cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does TNF Promote or Restrain Osteoclastogenesis and Inflammatory Bone Resorption

Chronic inflammation is one of the most evident and common pathological conditions leading to deregulated osteoclastogenesis and bone remodeling. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as a pleiotropic cytokine plays a key role, not only in inflammation, but also in bone erosion in diseases associated with bone loss. TNF can stimulate the proliferation of osteoclast precursors and, in most conditions, act together with other cytokines and growth factors such as receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-[kappa]B ligand (RANKL), interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor beta to synergistically promote osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vivo. A longstanding enigma in the field is why TNF alone is not able to induce osteoclast differentiation as effectively as the same superfamily member RANKL, a physiological master osteoclastogenic cytokine. Recent studies have highlighted several lines of evidence showing the intrinsic mechanisms through RBP-J, NF-[kappa]B p100/TNF receptor-associated factor 3, or interferon regulatory factor-8 that restrain TNF-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. These feedback inhibitory mechanisms driven by TNF shed light into the current paradigm of osteoclastogenesis and would provide novel therapeutic implications on controlling inflammatory bone resorption.
Myopathy in Acromegaly: A Case Study

Summary The muscle findings in a patient with acromegaly of 20 years duration are presented. The patient demonstrated mild muscular weakness and atrophy. Standard needle electromyography was normal and single fiber electromyography showed normal motor unit densities. Muscle biopsy revealed normal size type-I muscle fibers, but three populations of type-II fibers — hypertrophied, atrophied, and normal-sized fibers. Hypertrophy of type-II fibers may be the direct result of the excess growth hormone, while the atrophic fibers may result from the disturbance of other endocrine function.
Efficiency, power, and entropy in event-related FMRI with multiple trial types: Part I: theory

Experimental designs for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments can be characterized by their estimation efficiency, which is a measure of the variance in the estimate of the hemodynamic response function (HRF), and their detection power, which is a measure of the variance in the estimate of the amplitude of functional activity. Previous studies have shown that there exists a fundamental trade-off between efficiency and power for experiments with a single trial type of interest. This paper extends the prior work by presenting a theoretical model for the relation between detection power and estimation efficiency in experiments with multiple trial types. It is shown that the trade-off between efficiency and power present in multiple-trial-type experiments is identical in form to that observed for single-trial-type experiments. Departures from the predicted trade-off due to the inclusion of basis function expansions and the assumption of correlated noise are examined. Finally, conditional entropy is introduced as measure for the randomness of a design, and an empirical relation between entropy and estimation efficiency is presented.
Effects of β-ionone and abscisic acid on the growth of tobacco and resistance to blue mold. Mimicry of effects of stem infection by Peronospora tabacina Adam

Injection of viable Peronospora tabacina Adam sporangia into stems of tobacco plants (Nicoliana tabacum L. cv. Kentucky 14) resulted in 50- to 600-fold increases in levels of endogenous β-ionone in green, uninfected stem tissues adjacent to necrotic lesions. Administration of exogenous β-ionone via stem injection to both greenhouse- and field-grown tobacco plants resulted in changes in plant growth, morphogenesis and susceptibility to blue mold resembling those elicited by stem inoculation with viable P. tabacina sporangia. Plant height increase was accelerated by an average of 20–30%, flowering was markedly accelerated and apical dominance was weakened. Leaves of both β-ionone-treated plants and plants systemically protected against blue mold by stem infection with P. tabacina had reduced lesion development and markedly reduced sporulation after foliar challenge with P. tabacina. Plants treated with abscisic acid, on the other hand, displayed generally increased susceptibility to blue mold, stunting, and retardation of flowering.
Schedule insensitivity reduction

The key to making program analysis practical for large concurrent programs is to isolate a small set of interleavings to be explored without losing precision of the analysis at hand. The state-of-the-art in restricting the set of interleavings while guaranteeing soundness is partial order reduction (POR). The main idea behind POR is to partition all interleavings of the given program into equivalence classes based on the partial orders they induce on shared objects. Then for each partial order at least one interleaving need be explored. POR classifies two interleavings as non-equivalent if executing them leads to different values of shared variables. However, some of the most common properties about concurrent programs like detection of data races, deadlocks and atomicity as well as assertion violations reduce to control state reachability. We exploit the key observation that even though different interleavings may lead to different values of program variables, they may induce the same control behavior. Hence these interleavings, which induce different partial orders, can in fact be treated as being equivalent. Since in most concurrent programs threads are loosely coupled, i.e., the values of shared variables typically flow into a small number of conditional statements of threads, we show that classifying interleavings based on the control behaviors rather than the partial orders they induce, drastically reduces the number of interleavings that need be explored. In order to exploit this loose coupling we leverage the use of dataflow analysis for concurrent programs, specifically numerical domains. This, in turn, greatly enhances the scalability of concurrent program analysis.
Affirmative Action Programs: Discontinuities between Thoughts about Individuals and Thoughts about Groups

