cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of Haemonchus contortus-derived cell populations propagated in vitro in a tissue culture environment and their potential to induce protective immunity in sheep

Cell populations derived from viable Haemonchus contortus L(3) larvae were propagated in vitro in a tissue culture environment for a prolonged period (>48 months). Microscopic evaluation of H. contortus-derived cell populations revealed gross morphological characteristics highly analogous to those described for cell types originating from species of plant nematodes propagated in vitro in a tissue culture environment for a briefer period of time (<6 months). The characterisation of extracts harvested from tissue culture populations of H. contortus-derived cells by SDS-PAGE analysis detected molecular fractions of approximately 29, 45, 55, and 200-kDa that closely correlated with reports for preparations obtained from intact/viable H. contortus larvae. Complementary investigations detected the dual biochemical expression of phosphohydrolase and aminopeptidase-M activities based on the hydrolysis of the synthetic enzyme-specific substrates, para-nitrophenylphosphate and leucine-para-nitroanaline, respectively. The identification of phosphohydrolase and aminopeptidase-M-like biochemical activity in fractions harvested from H. contortus-derived cell populations and propagated in vitro in tissue culture served as evidence validating their parasitic-origin. Further validation of H. contortus-derived cell populations propagated in tissue culture entailed the formulation of Triton X-100 extracts containing potential immunoprotective antigens with SEAM adjuvant and its administration by intramuscular injection (100 microg total protein) to healthy sheep (n=8) on day 0 (left rear-limb) and day +14 (right rear-limb). Animals on day 28 subsequently received a single oral challenge of 10,000 infective L(3)-stage H. contortus larvae. Applying ELISA methodologies, increases in antigen-specific IgM and IgG were detected in ovine serum samples. Interpretation of experimental findings revealed that sheep with the greatest antigen-specific humoral immune responses (IgG titre 1/3125) also demonstrated a degree of reduced abomasal H. contortuslarvae burdens (60% reduction). Polyclonal antibody from immunoprotected sheep was subsequently found to recognise both the: (i), digestive tract; and (ii), antigen extracts associated with intact/viable H. contortus larvae. These experimental findings reveal the potential feasibility of propagating parasite-derived cell populations in an in vitro tissue culture environment in a manner that retains their ability to express immunoprotective antigenic fractions.
Unbiased and biased estimators in coded aperture imaging for far field standoff detection at low count rates.

In general, the reconstructed image in coded aperture imaging is affected by the source configuration. Fenimore’s balanced convolution method in conjunction with the uniformly redundant array can remove the interference due to the source configuration. As an extension of Fenimore’s balanced convolution method, we present general conditions for designing an unbiased mean estimator for a far-field coded aperture imaging system with a random binary mask. As part of the general conditions, we propose decoding arrays whose elements are variable with respect to source directions. We also show that the unbiased mean estimator from Fenimore’s balanced convolution method is a special case of the general conditions. We also present a practical example of designing restoring arrays for a coded aperture system with a random mask.
Modern design of belt conveyors in the context of stability boundaries and chaos

Belt conveying of bulk materials has evolved to the point where the demands of the modern mine to increase capacity is limited by the ability of engineers to design dynamically stable conveyors. Belt speed and width are two parameters that may be varied in the design to provide the required material flow rate. For certain values of belt speed, width and tension, unstable transverse belt vibration has been observed. Large-amplitude vibration may be so severe that the life of the supporting idler bearings is reduced significantly due to dynamic loads. Monitoring idlers for bearing failure in modern conveyors with lengths up to 20 km is practically difficult since there may be as many as 20000 idler sets. Chaotic transverse belt vibrations occur for certain levels of excitation, further complicating the prediction of bearing life. Before conveyor installation, an estimate of the stability boundaries for resonance-free operation is an essential precursor to failure-free conveyor operation. Nonlinear resonance phenomena such as belt flap is sensitive to initial conditions. The effects of chaotic vibrations on the predictability of design stability is reviewed using some examples of forced vibrations.
Conservation of the Capsid Structure in Tailed dsDNA Bacteriophages: the Pseudoatomic Structure of ϕ29

Bacteriophage phi29 is one of the smallest and simplest known dsDNA phages, making it amenable to structural investigations. The three-dimensional structure of a fiberless, isometric variant has been determined to 7.9 A resolution by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), allowing the identification of alpha helices and beta sheets. Their arrangement indicates that the folds of the phi29 and bacteriophage HK97 capsid proteins are similar except for an additional immunoglobulin-like domain of the phi29 protein. An atomic model that incorporates these two domains fits well into the cryo-EM density of the T = 3, fiberless isometric phi29 particle, and cryo-EM structures of fibered isometric and fiberless prolate prohead phi29 particles at resolutions of 8.7 A and 12.7 A, respectively. Thus, phi29 joins the growing number of phages that utilize the HK97 capsid structure, suggesting that this protein fold may be as prevalent in capsids of dsDNA phages as the jelly roll fold is in eukaryotic viruses.
Toward hospitalization criteria for violent patients.

