cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strong bottom-up and weak top-down effects in soil: nematode-parasitized insects and nematode-trapping fungi

The soils of the Bodega Marine Reserve (BMR, Sonoma County, California) contain many nematode-trapping fungi and many ghost moth larvae parasitized by entomopathogenic nematodes. The current study determined whether these nematode-parasitized moth larvae, which can produce very large numbers of nematodes, enhanced the population densities of nematode-trapping fungi and whether the fungi trapped substantial numbers of nematodes emerging and dispersing from moths. Wax moths were used in place of ghost moths because the former are easier to obtain. When nematode-parasitized moth larvae were added to laboratory microcosms containing BMR field soil, the population densities of four nematode-trapping fungi increased substantially. The greatest increase in population density was by Arthrobotrys oligospora, which uses adhesive networks to capture nematodes. A. oligospora population density increased about 10 times when the added moth larvae were parasitized by the nematode Heterorhabditis marelatus and about 100 times when added moth larvae were parasitized by the nematode Steinernema glaseri. Other trapping fungi endemic to the soil and enhanced by nematode-parasitized moth larvae included Myzocytium glutinosporum, Drechslerella brochopaga, and Gamsylella gephyropaga, which produce adhesive spores, constricting rings, and adhesive branches, respectively. The data suggest that the previously documented abundance and diversity of nematode-trapping fungi in BMR soil can be explained, at least in part, by nematode-parasitized insects, although that inference requires further studies with ghost moths. The strong bottom-up enhancement of nematode-trapping fungi was not matched by a strong top-down suppression of nematodes, i.e. the fungi trapped fewer than 30% of dispersing nematodes.
Polarization-based and Specular-Reflection-Based Noncontact Latent Fingerprint Imaging and Lifting

In forensic science the finger marks left unintentionally by people at a crime scene are referred to as latent fingerprints. Most existing techniques to detect and lift latent fingerprints require application of a certain material directly onto the exhibit. The chemical and physical processing applied to the fingerprint potentially degrades or prevents further forensic testing on the same evidence sample. Many existing methods also have deleterious side effects. We introduce a method to detect and extract latent fingerprint images without applying any powder or chemicals on the object. Our method is based on the optical phenomena of polarization and specular reflection together with the physiology of fingerprint formation. The recovered image quality is comparable to existing methods. In some cases, such as the sticky side of tape, our method shows unique advantages.
Distribution dynamics and functional importance of NHERF1 in regulation of Mrp-2 trafficking in hepatocytes

Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) is a multifunctional scaffolding protein that interacts with receptors and ion transporters in its PDZ domains and with the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) ...
Neuro-glial neurotrophic interaction in the S-100β retarded mutant mouse (Polydactyly Nagoya). II. Co-cultures study

The homozygote of a mouse strain with genetic polydactyly (Polydactyly Nagoya, Pdn) shows several brain abnormalities, and significant decrease of S-100 beta in the brain [17]. An accompanying paper [18] demonstrates that the hippocampus and caudo-dorsal cortex of homozygote (Pdn/Pdn) mouse were markedly reduced in S-100 beta positive astrocytes and serotonergic fibers, and the content of 5-HT and 5-HIAA of hippocampus and cortex of Pdn/Pdn mouse was lower than those of heterozygote (Pdn/+) or wild type (+/+) mice. To further clarify the effects of target tissues from different type brains on the development of serotonergic neurons, raphe neurons from Pdn/Pdn or +/+ newborn mice were co-cultured with hippocampus or cortex of +/+ or Pdn/Pdn newborn mice. The growth of the serotonergic neurons in the mesencephalic raphe tissue dissociated cultures was estimated by measuring the specific uptake of [3H]5-HT. The development of both genotypes (Pdn/Pdn and +/+) of serotonergic neurons was enhanced by co-cultures with target tissues (hippocampus and cortex) of +/+ brain. This effect was not observed in the co-cultures with Pdn/Pdn brain as a source of target tissue. The present results support the idea that the developmental defect of serotonergic fibers in the Pdn mutant mouse is caused by the deficiency of S-100 beta in the astrocyte of this mutant, and suggest that S-100 beta is a serotonergic growth factor. This mutant mouse is a useful in vivo model to study neural-glial neurotrophic interactions.
Effects of venom from Conus striatus on the delayed rectifier potassium current of molluscan neurons.

