cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Messenger Ribonucleic Acid for Atrial Natriuretic Factor in Atria and Ventricles of Dahl Salt-Sensitive and Salt-Resistant Rats

The levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and the mRNA for ANF were measured in the left ventricles of Dahl salt-sensitive (S) and salt-resistant (R) rats. ANF and ANF mRNA were both much higher in ventricular tissue of newborn rats of both strains compared to young adults, which represents the normal developmental pattern. There was no strain difference between S and R when the rats were young (1.5 months of age), but in older animals (8.5 months of age), when S rats were markedly hypertensive, there was a 5- to 10-fold increase in both left ventricular ANF and left ventricular ANF mRNA in S, but not R, rats. Atrial ANF mRNA was not similarly increased in hypertensive S rats. The ANF levels present in ventricles could not be accounted for by contamination with plasma ANF. Moreover, HPLC analysis of the forms of ANF in ventricles of newborn and hypertensive S rats showed that immunoreactive ANF in ventricles was present mainly in the same precursor form found in atria and not the shorter peptide form ...
Characteristics, Attributes, and Competencies Sought in New Hires by Campus Recreation Directors

Professionals and students working in college recreation departments are often involved in many facets relating to the hiring of competent employees. A review of literature revealed that various pr...
Replication, Communication, and the Population Dynamics of Scientific Discovery

Many published research results are false (Ioannidis, 2005), and controversy continues over the roles of replication and publication policy in improving the reliability of research. Addressing these problems is frustrated by the lack of a formal framework that jointly represents hypothesis formation, replication, publication bias, and variation in research quality. We develop a mathematical model of scientific discovery that combines all of these elements. This model provides both a dynamic model of research as well as a formal framework for reasoning about the normative structure of science. We show that replication may serve as a ratchet that gradually separates true hypotheses from false, but the same factors that make initial findings unreliable also make replications unreliable. The most important factors in improving the reliability of research are the rate of false positives and the base rate of true hypotheses, and we offer suggestions for addressing each. Our results also bring clarity to verbal debates about the communication of research. Surprisingly, publication bias is not always an obstacle, but instead may have positive impacts—suppression of negative novel findings is often beneficial. We also find that communication of negative replications may aid true discovery even when attempts to replicate have diminished power. The model speaks constructively to ongoing debates about the design and conduct of science, focusing analysis and discussion on precise, internally consistent models, as well as highlighting the importance of population dynamics.
Neurometabolic coupling in cerebral cortex reflects synaptic more than spiking activity.

In noninvasive neuroimaging, neural activity is inferred from local fluctuations in deoxyhemoglobin. A fundamental question of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is whether the inferred neural activity is driven primarily by synaptic or spiking activity. The answer is critical for the interpretation of the blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) signal in fMRI. Here, we have used well-established visual-system circuitry to create a stimulus that elicits synaptic activity without associated spike discharge. In colocalized recordings of neural and metabolic activity in cat primary visual cortex, we observed strong coupling between local field potentials (LFPs) and changes in tissue oxygen concentration in the absence of spikes. These results imply that the BOLD signal is more closely coupled to synaptic activity.
Risk and Prison Substance Abuse Treatment Outcomes: a Replication and Challenge:

The current study replicates and refines earlier findings concerning the role of risk factors as predictors of reincarceration following prison substance abuse treatment. Findings confirm that risk...
Attractor Dynamics of Spatially Correlated Neural Activity in the Limbic System

Attractor networks are a popular computational construct used to model different brain systems. These networks allow elegant computations that are thought to represent a number of aspects of brain function. Although there is good reason to believe that the brain displays attractor dynamics, it has proven difficult to test experimentally whether any particular attractor architecture resides in any particular brain circuit. We review models and experimental evidence for three systems in the rat brain that are presumed to be components of the rat's navigational and memory system. Head-direction cells have been modeled as a ring attractor, grid cells as a plane attractor, and place cells both as a plane attractor and as a point attractor. Whereas the models have proven to be extremely useful conceptual tools, the experimental evidence in their favor, although intriguing, is still mostly circumstantial.
Development of buffer layers for high quality Tl-Pb-Sr-Ba-Ca-Cu-O thick films on flexible metal substrates

Previous work has demonstrated the ability to grow extremely high quality Tl/sub 0.5/Pb/sub 0.5/Sr/sub 1.6/Ba/sub 0.4/Ca/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub x/ epitaxial films up to 15 /spl mu/m thick using melt growth techniques on single crystal LaAlO/sub 3/ substrates. This melt growth process is an ideal candidate for producing high quality superconducting films on flexible metal substrates with textured buffer layers; however, the textured buffer layer of choice, cubic yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), appears to be incompatible with the melt growth of TI-Pb-Sr-Ba-Ca-Cu-O films. In this work, we investigate textured buffer layers which are compatible with the epitaxial growth of Tl/sub 0.5/Pb/sub 0.5/Sr/sub 1.6/Ba/sub 0.4/Ca/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub x/ films. Crucial properties for the successful development of a suitable buffer layer are lattice matching, chemical stability and texture. Buffer layer materials investigated are CeO/sub 2/ and LaAlO/sub 3/ grown using a UV (248 nm) pulsed excimer laser deposition system equipped with multiple targets and a controlled ambient. Influence of substrate temperature and ambient gas pressure and flow on buffer growth are analyzed via XRD characterization. Highly textured buffer layers have been fabricated.
Modeling of information dominance in complex systems: a system partitioning and hybrid control framework

