cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Sparse Representation of Time Series Data on Learning Rate of Time-Delay Neural Networks

In this paper, we examine how sparsifying input to a time-delay neural network (TDNN) can significantly improve the learning time and accuracy of the TDNN for time series data. The sparsifying of input is done through a sparse transform input layer. Many applications that involve prediction or forecasting of the state of a dynamic system can be formulated as a time series forecasting problem. Here, the task is to forecast some state variable, which is represented as a time series in applications such as weather forecasting, energy consumption prediction or predicting future state of a moving object. While there are many tools for time-delay forecasting, TDNNs have recently received more attention. We show that through applying a sparsifying input transform layer to the TDNN, we can considerably improve the learning time and accuracy. Through analyzing the learning process, we demonstrate the mathematical reasons for this improvement. Experiments with several datasets are used to show the improvement and the reason behind it. We use data from national weather forecast datasets, vehicle speed time series and synthetic data. Several different sparse representations are evaluated including principal component analysis (PCA), discrete cosine transform (DCT) and a mixture of DCT and Haar transforms. It is observed that the higher sparsity leads to better performance. The relative simplicity of TDNNs, compared with deep networks, and the use of sparse transforms for quicker learning open up possibilities for online learning in small embedded devices that do not have powerful computing capabilities.
High-Throughput and High-Dimensional Single Cell Analysis of Antigen-Specific CD8+ T cells

Although critical to T cell function, antigen specificity is often omitted in high-throughput multi-omics based T cell profiling due to technical challenges. We describe a high-dimensional, tetramer-associated T cell receptor sequencing (TetTCR-SeqHD) method to simultaneously profile TCR sequences, cognate antigen specificities, targeted gene-expression, and surface-protein expression from tens of thousands of single cells. Using polyclonal CD8+ T cells with known antigen specificity and TCR sequences, we demonstrated over 98% precision for detecting the correct antigen specificity. We also evaluated gene-expression and phenotypic differences among antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and characterized phenotype signatures of influenza- and EBV-specific CD8+ T cells that are unique to their pathogen targets. Moreover, with the high-throughput capacity of profiling hundreds of antigens simultaneously, we applied TetTCR-SeqHD to identify antigens that preferentially enrich cognate CD8+ T cells in type 1 diabetes patients compared to healthy controls, and discovered a TCR that cross reacts between diabetic and microbiome antigens. TetTCR-SeqHD is a powerful approach for profiling T cell responses.
Relations Between Interpersonal Hopelessness and Help-Seeking Intentions and Behaviors in Suicidal Individuals.

Abstract. Background: Due to an increasing suicide rate, risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) are an important target for research. Furthermore, individuals experiencing STBs oft...
A Cross-Sectional Study of Distress Levels in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer: The Impact of Race, Ethnicity, and Language Preference.

Our objective was to assess distress levels in female breast cancer patients as a function of race, ethnicity, and preferred language. We hypothesized minority patients and non-English screen-takers would report higher distress levels compared to English screen-takers and non-Hispanic whites. We conducted a retrospective observational study of female breast cancer patients at an NCI designated cancer center from 2009 to 2016 who were administered a validated biopsychosocial distress screening questionnaire. Self-reported data on race and ethnicity was collected. A total of 3,156 patients were included in the analysis; mean age of 56.3 (SD 12.25) years. The racial/ethnic cohort distribution included 54% non-Hispanic white (NHW), 19% Hispanic, 16% Asian, 7% Black/African American, and 4% other. On multivariable analysis only Hispanic patients were significantly more likely to report overall distress compared to NHW (OR [1.39; CI [1.03-1.87; p=0.03). Asians were significantly less likely to report distress in the functional domain (OR 0.71, CI [0.58-0.88]; p=0.002), while Black patients were significantly more likely to report highest distress levels in the physical (OR 1.53, CI [1.11-2.12]; p=0.01) domain. Hispanic Spanish screen-takers reported significantly more distress compared to Hispanic English screen-takers across all four domains of distress (p<0.05 for all). Top sources of distress in female breast cancer patients vary as a function of race, ethnicity, and preferred language. Future studies should focus on identifying effective, culturally appropriate targeted interventions to mitigate emotional distress levels in ethnic and racial minorities as well as non-English speaking patients with breast cancer.
Clinical and training practices: A survey of pediatric neuropsychologists serving inpatient rehabilitation.