HERE ARE few established guidelines for treatment assignment or treatment evaluation for violent patients. Due to the considerable social, legal, and medical interests in the violent patient, a particular need exists for standards of care. Society at large continues to regard violent behavior and mental disturbance as closely allied, a notion receiving more confirmation in the literature as of late,‘J2 and therefore places violent persons in the domain of the psychiatrist. The courts, however, as a result of a primary interest in protecting the rights of the individual, are requiring more and more evidence to substantiate the involuntary commitment of an individual regarded as potentially dangerous. The psychiatrist is caught between such conflicting pressures with little clear-cut data on which to base or justify treatment decisions. Within the profession it is almost universally accepted that “dangerousness to others” constitutes a valid criterion for hospitalization whether voluntary or involuntary.3-5 The APA Manual of Psychiatric Peer Review” lists “dangerous to others” as an indication for hospitalization for every diagnostic group for whom there currently exist criteria. Most state statutes indicate involuntary commitment is justified in the presence of evidence of such dangerousness. The criterion itself, however, is exceedingly vague. The variability in the psychiatric and the legal conceptions of what constitutes dangerousness is striking.7-g Both the lack of a reliable definition, and frequent and thoroughly unsuccessful attempts to predict future violent behavior have further muddled the area.g-” In addition, whether all violent persons belong in the domain of the psychiatrist is open to debate.12,i3 The development of explicit criteria to guide the treatment assignment, specifically the indications for hospitalization vs. outpatient management, constitutes a pressing need for the psychiatrist, if he is to play a legitimate role in managing this major social problem. Productive approaches to the problem of hospitalization criteria have begun to appear in the literature regarding the treatment of suicide attempters. Kirstein, et al.,14 generated from experts’ opinions a set of clinical features felt to be highly associated with suicidal behavior, and developed criteria which would suggest hospitalization was indicated from an analysis of the use of these features in actual clinical practice. This criterion-oriented approachI to patient care not only offers guidelines to the practicing clinician, but also lends itself easily to identifying cases for peer review.
Management Options for Propionibacterium acnes Endophthalmitis

The authors reviewed the management of nine culture-proven cases of Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis which presented at an average of 4 months after extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation. The initial signs included a white intracapsular plaque (9/9), vitritis (9/9), granulomatous uveitis (4/9), nongranulomatous uveitis (5/9), hypopyon (4/9), beaded fibrin strands in the anterior chamber (3/9), and diffuse intraretinal hemorrhages (2/9). A variety of management schemes were used in these patients, including the following: topical and intravenous antibiotics alone; intraocular and topical antibiotic administration; pars plana vitrectomy with capsulectomy and intraocular antibiotic administration; and removal of all capsular remnants with PC IOL removal or exchange. The final visual acuities ranged from 20/20 to 20/60 in six eyes and 20/200 to 20/400 in three eyes. This review suggests that a variety of management options for P. acnes endophthalmitis appear to be successful. Based on the authors' experience, an algorithm for future treatment is offered.
Comments on "Nonblocking property of reverse banyan networks"

It is shown that the nonblocking property of reverse banyan networks mentioned in the above paper follows directly from the fact that banyan networks can realize permutations characterized by bitonic sequences. >
From business process models to pervasive applications: Synchronization and optimization

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) have become the eyes and arms of business processes, far beyond production line automation, and have moved into the fabric of everyday life. Business processes describe the steps and interactions required to achieve a desired economic goal. Sensor networks are pervasively included in such processes from an early design phase using graphical models. However, automatically translating graphical descriptions to WSN platforms is a challenge. Graphical descriptions are typically based on a parallel execution model, whereas the norm for WSN is an event-based execution model on resource constrained platforms. We show how the synchronization primitives from a graphical business process modeling language can be mapped directly to efficient event-based code. Moreover, we explore platform-specific optimizations which enable the generated code to compete with hand-coded equivalents in terms of resource usage. For commercially attractive solutions we focus on reducing both the energy consumption as well as memory usage which directly impact the maintenance cost of a WSN.
How valuable are student exchange programs

Student exchange programs have numerous merits, including promoting students' intellectual development and providing economic resources for the U.S. economy. But such programs are not without their liabilities.
Interfacial structures and interfacial area transport in downward two-phase bubbly flow ☆

Abstract An adiabatic, air–water, co-current, vertically downward bubbly flow was studied to gain a better understanding of interfacial structures and flow characteristics. The experimental test sections were round pipes with internal diameters of 25.4 and 50.8 mm. Flow regime map was obtained using characteristic signals obtained from an impedance void meter, and a neural network-based identification methodology to minimize the subjective judgment in determining the flow regimes. A four-sensor conductivity probe was used to measure the local two-phase flow parameters that characterize the interfacial structures. The parameters measured were: void fraction, interfacial area concentration, bubble velocity, and bubble Sauter mean diameter. Furthermore, a laser Doppler anemometer (LDA) system was used to measure local axial liquid velocity and turbulence. The local profiles of these parameters as well as their axial development revealed the nature of the interfacial structures and the bubble interaction mechanisms occurring in the flow. Based on previous study of interfacial area transport for upward flows, the interfacial area transport equation applicable to downward flow was developed with certain modifications in bubble interaction terms.
Errors in Judgment of Good and Poor Problem Solvers

(1964). Errors in Judgment of Good and Poor Problem Solvers. The Journal of Experimental Education: Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 371-376.
A Study of the Fate of Pasteurella pestis following Intracardial Injection into Guinea Pigs.