Abstract The effect of crude venom extracted from venom ducts of Conus striatus on the delayed rectifier potassium current ( I K ) of the marine mollusc Aplysia californica was studied using voltage clamp techniques. Initial experiments indicated that the venom had phospholipase activity which destroyed the cells. The use of phospholipase inhibitors prevented destruction of the cell and permitted long-term electrophysiological measurements to be made. Application of the venom to unclamped cells caused a dramatic increase in the frequency of action potentials associated with a depolarization of the membrane potential. A broadening of the action potential was also observed. Three separate effects of the venom were observed on I K in voltage clamped cells: an increase in peak current (effect I ), a slowing of both the activation and inactivation kinetics (effect K ) and a decrease in the peak current (effect D ). All three effects were dose dependent and both effects on peak current were greater at more depolarized membrane potentials. The data suggest that the three effects on I K are caused by different components of the venom. Effect D appears to be caused by a heat-labile compound of molecular weigth greater than 50,000, effect I by a heat-stable compound of less than 50,000 and effect K by a heat-stable compound of intermediate molecular size.
Implications of generator siting for CO2 pipeline infrastructure

Abstract The location of a new electric power generation system with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) affects the profitability of the facility and determines the amount of infrastructure required to connect the plant to the larger world. Using a probabilistic analysis, we examine where a profit-maximizing power producer would locate a new generator with carbon capture in relation to a fuel source, electric load, and CO 2 sequestration site. Based on models of costs for transmission lines, CO 2 pipelines, and fuel transportation, we find that it is always preferable to locate a CCS power facility nearest the electric load, reducing the losses and costs of bulk electricity transmission. This result suggests that a power system with significant amounts of CCS requires a very large CO 2 pipeline infrastructure.
Second malignant neoplasms associated with immunosuppressive medications

Previous studies have shown that immunosuppressive therapy permits the growth and spread of inadvertently transplanted malignant cells in man, and, in addition, is associated with a 5 to 6% incidence of de novo cancers in organ homograft recipients who were apparently free of cancer before and at the time of transplantation. In the present report two further groups of patients were studied. There was a 4% incidence of new tumors in 101 organ homograft recipient- who had had pre-existing cancers. The immunosuppressive effects of cancer chemotherapeutic agents may have been responsible for the development of 166 new malignancies in 160 patients who received treatment for 161 neoplasms. This does not contraindicate the use of chemotherapy in patients with advanced or widespread neoplasms, as the occasional development of new malignancies is far outweighed by the many months or years of control of the original tumors.
Making Hakka Spaces: Resisting Multicultural Nationalism in Taiwan

Projects of official nationalism have long been understood as state-sponsored attempts at enforcing cultural uniformity within the borders of the national territory. Contemporary nationalisms tend to compartmentalize minority cultural groups in a way that marginalizes those who are not seen as belonging to the core of the “modern” nation. Contemporary official Taiwanese nationalism promotes the “ethnic Taiwanese” (Hokkien) majority as the modern center of an otherwise diverse nation, primarily through the funding and ‘preservation’ of non-Hokkien cultural traditions. Though these programs that celebrate local cultures are more inclusive than earlier nationalisms in Taiwan, the terms of inclusion nonetheless function as a form of neoliberal state control of minorities, such as the Hakka (kejia ren). This article examines how Hakka “culture workers” (wenhua gongzuozhe) resist state attempts at spatial and symbolic marginalization. From producing ethnographies that create a Hakka neighborhood to organizing a...
Quantitative and Conceptual Considerations for Extracting the Knudsen Number in Heavy Ion Collisions

In this article, we examine the methodology for extracting the Knudsen number ($K$) and the ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density ($\ensuremath{\eta}/s$) developed by Drescher et al. [1]. The final result for $\ensuremath{\eta}/s$ turns out to be quite sensitive to Glauber parameters, particularly the parameter $x$, which controls the balance between ${N}_{\mathrm{part}}$ and ${N}_{\mathrm{coll}}$. We also explore how alternative formulations of the functional relation between the elliptic flow and Knudsen number ($K=\ensuremath{\lambda}/\mathrm{R\ifmmode \bar{}\else \={}\fi{}}$) impacts the physics conclusions, based on Pad\'e approximants. Finally, we extend the calculation to include a limiting minimum value on the mean free path proportional to the DeBroglie wavelength. These results emphasize the importance of clarifying the initial state used in different calculations as well as the ambiguities inherent in using a transport approach in a strongly coupled regime.
Ethiopian refugee resettlement in the Western United States: social context and psychological well-being.

The reported high level of depression and suicide among 59 Ethiopian single male refugees is often related to their being culturally and ethnically distinct in the US. Research investigating the psychological well-being of these refugees in California Washington and Nevada indicates that the level of stress among Ethiopian refugees resettled by agencies is higher than the stress of those resettled by volunteers. When English facility is held constant the differential ability of these 2 resettlement methodologies to provide appropriate employment and access to higher education varies directly with the stress levels. Recommendations for improvement of resettlement are offered. (authors)
Nutritional enrichment of fresh apple (Royal Gala) by vacuum impregnation

This study evaluates the use of vacuum impregnation (VI) for developing nutritionally fortified fresh cut apples (Royal Gala). Cut apples were immersed in diluted high fructose corn syrup (20% w/w ...
Constructing Belonging in a Diverse Campus Community