Neuropsychologists in inpatient pediatric rehabilitation settings collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to educate, evaluate, and provide intervention to patients with acquired brain injury and their families, but there are no known studies that describe or define these clinical services. Thirty-one neuropsychologists in pediatric inpatient rehabilitation settings completed an online survey. Neuropsychologists (68.2% female; 86.4% with PhD versus PsyD) from the U.S. and Canada, who represented 22 pediatric inpatient rehabilitation sites comprised the final sample. Most sites (63.6%) were embedded within medical centers, with providers dedicating 2 to 32 hours (M = 14.25, SD = 9.26) weekly to onsite inpatient rehabilitation efforts. Providers most often saw patients with traumatic brain injury and other acquired brain injuries, including stroke and brain tumor. Trainees from various levels, most commonly post-doctoral fellows, provided clinical services on inpatient units, many with some degree of independence. Clinical practices that were standard across all or most sites included targeted discharge evaluations, serial cognitive monitoring, neuropsychology consultation to rehabilitation and non-rehabilitation units, and follow-up clinics. Provision of services was influenced by multiple factors including patient diagnosis, timing of return to school, inpatient census, and payor's effect on length of stay. Findings highlight many programmatic consistencies across sites and serve as an important initial step to guiding pediatric neuropsychology providers seeking to understand the current landscape of clinical care. Future efforts are needed to establish a true clinical guideline for practice. Although preliminary, data also support establishment of neuropsychology training programs, justify administrative resources, and serve to educate recipients of neuropsychology services.
Photolytic LCVD Modeling

As noted in Chapter 4, mathematical models are useful for understanding the mechanism of the chemical reaction and deposition process; the relative importance of various process parameters such as the laser irradiance, speed of the substrate with respect to the laser beam, laser pulselength, and wavelength; to analyze the LCVD experimental data; and to design and control the LCVD system in an optimum way. The mathematical modeling of photolytic LCVD differs from pyrolytic LCVD modeling in that the former involves photochemical reactions, whereas, the latter relies on the thermal decomposition of the reactant molecules. However, the transport mechanisms for the distribution of various species inside the deposition chamber are similar in the pyrolytic and photolytic processes and, for this reason, the transport equations are identical for the two processes. The source term, which represents the rate of production of the film material, is different for these two processes because it involves the Arrhenius rate expression and the laser intensity (or photon flux) for the pyrolytic and photolytic LCVD processes, respectively.
A Divide-and-Conquer Algorithm for Generating Markov Bases of Multi-way Tables

We describe a divide-and-conquer technique for generating a Markov basis that connects all tables of counts having a fixed set of marginal totals. This procedure is based on decomposing the independence graph induced by these marginals. We discuss the practical imports of using this method in conjunction with other algorithms for determining Markov bases.
Towards load balanced distributed transactional memory

We consider the problem of implementing transactional memory in d-dimensional mesh networks. We present and analyze MultiBend, a novel load balanced directory-based protocol, which is designed for the data-flow distributed implementation of software transactional memory. It supports three basic operations, publish, lookup, and move, on a shared object. A pleasing aspect of MultiBend is that it is load balanced (minimizes maximum node and edge utilization) which is achieved by using paths of multiple bends in the mesh. This protocol guarantees an ${\cal O}(d^2\log n)$ approximation for the load and also for the distance stretch of move requests, where n is the number of nodes in the network. For fixed d, both the load and the move stretch are optimal within a constant and a loglog factor, respectively. It also guarantees ${\cal O}(d^2)$ approximation for lookup requests which is optimal within a constant factor for fixed d. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first distributed directory protocol that is load balanced.
The ins and outs of membrane movement in biliary epithelia.