I learned two very important lessons as a very young child when I attempted to put my toys away in a toy box that wasn’t big enough to hold them all. Deciding which toys to put in the box was equivalent to deciding which toys to leave (strewn) on the floor. Moreover, deciding which individual toys to put in the box (leave on the floor) was equivalent to deciding which group of toys to put in it (leave on the floor). Amalgamating these two lessons, deciding which group of toys to put in the box was equivalent to deciding which individual toys to leave on the floor, and vice versa, and so on. Whether they are justified analytically or empirically, these principles of duality and simultaneity (of group and individual decision) remain true.
The Role of Chloride in Oxygen Evolution

A brief review on the role of chloride in oxygen evolution is presented here. This paper deals with the discovery of the phenomenon, the site of action, specificity and effectiveness, possible binding sites and a possible mechanism of action. The phenomenon was discovered by Otto Warburg and has been studied extensively since the pioneering work of Sei Izawa and coworkers. The site of action is on the electron donor side of the Photosystem II (PSII) between the so-called water oxidation complex (WOC) and the electron donation sites of external donors such as NH2OH, diphenylcarbazide and catechol. The effectiveness of the anions in supporting water oxidation, protecting O2 evolution against mild heating and in preventing the dissociation of the extrinsic polypeptides of WOC, follows the series: Cl- > Br- > NO3 - > I- > ClO4 -. Bicarbonate (HCO3 -), that appears to be required on the electron acceptor side of PSII, is ineffective in replacing Cl-. Sulphate (SO 4 2- ) and PO 4 3- are totally ineffective, and F- and OH- might even be inhibitory. The size, ionic field and hydration energies of the anions seem to play significant roles in their effectiveness. It appears that several (4 to 40) Cl- ions may be weakly and reversibly bound per WOC. In all likelihood, there are two binding domains: (1) intrinsic: on the PSII reaction centre proteins D1 and D2 (perhaps, on the lumenal histidines): and (2) extrinsic: on the extrinsic 33 kDa polypeptide (perhaps, on lysines and/or arginines). Removal of the extrinsic polypeptides seems to increase the [Cl-] requirement for water oxidation activity. It is suggested that the intrinsic sites are the catalytic sites and the extrinsic sites are the regulatory sites. In the absence of Cl-, the WOC is stuck in an abnormal state, and there is no O2 evolution activity. Our hypothesis for Cl- action is: it facilitates the abstraction of H+s from H2O during its oxidation to O2 (2H2O = 4H+ + e- + O2). We have suggested that Cl-binds to a positively charged amino acid (N+) which is close to a negatively charged amino acid (B-) in the neighbourhood of the substrate H2O molecules. Binding to N+ changes the pKa of B- such that its affinity to H2O protons increases. This facilitates H+ abstraction from H2O during its oxidation to O2. In this hypothesis, release of H+s is accompanied by the release of Cl- ions.
Investigation of mitochondrial-derived plastome sequences in the Paspalum lineage (Panicoideae; Poaceae)

The grass family (Poaceae), ca. 12,075 species, is a focal point of many recent studies that aim to use complete plastomes to reveal and strengthen relationships within the family. The use of Next Generation Sequencing technology has revealed intricate details in many Poaceae plastomes; specifically the trnI - trnL intergenic spacer region. This study investigates this region and the putative mitochondrial inserts within it in complete plastomes of Paspalum and other Poaceae. Nine newly sequenced plastomes, seven of which contain an insert within the trnI - trnL intergenic spacer, were combined into plastome phylogenomic and divergence date analyses with 52 other species. A robust Paspalum topology was recovered, originating at 10.6 Ma, with the insert arising at 8.7 Ma. The alignment of the insert across Paspalum reveals 21 subregions with pairwise homology in 19. In an analysis of emergent self-organizing maps of tetranucleotide frequencies, the Paspalum insert grouped with mitochondrial DNA. A hypothetical ancestral insert, 17,685 bp in size, was found in the trnI - trnL intergenic spacer for the Paspalum lineage. A different insert, 2808 bp, was found in the same region for Paraneurachne muelleri. Seven different intrastrand deletion events were found within the Paspalum lineage, suggesting selective pressures to remove large portions of noncoding DNA. Finally, a tetranucleotide frequency analysis was used to determine that the origin of the insert in the Paspalum lineage is mitochondrial DNA.
Paramedian Supracerebellar Approach in Semi-Sitting Position for Endoscopic Resection of Pineal Cyst: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