This paper provides a view of modeling the information dominance problem of military systems as representative of modeling other complex systems. The ideas are an extension of earlier efforts to base analysis of information assurance for complex systems on system partitioning into a system of systems. The approach discussed rests upon the notion that the system at hand is intended to achieve some useful purpose and that a system of systems approach provides a feasible methodology for composing the system functionality (behaviors) as an aggregation of sub-systems functionality. Many subsystem processes have continuous process models while higher system models are usually discrete. Composition of components requires consideration of interaction of subsystems, especially when feedback loops are present. A model of information assurance (IA) processes consistent with this hybrid system model of complex processes is described. Information dominance is defined as superior situation understanding and superior support for making decisions under uncertainty. The information dominance model is then presented as an extension of the AI model. The paper concludes with a conjecture that more effective intrusion detection can be achieved by using the known purpose of an information system (e.g. achieving information dominance in support of an operation) to guide allocation of intrusion detection resources.
‘Nsumwinu’: meaning and role in the structural composition of melodies in the urban music of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The examination of the inserted nsumwinu (singular - Kasumwinu), in the lyrics of popular songs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), reveals hidden roles that are both musical and linguistic. Musically, the compositional technique of the melodic contour is derived from the observation of the semantic level of the language represented by the sequential pattern of tones on words that compose the kasumwinu. Linguistically, this sequential pattern of tones that determines the meaning of the word, must be faithfully observed in the music’s compositional process of the basic melodic contour, i.e., the linguistic tones dictate the direction of musical intervals, leaving the decision of the size of the interval to the creative discretion of the composer.1 This essay will reveal the linguistic significance and role of nsumwinu, in the urban music of the DRC, and to conclude that they provide the musical flexibility without altering the overall meaning of their intended message.
Bs mixing via ψK

The decay mode Bs → ψK∗ is suggested as a very good way to measure the Bs mixing parameter xs. These decays can be gathered using a ψ → l+l− trigger. This final state has a well resolved four track decay vertex, useful for good time resolution and background rejection.
Work and Mental Health

Work plays a central role in both normal human development and in the restoration to health of people suffering from disabling emotional problems. Freud pointed to the importance of work in his famous assertion that it is one of the two components essential to mental health. Erikson1 has extended this idea in his notion of industry — the capacity to do sustained and goal directed work — as a basic component of the healthy ego. Developmental psychologists; e.g., White, have emphasized the need of every growing child for the experience of efficacy or competence that comes from seeing things change or happen as a result of one’own effort.
Modeling risk of occupational zoonotic influenza infection in swine workers

ABSTRACTZoonotic transmission of influenza A virus (IAV) between swine and workers in swine production facilities may play a role in the emergence of novel influenza strains with pandemic potential. Guidelines to prevent transmission of influenza to swine workers have been developed but there is a need for evidence-based decision-making about protective measures such as respiratory protection. A mathematical model was applied to estimate the risk of occupational IAV exposure to swine workers by contact and airborne transmission, and to evaluate the use of respirators to reduce transmission. The Markov model was used to simulate the transport and exposure of workers to IAV in a swine facility. A dose-response function was used to estimate the risk of infection. This approach is similar to methods previously used to estimate the risk of infection in human health care settings. This study uses concentration of virus in air from field measurements collected during outbreaks of influenza in commercial swine fa...
The QSL reactor for lead and its prospects for Ni, Cu and Fe

In 1960, the author stated: “The dead hands of nitrogen have been lifted from oxidation reactions which utilize the oxygen in air…. Greatly improved reverberatory and rotary furnace designs will be employed for utilization of tonnage oxygen in continuous autogenous smelting and converting…. The institutions of higher education, founts of trained manpower and virgin scientific knowledge, need and deserve generous support from their mining industry beneficiaries.”66 This case history demonstrates the rewards obtainable by such cooperation. Much-increased American academia-industry-government teamwork research and development is imperative, with overall modernization of metal making—including scrap recycling—as the objective.
Abnormalities of the DNA methylation mark and its machinery: an emerging cause of neurologic dysfunction.

