cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemically ubiquitylated histone H2B stimulates hDot1L-mediated intranucleosomal methylation

Numerous post-translational modifications of histones have been described in organisms ranging from yeast to humans. Growing evidence for dynamic regulation of these modifications, position- and modification-specific protein interactions, and biochemical crosstalk between modifications has strengthened the 'histone code' hypothesis, in which histone modifications are integral to choreographing the expression of the genome. One such modification, ubiquitylation of histone H2B (uH2B) on lysine 120 (K120) in humans, and lysine 123 in yeast, has been correlated with enhanced methylation of lysine 79 (K79) of histone H3 (refs 5-8), by K79-specific methyltransferase Dot1 (KMT4). However, the specific function of uH2B in this crosstalk pathway is not understood. Here we demonstrate, using chemically ubiquitylated H2B, a direct stimulation of hDot1L-mediated intranucleosomal methylation of H3 K79. Two traceless orthogonal expressed protein ligation (EPL) reactions were used to ubiquitylate H2B site-specifically. This strategy, using a photolytic ligation auxiliary and a desulphurization reaction, should be generally applicable to the chemical ubiquitylation of other proteins. Reconstitution of our uH2B into chemically defined nucleosomes, followed by biochemical analysis, revealed that uH2B directly activates methylation of H3 K79 by hDot1L. This effect is mediated through the catalytic domain of hDot1L, most likely through allosteric mechanisms. Furthermore, asymmetric incorporation of uH2B into dinucleosomes showed that the enhancement of methylation was limited to nucleosomes bearing uH2B. This work demonstrates a direct biochemical crosstalk between two modifications on separate histone proteins within a nucleosome.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN AGE AND MODERATE ALCOHOL EFFECTS ON SIMULATED DRIVING PERFORMANCE

Rationale There is a substantial body of literature documenting the deleterious effects of both alcohol consumption and age on driving performance. There is, however, limited work examining the interaction of age and acute alcohol consumption.
Characterization of ionic currents of cells of the subfornical organ that project to the supraoptic nuclei.

The subfornical organ (SFO) is a forebrain structure that converts peripheral blood-borne signals reflecting the hydrational state of the body to neural signals and then through efferent fibers conveys this information to several central nervous system structures. One of the forebrain areas receiving input from the SFO is the supraoptic nucleus (SON), a source of vasopressin synthesis and control of release from the posterior pituitary. Little is known of the transduction and transmission processes by which this conversion of systemic information to brain input occurs. As a step in elucidating these mechanisms, the present study characterized the ionic currents of dissociated cells of the SFO that were identified as neurons that send efferents to the SON. A retrograde tracer was injected into the SON area in eleven-day-old rats. After three days for retrograde transport of the label, the SFOs of these animals were dissociated and plated for tissue culture. The retrograde tracer was used to identify the soma of SFO cells projecting to the SON so that voltage-dependent ionic currents using whole-cell voltage clamp methods could be studied. The three types of currents in labeled SFO neurons were characterized as a 1) rapid, transient inward current that can be blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX) characteristic of a sodium current; 2) slow-onset sustained outward current that can be blocked by tetraethylammonium (TEA) characteristic of a delayed rectifier potassium current; and 3) remaining outward current that has a rapid-onset and transient characteristic of a potassium A-type current.
Human factors considerations in development of interactive software

When computerized systems were first developed, and storage capacity was highly limited, the primary concern was the design of an efficient, reliable system which could store data in the most compact manner. Little regard was given to the human element of data entry and retrieval. Although there have been considerable advancements in computer technology, human factors considerations are still lacking. This results in the end user frequently becoming confused or frustrated when trying to interact with the software.
Photocycloadditions to 2-phenylbenzothiazole

Abstract Photocycloadditions to 2-phenylbenzothiazoles proceed in high yield with certain alkenes to produce 1,5-benzothiazepines. We report herein the first example of an intermolecular photoaddition to a benzothiazole in which a seven membered heterocyclic system is obtained. The cycloaddition reactions are both regiospecific and stereospecific.
The binding of pentaammineruthenium (III) to RNase B and RNase A+d(pA)4 in the crystalline state

The binding of pentaammineruthenium (III) to ribonuclease A and B both free and complexed with d(pA)4 has been examined in the crystalline state through the application of X-ray diffraction and difference Fourier techniques. In crystals of native RNase B, the reagent was observed to have many binding sites, some entirely electrostatic in nature and others consistent with coordination to histidine residues. The primary histidine in the latter case was 105 with 119 also partially substituted. In crystals of RNase A+d(pA)4 complex only a single, extremely strong site of substitution was observed, and this was 2.4 A from the native position of the imidazole ring of histidine 105. Thus, the results of these X-ray diffraction studies appear to be quite consistent with the findings of earlier NMR studies and with the results obtained in crystals of the gene 5 DNA binding protein.
Topological and mutational analysis of KpsM, the hydrophobic component of the ABC-transporter involved in the export of polysialic acid in Escherichia coli K1

