cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Sphingomyelin Synthase in Controlling the Antimicrobial Activity of Neutrophils against Cryptococcus neoformans

The key host cellular pathway(s) necessary to control the infection caused by inhalation of the environmental fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans are still largely unknown. Here we have identified that the sphingolipid pathway in neutrophils is required for them to exert their killing activity on the fungus. In particular, using both pharmacological and genetic approaches, we show that inhibition of sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) activity profoundly impairs the killing ability of neutrophils by preventing the extracellular release of an antifungal factor(s). We next found that inhibition of protein kinase D (PKD), which controls vesicular sorting and secretion and is regulated by diacylglycerol (DAG) produced by SMS, totally blocks the extracellular killing activity of neutrophils against C. neoformans. The expression of SMS genes, SMS activity and the levels of the lipids regulated by SMS (namely sphingomyelin (SM) and DAG) are up-regulated during neutrophil differentiation. Finally, tissue imaging of lungs infected with C. neoformans using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), revealed that specific SM species are associated with neutrophil infiltration at the site of the infection. This study establishes a key role for SMS in the regulation of the killing activity of neutrophils against C. neoformans through a DAG-PKD dependent mechanism, and provides, for the first time, new insights into the protective role of host sphingolipids against a fungal infection.
Engaging the Faith Community for Public Health Advocacy: An Agenda for the Surgeon General

This article proposes an agenda for the Surgeon General of the United States that is consonant with the traditional public health approach of "upstream" and "midstream" intervention addressing social and institutional determinants of health. Accordingly, this features a prominent role for expanded partnerships between the faith-based and public health sectors. Such an agenda would revise the current status quo for the Surgeon General, whose celebrated bully pulpit is currently focused more on encouraging "downstream" compliance with federal guidelines related to lifestyle behavior modification. A new faith-based agenda, by contrast, could more effectively advocate for core features of the traditional public health ethic, including primary prevention, the multiple determinants of population health, communitarianism and social justice, and a global perspective, supported by the historic prophetic role of the faith traditions.
The genetic causes of convergent evolution.

This Review distinguishes between three distinct routes by which similar genetic changes contribute to convergent evolution and discusses examples from diverse taxa. Convergent genetic evolution might result from the fact that some mutations both minimize pleiotropic effects and maximize adaptation.
Dissipative string fluids

Systems of interacting networks of strings such as cosmic strings or quantum vortices can be approximated in a certain regime as an anisotropic fluid with an equation of state depending on a conserved flux. The equations for ideal magnetohydrodynamics are shown to be another example of a fluid of this type. Previous work on these fluids is now extended to include dissipative effects. The new dissipative terms are discussed in terms of both standard resistive magnetohydrodynamics and small-scale structure formation in networks of cosmic strings. The requirement of frame invariance is shown to restrict the form of higher order corrections to heat flow in the anisotropic direction.
Turekian receives the Ewing Medal

The 1997 Ewing Medal, given for outstanding services to the marine sciences, was presented to Karl Turekian at the AGU Spring Meeting Honor Ceremony on May 28, 1997, in Baltimore, Md. The award citation and Turekian's response are given here.
Dynamics of mat consolidation during pressing: what we've learned with our in-press radiation system for pressing wood composites

We have designed a radiation-based system for density measurement of wood composites during pressing. During pressing, heat and mass transfer, consolidation speed and mat characteristics interact to produce a density distribution in the mat that is typified by high surface density and low core density. Measuring density of the wood mat during consolidation is a key parameter for understanding subsequent product performance. The system provides for density measurement at three horizontal planes in the wood mat, at positions of 25 percent, 50 percent, and 75 percent of the mat thickness at any time during the press cycle. The system incorporates three cesium sources and electronic detection equipment, collimated to move in concert with the up-acting press platen. Radiation count data taken at eight counts per second is converted to density. Press position and time are simultaneously recorded with the count data. Experimentation with the system has included radiation measurements in aspen and pine wood mats, incorporating different rates of press closure and furnish moisture content; both variables known to influence formation of the density distribution in the mat. Results are presented that depict density changes in the mat during pressing.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Genetic Toxicology Association – Fall Meeting 1984

The Fall Meeting of GTA was held on 15 November 1984 at Eatontown, New Jersey. The topic for this meeting, ‘Molecular Approaches to Cancer', was addressed by three invited speakers: Paul Szabo, Ann Henderson and Peter D’ Eustachio. A panel discussion, moderated by Ronald Pero, followed these talks. The following are abstracts of the talks given by the main speakers.
Screening potential of solid-phase extraction and solid surface room temperature fluorimetry for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples.