One of the characteristics of virulent strains of Pasteurella pestis is their capacity to become resistant to phagocytosis.1,2 This resistance appears to depend on the presence of certain specific antigens in the microorganism.3,4 We reported recently that virulent Past. pestis, grown in vivo, was more resistant to phagocytosis by pulmonary macrophages of guinea pigs and also to removal from the lungs of these animals than the same strain grown in vitro.5 This would imply that the resistance to phagocytosis acquired by virulent Past. pestis following growth in vivo permitted its survival and multiplication within the host.
SYNTHETIC JETS IN CROSS -FLOW. PART II: JETS FROM ORIFICES OF DIFFERENT GEOMETRY

The flow fields of synthetic jets in a cross -flow from orifices of different geometry are investigated. The g eometries include a straight, a tapered, a pitched and a cluster of nine orifices, all ha ving the same cross -sectional area through which the perturbation is discharged into t he cross -flow. The ‘strength’ of the jet from the tapered or ifice in comparison to that from the straight one is found to be only slightly enhanced. The flow field from the clu ster of orifices, when viewed a few equivalent diameters downstream, is similar to that from the single or ifice. However, the penetration is somewhat lower in the former case due to the increased mixing of the distributed jets with the cross -flow. The pen etr ation for the pitched configuration is the lowest , as expected. The jet trajec tories for the straight and pitched orifices are well represented by correlation equ ations available for steady jets -in -cross -flow. Distributions of streamwise velo city, vorticity as well as turbulence inte nsity are documented for various cases. In additio n, distributions of phase -averaged velocity and vorticity for the cylindrical and the clustered orifices are presented pr oviding an insight into the flow d ynamics.
Behavior management for children and adolescents with acquired brain injury

Behavioral problems such as disinhibition, irritability, restlessness, distractibility, and aggression are common after acquired brain injury (ABI). The persistence and severity of these problems impair the brain-injured individual's reintegration into family, school, and community life. Since the early 1980s, behavior analysis and therapy have been used to address the behavioral sequelae of ABI. These interventions are based on principles of learning and behavior that have been robustly successful when applied across a broad range of other clinical populations. Most of the research on behavioral treatment after ABI has involved clinical case studies or studies employing single-subject experimental designs across a series of cases. The literature supports the effectiveness of these interventions across ages, injury severities, and stages of recovery after ABI. Recommended guidelines for behavior management include: direct behavioral observations, systematic assessment of environmental and within-patient variables associated with aberrant behavior, antecedent management to minimize the probability of aberrant behavior, provision of functionally equivalent alternative means of controlling the environment, and differential reinforcement to shape positive behavior and coping strategies while not inadvertently shaping emergent, disruptive sequelae. This package of interventions requires direction by a highly skilled behavioral psychologist or therapist who systematically monitors target behavior to evaluate progress and guide treatment decisions. A coordinated multisite effort is needed to design intervention protocols that can be studied prospectively in randomized controlled trials. However, there will continue to be an important role for single subject experimental design for studying the results of individualized interventions and obtaining pilot data to guide subsequent randomized controlled trails.
Molecular weight distribution of dissolved organic materials in seawater determined by ultrafiltration: a re-examination

Abstract Most of the dissolved organic materials (DOM) in coastal Maine, Gulf of Maine, and North Atlantic seawaters had molecular weights (MW), determined by ultrafiltration, less than 1000. Only 34% of the DOM had MW greater than 1000, only 6% had MW greater than 30 000, and only 1% was of MW greater than 100 000. The majority of ultrafilter-derived MW data are consistent with patterns shown here; earlier reports of high-MW DOM in seawater were apparently exaggerated due to procedural and ultrafilter artifacts. It is also shown that most ultrafiltration data do not clearly indicate loss of high-MW DOM during estuarine mixing, and that apparent removal could result from decreased retention as ionic strength increases.
New thoughts on library outreach to international students