A diverse student body holds the promise of enriching the learning experience of all students at a particular college or university. What is less clear is whether this diversity inhibits students’ ...
Introduction to The Distribution of Earnings and of Individual Output, by A.D. Roy

This article summarises the lasting contribution of Roy's (1950) fundamental paper. Roy, A.D (1950). ‘The distribution of earnings and of individual output’, Economic Journal, vol. 60(239), pp. 489–505.
Engineering Plastics from Lignin. VIII. Phenolic Resin Prepolymer Synthesis and Analysis

Abstract A sequential derivatization of lignin with formaldehyde and phenol was investigated as a means of enhancing lignin's reactivity in phenol-formaldehyde resins. Kraft lignin (KL) and two novel biocon version lignins, steam explosion (SEL) and acid (H2SO4) hydrolysis lignin (AHL), were chemically modified by sequential reaction with formaldehyde and phenol. The results with regard to the chemical structure of the phenolic resin prepolymers showed that the ability to hydroxymethylate and phenolate is related to lignin structure. KL from pine proved to be more amenable to chemical modification with formaldehyde and phenol than was either SEL from aspen or AHL from pine. Degrees of substitution were determined by H–NMR spectroscopy and by oxidative analysis with alkaline permanganate. H–NMR spectroscopy revealed degrees of phenolation of 0.42, 0.29 and 0.21 per average C9-unit for KL, AHL, and SEL, respectively; and permanganate oxidation illustrated that approximately 90%, 60%, and 60% of all availabl...
Survivability and long-term preservation of bacteria in water and in phosphate-buffered saline.

Aims: To evaluate the suitability of using sterile water and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for preservation of bacteria pathogenic to plants or humans. Methods and Results: The stationary-phase bacterial cells collected from rich agar media were transferred to 10 ml of sterile water or PBS (pH 7·2) containing KH2PO4, 15·44 μm; NaCl, 1·55 mm; Na2HPO4, 27·09 μm in a screw-cap tube. The tubes were sealed with parafilm membranes and stored in the dark and at room temperature. Almost all the bacteria tested (148 strains), including Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. viridiflava, Erwinia spp., Xanthomonas campestris, Cytophaga johnsonae, Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, survived in water for at least several months and up to 16 years. A vast majority of the Gram-negative bacteria tested survived equally well in water and in PBS for at least 30 weeks. However, the populations of two Gram-positive bacteria [G(+)], L. monocytogenes and Staph. aureus, declined more rapidly in water than in PBS. Conclusions: Plant- and human-pathogenic bacteria can be preserved in pure water or PBS for several years. G(+) bacteria appear to survive better in PBS than in water. Significance and Impact of the Study: The method described here is a simple and economical means for preservation of bacterial cultures, which is especially useful for laboratories not equipped with the lyophilizer or ultra-low freezer. Long-term survival of food-borne pathogens in water underlines the importance of water as a potential vehicle for transmitting the diseases.
Tertiary treatment of potato processing waste by biological activated carbon process

A biological activated carbon process was investigated for its feasibility as a tertiary treatment process for potato processing wastewaters. Bench-scale continuous complete-mix activated sludge reactors and biological activated carbon units were operated to evaluate the removal kinetics of organic materials and to determine the design parameters for a full-scale treatment unit. Raw wastewater contained 4300 mg/1, which was reduced to 130 to 340 mg/1 following the complete-mix activated sludge treatment and to 30 to 90 mg/1 after the biological activated carbon treatment.
Document delivery and interlibrary lending in the Arab countries

Examines efforts currently underway in Arab libraries to establish a formalized document delivery system across the regions, taking advantage of new technology and modern methods of information transmission. Argues that more data on regional and national ILL and document delivery patterns are needed, and the possibility of establishing national and regional clearing houses, as well as exploring verification and location tools. Concludes that progress is being made, albeit somewhat slowly, but there are no easy answers to some of the questions raised.
Comparison of alternative farming systems. III. Soil aggregate stability

Quantitative studies are needed to separate the real and supposed benefits of alternative farming practices. Our objective was to learn how conventional and alternative practices on adjacent farms in central Iowa affected the water stability of soil aggregates. We collected samples of Clarion loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll) from adjacent 16 ha fields in fall 1990 and spring 1991. Aggregate stability was determined by wet-sieving and by measuring turbidity of soil-water suspensions. The combined effects of alternative practices resulted in greater water stability of soil aggregates, higher soil organic matter content, and lower bulk density compared with conventional practices. The components of the alternative system that were mainly responsible for these differences were: rotations that included oat and hay crops; ridge-tillage; and additions of 45 Mg/ha of a mixture of animal manure and municipal sludge during the first 3 years of each 5 year rotation. The more favorable soil physical conditions, shown by increased water stability of soil aggregates, presumably will improve soil water regimes and reduce long-term soil erosion losses from the alternatively managed fields.
Transparent composite electrode for high-efficiency polymer LEDs