In this video, we present the case of a 41-yr-old female with new onset of recurrent syncopal episodes. She underwent extensive evaluations and diagnostic work-up by cardiology and neurology, excluding any other cause than a large pineal cyst that was found on magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical indications for pineal cyst resection are very limited as most pineal cyst can be treated conservatively. Recurrent drop-attacks (without loss of consciousness) or syncopal episodes (with brief loss of consciousness) have been associated with pineal cysts secondary to a possible ball valve effect with shift of position causing sudden obstruction of the ventricular system followed by rapid rising of intracranial pressure. Several approaches, different positions, and alternative surgical techniques (microscopic vs endoscopic) have been proposed for resection of pineal region lesions. The semi-sitting position provides excellent exposure of the pineal region secondary to gravity-based retraction of the cerebellum, and carries minimal risk of air venous embolism when head elevation is reduced to 30° and lower extremities are elevated. The paramedian supracerebellar approach is less invasive and faster than midline supracerebellar approach, because it requires exposure of just 1 transverse sinus (nondominant for centered lesions) and avoids exposure of the torcula. The endoscopic technique greatly improves the ergonomics of the approach when compared to the microscope based technique, and provides excellent visualization of all the neurovascular structures in the pineal region. Surgical resection was successfully performed with no complications and complete cyst resection. Patient was discharged on postoperative day 1 and remains free of syncopal episodes. The patient signed informed consent including the use of photographic and video material for educational or academic purposes.
Cultural Conflict: The Stories Dioramas Tell and Don’t Tell

This chapter addresses the role of conflict in understanding dioramas containing cultural representations, especially models or re-creations of indigenous cultures and actual people created for natural history museums. We use three specific examples of such conflict: African-Americans, South African Bushmen and Native Americans. The three cultural conflict examples used here stem from dioramas or depictions that have already been contested, modified, and/or removed. These examples are taken from different peoples of various cultures, languages, and social systems, but who share the experience of having their cultural realities misrepresented.
MANAGEMENT OF ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN THE SETTING OF A MYOCARDIAL BRIDGE: IS THERE ANY LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital anomaly in which a segment of an epicardial coronary artery takes a tunneled intramuscular course under overlying myocardium. Rarely, MB can cause ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). 39 year old male patient presented with 24 hours of typical chest
Pregnancy history and cognitive aging among older women: the Rancho Bernardo Study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to examine the association of pregnancy history with trajectories of cognitive function in older women. METHODS Participants were 1,025 women (mean age = 73.1 ± 9.6 y) enrolled in the Rancho Bernardo Study who attended a clinic visit between 1988 and 1992, when pregnancy history (ever pregnant, number of pregnancies, ages at first and last pregnancy) was recorded and cognitive function was assessed with a battery of four tests repeated up to 7 times through 2016. Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to examine the association between pregnancy history and longitudinal change in cognitive function. RESULTS Overall, 77% of women had at least one pregnancy; number of pregnancies ranged from 1 to 14 (mean = 2.9 ± 1.7). Ages at first and last pregnancy ranged from 16 to 44 years (mean = 24.9 ± 4.7) and 16 to 49 years (mean = 30.7 ± 5.5), respectively. Of 16 associations tested (4 pregnancy exposures by 4 cognitive tests), one was statistically significant without correction for multiple comparisons. Women who reported ever being pregnant recalled 0.12 fewer words on the Buschke Selective Reminding Test for every year increase in age than women who had never been pregnant (P = 0.05). No other significant associations of pregnancy history with cognitive decline were observed. CONCLUSIONS Our results show no clinically meaningful long-term influence of pregnancy history on age-related change in cognitive function. These reassuring findings suggest childbearing decisions and timing will not affect cognitive function in older age.
Experiences With Auto-Grading in a Systems Course

Rapidly growing computing-class sizes across college campuses are challenging instructional resources and staffing. We have developed an automatic testing and grading software system called Code Assessment Extension (CODE). It is integrated with our existing Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). This paper presents experiences from both student and instructor perspectives with using auto-grading in a junior-level, systems course with a heavy emphasis on programming in C++, with several challenges, including - ① this course was the first experience for both the students and the instructor in using any form of automatic grading, ② the students have limited experience with C++ programming, particularly in Linux, and ③ the course includes complex concepts on operating systems, multithreading, and networking. The paper presents quantitative results from 3,300 submissions (from 1 course, 1 semester, 6 programming assignments, 54 students, multiple submissions per-student per-assignment) and analysis of end-of-course surveys from 54 students. The inferences from the statistics strongly support the use of automatic grading systems such as CODE to enhance learning in programming-centric courses.
2.28 – Apoptosis

