cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structures associated with the nucleus during chromatin condensation in Coelopa frigida (diptera) spermiogenesis.

Membranes of unknown functions are observed in transverse sections of developing spermatids of Coelopa frigida. These membranes appear as accessory layers of the nuclear envelope of young spermatids. The end regions of the accessory membranes curl up to form a scroll-like structure as the spermatid matures. Two scroll-like structures are found in all spermatids. The scroll-like structure could be involved in nuclear condensation. A second structure, the eentriolar adjunct in the posterior region of the nucleus is in direct contact with the chromatin during its condensation. A gap in the nuclear membrane seems to facilitate the passage of material between the nucleus and the centriolar adjunct.
RISK, UTILITY AND THE PALATABILTY OF EXTENSION ADVICE TO FARMER GROUPS

Using the results of an empirical study of farmers' utility functions, evidence is presented that risk plays a measurable role in farmer decision making. The extension implications of such risk influences are discussed with particular emphasis on the possible efficacy of using group utility functions as a basis for group recommendations.
Premature termination codon mutations in the type VII collagen gene in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa result in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and absence of functional protein.

The severe mutilating Hallopeau-Siemens type of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (HS-RDEB) is characterized by the absence of anchoring fibrils that consist of type VII collagen. We have previously identified premature termination codon (PTC) mutations in both alleles of the type VII collagen gene (COL7A1) in HS-RDEB patients. In this study we have defined the mechanism by which these mutations elicit theft phenotypic consequences in a family. The extent of nonsense–mediated mRNA decay induced by these mutations was assessed by quantitation of the level of expression of the corresponding mRNA from each of the mutant alleles by RT-PCR of parental RNA. The level of expression of the paternal mutant allele with a PTC in exon 2 was ˜30% of that of the wild-type allele whereas that of the maternal mutant allele with a PTC in exon 104 was reduced to about 80% of the normal allele. Immunoprecipitation of newly synthesized type VII collagen with a monoclonal antibody revealed reduced quantities of α 1(VII) polypeptides in both parents' cells, whereas their synthesis was entirely absent in the proband's keratinocytes. Thus, a consequence of these premature termination codon mutations in COL7A1 is non-sense-mediated mRNA decay, with a dramatic reduction in type VII collagen synthesis, and the absence of anchoring fibrils in the proband. These results establish a mechanistic link between the presence of premature termination codon mutations in both alleles of COL7A1 and the clinical phenotype of HS-RDEB.
The effects of controlled exposure to formaldehyde vapour on spores of Bacillus globigii NCTC 10073

The effects of exposure of spores of Bacillus globigii NCTC 10073 to controlled levels of formaldehyde vapour under varying environmental conditions are reported. The death rate of the micro-organism varies with the humidity and formaldehyde concentration and can be predicted for conditions within the limits of the information available. A mathematical model for the effects of formaldehyde is proposed which can be used to calculate the effects of known conditions and as the basis of a controlled formaldehyde fumigation process. Results of practical tests of such a process are described.
Enhancement of aqueous solubility and stability employing a trans acetate axis in trans planar amine platinum compounds while maintaining the biological profile.

A general approach to solubilization and possible in vivo activation of the transplatinum geometry is presented. The synthesis and characterization of new water-soluble cytotoxic transplatinum compounds are described. Use of acetate ligands (and carboxylate ligands in general) in trans-[Pt(OAc)2(L)(L‘)] results in significantly enhanced aqueous solubility and chemical stability in comparison to the parent dichlorides. The new compounds are the first cytotoxic transplatinum compounds containing an N2O2 donor set, similar to carboplatin and oxaliplatin.
Erythroid and megakaryocytic transformation

Red blood cells and megakaryocytes arise from a common precursor, the megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor and share many regulators including the transcription factors GATA-1 and GFI-1B and signaling molecules such as JAK2 and STAT5. These lineages also share the distinction of being associated with rare, but aggressive malignancies that have very poor prognoses. In this review, we will briefly summarize features of normal development of red blood cells and megakaryocytes and also highlight events that lead to their leukemic transformation. It is clear that much more work needs to be done to improve our understanding of the unique biology of these leukemias and to pave the way for novel targeted therapeutics.
Immunoglobulin and complement deposits in the skin in inflammatory facial dermatoses--an immunofluorescence study.