Summary The 17 kb kps gene cluster of Escherichia coli K1, which encodes the information required for synthesis, assembly and translocation of the polysialic acid capsule of E. coli K1, is divided into three functional regions. Region 3 contains two genes, kpsM and kpsT, essential for the transport of capsule polymer across the cytoplasmic membrane. The hydrophobicity profile of KpsM suggests that it is an integral membrane protein while KpsT contains a consensus ATP-binding site. KpsM and KpsT belong to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of membrane transporters. In this study, we investigate the topology of KpsM within the cytoplasmic membrane using β-lactamase fusions and alkaline phosphatase sandwich fusions. Our analysis provides evidence for a model of KpsM having six membrane-spanning regions, with the N- and C-terminal domains facing the cytoplasm, and a short domain within the third periplasmic loop, which we refer to as the SV–SVI linker localizing in the membrane. Protease digestion studies are consistent with regions of KpsM exposed to the periplasmic space. In vivo cross-linking studies provide support for dimerization of KpsM within the cytoplasmic membrane. Linker-insertion and site-directed mutagenesis define the N-terminus, the first cytoplasmic loop, and the SV-SVI linker as regions that are important for the function of KpsM in K1 polymer transport.
Materials Aging Degradation of Reactor Vessel Internals: Part I — Thermal Hydraulics Evaluation

Pressurized water reactor (PWR) vessel internals components can experience material aging and degradation due to irradiation [1]. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), under sponsorship of the Materials Reliability Program (MRP), is developing Reactor Internals Inspection and Evaluation (IE an initial component screening and categorization step, using the susceptibility levels to identify the relative susceptibility of the components; a functionality assessment of degradation for components and assemblies of components; and finally aging management strategy development combining the results of functionality assessment with component accessibility, operating experience, existing evaluations, and prior examination results to determine the appropriate aging management methodology, baseline examination timing, and the need and timing of subsequent inspections. The purpose of this functionality analysis is to provide a best estimate evaluation of the reactor internals core barrel assembly for materials degradation up to 60 years of operation. The stainless steel material model employed in the calculations is an irradiated material-specific constitutive model for use in a finite element analysis [8]. The material model accounts for the effects of plasticity, irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC), irradiation creep-stress relaxation, void swelling, and embrittlement as a function of temperature and fluence [6] and [7]. The study focuses on finding the integrated effects of material aging combined with steady-state operational characteristics of the reactor vessel (RV) internals. In order to evaluate the potential failure mechanisms of the core barrel assembly, detailed finite element models were developed capable of representing the complex interactions between the components. The goal of this study is to characterize the potential failure modes, spatial and chronological distribution of component failures for a representative model of the Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) designed plants. Evaluation of the reactor vessel internals for materials aging degradation involves three major physics fields. Radiation calculations of the core provide essential information on radiation dose and heat rates, due to gamma-heating, of the RV internals. The computational fluid dynamics domain (CFD) allows the evaluation of the RV internals temperatures through conjugate heat transfer (CHT) analysis coupled with coolant flow. Detailed structural analysis of the RV internals components and bolted connections is the third major physics field involved, which facilitates the development of operating stress fields within the RV internals. The three major physics fields and their relations are illustrated in Figure 2. This paper focuses on the CFD/CHT aspects of the overall analysis for the B&W designed RV internals and provides information on the state-of-the-art multi-physics approach employed.Copyright © 2008 by AREVA NP Inc. EPRI
Analysis of caretaker histories in abuse: comparing initial histories with subsequent confessions.

Abstract Objective We hypothesize that perpetrators of abuse include elements of truth in their initial history and that an analysis of perpetrator confessions can teach professionals how to identify these initial truths. Methods The information from a consecutive sample of perpetrators’ confessions concerning 41 children hospitalized because of injuries caused by child abuse was reviewed. The details about the injuries contained in the confessions were compared with the details provided when these children initially presented for medical care. Information about the perpetrator's gender and relationship to the child, the victim's age and gender, type of injury, family risk factors, the trigger of the abusive event, the circumstances surrounding the event, and the type of trauma were collected. Results A total of 45 perpetrators abused 41 children; 76% of perpetrators were male; 56% were the child's father; 34% were the child's mother. The perpetrators initially provided no explanation about how 68% of the children received an injury. In 91% of their initial histories, the perpetrators provided some element of truth about the circumstances or triggering event for the abuse. In 67% of confessions, crying was the circumstance that triggered the abuse. Mothers were more likely to describe the situation that triggered the abuse (85% of mothers versus 58% of fathers, p = ns), while fathers were more likely to describe accurately the circumstances surrounding the abuse (79% of fathers versus 62% of mothers, p = ns). Conclusions Perpetrators of abuse provide initial truths in their presenting history. Child abuse professionals must take a careful history from all caretakers and “listen” for the “elements of truth.” These truths are the child's behavior or circumstance that increased stress and triggered the abuse. Employing this method in a careful analysis of confessions can make a significant contribution to the capacity to identify child abuse. In addition, more information about the role of triggers may help to focus child abuse prevention strategies.
Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Hospice Social Workers

