cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of donor mice with an alpha beta T-cell receptor monoclonal antibody induces prolonged T-cell nonresponsiveness and effectively prevents lethal graft-versus-host disease in murine recipients of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched and MHC-mismatched donor marrow grafts

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the administration of high doses of an anti-T-cell receptor (TCR) monoclonal antibody (H57-597) to donor animals could induce a state of T-cell nonresponsiveness and prevent the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in murine recipients of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched (B10.BR[H-2k] --> AKR/J[H-2k]) and mismatched (B10.BR[H-2k] --> DBA/2[H-2d]) marrow grafts. Transplantation of H57-597-treated B10.BR T cells into irradiated AKR or DBA mice resulted in protection from GVHD, which was otherwise lethal in transplanted recipients receiving untreated T cells. The administration of H57-597-treated T cells did not compromise alloengraftment in either strain combination and was found to accelerate donor T-cell reconstitution in recipients of MHC-matched marrow grafts. Optimal protection for GVHD was dependent on the duration of antibody exposure in donor mice. T cells from donor exposed to antibody for only 1 day caused lethal GVHD, whereas exposure for at least 4 days was necessary to abrogate graft-versus-host reactivity. The ability of antibody treatment to protect against the development of GVHD could not be ascribed to the antibody-induced production of Th2 cytokines, the induction of a T- or non-T-suppressor cell population, or the preferential depletion of CD4+ T cells by H57-597. Donor T cells exposed to H57-597 antibody were detectable in recipients for up to 5 weeks after transplantation, indicating that these cells were not eliminated in the host immediately after bone marrow transplantation and contributed to enhanced donor T-cell reconstitution. Moreover, in B10.BR --> DBA chimeras that did not have any clinical evidence of GVHD, potentially MIs-reactive donor-derived Vbeta6+ T cells were present in the spleens of recipients at comparable numbers to normal mice but appeared functionally nonresponsive in vivo. These data strongly suggested that protection from GVHD was due to the fact that antibody treatment resulted in a state of prolonged T-cell anergy that persisted despite the presence of potential costimulatory signals in the recipient. This observation is of potential clinical significance in that it shows that the prevention of GVHD can be accomplished without posttransplantation immunosuppression or the need for in vitro or in vivo T-cell depletion.
Effects of a team-based learning environment on student outcomes in Anatomy and Physiology for first year pharmacy students

The use of case studies to illustrate physiological principles is used by many faculty members as an active learning strategy. Case studies can be used to facilitate learning in a group setting or ...
Laboratory Simulation and Measurement of Instrument Drift in Quartz-Resonant Pressure Gauges

Seafloor pressure gauges are used in marine geodesy to detect vertical displacement of the seafloor. Instrumental gauge drift is often larger than the sought after geophysical and oceanographic signals. We performed a 12 month laboratory test on two new methods that aim to reduce pressure gauge drift in Paroscientific Digiquartz and other pressure transducers. In one method, a reference quartz oscillator (RQO) is installed adjacent to but isolated from the Bourdon tube whose stress is measured by a vibrating quartz force transducer. In another method, the pressure gauge is periodically connected to accurately measured atmospheric pressure as a reference to allow drift calculation. We found that the RQO is not a good predictor of gauge drift. However, determining drift by periodic exposure to atmospheric pressure is effective. These drift estimates were compared to estimates determined with an absolute piston gauge calibrator; the average difference between drift rates of the two methods is 0.00 ± 0.05 kPa/year. Finally, we tested the stability of the quartz clocks used in the Paroscientific electronics and found that they are not a significant contributor to drift.
Vancomycin-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in a Large Veteran Population.

Background To determine the association of vancomycin with acute kidney injury (AKI) in relation to its serum concentration value and to examine the risk of AKI in patients treated with vancomycin when compared with a matched cohort of patients receiving non-glycopeptide antibiotics (linezolid/daptomycin). Methods From a cohort of > 3 million US veterans with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, we identified 33,527 patients who received either intravenous vancomycin (n = 22,057) or non-glycopeptide antibiotics (linezolid/daptomycin, n = 11,470). We examined the association of the serum trough vancomycin level recorded within the first 48 h of administration with subsequent AKI in all patients treated with vancomycin and association of vancomycin vs. non-glycopeptide antibiotics use with the risk of incident AKI. Results The overall multivariable adjusted ORs of AKI stages 1, 2, and 3 in patients on vancomycin vs. non-glycopeptides were 1.1 (1.1-1.2), 1.2 (1-1.4), and 1.4 (1.1-1.7), respectively. When examined in strata divided by vancomycin trough level, the odds of AKI were similar or lower in patients receiving vancomycin compared to non-glycopeptide antibiotics as long as serum vancomycin levels were ≤20 mg/L. However, in patients with serum vancomycin levels > 20 mg/L, the ORs of AKI stages 1, 2, and 3 in patients on vancomycin vs. non-glycopeptide antibiotics were 1.5 (1.4-1.7), 1.9 (1.5-2.3), and 2.7 (2-3.5), respectively. Conclusions Vancomycin use is associated with a higher risk of AKI when serum levels exceed > 20 mg/L.
Beyond the Liberal–Conservative Binary: Generosity, Religion, and a Latent Profile Analysis of Moral Foundations in a Christian Sample:

This study conducted an experiment to examine the associations between moral foundations profiles, religion, and generosity (N = 313). Previously identified profiles were replicated with latent pro...
Values, Valuation and Explanation in School Organizations.