Apoptosis plays a critical role during normal development and homeostasis of adult tissues. Consequently, deregulation of apoptosis is commonly associated with diseases ranging from cancer to neurodegeneration. Toxicants also induce cell death via apoptosis, and in most cases this involves the activation of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteases (caspases). In this chapter, we describe in biochemical and structural detail the mechanisms that mediate the activation of caspases within large multimeric complexes, including the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) and the Apaf-1 apoptosome. In addition, we cover each of the factors known to directly or indirectly regulate the activation (or activity) of caspases, including inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) and BCL-2 family members, as well as their antagonists.
Fairness of Classification Using Users’ Social Relationships in Online Peer-To-Peer Lending

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending marketplaces on the Web have been growing over the last decade. By providing online platforms, P2P lending enables individuals to borrow and lend money directly from and to one another. Since the applicants on P2P lending platforms may lack sufficient financial history for assessment, quite a few P2P lending service providers have been utilizing the applicants’ social relationships to improve the risk prediction accuracy of loan applications. However, utilizing the information of applicants’ social relationships may introduce discrimination in prediction. In this paper, we analyze and evaluate the impact of the applicants’ social relationships on the fairness of risk prediction for P2P lending. We investigate over a million loan records collected from Prosper.com, one of the leading P2P lending companies in the world. We construct the Prosper social network of loan borrowers and lenders, and generate the social features of applicants by adapting a state-of-the-art social credit scoring scheme to the Prosper social network. We consider two types of fairness notions in the literature, namely individual fairness and counterfactual fairness. Our results demonstrate that the social score harms both individual and counterfactual fairness of classification. To address this issue, we design two new algorithms that mitigate bias by generalizing social features. Our experimental results show that our mitigation algorithms can reduce bias while utilizing social scores effectively.
Pre-deployment risk factors for PTSD in active-duty personnel deployed to Afghanistan: a machine-learning approach for analyzing multivariate predictors

Active-duty Army personnel can be exposed to traumatic warzone events and are at increased risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared with the general population. PTSD is associated with high individual and societal costs, but identification of predictive markers to determine deployment readiness and risk mitigation strategies is not well understood. This prospective longitudinal naturalistic cohort study—the Fort Campbell Cohort study—examined the value of using a large multidimensional dataset collected from soldiers prior to deployment to Afghanistan for predicting post-deployment PTSD status. The dataset consisted of polygenic, epigenetic, metabolomic, endocrine, inflammatory and routine clinical lab markers, computerized neurocognitive testing, and symptom self-reports. The analysis was computed on active-duty Army personnel (N = 473) of the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Machine-learning models predicted provisional PTSD diagnosis 90–180 days post deployment (random forest: AUC = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.67–0.89, sensitivity = 0.78, specificity = 0.71; SVM: AUC = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.78–0.98, sensitivity = 0.89, specificity = 0.79) and longitudinal PTSD symptom trajectories identified with latent growth mixture modeling (random forest: AUC = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.75–0.96, sensitivity = 0.88, specificity = 0.69; SVM: AUC = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.79–0.96, sensitivity = 0.80, specificity = 0.85). Among the highest-ranked predictive features were pre-deployment sleep quality, anxiety, depression, sustained attention, and cognitive flexibility. Blood-based biomarkers including metabolites, epigenomic, immune, inflammatory, and liver function markers complemented the most important predictors. The clinical prediction of post-deployment symptom trajectories and provisional PTSD diagnosis based on pre-deployment data achieved high discriminatory power. The predictive models may be used to determine deployment readiness and to determine novel pre-deployment interventions to mitigate the risk for deployment-related PTSD.
Unregulated Open Enrollment and Inequitable Access to Schools of Choice

In severing the link between residential address and school assignment, school choice policies have the potential to decrease school segregation and increase educational equity. Yet this promise is...
VPS35 and the mitochondria: Connecting the dots in Parkinson's disease pathophysiology.

Abstract Mutations in VPS35 (PARK17), a key molecule in the retromer complex, are a rare cause of autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. VPS35 exerts crucial functions within the cell in terms of regulating endosomal trafficking. However new data suggest its relevance also in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and homeostasis. Herein, we review the crosstalk between VPS35 and the mitochondria, highlighting the potential relevance to PD pathogenesis. VPS35 is not only a critical player in pathways connected to α-synuclein accumulation and clearance, but also plays a key role in ensuring mitochondrial stability and function. The genetic links of VPS35 to PD and the involvement of VPS35 in different PD related pathological mechanisms highlight the potential for targeting VPS35 as a neuroprotective strategy for PD.
Puttin’ on ole massa: auto-ethnography, Afro-Pessimism, and imagining in the broadest sense possible in education

This article theorises and historically contextualises the racialised experiences of a Black male who has attempted to do racial equity work with white teachers in a suburban Minnesota school distr...
Automatic Test Pattern Generation