Ethical decision making is critically important in hospice social work. Through in-depth interviews, researchers explored ethical dilemmas faced by 14 hospice social workers and the processes they used to move toward resolution. The dilemmas were integrated into a framework focused on the sources of ethical conflict: the client system, the agency, and the profession. Processes involved in resolving ethical dilemmas included consulting with other professionals, weighing the pros and cons of options, and bringing about desired outcomes. Findings suggest that hospice teams should be provided with opportunities to meaningfully discuss ethical decision making. Further, the involvement of social workers in administrative leadership is recommended to increase the likelihood that discipline-specific perspectives are incorporated into formal policies and procedures that shape practice in ethically complex situations.
A life in science: biochemist-nutritionist-forensic toxicologist-pharmacologist.

“Life is best played without a script”—AnonThe year was 1944; the place: the Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, College of Agriculture, Madison, Wisconsin; the event: my oral Ph.D...
The adrenergic cardiac nerves of the cat.

A fluorescence method was used for study of the adrenergic cardiac nerves of the cat. Sixteen regions of the heart were examined. The sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes and the interatrial septum were the most richly innervated regions of the heart. There was little difference between the density of innervation in sections of atrial and ventricular portions of the myocardium. Most of the adrenergic nerves supplying the ventricles were derived from large bundles in the atrioventricular sulcus and were distributed through the subepicardial plexus. Each coronary artery was sparsely innervated in its initial elastic segment, but the vasa vasorum were well innervated. The main trunks of the coronary arteries were surrounded by plexuses composed only of preterminal axons; adrenergic vasomotor terminals were plentiful on the external surface of the muscular media of major and minor myocardial branches. Dense plexuses of adrenergic nerves were seen in both atrioventricular valves. The pulmonary valve was well innervated and contained more adrenergic nerves than the aortic valve. Perivascular plexuses and freely ending adrenergic terminals were observed in the pericardium. Small intensely fluorescent cells were grouped around small blood vessels in the interatrial septum. Most were in the vicinity of the atrioventricular node. It is suggested that these cells, under neural control may secrete catecholamines into the microcirculation of the interatrial septum. They may exert local humoral control over the atrioventricular node or the atrial parasympathetic ganglia.
Microarray analysis of IFN-γ response genes in astrocytes

IFN-gamma (IFN-γ) has been shown to activate astrocytes to acquire immune functions. In this study the effect of IFN-γ on murine astrocytes was investigated via microarray analysis. The activating effect of IFN-γ on the astrocyte transcriptome showed predominance toward pathways involved in adaptive immunity, initiation of the immune response and innate immunity. Previously unknown astrocytic genes expressed included members of the p47 GTPases and guanine nucleotide binding protein (GBP) families. Down-regulatory effects of IFN-γ stimulation were confined to pathways involved in growth regulation, cell differentiation and cell adhesion. This data supports the notion that astrocytes are an important immunocompetant cell in the brain and indicate that astrocytes may have a significant role in various infectious diseases such as Toxoplasmic Encephalitis and neurological diseases with an immunological component such as Alzheimer's and autoimmune disorders.
Complete Lobar Collapse Following Pulmonary Lobectomy: Its Incidence, Predisposing Factors, and Clinical Ramifications

Study objective To define the most severe form of postlobectomy atelectasis and determine its incidence, predisposing factors, and clinical ramifications. Design Retrospective case control. Setting The thoracic surgery unit at a 900-bed tertiary care hospital. Patients or participants Two hundred eighteen patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy or bilobectomy over a 7-year time period. Measurements and results Severe postlobectomy atelectasis (SPLA) was defined as complete ipsilateral lobar or bilobar collapse with whiteout of the involved lobe(s) and mediastinal shift on the chest radiograph. Data were collected consisting of patient age, lobe(s) resected, type of postoperative pain control, length of hospital and ICU stay, preoperative pulmonary function, and single- vs double-lumen tube intubation during surgery. The incidence of SPLA was 7.8%, comprising 24.6% of all postoperative complications seen. There was no statistically significant difference in patient age, preoperative room air Po 2 , and preoperative FEX 1 /FVC ratio for the SPLA group vs the group without this complication. Patients with SPLA had significantly longer ICU stays (112.7 h vs 28.4 h; p Conclusions We conclude that SPLA as defined in this study is an important postoperative complication with a significant incidence. Although patients undergoing right upper lobectomy are markedly predisposed to this problem, the exact pathophysiology remains unclear. Factors shown to be causes of less severe forms of postoperative atelectasis do not seem to contribute to the formation of SPLA, indicating that these two complications may be two unrelated entities.
Continuous Drift Angle from a Search Radar