A philosophical grounding for valuation in educational administration that is concrete and practical is presented. It is based on a naturalistic perspective that shows how scientific methods and re...
1938: Modern Britain: Social Change and Visions of the Future: by Michael John Law, London, Bloomsbury Academic, 2018, viii + 189 pp., £16.99 (paperback), ISBN 9781474285018

‘We are too inclined to let what happens next determine the meaning of what happened before’, writes the critic Adam Gopnik. ‘It’s a style of thought that sees the true meaning of dinner as the nex...
Dynamic Attacks Against Inverter-Based Microgrids

In this paper, dynamic stealthy data integrity attacks are introduced as a class of attacks against frequency droop controllers in the inverter-based microgrid networks. The impact of adversarial actions on transient performance of frequency control schemes in the inverter-based microgrid networks is investigated. Each inverter is modeled as a single integrator and vulnerability of the standard frequency droop controller to dynamic integrity attacks on active power measurements is evaluated through a control theoretic analysis. The measurement residuals are utilized to detect data integrity attacks on sensor measurements in a power grid. It is shown that the attacker can destabilize the network frequency and bypass bad data detector (BDD) by a carefully designed coordinated attack on sensor measurements. The effects of the stealthy attack on the stability of the network frequency control are modeled as a pole placement optimization problem and the solution is obtained by leveraging the coordinate descent algorithm.
Using Excess 3 He to Estimate Southern Ocean Upwelling Time Scales

Using a recently compiled global marine dataset of dissolved helium isotopes and helium and neon concentrations, we make an estimate of the inventory of hydrothermal He in the Southern Ocean to be ...
The effect of blade geometry on the structure of vertical axis wind turbine wakes

Abstract Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) may offer operational and design advantages over their horizontal axis counterparts, but the occurrence of dynamic stall and the resulting cyclical stresses present engineering and operational challenges. We present the results of an experimental study of the effects of blade sweep on the wake characteristics of VAWTs performed using high resolution particle image velocimetry. Several sweep configurations were tested while holding the turbine solidity constant. As the sweep angle was increased dynamic stall was reduced, which could yield a potential reduction in the amplitude of cyclical torque variations. Increased sweep also resulted in a more uniform wake exhibiting a faster wake recovery, and an increase in the planform energy flux in the turbine wake when compared to the straight-bladed turbine. The results support previous suggestions that the power generation of VAWT farms is bounded by the planform energy flux from above.
Fast Advective Water Flow Through Nanochannels in Clay Interlayers: Implications for Moisture Transport in Soils and Unconventional Oil/Gas Production

Water flow in nanometer or sub-nanometer hydrophilic channels bears special importance in diverse fields of science and engineering. However, the nature of such water flow remains elusive. Here, we...
Re-examining VLSI Manufacturing and Yield through the Lens of Deep Learning : (Invited Talk)

The continued scaling of integrated circuit technologies, along with the increased design complexity, has exacerbated the challenges associated with manufacturability and yield. In today's semiconductor manufacturing, lithography plays a fundamental role in printing design patterns on silicon. However, the growing complexity and variation of the manufacturing process have tremendously increased the lithography modeling and simulation cost. Besides, both the role and cost of resolution enhancement techniques (RETs) - now indispensable in the design process - have increased. Parallel to these developments are the recent advancements in Machine Learning (ML) which have provided a far-reaching data-driven perspective for problem solving. In this work, we shed light on the recent Deep Learning (DL) based approaches that have provided a new lens to examine traditional manufacturability and yield challenges. We present lithography modeling and simulation techniques, leveraging advanced learning paradigms, which have demonstrated unprecedented efficiency. Moreover, we demonstrate the role DL can play in advancing RETs by presenting its successful application in assist feature generation. Also critical to yield is the post fabrication wafer map defect analysis step which our work tackles using a novel confidence-aware deep learning scheme. This paper further discusses the future prospects of DL-based approaches in the scope of circuits manufacturability and yield.
Comparison of prediction models for two different peripheral stem cell collection protocols in autologous patients. How to avoid errors in calculating total blood volume to process