One goal of this research has been to produce a viable measure of non-target defect coverage of test sets for target faults obtained from an ATPG system. Because many ATPG algorithms exist, each guided by different heuristics with varying behavior, it has been necessary to capture the essential components of these algorithms in a model of the process. This model will be discussed in detail in Chapter 11. In this section we concentrate on describing the common characteristics of conventional ATPG systems. The discussion will address solely techniques for test generation at the logic gate level.
Lung transplantation for the treatment of irreversible acute respiratory distress syndrome

Background Despite advances in critical care for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), some survivors in the acute phase are unable to wean from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or mechanical ventilation. To date, little is known regarding whether lung transplantation confers a survival benefit for irreversible ARDS. Methods This retrospective study was conducted using the United Network for Organ Sharing database (May 2005-December 2018). Patients with restrictive lung disease were divided into two groups: patients with and without ARDS. Propensity score matching identified recipients without ARDS for the control group. Results A total of 63 patients with ARDS were waitlisted for lung transplantation, while 39 received a lung transplant after a median waitlist duration of 8 days. Seventy-eight patients were matched as controls. In the ARDS group, the median age was 30 years, and the median lung allocation score was 88.4. Among the 39 recipients, 30 (76.9%) received ECMO support prior to transplantation. Lung transplantation for ARDS and restrictive lung disease showed similar 90-day (87.2% vs. 88.5%, p = .80), 1-year (82.1% vs. 85.9%, p = .52), and 3-year (69.2% vs. 65.4%, p = .94) survival rates. Conclusions Lung transplantation provides acceptable outcomes in selected patients with irreversible ARDS.
Evading Signature-Based Antivirus Software Using Custom Reverse Shell Exploit

Antivirus software is considered to be the primary line of defense against malicious software in modern computing systems. The purpose of this paper is to expose exploitation that can evade Antivirus software that uses signature-based detection algorithms. In this paper, a novel approach was proposed to change the source code of a common Metasploit-Framework used to compile the reverse shell payload without altering its functionality but changing its signature. The proposed method introduced an additional stage to the shellcode program. Instead of the shellcode being generated and stored within the program, it was generated separately and stored on a remote server and then only accessed when the program is executed. This approach was able to reduce its detectability by the Antivirus software by 97% compared to a typical reverse shell program.
How Trump Happened: A System Shock Decades in the Making

In How Trump Happened, Steven E. Schier and Todd E. Eberly take as their point of departure the surprise, even shock, on many faces in the days following the 2016 presidential election. “How did a ...
Radiation treatment in prostate cancer: covering the waterfront

OBJECTIVES To present an overview of radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer over the past decade. METHODS The literature on prostate cancer radiation therapy was reviewed and summarised. Radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer has dramatically evolved in the past decade, with superior techniques and exciting advances, pushing the role of the radiation oncologist to new frontiers. RESULTS Innovations in imaging, treatment delivery, and a deeper understanding of biology has resulted in more tailored RT for individuals. In the present review, we summarise the changing landscape and broadly discuss new developments in prostate RT. CONCLUSIONS Questions and challenges remain in the field, however there are multiple opportunities to further improve upon RT for our patients with prostate cancer.
Digital Systems and Applications

New design architectures in computer systems have surpassed industry expectations. Limits, which were once thought of as fundamental, have now been broken. Digital Systems and Applications details these innovations in systems design as well as cutting-edge applications that are emerging to take advantage of the fields increasingly sophisticated capabilities. This book features new chapters on parallelizing iterative heuristics, stream and wireless processors, and lightweight embedded systems. This fundamental text— Provides a clear focus on computer systems, architecture, and applications Takes a top-level view of system organization before moving on to architectural and organizational concepts such as superscalar and vector processor, VLIW architecture, as well as new trends in multithreading and multiprocessing. includes an entire section dedicated to embedded systems and their applications Discusses topics such as digital signal processing applications, circuit implementation aspects, parallel I/O algorithms, and operating systems Concludes with a look at new and future directions in computing Features articles that describe diverse aspects of computer usage and potentials for use Details implementation and performance-enhancing techniques such as branch prediction, register renaming, and virtual memory Includes a section on new directions in computing and their penetration into many new fields and aspects of our daily lives
Methodology for model updating of mechanical components with local nonlinearities

