cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Construction of Disambiguated Folksonomy Ontologies Using Wikipedia

One of the difficulties in using Folksonomies in computational systems is tag ambiguity: tags with multiple meanings. This paper presents a novel method for building Folksonomy tag ontologies in which the nodes are disambiguated. Our method utilizes a clustering algorithm called DSCBC, which was originally developed in Natural Language Processing (NLP), to derive committees of tags, each of which corresponds to one meaning or domain. In this work, we use Wikipedia as the external knowledge source for the domains of the tags. Using the committees, an ambiguous tag is identified as one which belongs to more than one committee. Then we apply a hierarchical agglomerative clustering algorithm to build an ontology of tags. The nodes in the derived ontology are disambiguated in that an ambiguous tag appears in several nodes in the ontology, each of which corresponds to one meaning of the tag. We evaluate the derived ontology for its ontological density (how close similar tags are placed), and its usefulness in applications, in particular for a personalized tag retrieval task. The results showed marked improvements over other approaches.
Combination of sign inverting and delay scheduling control concepts for multiple-delay dynamics

Abstract In this paper we treat a novel combination of two controversial control concepts, Sign Inverting Control (SIC) and Delay Scheduling (DS), for systems with multiple independent and large delays. SIC suggests the inversion of the control polarity and DS prolongs the existing delays. The combined scheme functions with a single requirement that, the union of the control schemes provides a larger stable operating region than each of its components does, in the domain of the delays. The critical knowledge that is needed to execute such a unified control strategy is the crisp description of these stable regions for each time-delayed control scheme. This need can be fulfilled using the recent Cluster Treatment of Characteristic Roots (CTCR) paradigm, which establishes the stable regions exhaustively and non-conservatively. The resulting options in selecting operating modes render more robust control performance against much larger delay variations than each of the schemes. We also investigate the disturbance rejection speeds within these enlarged stable regions in order to improve the control performance even further. Such multi-faceted paradoxical combinations provide previously-unexplored tools to control designers. Experimental validations of these novel concepts are presented on a simple setup with a single-axis manipulator.
Partial decapsulation of splenic epithelial cysts: Studies on etiology and outcome

Abstract Purpose : The presence of squamous epithelium in the cyst wall of children with large splenic cysts has generally been thought to require complete resection of the cyst lining to prevent recurrence. The risks of major bleeding or possible total splenectomy necessitates a simplified procedure to preserve splenic function without cyst recurrence. Methods : Six patients treated for splenic cyst over a 10-year period underwent partial splenic decapsulation retaining the hilar portion of the spleen. The patient group, including five girls, ranged in age from 6 to 18 years (mean, 13 years). Presenting findings were splenomegaly (n = 4), progressive cyst enlargement (n = 4), left upper quadrant pain (n = 2), ultrasound for unrelated condition (n = 2), and prior history of trauma (n = 1). Cyst location varied from peripheral to deep cortical and ranged in size from 5 to 20 cm containing from 200 to 1,700 mL of sterile straw-colored to dark brown-colored liquid. Results : Palpable splenomegaly resolved in all patients with progressive decrease in size of the splenic remnant, and return of vascularity to normal was confirmed by Doppler ultrasound. Each patient remains asymptomatic without recurrence of the splenic cyst from 1 to 10 years after surgery. Squamous epithelial lining cells found in sheets and clusters were seen within the cyst lining of all patients. Immunohistochemistry of the paraffin-embedded tissue showed that these cells expressed keratin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), but were negative for BerEP4 (conventionally positive in cells of epithelial origin). Conclusion : The authors conclude that splenic decapsulation is an effective treatment for splenic epithelial cysts, which both preserves splenic function and prevents recurrence despite retention of hilar cyst lining. Epithelial metaplasia of the mesothelial-mesodermal undifferentiated cells from exposure to an unidentified irritant may explain the histological presence of squamous epithelium within the cyst wall.
The resilience of neoliberalism and its urban effects

Vivien Schmidt and Mark Thatcher correctly remark on the paradoxical persistence of neoliberalism in the face of a contrary reality at variance with its nostrums. Although proponents of neoliberal ...
Apparent Digestible Protein and Energy Coefficients of Common Feed Ingredients for Channel Catfish

Abstract Apparent digestible protein and energy coefficients for corn, cottonseed meal, menhaden fish meal, meat and bone meal, peanut meal, rice bran, rice mill feed, soybean meal and wheat were determined in test diets processed in pelleted and extruded forms in adult channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Test diets were fed ad libitum to fish and fecal samples were collected by the dissection technique. The digestibility value of each ingredient was determined by comparison of the digestibilities of a reference diet and a test diet containing a 70:30 mixture of the reference diet and the test ingredient. In general, the digestibility values determined by this method are higher than previously reported values based on single-source diets which were force-fed to channel catfish. Although some differences were observed in digestible energy values determined on test diets processed in the extruded and pelleted forms, values determined on pelleted test diets appear to be the most reliable in predicting the...
Detecting Genetic Interactions for Quantitative Traits with U-Statistics