We have developed a novel technique for the isolation from normal rat liver of morphologically polar, intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells which exhibit clathrin-coated pits. Using electron microscopic cytochemistry, we demonstrated receptor-mediated endocytosis of EGF by cultured IBDEC. Also, using freshly isolated polar couplets of IBDEC, we demonstrated that these cells participate in fluid-phase endocytosis. Finally, using a novel fluorescence unquenching assay and our isolated bile duct epithelial cell model, we showed that secretin stimulates exocytosis in IBDEC, a finding compatible with the possibility that secretin-induced changes in ductular bile flow may occur by an exocytic process. The availability of a reproducible and reliable technique to prepare liver cell fractions highly enriched in intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells with morphologic polarity has made it possible to do direct experiments on the functions of intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells, including the study of plasma membrane movement (i.e., endocytosis and exocytosis). With the availability of this technique, other studies previously impossible to carry out in IBDEC are now feasible. Such studies are too numerous to mention, but would include experiments on ligand binding, transport of macromolecules, assessment of metabolic activities and toxicity studies, to name just a few. Indeed, virtually any question that has been asked about hepatocytes and addressed using isolated hepatocytes can now be directed toward isolated intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells. Finally, the methodology described here is theoretically applicable to human liver. Indeed, intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of several kinds of drug and immunologically induced liver diseases, including allograft rejection, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The availability of the technology described here should make feasible direct experimental approaches to questions in all of these areas.
Evaluation of projection patterns in the primary olfactory system of rainbow trout

Topographic projections are important for coding sensory information in the visual, auditory, and somatosensory systems but are of uncertain importance in the coding of olfactory information. We searched for topographic projections between olfactory receptor cells and the olfactory bulb of the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Anterograde axonal tracing with HRP revealed that the olfactory axons arising from discrete regions of the olfactory epithelium travel together within the olfactory nerve. The abrupt resorting and redistribution of these axons at the interface between the olfactory nerve and olfactory bulb imply that local cues control and organize axonal projections. The sites of termination of HRP-labeled axons in the glomerular layer could not be predicted from the location of their cell bodies in the periphery. Retrograde tracing with fluorescently labeled latex beads, injected into glomerular subregions as small as 1% of the total glomerular volume, labeled receptor cells dispersed throughout the olfactory epithelium. The distributions of labeled receptor cells were uncorrelated with the bulbar injection sites. Double-labeling experiments revealed that even widely separated sites in the glomerular layer receive axons from comingled populations of receptor cells. Hence, the evidence indicates that the spatial arrangement of olfactory receptor cells in the epithelium is not preserved in the termination of their axons in the olfactory bulb. We conclude that the primary olfactory in trout lacks point-to-point or regionally topographic organization and that the entire extent of the olfactory epithelium contributes axons to each region of the glomerular layer.
"Stationarity Is Dead" -- Long Live Transformation: Five Principles for Climate Change Adaptation Law

While there is no question that successful mitigation strategies remain critical in the quest to avoid worst-case climate change scenarios, we've passed the point where mitigation efforts alone can deal with the problems that climate change is creating. Because of "committed" warming - climate change that will occur regardless of mitigation measures, a result of the already-accumulated greenhouse gases in the atmosphere - what happens to social-ecological systems over the next decades, and most likely over the next few centuries, will largely be beyond human control. The time to start preparing for these changes is now, by making adaptation part of a national climate change policy. Nevertheless, American law and policy are not keeping up with the need for adaptation, even though adapting law to a world of continuing climate change impacts will be a far more complicated task than addressing mitigation. Environmental and natural resources law, for example, are currently based on assumptions of ecological stationarity and pursue goals of preservation and restoration. Neither those assumptions nor those goals fit a world of continual, unpredictable, and nonlinear transformations of complex ecosystems - but that is the world that climate change impacts are creating. This Article argues for a principled flexibility model of climate change adaptation law to pursue goals of increasing the resilience and adaptive capacity of social-ecological systems. In so doing, it lays out five principles and several sub-principles for the law of environmental regulation and natural resources management. Structurally, this Article also strongly suggests that climate change adaptation law must be bi-modal: it must promote informed and principled flexibility when dealing with climate change impacts, especially impacts that affect baseline ecological conditions such as temperature and hydrology, while simultaneously embracing an unyielding commitment to precautionary regulation when dealing with everything else.
The Neutrophil: Function, Disorders, and Testing