Recently, Mendelian disorders of the DNA methylation machinery have been described which demonstrate the complex roles of epigenetics in neurodevelopment and disease. For example, defects of DNMT1, the maintenance methyltransferase, lead to adult-onset progressive neurologic disorders, whereas defects of the de novo methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B lead to nonprogressive neurodevelopmental conditions. Furthermore, patients with DNMT3A deficiency demonstrate overgrowth, a feature common to disorders of histone machinery and imprinting disorders, highlighting the interconnectedness of the many epigenetic layers. Disorders of the DNA methylation machinery include both the aforementioned “writers” and also the “readers” of the methyl mark, such as MeCP2, the cause of Rett syndrome. Any dosage disruption, either haploinsufficiency or overexpression of DNA methylation machinery leads to widespread gene expression changes in trans, disrupting expression of a subset of target genes that contribute to individual disease phenotypes. In contrast, classical imprinting disorders such as Angelman syndrome have been thought generally to cause epigenetic dysregulation in cis. However, the recent description of multilocus methylation disorders challenges this generalization. Here, in addition to summarizing recent developments in identifying the pathogenesis of these diseases, we highlight clinical considerations and some unexpected therapeutic opportunities, such as topoisomerase inhibitors for classical imprinting disorders.
Vibrational Properties of the π-Bonded Chain Model of the Si(111)2×l Surface

A tight-binding theory is used to study vibrational excitations of the π-bonded chain model of the Si(111)2×l surface. Some aspects of the surface phonon spectrum are discussed. We study the charge fluctuations driven by the vibrational excitations and the surface conductivity associated with the phonons. We find that a longitudinal optical phonon on the surface chains dominates the surface conductivity.
Energy harvesting using the rattleback: Theoretical analysis and simulations of spin resonance

This paper investigates the spin resonance of a rattleback subjected to base oscillations. The phenomenon of Spin resonance can transduce vibrations to rotations. The rattleback is an ellipsoidal top with a preferred direction of spin. If rotated anti to it, longitudinal vibrations are set up and spin direction is reversed.Simulations and results are presented which show that the rattleback has a mono-peak spin resonance with respect to base vibrations. Two frequencies that appear in the response are identified — the Coupled and Uncoupled frequencies. Spin resonance, it is deduced, occurs when the base frequency is twice the coupled frequency of the rattleback. A linearized model is developed and a closed form expression for the Resonant frequency in terms of the inertia parameters of the rattleback is derived.Novel ideas for applications in Energy harvesting and Vibration sensing that utilize the phenomenon of spin resonance are also included.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Clinical Case #8: Jack

Jack is a 78-year-old retired salesman who presents with a 3-week history of left lower back pain that began without any identifiable inciting cause. Jack has a past medical history that includes coronary artery disease with two stents placed, hypertension, diabetes type II, benign prostate hypertrophy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gall bladder surgery, and diverticulitis. Although his medical history is significant, Jack considers himself to be “pretty healthy all things considered.”
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE COVEL GARDENS LANDFILL AREA IN SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS

In March 1990, archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted a surface survey and subsurface testing at a locality proposed for a landfill by Waste Management of North America, Inc. Survey and testing activities were performed in order to locate and evaluate any archaeological remains which might be affected by landfill construction and operation. In addition, a private collection of artifacts originating from the project area was documented. Prehistoric archaeological remains were encountered in the western portion of the study area, and a new site number was designated for these remains, 41 BX 873. Because of prior disturbance to this site, we recommend that no further investigation is needed.
Study on the surveillance of Adverse Event Following Immunization with vaccine in Wuhu,2010～2012

Objective To study the occurrence features of Adverse Event Following Immunization(AEFI) in Wuhu,evaluate the implementation of AEFI surveillance system,the safety of vaccines and the quality of immunization services,and explore AEFI prevention measures.Methods The AEFI data in 2010-2012 were collected through China Information System for AEFI,the descriptive methodology was used in this study.Results 308 AEFI cases occurring in 2010-2012 were reported including 257 cases with common vaccine reaction(83.44%),49 cases with rare vaccine reaction(15.91%),2 cases with coincidental event(0.65%).The AEFI report coverage rate in counties was 100.00%,the AEFI report coverage rate in vaccination clinics was 93.55%; the reported rate within 48 h were 97.40%,the investigated rate within 48 h were 100.00%.81.82% of cases occurred within 1 d after vaccination.Children aged 0-2 years old and 6 years old accounted for 89.94%.The fever,redness,swelling,induration and anaphlaxis dominated the clinical diagnosis of AEFI cases.The AEFI incidence rate were 12.10/100 000,of which the common vaccine reaction incidence rate were 10.10/100 000,the rare vaccine reaction incidence rate were 1.93/100 000.85.06% of cases occurred among the national immunization program(NIP) vaccine,69.81% of cases occurred among the first dose of vaccination; the vaccines reported more vaccine reaction following immunization were DTaP(39.29%),DT(15.26%),A+C MCV(7.79%),PPV23(5.19%),MR(4.87%); the common vaccine reaction incidence rate and rare vaccine reaction incidence rate of NIP vaccine were not significantly different than second type of vaccine.Conclusion At present,the operation status of AEFI surveillance system of Wuhu city was good,AEFI surveillance were more sensitive.
An integrin receptor on normal and thrombasthenic platelets that binds thrombospondin [see comments]