The genetic etiology of complex human diseases has been commonly viewed as a process that involves multiple genetic variants, environmental factors, as well as their interactions. Statistical approaches, such as the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) and generalized MDR (GMDR), have recently been proposed to test the joint association of multiple genetic variants with either dichotomous or continuous traits. In this study, we propose a novel Forward U-Test to evaluate the combined effect of multiple loci on quantitative traits with consideration of gene-gene/gene-environment interactions. In this new approach, a U-Statistic-based forward algorithm is first used to select potential disease-susceptibility loci and then a weighted U-statistic is used to test the joint association of the selected loci with the disease. Through a simulation study, we found the Forward U-Test outperformed GMDR in terms of greater power. Aside from that, our approach is less computationally intensive, making it feasible for high-dimensional gene-gene/gene-environment research. We illustrate our method with a real data application to nicotine dependence (ND), using three independent datasets from the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment. Our gene-gene interaction analysis of 155 SNPs in 67 candidate genes identified two SNPs, rs16969968 within gene CHRNA5 and rs1122530 within gene NTRK2, jointly associated with the level of ND (P-value 55.31e� 7). The association, which involves essential interaction, is replicated in two independent datasets with P-values of 1.08e� 5 and 0.02, respectively. Our finding suggests that joint action may exist between the two gene products. Genet. Epidemiol. 2011. r 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Transport properties of hydrogen isotopes in boron carbide structures

The transport of implanted hydrogen isotopes in the refractory semiconducting ceramic, boron carbide, is investigated using the TMAP4 code. A review of experimental results for the diffusivity and solubility of hydrogen isotopes in boron carbide is presented, which provide Arrhenius expressions for the kinetics of hydrogen isotope transport. These expressions are utilized in the TMAP4 model to provide predictions for the hydrogen isotope implantation and desorption for experiments now in progress at the UCSD PISCES laboratory for the National Ignition Facility (NIF).
Ni+(H2)n: Ligand bond energies for ground state ions

Abstract The H2 ligand binding energies in Ni+(H2)n were measured to be 17.3, 17.6, 11.3, 7.1 and 4.2 kcal/mol, for n=1–5, respectively. The very weakly bound sixth ligand begins a new solvation sphere. Association entropies were also measured. MP2 calculations were done to determine geometries and vibration frequencies as well as the origin of the bonding. The observed changes in BDE with ligation are due to electronic rather than steric effects. Comparisons are made to the Fe+(H2)n, Co+(H2)n, Cu+(H2)n and Ni+(CO)n systems. A highly symmetric D3h planar structure is found in Ni+(H2)3 and forms the core of the Ni+(H2)4, 5 ions.
Photon tracking with GPUs in IceCube

GPUs (graphics processing units) have become increasingly popular in the recent years for scientific calculations involving large numbers of similar steps. Photon propagation is a necessary part of simulating detector response to passing charged particles in IceCube that is an ideal application for use with GPUs. We discuss the principle ideas and practical issues of running such an application within the simulation chain used within our collaboration.
The Effects of Regulated Premium Subsidies on Insurance Costs: An Empirical Analysis of Automobile Insurance

State regulation of rates is sometimes used as a means to make automobile insurance more affordable to consumers by restricting insurer profits and pricing practices. Incentive distortions arising from this type of rate regulation might lead to higher accident rates and higher insurance loss costs. Annual state-level panel data for the time period 1980‐1998 are used to investigate these effects, using empirical methods that recognize the endogenous determination of states’ regulatory choices. Results suggest that rate regulation that systematically suppresses (some or all) drivers’ insurance premiums is associated with significantly higher average loss costs and higher insurance claim frequency.
Picosecond wireless synchronization using an Optically Locked Voltage Controlled Oscillator (OL-VCO)

In this paper, the first fully integrated Optically Locked Voltage Controlled Oscillator (OL-VCO) is reported. The OL-VCO is locked to an RF source through a free-space optical link at λ=850 nm. In the locked mode, the OL-VCO achieves an RMS jitter of 1.6 psec with 16 averaging. It also improves the phase noise by 25 dB at 100 Hz offset frequency. The wireless synchronization is achieved at a distance of 1.5 m, representing more than two orders of magnitude improvement compared to the prior art.
From developmental state to the ‘New Japan’: the strategic inflection point in Japanese business

Between 1998–2006, Japan's political economy underwent a strategic inflection point, anchored on legal changes so profound that they are irreversible. These reforms sought to enable large companies to shift from the post-war priority on sales and market share toward a new focus on profitability. The arrival of powerful low-cost Asian competitors in assembled goods, and a drastic change in the shareholder structure in Japan brought the end of the ‘developmental state’ approach and necessitated repositioning into innovative, high-margin sectors. The congruence model posits that a successful shift in critical tasks requires a realignment of formal organization, people and culture. For Japan's highly diversified companies, to compete as efficient innovators meant making clear choices what businesses to compete in, and then to restructure to focus on winning in those few businesses. For Japan as a country, the shift in formal organization came through a wholesale change in the underlying approach to law-making...
Estrogenic Substances from Plants: I. Glycyrrhiza†