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to three articles from Reference Services Review on the theme of library outreach to international students. It aims to give a summary overview of the current research on international students and library outreach and to introduce and contextualize the three articles.Design/methodology/approach – This paper frames the three articles and places them in the context of the exhaustive literature on the topic.Findings – International students are not all alike. Grouping all of these students together under the umbrella term of “international student” contributes little, if at all, to the understanding of their real needs and problems.Practical implications – This paper suggests that there are still areas for further exploration on the topic of international students and library outreach.Originality/value – This paper argues with the oversimplified and generalized approach to international students, and suggests that it is not the most useful wa...
Health-Care Reform, Managed Competition, and Subnational Politics

"Managed competition" is Congress' likely response to health-care reform. At the center of managed competition are regional health insurance cooperatives or alliances. In some states, these alliances willface daunting numbers ofuninsured and underinsuredpeople and a hostile receptionfrom business leaders and state government officials. In other states, alliances may be welcomed as a logical extension of current efforts to expand access to health care. Uneven support for alliances among the states will affect the implementation of reform, as is typically the case infederally organized programs. However, the visibility, power, andfinancial resources of alliances will also affect state governments. Henceforth, American federalism may include three centers ofpower, not just two, and the impact on state politics could be profound.
High school seniors with special needs: An analysis of characteristics pertinent to the school-to-work transition

Abstract High school seniors in four handicapping groups — orthopedically handicapped (OH), hearing impaired (HI), speech disabled (SD), and learning disabled (LD) — were compared to nonhandicapped seniors on a range of demographic, achievement, and personal characteristics. Of the four groups, the OH students were the most similar to the nonhandicapped students in terms of the characteristics studied. Based on these similarities, it was concluded that this group would experience the least number of problems in their transition from school to an independent life. The other three groups differed significantly from the nonhandicapped students on almost every characteristic examined. Furthermore, differences were always in a direction that would lead to a prediction of lower success in the transition process, e.g., lower levels of academic achievement, more externalized locus of control, etc. It is noted that the HI, SD, and LD groups shared the characteristic of limited proficiency in English language skill. This finding is discussed in relation to the observation that the job market in the future will require higher levels of English literacy.
“Electrical and Related Properties of Organic Solids” Edited by R. W. Munn, A. Miniewicz, and B. Kuchta, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, 1997; NATO ASI Series 3. High Technology, Vol. 24; ISBN 0-7923-4449-9; ix + 450 pages; $224.00; £137.00; 350.00 Guilder.

(2000). “Electrical and Related Properties of Organic Solids” Edited by R. W. Munn, A. Miniewicz, and B. Kuchta, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Boston, 1997; NATO ASI Series 3. High Technology, Vol. 24; ISBN 0-7923-4449-9; ix + 450 pages; $224.00; £137.00; 350.00 Guilder. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology. Section A. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals: Vol. 338, No. 1, pp. 271-272.
Synthesis and Preliminary Evaluation of 9-(4-[18F]-Fluoro-3-Hydroxymethylbutyl)Guanine ([18F]FHBG): A New Potential Imaging Agent for Viral Infection and Gene Therapy Using PET

Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of 9-(4-[18F]-fluoro-3-hydroxymethylbutyl)-guanine ([18F]FHBG) is reported. 9-(4-Hydroxy-3-hydroxymethylbutyl)-guanine (penciclovir) 4 was converted to 9-[N2, O-bis-(methoxytrityl)-3-(tosylmethybutyl)]guanine 7 by treatment with methoxytrityl chloride followed by tosylation. The tosylate 7 was reacted with either tetrabutylammonium fluoride or KF in the presence of kryptofix 2.2.2. to produce the 4-fluoro-N2-O-bis-(methoxytrityl) derivative 8. Removal of the methoxytrityl groups by acidic hydrolysis produced FHBG 5. Radiolabeled product [18F]FHBG was prepared by fluorination of the tosylate 7 with [18F]KF and kryptofix 2.2.2. The labeled product was isolated by HPLC purification on a reverse-phase C18 column, and eluted at 12 min with 15% acetonitrile in water at a flow rate of 2.25 mL/min. Radiochemical yield was 8.0-22.3% with an average of 12% in 7 runs (corrected for decay). Synthesis time was 90 to 100 min including HPLC purification with radiochemical purity >99%, and average specific activity of 320 mCi/micromol. In vitro studies of the compound in HT-29 colon cancer cells revealed 18.2-fold higher uptake into transduced cells compared to control in 3 h. The agent may be useful for imaging viral infection or transfected cells in gene therapy.
Clinical pharmacology-physiology conference: Changes in cognition and urinary bladder function

This case is presented because of the multifactorial contributions to this multifaceted geriatric problem. Just because an old man has incontinence does not equate with a primary urological problem. Constipation does not equate with mechanical bowel obstruction. Dry mouth is not Sjogren's syndrome and behavioral changes do not mean a primary dementia. Drug induced disease is still a major factor in the polypharmaceutical nature of this patient's disease entity. It reflects a classical example of the poor understanding of the pharmacodynamic actions of drugs in the elderly and the catastrophic problems that can arise. Fortunately, within 6 weeks of discontinuation of all of the drugs, the patient's mental status had improved markedly and he was no longer having exaggerated periods of somnolence. Within 2 weeks of changing from scopolamine eye drops to prednisolone his drug-induced bowel, bladder and thirst disorders had substantially resolved. It is likely that the longer duration, i.e. 4 weeks, for the resolution of his cognitive dysfunction, is related to the avid binding of impiramine and acetazolamide to brain tissue.
Less-than-bandgap photosensitivity of ZnO and dye sensitization by ferrocyanide ion