The members of the integrin family of membrane glycoprotein heterodimer complexes function as cell surface receptors for adhesive proteins. We report here on the identification of two integrins on the surface of human platelets that bind to thrombospondin. When platelet membrane proteins are radiolabeled with 125I-lactoperoxidase, solubilized in n- octylglucoside, (Boehringer Mannheim Biochemicals, Indianapolis, IN), and applied to a column of thrombospondin-Sepharose, both complexes are bound to the column and specifically eluted with the peptide GRGDSP. One of these integrins, glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa, appears to bind relatively weakly. The second integrin shares the same beta subunit (beta 3 or GPIIIa), but has a distinct alpha subunit that comigrates with the alpha subunit (alpha v) of the vitronectin receptor (VnR) on endothelial cells and reacts with a monoclonal antibody, LM142, which was raised against an integrin from M21 melanoma cells. The alpha v beta 3 integrin is present on a variety of cell types and appears to act as a receptor for thrombospondin on endothelial and smooth muscle cells. On endothelial and M21 melanoma cells this receptor is also involved in adhesion to fibrinogen, vitronectin, and von Willebrand factor (vWF). The alpha v beta 3 integrin is present at approximately equal levels on normal and thrombasthenic platelets, whereas levels of GPIIb-IIIa are greatly reduced on thrombasthenic platelets. The alpha v beta 3 integrin on thrombasthenic platelets also binds to thrombospondin-Sepharose and can be eluted with the peptide GRGDSP. These data indicate that the alpha v beta 3 integrin on platelets, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells functions as an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-dependent receptor for thrombospondin.
Crystal Structure of Recoverin with Calcium Ions Bound to Both Functional EF Hands.

Recoverin (Rv), a small Ca(2+)-binding protein that inhibits rhodopsin kinase (RK), has four EF hands, two of which are functional (EF2 and EF3). Activation requires Ca(2+) in both EF hands, but crystal structures have never been observed with Ca(2+) ions in both sites; all previous structures have Ca(2+) bound to only EF3. We suspected that this was due to an intermolecular crystal contact between T80 and a surface glutamate (E153) that precluded coordination of a Ca(2+) ion in EF2. We constructed the E153A mutant, determined its X-ray crystal structure to 1.2 A resolution, and showed that two Ca(2+) ions are bound, one in EF3 and one in EF2. Additionally, several other residues are shown to adopt conformations in the 2Ca(2+) structure not seen previously and not seen in a second structure of the E153A mutant containing Na(+) instead of Ca(2+) in the EF2 site. The side-chain rearrangements in these residues form a 28 A allosteric cascade along the surface of the protein connecting the Ca(2+)-binding site of EF2 with the active-site pocket responsible for binding RK.
Neuropsychological profiles and descriptive classifications of mass murderers

Abstract As mass murders become more prominent throughout the United States, the ability to predict and prevent these crimes becomes imperative. Research indicates that mass murderers experience increased incidence of psychosocial stressors, psychiatric issues, and head trauma. However, few scientific studies of mass murderers exist, and no prior study has examined the associations between neurocognitive abilities and mass murder. We examined demographic, neurologic, psychiatric, substance use, criminal, and neurocognitive characteristics of mass murderers and compared mass murderers to single victim murderers on these characteristics. Additionally, we proposed a sub-classification of mass murderers based on the degree of relationship with their victims, and explored group differences in the aforementioned characteristics. Results suggested that mass murderers exhibit low average abilities across cognitive domains. Mass murder was associated with higher levels of premeditation and better cognitive abilities than single victim murder. Subgroups of mass murderers were distinguishable based on demographic and psychiatric variables, but exhibited similar cognitive profiles. Our findings suggest that mass murderers may possess the cognitive ability to engage in preventative or rehabilitative efforts, and that subtyping based on the degree of victim relationship may be important in this group of offenders.
NetMOD Version 2.0 User?s Manual.

NetMOD ( Net work M onitoring for O ptimal D etection) is a Java-based software package for conducting simulation of seismic, hydracoustic, and infrasonic networks. Specifically, NetMOD simulates the detection capabilities of monitoring networks. Network simulations have long been used to study network resilience to station outages and to determine where additional stations are needed to reduce monitoring thresholds. NetMOD makes use of geophysical models to determine the source characteristics, signal attenuation along the path between the source and station, and the performance and noise properties of the station. These geophysical models are combined to simulate the relative amplitudes of signal and noise that are observed at each of the stations. From these signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), the probability of detection can be computed given a detection threshold. This manual describes how to configure and operate NetMOD to perform detection simulations. In addition, NetMOD is distributed with simulation datasets for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) International Monitoring System (IMS) seismic, hydroacoustic, and infrasonic networks for the purpose of demonstrating NetMOD's capabilities and providing user training. The tutorial sections of this manual use this dataset when describing how to perform the steps involved when running a simulation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would likemore » to thank the reviewers of this document for their contributions.« less
Electronic and Electrochemical Properties of Li1–xMn1.5Ni0.5O4 Spinel Cathodes As a Function of Lithium Content and Cation Ordering