Abstract The analytical potential of solid-phase extraction and room temperature fluorimetry for screening polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples is evaluated. Solid-phase extraction was performed via a syringe procedure previously reported (Talanta 52 (2000) 727). The simplicity of fluorescence measurements on the solid substrate is equivalent to solution measurements. Since oxygen quenching of fluorescence is not significant, placing the extraction membrane in the substrate holder of the spectrometer rapidly performs fluorescence measurements. Limits of detection at the pg ml−1 level were estimated for several pollutants. With a commercial spectrofluorimeter, benzo(a)pyrene was quantitatively determined at the 5 pg ml−1 concentration level. This concentration compared favorably to limits of detection estimated by laser-induced fluorimetry. A unique advantage of this approach was the possibility of adjusting the volume of extracted water to reach concentration levels below instrumental detection levels. Since SPE procedure was rapid and simple the trade-off of including an additional experimental step to lower limits of detection was advantageous. Although the selectivity of this approach was not fully investigated, our studies showed that selective excitation was sufficient to identify benzo(a)pyrene in a seven-component mixture and spiked Red River water of unknown composition.
Nitrogen enrichment due to meridional circulation in main sequence stars

Paczynski (Acta Astr.; in press (1973)) has presented arguments in support of the idea that rotating main-sequence stars in the mass range 2 to 10 M/ sub sub solar / should show evidence for carbon depletion and nitrogen enrichment in their envelopes. An attempt to test this theory in terms of the relative CN-strength of Kgiant stars tends to support Paczynski's suggestion. (auth)
The Effects of School Environment on Intrinsic Motivation of Middle-School Children

This study showed higher levels of intrinsic motivation in academic learning for students from a humanistic school setting than for boys and girls from a more structured environment.
General Radiation Damage Problems for Lubricant and Bearing-type Materials

The actual mechanism of radiation damage to materials by reactor radiation is a matter of prime importance. Radiation damage to covalent compounds such as organic lubricants by reactor radiation is due primarily to secondary ionization caused by fast neutrons, slow or thermal neutrons, and gamma rays, and is not largely due directly to the initial interaction of any of these three types of radiation with the nuclei or atoms of the organic compounds. The amount of energy absorbed by a given material from these various types of radiation can be calculated, and the actual damage incurred is a function of the energy absorbed. Based upon available experimental test data of radiation damage to various organic materials and based upon the equivalent absorbed energy-equivalent damage concept, various generalizations regarding organic lubricating materials can be made. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the Lubrication Conference held in Atlantic City, N.J., October, 1956.
Embryocidal and teratogenic effects of methylmercury in mice.

Abstract Embryocidal and teratogenic effects of methylmercury hydroxide (MeHgOH) were determined in three strains of mice, C57BL 6J , CD, and 129 SvSl . In single dose experiments, a dose of 0, 2, 4, 8, or 12 mg/kg of MeHgOH was administered by various routes to all three strains of pregnant mice on Day 10 of gestation. For multiple dose experiments, a daily dose of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 mg/kg was injected sc to 129 SvSl mice from Days 7 to 12 of gestation. The fetotoxic effects were examined on Day 18 of gestation. Embryocidal and teratogenic effects were noted in all three strains of mice. Cleft palate was the most frequently observed teratogenic malformation. Other malformations, such as anophthalmia, micrognathia, exencephaly, missing limbs, and facial deformity, were seen infrequently. Multiple dose administration of MeHg to pregnant dams caused a higher incidence of MeHg teratogenesis with a lower incidence of maternal toxicity in comparison to single dose administration. Present findings indicate that all three species of mice investigated are susceptible to the teratogenic effects of MeHg.
Phenomenology and conformal field theory or can string theory predict the weak mixing angle

Abstract We show that the weak mixing angle θ w is the same for continuously connected classical vacua of the heterotic string which have chiral fermions in their massless spectra. We also show that the world-sheet quantum field theory for any classical vacuum with spacetime supersymmetry possesses an N = 2 superconformal invariance.
Rapid extraction of 3D regions of interest from digital holograms

Selective reconstruction with data reduction is the key to efficient data analysis and high quality image reconstructions from digital holograms. This paper presents an efficient method of extracting 3D regions of interest (ROIs) of object volume directly from a hologram. The new method consists of a rapid focus detection algorithm, a summation kernel for computing a sum image onto which of a sequence of object images are projected and an image segmentation algorithm. The focus detection algorithm is based on the h norm of the object spectral components and works directly on the hologram. It estimates the depth distances at which objects can be found in-focus. The summation kernel is then employed to obtain sum images that are effectively the parallel projection of object images located within each detected range of focusing distances. The lateral support of these ROIs are then obtained by segmenting these sum images. The whole process does not require full reconstruction of the object images throughout the 3D volume. Based on a lens-less DHI camera system jointly developed at MIT and WHOI, the new 3D ROI extraction technique has been applied to plankton holograms obtained in the laboratory and on shipboard. Results from plankton holograms are demonstrated.
Exercise and dietary change after diagnosis and cancer-related symptoms in long-term survivors of breast cancer: CALGB 79804