Abstract The photocurrent-voltage characteristics of the electrochemical system: aqueous electrolyte/unicrystal ZnO has been investigated with less than bandgap light. The photocurrent decreases exponentially with decreasing photon energy. Methanol produced “current doubling” with less-than-bandgap light. (A “current doubling” substance is an optically transparent chemical which increases the anodic photocurrent by a factor of two.) The capacitance, voltage-current, and methanol experiments support a bulk photoexcitation process. Dye sensitization by ferrous ion was found and is attributed to electron injection from photoexcited surface states.
Adsorption of water vapor on active carbons: Estimation of the average pore width from the magnitude of the hysteresis loop

Abstract Various types of adsorption isotherms of water vapor on active carbons at 30°C have been measured, and the relationships between the average pore width, L, of active carbons and the magnitude of the hysteresis loops, log ( Δ S S ) , where ΔS is the area of the hysteresis loop and S is the area between the adsorption branch and the relative pressure axis in the range of 0 ≦ P P 0 ≦ 0.95 , respectively, were studied. At low Δ S S , plots of L vs log ( Δ S S ) deviate upward from the empirical equation L = γ log ( Δ S S ) + δ , where γ and δ are the constants ( R. Tsunoda, J. Colloid Interface Sci. 137, 563 (1990) ). The deviation is attributed mainly to the chemical adsorption of water molecules caused by the presence of ash rather than to the polarity of the carbon surface.
He II Emission in the Wolf–Rayet Binary Star, CQ Cephei

THE origin of the emission lines in Wolf–Rayet stars is not entirely understood. There is supporting evidence that the emission arises in either an envelope large relative to the central star or in an envelope compactly surrounding the central star. It is obvious that if a light curve of an eclipsing binary in which one component were a Wolf–Rayet star could be obtained from a single emission line, one would have valuable data regarding the position of the emitting atoms. For if the emitting atoms were in an envelope large relative to the central star, there would be little change in the intensity of the emission as the Wolf–Rayet star was eclipsed by its companion. If the emission originated in an envelope close to the parent star, then an eclipse of the emission would be expected. An attempt was made to observe the light curve of CQ Cephei in He II 4686 photographically during September 1947. However, the results were not conclusive, although it was suspected from visual inspection of earlier spectrograms that the emission was not constant1.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES IN RADIOTHERAPY OF HEAD AND NECK TUMORS

Future teletherapy in head and neck sites will include treatment of additional aggressive base-of-skull tumors, acoustic neuromas, and external ear canal tumors. In addition, protocols are being developed to take advantage of the enhanced precision of stereotaxic and conformal teletherapy to deliver concomitant boosts to gross or residual disease after surgery. These field-in-field boosts permit accelerated, hyperfractionated radiotherapy to be delivered to tumor, while maintaing or decreasing dose to surrounding normal tissues. The improved results of aggressive, accelerated fractionation schedules may be realized with acceptable morbidities through the use of more focused irradiation.
Road map production system for intelligent mobile robot

This paper proposed a road map production system model using bidirectional search algorithm. The model enable a mobile robot to navigate an environment effectively and be able to execute a high level command such as "go from station I (STI) to station 2 (ST2)". The search algorithm yields the shortest path solution. In the event of unexepeted occurrences such as obstruction of the shortest path, the model would enable the robot to quickly search for the shortest alternative path from its current position to its destination. The system can readily adapt to a dynamically changing road map.
Managing for a future [electronics manufacturing]

The manufacturing enterprise is the integration of the functions and activities required to make a product. It bridges from concept to end of life of a product and focuses on requirements related to the interactions among functional parts and ultimately their integration. The new manufacturing enterprise continues to depend on engineering; however, it is increasingly driven by information technology and is highly dependent on effective management. The author considers the factors that managers in manufacturing must take into account: the electronic systems, technology roadmaps, information technology, and the dominant competitive advantage.
Kinetics of furfural production by dehydration of xylose in a biphasic reactor with microwave heating