SUMMARY Biopsy material from ninety-one cases of inflammatory facial dermatoses was stained by the direct immunofluorescence method. The presence of immunoglobulins and complement in a distinct basement membrane band was seen only in lupus erythematosus. Negative results were found in thirty five cases of rosacea.
Transplant-associated hyperglycemia

As patient survival after solid organ transplantation continues to improve, comorbidites associated with chronic hyperglycemia will assume increasing importance in limiting outcomes and quality of life. New-onset diabetes mellitus commonly occurs in the posttransplant setting and is associated with multiple complications including graft loss, cardiovascular disease, infection, and death. Furthermore, recent studies have begun to highlight the very high posttransplant prevalence and the significant cardiovascular implications of the prediabetic states of impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance, indicating that the overall burden of transplantation-associated hyperglycemia is far greater than previously appreciated. Shared and distinct pathogenic factors and clinical repercussions exist among the organ-specific transplant scenarios. Diabetogenic immunosuppressive agents are common to all organ transplant settings, whereas glucose regulation is also strained by the restoration of failed hepatic and renal function. The atherogenic properties of hyperglycemia are particularly significant in the kidney transplant population, which has a marked predisposition to cardiovascular disease, whereas accelerated cardiac allograft vasculopathy and liver fibrosis have been associated with hyperglycemia in the heart and liver transplant settings, respectively. Aggressive screening will effectively detect transplant-associated hyperglycemia, whereas risk factor modification, lifestyle intervention and, where appropriate, drug therapy, may decrease its impact. Topics of future investigation should include the use of emerging diabetes therapies and avenues for the prevention and reversal of transplant-associated hyperglycemia.
A general purpose Q‐measuring circuit using pulse ring‐down

A general purpose pulsed microwave circuit was developed for the purpose of measuring resonator Q by the pulse ring-down method in EPR spectrometers without pulse capability. The circuit was installed and tested in a Bruker X-band EPR bridge. This method and circuit could be adapted for use in a variety of spectrometers operating at various microwave frequencies.
Chile, copper and resource revenue: A holistic approach to assessing commodity dependence

Abstract The first decade of the new millennium has ushered in with it booming commodity prices due mainly to high growth in East Asia. Copper prices in particular have soared 80% between 2001 and 2011, causing Chile, the world׳s largest copper producer, to reap massive windfalls. This paper provides an assessment of Chile׳s commodity dependence with a focus on the manner in which current flows of mining revenue promote sustainable development. The first part of the paper suggests Chile׳s status as a strong commodity producer could be complemented by efforts to achieve a more balanced growth trajectory that would include expansion of domestic demand brought about by rising labor productivity and rising wages and reduced dependence on export demand and foreign savings. We believe such an achievement would greatly promote the fair transfer of resource revenue from exhaustible sources to future generations. In the second part of the paper we provide an empirical assessment of sources and the destination of revenue derived from mineral exports. We focus on usage of revenue flows to government, multinationals in the form of profits and operating expenses, and workers. Our approach is intended to provide a more holistic and meaningful assessment of Chile׳s commodity dependence than what is normally found in the literature. We conclude that while the Chilean government clearly has provided future generations with revenue in the form of offshore sovereign wealth funds, most private resource revenue flows offshore in the form of remittances and profits to multinationals. There is limited use of private and public funds directed at enhancing domestic demand through productive investment.
Effects of dietary beef tallow and soy oil of glucose and cholesterol homeostasis in normal and diabetic pigs

56 INTRODUCTION 58 MATERIALS AND METHODS 60 RESULTS 69 DISCUSSION 87 LITERATURE CITED 92 SECTION II. EFFECTS OF DIABETES AND DIETARY SATURATED AND UNSATURATED FATS ON VERY LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN-CHOLESTEROL HOMEOSTASIS 96b ABSTRACT 97 INTRODUCTION 99 MATERIALS AND METHODS 101 RESULTS 109 DISCUSSION 125 LITERATURE CITED 133 GENERAL DISCUSSION 138 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 141 APPENDIX 142
Coming Out: The New Dynamics by Nicholas Guittar

The process of coming out as gay or lesbian was first described by Australian psychologist Vivienne Cass in 1979 as consisting of a series of “stages” or steps such as first questioning one’s sexua...
Potential Histologic and Molecular Predictors of Response to Temsirolimus in Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract Purpose Similar to other molecularly targeted agents, temsirolimus, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, has shown promising activity in advanced renal cell carcinoma. However, only a subset of patients appears to derive significant tumor responses. In an effort to identify potential predictors of response to temsirolimus, tumor samples from a subset of patients within a randomized phase II trial of temsirolimus in advanced renal cell carcinoma were studied. Patients and Methods Paraffinembedded tissue sections from patients who had received temsirolimus were immunostained with antibodies to carbonic anhydrase IX, phospho- S6, phospho-Akt (pAkt), and phosphotase and tensin homologue. Expression levels were correlated with objective response (partial response [PR], minor response [MR]) and clinical benefit (PR, MR, SD ≤ 4 cycles) to temsirolimus. In addition, von Hippel–Lindau ( VHL ) mutational analysis was performed and correlated with response. Results Tissue specimens were obtained from 20 patients who were evaluable for both tumor response and staining for phospho-S6 and carbonic anhydrase IX. In addition, 19 specimens were evaluable for pAkt, and 18 for phosphotase and tensin homologue. VHL mutational analysis was performed on 16 samples. Five patients achieved an objective response (1 PR/4 MRs) to temsirolimus. There was a positive association of phospho-S6 expression ( P = .02) and a trend toward positive expression of pAkt ( P = .07) with response to temsirolimus. No patient without high expression of either phospho-S6 or pAkt experienced an objective tumor response. There was no correlation of carbonic anhydrase IX and phosphotase and tensin homologue expression or VHL status with response to temsirolimus. Conclusion These results suggest that phospho-S6 and pAkt expression are promising predictive biomarkers for response to temsirolimus that are worthy of further exploration for use in patient selection models for mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors.
Relationship between perfectionism and domains of worry in a college student population: Considering the role of BIS/BAS motives