Objective Improving diet and exercise can reduce survivors' risk of cancer-related fatigue, poor physical functioning, and potentially recurrence. A cancer diagnosis can represent a “teachable moment,” leading survivors to make positive changes in diet and exercise behaviors; however, little is known about how often this occurs or about factors that enhance or limit survivors' ability to make these changes. This cross-sectional descriptive study investigated both the prevalence and clustering of self-reported changes in diet and exercise and how these changes related to ongoing cancer-related symptoms, social support, and stressful life events among long-term breast cancer survivors.
Feasible Improvements in Vaccines in the Expanded Programme on Immunization

Feasible improvements in existing vaccines of the Expanded Programme on Immunization are reviewed. The toxicity of pertussis vaccines can probably be reduced and the immunogenicity increased by recently instituted improvements in purity and selectivity. Candidate vaccines containing inactivated pertussis toxin, with or without other components, are in use in Japan and in controlled trials elsewhere. Inactivated poliovirus vaccines have been improved over the past decade and presently show promise of inducing immunity with as few as two doses administered in infancy. At the same time, improved methods for delivering the oral poliovirus vaccine through mass vaccination campaigns are being increasingly employed throughout the developing world. Major improvements in the measles vaccine will probably come from the development of new stabilizers and the use of vaccines that are immunogenic in the presence of maternal antibody.
A Cross-cultural Exploration of Children's Everyday Ideas: Implications for science teaching and learning

Children's everyday ideas form critical foundations for science learning yet little research has been conducted to understand and legitimize these ideas, particularly from an international perspective. This paper explores children's everyday ideas about the environment across the US, Singapore and China to understand what they reveal about children's relationship to the environment and discuss its implications for science teaching and learning. A social constructivist lens guides research, and a visual methodology is used to frame children's realities. Participants' ages range from elementary to middle school, and a total of 210 children comprized mainly of Asians and Asian Americans were sampled from urban settings. Drawings are used to elicit children's everyday ideas and analyzed inductively using open coding and categorizing of data. Several categories support existing literature about how children view the environment; however, novel categories such as affect also emerged and lend new insight into th...
Gas-liquid chromatography as an analytical tool in microbiology

The use of gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) in clinical and diagnostic bacteriology laboratories has increased significantly in recent years. GLC analysis of metabolic products from bacterial growth and chemical components of bacterial cells has provided useful information for rapid detection and identification of several bacterial groups or species. The use of short-chain acid products and cellular fatty acid composition for identifying and classifying Pseudomonas species and other medically important gram-negative non-fermentative bacteria is illustrated. Application of the flexible, fused, silica-glass, capillary column for increased resolution of bacterial fatty acids is also discussed.
More than the Sum of Its Parts: Cooperation and Mutual Commitment in Multi-Issue Congregation-Based Community Organizing

Congregation-based community organizing (CBCO) federations play an important role in uniting a diverse array of religious congregations and community-based organizations in movements for social justice at the neighborhood, regional, state, and national levels. Metropolitan-level CBCO federations provide a novel and noteworthy example of meso-mobilization contexts as described in the social movement literature in that many such federations engage in multiple concurrent issue campaigns. This study examines collaboration among organizational members of Communities Creating Opportunity, a CBCO federation based in Kansas City, Missouri. Qualitative interviews with organizers, clergy, and lay-leaders, together with an analysis of organizational records, reveal a cooperative structure of interorganizational relations built upon specific organizing activities, roles, and relations. These activities, roles, and relations are in turn conditioned on each member organization's own level of connection to a particular organizing issue. Findings suggest that this innovative form of cooperative relational structure affords multi-issue federations an enhanced capacity to mobilize voluntary labor resources and turn-out at public events relative to single issue organizing.
The Role of Carpal Instability in Scaphoid Nonunion: Casual or Causal?:

We studied twenty consecutive scaphoid nonunions in twenty patients between the ages of eighteen and thirty-eight years. There were nineteen males and one female. The mean age was 25.2 years. Factors evaluated were fracture displacement, delay in treatment, and carpal instability. Fracture displacement and carpal instability were documented in patients by abnormal x-rays showing fragment displacement, abnormal scapholunate and radiolunate angles, etc., or by fluoroscopically controlled arthrography. We concluded that intercarpal ligamentous instability is consistently present and, therefore, the critical factor in wrists with ununited scaphoid fractures. Thirteen patients have been treated surgically; ligamentous disruption was confirmed at surgical exploration. In twelve patients, treatment of the nonunion included intercarpal ligamentous reconstruction. A satisfactory outcome was achieved in all twelve of these patients. One patient's treatment did not include ligament reconstruction. Although the scaphoid fracture united after a Russe bone graft, he remains symptomatic with persistent intercarpal instability. The remaining seven patients are being evaluated or awaiting surgery. Since ligamentous injury is so common in nonunion, we believe it is causal and that surgical care of nonunion involves ligamentous repair or other stabilization procedure. Prevention of nonunion involves early attention to the therapy of carpal instability when associated with scaphoid fracture.
Longitudinal Relationships of Depressive Symptoms to Pain Intensity and Functional Disability Among Children with Disease-Related Pain