In this paper we report a kinetic model for the dehydration of xylose to furfural in a biphasic batch reactor with microwave heating. There are four key steps in our kinetic model: (1) xylose dehydration to form furfural; (2) furfural reaction to form degradation products; (3) furfural reaction with xylose to form degradation products, and (4) mass transfer of furfural from the aqueous phase into the organic phase (methyl isobutyl ketone - MIBK). This kinetic model was used to fit experimental data collected in this study. The apparent activation energy for xylose dehydration is higher than the apparent activation energy for the degradation reactions. The biphasic system does not alter the fundamental kinetics in the aqueous phase. The organic layer, which serves as “storage” for the extracted furfural, is crucial to maximize product yield. Microwave heating does not change the kinetics compared to heating by conventional means. We use our model to describe the optimal reaction conditions for furfural production. These conditions occur in a biphasic regime at higher temperatures (i.e. 170 °C) and short reaction times. We estimate that at these conditions furfural yields in a biphasic system can reach 85%. At these same conditions in a monophase system furfural yields are only 30%.
Genome, Functional Gene Annotation, and Nuclear Transformation of the Heterokont Oleaginous Alga Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP1779

Unicellular marine algae have promise for providing sustainable and scalable biofuel feedstocks, although no single species has emerged as a preferred organism. Moreover, adequate molecular and genetic resources prerequisite for the rational engineering of marine algal feedstocks are lacking for most candidate species. Heterokonts of the genus Nannochloropsis naturally have high cellular oil content and are already in use for industrial production of high-value lipid products. First success in applying reverse genetics by targeted gene replacement makes Nannochloropsis oceanica an attractive model to investigate the cell and molecular biology and biochemistry of this fascinating organism group. Here we present the assembly of the 28.7 Mb genome of N. oceanica CCMP1779. RNA sequencing data from nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-depleted growth conditions support a total of 11,973 genes, of which in addition to automatic annotation some were manually inspected to predict the biochemical repertoire for this organism. Among others, more than 100 genes putatively related to lipid metabolism, 114 predicted transcription factors, and 109 transcriptional regulators were annotated. Comparison of the N. oceanica CCMP1779 gene repertoire with the recently published N. gaditana genome identified 2,649 genes likely specific to N. oceanica CCMP1779. Many of these N. oceanica–specific genes have putative orthologs in other species or are supported by transcriptional evidence. However, because similarity-based annotations are limited, functions of most of these species-specific genes remain unknown. Aside from the genome sequence and its analysis, protocols for the transformation of N. oceanica CCMP1779 are provided. The availability of genomic and transcriptomic data for Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP1779, along with efficient transformation protocols, provides a blueprint for future detailed gene functional analysis and genetic engineering of Nannochloropsis species by a growing academic community focused on this genus.
Availability and usability of behavioral health organization encounter data in MAX 2009.

OBJECTIVE To assess the availability, completeness, and quality of the Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) encounter data in MAX 2009. DATA SOURCE The Medicaid Analytic Extract (MAX) 2009. METHODS We compared metrics of reporting completeness and quality for BHOs to similar metrics for six states that primarily cover MH and SA services on a FFS basis. For the IP file, number of encounters per 1,000 person months of enrollment were compared. In the OT file, we examined three completeness measures: the number of claims per PME, number of claims reported per BHO outpatient service user, and the number of OT claims per service user. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Out of the 15 states reporting enrollment in BHO plans in MAX 2009, 10 reported complete capitation data. IP encounter data were available in four states (Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Iowa), compared well to FFS ranges, and appear usable for research. OT data are available for five states, but our analysis suggests data are only sufficiently complete for analysis in Arizona and Iowa. CONCLUSIONS The initial assessment of the availability, completeness and quality of BHO encounter data in MAX 2009 suggests that only limited data are available and usable.
Analytical approximation method of option pricing under geometric mean-reverting process

This paper is concerned with analytical approximation for option pricing while the underlying asset price follows a geometric mean-reverting diffusion process, which is often used in real and commodity options. Two methods are developed, one employing the idea of Edgeworth series expansion and another based on Taylor series expansion. Numerical tests show that the second method significantly outperforms the first one, particularly for long-maturity options. In addition, we compare the analytical approximation prices with that obtained using an alternative log-normal model for commodities and find out for many cases the discrepancy in option prices is remarkable.
A Mutation in the SH2 Domain of STAT2 Prolongs Tyrosine Phosphorylation of STAT1 and Promotes Type I IFN-induced Apoptosis

Type I interferons (IFN-α/β) induce apoptosis in certain tumor cell lines but not others. Here we describe a mutation in STAT2 that confers an apoptotic effect in tumor cells in response to type I IFNs. This mutation was introduced in a conserved motif, PYTK, located in the STAT SH2 domain, which is shared by STAT1, STAT2, and STAT3. To test whether the tyrosine in this motif might be phosphorylated and affect signaling, Y631 of STAT2 was mutated to phenylalanine (Y631F). Although it was determined that Y631 was not phosphorylated, the Y631F mutation conferred sustained signaling and induction of IFN-stimulated genes. This prolonged IFN response was associated with sustained tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT2 and their mutual association as heterodimers, which resulted from resistance to dephosphorylation by the nuclear tyrosine phosphatase TcPTP. Finally, cells bearing the Y631F mutation in STAT2 underwent apoptosis after IFN-α stimulation compared with wild-type STAT2. Therefore, this mutation reveals that a prolonged response to IFN-α could account for one difference between tumor cell lines that undergo IFN-α–induced apoptosis compared with those that display an antiproliferative response but do not die.
Using Reconstructability Analysis for Input Variable Reduction: A Business Example