Introduction: Calculating accurate blood volume to process is a critical practice in apheresis planning; therefore, researchers try to develop dedicated prediction models. In this analysis, we have attempted to compare three algorithms for two different apheresis collection protocols. Methods: In a retrospective study, we have analyzed 137 apheresis procedures performed on 100 autologous patients. Apheresis procedures were performed with the Spectra Optia apheresis device with two protocols: mononuclear cell collection (MNC) and continuous mononuclear cell collection (cMNC). Three algorithms: a model based on mean collection efficiency (CE2), a linear regression model, and a power regression model were validated by plotting collected CD34 + cell dose versus predicted CD34 + cell dose. Results: All models showed high predictability for MNC procedure, a high correlation of predicted CD34 + yield and actual CD34 + yield ( R 2 = 0.9547; 0.9487; 0.9474 for CE2-based model, linear and power regression model, respectively). In contrast, alteration between models for the cMNC procedure was greater ( R 2 = 0.8049, 0.7970, and 0.8169) with a higher number of overpredictions. Further analysis revealed that for low CD34 + precounts blood volume to process, calculated with the three models, differ significantly up to fivefold times. Conclusions: Utilizing regression models may lead to calculation errors, which can affect undercollection, repetition of apheresis, or even mobilization failure. Contrary to regression models, the model based on mean CE2 gave the most accurate prediction both for MNC and cMNC procedures. Although new prediction algorithms are created, this simple formula remains a reliable tool that promotes careful planning of apheresis, thus improving patient safety.
Identifying and prioritizing bridges critical to commerce: A case study of weight-restricted bridges in North Carolina

Abstract Improving the weight restrictions on weight-restricted bridges can make transportation networks more suitable for economic development; however, revenue shortfalls or institutional policy gaps can impede certain types of bridge improvements. Weight-restricted bridges that are not located on high-traffic-volume routes do not qualify for North Carolina State bridge improvement programs and funding targeted for improving weight restrictions. As a result, bridges that are critical nodes in North Carolina’s commerce freight network may not receive dedicated sources of funding for improvements or replacements that add value and long-term viability to the freight network. This study develops a novel process for identifying and prioritizing weight-restricted bridges critical to commerce freight. Bridge criticality is evaluated from two perspectives using a Geographic Information System (GIS) travel model to predict truck routes. Bridges traversed in the travel model receive scores based on the count of modeled traversals and the cost of modeled detours. Scores are weighted by the trucking intensity of traversals and the distance from traversed bridges to route origins. This process offers an objective system-wide evaluation of weight-restricted bridges that can be used to inform bridge improvements and replacement projects that fall outside of dedicated funding prioritization processes. A targeted validation of final bridge scores based on local stakeholder input should be considered to confirm the modeled criticality scores.
Echocardiography and EuroSCORE II for the stratification of low-gradient severe aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of echocardiography and the EuroSCORE II in stratifying patients with low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (LG SAS) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%) with or without aortic valve intervention (AVI). The study included 323 patients with LG SAS (aortic valve area ≤ 1.0 cm2 and mean pressure gradient < 40 mmHg). Patients were divided into two groups: a high-risk group (EuroSCORE II ≥ 4%, n = 115) and a low-risk group (EuroSCORE II < 4%, n = 208). Echocardiographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. All-cause mortality was used as a clinical outcome during mean follow-up of 2 ± 1.3 years. Two-year cumulative survival was significantly lower in the high-risk group than the low-risk patients (62.3% vs. 81.7%, p = 0.001). AVI tended to reduce mortality in the high-risk patients (70% vs. 59%; p = 0.065). It did not significantly reduce mortality in the low-risk patients (82.8% with AVI vs. 81.2%, p = 0.68). Multivariable analysis identified heart failure, renal dysfunction and stroke volume index (SVi) as independent predictors for mortality. The study suggested that individualization of AVI based on risk stratification could be considered in a patient with LG SAS and preserved LVEF.
Paediatric laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Systematic review and pooled analysis.

BACKGROUND Paediatric squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx is rare; however, recent data seem to support the notion that this pathology is increasing in incidence. Although this has been the case for several decades, treatment algorithms for this patient population remain identical to those of adults. METHODS The study consists of a systematic review and pooled analysis of oncologic outcomes in paediatric laryngeal SCC from a comprehensive literature search on OVID MEDLINE and EMBASE. RESULTS The average cohort age was 12.1 years. Nine (36%) had supraglottic primaries, and 16 (64%) had glottic primaries. Treatment included unimodal and combination therapy. No significant difference in survival was noted between surgically treated and non-surgically treated patients (5-year overall survival (OS): 68.2% vs 76.2%, P = .905), even when stratified for advanced-stage and supraglottic disease. CONCLUSIONS Paediatric patients with laryngeal HNSCC may have different presentations and responses to therapy than their adult counterparts.
Streamlined access to carbohydrate building blocks: Methyl 2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-glucopyranoside.