Noncoherent Doppler permits determination of the ground course as the azimuth of a null in the clutter Doppler returns and, therefore, can be a frequency insensitive adjunct to a pilotage search radar, especially where weight and/or power is at a premium. This stands in contrast to the customary coherent Doppler navigators which relate the frequency changes upon reflection, fore and aft, to the drift angle. An X-band self-coherent Doppler implementation developed that 88 per cent of the drift-angle measurement was within ± 1° of a concurrent optical measurement.
Prevalence of HIV Infection and Risk Behaviors Among Younger and Older Injecting Drug Users in the United States, 2009

This study compared HIV sero-prevalence and risk behaviors between younger and older injecting drug users (IDUs). IDUs aged ≥18 years were interviewed for the 2009 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System. Using GEE regression, we assessed characteristics of younger (18–29 years) and older (≥30 years) IDUs, and factors associated with past 12-month receptive syringe sharing and unprotected sex (vaginal/anal). Of 10,090 participants, 10 % were younger. HIV sero-prevalence was lower among younger than older IDUs (4 vs. 10 %, p = 0.001). Younger IDUs were more likely (p ≤ 0.002) to be non-black race/ethnicity, report higher household income, homelessness, being arrested and to engage in receptive syringe sharing and unprotected sex. In multivariable models, age remained associated (p < 0.001) with receptive syringe sharing (aPR = 1.14, 95 % CI1.07–1.22) and unprotected sex (aPR = 1.10, 95 % CI1.06–1.14). Although younger IDUs had lower HIV prevalence, their behaviors place them at increased risk of HIV infection and could lead to a rapid spread in this susceptible population.
Contraction anomalies in dimensional renormalization

Abstract The general form of anomalies associated with the contraction of Lorentz indices on a composite field operator defined using dimensional renormalization is derived.
Expression of the MAPK kinases MKK‐4 and MKK‐7 in rheumatoid arthritis and their role as key regulators of JNK

Objective The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase JNK is a key regulator of interleukin-1 (IL-1)–induced collagenase gene expression and joint destruction in arthritis. Two upstream kinases, MKK-4 and MKK-7, have been identified as potential activators of JNK. However, the role of MAP kinase kinases (MAPKKs) and their functional organization within fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) have not been defined. We therefore evaluated the interactions between the various MAP kinase components and determined their subcellular localization. Methods MKKs were identified by immunohistochemistry of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) synovium. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of FLS. Immunoprecipitation experiments using antibodies specific for MKK-4, MKK-7, and JNK were performed. Phosphospecific antibodies and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the activation state of synovial MKK-4 and MKK-7. Confocal microscopy was used to determine the subcellular location of the kinases. Results Immunohistochemistry studies demonstrated abundant MKK-4 and MKK-7 in RA and OA synovium, but the levels of phosphorylated kinases were significantly higher in RA synovium. MKK-4 and MKK-7 were constitutively expressed by cultured RA and OA FLS, and IL-1 stimulation resulted in rapid phosphorylation of both kinases. JNK was detected in MKK-4 and MKK-7 immunoprecipitates. Furthermore, MKK-4 coprecipitated with MKK-7 and vice versa, indicating that the 3 kinases form a stable complex in FLS. Confocal microscopy confirmed that JNK, MKK-4, and MKK-7 colocalized in the cytoplasm, with JNK migrating to the nucleus after IL-1 stimulation. The signal complex containing MKK-4, MKK-7, and JNK was functionally active and able to phosphorylate c-Jun after IL-1 stimulation of FLS. Conclusion These studies demonstrate that JNK, MKK-4, and MKK-7 form an active signaling complex in FLS. This novel JNK signalsome is activated in response to IL-1 and migrates to the nucleus. The JNK signalsome represents a new target for therapeutic interventions designed to prevent joint destruction.
Econometric analysis of business tax impacts on industrial location: What do we know, and how do we know it?

Abstract This paper reviews econometric analyses of business tax impacts on location written after Oakland's 1978 review [in “Metropolitan Financing and Growth Management Policies” (G. F. Break, Ed.), Univ. of Wisconsin Press, Madison, 1978]. There is a particular focus on model specification and the underlying theoretical structure. Both intrametropolitan and interstate location studies are reviewed.
The Historiography of Rhetoric: Challenges and Opportunities

hetoric has received the careful attention of a remarkable number of capable scholars in recent years. Whether it be Josef Triska in Czech, Kees Meerhoff in Dutch, Vasile Florescu in Romanian, Jorgen Fafner in Danish, Antonio Marti and Jose Rico Verdu in Spanish, Marc Pumaroli or Alain Michel in French, Terence Cave or Nancy Struever in English, Heinrich Plett or Joseph Martin in German, Cesare Vasoli or Paolo Bagni in Italian— the list could number into the hundreds—all have looked with profit to the historical aspects of the subject. Perhaps then we can hope that one of the very oldest and most truly international human disciplines. Rhetoric, is at long last beginning to achieve its own history. It is indeed ironic that a subject so well known should even today suffer from the lack of a complete historical account of its development. It was a subject to which Plato devoted three separate dialogues—Gorgias, Protagoras, Phaedrus—and a subject which Aris-
Avoiding the Rush Hours: WiFi Energy Management via Traffic Isolation