Polymer composite electrodes based on silver nanowires or carbon nanotubes have been prepared with transparency and surface conductivity approaching those of ITO/glass and better than ITO/PET. The conductive surface has an average roughness less than 10 nm, better than ITO/glass. Depending on the polymer matrix selected, the composite electrodes can be made rigid, flexible like polycarbonate, or stretchable like a rubber. Various polymer light emitting diodes,light emitting electrochemical cells and polymer solar cells have been fabricated using the composite electrode as anode, exhibiting electroluminescent efficiencies generally higher than control devices fabricated on ITO/glass. These polymer light emitting devices are all highly flexible and can be bent to less than 3 mm radius without loss of performance. With further modification of the composite electrodes, we have also demonstrated stretchable OLEDs wherein the emissive area can be elongated by as much as 50%.
Power and visibility: the invention of teenage pregnancy.

Abstract The term ‘teenage pregnancy’ replaced the morally loaded terms ‘illegitimate child’ and ‘unwed mother’ around 1970. Instead of understanding the change in terminology as ‘becoming more accurate’, ‘compelling more humane treatment’ or simply as ‘good’, we should try to understand the meaning of the shift from treating pregnant adolescents as moral problems to treating them as scientific problems. Power organized around a moral discourse punished by exclusion, by placing its object on the other side of a moral boundary. Power organized around a scientific discourse on sexual desire makes its objects of knowledge visible and subject to unending inquiry. This paper explores the political implications of the emergence of this new form of power which disciplines its subjects not to obey the Law, but to become true to their own nature, a nature known by scientific experts.
Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐δ as emerging target in liver disease

Liver fibrosis is characterized by an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that occurs in chronic liver disease of any origin, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcohol abuse, and viral hepatitis. Cirrhosis occurs with the development of regenerating nodules of hepatocytes and is a major health burden worldwide. Patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis have a poor prognosis, with liver transplantation often being necessary. The current treatment paradigm for patients with hepatic fibrosis is to treat the underlying liver disease. However, if this cannot be achieved, there are currently no effective antifibrotic treatments for patients with chronic liver diseases. With the advent of basic molecular technology providing insight into the mechanisms of the development of hepatic fibrosis, there is now an opportunity to develop therapeutic interventions for human clinical use. In this review, the function of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ (PPAR δ) will be summarized with a special emphasis on ligand activation as potential use in liver disease. Drug Dev Res 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Principles of Biomolecular Network Design

Networks of biomolecular unit cells are proposed as a new type of biologically inspired intelligent materials. These materials are derived from natural cellular mechanics and aim to improve current biologically-inspired technologies by recreating the desired systems from the basic building block of the natural world; the cell. The individual biomolecular unit cell is able to replicate natural cellular abilities through a combination of lipid bilayer membranes containing embedded proteins and peptides. While individual unit cells offer an ideal testing environment for demonstrating proofs of concept, more advanced abilities require larger networks, utilizing cell-to-cell interactions.The cell-to-cell interactions often involve multiple modes of communication, which have been identified for this paper as primarily electrical, chemical, and mechanical phenomenon. Previous modeling efforts have incorporated the electrical portion through equivalent circuit models, but these lack the ability to fully explain some of the network characteristics. A new formulation is presented here to illustrate how these three classes of phenomenon may be coupled to achieve various engineering design goals.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Rank Generating Functions as Weakly Holomorphic Modular Forms

We study infinite families of generating functions involving the rank of the ordinary partition function, which include as special cases many of the generating functions introduced by Atkin and Swinnerton-Dyer in the 1950s. We prove that each of these generating functions is a weakly holomorphic modular form of weight 1/2 on some congruence subgroup Γ1(N). The results depend on linear relations among the non-holomorphic parts of a family of weak Maass forms recently introduced by Bringmann and Ono. Dedicated to Professor Wolfgang Schmidt on the occasion of his seventy-fifth birthday.
Biological mechanisms that promote weight regain following weight loss in obese humans

Weight loss dieting remains the treatment of choice for the vast majority of obese individuals, despite the limited long-term success of behavioral weight loss interventions. The reasons for the near universal unsustainability of behavioral weight loss in [formerly] obese individuals have not been fully elucidated, relegating researchers to making educated guesses about how to improve obesity treatment, as opposed to developing interventions targeting the causes of weight regain. This article discusses research on several factors that may contribute to weight regain following weight loss achieved through behavioral interventions, including adipose cellularity, endocrine function, energy metabolism, neural responsivity, and addiction-like neural mechanisms. All of these mechanisms are engaged prior to weight loss, suggesting that these so called "anti-starvation" mechanisms are activated via reductions in energy intake, rather than depletion of energy stores. Evidence suggests that these mechanisms are not necessarily part of a homeostatic feedback system designed to regulate body weight, or even anti-starvation mechanisms per se. Although they may have evolved to prevent starvation, they appear to be more accurately described as anti-weight loss mechanisms, engaged with caloric restriction irrespective of the adequacy of energy stores. It is hypothesized that these factors may combine to create a biological disposition that fosters the maintenance of an elevated body weight and works to restore the highest sustained body weight, thus precluding the long-term success of behavioral weight loss. It may be necessary to develop interventions that attenuate these biological mechanisms in order to achieve long-term weight reduction in obese individuals.
Finding and Comparing Syntenic Regions among Arabidopsis and the Outgroups Papaya, Poplar, and Grape: CoGe with Rosids