Abstract Presented herein is an improved synthesis of a common 3-OH glycosyl acceptor. This compound is a building block that is routinely synthesized by many research groups to be used in glycosylation refinement studies. The only known direct synthesis by Koto lacks regioselectivity and relies on chromatography separation using hazardous solvents. Our improved synthetic approach relies on Koto's selective benzylation protocol, but it is followed by acylation-purification-deacylation sequence. Although this approach involves additional manipulations, it provides consistent results and is superior to other indirect strategies. Also obtained, albeit in minor quantities, is 4-OH acceptor, another common building block.
5. Rock Fracture and Frictional Sliding

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various aspects of experimental rock fracture. New and novel ideas have received special attention, not because they are necessarily more important than the more conventional approaches, but because they are not as readily available to the traditional rock-mechanician and because they make the arduous task of writing more palatable. An understanding of the propagation of single cracks is paramount to eventually being able to predict the large-scale failure of rocks. The chapter presents a study of single cracks and measurements that can be made within a pressure vessel. Optical holography and new strain gauge technology are also introduced. The chapter highlights acoustic emissions including up-to-date developments in transducers. It points out the potential and often ignored problems that plague the interpretation of frictional sliding. The chapter concludes with introduction to the application of radioactive tracers in permeability and gas conduit studies.
Automated Clock Drawing Test through Machine Learning and Geometric Analysis

In this paper, we discuss the challenges of sketch recognition accuracy and automation of the Clock Drawing Test (CDT). Sketch recognition in the context of the CDT is a complex problem due to the lack of knowledge of the preference bias among the sketches drawn by neuro-atypical patients. However, machine learning provides a viable solution to detect measurable patterns among sketches drawn in the CDT. The paper posits that these sketches are constrained, and the majority of the recognition work can be completed by doing handwritten digit recognition. All other properties to be measured in the CDT are primarily geometric in nature. The paper explores various machine learning classification techniques for handwritten digit recognition. Finally, based on analysis, we present the best one in context of CDT.
Patient involvement in medical decision-making and pain among elders: physician or patient-driven?

Background Pain is highly prevalent among older adults, but little is known about how patient involvement in medical decision-making may play a role in limiting its occurrence or severity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether physician-driven and patient-driven participation in decision-making were associated with the odds of frequent and severe pain.
Decomposition of NO on clean Pt near atmospheric pressures: II. Adsorbate coverages

Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and temperature programmed adsorption (TPA) have been used to characterize adsorbate coverages during and after NO decomposition on polycrystalline Pt foils at pressures between 10−4 and 30 Torr. The densities and stoichiometries of tightly bound species were determined after reaction by TPD of NO, N2, and O2 following cooling and pumpdown to <10−8 Torr. For characterization during reaction at pressures up to 10−3 Torr the ribbon was flashed inside a 35 cm3 reaction cell, and desorption and adsorption spectra of all species were recorded. Using digital acquisition of pressures versus time, peaks as small as 10−3 of the background pressure could be analyzed. By flashing to different fixed temperatures, adsorption isobars during reaction were determined. These measurements show that there is a tightly bound stoichiometric layer of N and O (perhaps undissociated) and that the reactive state is weakly bound and appears to be strongly inhibited by molecular oxygen. This model also agrees with reaction rate measurements at these pressures.
Multiple nucleotide cofactor use by yeast ligase in tRNA splicing. Evidence for independent ATP- and GTP-binding sites.

We have examined multiple cofactor usage by yeast tRNA ligase in splicing in vitro. The ligase mechanism of action requires expenditure of two molar equivalents of nucleotide cofactor per mole of tRNA product. Recent evidence (Westaway, S.K., Belford, H.G., Apostol, B.L., Abelson, J., and Greer, C.L. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 2435-2443) demonstrated that the ligase-associated kinase activity is more efficient with GTP as cofactor than with ATP. Employing a ligase fusion construct with dihydrofolate reductase (Apostol, B.L., Westaway, S.K., Abelson, J., and Greer, C.L. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 7445-7455) for purposes of enzyme purification, we performed joining assays demonstrating that ATP and GTP are the most effective combination of cofactors. ATP was essential to the joining reaction, while UTP, CTP, or ATP replaced GTP inefficiently. Specific and functionally independent binding sites were confirmed for ATP and GTP by direct binding measurement. A third site was implicated in UTP- and CTP-ligase interactions. Comparison of binding constants with Kapp values determined for nucleotide-dependent joining suggested both that nucleotide triphosphate binding may be limiting in tRNA joining and that tRNA ligation occurs most efficiently using GTP for the kinase reaction and ATP as the adenylylate synthetase cofactor.
Etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease

The diagnosis, genetics, risk factors, neuropathology, and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are discussed. AD is a degenerative brain disorder and is the leading cause of dementia. Clinical manifestations of AD are primarily the progressive loss of memory and language. Other signs and symptoms of the disease include psychiatric and behavioral disturbances and impairments in the performance of activities of daily living (ADL). To diagnose AD, other causes of dementia-- some of which may be reversible--must be ruled out by laboratory testing and neuroimaging. The pathogenic process that causes AD has not been fully delineated; however, it clearly leads to neuropathology characterized by neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and loss of cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert. Genetic factors, including mutations in the amyloid precursor protein and the two presenilin genes, appear important in the development of early-onset familial AD, whereas the apolipoprotein E genotype influences the timing of disease onset after age 65. Genetic factors may promote or accelerate deposition of beta-amyloid protein to form plaques, as well as abnormal phosphorylation of tau protein to form neurofibrillary tangles. Several biochemical factors, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal deficiency (estrogen), and other unmodifiable risk factors, notably aging, also play a role in the pathogenic process. The loss of neurons and synaptic connections is selective and causes deficiencies in cholinergic and other neurotransmitter systems, leading to cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric and behavioral disturbances, and eventual loss of ability to perform ADL. The etiology and pathogenesis of AD are highly complex; more effective therapeutic approaches than those currently available will be needed to address these underlying factors more specifically.
Swimming behavior of the sand crab, Emerita analoga (Crustacea, Anomura)

1. A description of the swimming behavior of Emerita analoga was obtained by analysing the components of the uropod stroke and their temporal sequence cinematographically. There are three components of uropod movement: (1) return stroke/power stroke of the protopodite, (2) spreading/folding of the rami, (3) rotation of the whole appendage. 2. Total stroke duration and latencies and durations of the component movements are positively correlated with interval with the exception of the duration of the power stroke which is constant. Stroke amplitude is negatively correlated with stroke duration and interval. 3. The muscles responsible for the component movements were determined by recording electromyographs via electrodes implanted in the muscles of swimming crabs. The motor pattern consists of return-stroke muscle activity immediately followed by a very brief burst in the power-stroke muscle, followed by a pause before the next returnstroke begins. 4. Over the entire, threefold range of intervals, the powerstroke latency does not change in proportion to the interval change, but neither is it truly constant. During high frequency uropod beating, the phase of the power stroke is entrained at a constant position midway through the returnstroke cycle. 5. In addition to the movement of the uropods, an extension/flexion cycle of the abdomen occurs with each stroke. It is suggested that the unique mode of swimming of this crab may be derived from the “typical” crustacean tail-flip.
Collagen gel contraction as a measure of fibroblast function in an animal model of subsynovial connective tissue fibrosis

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a peripheral neuropathy characterized by non-inflammatory fibrosis of the subsynovial connective tissues (SSCT). A rabbit model of CTS was developed to test the hypothesis that SSCT fibrosis causes the neuropathy. We used a cell-seeded collagen-gel contraction model to characterize the fibrosis in this model in terms of cellular mechanics, specifically to compare the ability of SSCT cells from the rabbit model and normal rabbits to contract the gel, and to assess the effect of transforming growth factor-β1,which is upregulated in CTS, on these cells. SSCT fibrosis was induced in six retired breeder female rabbits which were sacrificed at 6 weeks (N = 3) and 12 weeks (n = 3). An additional two rabbits served as controls. SSCT was harvested according to a standard protocol. Gels seeded with SSCT cells from rabbits sacrificed at 6 weeks had significantly higher tensile strength (p < 0.001) and Young's modulus (p < 0.001) than gels seeded with cells from rabbits sacrificed at 12 weeks or control animals. TGF-β1 significantly increased the decay time constant (p < 0.001), tensile strength (p < 0.001), and Young's modulus (p < 0.001) regardless of the cell source. This model may be useful in screening therapeutic agents that may block SSCT fibrosis, identifying possible candidates for CTS treatment. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:668–674, 2015.
Limiting disclosure in hippocratic databases

We present a practical and efficient approach to incorporating privacy policy enforcement into an existing application and database environment, and we explore some of the semantic tradeoffs introduced by enforcing these privacy policy rules at cell-level granularity. Through a comprehensive set of performance experiments, we show that the cost of privacy enforcement is small, and scalable to large databases.
Brain-computer relationships.

Publisher Summary Knowledge of the structure, the function, and the behavior of computers is important for an understanding of how they can be utilized in various applications of the fields of biology and medicine. There are certain parallels between the operation of computers and the brain, which may be of interest for computer engineers and biological scientists. The primary task is to distinguish between what computers can and cannot do easily and to use them intelligently for difficult problems in the life sciences. Likewise, one must consider what computers might be capable of in future. One can definitely see the accelerated rate of the increase in capability of computers over the past ten to fifteen years. The application of computers is far beyond automation of old manual techniques of data acquisition and processing. The intelligent use of these machines in basic sciences is still lagging far behind their actual potential capabilities.
REVIEW OF ROBERT SPAEMANN'S PERSONS