Objective To examine the longitudinal relationship between depressive symptoms at study entry (T1) on pain intensity (PI) and functional disability over a 1-year period among children with either sickle cell disease (SCD) or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods 119 children, ages 8-17 years, completed measures of depression at T1 as well as pain and functional disability at T1, 6-month (T2), and 12-month (T3) follow-ups. Caregivers also rated their child's pain and disability at each time point. General linear mixed modeling was employed to examine longitudinal relationships between study variables. Results For children with JIA, T1 pain significantly moderated the effects of T1-depressive symptoms on T2 and T3 pain where T1-depressive symptoms predicted future child-reported pain only when T1 pain was relatively mild. Similarly, T1-depressive symptoms predicted future child-reported disability only when initial reports of disability were relatively low. Only family income significantly predicted T2 and T3 pain in children with SCD. Conclusions Study findings suggest that T1-depressive symptoms play a role in the longitudinal course of pain symptoms in children with JIA but not in children with SCD.
Ground support research at the WA School of Mines

Mining in Western Australia in the next two decades will be approaching depths and conditions in which the induced stress regimes will approach the strength of the rock masses surrounding the excavations. In such cases, failure may occur violently due to the energy stored within the rock masses. Furthermore, in those highly stressed regions of a rock mass, sudden slip on major structures in the vicinity of the excavations are more likely to occur with an associated release of energy in the form of compres sive and shear waves that excite the rock near the boundaries of excavations. In order to be prepared for such scenarios, and to ensure safe and economical excavations in the future, the WA School of Mines (WASM) and a number of sponsoring companies have conceptualized and undertaken a number of research projects in ground support technology. The projects range from static and dynamic laboratory testing of support and reinforcement elements to in-situ assessment of ground support corrosivity. The project background for each of the stabilization research projects at WASM has been summarized together with details of the methodology, current status, applications and future work.
Cutting Edge: BLyS Enables Survival of Transitional and Mature B Cells Through Distinct Mediators

These studies characterize BLyS responsiveness and receptor expression among transitional and mature peripheral B cells. The results show a maturation-associated increase in BLyS binding capacity that reflects differential expression patterns of the three BLyS receptors. Accordingly, BLyS administration enlarges only late transitional and mature peripheral B (MB) cell compartments. Furthermore, bromodeoxyuridine labeling and cell cycle analyses show these effects are mediated through enhanced proportional survival of cells traversing the T2, T3, and MB cell stages, rather than by causing proliferation or slowing transit within these subsets. Despite similar effects on survival, BLyS up-regulates the antiapoptotic genes A1 and bcl-x(L) in MB cells but not immature B cells. Together, these findings show that, while BLyS influences B cell survival in several peripheral differentiation subsets, the downstream mediators differ, thus providing the first direct evidence for an established B lineage survival system whose intermediates change as B cells mature.
The Frequency of Adjusted Renal Dosing of Tenofovir DF and Its Effects on Patient Outcomes

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B, is renally eliminated and has been associated with renal toxicities. Dose adjustments are recommended for patients with creatinine clearance (CrCL) <50 mL/min. We retrospectively determined the frequency in which HIV clinic providers adjusted TDF doses in patients with CrCL <50 mL/min over a 2-year period and compared clinical outcomes in patients who had TDF dose adjustments based on CrCL <50 mL/min versus those who did not. Thirty-nine patients with CrCL <50 mL/min were identified. Dose-adjusted patients (N = 9) continued their TDF-based antiretroviral regimens for 21 months longer following the first CrCL < 50 mL/min (P = .0193) and had gains in CD4 cell counts over 12 months (P = .0009). There were no statistically significant differences in CrCL or percentage of patients with detectable HIV-1 RNA at 6 and 12 months following first CrCL <50 mL/min in those who did versus did not have a TDF dose adjustment. In summary, HIV providers often failed to dose-adjust TDF in patients with CrCL <50 mL/min, but dose-adjusted patients appeared to stay on their TDF-based regimens longer and have greater gains in CD4 cells. Larger, prospective studies are needed to validate these results.
Use of texture fading in the treatment of food selectivity

Children with feeding disorders often display severe food selectivity. For many of these children, consuming highly textured foods may be aversive or potentially dangerous because of frequent gagging. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of texture fading in the treatment of food selectivity displayed by 4 children. Treatment involved the gradual addition of higher textures based on the results of periodic probes. In addition, food acceptance and swallowing were reinforced, while food refusal and food expulsion were placed on extinction. Results showed that all participants successfully advanced to consumption of age-appropriate texture and volume. The results suggest that texture fading with intermittent probes at higher textures may be an effective method for the treatment of food selectivity by texture.
A descriptive model of managerial effectiveness