WiFi continues to be a prime source of energy consumption in mobile devices. This paper observes that, despite a rich body of research in WiFi energy management, there is room for improvement. Our key finding is that WiFi energy optimizations have conventionally been designed with a single AP in mind. However, network contention among different APs can dramatically increase a client's energy consumption. Each client may have to keep awake for long durations before its own AP gets a chance to send it packets to it. As AP density increases, the waiting time inflates, resulting in a proportional decrease in battery life. We design SleepWell, a system that achieves energy efficiency by evading network contention. The APs regulate the sleeping window of their clients in a way that different APs are active/inactive during nonoverlapping time windows. The solution is analogous to the common wisdom of going late to office and coming back late, thereby avoiding the rush hours. We implement SleepWell on a testbed of eight Laptops and nine Android phones, and evaluate it over a wide variety of scenarios and traffic patterns. Results show a median gain of up to 2x when WiFi links are strong; when links are weak and the network density is high, the gains can be even more.
Exploring Action Dynamics as an Index of Paired-Associate Learning

Much evidence exists supporting a richer interaction between cognition and action than commonly assumed. Such findings demonstrate that short-timescale processes, such as motor execution, may relate in systematic ways to longer-timescale cognitive processes, such as learning. We further substantiate one direction of this interaction: the flow of cognition into action systems. Two experiments explored match-to-sample paired-associate learning, in which participants learned randomized pairs of unfamiliar symbols. During the experiments, their hand movements were continuously tracked using the Nintendo Wiimote. Across learning, participant arm movements are initiated and completed more quickly, exhibit lower fluctuation, and exert more perturbation on the Wiimote during the button press. A second experiment demonstrated that action dynamics index novel learning scenarios, and not simply acclimatization to the Wiimote interface. Results support a graded and systematic covariation between cognition and action, and recommend ways in which this theoretical perspective may contribute to applied learning contexts.
Effect of delayed storage and continuous ethylene exposure on flesh reddening of 'Royal Diamond' plums

BACKGROUND: Flesh reddening has been described as one of the manifestations of plum fruits to low-temperature storage for prolonged periods. The influence of factors such as ethylene and delayed storage has not been studied to date. In order to assess that, plum cv. ‘Royal Diamond’ fruits were (a) stored at 5 °C (control), (b) held at 20 °C for 2 days before storage at 5 °C (delayed storage) or (c) maintained at 5 °C under 15 µL L−1 ethylene. Fruits were then transferred to 20 °C and ethylene, respiration, weight loss, firmness, soluble solids content, acidity, flesh reddening, anthocyanin accumulation and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity were determined. RESULTS: Delayed storage fruits showed more extensive flesh reddening than control fruits, with increased PAL activity and higher anthocyanin accumulation. Symptoms were expressed more markedly when fruits were stored at 5 °C in ethylene. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that the fruit ripening stage is a critical factor determining the susceptibility of ‘Royal Diamond’ plums to flesh reddening. Fruits continuously exposed to ethylene showed a dramatic increase in reddening, suggesting that ethylene contributes to the development of the disorder. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Organic-on-inorganic semiconductor photodetector

High-efficiency high-bandwidth organic-on-inorganic (OI) semiconductor heterojunction photodetectors are discussed. The devices consist of a thin layer of the organic semiconductor perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) in contact with an inorganic semiconductor (Si) substrate. Indium tin oxide (ITO) is used as a transparent ohmic contact to the organic film. The external quantum efficiency of the detector was 85%, giving an internal quantum efficiency approaching 100%. The response time to fast optical pulses was 5 ns. Response times of OI detectors can be further reduced to about 100 ps by optimization of device parameters. >
Effect of oxidant dosage on integrated electrochemical remediation of contaminant mixtures in soils.

