-dimensional Euclidean space in which distances between two points were proportional to observed color differences independent of the location of the points. A method involving relatively simple computations is used to derive the perceptual space for a large group of colors by dividing the group into several subgroups and then overlapping the scaling solutions obtained for each subgroup.
Precision pointing using a dual-wedge scanner.

A system was developed for calibrating and precisely pointing a germanium dual-wedge scanner for a CO2 Doppler lidar from an airborne platform. The equations implemented in pointing the scanner and those in the iterative calibration program, which combines available data with estimated parameters of the scanner orientation relative to the axes of the aircraft's inertial navigation system to arrive at corrected scanner parameters are described. The effect of specific error conditions on program performance and the results of the program when used on 1981 test data are investigated.
A stochastic automata network descriptor for Markov chain models of instantaneously coupled intracellular Ca2+ channels

Although there is consensus that localized Ca2+ elevations known as Ca2+ puffs and sparks arise from the cooperative activity of intracellular Ca2+ channels, the precise relationship between single-channel kinetics and the collective phenomena of stochastic Ca2+ excitability is not well understood. Here we present a formalism by which mathematical models for Ca2+-regulated Ca2+ release sites are derived from stochastic models of single-channel gating that include Ca2+ activation, Ca2+ inactivation, or both. Such models are stochastic automata networks (SANs) that involve a large number of functional transitions, that is, the transition probabilities of the infinitesimal generator matrix of one of the automata (i.e., an individual channel) may depend on the local [Ca2+] and thus the state of the other channels. Simulation and analysis of the SAN descriptors representing homogeneous clusters of intracellular Ca2+ channels show that (1) release site density can modify both the steady-state open probability and stochastic excitability of Ca2+ release sites, (2) Ca2+ inactivation is not a requirement for Ca2+ puffs or sparks, and (3) a single-channel model with a bell-shaped open probability curve does not lead to release site activity that is a biphasic function of release site density. These findings are obtained using iterative, memory-efficient methods (novel in this biophysical context and distinct from Monte Carlo simulation) that leverage the highly structured SAN descriptor to unambiguously calculate the steady-state probability of each release site configuration and puff statistics such as puff duration and inter-puff interval. The validity of a mean field approximation that neglects the spatial organization of Ca2+ release sites is also discussed.
Poliovirus antibody response in patients withacute leukemia

Poliovirus antibody response in γG, γA, and γM classes of immunoglobulins in serum was determined after immunization with inactivated (Salk) polio vaccine in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia, in healthy children (control), and in children with solid tumors: Ewing's, Wilms', and osteogenic sarcoma. Serum response in healthy children and in children with solid tumors was characterized by the regular appearance of high levels of γM and γG and occasionally of γA poliovirus antibody. Primary immunization in children with acute leukemia elicited low or undetectable γG and no γA poliovirus antibody response. Most significantly, however, γM poliovirus antibody response was conspicuously absent. Reimmunization with inactivated vaccine in patients with acute leukemia manifested a 2- to 3-fold rise in the pre-existing γG antibody levels. Although reimmunization resulted consistently in the reappearance of γM poliovirus antibody in previously immunized control subjects, patients with acute leukemia failed to elicit any γM antibody response.
A big data driven model for taxi drivers' airport pick-up decisions in New York City

Taxis play a vital role in airport ground transportation in terms of local and regional accessibility to and from the city. Taxi drivers' decisions to make airport trips are one of the most important factors that maintain taxi demand and supply equilibrium at the airports. In this paper, a large taxi trip dataset is used to model New York City taxi drivers' decision process in order to suggest policies for improving John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport ground access and passenger satisfaction. For this purpose, sequential taxi trips of drivers are identified, and the binary decision of “airport pick-up” or “cruising for customers” at the end of each trip is modeled using logistic regression. The model provides an important tool which can be used to suggest and assess policy recommendations for improving taxi operations at JFK. Considering the increasing availability of taxi trip records in the world, the suggested methodology can also be applied elsewhere.
Expected sensitivity to galactic/solar axions and bosonic super-WIMPs based on the axio-electric effect in liquid xenon dark matter detectors