The ability of the body to keep harmful materials from interior spaces is closely linked to survival. One of the critical components of this process is the neutrophil. This article examines how the neutrophil moves from rapid circulation in the peripheral blood to a tissue site of need and how these cells dispatch offending material. Inherited defects of neutrophil function are discussed and information on function testing is also provided.
Correlation between clonotypic T-cell receptor beta chain variable region (TCR-Vβ) gene expression and aberrant T-cell antigen expression in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Immunohistochemical studies can augment the clinicopathologic diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Our goal was to determine whether a panel of 11 T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable region (V beta) monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) could consistently identify clonal T-cell populations within CTCL skin infiltrates, and whether these cell exhibited aberrant T-cell antigen expression. Biopsies from 24 CTCL and 3 parapsoriasis patients were analyzed. Of the 27 patients, 4 (15%) demonstrated T-cell clonality by restricted TCR-V beta moAb staining. The V beta + restricted cells expressed aberrant antigen profiles. Overall, aberrant antigen profiles were detected in 18/24 (75%) CTCL. Patients. V beta 18 moAb crossreacted with a 85 kD protein produced by basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. We conclude: 1) Restricted TCR-V beta expression correlated with aberrant T-cell antigen profiles: 2) In the absence of a complete panel of TCR-V beta moAbs, localization of aberrant T-cell antigen expression can be useful in identifying malignant T-cells within CTCL skin infiltrates; 3) The detection sensitivity and specificity of the currently available TCR-V beta moAbs may limit their utility to consistently detect clonal T-cell populations in CTCL skin biopsies; 4) A 85 kD protein present on basal and suprabasal keratinocytes is recognized by V beta 18 moAb and may be related to immune function(s) of the epidermis.
Global mental health: Global strengths and strategies: Task-shifting in a shifting health economy

Global mental health challenges sit at the frontiers of health care worldwide. The frequency of mental health disorders is increasing, and represents a large portion of the global burden of human disease (DALYs). There are many impeding forces in delivering mental health care globally. The knowledge of what mental health and its diseased states are limits the ability to seek appropriate care. Limited training and experience among primary providers dilutes the capacity of systems for adequate care, support, and intervention. There are limited numbers of medical personnel worldwide to attend to individuals afflicted by mental health disorders. The challenges of global mental health are the capacity of the global systems to enhance knowledge and literacy surrounding mental health disorders, enhance and expand ways of identifying and treating mental health disorders effectively at an early stage in its course. Much has been written about the epidemiology of mental health disorders globally followed by discussions of the need for improvements in programs that will improve the lot of the mentally ill. Task shifting involves the engaging of human resources, generally nonprofessional, in the care of mental health disorders. Engaging traditional healers and community health workers in the identification and management of mental health disorders is a very strong potential opportunity for task shifting care in mental health. In doing so it will be necessary to study the concept of mental health literacy of traditional healers and health workers in a process of mutual alignment of purpose founded on evidence based research.
Virtual photon fragmentation functions

We introduce operator definitions for virtual photon fragmentation functions, which are needed for reliable calculations of Drell-Yan transverse momentum (Q{sub T}) distributions when Q{sub T} is much larger than the invariant mass Q. We derive the evolution equations for these fragmentation functions. We calculate the leading order evolution kernels for partons to fragment into an unpolarized as well as a polarized virtual photon. We find that fragmentation functions to a longitudinally polarized virtual photon are most important at small z, and the fragmentation functions to a transversely polarized virtual photon dominate the large z region. We discuss the implications of this finding to the J/{psi} mesons' polarization at large transverse momentum.
Effects of nest paper hydrocarbons on nest and nestmate recognition in colonies ofPolistes metricus say

The role of nest paper hydrocarbons in nest and nestmate recognition for the social waspPolistes metricus was examined. Newly emergedP. metricus workers maintained in the laboratory spent four days alone on a fragment of nest paper that was subjected to one of the following tretments: untreated, extracted with hexane to remove surface hydrocarbons, or extracted with extract reapplied. Test wasps were returned to their natal nest with nestmates and observed for 1 h. Time spent on nest by test wasp and its behaviors were recorded. Wasps exposed to untreated and reapplied nest fragments spent an average of 34.13 and 31.75 min on their nests, respectively, while wasps from extracted fragments averaged 17.19 min. Behavior of wasps exposed to extracted paper differed significantly from wasps exposed to paper with hydrocarbons. These results suggest that exposure to nest paper hydrocarbons is important for both nest and nestmate recognition.
Effect of Pituitary Hormones on Progesterone Synthesis by Ovine Luteal Tissue in Vitro

Ovine luteal tissue was incubated in vitro in the presence of ovine LH, FSH and prolactin. A dose-response relationship between final progesterone concentration and LH dose was established. The addition of LH to incubated tissue caused a significant increase in final progesterone concentration. FSH and prolactin had no effect on progesterone synthesis. The incorporation of acetate-1-14C into progesterone was not altered by the addition of pituitary hormones. (Endocrinology 81: 1407, 1967)
Microwave-induced temperature fields in graphite powder heated in a waveguide reactor