Many sites are contaminated with contaminant mixtures, commonly heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which pose a great challenge for remediation. The objective of this research was to investigate coupled Fenton-like oxidation and electrokinetic remediation of low permeability soils contaminated with both heavy metals and PAHs. This remediation process aims at simultaneous oxidation of organic contaminants and removal of heavy metals. Fenton's reagent, consisting of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and native iron catalyst, is utilized for chemical oxidation. Laboratory batch and electrokinetic experiments were performed on kaolin (a low permeability soil) spiked with nickel and phenanthrene each at a concentration of 500 mg/kg of dry soil to represent typical heavy metal and PAH contaminants found at contaminated sites. Experiments were conducted using H2O2 solution in 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% concentrations and also using deionized (DI) water as control. For electrokinetic experiments, a voltag...
Recurrent Gallstone Ileus

Mechanical small bowel obstructions caused by gallstones account for 1% to 3% of cases. In these patients, 80% to 90% of residual gallstones in these patients will pass through a remaining fistula without consequence. Recurrent gallstone ileus has been reported in 5% of patients. We report the case of a woman, aged 72 years, who presented with mechanical small bowel obstruction caused by gallstone ileus. After successful surgical therapy for gallstone ileus, the patient's symptoms recurred, and she was diagnosed with recurrent gallstone ileus requiring a repeat operation. While management of gallstone ileus can be achieved through a single-stage operation including enterolithotomy and cholecystectomy with repair of biliary-enteric fistula or by enterolithotomy alone, the literature supports enterolithotomy alone as the treatment of choice for gallstone ileus due to decreased mortality and morbidity. However, the latter approach does not obviate potential recurrence. We present this case of recurrent gallstone ileus to elucidate and review the pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, and consensus recommendations regarding management of this disorder.
Hyperspectral Image Classification Using Gaussian Mixture Models and Markov Random Fields

The Gaussian mixture model is a well-known classification tool that captures non-Gaussian statistics of multivariate data. However, the impractically large size of the resulting parameter space has hindered widespread adoption of Gaussian mixture models for hyperspectral imagery. To counter this parameter-space issue, dimensionality reduction targeting the preservation of multimodal structures is proposed. Specifically, locality-preserving nonnegative matrix factorization, as well as local Fisher's discriminant analysis, is deployed as preprocessing to reduce the dimensionality of data for the Gaussian-mixture-model classifier, while preserving multimodal structures within the data. In addition, the pixel-wise classification results from the Gaussian mixture model are combined with spatial-context information resulting from a Markov random field. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed classification system significantly outperforms other approaches even under limited training data.
Fault-Tolerance for Component-Based Systems - An Automated Middleware Specialization Approach

General-purpose middleware, by definition, cannot readily support domain-specific semantics without significant manual efforts in specializing the middleware. This paper presents GRAFT (GeneRative Aspects for Fault Tolerance), which is a model-driven, automated, and aspects-based approach for specializing general-purpose middleware with failure handling and recovery semantics imposed by a domain.Model-driven techniques are used to specify the special fault tolerance requirements, which are then transformed into middleware-level code artifacts using generative programming. Since the resulting fault tolerance semantics often crosscut the middleware architecture, GRAFT uses aspect-oriented programming to weave them into the original fabric of the general-purpose middleware. We evaluate the capabilities of GRAFT using a representative case study.
Teacher-Student Interaction Patterns In Mainstreamed Classrooms:

In two studies regular classroom teachers were observed as they interacted with (1) nonhandicapped high achievers, (2) nonhandicapped low achievers, and (3) mildly handicapped students. In the first study 12 third-grade mainstreamed classrooms in two Utah cities were observed for eight one-day sessions. Twenty-one mainstreamed classrooms (12 third-grade and 9 fourth-grade) in South Dakota and Iowa were observed for four one-day sessions in the second study. The results indicated that the groups were significantly different on 8 of the 16 dependent measures in the Utah study and 7 of 16 dependent measures in the South Dakota/Iowa study. Five of the differences found were the same for both studies. The overall conclusion of the two studies is that, although there is substantial evidence that teacher-student interaction varies among the student groups observed, there is no strong evidence that general preferential treatment (i.e., treatment likely to result in better educational gains or a more effective lea...
Effects of Prior Intensive versus Conventional Therapy and History of Glycemia on Cardiac Function in Type 1 Diabetes in the DCCT/EDIC

Intensive diabetes therapy reduces the prevalence of coronary calcification and progression of atherosclerosis and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study. The effects of intensive therapy on measures of cardiac function and structure and their association with glycemia have not been explored in type 1 diabetes (T1DM). We assess whether intensive treatment compared with conventional treatment during the DCCT led to differences in these parameters during EDIC. After 6.5 years of intensive versus conventional therapy in the DCCT, and 15 years of additional follow-up in EDIC, left ventricular (LV) indices were measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in 1,017 of the 1,371 members of the DCCT cohort. There were no differences between the DCCT intensive versus conventional treatment in end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), LV mass, ejection fraction, LV mass/EDV, or aortic distensibility (AD). Mean DCCT/EDIC HbA1c over time was associated with EDV, SV, CO, LV mass, LV mass/EDV, and AD. These associations persisted after adjustment for CVD risk factors. Cardiac function and remodeling in T1DM assessed by CMR in the EDIC cohort was associated with prior glycemic exposure, but there was no effect of intensive versus conventional treatment during the DCCT on cardiac parameters.
The potential of nanomedicine therapies to treat neovascular disease in the retina