The present study examined whether perfectionism dimensions were unique predictors of worry when behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS) motives are also considered in the model in a sample of 254 college students. Results indicated that, although BIS/BAS motives accounted for variance in different domains of worry, perfectionism dimensions were found to account for additional variance in worry. Indeed, perfectionism dimensions were found to be more robust predictors of worry than BIS/BAS motives. Implications for the present findings with regard to future research are discussed.
Assessing predictions of violence: Being accurate about accuracy.

The prediction of violence occupies a prominent and controversial place in public mental health practice. Productive debate about the validity of violence predictions has been hampered by the use of methods for quantifying accuracy that do not control for base rates or biases in favor of certain outcomes. This article describes these problems and shows how receiver-operating characteristic analysis can be used to solve them. The article also reanalyzes 58 data sets from 44 published studies of violence prediction. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that mental health professionals' violence predictions are substantially more accurate than chance. Short-term (1-7 day) clinical predictions seem no more accurate than long-term (> 1 year) predictions. Past behavior alone appears to be a better long-term predictor of future behavior than clinical judgments and may also be a better indicator than cross-validated actuarial techniques.
Pension burdens and labor force participation in Kazakstan

Abstract This paper examines the pressures imposed by the vast pension system in the former Soviet republic of Kazakstan. Today, some 17% of the country receives pension payments, one of the highest rates in the world — despite the fact that Kazakstan is only now completing its demographic transition. Using a pooled regional-time series data set from pre- and post-Soviet eras, the paper also examines determinants of pension populations and the labor force participation rate. It finds that Kazakstanis in the post-Soviet era respond to price incentives both with respect to real pensions and real wage rates — in stark contrast to dramatically backward-bending labor supply curves of the Soviet era.
On some log-cosine integrals related to ζ(3), ζ(4), and ζ(6)

We evaluate a variety of log-cosine integrals, one of which has value a rational multiple of πζ(4), while others evaluate to the form π[aζ(6) + b(3/4)ζ2(3)], where a > 0 is rational and b is 1 or 2, and ζ is the Riemann zeta function. We show that these results may be obtained starting from a known tabulated result. The derivation yields results for certain classes of logarithm-trigonometric integrals, and indicates how further analytic results on digamma series may be obtained.
Interaction Between Sodium Chloride and Paracasein as Determined by Water Sorption

The model system, salt-paracasein-water, for binding interactions that influence ripening of salted cheeses was investigated. The amount of salt interacting with protein was calculated from water sorption data in the range 0.76-0.95 aw for the system and for pure salt and protein. Calculations showed that the components did not behave independently in that the system behaved less like salt and more like paracasein than expected, evidencing interaction between salt and protein. The amount of interacting salt increased with added salt, decreasing aw, moisture content during preparation and drying the system. At 0.85 aw the amount of interacted salt was 0.08 g/g protein when the salt added was 0.30; the maximum interacted salt was about 0.11.
Modeling and simulation of branched wiring network

This paper presents a method to analyze the reflectometry responses of a branched network of non-ideal wires. A modified bounce diagram that uses a transition matrix to keep track of signal flow is used. This approach is further improved by including the complex propagation constant to include the frequency dependent filtering effect (phase delay and attenuation) of the non-ideal transmission lines.
Simple micro-method for the isolation of gangliosides by reversed-phase chromatography

Abstract A simple and convenient technique has been developed for the isolation of gangliosides from small amounts of tissues or cells. A ganglioside fraction obtained by chromatography of the total lipid extract of DEAE-Sephadex was subjected to alkaline hydrolysis and salts and other non-lipid contaminants were removed by reversed-phase chromatography on a C18 Sep-Pak cartridge. The purified gangliosides were then obtained by chromatography on a small Iatrobeads or Unisil column. This procedure yields a quantitative recovery of gangliosides that are free of contaminants which interfere with thin-layer chromatographic analysis. The procedure was used for the quantitative isolation of gangliosides from human brain white matter and human erythrocytes.
Unsupervised adaptation to improve fault tolerance of neural network classifiers

We investigate how to exploit the dynamics of unsupervised online learning rules for fault tolerance in neural network classifiers. We first design an adaptation mechanism that keeps neural network weights at a useful fixed point for classification problems. We then demonstrate the robustness of the system when the network inputs are subjected to faults.
Evaluating tagging behavior in social bookmarking systems: metrics and design heuristics