We demonstrate the use of reconstructability analysis (RA) on the UCI Australian Credit dataset to reduce the number of input variables for two different analysis tools. Using 14 variables, an artificial neural net (NN) is able to predict whether or not credit was granted, with a 79.1% success rate. RA preprocessing allows us to reduce the number of independent variables from 14 to two different sets of three, which have success rates of 77.2% and 76.9% respectively. The difference between these rates and that of the 14-variable NN is not statistically significant. The three-variable rulesets given by RA achieve success rates of 77.8% and 79.7%. Again, the difference between those values and the 14-variable NN is not statistically significant, that is, our approach provides a three-variable model that is competitive with the 14-variable equivalent.
Body Surface Mapping of T-wave Alternans Depends on the Distribution of Myocardial Scarring

T-Wave alternans (TWA) testing using 12-lead electrocardiogram/Frank leads is emerging as an important non-invasive biomarker to identify patients at high risk of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). Cardiac scarring is very common among cardiomyopathy patients; however, its influence on the body surface distribution of TWA has not yet been defined. Our objective was to perform a simulation study in order to determine whether cardiac scarring affects the distribution of TWA on thorax such that the standard leads fail to detect TWA in some of cardiomyopathy patients; thereby producing a false-negative test. Developing such a novel lead configuration could improve TWA quantification and potentially optimize electrocardiogram (ECG) lead configuration and risk stratification of SCD in cardiomyopathy patients. The simulation was performed in a 1500-node heart model using ECGSIM. TWA was mimicked by simulating action potential duration alternans in the ventricles. Cardiac scarring with different sizes were simulated by manipulating the apparent velocity, transmembrane potential and transition zone at varied locations along the left ventricular posterior wall. Our simulation study showed that the location of maximum TWA depends on the location and size of the myocardium scarring in patients with cardiomyopathy, which can give rise to false-negative TWA signal detection using standard clinical leads. The TWA amplitude generally increased with the increment of scar size (P<0.00001). We found one specific location (a non-standard lead) that consistently appeared as the top five maximum TWA leads and could be considered as an additional lead to improve the outcome of the TWA testing in cardiomyopathy patients.
Ultrafast nonlinear dynamics in strongly coupled quantum dot-cavity system

Ultrafast nonlinear interaction between two weak light beams mediated by a strongly coupled quantum dot-photonic crystal cavity system is demonstrated.
Interaction with autologous platelets multiplies interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor production in mononuclear cells

The effect of activated platelets on cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was investigated. When PBMC were coincubated with activated autologous platelets amid lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 50-100 pg/mL) for 8 h, the production of interleukin (IL)-1alpha increased 11- to 18-fold and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha 3- to 5-fold compared with PBMC without platelets. Activated platelets in a dual-chamber well that prevented platelet-PBMC contact but permitted passage of soluble factors enhanced IL-1alpha production (P < .01). Platelet-PBMC contact in the chamber resulted in a further enhancement of IL-1alpha production. These data suggest that platelet-PBMC interaction, both directly and with platelet-derived factors, enhances production of shock-producing IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha, albeit differently. The interaction of platelets with monocytes may play an important role in the pathophysiology of sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
BLADE GEOMETRY OPTIMIZATION FOR THE DESIGN OF WIND TURBINE ROTORS

This paper describes a blade geometry optimization method for wind turbine rotors in which considerations are given to aerodynamics, structures, noise, and cost. An existing computer program named PROPGA, which is a genetic-algorithm based optimization method for wind turbines, provided part of the foundation for this work. The objective was to develop and implement structures and costs modeling into PROPGA, and enhance its efficiency and overall capabilities including multi-objective optimization. The structure of the blades is modeled, and cost considerations are given to all main wind turbine components. Each cost model is based on a baseline design, which can be of different concept and size than that of the optimized rotors. Overall, the proposed method is an efficient engineering tool to design new or retrofit blades for minimum cost of energy as well as obtaining trade-off curves between competing design objectives.
Welfare reform, substance use, and mental health.