The electronic and electrochemical properties of the high-voltage spinel LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 as a function of cation ordering and lithium content have been investigated. Conductivity and activation energy measurements confirm that charge transfer occurs by small polaron hopping, and the charge carrier conduction is easier in the Ni:3d band than in the in Mn:3d band. Seebeck coefficient data reveal that the Ni2+/3+ and Ni3+/4+ redox couples are combined in a single 3d band, and that maximum charge carrier concentration occurs where the average Ni oxidation state is close to 3+, corresponding to x = 0.5 in Li Li1–xMn1.5Ni0.5O4. Accordingly, maximum electronic conductivity is found at x = 0.5, regardless of cation ordering. The thermodynamically stable phases formed during cycling were investigated by recording the X-ray diffraction (XRD) of chemically delithiated powders. The more ordered spinels maintained two separate two-phase regions upon lithium extraction, while the more disordered samples exhibited a soli...
The Aerobic Plate Count, Coliform and Escherichia coli Content of Raw Ground Beef at the Retail Level

Nine hundred fifty-five samples of raw ground beef obtained from supermarkets throughout the United States were examined for coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Aerobic Plate Count (APC). The results were compared with existent standards for E. coli in raw meat in New York and Oregon. Lack of homogenious distribution of E. coli in fresh ground beef was demonstrated. Observations were made that indicate that a 2 day-two step procedure will detect the same number of E. coli as the more time consuming four step MPN procedure 98% of the time. A comparison of the APC obtained by incubating plates at 20 C and 35 C showed there to be an average 10-fold difference with the 20 C incubation always higher. Questions are raised about the necessity of microbial standards for raw meat and the validity of incorporating E. coli in such standards.
Fracture-dislocations of the carpus: perilunate injury.

Abstract The progressive perilunar instability model described by Mayfield is still used to predict the pattern of injury. Diagnosis of injury and clinical and radiographic findings depend on the pattern of injury. Open procedures are preferred for anatomic reduction after initial closed reduction is performed for acute injuries. A dorsal, volar, or combined dorsal/volar approach may be necessary and is often decided by surgeon preference. Loss of motion and diminished grip strength are common consequences despite appropriate treatment. Successful outcomes depend on time to treatment, open or closed nature of injury, extent of chondral damage, residual instability, and fracture union.
Intra-arterial and Intravitreal Chemotherapy for Retinoblastoma

The aim of this review is to summarize history, treatment outcomes, indications, complications, and current controversies of both intra-arterial (IAC) and intravitreal (IViTC) chemotherapy in the management of retinoblastoma (RB). Over the years, the ability of IAC to provide excellent tumor control while limiting systemic toxicity has extended its indications from globe-sparing salvage therapy to the first-line therapy for unilateral disease. The establishment of safe IVitC techniques, on the other hand, has changed treatment philosophies from avoiding intraocular drug delivery at all costs to improve the control of vitreous seeds, which has been an important cause of failure of IAC. The use of both techniques has actually not only managed to reduce the enucleation rate but also to eliminate the need for external beam radiotherapy, at least as the first-line or second-line treatment. During the past decade, IAC and IVitC have completely transformed the management of RB with a considerable improvement in ocular survival without affecting patient survival despite the lack of randomized controlled trials. Long-term prognosis, recurrence rates, and incidence of metastases after IAC and IVitC remain to be determined. Future challenges include studies of drug-induced retinal toxicity and optimization of treatment protocols in order to preserve vision.
Kinetic Modelling of Processes Behind S\(_{2,3}\)-states Deactivation in Photosynthetic Oxygen Evolution

Photosynthetic water splitting, localized in photosystem II, is the source of atmospheric oxygen and possible alternative energy source. It is therefore important to understand the related processes which influence the efficiency of water splitting. We have employed kinetic models of photosystem II to study deactivation processes of higher S-states (redox states of water splitting) in the dark. Our analysis of spinach samples, treated or untreated by electron acceptor phenylparabenzoquinone (PPBQ) indicated an unknown mechanism, decay, related to S\(_{2,3}\)-state deactivation. We concluded that: (1) S\(_3\)-state decay occurs independently on the PPBQ treatment, i.e., independently on the redox state of the acceptor side of photosystem II, (2) S\(_2\)-state decay can be fully described by S\(_2\)-\(Q^{-}_{A,B}\) charge recombination, neglected in previous models, and (3) the mechanism of S\(_3\)-state decay can be explained by the involvement of slow cooperation within photosystem II dimer between S\(_3\) PSIIa and S\(_{3,2,1}\) PSIIb in higher plants. Finally, the slow cooperation is able to explain experimental data both from PPBQ-free and PPBQ treated samples.
Long distance contribution to KL → ℓ+ℓ−