In addition to the genomes of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and poplar (Populus trichocarpa), two near-complete rosid genome sequences, grape (Vitis vinifera) and papaya (Carica papaya), have been recently released. The phylogenetic relationship among these four genomes and the placement of their three independent, fractionated tetraploidies sum to a powerful comparative genomic system. CoGe, a platform of multiple whole or near-complete genome sequences, provides an integrative Web-based system to find and align syntenic chromosomal regions and visualize the output in an intuitive and interactive manner. CoGe has been customized to specifically support comparisons among the rosids. Crucial facts and definitions are presented to clearly describe the sorts of biological questions that might be answered in part using CoGe, including patterns of DNA conservation, accuracy of annotation, transposability of individual genes, subfunctionalization and/or fractionation of syntenic gene sets, and conserved noncoding sequence content. This precis of an online tutorial, CoGe with Rosids (http://tinyurl.com/4a23pk), presents sample results graphically.
MINERAL: A program for the propagation of analytical uncertainty through mineral formula recalculations

MINERAL (MINeral ERror AnaLysis) is a MATLAB^(R) based program that performs mineral formula recalculations and calculates the error on formula unit cations though the propagation of analytical uncertainties. The program is focused on 9 common mineral groups. Other minerals are accommodated through a generic routine in which users designate the number of cations and oxygens in the desired formula. Additional functionalities provide users with a range of mineral appropriate output options. Recalculations and uncertainty calculations include site assignments for multi-site cations (e.g. tetrahedral and octahedral Al in mafic minerals), partitioning of Fe^2^+ and Fe^3^+, and calculations of mol fractions of end members. Until now, performing full propagation of uncertainty through mineral formula recalculations was labor intensive and, for users unfamiliar with statistical notation or techniques, a significant computational challenge. The lack of precedent set by previous studies has made it accepted practice within the discipline to not provide recalculated uncertainty information. This oversight prevents analysts from assessing the quality of their data, and of their interpretations in a robust and quantitative manner. This automated toolbox renders the process fast and simple.
INTERNAL DOSIMETRY IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE

This article reviews the current state of the art in the calculation of radiation doses for radiopharmaceuticals. Basics of dose calculations are briefly reviewed, and the sources of input data for the calculations are reviewed. Although dose calculations are needed for all kinds of radiopharmaceuticals, dose calculations in therapeutic applications are the most important for the patient; the status of dose calculations for most important therapeutic uses of radiopharmaceuticals is discussed, and the importance of performing patient-individualized dose calculations is emphasized
A phorbol ester-sensitive kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of P0 glycoprotein in myelin

The proposed structural protein of peripheral nerve myelin, P0, has been shown to have several covalent modifications. In addition to being glycosylated, sulfated, and acylated, P0 is phosphorylated, with the intracellular site of this latter addition being in question. By employing nerve injury models that exhibit different levels of P0 biosynthesis in the absence and presence of myelin assembly, we have examined the cellular location of P0 phosphorylation. It is demonstrated that there is comparable P0 phosphorylation in both normal and crush-injured adult rat sciatic nerves, although the level of biosynthesis of P0 differs between these myelin maintaining and actively myelinating nerve models, respectively. The glycoprotein does not appear to be phosphorylated readily in the transected adult sciatic nerve, a preparation in which P0 biosynthesis is observed but that lacks myelin membrane. These observations suggest that the modification is not associated with the biosynthesis or maturation of P0 in the endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi, but that it instead occurs after myelin assembly. That P0 phosphorylation occurs in the normal nerve even when translation is inhibited by cycloheximide treatment lends further support to this conclusion. P0 is shown to be phosphorylated on one or more serine residues, with all or most of the phosphate group(s) being labile as evidenced by pulse-chase analysis. Addition of a biologically active phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, substantially increases the extent of [32P]orthophosphate incorporation into the glycoprotein of normal and crushed nerve but not transected nerve. Biologically inactive 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate has no effect on P0 phosphorylation. Similarly, the addition of the cyclic AMP analog 8-bromo-cyclic AMP causes no appreciable changes in P0 labeling. These findings indicate that the phorbol ester-sensitive enzyme, protein kinase C, may be responsible for the phosphorylation of P0 within the myelin membrane.
Hypermedia and randomized algorithms for medical expert systems.