Reform has transformed traditional entitlement to cash welfare under Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) into a transitional program known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). Because of the new work requirements and the time-limited nature of assistance, policy makers are increas- ingly confronted with what to do when welfare recipients do not effectively make the transition from welfare to work. Increasingly, the language of public health is being used to determine who is "employable" and who is not. Thus renewed attention is being focused on the individual characteristics of participants themselves, particularly specific diagnoses that might reduce employability. This article focuses on substance abuse and mental health problems among single mothers and examines their rela- tionship to welfare receipt. We analyze data from the 1994 and 1995 National House- hold Survey of Drug Abuse (NHSDA) and find that 19 percent of welfare recipients meet the criteria for a DSM-III-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Dis- orders, third edition revised) psychiatric diagnosis. About the same percentage have used illicit drugs during the previous year. Logistic regression results indicate that mental and behavioral health problems that are significant barriers to self-sufficiency are increasingly important in this era of time-limited benefits.
An Idiomatic Argument for Lexical Decomposition

L'A. suggere qu'il existe des expressions idiomatiques qui sont composees d'un SN et d'une partie d'un verbe. Il montre que cette hypothese permet de faire des previsions interessantes sur la distribution des expressions idiomatiques avec give et take et qu'elle fournit une preuve en faveur de la decomposition lexicale, dans la mesure ou les elements de ces expressions peuvent etre non seulement des mots, mais aussi des parties de mots
Presidentialism, Multipartism, and Democracy The Difficult Combination

Starting from recent analyses that have argued that presidentialism is less favorable for building stable democracy than parliamentary systems, this article argues that the combination of a multipa...
Spread spectrum code, Doppler, and multipath tracking using Gaussian sum filtering

The authors consider the problem of obtaining joint estimates of code delay, tau , multipath coefficient vector f, radial Doppler velocity nu /sub r/, and carrier phase due to Doppler shift, phi , distorting a direct-sequence spread-spectrum signal during propagation. Parallel Kalman filtering is applied in the form of the Gaussian sum algorithm. The Gaussian sum filter is capable of updating the joint density of tau , f, nu /sub r/, and phi given the measurements, Z/sup k/. In particular, the authors are interested in obtaining an estimate of nu /sub r/ in the presence of a large initial uncertainty in that variable. A Gaussian sum filter that uses enough terms to approximate the joint density will be less susceptible to divergence than an estimator consisting of one Kalman filter. Bit error rate results are given to demonstrate the usefulness of the parameter estimates in a RAKE receiver for differential phase shift keyed (DPSK) encoded binary data. >
Paraffin Deposition Phenomena in Crude Oil Pipelines

When oil and gas are produced from wells drilled in deep water environments, the fluids undergo rapid temperature reductions as a result of heat transfer to the surrounding cold water. Typical sea floor temperatures in 2,000-m water depths are often about 5 °C. When the oil temperature near the pipe wall cools below the cloud point or wax appearance temperature, deposition of paraffin on the pipe wall begins. Predicting the phenomena of paraffin deposition requires combining computations for heat transfer, phase equilibrium thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and deposition mechanisms, some of which are not well understood for either single phase or multiphase flow conditions. Once started, paraffin deposition can continue until significant reductions occur in the pipe cross-sectional area available for flow, sometimes resulting in total blockage.
Verifiable disclose for secrets and applications (abstract)

A (\( (_1^2 ) \))-Oblivious Bit Transfer protocol is a way for a party Rachel to get one bit from a pair b 0, b 1 that another party Sam offers her. The difficulty is that Sam should not find out which secret Rachel is getting while Rachel should not be able to get partial information about more than one of the bits. This paper shows a way to make “verifiable” this protocol (v-(\( (_1^2 ) \))-Oblivious Bit Transfer) and shows that it can be used to directly achieve oblivious circuit evaluation [Ki] and fair exchange of bits [MRL], assuming the existence of a non-verifiable version of the protocol.
For God and Country: Religious Fundamentalism in the United States Military

Tension over what constitutes proper religious expression within the United States military has significantly intensified over the past decade. This paper analyzes current reports and several prominent case studies, revealing how religiously motivated behavior has increased over the years and remains tacitly endorsed by senior military leaders. In light of ever-present religious fundamentalism within the ranks coupled with a lack of political will to affect change, the cultural reticence to hold commanders accountable for inappropriate behavior remains an obstacle. The paper concludes with actionable recommendations.
Flutter of Variations on a 5 MW Swept Wind Turbine Blade

Previous research has shown that as wind turbine rotor designs increase in diameter they approach flutter instabilities. Recent blade designs incorporate blade sweep to lower fatigue loads and increase rotor diameter for more energy production; however, the flutter margin may be reduced with sweep. In this work, flutter speeds are predicted and compared for turbines with straight and swept blades. For this study, a wind turbine analysis tool specifically developed for blade sweep (CurveFAST) was used, in addition to a tool developed for helicopter analysis: rotorcraft comprehensive analysis system (RCAS). The results showed that CurveFAST generally predicted a higher flutter speed and RCAS predicted a lower flutter speed compared to previous research. The difference may be attributed to the unsteady aerodynamics modeling. The results for an extended radius and swept 5 MW turbine showed that the flutter speed was most sensitive to the position of the blade center of mass axis. Using the selected design parameters, it was not possible to design a swept 5 MW blade with adequate flutter margin that would produce 5% more energy with the same loads as a baseline straight rotor. Further study of swept blades is required to determine if there is a size limit above which flutter cannot be avoided.