Microwave-enabled exfoliation of graphite oxides has been recently shown to be capable of quickly producing graphene sheets of larger size and with fewer defects with the potential for low-cost mass production. In this paper, we investigate microwave heating of graphite powder in a waveguide reactor using multiphysics macroscopic modeling and experimentation. High heating rate and strong non-uniformity of temperature field are demonstrated and discussed as the key characteristics that require rigorous control in processes involving microwave heating of graphite powder.
Thermal Transitions and Reaction Kinetics of Polyhederal Silsesquioxane containing Phenylethynylphthalimides

Thermal transitions and reaction kinetics of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) with phenylethynylphthalimide (PEPI) moieties were investigated. Specifically, this study was designed to probe the influence of the POSS peripheries, types of spacer group in between the PEPI and the SiO1.5 core, the architecture of the PEPI arrangement with respect to the SiO1.5 core, and the number of PEPI groups per cage on the thermal transitions and the cross-linking reaction of phenylethynyl. PEPI−POSS compounds with isobutyl peripheries exhibited lower melting temperatures as compared to those with phenyl periphery, consequently these isobutyl PEPI−POSS derivatives have a higher phenylethynyl reaction rate, although the onset of reaction temperature was not significantly affected. Changing the spacer group from propyl to phenyl causes an increase in the melting transition temperature along with a higher heat of fusion at melting; however, the more rigid phenyl spacer enables the PEPI−POSS to form a higher degr...
Reflection and Collision of Solitary Wave Solutions of the Nonlinear Klein-Gordon Equation

Abstract The reflection of solitary wave solutions of the cubically nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation from rigid and nonrigid boundaries, and their mutual interaction are studied using finite-difference numerical techniques. The instability of these solutions is shown to be removed by incorporating a small amount of a fifth-order saturating nonlinearity in the system.
Serum estradiol positively predicts outcomes in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Abstract In patients undergoing in vitro fertilization, the presence of higher E 2 levels at the time of hCG administration predict a greater likelihood of ongoing pregnancy.
Cardiac output measurement using femoral artery thermodilution in patients

This study was performed to assess thermal indicator loss between the pulmonary artery and the abdominal aorta after a single bolus injection in the right atrium, in order to validate cardiac output measurements from dilution curves recorded in an arterial vessel after central venous indicator injection. Thermal indicator dilution curves were simultaneously recorded in the pulmonary artery and the femoral artery after central venous injection of a 10 mL ice cold indocyanine-green dye solution. Cardiac outputs were determined on-line by identical cardiac output computers connected with thermistor catheters in the pulmonary artery catheter (COPA) and the femoral artery (COFA). Extravascular lung thermal volume was measured simultaneously. Paired dilution curves were measured on 804 occasions in 48 patients. The cardiac outputs correlate well (r = .94) with a least-square regression equation for the following data: COFA = 0.97 COPA ± 0.59 L/min. Mean femoral artery cardiac output was 7% greater than mean pulmonary artery cardiac output (P < .001). We interpret this as being due to thermal indicator loss in passing through the lungs, left heart, and aorta. Thermal indicator loss is negatively correlated with cardiac output and extravascular lung thermal volume. We conclude that thermodilution measurements in a peripheral artery yield valid estimates of cardiac output with a 7% systematic overestimation due to thermal indicator loss.
EC approach to governance as applied to the modernisation of competition policy

Purpose – “Re‐shaping” policy provides the opportunity for an inclusive approach to decision‐making in dialogue with existing member‐states and anticipated new members. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which the governance process that underpinned the modernisation of EC competition policy (Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2003, effective 1 May 2004) can be considered inclusive.Design/methodology/approach – A multi‐level genre is used to describe EC governance with respect to the implementation of revised competition policy. The process is evaluated through the levels of involvement of the key stakeholders, i.e. firms (national, European and non‐European), consumers, national competition authorities (NCAs), the European Commission, and member states. The main explanatory vehicles relied on are institutionalism governance, policy network analysis and inter‐governmentalist models of governance.Findings – Multi‐level governance was apparent as member states established national working part...
Contact Angles on Surfaces with Mesoscopic Chemical Heterogeneity