We revisit the calculation of the long distance contribution to KL → μ+ μ−. We discuss this process within the framework of chiral perturbation theory, and also using simple models for the KLγ∗γ∗ vertex. We argue that it is unlikely that this mode can be used to extract information on short distance parameters. The process KL → e+ e− is also long-distance dominated and we find that B(KL → e+ e−9 x 10−12.
Cardiovascular health supervision for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; data from the MD STARnet

Abstract Background In 2005, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a policy statement on cardiovascular health supervision for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Data is lacking on its effect on cardiovascular care. Methods Using the infrastructure of the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking and Research Network, we examined a population-based sample of individuals with DMD, focusing on cardiac testing and prescription of cardiac medication. Comparisons were made pre- (2000–2005) and post- (2006–2011) publication Results 731 cases were studied; mean age of diagnosis 3.8 years and mean duration of follow-up 9.3 years. There was a significant decrease in time from diagnosis to first electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram (ECHO) from pre- to post-publication; 1047 (95% CI: 905–1188) days to 411 (95% CI: 324–498) days for ECG (p Conclusions Since publication of the AAP statement, DMD patients are having cardiac testing sooner and cardiac medication is prescribed more often. However, the majority are not having testing with recommended frequency. Overcoming barriers to recommended cardiac care may lead to a better understanding of the natural history of cardiomyopathy in DMD and better treatment strategies.
Rethinking Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiency and Combined Cardiopulmonary Insufficiency

Almost 70 years ago, Drs. Baldwin, Cournand, and Richards defined chronic pulmonary insufficiency by the presence of respiratory symptoms, radiologic evidence of pulmonary emphysema on chest radiography, and physiologic gas trapping. A decade later, airflow obstruction on spirometry was added to the definition and insufficiency became a disease. Contemporary studies are reviving the diagnostic approach described by these early luminaries, with researchers finding that symptomatic smokers with preserved spirometry have increased exacerbations and that smokers and non-smokers with normal spirometry but emphysema on chest computed tomography have increased mortality. Hence, the Baldwin-Cournand-Richards concept of disease defined by respiratory symptoms, radiologic findings, and physiology-regardless of spirometric criteria-is being rediscovered. Baldwin, Cournand, and Richards also stated that "functionally, it is obvious that the pulmonary and circulatory apparatus are one unit," and they defined combined cardiopulmonary insufficiency as chronic pulmonary insufficiency with (left or right) cardiac and pulmonary artery enlargement. They appreciated the complexity of these interactions, which include the potential role of gas trapping in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; the impact of emphysema on blood flow in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; multiple contributions to cor pulmonale with increased pulmonary artery pressure; and cor pulmonale parvus in emphysema; all of which may be amenable to specific therapeutic interventions. Given the complexity of heart-lung interactions originally identified by Baldwin, Cournand, and Richards and the potentially large therapeutic opportunities, large-scale studies are still warranted to find specific therapies for subphenotypes of combined cardiopulmonary insufficiency.
Custom selenoprotein production enabled by laboratory evolution of recoded bacterial strains

Incorporation of the rare amino acid selenocysteine to form diselenide bonds can improve stability and function of synthetic peptide therapeutics. However, application of this approach to recombinant proteins has been hampered by heterogeneous incorporation, low selenoprotein yields, and poor fitness of bacterial producer strains. We report the evolution of recoded Escherichia coli strains with improved fitness that are superior hosts for recombinant selenoprotein production. We apply an engineered β-lactamase containing an essential diselenide bond to enforce selenocysteine dependence during continuous evolution of recoded E. coli strains. Evolved strains maintain an expanded genetic code indefinitely. We engineer a fluorescent reporter to quantify selenocysteine incorporation in vivo and show complete decoding of UAG codons as selenocysteine. Replacement of native, labile disulfide bonds in antibody fragments with diselenide bonds vastly improves resistance to reducing conditions. Highly seleno-competent bacterial strains enable industrial-scale selenoprotein expression and unique diselenide architecture, advancing our ability to customize the selenoproteome.
Querying across time to interactively evolve animations

Compositional Pattern Producing Networks (CPPNs) are a generative encoding that has been used to evolve a variety of novel artifacts, such as 2D images, 3D shapes, audio timbres, soft robots, and neural networks. This paper takes systems that generate static 2D images and 3D shapes with CPPNs and introduces a time input, allowing each CPPN to produce a different set of results for each slice of time. Displaying the results in sequence creates smooth animations that can be interactively evolved to suit users' personal aesthetic preferences. A human subject study involving 40 individuals was conducted to demonstrate that people find the dynamic animations more complex than static outputs, and find interactive evolution of animations more enjoyable than evolution of static outputs. The novel idea of indirectly generating artifacts as a function of time could also be useful in other domains.
[13] Variation of the Green function and theory of the p-valued functions