Abstract KNET is an environment for contructing probabilistic, knowledge-intensive systems within the axiomatic framework of decision theory. The KNET architecture defines a complete separation between the hypermedia user interface on the one hand, and the representation and management of expert opinion on the other. KNET offers a choice of algorithms for probabilistic inference. We and our coworkers have used KNET to built consultation systems for lymph-node pathology, bone-narrow transplantation therapy, clinical epidemiology, and alarm management in the intensive-care unit. Most important, KNET contains a randomized approximation scheme (RAS) for the difficult and almost certainly intractable problem of Bayesian inference. Our algorithm can, in many circumstances, perform efficient approximate inference in large and richly interconnected models of medical diagnosis. In this article, we describe the architecture of KNET , construct a randomized algorithm for probabilistic inference, and analyze the algorithm's performance. Finally, we characterize our algorithms' empiric behavior and explore its potential for parallel speedups. From design to implementation, then, KNET demonstrate the crucial interaction between theoretical computer science and medical informatics.
Preparation of Hydrophobic Zeolite 13X@SiO2 and their Adsorption Properties of CO2 and H2O

Zeolite 13X@SiO2 composites have been prepared using TEOS and CTAB as the silica source and template respectively, via hydrothermal reaction. The approach of synthesizing zeolite 13X@SiO2 core-shell structures has been adopted followed by external surface modification by silane to achieve hydrophobicity. The materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, etc. The results show that the zeolite 13X@SiO2 core-shells structures have been prepared and their properties are maintained even after the modification. The CO2 adsorption capacity was well maintained after silylation, however, the adsorption of water on samples was effectively inhibited by the surface modification.
To Muster a Cluster: Anchoring Neurotransmitter Receptors at Synapses

Synapse formation is a complex process requiring a high degree of coordination between presynaptic and postsynaptic cells. Speed and reliability of synaptic transmission demand that the appropriate neurotransmitter receptors be highly concentrated in the postsynaptic membrane precisely beneath transmitter release sites in the presynaptic cell. In the central nervous system, a single neuron may receive thousands of synaptic contacts from other neurons releasing a variety of neurotransmitters. Thus, neurons must possess the ability not only to cluster, but also to sort, the proper transmitter receptors to the correct synaptic site. Understanding, on a molecular level, how such specializations develop is a major goal of neurobiological research. This commentary will focus on the synaptic clustering and anchoring of neurotransmitter receptors through their association with a variety of cytoplasmic proteins.
Influence of long-range coulombic interactions on binding energy curves of molecule-ions

Potential barriers occur on binding energy curves of certain diatomic molecule-ions. The origin of such barriers is discussed for the prototype case consisting of a single electron moving in the field of two nuclei with equal but arbitrary charges. A procedure for determining stationary points on the binding energy curves is developed and applied to the lowest Σ g and Σ u states. The binding energy is expressed as a sum of promotional, coulombic and resonance contributions, and these components are studied as functions of the internuclear distance. The analysis demonstrates that the energy maxima on the Σ g curves arise from long-range coulombic repulsions, and are unrelated to centrifugal potentials of nuclear motion and the mechanisms of predissociation. In addition, the analysis shows that long-range attractions can occur and introduce binding character into normally antibinding states.
Late Sequelae of Perioperative Myocardial Infarction

Abstract The late sequelae of myocardial injury occurring at the time of direct myocardial revascularization are unknown. Fifty of 500 consecutive patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass grafting developed both electrocardiographic and enzymatic evidence of myocardial injury. They were matched with 50 patients of similar age, sex, history of previous infarction, severity of angina, degree of coronary arteriosclerosis, and level of ventricular function as determined by preoperative angiographic studies. The conduct of the operation was identical in each group except for prolongation of total cross-clamp time in those patients with myocardial injury. The total number of vessels grafted, the conduit used, and the operative mean graft flow were similar. Results of treadmill stress testing at 24 to 36 months were not significantly different between groups. Angina status, long-term survival, graft patency, and ventricular function were not adversely affected by intraoperative myocardial injury. However, postoperative ventricular function and stress test performance were related to graft patency.
Health care costs and costs associated with changes in work productivity among persons with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective To estimate health care costs and costs associated with changes in work productivity among persons with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the US. Methods Data were derived from the University of California, San Francisco Lupus Outcomes Study. Participants provided information on their health care resource use and employment. Cost estimates were derived for both direct health care costs and costs related to changes in work productivity. Direct health care costs included costs for hospitalizations, emergency department services, physician visits, outpatient surgical procedures, dialysis, and medications. Productivity costs were estimated by measuring changes in hours of work productivity since diagnosis of SLE; these estimates were also compared with normal US population data. Results For the total population of participants, the mean annual direct cost was $12,643 (2004 US dollars). The mean annual productivity cost for subjects of employment age (≥18 and <65 years) was $8,659. The mean annual total cost (direct and productivity) for subjects of employment age was $20,924. Regression results showed that greater disease activity, longer disease duration, and worse physical and mental health were significant predictors of higher direct costs; older age predicted lower direct costs. Older age, greater disease activity, and worse physical and mental health status were significant predictors of higher costs due to changes in work productivity. Conclusion Both direct health care costs and costs associated with changes in work productivity are substantial and both represent important contributors to the total costs associated with SLE.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR DELIVERY OF INFANTS WITH CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES

The antepartum evaluation of fetuses with congenital anomalies includes consideration of peripartum variables, such as route of delivery, gestational age, and location of each, which may impact eventual outcomes. In this article, the controversies, risks, and benefits surrounding peripartum interventions for various fetal congenital anomalies are discussed.
Completion of G-spectra and stable maps between classifying spaces

Abstract We prove structural theorems for computing the completion of a G -spectrum at the augmentation ideal of the Burnside ring of a finite group G . First we show that a G -spectrum can be replaced by a spectrum obtained by allowing only isotropy groups of prime power order without changing the homotopy type of the completion. We then show that this completion can be computed as a homotopy colimit of completions of spectra obtained by further restricting isotropy to one prime at a time, and that these completions can be computed in terms of completion at a prime. As an application, we show that the spectrum of stable maps from BG to the classifying space of a compact Lie group K splits non-equivariantly as a wedge sum of p -completed suspension spectra of classifying spaces of certain subquotients of G × K . In particular this describes the dual of BG .
Stochastic approximation for adapting weighted least-squares algorithms: applications in wireless adaptive antenna arrays with time-varying channels and periodically blind signaling

We consider an added level of adaptation to classical weighted least-squares (WLS) by adapting the forgetting factor /spl alpha/ using a stochastic approximation (SA) algorithm, thus obtaining the modified WLS algorithm. The SA adapts /spl alpha/ to the random operating conditions and leads to improved performance over the case where /spl alpha/ is fixed. Modified WLS has wide applicability in systems operating in random environments which are difficult to predict. We focus on a wireless adaptive antenna array application where one wishes to detect the signal from a desired user (i.e. "reference signal") where the operating conditions are changing due to the mobility and channel variations. In a work by Buche and Kushner, (2003), the SA for adapting /spl alpha/ was analyzed and the modified WLS algorithm was investigated in simulations of the line-of-sight (LOS) channel case where the reference signal is known. Here we extend the simulation study to cases where the channel is Ricean and Rayleigh and also consider the case where the known reference signal is replaced by a periodically blind signal. The great benefit of the modified WLS is demonstrated. The periodically blind signaling case leads to new issues in the stochastic approximation analysis which we discuss.
Metallothioneins in Fibrosis: Implications for Radiation-Induced Fibrosis

Higher Energy Megavoltage Photon and Split Beam Technique Minimize the Testicular Dose During Radiation Prophylaxis of Heterotopic Ossification W.F. Mourad, J.K. Ma, C.C. Yang, R. He, M. Ryniak, R.A. Shourbaji, P.N. Mobit, J. Santoro, T. Nabhani, E. Katsoulakis, R. Kabarriti, A. Blakaj, S. Patel, W. Yan, D. Blakaj, M.A. Khan, S. Packianathan, R.L. Jennelle, G.V. Russell, and S. Vijayakumar; University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY
Magnetic levitation using high-temperature superconductors: a materials perspective

The relationships between system parameters and material properties for a superconducting levitation (or suspension) system are investigated. A superconducting levitation measurement system, constructed to produce 5-T uniform magnetic field and approximately 1-T/cm uniform gradient in static mode, was used to measure the levitation of high-temperature superconductors. Up to 0.5 T/cm of the gradient field may also be pulsed with switching time approximately 0.1 s which was designed to perturb freely levitated superconductors in dynamic measurements. The displacement of the levitated sample was monitored using phase-sensitive inductive techniques which provided the magnitude of a magnetic force. The control of temperature and magnetic field, as well as the data acquisition, was done through an IEEE-488 interface and a 9- mu s analog-to-digital converter (ADC) using an 80386-based personal computer. The measurements and the theoretical analysis are compared. >
TREM-2 promotes macrophage survival and lung disease after respiratory viral infection