Neovascular disease in the retina is the leading cause of blindness in all age groups. Thus, there is a great need to develop effective therapeutic agents to inhibit and prevent neovascularization in the retina. Over the past decade, anti-VEGF therapeutic agents have entered the clinic for the treatment of neovascular retinal disease, and these agents have been effective for slowing and preventing the progression of neovascularization. However, the therapeutic benefits of anti-VEGF therapy can be diminished by the need for prolonged treatment regimens of repeated intravitreal injections, which can lead to complications such as endophthalmitis, retinal tears, and retinal detachment. Recent advances in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems offer the opportunity to improve bioactivity and prolong bioavailability of drugs in the retina to reduce the risks associated with treating neovascular disease. This article reviews recent advances in the development of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems which could be utilized to improve the treatment of neovascular disease in the retina.
α-Acid degradation by suspension culture cells of humulus lupulus

Abstract In a suspension culture of Humulus lupulus hop α-acids could not be detected. However, the culture was shown to have an in vivo ability to degrade exogenous α-acids and related compounds. It is shown that this is due to peroxidase with a rate constant for α-acid degradation of 2.7 × 104/M · sec.
Adverse Selection and the Opaqueness of Insurers

While adverse selection problems between insureds and insurers are well known to insurance researchers, few explore adverse selection in the insurance industry from a capital markets perspective. This study examines adverse selection in the quoted prices of insurers' common stocks with a particular focus on the opacity of both asset portfolios and underwriting liabilities. We find that more opaque underwriting lines result in greater adverse selection costs for property-casualty (P-C) insurers. A similar effect is not apparent for life-health (L-H) insurers and we find no effect of asset opaqueness on adverse selection for either L-H or P-C insurers.
Sirolimus for progressive neurofibromatosis type 1–associated plexiform neurofibromas: a Neurofibromatosis Clinical Trials Consortium phase II study

Results. The estimated median TTP of subjects receiving sirolimus was 15.4 months (95% CI:14.3 –23.7 mo), which was significantly longer than 11.9 months (P , .001), the median TTP of the placebo arm of a previous PN clinical trial with similar eligibility criteria. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that sirolimus prolongs TTP by almost 4 months in patients with NF1-associated progressive PN. Although the improvement in TTP is modest, given the lack of significant or frequent toxicity and the availability of few other treatment options, the use of sirolimus to slow the growth of progressive PN could be considered in select patients.
Polycentric Systems as One Approach to Solving Collective-Action Problems

Providing and producing public goods and common-pool resources at local, regional, national and international levels require different institutions than open, competitive markets or highly centralized governmental institutions. If we are to solve collectiveaction problems effectively we must rethink the way we approach market and governmental institutions. We need analytical approaches that are consistent with a public sector that encourages human development at multiple levels (Opschoor 2004). This chapter reviews studies of polycentric governance systems in metropolitan areas and for managing common-pool resources. Hans Opschoor has devoted his academic career to the study of economic instruments and institutions related to development of and to coping with environmental problems. A fundamental set of problems facing individuals in all developed and developing societies are collective-action problems. The size and shape of these problems however differ dramatically. Polycentricity may help solve collective-action problems by developing systems of governmental and nongovernmental organizations at multiple scales. After an introduction to the problem, this chapter will review the extensive research that demonstrated the capabilities of many citizens to design imaginative and productive ways of producing public goods and common-pool resources. Successful systems tend to be polycentric with small units nested in larger systems. Not all such systems are successful, and we need to understand factors associated with failure as well as success. The last section of the chapter will discuss design principles that can help guide the design, adaptation and reform of governance systems to achieve robust and effective systems over time. Matching scales of governance systems to solve collective-action problems Collective-action problems occur when it takes the inputs and efforts of multiple individuals in order to achieve joint outcomes—and it is difficult to exclude beneficiaries
Robust H.264 video coding and transmission over bursty packet-loss wireless networks

Packet video transmission over wireless networks is expected to experience packet loss due to either temporary link outages or fading-induced bit errors. Such packet losses often occur in bursts which may cause substantial degradation to the transmitted video quality. In this paper, we investigate the combined use of passive error concealment together with FEC coding and periodic intra-updating to handle the expected bursty packet losses for packet video coding and transmission over 3G-enabled wireless IP networks. We show that, depending on the available bit rate, FEC coding combined with proper selection of the intra-updating rate and error concealment can significantly improve the end-to-end video transmission performance over packet loss networks. The results also show that under extreme bit-rate limited conditions, the use of intra-updating with error concealment alone can provide relatively robust video transport in the presence of bursty packet losses.
The Economic Development Strategy Preferences of Community Leaders in Texas

The suburb/central city dichotomy has been a conceptual tool used by scholars to differentiate communities in a number of ways, including politics, policy preference, and political ideology. Given the various changes undergone by suburbs and central cities during the past few decades, a renewed investigation into how well this classification actually accounts for differences in the policy preferences of city leaders is beneficial to an overall understanding of urban politics and policy. Using census data and survey results of several types of city leaders in Texas, we examine the ways in which the suburb/central city dichotomy influences the policy preferences of city leaders. Our findings indicate the dichotomy remains a useful conceptual tool for understanding urban policy making particularly with respect to influencing and promoting particular attitudes among city leaders in the important area of economic development.
Pomegranate Cultivars (Punica granatum L.)