This review presents the principal themes of Robert Spaemann's Persons: The Difference between ‘Someone’ and ‘Something.’ To be a person is not to be identical with one's teleological nature, but rather, to have that nature. Personal consciousness is necessarily temporal consciousness. Persons have a range of distinctively personal acts, such as recognizing and respecting one another, understanding their lives as wholes, making judgments of conscience, promising, and forgiving. All members of the human species, whatever their stage of development or limitations, are persons. The present review also briefly considers certain objections that have been raised against Spaemann's position.
Triglyceride Regulation of Lysosomal Cholesterol in THP-1 Macrophages

The central question I investigated in my research this semester was how the cholesterol and triglyceride metabolic pathways interact in macrophages when cholesterol levels are high. What factors prevent or enhance macrophage ability to regulate cholesterol metabolism? We have preliminary evidence that excessive cholesterol accumulation in macrophages alters triglyceride metabolism in these cells. When cellular cholesterol levels are normal, the primary site of triglyceride hydrolysis is on the surface of the macrophage. There, lipases hydrolyze triglycerides within triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to glycerol and fatty acids. The fatty acids are carried across the cell membrane into the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm, the fatty acids can be utilized to make triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesteryl esters. Cholesterol influences how the cell breaks down triglycerides. If cholesterol levels are high then triglyceride metabolism tends to occur more frequently in the lysosome. In contrast, when the cells have excess cholesterol, particularly within their lysosomes, the surface hydrolysis is suppressed and lipoproteins are taken up by endocytosis and delivered to lysosomes for hydrolysis. The effect of inhibiting the surface lipolysis was evaluated to determine the impact on intracellular cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The data indicates that the presence of triglyceride restores lysosomal metabolism of cholesterol.
Efficient test set design for analog and mixed-signal circuits and systems

A quick literature survey revealed that many researchers have and continue to work on automatic test pattern generation for analog and mixed-signal circuits and systems, however, very few if any have addressed the problem of test set size. This paper presents a novel test set compaction algorithm which takes a generated test set and maximally reduces the number of test vectors required while maximizing the fault coverage. Results show that 58.33% reduction can be achieved. Smaller test set implies lower total test time and long test times have been identified as one of the bottlenecks in analog and mixed-signal test.
A Novel Approach for Magnet Leads

An integrated approach to magnet lead design is presented which incorporates innovations and design enhancements over a conventional design. The primary innovation is that a set of baffles is used to transfer heat from the leads to the Helium gas, as opposed to direct thermal contact between the two. Based on this design approach, we have established a calculational method to compute boiloff rates and temperature profiles. We have investigated the feasibility of such a baffle cooled approach by conducting boiloff calculations for various lead geometries. Leads with graded cross sectional areas, which are readily incorporated into such a system, significantly lower the boiloff rate compared with uniform area leads.
A Combined Activated Sludge Anaerobic Digestion Model (CASADM) to understand the role of anaerobic sludge recycling in wastewater treatment plant performance

The Combined Activated Sludge-Anaerobic Digestion Model (CASADM) quantifies the effects of recycling anaerobic-digester (AD) sludge on the performance of a hybrid activated sludge (AS)-AD system. The model includes nitrification, denitrification, hydrolysis, fermentation, methanogenesis, and production/utilization of soluble microbial products and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). A CASADM example shows that, while effluent COD and N are not changed much by hybrid operation, the hybrid system gives increased methane production in the AD and decreased sludge wasting, both caused mainly by a negative actual solids retention time in the hybrid AD. Increased retention of biomass and EPS allows for more hydrolysis and conversion to methane in the hybrid AD. However, fermenters and methanogens survive in the AS, allowing significant methane production in the settler and thickener of both systems, and AD sludge recycle makes methane formation greater in the hybrid system.
Women in drug abuse treatment programs: factors that influence retention at very early and later stages in two treatment modalities. A summary.

A preliminary study of factors associated with incorporation into the program and retention during the first 4 months of treatment among women entering mixed-sex and all-women demonstration drug abuse treatment programs. Prostitution, parents’ deviance, and entering while under legal jeopardy are among the more important characteristics of women less likely to stay in treatment, although these vary across different programs? One relatively small demonstration therapeutic community proved exceptionally able to retain more difficult clients.
Photonics: Illumination for atomic movies.

Free-electron lasers could produce X-rays intense enough to make atomic-resolution movies. Initial designs are kilometres long, but a prototype working in the ultraviolet points a way to shorter machines.
Genetic variation for methoprene resistance in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract Methoprene, a chemical analogue of juvenile hormone, is highly toxic to larvae of Drosophila melanogaster. The amount of naturally occurring resistance to methoprene was determined in genetically well-defined strains of Drosophila having a second or third chromosome extracted from natural population flies and inserted into an isogenic genetic background. Considerable variation in the level of three responses to methoprene—larval mortality, pupal mortality, and pseudotumour induction—was found among the strains. Moreover, for a given strain the level of resistance to methoprene varied for each response, suggesting that the responses are independent of one another. Previous studies have shown that genetic resistance to methoprene can be artificially selected in insects, and the present study shows that considerable variation of resistance genes also occurs naturally in unselected populations.
DNA binding properties of TAF1 isoforms with two AT-hooks.