Licorice root was found to contain an estrogenic hormone in appreciable quantity, and an efficient process was devised for its concentration. Spectrophotometric experiments indicated that it is a steroid, and other evidence points to its identity with estriol. An antihormonal principle may also be present. Asclepias, helonias, and aletris were also found to be estrogenic.
Ethical leadership and the dual roles of examples

Abstract Through the examples they set, leaders do a great deal to shape—for good or for ill—the culture of the organizations in which they serve. Leaders thus serve in a teaching role. But in order to learn how to set positive examples, leaders must also be students who seek to learn what they can from others’ examples. Employing as a jumping-off point a recent high-profile and multi-faceted scandal involving Penn State University and decision makers affiliated with it, this article explores a number of ethical decision making lessons to be learned from that scandal and considers how those lessons can be applied to a variety of decisions faced by corporate leaders. Along the way, the article addresses ways in which common human tendencies impair the quality of thinking and decision making. It also offers ways for improving thinking quality and enhancing the ethical nature of resulting business decisions.
Reduction of 13-deoxydoxorubicin and daunorubicinol anthraquinones by human carbonyl reductase.

Carbonyl reductase (CR) catalyzes the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent reduction of several carbonyls. Anthracyclines used to treat cancer are reduced by CR at the C13 carbonyl and the resulting metabolites are implicated in the cardiotoxicity associated with anthracycline therapy. CR also is believed to have a role in detoxifying quinones, raising the question whether CR catalyzes reduction of anthracycline quinones. Steadystate kinetic studies were done with several anthraquinone-containing compounds, including 13-deoxydoxorubicin and daunorubicinol, which lack the C13 carbonyl, thus unmasking the anthraquinone for study. kcat and kcat/Km values for 13-deoxydoxorubicin and daunorubicinol were nearly identical, indicating that that the efficiency of quinone reduction was unaffected by the differences at the C13 position. kcat and kcat/Km values were much smaller for the analogs than for the parent compounds, suggesting that the C13 carbonyl is preferred as a substrate over the quinone. CR also reduced structurally related quinone molecules with less favorable catalytic efficiency. Modeling studies with doxorubicin and carbonyl reductase revealed that methionine 234 sterically hinder the rings adjacent to the quinone, thus accounting for the lower catalytic efficiency. Reduction of the anthraquinones may further define the role of CR in anthracycline metabolism and may influence anthracycline cytotoxic and cardiotoxic mechanisms.
The complexity of DNA damage: relevance to biological consequences.

Ionizing radiation causes both singly and multiply damaged sites in DNA when the range of radical migration is limited by the presence of hydroxyl radical scavengers (e.g. within cells). Multiply damaged sites are considered to be more biologically relevant because of the challenges they present to cellular repair mechanisms. These sites occur in the form of DNA double-strand breaks (dsb) but also as other multiple damages that can be converted to dsb during attempted repair. The presence of a dsb can lead to loss of base sequence information and/or can permit the two ends of a break to separate and rejoin with the wrong partner. (Multiply damaged sites may also be the biologically relevant type of damage caused by other agents, such as UVA, B and/or C light, and some antitumour antibiotics.) The quantitative data available from radiation studies of DNA are shown to support the proposed mechanisms for the production of complex damage in cellular DNA, i.e. via scavengable and non-scavengable mechanisms. The yields of complex damages can in turn be used to support the conclusion that cellular mutations are a consequence of the presence of these damages within a gene. Literature data are used to support these statements and to develop overall mechanisms connecting the production of primary species to the production of biologically relevant damages. The consequences of the LET of the radiation on multiplicity of damage are discussed and suggestions made for the cause of the decrease of the oxygen enhancement ratio as the LET increases.
Glucose transport in white erythrocyte ghosts and membrane-derived vesicles.

Abstract Glucose oxidase was incorporated into the interior spaces of hemoglobin-free erythrocyte ghosts and into small vesicles derived from their membranes. By employing the oxygen uptake method described previously (Taverna, R. D. and Langdon R.G. (1972) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 412–421), kinetic parameters of glucose translocation across the membranes of these preparations were investigated. It was found that the facilitated diffusion system for glucose was completely retained in the membranes of both hemoglobin-free ghosts and in the membrane-derived vesicles. In addition to its entry by carrier-mediated diffusion, glucose also entered white ghosts through a “leak” which, althogh permeable to glucose, did not allow the passage of glucose oxidase. The kinetics of entry of glucose into the membrane-derived vesicles, which were predominantly “inside-out”, were identical to those of intact erythrocytes. This provides additional evidence for symmetry of the facilitated diffusion process.
Thoracic Cirripedia From the Continental Shelf Off South Carolina, U.S.a. 1)