This study was designed to help understand what effective managers really do. Unlike previous research on managerial effectiveness, a diverse sample (N = 78) of managers was directly observed in natural settings. These data on managerial activities gathered by trained observers were related to a subordinate-report measure of unit effectiveness. Using canonical correlation analysis, a descriptive model of managerial effectiveness was derived. This one-dimensional model consists of a continuum ranging from a quantity-oriented human resource manager (who was observed to exhibit considerable staffing and motivating or reinforcing activities and was perceived to have quantity performance in the unit) to quality- oriented traditional manager (who was observed to exhibit a lot of interaction with outsiders, controlling and planning activities, and was perceived to have quality performance in the unit). This empirically derived descriptive model helps identify needed managerial activities and skills for quantity and quality performance in today's organizations.
Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: prediction, prevention and treatment

Abstract The manifestations of thromboembolism are highly variable and frequently obscure. Clinical diagnosis of these entities is difficult, and the majority of cases will not be diagnosed by the means presently available to us. Nevertheless, a heightened awareness of the vagaries of this disease can result in considerable improvement in diagnostic accuracy. Prompt diagnosis on the basis of the slightest clinical suspicion, followed by immediate and adequate anticoagulant therapy, should result in a measureable decrease in thromboembolic complications. However, if one hopes to achieve a profound reduction in incidence of thromboembolism, the only approach presently available is prophylactic rather than therapeutic. The use of measures to increase venous return in patients who are immobilized in bed, plus the institution of prophylactic anticoagulant therapy in a selected group of patients with a high predisposition to the development of thromboembolic diseases, should result in a significant reduction in disability and mortality from this theoretically preventable disease.
The Search for a Fatherland

The destruction of the Habsburg monarchy forced the Austrian Germans to make a wholly unforeseen and, with few exceptions, a heretofore unthinkable decision about their destiny. The rump Austria of 1919 was too weak to command the allegiance of all its citizens. Many Austrians, despairing of mastering the economic and political problems in Vienna, searched for an easier solution: the realization of the forbidden but still anticipated unification with their conationals in the German Republic. For it seemed in retrospect that only their Habsburg loyalties had separated them from the main channel of the Germanic stream. Often Austrian civic virtues seemed to them to have been bought at some rummage sale of political ideas—the symbols of imperial order, the loyalties of political Catholicism, a collection of Francis Joseph's virtues—hardly the raw material from which to build patriotism in postwar Austria.
The Effect of Rate Limited Actuator Dynamics on the Adaptive Control of a Nonlinear Aeroservoelastic (ASE) System

In this paper a nonlinear airfoil equipped with a trailing edge flap. The wingflap structure is coupled to a simplified rate limited flight control actuator. The closed loop system will be examined for its aeroservoelastic response to a reference free adaptive feedback controller with nonlinear actuator dynamics in the loop.
A host-based approach to network attack chaining analysis

The typical means by which an attacker breaks into a network is through a chain of exploits, where each exploit in the chain lays the groundwork for subsequent exploits. Such a chain is called an attack path, and the set of all possible attack paths form an attack graph. Researchers have proposed a variety of methods to generate attack graphs. In this paper, we provide a novel alternative approach to network vulnerability analysis by utilizing a penetration tester's perspective of maximal level of penetration possible on a host. Our approach has the following benefits: it provides a more intuitive model in which an analyst can work, and its algorithmic complexity is polynomial in the size of the network, and so has the potential of scaling well to practical networks. The drawback is that we track only "good" attack paths, as opposed to all possible attack paths. Hence, an analyst may make suboptimal choices when repairing the network. Since attack graphs grow exponentially with the size of the network, we argue that suboptimal solutions are an unavoidable cost of scalability, and hence practical utility. A working prototype tool has been implemented to demonstrate the practicality of our approach
ADHD in college students.

Objective: According to the American Psychiatric Association, 3% to 7% of the school-age population has ADHD and many children continue to display significant symptoms throughout adolescences and a...
Quantifying fractal dynamics of human respiration: age and gender effects.