TATA-binding protein-associated factor 1 (TAF1) is an essential component of the general transcription factor IID (TFIID), which nucleates assembly of the preinitiation complex for transcription by RNA polymerase II. TATA-binding protein and TAF1·TAF2 heterodimers are the only components of TFIID shown to bind specific DNA sequences (the TATA box and initiator, respectively), raising the question of how TFIID localizes to gene promoters that lack binding sites for these proteins. Here we demonstrate that Drosophila TAF1 protein isoforms TAF1-2 and TAF1-4 directly bind DNA independently of TAF2. DNA binding by TAF1 isoforms is mediated by cooperative interactions of two identical AT-hook motifs, one of which is encoded by an alternatively spliced exon. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that TAF1-2 bound the minor groove of adenine-thymine-rich DNA with a preference for the sequence AAT. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis of the alternatively spliced AT-hook indicated that Lys and Arg residues made essential DNA contacts, whereas Gly and Pro residues within the Arg-Gly-Arg-Pro core sequence were less important for DNA binding, suggesting that AT-hooks are more divergent than previously predicted. TAF1-2 bound with variable affinity to the transcription start site of several Drosophila genes, and binding to the hsp70 promoter was reduced by mutation of a single base pair at the transcription start site. Collectively, these data indicate that AT-hooks serve to anchor TAF1 isoforms to the minor groove of adenine-thymine-rich Drosophila gene promoters and suggest a model in which regulated expression of TAF1 isoforms by alternative splicing contributes to gene-specific transcription.
Cross-species microarray analysis with the OSCAR system suggests an INSR->Pax6->NQO1 neuro-protective pathway in aging and Alzheimer's disease

OSCAR is a web platform for cluster and crossspecies analysis of microarray data. It provides a comprehensive but friendly environment to both users and algorithm developers. For users, OSCAR provides cluster tools for both single and multiple species data, together with interactive analysis features. For single species data, OSCAR currently provides Hierarchical Clustering, K-means, partition around medoids (PAM), Self-Organizing Map (SOM), Tight Clustering and a novel algorithm called ‘Consensus Tight-clustering’. The new Consensus Tight-clustering algorithm delivers robust gene clusters and its result is more resistant to false positives than other state-of-the-art algorithms. For cross-species data analysis, OSCAR provides two novel computational tools: ‘coherentCluster’, ‘coherentSubset’ and a novel visualization tool: ‘comparative heatmap’. Applying the coherentCluster algorithm to human and fly aging data, we identified several coherent clusters of genes, which share co-regulation patterns that are highly correlated with the aging process in both of the two species. One coherent cluster suggests insulin receptor (INSR) may regulate Pax6 in both species and across different tissues. Further analysis with human brain expression and pathological data suggests an INSR-`Pax6-`quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1)-`detoxification neuro-protective pathway might be present in aging or diseased brain. For algorithm developers, OSCAR is a plug-and-play platform. With little effort, developers can plug their own algorithms into the OSCAR server without revealing the source codes, which will equip their command line executables with user-friendly interface and interactive analysis capability. In summary, OSCAR initiates an open platform for development and application of clustering and cross-species analysis programs. OSCAR stands for an open system for cluster analysis of microarray data. It is available at: http://biocomp.bioen. uiuc.edu/oscar
A tool for converting Linux device drivers into Solaris compatible binaries

The Linux operating system is quickly becoming a standard, attracting a wide user community and supporting a broad variety of applications and devices. Other vendors, such as Sun, have provided Linux-compatible system call interfaces to their kernels, but are constrained by the lack of device support. To address this problem, we present a system (called PITS) to build device drivers, in this case for Solaris x86, from Linux source code. To accomplish this goal, we designed tools and Linux kernel emulation code to handle the myriad incompatibilities. These incompatibilities require the ability to resolve symbol conflicts, emulate internal Linux kernel data structures, handle module initialization, and generate module dependencies. With our method, we show that converting Linux device drivers is possible, but has a few technical difficulties. Issues arise with sparse documentation, external user interfaces, and modular driver implementations. There are also fundamental differences between the two operating systems, such as interrupt and DMA handling. We describe each of these issues and their current solutions to build a functional driver in the Solaris environment. Using the IOzone file system benchmark, we also demonstrate comparable performance between our generated SCSI driver set and their corresponding native counterparts. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Indian Economy during Mrs. Gandhi's Regime