[In der Nahe von McClellanville, Sudcarolina, (Juli 1963) wurde auf einem uber eine Entfernung von 86 km senkrecht zum Kontinentalschelf gefuhrten Schnitt in Tiefen von 1,8 bis 64 m gedredscht. Der Schnitt verlief von Breiten 33° 03,96' N nach 32° 28,7' N und Langen 79° 29,82' W nach 78° 47,1' W. Sechs Arten thoracider Cirripedier wurden erbeutet, und zwar an 7 der 12 Stationen des Schnittes. Bei diesen Arten handelte es sich um den Lepadomorphen Scalpellum gibbum Pilsbry und die Balanomorphen Balanus calidus Pilsbry, B. venustus niveus Darwin, B. improvisus Darwin, B. galeatus (Linnaeus) und die neue Art, Balanus (Conopea) merrilli. Die neue Art ist auch von der Golfkuste Floridas und von Puerto Rico bekannt., In der Nahe von McClellanville, Sudcarolina, (Juli 1963) wurde auf einem uber eine Entfernung von 86 km senkrecht zum Kontinentalschelf gefuhrten Schnitt in Tiefen von 1,8 bis 64 m gedredscht. Der Schnitt verlief von Breiten 33° 03,96' N nach 32° 28,7' N und Langen 79° 29,82' W nach 78° 47,1' W. Sechs Arten thoracider Cirripedier wurden erbeutet, und zwar an 7 der 12 Stationen des Schnittes. Bei diesen Arten handelte es sich um den Lepadomorphen Scalpellum gibbum Pilsbry und die Balanomorphen Balanus calidus Pilsbry, B. venustus niveus Darwin, B. improvisus Darwin, B. galeatus (Linnaeus) und die neue Art, Balanus (Conopea) merrilli. Die neue Art ist auch von der Golfkuste Floridas und von Puerto Rico bekannt.]
Composite-operator effective-action considerations on bound states and corresponding S -matrix elements

The exact Bethe-Salpeter equation, the {ital S} matrix for bound states, and related Green's functions are treated within the composite-field effective-action formalism. Comparison of two alternative composite effective potentials is made and we conclude that the physical consequences of the two appear to be the same, at least as applied to the Abelian or Abelianized (QCD in lowest order 1/{ital N}) gauge-field--fermion systems. The effective actions themselves are different both on and off shell.
Turning a Disruptive Study Hall into an Effective Learning Center

Study halls do not have to be havens for dis ruptive students. These authors in trodoce a program that helps both dis ruptive students and students in need of extra attention.
A NONMETRIC MEASURE OF EUCLIDEAN DISTANCE

Summary.-The results of a large scale simulation study to test the fundamental properties of the author's finite population spatial density model are reported. A conjecture is given relating metric distance to a nonmetric estimate in two-dimensional space. A recent large scale simulation study was conducted to test the fundamental properties of the author's population density index (PDI) model. Those three properties were stated by O'Brien (1990, p. 8). Sixty-thee subpopulations, aggregated by size of region into nine populations, were created to obtain the synthetic measures. Each subpopulation was generated (replicated) 200 times to produce over 12,000 model measures. The areal configurations ranged from small (30 x 30 sq. units, 40 x 30 sq. units) to large (1000 x 1000 sq. units), and objects ranged from 12 to 1000. Unrestricted random location in the space was allowed. The theory was overwhelmingly supported. The population-level linear correlation between PDI and mean density was 0.93; the average subpopulation correlation between PDI and size of population was 0.97; the population-level rank-order correlation between PDI and region size was perfectly inversely related. These results corroborate the properties. One most interesting result obtained between the measure PDI (requiring knowledge of the exact object locations) and the approximation measure derived to be a nonmetric bound on the exact value (O'Brien, 1992). The correlation between the exact and approximate distances was nearly perfect (r = 0.999) at the population level. A linear regression function to estimate actual association was: PDI,,, = 0.8388 PDI',,, - 0.4866. In estimating the average distance - from the approximate value, the following pattern was observed: doc, = (1 - e -I) -0.5 &,,,, a result accurate to within 10% for the populations examined. Converting between PDI and distance is mediated by the inverse relation
Antithrombogenic properties of a hexamethoxylated flavonoid Reduction of deaths in rats due to intravascular infusion of adenosine diphosphate (ADP)

Methoxylated flavonoids which have strong antiadhesive effects on blood cells were tested both in vitro and in vivo for anticoagulant activity and for protection against ADP induced thrombosis. The flavonoids did not show a statistically significant effect on clotting-time of rabbit blood, but did exhibit significant antithrombogenic activity. The hexamethoxylated flavonoid, nobiletin, at 3.2 mg per kg body weight showed a highly significantly greater (P < 0.01) protective effect than did heparin at 132 units per kg body weight.
Neutrinoless double beta decay and CP violation

Abstract CP-violation effects in neutrinoless double beta decays are discussed in the case of three-generation Majorana neutrinos. We have derived the allowed region in the lepton mixing angles θ1 and θ3, from which a lower limit on tan2θ1 is obtained. Also derived are conditions among the lepton mixing angles and neutrino masses to see whether CP is violated in the lepton sector or not.
Post-motivational Progression and the Possibility of Aborting Protracted Crime