In this work, we propose a new nonlinear model updating strategy based on global/local nonlinear system identification of the dynamics. The main objective of this study is to construct and update reduced-order models (ROM) of a dynamical system based solely on measured data. The approach relies on analyzing transient system responses (local dynamics) in the frequency–energy domain, and based on these, constructing damped frequency–energy plots – FEPs (global dynamics) under the assumption of weak damping. The system parameters are characterized and updated by matching the backbone branches of the FEPs with reduced-order model FEPs using experimental or computational data. The main advantage of this method is that the system model is updated solely based on simulation and/or experimental results. It follows that the approach is purely data-driven. By matching the frequency–energy dependences of the dynamics of the physical dynamical system and its reduced order model, we are able to identify, update and reconstruct not only the global features of the dynamics in the frequency and energy ranges of interest, but also the local dynamics, i.e., individual time series for specific initial or excitation conditions. Hence, this work paves the way toward a nonlinear model updating methodology with broad applicability. The main features of the proposed methodology are demonstrated with a system of nonlinearly coupled beams excited by a concentrated transient force.
Relative sensitivity of full‐wave and half‐wave detectors in radiometry

[1] The sensitivity in the measurement of Gaussian noise power using a half-wave detector can suffer degradation relative to that of a full-wave detector, in cases where the bandwidth of the input waveform is not small compared to the center frequency. There are two physical mechanisms that suggest a basis for this effect. The half-wave detector responds to only half of the input waveform, resulting in possible loss of information. Also, in the half-wave detector a component of the input spectrum feeds through the diode and adds to the noise that is subsequently filtered by averaging at the detector output. This feedthrough component does not occur in full-wave detectors. The phenomena are examined using numerical simulation. The results for both linear and square-law characteristics are considered, and formulas and graphs for estimating the magnitudes of the effects are given.
Configuration of the ketosidic bond of sialic acid.

Abstract The stereochemistry of the ketosidic bond of sialic acid has been elucidated by a study of the two anomeric methyl ketosides. Isomer I was prepared by Koenigs-Knorr synthesis, and isomer II by direct methylation with methanol and an acid catalyst. These two anomeric configurations were established by conversion with periodate-borohydride to III and IV, respectively, followed by lactonization of one isomer. Dreiding models demonstrate that only one anomer is potentially able to lactonize, and this was accordingly assigned Structure IV. This anomer and its precursor (II) were resistant to neuraminidase, whereas Compounds I and III were hydrolyzed by the enzyme. The configuration of the ketosidic bond of sialic acid in naturally occurring substances, such as gangliosides, glycoproteins, and the like, is therefore the less stable anomer I, with the ketosidic bond equatorial and the carboxyl group axial to the pyranoid ring. It is assigned the α-d configuration in accordance with the rules of nomenclature.
Cellular lipoproteins. III. The insoluble lipoproteins of rat liver cell fractions.

Abstract 1. 1. The method of preparing the insoluble cellular lipoproteins has been improved by introducing extraction with 0.4 M potassium chloride for the removal of soluble constituents, in addition to the previously used extraction with 1.0 M and 0.16 M potassium chloride, and by doing all of the extractions near pH 7.0. 2. 2. The insoluble lipoproteins of the whole homogenate of rat liver cells and of the nuclear, mitochondrial, and microsomal fractions have been prepared and each lipoprotein preparation was found to have a characteristic, reproducible total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total lipid, lipid phosphorus, and hexosamine content. 3. 3. The lipoprotein preparations obtained from the nuclear and mitochondrial fractions did not differ significantly in content of the above constituents, but that obtained from the microsomal fraction differed significantly from each of the other two preparations. 4. 4. The significance of these results in regard to the nature of cellular structures is discussed.
Age-period-cohort effect on the incidence of age-related macular degeneration: the Beaver Dam Eye Study.

Objective To examine relationships of age, period, and birth cohort with the 5-year incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design Population-based cohort study with 4 examination visits 5 years apart from 1988 through 1990, 1993 through 1995, 1998 through 2000, and 2003 through 2005. Participants Two thousand nine hundred sixty-eight persons (6603 participant visits) and 3588 persons (8184 participant visits) 43 to 86 years of age at baseline contributing to the incidence of early and late AMD, respectively. Methods Grading of stereoscopic fundus photographs using the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System. Main Outcome Measures Five-year incidence of early AMD. Results While controlling for age, there was a lower 5-year incidence of early AMD in later rather than in earlier birth cohorts (odds ratio per increasing category, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.78; P Conclusions Lower incidence of early AMD in more recent birth cohorts is likely the result of unmeasured risk factors for early AMD. Further study of possible unmeasured risk factors that may have caused this cohort effect may help to identify new modifiable risk factors for AMD. Diminishing incidence of early AMD in later birth cohorts would be expected to result in lower long-term estimates of future incidence of AMD than do current estimates that do not take this effect into account. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Stifle extension results in differential tensile forces developing between abaxial and axial components of the cranial meniscotibial ligament of the equine medial meniscus: A mechanistic explanation for meniscal tear patterns