Let E be a compact set in the plane with transfinite diameter d(E) > 0, and let Ω denote the unbounded component of its complement. Let g(z, ζ) be Green’s function of Ω with pole at ζ. For any specified point z 0 ∈ Ω, the perturbation \({z}^{{\ast}} = z +\varepsilon {e}^{i\theta }{(z - z_{0})}^{-1}\) is analytic and univalent outside each neighborhood of z 0, provided that ɛ > 0 is sufficiently small. Let E ∗ denote the image of E, and let g ∗(z ∗, ζ ∗) be Green’s function of the corresponding domain Ω∗. In the paper (Schiffer, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, 209, 980–982, 1939), Schiffer introduces the important variational formula $$\displaystyle{{g}^{{\ast}}(z,\infty ) = g(z,\infty )+\varepsilon \,\text{Re}\left \{{e}^{i\theta }\left [p^{\prime}(z_{ 0},z)p^{\prime}(z_{0},\infty ) - p^{\prime}(z,\infty ){(z - z_{0})}^{-1}\right ]\right \}+O{(\varepsilon }^{2})\,,\ z \in \Omega \,,}$$ where p(z, ζ) is an analytic function with real part g(z, ζ). The proof relies on an interesting representation of Green’s function g(z, ∞) in terms of the Fekete points of E, points that maximize the product used to define the n-diameter d n (E). Schiffer attributes this beautiful relation to Fekete and says that “the proof will appear soon,” but in fact Fekete’s paper was never published. However, the relation is implicit in a result of Leja (Math. Ann., 111, 501–504, 1935), at least for connected sets E, so that Ω is simply connected and Green’s function has the form g(z, ∞) = log|φ(z)|, where φ maps Ω conformally onto |w| > 1 with φ(∞) = ∞ (cf. Schiffer, Bull. Soc. Math. France, 68, 158–176, 1940).
The Role of Spectrum Generating Algebras and Dynamic Symmetries in Molecular Physics

The use of spectrum generating algebras and dynamic symmetries in molecular physics is reviewed. The special role played by the algebra of SO(4) both in rotation-vibration and electronic spectra is emphasized. Examples are presented.
Homeobox-Containing Genes in Limb Regeneration

Early investigations established an important role for homeobox-containing genes in the initiation of regeneration, as well as in the later pattern formation events leading to a new limb. The recent increased research on the mechanisms of regeneration, along with the fact that urodele amphibians provide the only opportunity to understand how vertebrates can regenerate their limbs, has led to a renewed interest in the functioning of this important group of genes during salamander limb regeneration. It appears that all vertebrates, including humans, have impressive regenerative abilities as embryos; however, all but urodeles lose much of these abilities as development proceeds. In contrast, cells in adult urodeles are unique in their ability to revert to an embryonic state (dedifferentiate) in order to recapitulate embryo-genesis, Consequently, urodeles are the only adult vertebrates that can completely and perfecdy regenerate entire limbs, and thus they offer a unique opportunity to gain critical insights for future advances in regenerative medicine. Much data indicate that a large number of homeobox genes play important roles in the initiation and regulation of limb regeneration. In some instances, the regulatory mechanisms controlling homeobox gene expression appear comparable to what is observed in developing limbs; whereas, in others they different dramatically. In spite of differences in spatial and temporal expression patterns, homeobox gene function is conserved in both regeneration and development. Research on the role of homeobox genes is poised to move forward, particularly in the context of the early stages that are unique to regeneration, and thus are critical in achieving the goal of inducing human regeneration. These efforts will be possible because of the new genetic resources for research utilizing the axolod as a model system.
Characterization and biological activity of flavonoids from ripe fruit of an anthracnose-resistant blueberry cultivar

Abstract Anthracnose fruit rot, caused by Colletotrichum acutatum , is among the most important diseases of blueberries. Most cultivars are susceptible but ‘Elliott’ is resistant. Our objective was to identify possible antifungal compounds that play a role in the resistance response. Chemical fractions from freeze-dried, ripe fruit of ‘Elliott’ and a susceptible cultivar (Jersey) were extracted with methanol and ethyl acetate. Extracts were screened on solid media for suppression of microconidiation of C. acutatum. The methanolic extract was fractionated and the soluble methanolic fraction from ‘Elliott’ was the most biologically active. This fraction was dried, dissolved in water, and screened in vivo by pre-treating ripe ‘Jersey’ fruit with 0.5, 1, 2, and 4% solutions (w/v) and subsequently inoculating the fruit with C. acutatum. An 88% reduction in infection incidence was observed after 12 days with the 4% solution. Anthocyanins and other flavonoids were then quantified in fruit of the two cultivars using HPLC-MS. ‘Elliott’ fruit contained more anthocyanins (4.87 mg/g of freeze-dried tissue) than ‘Jersey’ (3.27 mg/g of freeze-dried tissue); however, the same compounds were found in both cultivars. ‘Elliott’ fruit also contained more non-anthocyanin flavonoids (0.18 mg/g of freeze-dried tissue) than ‘Jersey’ (0.12 mg/g of freeze-dried tissue), including two distinctive compounds in ‘Elliott’. The non-anthocyanin flavonoid fractions of both ‘Elliott’ and ‘Jersey’ significantly decreased the growth of C. acutatum in a liquid bioassay but the effect was more pronounced in the ‘Elliott’ fraction. The two distinctive compounds in ‘Elliott’ were further characterized by MS/MS and were identified as quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside and, putatively, syringetin rhamnoside. Additionally, we evaluated ‘Elliott’ and ‘Jersey’ methanolic extracts for their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation, and the extract obtained from ‘Elliott’ was almost twice as active at inhibiting peroxidation. These results provide new insights into the role of antifungal compounds in the resistance response of ripe ‘Elliott’ blueberries to infection by C. acutatum .
Type II Toxin-Antitoxin Loci, hipBA and Persisters