To improve existing social bookmarking systems and to design new ones, researchers and practitioners need to understand how to evaluate tagging behavior. In this paper, we analyze over two years of data from CiteULike, a social bookmarking system for tagging academic papers. We propose six tag metrics-tag growth, tag reuse, tag non-obviousness, tag discrimination, tag frequency, and tag patterns-to understand the characteristics of a social bookmarking system. Using these metrics, we suggest possible design heuristics to implement a social bookmarking system for CiteSeer, a popular online scholarly digital library for computer science. We believe that these metrics and design heuristics can be applied to social bookmarking systems in other domains.
Cell Surface Expansion in Polarly Growing Root Hairs of Medicago truncatula

Fluorescent microspheres were used as material markers to investigate the relative rates of cell surface expansion at the growing tips of Medicago truncatula root hairs. From the analysis of tip shape and microsphere movements, we propose three characteristic zones of expansion in growing root hairs. The center of the apical dome is an area of 1- to 2-μm diameter with relatively constant curvature and high growth rate. Distal to the apex is a more rapidly expanding region 1 to 2 μm in width exhibiting constant surges of off-axis growth. This middle region forms an annulus of maximum growth rate and is visible as an area of accentuated curvature in the tip profile. The remainder of the apical dome is characterized by strong radial expansion anisotropy where the meridional rate of expansion falls below the radial expansion rate. Data also suggest possible meridional contraction at the juncture between the apical dome and the cell body. The cell cylinder distal to the tip expands slightly over time, but only around the circumference. These data for surface expansion in the legume root hair provide new insight into the mechanism of tip growth and the morphogenesis of the root hair.
Hard x-ray polarimetry with the Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI)

Although designed primarily as a hard X-ray imager and spectrometer, the Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) is also capable of measuring the polarization of hard X-rays (20-100 keV) from solar flares. This capability arises from the inclusion of a small unobstructed Be scattering element that is strategically located within the cryostat that houses the array of nine germanium detectors. The Ge detectors are segmented, with both a front and rear active volume. Low energy photons (below about 100 keV) can reach a rear segment of a Ge detector only indirectly, by scattering. Low energy photons from the Sun have a direct path to the Be and have a high probability of Compton scattering into a rear segment of a Ge detector. The azimuthal distribution of these scattered photons carries with it a signature of the linear polarization of the incident flux. Sensitivity estimates, based on simulations and in-flight background measurements, indicate that a 20-100 keV polarization sensitivity of less than a few percent can be achieved for X-class flares.
Genetic algorithm design of a switchable shaped beam linear array with phase-only control

This paper considers the design of a switched beam linear array in which two beams with specified shapes, a narrow beam and a wide beam, are to be produced. The goal of the design effort is to determine a set of complex excitation coefficients such that switching between beams is accomplished by changes in the phase weights alone. Three approaches are presented each of which uses Genetic Algorithm Optimization for at least a portion of the design task. The three approaches are 1) sequential design of narrowbeam pattern followed by widebeam design, 2) sequential design of widebeam followed by narrowbeam and 3) simultaneous widebeam/narrowbeam design. It is discovered that much better results are yielded by simultaneous, multi-objective optimization based design using GA instead of sequential GA optimization for the narrow and wide beam cases individually. Design results are presented.
Early Head Start Identifying and Serving Children with Disabilities

Early Head Start (EHS) is a comprehensive, two-generation program that provides services to low-income families with children under the age of 3 years. As part of their mandate, staff members of EHS programs collaborate with other service providers in their local communities, including Part C and childcare providers. The incidence of disabilities among low-income children was tracked as part of the EHS Research and Evaluation Project. The incidence of indicators of disabilities (or potential disabilities) was extremely high (87%) among these very young children living in poverty; however, only 99 participating families (4.7% of the sample) received Part C services. Receipt of Part C services was related negatively to specific family characteristics (e.g., mother less well educated, being of color, not speaking English). Participation in EHS had a positive impact on receipt of Part C services.
Diagnosis by signature analysis of test responses

Proposes a new approach for identification of faulty processing elements based on an analysis of the compressed test response of the system. The test response is compressed first in space and then in time, and faulty processing elements are identified by hard decision decoding of the corresponding space-time signature. The approach results in considerable savings in hardware required for diagnostics. >
High-performance liquid chromatography of water-soluble choline metabolites