Purist economists may argue against studying the impact of the personality of a political leader on the state of the economy of a nation. However, it is hard to deny the interaction between the economic and the political systems. Indira Gandhi held power for a long enough period to leave an impact on her country's economy. Slowly but steadily, she moved away from some of the policies adopted by her predecessors. Even though during the early part of her regime the public sector continued to grow, in the later period she liberalized the economy and gave a considerable free hand to the private sector. Populist programs and policies were replaced by pragmatism. India underwent an agricultural revolution and its technological trained manpower became the largest in the Third World. Her employment policies were only partially successful and despite her emphasis on growth with equity, a substantial percentage of the population lived in poverty. Parallel economy grew at a faster rate than in the past and planned economic development was relegated to a secondary position. Nevertheless, Indira Gandhi left a stronger and healthier economy than the one she inherited at the time of her succession to power.
Cardima Surgical Ablation System: a novel tool for cardiac ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a pervasive and difficult heart rhythm problem for more than 3 million Americans. Patients are plagued by myriad symptoms and are exposed to the risk of stroke. Attempts to restore normal rhythm with drug therapy have been largely unsuccessful and the complications associated with long-term anticoagulation to reduce stroke risk are appreciable. Much interest has therefore developed in nonpharmacological treatments, such as ablation. At present, the optimal ablation device and technique have yet to be found. The Cardima Surgical Ablation System is a newly developed apparatus delivering radiofrequency energy to the outside of the beating heart within a shielded, lighted, irrigated, suction sheath. It advances the field of surgical ablation by addressing many of the shortcomings of older ablating devices, such as target fixation, controlled energy delivery, prevention of collateral tissue damage and device conformability. In this publication we present the specific advantages and disadvantages of the system, discuss its possible role in atrial fibrillation treatment and compare its characteristics with other currently available devices.
Race and gender differences in pediatricians' annual incomes.

Objective To determine the association between race, gender, and pediatricians' annual incomes after controlling for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1172 actively practicing black and white male and female pediatricians who responded to the American Medical Association's annual survey of physicians between 1992 and 2001. We used linear regression modeling to calculate annual incomes adjusted for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics. Results White men reported annual incomes of $183430. After adjusting incomes for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics, black male pediatricians' mean annual income was $175640 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], $150344–201138). This was $7790 (4.2%) lower, but not statistically different from that of white men ( P = .5). However, compared with white male pediatricians' incomes, white female pediatricians' incomes were $150 636 (95% CI, $140 975–$160 298), or $32 794 (18%) lower ( P P Conclusions During the 1990s, female gender was associated with lower annual incomes among pediatricians; differences were greatest for black women. These findings warrant further exploration to determine what factors might cause the gender-based income differences that we found.
Mortality and reproductive effects of avermectin B1 fed to German cockroaches

Newly emerged adult female German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) fed avermectin B1 at concentrations of 6.5 ppm and higher in the food exhibited high mortality at 10 days. Survivors of these dosages failed to reproduce. Lower dosages produced some mortality and inhibited mating and reproduction. Those individuals that did reproduce had normal-sized oothecae and the percent hatch was normal. The higher concentrations produced a marked inhibition of feeding which appeared to be related to toxicity rather than to unpalatability or repellency. When nymphs were fed avermectin B1 for short periods, higher dosages were required to produce mortality. Young nymphs were the most susceptible. Feeding inhibition also occurred in these short-term studies, but the survivors reproduced normally as did the progeny from the females fed avermectin continuously. The possible use of avermectin B1 in baits for cockroach control is discussed. RESUME Effets de la consommation d'avermectine B1 sur la mortalite et la reproduction de Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) Alimentees peu apres la mue imaginale avec une nourriture contenant 6,5 ppm ou plus d'avermectine B1, des femelles de B. germanica L. ont presente une forte mortalite a 10 jours; les survivantes ne se sont pas reproduites. Des doses plus faibles ont provoque quelque mortalite et quelque inhibition des accouplements et de la reproduction; les individus qui se sont reproduits avaient des ootheques de taille normale et le taux d'eclosion etait correct. Les concentrations plus elevees ont provoque une nette inhibition de l'alimentation, qui semblait etre plus due a la toxicite qu'a la repulsion ou au gout. Quand des larves âgees ont ete alimentees avec de l'avermectine B1 pendant de breves periodes, des doses plus elevees etaient necessaires pour provoquer la mortalite. Les jeunes larves etaient les plus sensibles. Une inhibition de l'alimentation apparut dans ces etudes a court terme, mais les survivants se reproduisirent normalement, comme le firent les descendants des femelles alimentees continuellement avec de l'avermectine. La discussion porte sur l'utilisation eventuelle de l'avermectine B1 dans des appâts pour lutter contre les blattes.
High-Performance Photorefractive Polymers

Photorefractive materials can form "instant" holograms without time-consuming development steps. Their potential applications include image processing, optical data storage, and correction of image distortion, but the cost of crystal growth and preparation has been a primary impediment to commercial application. Polymers, on the other hand, are low in cost and readily fabricated in a variety of forms. Photorefractive polymers were constructed with performance that matched or exceeded the performance of available photorefractive crystals. The largest observed two-beam energy coupling gain coefficient for the polymers was 56 per centimeter.