Persisters are dormant cells responsible for drug tolerance of chronic infections. Persisters can be produced stochastically and make up a small subpopulation of cells. Mechanisms of dormancy appear to be highly redundant, and Toxin/Antitoxin (TA) modules have been linked to persister formation. Interferases (mRNA endonucleases) RelE or MazF cause stasis and multidrug tolerance when expressed topically, and deletion of multiple interferases in E. coli decreases the level of persisters. In this chapter, we mainly focus on description of the HipA and TisB toxins. HipA has served as a model for the study of persisters. HipA is a protein kinase, which phosphorylates EF-Tu, inhibiting protein synthesis and causing dormancy. TisB is a typical antimicrobial peptide and is induced by the SOS response. TisB forms anion channels in the E. coli membrane, causing a drop in pmf and ATP, leading to dormancy.
The Semantics of Tagging

This chapter puts forward the hypothesis that the Fregean sense of a URI can be constructed out of user-defined tags, or natural language terms applied to a web-page accessible via a URI using a ‘collaborative’ tagging site. We use the data from the social bookmarking site http://del.icio.us to empirically examine the dynamics of collaborative tagging systems and to study how coherent categorization schemes emerge from unsupervised tagging by individual users, which can then be considered a ‘stable’ Fregean sense manufactured by a social consensus. First, we study the formation of stable distributions in tagging systems, seen as an implicit form of consensus reached by the users of the system around the tags that best describe a resource. We show that final tag frequencies for most resources converge to power law distributions and we propose an empirical method to examine the dynamics of the convergence process, based on the Kullback-Leibler divergence measure. The convergence analysis is performed both for the most utilized tags at the top of tag distributions and the long tail. It is assumed such a ‘power-law’ comes from the support the user in the tag selection process by providing tag suggestions, or recommendations, based on a popularity measurement of tags other users provided when tagging the same resource. So we investigate the influence of tag suggestions on the emergence of power-law distributions as a result of collaborative tag behavior. Although previous research has already shown that power-laws emerge in tagging systems, the cause of why power-law distributions emerge is not understood empirically. The majority of theories and mathematical models of tagging found in the literature assume that the emergence of power-laws in tagging systems is mainly driven by the imitation behavior of users when observing tag suggestions provided by the user interface of the tagging system. We present experimental results that show that the power-law distribution forms when tag suggestions are not presented to the users, and the power-law distribution does not hold when there are tag suggestions presented to the user. Looking to see if we can move beyond tagging as in our search for sense, we study the information structures that emerge from collaborative tagging, namely tag correlation (or folksonomy) graphs. We show how community-based network techniques can be used to extract simple tag vocabularies from the tag correlation graphs by partitioning them into subsets of related tags. Furthermore, we also show, for a specialized domain, that shared vocabularies produced by collaborative tagging are richer than the vocabularies which can be extracted from large-scale query logs provided by a major search engine. Although the empirical analysis presented in this paper is based on a set of tagging data obtained from del.icio.us , the methods developed are general, and the conclusions should be applicable across all websites that employ tagging.
Quando a inclusão não se efetiva: a evasão de alunos surdos ou com deficiência auditiva no ensino superior

The end of the twentieth century evidenced an important increase in college institutions in Brazil and, consequently, the number of courses and places available. This policy led to a significant increase in enrollments and the insertion of social groups that could not see their presence in the university. In this context, it was identified the inclusion of students with disabilities, as a consequence of inclusion policies in basic education and of affirmative actions of accessibility to higher education. However, the evident evasion that constantly increase in Brazilian institutions also occurs in this group of students, whose permanence is relevant due to the social and professional conditions that education could make possible. In this context, the research analyzed the evasion of deaf students in a private higher education institution (IES), based on documentary research, where academic data from years2000 to 2013 were analyzed through descriptive statistics. The results indicate that 61% of the students come from special education schools, and the entrance channel with the highest prevalence is the vestibular (87.88%), and the undergraduate courses are the choice of 51.52% of students who have been enrolled in the period studied. Data on academic movements indicate that 66.67% of deaf students or hearing impaired (AD) experienced changes in relation to the initial organization of the semester in which they were enrolled. The evasion of studied group occurred exclusively in the first two semesters of the course, which may indicate that the difficulties of permanence are present from the beginning of the academic course.