We have developed a new method for the separation of ['H)choline metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography. Using this method it is possible to separate, in one step. all of the known major water-soluble choline metabolites present in crude acid extracts of cells that have been incubated with ['Hlcholine, with baseline or near-baseline resolution. We use a gradient HPLC system with a normal-phase silica column as the stationary phase. and a linear gradient of increasing polarity and ionic strength as the mobile ptw. The mobile phase is composed of two buffers: Buffer A, containing acetonitrile/water/ethyl alcohol/acetic acid/0.83 totsodium acetate (8oo/127/68/2/3), and buffer B (400/400/68/53/79), pH 3.6. A linear gradient from 0 to 100% buffer B. with a slope of 5%/min, is started 15 min after injection. At a flow rate of 2.7 ml/min and column temperature of 45°C, typical retention times for the following compounds are (in min): betaine, 10; acetylcholine, 18; choline, 22; glycerophosphocholine. 26: CDP-choline, 31; and phosphorylcholine. 40. This procedure has been applied in tracer studies of choline metabolism utilizing the neuronal NGl08-15 cell line and rat hippocampal slices as model systems. While the compounds labeled in the NO 108-15 cells were primarily ph05phorylcholine and glycerophosphocholine. reflecting high rates of phospholipid turnover, in the hippocampal slices choline and acetylcholine were the major labeled species. Identification ofindividual peaks was confirmed by comparing the elution profiles of untreated cell extracts with extracts that had been treated with hydrolyzing enzymes of differing specificities. This HPLC method may be useful in studies of acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine metabolism, and of the possible interrelationships of these compounds in cholinergic cells. 0 1915A_it I'Ias. lno:.
Modeling the genetic and environmental association between peer group deviance and cannabis use in male twins

Background Peer group deviance (PGD) is strongly linked to liability to drug use including cannabis. Our aim was to model the genetic and environmental association, including direction of causation, between PGD and cannabis use (CU).
Beating the commoditization trend: a framework from the electronics industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that some of the critical questions that top executives from electronics companies ask are not unique to their industry and, in fact, are the same ones that confront executives across a variety of industries and virtually all company sizes. Questions that address issues of product complexity and the breadth of product offerings, how to respond to competitive forces, and how to meet the challenges that come from shortened product lifecycles and shrinking the time it takes for products to ultimately reach the marketplace are all relevant across multiple industries. Still, the electronics industry is one that is experiencing an especially unprecedented degree of change spurred by the increasing complexity of end products, higher competitive intensity, and shorter time to commoditization.Design/methodology/approach – The article provides the methodology and tool set needed to develop and assess a product portfolio map, determine changes needed to marketing and sa...
Intussusception Due to Yersinia enterocolitica Enterocolitis in a Patient with β-Thalassemia

Patients who are homozygous for thalassemia major are at risk for Yersinia enterocolitica infections. We present a case of a 4-year-old child with intussusception of the terminal ileum whose past medical history was significant for beta-thalassemia. His monthly blood transfusions for this condition may have put him at risk for Y enterocolitica enterocolitis. The pathogenesis of this disease relates to the role of iron as an essential growth factor for Yersinia, and this patient's transfusions left him in an iron-overloaded state, despite treatment with Desferal. Our patient's unusual presentation of intussusception was secondary to the mass effect caused by lymphoid hyperplasia, specifically hypertrophied Peyer's patches in the ileum caused by Y enterocolitica infection. To our knowledge, this is the first such case of intussusception caused by Yersinia to be reported.
Cyclin G1 Has Growth Inhibitory Activity Linked to the ARF-Mdm2-p53 and pRb Tumor Suppressor Pathways

Cyclin G1 is a p53-responsive gene that is induced in alternative reading frame (ARF)-arrested cells, yet its role in growth control is unclear. We tested its effects on growth and involvement in the ARF-Mdm2-p53 tumor suppressor pathway. We show that cyclin G1 interacts with ARF, Mdm2, and p53 in vitro and in vivo. At high levels, cyclin G1 induces a G(1)-phase arrest in mammalian cells that coincides with p53 activation. Conversely, lower levels of cyclin G1 lack intrinsic growth inhibitory effects yet potentiate ARF-mediated growth arrest. Notably, cyclin G1 is down-regulated by Mdm2 through proteasome-mediated degradation. These data suggest that cyclin G1 is a positive feedback regulator of p53 whose expression is restrained by Mdm2. Interestingly, growth inhibition by cyclin G1 does not require p53 but instead exhibits partial retinoblastoma protein (pRb) dependence. These findings reveal that cyclin G1 has growth inhibitory activity that is mechanistically linked to ARF-p53 and pRb tumor suppressor pathways.
An international comparison of earnings/price ratios, estimation risk and growth

This study examines the variables that affect the cross-sectional distributions of earnings/price (E/P) ratios both within and across countries. A theoretical model shows that the following variables affect the variation in E/P ratios: (i) interest rates, (ii) dividend yield, (iii) growth (abnormal earnings), and (iv) estimation risk (the uncertainty about abnormal earnings). The model also shows that there is a non-linear relationship between E/P ratios and these variables. This model is applied to a large set of data from twelve different countries. The empirical results are usually consistent with the theoretical model.
Developments in the identification of glycan biomarkers for the detection of cancer

Changes in glycosylation readily occur in cancer and other disease states. Thanks to recent advances in the development of analytical techniques and instrumentation, especially in mass spectrometry, it is now possible to identify blood-derived glycan-based biomarkers using glycomics strategies. This review is an overview of the developments made in the search for glycan-based cancer biomarkers and the technologies currently in use. It is anticipated that the progressing instrumental and bioinformatics developments will allow the identification of relevant glycan biomarkers for the diagnosis, early detection, and monitoring of cancer treatment with sufficient sensitivity and specificity for clinical use.
A generalized Gittins index for a Markov chain and its recursive calculation