The idea for this article emerged from a cursory examination of the National Crime Victimization Survey (US Department of Justice, 1997–2004). Unbeknownst to the authors (and possibly to most of the readers) is a trend confirming that about 2/3 of all violent crimes in the United States end up as attempted crimes, as opposed to completed crimes. Equally intriguing is that international crime figures confirm, almost exactly, the US Survey statistics. If these figures are accurate, then criminologists and crime control agents should ask the question: if 2/3 of all violent crimes fail to materialize—for whatever reason—under their own weight, why cannot criminologists and crime control agents in the future develop a clinical competency that can exploit this failure and further reduce the completion rate of violent crime to technically zero? If that can be accomplished, then violent crimes can theoretically be aborted. Such a futuristic design should not be considered farfetched in light of the current advancements in today’s technology, including the military practice of laser-bombing a car speeding on the road several miles below, or the on going military testing of “shooting a missile with a missile”. This article focuses on the undiscovered, yet enormous, role of post-motivational criminology, which—when the desired clinical competency is developed—can literally change the trajectory of violent crimes and possibly abort them in progress. While this article cannot promise answers for the next decades, it can, at least, stimulate the criminological community to think beyond its traditional boundaries and to engage in quantum research consortiums that can study the dynamics of post-motivational progressions and eventually resolve why some bullets miss or can intentionally be made not to hit.
Skepticism About Media Effects Concerning the Environment: Examining Lomborg's Hypotheses

Statistician Bjorn Lomborg's tacit hypotheses regarding the effect of mass media exposure (what he calls “the Litany”) on environmental beliefs are tested using General Social Survey data from 1993, 1994, and 2000. Two core hypotheses and a research question are drawn from Lomborg's The Skeptical Environmentalist for discussion. Lomborg's apparent belief in a strong relationship between stilted media coverage and heightened environmental concern is generally not consistently borne out by the data. Lomborg's failure to distinguish between types of media, particularly television and newspapers, is shown to be problematic.
Multi-agent systems support for Community-Based Learning

Abstract Electronic distributed learning that overlooks the physical and geographic status of learners has become a reality. Moreover, its quality has been considerably improved by utilizing recent advances in web-based technology. Various electronic learning support systems such as Internet-based tutorials and Virtual Universities have appeared in different forms and reflect advances in technology. However, there remains a huge barrier to support the shareable and collaborative learning available through virtual communities. Our solution to these problems was to develop an educational middleware, called the Community-Based Learning (CoBL) framework whose goal is to: (a) adapt to the diverse requirements of learners; (b) support shareable and collaborative learning; and (c) be capable of facilitating distributed learning over the Internet. The CoBL framework is based on: (1) agents to manage individual learners and communities of learners; (2) a shared data model for integrating heterogeneous communities; and (3) a component-oriented development approach. We have implemented the CoBL prototype system and used it for community-based learning.
A Simple Method for Regression Analysis With Censored Data

Problems requiring regression analysis of censored data arise frequently in practice. For example, in accelerated testing one wishes to relate stress and average time to failure from data including unfailed units, i.e., censored observations. Maximum likelihood is one method for obtaining the desired estimates; in this paper, we propose an alternative approach. An initial least squares fit is obtained treating the censored values as failures. Then, based upon this initial fit, the expected failure time for each censored observation is estimated. These estimates are then used, instead of the censoring times, to obtain a revised least squares fit and new expected failure times are estimated for the censored values. These are then used in a further least squares fit. The procedure is iterated until convergence is achieved. This method is simpler to implement and explain to non-statisticians than maximum likelihood and appears to have good statistical and convergence properties. The method is illustrated by a...
Scaling exponent of multiplicity fluctuation in phase transition.

It is suggested that the study of the multiplicity fluctuations of hadrons produced in high-energy heavy-ion collisions can be used as a means to detect evidence of a quark-hadron phase transition. In analogy with the photocount problem at the onset of lasing in nonlinear optics, we use the coherent-state description in the framework of the Ginzberg-Landau theory. It is shown that the normalized factorial moments of the multiplicity distribution exhibit a complicated behavior as functions of the resolution scale and parameters that describe the phase transition. However, there is a scaling behavior that is universal, and a scaling exponent can be determined that is independent of the details of the phase transition.
Competition for DNA steroid response elements as a possible mechanism for neuroendocrine integration

Abstract For the analysis of a simple steroid-dependent mating behavior, careful response definition, complete neural circuit delineation and placement of estrogen-responsive cells within this circuit have been accomplished. Molecular studies of two relevant genes have emphasized DNA/RNA hybridization assays nd DNA binding techniques. For both the rat preproenkephalin gene and the gene for the progesterone receptor, a strong induction by estrogen, tissue specificity of expression and a sex difference in regulation are prominent phenomena. On the rat preproenkephalin promoter, estrogen (ER) and thyroid receptors may compete for a DNA binding site. Likewise, progesterone (PR) and glucocorticoid receptors may compete for the same sites. On the rat PR gene, interactions between ER and AP-1 binding proteins are of special interest. Such interactions could underlay competitions and synergies between steroid hormones and neurally signalled events in the environment.
Emergence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains producing high levels of persister cells in patients with cystic fibrosis