Abstract Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an ancient fruit belonging to Punicaceae family. It has been used in traditional medicinal systems and local cuisines. Recently, the interest in pomegranate has increased worldwide, especially in western countries. This may be due to its myriad of health benefits. The pomegranate fruit is a berry with a leathery rind enclosing several tightly-packed juicy arils, which comprise the edible portion of the fruit. The edible portion of pomegranate fruit represents, on average, 52% (w/w) of total fruit, comprising approximately 80% juice and 20% seeds. Fruit and arils' color, sweetness, acidity, astringency, seed hardness, and juice content are some of the factors that determine the consumer preference. It is a rich source of minerals, mainly potassium and phosphorus, and is low in sodium. Pomegranate has a high content of phytochemicals such as ellagitannins, punicalagin, anthocyanins, and punicic acid, which are responsible for its beneficial physiological activities.
Scaling up reinforcement learning through targeted exploration

Recent Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithms, such as R-MAX, make (with high probability) only a small number of poor decisions. In practice, these algorithms do not scale well as the number of states grows because the algorithms spend too much effort exploring. We introduce an RL algorithm State TArgeted R-MAX (STAR-MAX) that explores a subset of the state space, called the exploration envelope ξ. When ξ equals the total state space, STAR-MAX behaves identically to R-MAX. When ξ is a subset of the state space, to keep exploration within ξ, a recovery rule β is needed. We compared existing algorithms with our algorithm employing various exploration envelopes. With an appropriate choice of ξ, STAR-MAX scales far better than existing RL algorithms as the number of states increases. A possible drawback of our algorithm is its dependence on a good choice of ξ and β. However, we show that an effective recovery rule β can be learned on-line and ξ can be learned from demonstrations. We also find that even randomly sampled exploration envelopes can improve cumulative rewards compared to R-MAX. We expect these results to lead to more efficient methods for RL in large-scale problems.
Localizing Internet infrastructure

This paper offers an overview of the changes in the Internet interconnection regime in the past decade and their key implications for the development of Internet infrastructure in developing regions based on the Latin American experience. The main argument presented is that changes in market conditions and Internet traffic patterns over the past decade have favored the search for new interconnection arrangements between actors located at the outer edges of the traditional Internet topology. Driven by the need to control operating costs and optimize content delivery to end-users, network operators in Latin America (and elsewhere in developing regions) are increasingly experimenting with cooperative peering arrangements to meet interconnection needs. The evidence suggests that these new arrangements are resulting in multiple benefits to local Internet ecosystems, among them reduced transit costs, greater network redundancy, improved service quality, new infrastructure investments and better technical coordination among operators.
Effect of calcium supplementation in an older population with mildly increased blood pressure.

This study was undertaken to determine if calcium carbonate supplementation could reduce blood pressure in an older population that had mildly increased pressure and if blood pressure reduction could be maintained over the course of 1 year with continued supplementation. Volunteers 50 to 80 years of age were included if their systolic blood pressure (when not taking antihypertensive medication) was consistently greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg or if diastolic blood pressure was greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg during a 4-week baseline period. Each subject then received placebo tablets for 4 weeks followed by 1 g calcium carbonate tablets for 12 weeks in a single-blinded fashion. If either systolic or diastolic blood pressure was reduced by at least 5 mm Hg with calcium supplementation as compared to placebo, calcium supplementation was continued for 36 weeks. A 25% subsample of subjects completed a 12-week placebo run-out. Supine and standing systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not change significantly with 12 weeks of calcium carbonate as compared to placebo (P = NS). In 42 of 103 subjects with at least a 5 mm Hg initial decrease in blood pressure who were continued on calcium supplementation, blood pressure did not change significantly through 36 weeks. In the 12 subjects who completed the placebo run-out period, systolic pressures increased significantly (P less than .05) and did not differ from baseline (P = NS). There is no evidence in this study for general use of calcium supplementation to reduce blood pressure in an older population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cholinesterases in serum as demonstrated by starch gel electrophoresis.

SummaryAs many as 7 bands of enzymatic activity against choline esters are demonstrable in human, rat and cat sera by starch gel electrophoresis. The evidence suggests that these bands derive from distinct molecular species of enzyme. However, possible influences on “zymogram” patterns of enzyme adsorption by inert protein require investigation.