We sought to quantify the fractal scaling properties of human respiratory dynamics and determine whether they are altered with healthy aging and gender. Continuous respiratory datasets ~obtained by inductive plethysmography! were col- lected from 40 healthy adults ~10 young men, 10 young women, 10 elderly men, and 10 elderly women! during 120 min of spontaneous breathing. The interbreath interval ~IBI! time series were extracted by a new algorithm and fractal scaling exponents that quantify power-law correlations were computed using detrended fluctuation analysis. Under supine, resting, and spontaneous breathing conditions, both healthy young and elderly subjects had scaling exponents for the IBI time series that indicate long-range ~fractal! correlations across multiple time scales. Furthermore, the scaling exponents ~mean 6 SD! for the IBI time series were significantly (p,0.03) lower ~indicating decreased correlations! in the healthy elderly male (0.6060.08) compared to the young male (0.6860.07), young female (0.7060.07), and elderly female (0.6760.06) subjects. These results provide evidence for fractal organization in physiologic human breathing cycle dynamics, and for their degradation in elderly men. These findings may have implica- tions for modeling integrated respiratory control mechanisms, quantifying their changes in aging or disease, and assessing the outcome of interventions aimed toward restoring normal physi- ologic respiratory dynamics. © 2002 Biomedical Engineering Society. @DOI: 10.1114/1.1481053#
Spreading Sequence-Based Non-coherent Sensor Fusion and its Resulting Large Deviation Exponents

To address the coordination issue of sensors communicating with a fusion center, we propose a spreading sequence based non-coherent detection scheme for sensor networks to reduce the coordination between sensors to the largest extent. In this scheme, sensors employ independent spreading sequences to transmit their measurements. Non-coherent detection is conducted at the fusion center where only statistics regarding channel gains and sensor measurement uncertainties are needed. To evaluate the detector's performance, we first derive the large deviation exponents of detection error probabilities and then compare them with the approaches assuming orthogonal channel allocation (e.g. TDMA/FDMA). Numerical and simulation results demonstrate the dependence of large deviation exponent on the asymptotic number of sensors per chip (defined as c), as well as the better performance of our proposed scheme than the one using non-coherent detection with orthogonal link, for some c.
Differential Gene Expression in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Gene expression is the first step in ascribing function between an associated gene and disease. Understanding how variation in a gene influences expression, particularly in tissues affected by the disease, may help elucidate what influences the phenotypic outcome of that disease. Previous studies of the genetics of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have identified several risk factors, but have not yet bridged the gap between gene association and identifying a specific mechanism or function that is involved in the pathogenesis of AMD. Advances in genomic technologies, such as RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), single cell RNA-seq, bilsulfite sequencing, and/or whole genome methylation, will be powerful tools for identifying genes/pathways that are differentially expressed in those with AMD versus those without AMD. These technologies should advance the field of AMD research so that appropriate preventive and therapeutic targets can be developed.
The Happy Spotlight: Positive Mood and Selective Attention to Rewarding Information:

Positive mood states are thought to sensitize individuals to rewards in their environment, presumably in the service of approach-related decision making and behavior. From a selective attention standpoint, such mood-related effects should be associated with selective attention biases favoring rewarding stimuli. No prior results along these lines have been reported. Therefore, the authors conducted a systematic program of research designed to document such relations. Study 1 found that daily positive mood states were associated with attention to reward words in a spatial probe task. Studies 2-5 replicated this association in the context of mood manipulations. The latter studies also show that the effect generalizes across different mood manipulation procedures, is specific to positive mood states, and is particularly apparent in relation to rewarding (vs. non-rewarding) positive stimuli. The results extend our knowledge of mood-cognition relations and have important implications for understanding the social cognitive consequences of positive mood states.
Evidence from young children regarding emotional responses to music

Juslin & Vastfjall (J&V) propose a theoretical framework of how music may evoke an emotional response. This commentary presents results from a pilot study that employed young children as participants, and measured musically induced emotions through facial expressions. Preliminary findings support certain aspects of the proposed theoretical framework. The implications of these findings on future research employing the proposed framework are discussed.
Image-guided intensity-modulated photon radiotherapy using multifractionated regimen to paraspinal chordomas and rare sarcomas.

Purpose Image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy enables delivery of high-dose radiation to tumors close to the spinal cord. We report our experience with multifractionated regimens using image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy to treat gross paraspinal disease to doses beyond cord tolerance. Methods and Materials We performed a retrospective review of 27 consecutive patients with partially resected or unresectable paraspinal tumors irradiated to >5,300 cGy in standard fractionation. Results The median follow-up was 17.4 months (range, 2.1–47.3). Eighteen sarcomas, seven chordomas, and two ependymomas were treated. The median dose to the planning target volume was 6,600 cGy (range, 5,396–7,080) in 180- or 200-cGy fractions. The median planning target volume was 164 cm 3 (range, 29–1,116). Seven patients developed recurrence at the treatment site (26%), and 6 of these patients had high-grade tumors. Three patients with recurrence had metastatic disease at the time of radiotherapy. The 2-year local control rate was 65%, and the 2-year overall survival rate was 79%. Of the 5 patients who died, 4 had metastatic disease at death. Twenty-three patients (84%) reported either no pain or improved pain at the last follow-up visit. Sixteen patients discontinued narcotic use after treatment (62.5%). Twenty-three patients (89%) had a stable or improved American Spine Injury Association score at the last follow-up visit. No patient experienced radiation-induced myelopathy. Conclusions The dose to paraspinal tumors has traditionally been limited to respect cord tolerance. With image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy, greater doses of radiation delivered in multiple fractions can be prescribed with excellent target coverage, effective palliation, and acceptable toxicity and local control.
Stratified and Post-Stratified Sampling