We present systematic case studies to investigate the sensitivity of axion searches by liquid xenon detectors, using the axio-electric eect (analogue of the photoelectric eect)
In vitro platelet ageing at 22°C is reduced compared to in vivo ageing at 3 7°C

In these studies, platelet ageing during in vitro at 22 degrees C was compared with in vivo ageing using isotope labelling. Paired fresh and 5-d-stored platelets had a mean residual life-span (MRL) of 4.8 +/- 0.7 d and 3.2 +/- 0.9 d, respectively. After 2.1 +/- 0.4 d in vivo circulation, the MRL of the fresh platelets was equivalent to that of the 5-d-stored in vitro platelets. This suggests that platelet ageing for 5 d in vitro at 22 degrees C corresponds to 2.1 d in vivo ageing at 37 degrees C. Thus, the relative ageing at 22 degrees C in vitro was (2.1 d/5 d) = 0.42 of that at 37 degrees C in vivo. A similar ageing ratio (0.44) was obtained by measurement of the decrease in MRL during storage at 22 degrees C of platelets stored for 1, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d relative to the decrease in MRL of fresh platelets in vivo. ATP turnover rate at 22 degrees C was compared to the rate of 37 degrees C by measurement of the rates of platelet oxygen consumption and lactate production in vitro. In vitro ATP turnover at 22 degrees C versus 37 degrees C, was found to be 10.5 +/- 1.0 versus 21.6 +/- 1.4 mumol/10(12) plts/min, respectively. Thus, the ATP turnover ratio (0.48) at these two temperatures suggests that the relative decrease in ageing at 22 degrees C compared to 37 degrees C is similar to the relative decrease in metabolic rate at this temperature.
Disturbance, colonization and succession in a deep-sea sediment community: artificial-mound experiments

Abstract Megafaunally produced sediment mounds can be sites of rapid biodeposition and may be important sources of infaunal disturbance aat the deep-sea floor. We conducted experiments in the Santa Catalina Basin (1240 m depth) using artificial mounds (≈9 cm high by 35 cm wide) to assess macrobenthic disturbance from mound formation and to evaluate modes and patterns of recolonization. To differentiate colonization modes, we created two types of mounds: unfloored (allowing all potential colonists) and floored (excluding burrowing immigrants). Burial beneath an average of 5–6 cm of artificial-mound sediments yielded a 32% reduction in macrofaunal abundance over time scales of ≤1 month. All functional groups were disturbed by burial, although subsurface deposit feeders appearedd to be the least susceptible. In addition, eight of the 14 dominant background species showed significant population reduction on mound treatments. Macrobenthos in unfloored treatments reached background levels of abundance after 11 months, suggesting colonization rates 3 × higher than estimated by previous deep-sea studies using colonization trays. Comparisons between floored and unfloored treatments suggest that burrowing was a significant dispersal mode for colonists. Intermediate peaks in the abundance of two infaunal species on unfloored artificial mounds, as well as changes in trophic-group composition, indicate that community succession proceeded for at least 23 months, these treatments also exhibited enhanced species diversity, providing the first direct evidence that the intermediate disturbance hypothesis helps to explain high macrobenthic diversity in the deep sea.
Nuclear detection using higher order learning