The contact angle of water was measured on surfaces composed of random hydrophilic and hydrophobic patches with typical length scales of 10−100 nm. By quenching self-assembled monolayers at various stages of growth, the fractional surface coverage of the hydrophobic patches was varied in the range 0.04−0.97 as determined by atomic force microscopy. The cosine of the contact angle of water cos θ was systematically lower than the prediction of the mean field Cassie equation cos θC. The deviation from this prediction cos θC − cos θ had an approximately linear dependence on the total contour length between hydrophobic and hydrophilic patches (a measure of the degree of heterogeneity). The contact angle was insensitive to droplet size, suggesting that line tension effects were minimal. Also, contact angles of hexadecane were in good agreement with the Cassie prediction. We propose two possible explanations for the observed behavior. Long-range (approximately 5 nm) hydrophobic interactions may result in a relat...
The Full-Length, Cytoplasmic C-Terminus of the β2-Adrenergic Receptor Expressed in E. coli Acts as a Substrate for Phosphorylation by Protein Kinase A, Insulin Receptor Tyrosine Kinase, GRK2, but Not Protein Kinase C and Suppresses Desensitization when Expressed in Vivo

Abstract The ability of the cytoplasmic, full-length C-terminus of the β2-adrenergic receptor (BAC1) expressed in Escherichia coli to act as a functional domain and substrate for protein phosphorylation was tested. BAC1 was expressed at high-levels, purified, and examined in solution as a substrate for protein phosphorylation. The mobility of BAC1 on SDS–PAGE mimics that of the native receptor itself, displaying decreased mobility upon chemical reduction of disulfide bonds. Importantly, the C-terminal, cytoplasmic domain of the receptor expressed in E. coli was determined to be a substrate for phosphorylation by several candidate protein kinases known to regulate G-protein-linked receptors. Mapping was performed by proteolytic degradation and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Purified BAC1 is phosphorylated readily by protein kinase A, the phosphorylation occurring within the predicted motif RRSSSK. The kinetic properties of the phosphorylation by protein kinase A displayed cooperative character. The activated insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, which phosphorylates the beta-adrenergic receptor in vivo, phosphorylates BAC1. The Y364 residue of BAC1 was predominantly phosphorylated by the insulin receptor kinase. GRK2 catalyzed modest phosphorylation of BAC1. Phosphorylation of the human analog of BAC1 in which Cys341 and Cys378 were mutated to minimize disulfide bonding constraints, displayed robust phosphorylation following thermal activation, suggesting under standard conditions that the population of BAC1 molecules capable of assuming the “activated” conformer required by GRKs is low. BAC1 was not a substrate for protein kinase C, suggesting that the canonical site in the second cytoplasmic loop of the intact receptor is preferred. The functional nature of BAC1 was tested additionally by expression of BAC1 protein in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. BAC1 was found to act as a dominant-negative, blocking agonist-induced desensitization of the beta-adrenergic receptor when expressed in mammalian cells. Thus, the C-terminal, cytoplasmic tail of this G-protein-linked receptor expressed in E. coli acts as a functional domain, displaying fidelity with regard to protein kinase action in vivo and acting as a dominant-negative with respect to agonist-induced desensitization.
A Novel Role for Kruppel-like Factor 14 (KLF14) in T-Regulatory Cell Differentiation

Background & Aims Kruppel-like Factor 14 (KLF14) proteins function as epigenetic reprogramming factors during cell differentiation in many cell populations and in engineered induced pluripotent stem cells. In this study, we determined the function of KLF14 in the regulation of forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3), a transcription factor critical for T regulatory (Treg) cell differentiation. Methods We studied the effects of KLF14 on FOXP3 expression at the level of the protein and mRNA. We evaluated the functional relevance of KLF14 to FOXP3+ Treg cells in vitro and in vivo through suppression assays and two colitis models. Finally, we analyzed the effect of KLF14 on the epigenetic landscape of the FOXP3 promoter locus through chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Results KLF14, induced upon activation of naive CD4+ T cells, segregates to the FOXP3- population and is inversely associated with FOXP3 expression and Treg function. KLF14 knockout (KO) CD4+ cells differentiated into adaptive Tregs more readily in vitro and in vivo. KLF14 KO cells demonstrated an enhanced Treg suppressor function in vitro and in vivo. KLF14 repressed FOXP3 at the level of the mRNA and protein, and by ChIP assay KLF14 was found to bind to the Treg-specific demethylation region (TSDR) enhancer region of FOXP3. Furthermore, loss of KLF14 reduced the levels of H3K9me3, HP1, and Suv39H1at the TSDR. Conclusions These results outline a novel mechanism by which KLF14 regulates Treg cell differentiation via chromatin remodeling at the FOXP3 TSDR. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence to support a role for KLF14 in maintaining the differentiated state of Treg cells, with an outline of a potential mechanism to modify the expression of immune genes such as FOXP3 that are critical to T-cell fate.
Fertility preservation in patients with haematological disorders: a retrospective cohort study