We discuss the generalization of the classical Gittins Index for a Markov chain and propose a transparent recursive algorithm for its calculation. The foundation for this algorithm is a modified version of the Elimination algorithm proposed earlier by the author to solve the problem of optimal stopping of a Markov chain in discrete time and a finite or countable state space.
Magnetic resonance imaging findings in juvenile spondyloarthropathy and effects of treatment observed on subsequent imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to diagnose and monitor treatment effects of juvenile spondyloarthropathy (SpA). Our objective was to describe MRI findings in juvenile SpA and determine predictors of active sacroiliitis and response to treatment. Children who had MRI of the sacroiliac (SI) joints and were referred to the pediatric rheumatology clinic from 2009 to 2012 were retrospectively studied. The clinical parameters, laboratory studies and findings on MRI were collected and a composite score ratio (CR) was calculated for both SI joints on each MRI study based on a semi-quantitative scale that included evaluation of bone marrow edema (BME), synovial enhancement (SE), and erosions (ER). The findings on MRI were correlated with clinical and laboratory values. 50 subjects who underwent 76 MRI for suspected or known SpA were included in the study. Sacroiliitis was seen in 48 MRIs in 32 subjects. Of the subjects with sacroiliitis, mean age ± standard deviation was 13.7 ± 2.6 years, 71% were male and 41% were HLA B27 positive. SE without BME was seen in 31% cases of sacroiliitis. In subjects with sacroiliitis, 79% also had hip arthritis and 41% had enthesitis of the pelvic region on MRI. In 38% of subjects with sacroiliitis, physical exam was not indicative of sacroiliitis or hip arthritis. Longitudinal data were available for 13 subjects. Sacroiliitis on MRI improved in 9 subjects with the greatest improvement in MRI composite score ratio after initiation of etanercept therapy. CR improvement was due to improvement of BME and SE components, while the ER score remained the same or worsened in all but 1 subject. History, physical exam or laboratory data may not predict sacroiliitis in children. Magnetic resonance imaging plays a valuable role in the initial evaluation and later treatment monitoring of children with spondyloarthropathy. Synovial enhancement is significantly reduced after treatment, and unlike adults, synovial enhancement may be detected without accompanying bone marrow edema, which suggests gadolinium contrast may be an important component in the assessment of children with spondyloarthropathy.
Wireless sensor network survey

A wireless sensor network (WSN) has important applications such as remote environmental monitoring and target tracking. This has been enabled by the availability, particularly in recent years, of sensors that are smaller, cheaper, and intelligent. These sensors are equipped with wireless interfaces with which they can communicate with one another to form a network. The design of a WSN depends significantly on the application, and it must consider factors such as the environment, the application's design objectives, cost, hardware, and system constraints. The goal of our survey is to present a comprehensive review of the recent literature since the publication of [I.F. Akyildiz, W. Su, Y. Sankarasubramaniam, E. Cayirci, A survey on sensor networks, IEEE Communications Magazine, 2002]. Following a top-down approach, we give an overview of several new applications and then review the literature on various aspects of WSNs. We classify the problems into three different categories: (1) internal platform and underlying operating system, (2) communication protocol stack, and (3) network services, provisioning, and deployment. We review the major development in these three categories and outline new challenges.
Marital Matching Among Immigrants: A Multidimensional Approach

This paper utilizes Becker’s theory of efficient marriage markets to investigate the patterns of marital matching in marriages between two immigrants and between an immigrant and a U.S. native-born. It employs the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series of the 2000 Census and finds support for positive assortative mating on age and education and negative assortment along income and/or hours worked. The results from estimated match matrices employing multiple individual traits reveal that while native-born men are more likely to marry immigrant women with similar traits, native-born women are least likely to marry immigrant men with similar traits when compared to the immigrant-immigrant matches.
Surface Energy Balance on the Arctic Tundra: Measurements and Models