The detection of potentially threatening nuclear materials is a challenging homeland security problem. This research reports on the application of a novel statistical relational learning algorithm, Higher Order Naive Bayes (HONB), to improve the detection and identification of nuclear isotopes. When classifying nuclear detection data, distinguishing potentially threatening from harmless radioisotopes is critical. These also must be distinguished from the naturally occurring radioactive background. This research applied Higher Order Learning to nuclear detection data to improve the detection and identification of four isotopes: Ga67, I131, In111, and Tc99m. In the research traditional IID machine learning methods are applied to the area of nuclear detection, and the results compared with the performance of leveraging higher-order dependencies between feature values using HONB. The findings give insight about the performance of higher-order classifiers (described in [2]) on datasets with small numbers of positive instances. In the initial study, Naive Bayes was compared with its higher-order counterpart, Higher Order Naive Bayes. HONB was found to perform statistically significantly better for isotope Ga67 when using a preprocessing methodology of discretizing then binarizing the input sensor data. Similar results were seen for different amounts of training data for I131, In111, and Tc99m. HONB was also found to perform statistically significantly better for isotopes I131 and Tc99m when the preprocessing involved normalization, discretization then binarization. This study shows that Higher Order Learning techniques can be very useful in the arena of nuclear detection.
Hardware implementation of multiresolution filtering for broadband instrumentation

The authors have constructed a wavelet processing board that implements a 14-level wavelet transform. The board uses a high-speed, analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, a hardware queue, and five fixed-point digital signal processing (DSP) chips in a parallel pipeline architecture. All five processors are independently programmable. The board is designed as a general purpose engine for instrumentation applications requiring near real-time wavelet processing or multiscale filtering. The present application is the processing engine of a magnetic field monitor that covers 305 Hz through 5 MHz. The monitor is used for the detection of peak values of magnetic fields in nuclear power plants. This paper describes the design, development, simulation, and testing of the system. Specific issues include the conditioning of real-world signals for wavelet processing, practical trade-offs between queue length and filter length, selection of filter coefficients, simulation of a 14-octave filter bank, and limitations imposed by a fixed-point processor. Test results from the completed wavelet board are included.
Janus-Faced Federalism: State Sovereignty and Federal Preemption in the Rehnquist Court

The Roman god Janus had two faces, looking in opposite directions. This split appearance is an apt metaphor for the Rehnquist Court's decisions involving federal-state relations. One face, which has received much attention over the past decade and a half, is characterized by the Court's post-1990 decisions concerning state sovereignty, sovereign immunity, and the reach of Congress's powers under the Interstate Commerce Clause and the 14th Amendment. All have had a devolutionary thrust, bolstering state authority or insulating state institutions against federal law and regulations. The second, less recognized face is distinguished by the Court's emerging doctrines concerning federal preemption of state and local authority. In these cases, the Supreme Court—often led by members of the new federalist majority—has tilted surprisingly in favor of federal authority. This article examines both faces of contemporary judicial policy making on matters of federalism, with a particular focus on the implications for federal preemption.
Academic advising via Facebook: Examining student help seeking

Abstract The influx of technology into institutions of higher education has demanded changes to the traditional support structures at colleges and universities. Higher education students are using technology as a means to communicate with, and seek help from, university personnel, including academic advisors. This study focuses on how six university students used and understood an electronic social network to seek help from an academic advisor. Results indicate that participants used the social network site to seek prescriptive academic advising help and acquire information about university academic matters. Findings indicate that participants considered use of the electronic social network beneficial for seeking help and were receptive to interacting with higher education personnel electronically.
Binding of [3H]apomorphine to an aporphine binding site as well as to dopamine sites in tissue from bovine caudate nucleus.

Binding of the tritiated dopamine (DA) agonists, apomorphine (APO) and a dihydroxyaminotetralin (ADTN) to a membrane preparation from the caudate nucleus of calf brain was compared. Binding of [3H]dihydroxyaminotetralin at small (nM) concentrations followed simple, monophasic inhibition (over 80% at < 500nM) by concentrations of apomorphine between 50 pM and 1 mM. Inhibition of the binding of [3H]apomorphine by dihydroxyaminotetralin was more complex, and included in component with a low (μM) affinity for dihydroxyaminotetralin accounting for approx. 20% of total binding. The kinetics of binding of the ligands to high-affinity sites were virtually identical (apparent Kd = 0.81 nM; Bmax = 211 fmol/mg protein) and could not be distinguished by curve-fitting techniques adapted to analysis by microcomputer. In contrast, the binding of [3H]apomorphine with a “blank” defined by excess (10μM) dihydroxyaminotetralin could be resolved into the same high-affinity component and a lower-affinity site (Kd = 124 nM; Bmax = 5740 fmol/mg). The pharmacology of the lower-affinity binding of [3H]apomorphine was evaluated by coincubating with 0.5 μM dihydroxyaminotetralin to “mask” high-affinity sites, and was compared to high-affinity binding of [3H]apomorphine and [3H]dihydroxyaminotetralin. The high-affinity binding was stereoselective for DA receptor agonists and antagonists. The pharmacology of the lower-affinity site resembled no known DA receptor type and showed highest affinities for aporphines but was not stereoselective and reacted weakly and non-specifically with dihydroxyaminotetralin, DA, other catecholamines and neuroleptics. Thus, [3H]apomorphine, under certain conditions, may detect an aporphine binding site of uncertain pharmacological significance, as well as high-affinity DA agonist (D-3) sites.
Generation of multiple cell types in Bacillus subtilis

Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive bacterium that is well known for its ability to differentiate into metabolically inactive spores that are highly resistant to environmental stresses. In fact, populations of genetically identical B. subtilis comprise numerous distinct cell types. In addition to spores, cells can become genetically competent, motile, produce extracellular matrix or degradative enzymes, or secrete toxins that allow them to cannibalize their neighbors. Many of the cell fates listed above appear to be mutually exclusive. In this review, we discuss how individual cells within a population control their gene expression to ensure that proper regulation of differentiation occurs. These different cell fates are regulated by an intricate network that relies primarily on the activity of three major transcriptional regulators: Spo0A, DegU, and ComK. While individual cells must choose distinct cell fates, the population as a whole exhibits a spectrum of phenotypes whose diversity may increase fitness.
Sequences of orbits and the boundaries of the basin of attraction for two double heteroclinic orbits

The boundaries of the basin of attraction are usually assumed to be rather elementary for Hamiltonian systems with autonomous perturbations. In the case of one saddle point, the sequences of orbits before capture are unique for each basin. However, we show that for two saddle points each with double heteroclinic orbits, there is an infinite number of different sequences of nearly homoclinic orbits before capture depending on the four heteroclinic parameters. The probabilities of capture are independent of the capture sequence.
SCAFFOLDS IN THE FIELD: VYGOTSKIAN INTERPRETATION IN A TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Abstract Vygotskian theory has often been promoted for understanding children’s learning, yet few studies have examined this theory in relation to preservice teachers’ understanding of teaching. This paper seeks to address this gap by reporting on a study of four preservice teachers in a teacher education program designed from Vygotskian tenets of learning. Peer and cooperating teacher support systems in learning to teach are explored. The analysis suggests that socially shared cognition in field work and course work makes a significant difference in enhancing preservice teachers’ sense of what it means to teach in terms of using partnership for cognitive and collegial support, perspective-taking, social negotiation, and ownership. Control and feedback styles of cooperative teachers had an impact on preservice teachers’ perceived readiness for student teaching, opportunities for reflection, and spirit of social reconstructivism. Implications for teacher education programs are addressed in regard to relationships that best prepare preservice teachers for the real world and field experiences and sociocultural learning contexts that assist in that process.
Effect of reserpine on the activity of adrenal enzymes involved in the synthesis of adrenaline.

1. After administration of reserpine to rats, the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase (PNMT) activity in their adrenal glands was found to be increased under in vitro conditions. 2. The increase in TH activity occurred at 12-18 h after reserpine whereas the PNMT activity increased at 30 hours. Unlike the TH, the increase in PNMT activity did not appear to be neuronally mediated since ganglion blockade by chlorisondamine failed to antagonize the reserpine-induced increase in PNMT activity. The increase in PNMT activity may be a response to increased utilization of catecholamines. 3. Hypophysectomy resulted in a diminution of the activities of both enzymes; the activity of TH, but not of PNMT, could be partially restored by reserpine. ACTH restored the activities of both enzymes almost to normal. 4. The differential effect of reserpine suggests that the activities of these two enzymes are controlled by different mechanisms.