Stratified and post-stratified sampling schemes are useful survey techniques commonly used by government agencies, private consultants, and applied statisticians. Let us differentiate between stratified and post-stratified sampling.
Software Support for the Yorktown Simulation Engine

The Yorktown Simulation Engine (YSE) is a special-purpose, highly-parallel programmable machine for the gate-level simulation of logic. The YSE has been designed and is being constructed at the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center. It can simulate up to one million gates at a speed of over two billion gate simulations per second; it is estimated that the IBM 3081 processor could have been simulated on the YSE at a rate of 1000 instructions per second. This is far beyond the capabilities of existing register-level software simulators. This paper describes the software support for the YSE.
Apoptosis Mediated by Activation of the G Protein-Coupled Receptor for Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)/ PTH-Related Protein (PTHrP)

The present studies were carried out to evaluate the mechanisms by which PTH/PTHrP receptor (PTHR) activation influences cell viability. In 293 cells expressing recombinant PTHRs, PTH treatment markedly reduced the number of viable cells. This effect was associated with a marked apoptotic response including DNA fragmentation and the appearance of apoptotic nuclei. Similar effects were evidenced in response to serum withdrawal or to the addition of tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha). Addition of caspase inhibitors or overexpression of bcl-2 partially abrogated apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal. Caspase inhibitors also protected cells from PTH-induced apoptosis, but overexpression of bcl-2 did not. The effects of PTH on cell number and apoptosis were neither mimicked by activators of the cAMP pathway (forskolin, isoproterenol) nor blocked by an inhibitor (H-89). However, elevation of Ca(i)2+ by addition of thapsigargin induced rapid apoptosis, and suppression of Ca(i)2+ by overexpression of the calcium- binding protein, calbindin D28k, inhibited PTH-induced apoptosis. The protein kinase C inhibitor GF 109203X partially inhibited PTH-induced apoptosis. Regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS4) (an inhibitor of the activity of the alpha-subunit of Gq) suppressed apoptotic signaling by the PTHR, whereas the C-terminal fragment of GRK2 (an inhibitor of the activity of the beta(gamma)-subunits of G proteins) was without effect. Chemical mutagenesis allowed selection of a series of 293 cell lines resistant to the apoptotic actions of PTH; a subset of these were also resistant to TNFalpha. These results suggest that 1) apoptosis produced by PTHR and TNF receptor signaling involve converging pathways; and 2) Gq-mediated phospholipase C/Ca2+ signaling, rather than Gs-mediated cAMP signaling, is required for the apoptotic effects of PTHR activation.
The impact of uncertainty avoidance, social norms and innovativeness on trust and ease of use in electronic customer relationship management

Social and individual factors and their relationships to trust in electronic customer relationship management (eCRM) are important topics for e-commerce designers and information systems researchers. In spite of several previous studies of online trust and consumer behavior, none has adequately examined the influences of social and individual factors on online trust in eCRM. In this paper, the relationships among uncertainty avoidance, social norms, personal innovativeness in IT, and multidimensions of online trust (integrity, benevolence, and ability) as well as perceived ease of use (PEOU) are tested, based on a PLS analysis with 209 student samples. Social norms influence all three dimensions of online trust, while uncertainty avoidance affects only the benevolence and ability dimensions. Personal innovativeness in IT affects PEOU, and PEOU influences all three dimensions of online trust. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings beneficial to our understanding of customer relationships in the electronic marketplace are discussed in the paper.
Molecular dynamics simulation in solvent of the bacteriophage 434 cI repressor protein DNA binding domain amino acids (R1-69) in complex with its cognate operator (OR1) DNA sequence.

Abstract We investigated protein/DNA interactions, using molecular dynamics simulations computed between a 10 Angstom water layer model of the 434 cl Repressor protein DNA binding domain (DBD) amino acids (R1–69) and DNA of operator (OR1) and its flanks consisting of 28 nucleotide base pairs. Hydrogen bonding interactions were monitored. In addition, van der Waals and electrostatic interaction energies were calculated. Amino acids of the 434 cl repressor DNA recognition helix 3 formed both direct and water mediated hydrogen bonds at cognate codon-anticodon nucleotide base and backbone sites within the ORl DNA major groove halfsites and flanking regions. In addition, hydrophilic amino acids within the loop between helix 3 and helix 4 have strong electrostatic attraction to codon-anticodon nucleotides located within the central nucleotides of the minor groove between the ORI major groove halfsites These interactions together induced significant structural changes in the operator DNA manifested by overtwisti...
Development of an optimal monitoring program in cotton: Emphasis on spidermites andHeliothis spp.