Abstract The progress made in the Land–Atmosphere–Ice Interactions Flux Study over the past 4 yr to fully characterize the biophysical fluxes in the snow-free tundra ecosystem and their relationship to climate and climate change is described. This paper is the result of a synthesis effort to bring together the measurements of surface fluxes at various sites on the North Slope of Alaska in the snow-free period of 1995 with the results of modeling efforts for this region. It is found that methodological and site dissimilarities contribute to measurement differences at least as much as instrument and sampling error, even for closely collocated and similarly vegetated sites. The regional climate model employed in this study generally simulates fluxes that are within the range of measured fluxes, but tends to overestimate both net radiation and latent heat fluxes. The regional model also captures site to site variations quite well, which appear to be more sensitive to mesoscale meteorological conditions than o...
Pectin Biosynthesis Is Critical for Cell Wall Integrity and Immunity in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant cell walls are important barriers against microbial pathogens. Cell walls of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves contain three major types of polysaccharides: cellulose, various hemicelluloses, and pectins. UDP-D-galacturonic acid, the key building block of pectins, is produced from the precursor UDP-D-glucuronic acid by the action of glucuronate 4-epimerases (GAEs). Pseudomonas syringae pv maculicola ES4326 (Pma ES4326) repressed expression of GAE1 and GAE6 in Arabidopsis, and immunity to Pma ES4326 was compromised in gae6 and gae1 gae6 mutant plants. These plants had brittle leaves and cell walls of leaves had less galacturonic acid. Resistance to specific Botrytis cinerea isolates was also compromised in gae1 gae6 double mutant plants. Although oligogalacturonide (OG)-induced immune signaling was unaltered in gae1 gae6 mutant plants, immune signaling induced by a commercial pectinase, macerozyme, was reduced. Macerozyme treatment or infection with B. cinerea released less soluble uronic acid, likely reflecting fewer OGs, from gae1 gae6 cell walls than from wild-type Col-0. Although both OGs and macerozyme-induced immunity to B. cinerea in Col-0, only OGs also induced immunity in gae1 gae6. Pectin is thus an important contributor to plant immunity, and this is due at least in part to the induction of immune responses by soluble pectin, likely OGs, that are released during plant-pathogen interactions.
CHARACTER AND STABILITY OF A NATURAL TIDAL INLET

An environmental study was conducted at Brown Cedar Cut, a natural unstable barrier beach inlet connecting East Matagorda Bay, Texas, with the Gulf of Mexico. The objectives of this study were to determine the physical and hydraulic properties of the Inlet, and to investigate the inlet's historical stability, as well as its short-term response to a number of physical processes. Results of the study indicate that hurricanes and continuing erosion of adjacent beaches enhance the long-term stability of the inlet. During winter months, the rapid passage of strong frontal systems and associated winds, as well as substantial amounts of rainfall, are primarily responsible for the day-to-day viability of the channel boundaries. In the absence of such forces, the predominance of littoral drift over the limited flushing ability of astronomical tidal currents leads to degradation of the inlet channel and westward migration of the entire inlet system.
Spending by California’s Department of Developmental Services for Persons with Autism across Demographic and Expenditure Categories

Background Few autism spectrum disorder (ASD) studies have estimated non-medical costs for treatment or addressed possible differences in provision of services across gender, race-ethnic, age or demographic or expenditure categories, especially among adults. Methods The California Department of Developmental Services (CDDS) provides services to residents with developmental disabilities. CDDS provided aggregate data on primarily non-medical spending for fiscal year 2012–2013 for persons with ASD with or without intellectual disability (ID) (main sample, n = 42,274), and two sub-samples: ASD only (n = 30,164), and ASD+ID (n = 12,110). Demographic variables included sex, age and race-ethnicity. Spending categories included Employment Support, Community Care Facilities, Day Care, Transportation, and in-home and out-of-home Respite. Results Per-person spending for males and females were approximately the same: $10,488 and $10,791 for males and females for ages 3–17 and $26,491 and $26,627 for ages 18+. Among race/ethnicity categories, the ranking from highest to lowest among ages 3–17 was white non-Hispanics ($11,480), Asian non-Hispanics ($11,036), “Others” ($11,031), Hispanics ($9,571), and African-American non-Hispanics ($9,482). For ages 18+, the ranking was whites ($31,008), African-Americans ($26,831), “Others” ($25,395), Asians ($22,993), and Hispanics ($18,083). The ASD+ID sub-sample exerted disproportionate influence on findings from the main sample for persons 18+. Combining all ages, the top two expenditure categories for per-person spending were Community Care Facilities ($43,867) and Day Care ($11,244). For most adult age groups, the percentage of recipients participating were highest for Day Care (44.9% - 62.4%) and Transportation (38.6% - 50.9%). Per-person spending for Day Care, Transportation, and Employment Support was relatively low for children but relatively high for adults. Conclusion White non-Hispanics received the highest per-person spending and Hispanics among the least. Amounts within spending categories varied considerably across age groups. Our estimates may be useful as baseline measures for stakeholders preparing for increasing ASD prevalence, especially among adults.
Slave Mortality: Analysis of Evidence from Plantation Records

Since the inception of slavery in North America the free population has been concerned with the mortality of the slave population. Slaveowners were concerned with mortality for purposes of estimating the profitability of slave investments. Opponents of slavery and the slave trade used actual and presumed slave mortality experience as arguments for abolishing the system. Death rates were viewed as a measure of demographic performance that reflected the quality of slave life. It was argued that death rates reflected, and were in part determined by, such factors as diet, physical treatment, and the quality of medical care and housing—all under the control of the slaveowners. Consequently, information on deaths was used as a standard for evaluating the severity of the slave system and for assessing regional and international differences in slavery. In the postbellum period, scholars researched and debated various issues in slave mortality. The modern discussion includes issues in the levels and determinants of slave mortality, but research has concentrated on levels, possibly due to inadequate data for extensive research on determinants of mortality.
E-039 Safety and Efficacy of Flow Diverter Treatment for Carotid-Ophthalmic Aneurysms