Summary Reason for performing the study: To identify potential functional-anatomical characteristics of the cranial horn attachment of the medial meniscus (MM) that may help explain the pathogenesis of the common tear patterns that have been reported. Hypothesis: Full extension of the stifle generates a significant increase in tensile forces within the cranial meniscotibial ligament (CrMTL) of the MM, which may predispose this structure to injury. Methods: The effect of femorotibial angle (160°, 150°, 140° and 130°) on tensile forces in the axial and abaxial components of the CrMTL was examined in 6 mature cadaver stifles using an implantable force probe. Three additional specimens were used to examine the histological structure of the CrMTL and its connection to the cranial horn of the MM. Results: Full extension of the stifle (160°) resulted in a significantly greater tensile force in the abaxial component of the CrMTL when compared with the axial component (P = 0.001). The tensile force in the abaxial component of the CrMTL increased significantly between 150° and 160° of stifle extension (P = 0.011). The CrMTL appears to be comprised of 2 functional components, which become more visually distinct as the stifle is extended. Histologically, these components are separated by a cleft of highly vascularised, less organised connective tissue, which becomes less prominent at the junction of the ligament and the cranial horn of the MM. Conclusion: A 4-fold difference in the tensile forces in the 2 functional components of the CrMTL of the MM was observed with full extension of the stifle. Potential relevance: The functional anatomy of the CrMTL may place this region at greater risk of injury during hyperextension of the stifle and, therefore, may provide a mechanistic rationale for the commonly reported meniscal tear patterns in the horse.
A High Through-put Procedure for Capturing Microsatellites from Complex Plant Genomes

A method is outlined for large-scale isolation and characterization of microsatellite sequences from complex plant genomes. The method presented here differs from the previously published procedures in the use of randomly sheared (nebulized) genomic DNA for adapter-ligation, rigorous removal of biotinylated oligos, and high-density colony blots for constructing enriched libraries. Using this method we have constructed cotton microsatellite enriched libraries with over 20% (high stringency screening) or 75% (by random sequencing). Thus far we have identified and sequenced over 500 cotton microsatellites using this procedure. The procedure can be used to generate enriched SSR libraries from genomic DNA in about one week. High throughput screening and automated DNA sequencing can be accomplished in less than one month.
The heritable immune system

Big data sets are galvanizing our ability to decipher the heritability of immune responses.
Asymptotic analysis of the M/G/1 queue with a time-dependent arrival rate

We consider the M/G/1 queue with an arrival rate \lambda that depends weakly upon time, as \lambda=\lambda (\varepsilon t) where \varepsilon is a small parameter. In the asymptotic limit \varepsilon \rightarrow 0, we construct approximations to the probability p_n (t) that n customers are present at time t. We show that the asymptotics are different for several ranges of the (slow) time scale \tau=\varepsilon t. We employ singular perturbation techniques and relate the various time scales by asymptotic matching.
The Multi-faceted Implementation of Telepractice to Service Individuals with Autism

Telepractice is a method of service delivery in which professionals provide intervention, assessment and consultation services to individuals through the use of telecommunication technologies. In response to the nationwide school-based shortage of speech-language pathologists, telepractice has emerged as a viable way to reach underserved clients. Telepractice has the potential to extend to populations in need of services, including those diagnosed with autism. This paper examines an evidence-based clinical model for the delivery of telepractice services and describes the policies and procedures required for assessing individual need, confidentiality, technology, training and documentation within a telepractice program. Two clinical case studies involving individuals diagnosed with autism are described and provide initial evidence for the use of telepractice as a practical method for direct and consultative service delivery. Results indicated that both the student receiving direct services, and the treating clinician receiving consultative services via telepractice, demonstrated an increased skill level in target domains.
Indirect allorecognition and alloantibody production precede obliterative airway disease development after tracheal transplantation in mice.

oped pressure (LVDP), were assessed on a Langendorff apparatus. Coronary flow reserve (CFR, ml/min) was tested endothelium dependent (ED-CFR) in response to bradykinin (1.5 mM) and endothelium independent (EI-CFR) with nitroprusside (4.0 mM). Gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2 and 9 were detected by zymography. Results: CFR to endothelium dependent and -independent stimulation was significantly impaired in placebo treated allografts when compared to non-transplanted controls but was improved by treatment with SOD. MMP-9 activity increased in placebo treated hearts; this was not observed in non-transplanted controls and SOD treated hearts. MMP-2 activity remained unchanged. Conclusion: The data show that activation of MMP-9, but not MMP-2 may contribute to impaired coronary vasomotor function following cardiac transplantation in rats. Treatment with exogenous SOD completely prevents coronary vasomotor dysfunction and reduces MMP-9 expression; it demonstrates that free radical production such as superoxide may be a crucial step towards activation of endogenous proteolytic activity.
Use of mental health counseling as adolescents become young adults.