To develop a monitoring program requires that not only the spatial pattern of distribution of a species be known, but also the cost of sampling the area(s) within the host plants occupied by a species. As sample unit size (plant, branch, leaf, etc.) decreases, cost to sample each unit decreases, while the number of units required to estimate a population parameter with a given reliability increases. The concept of costreliability allows for available sampling procedures to be compared and the best one to be chosen. The paper discusses several ways in which monitoring costs have been reduced forTetranychus spp.,Heliothis spp. and predators without reducing the reliability of the estimate. These include the use of subsampling plans, binomial sampling and sequential sampling.
ASSESSMENT OF RESIDENTIAL EXHAUST-AIR HEAT PUMP APPLICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract We provide a technical and economic assessment of residential exhaust-air heat pumps for water heating with an option for space heating. Compact one-cabinet heat pump units containing a hot water tank with refrigeration condenser, exhaust fan, refrigerant evaporator, compressor, and controls have recently become available on the U.S. market. The emphasis is on U.S. applications with three representative climates: moderate (Northwest), cold (Midwest), and hot and humid (Southeast). Our approach is to simulate detailed system performance for a full year for two typical houses equipped with the heat pump. Ventilation and energy performance of the heat pump houses is compared to the same houses equipped with air-to-air heat exchangers and to naturally ventilated houses. Exhaust-air heat pumps are found to provide a nearly constant ventilation rate throughout the year, as opposed to the natural ventilation rate that is found to be highly variable. Energy savings realized with the heat pumps are greater than those obtained with heat exchangers. Both heat pumps and heat exchangers are cost-competitive with natural ventilation in cold climates and are clearly uneconomical in hot and burned climates with present electric rate predictions.
Geographic measures of retail food outlets and perceived availability of healthy foods in neighbourhoods

Objective To examine associations between geographic measures of retail food outlets and perceived availability of healthy foods. Design Cross-sectional. Setting A predominantly rural, eight-county region of South Carolina, USA. Subjects Data from 705 household shoppers were analysed using ordinary least-squares regression to examine relationships between geographic measures (presence and distance) of food outlets obtained via a geographic information system and perceived availability of healthy foods (fresh fruits and vegetables and low-fat foods). Results The presence of a supermarket within an 8·05 km (5-mile) buffer area was significantly associated with perceived availability of healthy foods (β=1·09, P=0·025) when controlling for all other food outlet types. However, no other derived geographic presence measures were significant predictors of perceived availability of healthy foods. Distances to the nearest supermarket (β=-0·16, P=0·003), dollar and variety store (β=-0·15, P=0·005) and fast-food restaurant (β=0·11, P=0·015) were all significantly associated with perceptions of healthy food availability. Conclusions Our results suggest that distance to food outlets is a significant predictor of healthy food perceptions, although presence is sensitive to boundary size. Our study contributes to the understanding and improvement of techniques that characterize individuals' food options in their community.
Utilization of standardized patients and case studies to evaluate effect of SBIRT training for APRN's

Background Research supports the efficacy of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) in reducing unhealthy substance use, and demonstrates that nurses are effective SBIRT providers. The purpose of utilizing MI is to help clients to manage their health independently, while building their confidence and willingness to change behavior [1]. Identifying effective pedagogical methods for teaching and evaluating students’ proficiency in utilizing SBIRT is essential.
Physico-Chemical Properties of Soils: Clay Mineral

Modern concepts of the structure, composition, and origin of clay minerals and current procedures for their identification are reviewed.
LC/MS versus Immune‐Based Bioanalytical Methods in Quantitation of Therapeutic Biologics in Biological Matrices

This chapter reviews the main characteristics of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and ligand-binding assay (LBA) methods. If an LBA method for biotherapeutics quantification is well established, it usually provides sufficient sensitivity and selectivity and is considered the method of choice. The LC/MS method emerged as an alternative strategy for quantification of proteins of interest in complex biological matrices. Multiplexed capacity and selectivity are critical features determining the applicability of a bioanalytical method. Well-established LBA methods usually provide adequate sensitivity for quantification analysis of biotherapeutics in preclinical/clinical pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) study. LC/MS with high resolution analyzer has become a promising technology for characterization of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in the recent years. An affinity capture capillary LC coupled to quadrupole-time-of-flight (TOF) MS has been employed to analyze anti-MUC16 TDC, which obtained both in vitro and in vivo drug-to-antibody ratios (DARs) information. Keywords: antibody-drug conjugate; biological matrices; biotherapeutics quantification; drug-to-antibody ratios; immune-based bioanalytical methods; ligand-binding assay; liquid chromatography; mass spectrometry