Introduction/purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of flow diversion technology in the treatment of aneurysms of carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms. Materials and methods This study retrospectively reviewed outcomes in 45 consecutive patients with carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms who were treated with Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) by three separate neuro-interventionalists. A chart review was performed to collect information on demographics, aneurysm size, treatment outcomes, and procedure-related complications. The primary end-points were rate of aneurysm occlusion and ophthalmic artery patency, as assessed by angiographic images. The secondary end point was peri- and post-procedural complications were evaluated. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results There were 39 females and 6 males in the study. The average age was 56.4 (range 31–81). Thirty-two patients had a single aneurysm treated during the PED procedure; multiple aneurysms were treated in 13 cases. All of the aneurysms treated were unruptured. Seven aneurysms were recurrences of prior coil embolization procedures. The average aneurysm size was 8.9 mm (range 2.1–26). The treated aneurysm measured The PED was successfully deployed in 44 of 45 cases. There were two mortalities (4.4%) within 30 days of treatment-one from a large intraparenchymal haemorrhage and one from unknown causes. Other 30-day complications included capture coil fracture (2), reversible intra-procedural thrombosis (2), small contralateral convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage (1), and symptomatic embolic infarcts (1). There were no complications seen after 30 days. Six month angiographic follow-up was available in 37. There was complete aneurysm occlusion in 27 patients (73%). There was minimal residual aneurysm filling in eight patients (22%) and only slightly decreased aneurysm filling in two patients (5%). There was only one instance (3%) of ophthalmic artery occlusion noted, and this was asymptomatic. Conclusion Flow diversion treatment for carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms has a high rate of aneurysm occlusion, while maintaining a low complication rate. Disclosures J. Grossberg: None. F. Tong: None. C. Cawley: None. J. Dion: None.
Sensitization of tumor necrosis factor-induced lung cancer cell eath by luteolin

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 1371 Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Most lung cancer cells are resistant to chemotherapy, the mechanism of which is not well understood. Combinations of multiple anti-cancer drugs may be an effective strategy to improve the efficacy of lung cancer therapy. In this study, we examined the anti-cancer activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) combined with the flavonoid luteolin and found that luteolin treatment significantly sensitized lung cancer cells to TNF-induced cell death. The cell death induced by TNF and luteolin treatment is mainly apoptosis, which was detected both morphologically and biochemically. Although luteolin treatment had no effect on the expression levels of the key components of TNF receptor I signaling cascade including TRADD, RIP, TRAF2 and FADD, the TNF-induced NF-κB activation was effectively blocked, which is evidenced by NF-κB reporter assays and Western blots for the expression of NF-κB targeted anti-apoptosis genes. In the NF-κB-disabled cells expressing a non-degradable IκBα mutant (IκBαAA), the synergistic cytotoxicity induced by Luteolin and TNF treatment was abolished, suggesting that the potentiation of TNF-induced cell death by luteolin is achieved by blocking TNF-induced NF-κB activation. The target of the NF-κB pathway by luteolin appears to be downstream of IκB, since treatment with luteolin did not affect the TNF-induced IκBα phosphorylation and degradation. Altered modification of the RelA/p65 subunit of NF-κB in luteolin treated cells was detected, suggesting that modulation of the transcription activity contributes to the blockage of NF-κB by luteolin. In addition, we also found that luteolin augmented the TNF-induced c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) activation, and suppression of JNK activity with a specific chemical inhibitor significantly inhibited the synergistic cytotoxicity induced by luteolin and TNF treatment. Thus activation of JNK may also contribute to the potentiation of cell death by luteolin. Taken together, our results suggest that luteolin potentiates TNF-induced lung cancer cell death through blockage of NF-κB and activation of JNK, and the combined treatment with luteolin and TNF could be useful for treating lung cancer.
Preparation and post-treatments of ordered mesoporous carbons (OMC) for resorcinol removal

In this investigation, acrylic acid was used as a carbon precursor and SBA-15 as a mesoporous template to synthesize the ordered mesoporous carbons (OMC). Different ratios of SBA-15 to acrylic acid were evaluated to improve the OMCs adsorption capacity. It was found that the optimal ratio of SBA-15 to acrylic acid is 3:1. In the post-treatment study, four methods (NaOH, urea, NH3H2O, and AlCl3) were explored to investigate their influences on resorcinol removal. Results showed the ammonium hydroxide-treated OMC had the highest adsorption capacity of 40.6 mg/g for resorcinol removal. The nano-structures of the OMC and post-treated OMCs were characterized and confirmed. FTIR analysis indicated that the surface functional groups were changed after post-treatments. XRD patterns and TEM images suggested that the ordered structure was well maintained during the post-treatment processes, although the erosion effect was observed.