Abstract Purpose Despite parallels in mental health needs among adolescents and young adults, there is a paucity of evidence regarding use of mental health services in young adulthood. Using a longitudinal sample, this study compares rates of mental health counseling use between adolescents and young adults, examines characteristics and predictors of counseling use for young adults, and identifies reasons for foregone care among those with mental health needs in young adulthood. Methods Secondary data analysis was conducted on a nationally representative sample of 10,817 participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Data were derived from an initial survey collected in 1995 (mean age, 15.8 years) and a follow-up survey collected 7 years later (mean age, 21.5 years). Results Among individuals with depressive symptomology, young adults reported significantly lower rates of counseling use compared with adolescents. When taking into account the severity of mental health problems, female gender, high maternal education, school attendance, and receipt of routine physical examinations were significantly predictive of counseling use among young adults. Young adults of black ethnicity were significantly less likely to receive counseling compared with those of white ethnicity. Overall, 4% of young adults reported foregoing health care in the past year, despite self-reported mental health needs. Inability to pay, belief that the problem would go away, and lack of time were commonly cited reasons for any type of foregone health care. However, concerns regarding physician's care (i.e., fear of what the doctor would say or do, and belief that the doctor would be unable to help) were more frequently mentioned by those who acknowledged a need for counseling services. Conclusions Low rates of mental health counseling persist from adolescence to young adulthood. Findings such as increased counseling service use among those receiving routine physical examinations, as well as reported concerns of physician care, point to possible areas of intervention within the pediatric community.
Novel surface modification of nanosilica for low stress underfill

We report a novel surface modification method to improve the interfacial bonding and compatibility of nanosilica with epoxy matrix. This approach utilized a two-layer modification strategy that not only provides a layer of functional groups at the surface to match the surface energy of nanosilica with epoxy resin, but also generates a large filler-matrix interphase transition region by covalent bonding that enables more efficient CTE reduction. It is found that dispersion of nanosilica is dramatically improved compared to untreated particles. The CTE of nanocomposites containing two-layer modified nanosilica is a 5-15 ppm/K lower than those filled with conventionally modified nanosilica at the similar loadings. Additionally, the nanocomposites developed in this study do not show significant Tg reduction. These results show that our surface modification method is very promising in developing novel nanosilica-based underfills.
Cytokines as clinical adjuvants: how far are we?

In spite of the explosive growth in the discovery of cytokines and chemokines and in the understanding of their modes of action, clinical use of such agents as adjuvants has been primarily restricted to patients with cancer or chronic viral infections suffering from various levels of immune impairment and for whom the chemotherapeutic armamentarium, as well as other forms of immunotherapy, have been exhausted. This cautious approach has been justified by the difficulties inherent to the biological function and delivery of such pleiotropic agents, where doses needed to achieve the targeted immune enhancement often result in serious side effects, especially during systemic administration. In addition, optimization of dosages, administration schedules and biological effects in humans often do not correlate well with preclinical data derived from animal models. Nevertheless, novel preventive immunization strategies that target a precise type of immune response in immunocompetent individuals are expected to gr...
Phonon engineering in nano-devices and virus-based nano-templates (Invited Paper)

Phonons, i.e. quanta of lattice vibrations, manifest themselves practically in all electrical, thermal, optical and noise phenomena in semiconductors and other material systems. Reduction of the size of electronic devices below the acoustic phonon mean free path creates a new situation for the phonons propagation and interaction. From one side, it may complicate heat removal from the downscaled devices. From the other side, it opens up an exciting opportunity for re-engineering phonon spectrum in nanostructured materials, and achieving enhanced operation of nano-devices. Since phonon-assisted tunneling and carrier scattering on phonons affect the charge carrier transport, modification of the phonon spectrum is also expected to influence noise level in nano-devices. This paper reviews the development of the phonon-engineering concept and discusses its device applications. The focus of this review is on tuning the phonon spectrum in acoustically mismatched nano- and heterostructures in order to change the ability of semiconductors to conduct heat and electric current. New approaches for the electron-phonon scattering rates suppression and the carrier mobility enhancement are also discussed. The last section of this review describes our recent results on phonons in the rod-shaped viruses used as biological nano-templates for self-assembly of nanoelectronic circuits.
Analysis of binary mixtures by computer decomposition of molecular fluorescence spectra

Abstract Qualitative analysis by computer decomposition of fluorescence spectra by means of the program SPECSOLV is discussed. Concentration studies of naphthacene in benzene and mixture analyses of single and binary solutions of anthracene, naphthacene, naphthalene,and rubrene are reported. The results demonstrate the ability to separate solvent and sample spectral contributions, and to assign component peaks in the case of mixtures. Semi-quantitative results are presented, and the feasibility of extending the study to computersearch systems based on component characterization of fluorescence spectra is discussed.