ABSTRACT The majority of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients succumb to a chronic infection of the airway with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Paradoxically, pathogenic strains are often susceptible to antibiotics, but the infection cannot be eradicated with antimicrobial therapy. We find that in a majority of patients with airway infections, late isolates of P. aeruginosa produce increased levels of drug-tolerant persister cells. The genomes of a clonal pair of early/late isolates from a single patient have been previously sequenced, and the late isolate (obtained at age 96 months) showed a 100-fold increase in persister levels. The 96-month isolate carries a large number of mutations, including a mutation in mutS that confers a hypermutator phenotype. There is also a mutation in the mexZ repressor controlling the expression of the MexXY-OprM multidrug pump, which results in a moderate increase in the ofloxacin, carbenicillin, and tobramycin MICs. Knocking out the mexXY locus restored the resistance to that of the parent strain but did not affect the high levels of persisters formed by the 96-month isolate. This suggests that the late isolate is a high-persister (hip) mutant. Increased persister formation was observed in exponential phase, stationary phase, and biofilm populations of the 96-month isolate. Analysis of late isolates from 14 additional patients indicated that 10 of them are hip mutants. Most of these hip mutants did not have higher drug resistance. Increased persister formation appears to be their sole mechanism for surviving chemotherapy. Taken together, these findings suggest a link between persisters and recalcitrance of CF infection and identify an overlooked culprit—high-persister mutants producing elevated levels of drug-tolerant cells. Persisters may play a similarly critical role in the recalcitrance of other chronic infections.
Migration and the regional redistribution of nonearnings income in the United States: metropolitan and nonmetropolitan perspectives from 1975 to 2000

Many advanced economies have an aging population that relies heavily on government pensions, social security, and privately held investment-based income. In the United States the geography of social security and investment income (collectively called nonearnings income) is uneven. Furthermore, the ways in which migration serves to redistribute such income across space remain unstudied. This paper highlights regions in the United States that are becoming increasingly attractive to nonearnings income through migration. Overall, there is a consistent Rustbelt-to-Sunbelt shift in nonearnings income due to migration. These income shifts, however, are quite distinct between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Starting in the late 1980s, nonmetropolitan portions of the Rustbelt enjoyed net gains in nonearnings income through migration processes. Therefore, it appears that the migration systems which drew income away from the nonmetropolitan north during the 1970s are now shifting to some degree. Analysis fur...
High-energy response of the PRESCILA and WENDI-II neutron rem meters.

WENDI-II was designed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) specifically as a wide-range rem meter, suitable for applications at particle accelerators, with response extension to 5 GeV. PRESCILA was also designed at LANL, mainly as a lightweight alternative to traditional rem meters, but has shown excellent response characteristics above 20 MeV. This Note summarises measurements performed over a span of 4 y to characterise the high-energy neutron response (>20 MeV) of these meters to several hundred million electron volts. High-energy quasi-monoenergetic beams utilised as part of this study were produced by the cyclotron facilities at the Universite Catholique de Louvain (33 and 60 MeV) and the T. Svedberg Laboratory ( 46, 95, 143 and 173 MeV). In addition, measurements were also conducted at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, 800 MeV spallation neutron source, in broad energy fields with an average energy of 345 MeV. For the sake of completeness, data collected between 2.5 and 19 MeV in monoenergetic neutron fields at the German Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) facility are also included in this study.
Early identification of mathematics talent has long-term positive consequences for career contributions

Abstract This chapter begins with a description of the Olympiad program in the United States and then proceeds to present the results of a retrospective study of the American Math Olympians. The chapter is organized around two basic research questions: What factors contribute to or hinder the development of the Olympians' math talent? Do the Olympians fulfill their potential? The results of this study show that 42% of the American Olympians earned Ph.D. degrees (an additional 13% are enrolled in Ph.D. programs), and many are successful in business fields. In terms of productivity, these Olympians are responsible for the publication of 15 books, 435 articles, 274 research papers, and 15 patents. Several factors, especially family influences, are shown to contribute to the development of the Olympians' talent. Hindrances experienced by the Olympians are also implicated, particularly those dealing with their social development.
A continuum and molecular dynamics hybrid method for micro- and nano-fluid flow

A hybrid multiscale method is developed for simulating micro- and nano-scale fluid flows. The continuum Navier–Stokes equation is used in one flow region and atomistic molecular dynamics in another. The spatial coupling between continuum equations and molecular dynamics is achieved through constrained dynamics in an overlap region. The proposed multiscale method is used to simulate sudden-start Couette flow and channel flow with nano-scale rough walls, showing quantitative agreement with results from analytical solutions and full molecular dynamics simulations for different parameter regimes. Potential applications of the proposed multiscale method are discussed.
Pediatric weekend admission and increased unplanned readmission rates