Viral infections and type 2 immune responses are thought to be critical for the development of chronic respiratory disease, but the link between these events needs to be better defined. Here, we study a mouse model in which infection with a mouse parainfluenza virus known as Sendai virus (SeV) leads to long-term activation of innate immune cells that drive IL-13–dependent lung disease. We find that chronic postviral disease (signified by formation of excess airway mucus and accumulation of M2-differentiating lung macrophages) requires macrophage expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM-2). Analysis of mechanism shows that viral replication increases lung macrophage levels of intracellular and cell surface TREM-2, and this action prevents macrophage apoptosis that would otherwise occur during the acute illness (5–12 d after inoculation). However, the largest increases in TREM-2 levels are found as the soluble form (sTREM-2) long after clearance of infection (49 d after inoculation). At this time, IL-13 and the adapter protein DAP12 promote TREM-2 cleavage to sTREM-2 that is unexpectedly active in preventing macrophage apoptosis. The results thereby define an unprecedented mechanism for a feed-forward expansion of lung macrophages (with IL-13 production and consequent M2 differentiation) that further explains how acute infection leads to chronic inflammatory disease.
Extremely rare glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris with holocord and brain stem metastases, leading to cranial nerve deficit and respiratory failure : a case report and review of the literature

Abstract Background Spinal glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an uncommon entity and metastases are extremely rare. Glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris is a rare and highly aggressive entity that can quickly progress to a dismal state. Proper diagnosis via histopathologic and immunochemical staining with close clinical and radiological follow-up is important for the management of this very aggressive tumor. Case Description The authors report the clinical features, histopathologic and immunochemical staining characteristics, as well as the radiographic evidence of a case of primary GBM of the conus medullaris with metastases to the whole spinal cord and brain in a 20-year-old man who presented with low back pain and bilateral lower extremity weakness and numbness. Review of the pathology slides using histopathologic and immunochemical staining showed GBM. Serial magnetic resonance scans, performed after the initial surgery, demonstrated enlargement of the primary GBM in the conus medullaris with metastases to the thoracic and cervical spinal cord as well as to the brain. Conclusions Glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris with such clinical findings is extremely rare. We analyze similar cases in the literature and discuss the importance of monitoring the progression of such an entity as well as the need for aggressive management of the different complications as they arise to maintain a good quality of life.
Effect of Serum and Oxygen Concentration on Gene Expression and Secretion of Paracrine Factors by Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) secrete paracrine factors that may exert a protective effect on the heart after coronary artery occlusion. This study was done to determine the effect of hypoxia and serum levels on the mRNA expression and secretion of paracrine factors. Mouse bone marrow MSC were cultured with 5% or 20% serum and in either normoxic (21% O2) or hypoxic (1% O2) conditions. Expression of mRNA for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), MIP-1β, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was determined by RT-qPCR. Secretion into the culture media was determined by ELISA. Hypoxia caused a reduction in gene expression for MCP-1 and an increase for VEGF (5% serum), MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and MMP-2. Serum reduction lowered gene expression for VEGF (normoxia), MCP-1 (hypoxia), MIP-1α (hypoxia), MIP-1β (hypoxia), and MMP-2 (hypoxia) and increased gene expression for MMP-2 (normoxia). The level of secretion of these factors into the media generally paralleled gene expression with some exceptions. These data demonstrate that serum and oxygen levels have a significant effect on the gene expression and secretion of paracrine factors by MSC which will affect how MSC interact in vivo during myocardial ischemia.
Musical Sound Separation Using Pitch-Based Labeling and Binary Time-Frequency Masking

Monaural musical sound separation attempts to segregate different instrument lines from single-channel polyphonic music. We propose a system that decomposes an input into time-frequency units using an auditory filterbank and utilizes pitch to label which instrument line each time-frequency unit is assigned to. The system is conceptually simple and computationally efficient. Systematic evaluation shows that, despite its simplicity, the proposed system achieves a competitive level of performance.
Indexing of technical line drawing databases

Image indexing, namely, the problem of retrieving content information from images in response to queries, is a key problem underlying the operations in image databases. We present a method of indexing for 3D object queries in a database of a class of images called technical line drawings. Indexing is achieved as a combination of query-specific region selection and object recognition. The selection phase isolates relevant images and the regions in these images that are likely to contain the queried object. This is done using text information in the query and a grouping mechanism that is guaranteed to isolate single-object containing regions for the class of technical line drawing images. The grouping mechanism is an adaptation of Waltz relaxation to an extended junction set derived by analyzing the physically plausible ways in which interpretation lines interact with object contours. Model-based object recognition then confirms the presence of the part at the selected location using geometrical description of the queried 3D object. Results are shown that indicate that query-specific selection is very effective for reducing the search during indexing while lowering the chance of false positives and negatives.
Application of Linear Programming to Individual Farm Planning

FARMERS, Farm Management Extension personnel, and farm organization leaders are interested in the possibility of using computers for assisting in making management decisions for individual farm situations. Private farm management firms tend to be more interested in providing a farm management service while some of the Extension personnel are more interested in the service as a catalyst for educational programs with farmers. The relatively high cost of programming a resource situation and the difficulty of defining precision input-output relationships have retarded the adoption of these techniques for extension work with farmers.