Outcomes for patients hospitalized on weekends are often worse for adults-the so-called "weekend effect." Less is known about the weekend effect for children. We examined 55,383 hospitalizations at a tertiary care children's hospital. We used logistic regression to examine the associations of weekend admission and weekend discharge with unplanned 30-day readmission. We adjusted analyses for patient and hospitalization characteristics including number of complex chronic conditions, technology dependency, and length of stay. The 30-day unplanned readmission rate was 10.3%. Children admitted on the weekend had significantly higher odds of unplanned readmission compared to children admitted on weekdays (adjusted odds ratio = 1.09 [95% confidence interval: 1.004-1.18]). In contrast, being discharged on the weekend was not associated with readmission. In conclusion, children admitted on the weekend have higher rates of 30-day unplanned readmission than children admitted during the week, suggesting care differences on the weekend related to initial clinical management rather than discharge planning.
The Phenomenological Mind: An Introduction to Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science

The Phenomenological Mind: An Introduction to Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science SHAUN GALLAGHER AND DAN ZAHAVI New York: Routledge, 2008 244 pages, ISBN: 0415391229 (pbk); $29.95 The Phenome...
miR-1343 attenuates pathways of fibrosis by targeting the TGF-β receptors

Irreversible respiratory obstruction resulting from progressive airway damage, inflammation and fibrosis is a feature of several chronic respiratory diseases, including cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b) has a pivotal role in promoting lung fibrosis and is implicated in respiratory disease severity. Here we show that a previously uncharacterized microRNA, miR-1343, reduces the expression of both TGF-b receptor 1 and 2 by directly targeting their 3’ UTRs. After TGF-b exposure, elevated intracellular miR-1343 significantly decreases levels of activated TGF-b effector molecules, pSMAD2 and pSMAD3, when compared to a non-targeting control miRNA. As a result, the abundance of fibrotic markers is reduced, cell migration into a scratch wound impaired, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition repressed. Mature miR-1343 is readily detected in human neutrophils and HL-60 cells and is activated in response to stress in A549 lung epithelial cells. miR-1343 may have direct therapeutic applications in fibrotic lung disease.
Direct Laser Recording on Amorphous Silicon Film

Abstract Results of direct laser recording on amorphous silicon film by laser with wavelength λ= 532 nm and Blu Ray single mode laser diode with λ= 405 nm are presented. Measurements of a-silicon film transmission spectrum before and after exposure by focused laser beam demonstrates its changing. It proves the refractive index changing of recording layer under laser radiation interaction and transformation of amorphous silicon to crystalline silicon under laser radiation interaction. Measurement of recorded relief shows that under laser radiation interaction to a-silicon layer relief depth is about 30-100 nm. Microstructures with a size of 5–7 μm are recorded by 120mW single mode Blu Ray laser diode with λ= 405 nm. Use of Blu Ray laser diodes for recording on amorphous silicon film opens opportunities to design compact Laser Writing System for diffractive structures fabrication and interference lithography.
Role of Mouse Cryptochrome Blue-Light Photoreceptor in Circadian Photoresponses

Cryptochromes are photoactive pigments in the eye that have been proposed to function as circadian photopigments. Mice lacking the cryptochrome 2 blue-light photoreceptor gene (mCry2) were tested for circadian clock-related functions. The mutant mice had a lower sensitivity to acute light induction of mPer1 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) but exhibited normal circadian oscillations of mPer1 and mCry1 messenger RNA in the SCN. Behaviorally, the mutants had an intrinsic circadian period about 1 hour longer than normal and exhibited high-amplitude phase shifts in response to light pulses administered at circadian time 17. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that CRY2 protein modulates circadian responses in mice and suggest that cryptochromes have a role in circadian photoreception in mammals.
Synthesis and regional mouse brain distribution of [11C]Nisoxetine, a norepinephrine uptake inhibitor

Nisoxetine, a selective and high affinity (IC50 = 1 nM) inhibitor of NE reuptake, has been radiolabeled in high specific activity (greater than 600 Ci/mmol) by the alkylation of the nor-methyl precursor with [11C]CH3I. Synthetic yields are good (40-60% from [11C]methyl iodide, corrected for decay, 20 min synthesis), with the product purified by HPLC. In vivo studies of regional brain distribution in CD-1 mice show uptake and retention of tracer in the cortex, striatum, hypothalamus and thalamus, with the highest levels in the hypothalamus and cortex. Specific binding in the cortex and hypothalamus can be reduced by preadministration of 7 mg/kg i.v. unlabeled nisoxetine. The possible value of [11C]nisoxetine as a PET imaging agent is discussed.
Endoscopic ligation of the sphenopalatine artery for epistaxis

There are a variety of methods that are available for the treatment of severe epistaxis. These include nasal packing, endoscopic electrocautery, arterial embolization, and surgical ligation of the internal maxillary artery and anterior ethmoid artery. A transantral approach is most commonly used for ligation of the internal maxillary artery. Disadvantages of this approach include significant postoperative pain, infraorbital nerve hypesthesia, and incomplete identification of the terminal branches of the internal maxillary artery. An endoscopic transnasal approach is described for ligation of the terminal branches of the internal maxillary artery. An endoscopic antrostomy is performed, and the tissues are elevated in a subperiosteal plane. Using this approach, the pterygopalatine fossa can be visualized, and terminal branches of the internal maxillary artery can be ligated where they enter the nasal cavity. Our experience with this approach in patients with epistaxis is described. Although this approach may not be feasible in all patients requiring surgery for epistaxis, distinct advantages include decreased surgical time, decreased morbidity, and a shorter recovery period.
Activated 3′,5′-Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase Is Sufficient to Induce Neuroendocrine-like Differentiation of the LNCaP Prostate Tumor Cell Line

Neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation within prostate tumors is proposed to be a contributing factor in disease progression. However, the cellular origin and molecular mechanism controlling differentiation of prostatic NE cells are unresolved. The prostate tumor cell line, LNCaP, can reversibly acquire many NE characteristics in response to treatment with β-adrenergic receptor agonists and activators of adenylate cyclase. In this study, we demonstrate that these treatments induce protein kinase A (PKA) activation in LNCaP cells and that ectopic expression of a constitutively activated form of the PKA catalytic subunit, CIα, results in acquisition of NE characteristics, including the extension of neuritic processes, cessation of mitotic activity, and production of neuron-specific enolase. Forskolin-, epinephrine-, and isoproterenol-dependent NE differentiation of LNCaP cells was significantly inhibited by expressing a dominant negative mutant of the PKA regulatory subunit, RIα. These results demonstrate that prostatic NE differentiation in response to these agents depends on PKA activation, and this signaling pathway may provide a therapeutic target for treating advanced forms of prostate cancer.
When Do Rules of Procedure Matter

Some years ago the economist Harold Demsetz (1972) asked, "When does the rule of liability matter?" He sought to address an important issue in the law and economics of externalities. Specifically, suppose there is a market failure in which a paper producer pollutes, thereby spoiling the water used by a farmer downstream. Does the resolution of the externality problem depend on the legal rule of liability that designates which party must assume the burden of the externality?' The surprising answer Demsetz provided an application of Coase's Theorem (see Coase, 1960) was that so long as transactions costs between the parties are trivial, the relevant parties will resolve the externality regardless of the particular liability rule.2 In general, so long as the parties can negotiate agreements between themselves costlessly, resources will flow to their highest valued uses, implying that externalities will be optimally internalized. Conversely, if transactions costs are not negligible, then the form of liability is crucial for the resolution of the externality problem. The point of this paper is not to develop the logic of liability but rather
Linguistic specificity through literate language use in preschool-age children with specific language impairment and typical language:

Linguistic specificity through rate of literate language feature (LLF) use was investigated in preschoolage children with specific language impairment (SLI, n = 15) and with typical language (n = 15) in play and storybook-sharing contexts with mothers. Children’s language was assessed on five LLF dimensions (simple elaborated noun phrases, complex elaborated noun phrases, adverbs, conjunctions, and mental and linguistic verbs), and on the summed LLF composite across contexts. Children with typical language had a higher rate of conjunction use and of the LLF composite in play. All children used higher rates of adverbs and complex elaborated noun phrases in play. Clinical and theoretical implications are provided for language development and assessment.
WhiteCell: Energy-efficient use of unlicensed frequency bands for cellular offloading

Cellular networks have addressed the multi-fold increase in traffic demand through various approaches from increasingly smaller cells to offloading demand to unlicensed spectrum, such as WiFi and TV white spaces. The latter approach has a tremendous cost benefit as unlicensed hardware can be co-located with existing cellular infrastructure. However, in these situations where demand is the greatest, WiFi spectral activity could be high and the total number of available white space channels are often inversely proportional to the population due to the existence of TV broadcast channels. Moreover, the additional hardware induces a higher energy demand of the cell site. In this work, we perform extensive spectral measurements of unlicensed bands in a major metropolitan area and crowdsource user mobility to consider potential swings in network load. Using these measurements, we design a queuing-based approach to serve these network demand dynamics in an energy-efficient manner according to differing qualities of service. In particular, we perform in-field experimentation of the diurnal spectrum activity across white space (54–806 MHz) and WiFi (2.4 and 5.8 GHz) bands in typical settings across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. We also consider mobility patterns from Android-based crowdsourced measurements in four major Texas cities to infer the change in traffic demand induced by users. Driven by both data sets, we propose a Greedy Server-side Replacement (GSR) algorithm to estimate the power consumption for the use of unlicensed bands in cellular offloading. In doing so, we find that networks with white space bands reduce the power consumption by up to 513% in sparse rural areas over WiFi-only solutions via measurement-driven numerical simulation. In more dense areas, we find power consumption reduction across a 24hour period to be, on average, 24%, 44%, 63% over WiFi-only offloading with one to three white space channels, respectively. Finally, we consider the quality of service impact on power consumption and find that up to 151% of the power can be saved with only a slight relaxation of waiting times.