This study investigated the factors associated with utilization of fertility preservation and the differences in treatments and outcomes by prior chemotherapy exposure in patients with haematological diseases. This study included all 67 women with haematological diseases seen for fertility preservation consultation at two university hospitals between 2006 and 2011. Of the total, 49% had lymphoma, 33% had leukaemia, 7% had myelodysplastic syndrome and 4% had aplastic anaemia; 46% had prior chemotherapy; and 33% were planning for bone marrow transplantation, 33% pursued ovarian stimulation and 7% used ovarian tissue banking; and 48% of patients did not pursue fertility preservation treatment. All five cycle cancellations were in the post-chemotherapy group: three patients with leukaemia and two with lymphoma. Patients with prior chemotherapy had lower baseline antral follicle count (10 versus 22) and received more gonadotrophins to achieve similar peak oestradiol concentrations, with no difference in oocyte yield (10.5 versus 10) after adjustment for age. Embryo yield was similar between those who had prior chemotherapy and those who had not. Half of the patients with haematological diseases who present for fertility preservation have been exposed to chemotherapy. While ovarian reserve is likely impaired in this group, oocyte yield may be acceptable.
Characterization of a commercial size cylindrical Li-ion cell with a reference electrode

A method of monitoring the performance of the cell components was developed to study the cycling behavior of the commercial size rechargeable lithium-ion cells. A lithium reference electrode was placed into the center of a full commercial cylindrical cell in an effort to monitor the electrochemical behavior of the cell and its component electrodes during cycling. This technique allowed the resolution of measured voltage into component cathode and anode voltages and hence the resolution of the total area-specific impedance (ASI) into cathode and anode ASI. The cathode was found to be the electrode limiting the power and capacity of the Li-ion cell. Further investigations also revealed that the increase in the cathode ASI is a main cause of power and energy degradation of the cell during cycling.
Nutrient acquisition by mycobacteria

The growth and nutritional requirements of mycobacteria have been intensively studied since the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis more than a century ago. However, the identity of many transporters for essential nutrients of M. tuberculosis and other mycobacteria is still unknown despite a wealth of genomic data and the availability of sophisticated genetic tools. Recently, considerable progress has been made in recognizing that two lipid permeability barriers have to be overcome in order for a nutrient molecule to reach the cytoplasm of mycobacteria. Uptake processes are discussed by comparing M. tuberculosis with Mycobacterium smegmatis. For example, M. tuberculosis has only five recognizable carbohydrate transporters in the inner membrane, while M. smegmatis has 28 such transporters at its disposal. The specificities of inner-membrane transporters for sulfate, phosphate and some amino acids have been determined. Outer-membrane channel proteins in both organisms are thought to contribute to nutrient uptake. In particular, the Msp porins have been shown to be required for uptake of carbohydrates, amino acids and phosphate by M. smegmatis. The set of porins also appears to be different for M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis. These differences likely reflect the lifestyles of these mycobacteria and the availability of nutrients in their natural habitats: the soil and the human body. The comprehensive identification and the biochemical and structural characterization of the nutrient transporters of M. tuberculosis will not only promote our understanding of the physiology of this important human pathogen, but might also be exploited to improve tuberculosis chemotherapy.
The nature of ponded deposits on Eros

One of the surprises of the NEAR-Shoemaker mission was that Eros's surface exhibits a wide variety of landforms, which are indicative of a global covering of loose fragmental debris1. At one extreme in roughness is the Shoemaker Regio area, which is characterized by a high density of boulders up to 100 m across, slumps, slides, and finer blanketing material. At the other extreme are distinctive, flat deposits that appear smooth down to a resolution of 1.2 cm per pixel. Here we report the results of global mapping and colour analysis of these smooth deposits. They have formed most efficiently in restricted areas, and appear to be the result of deposition of finer material sorted from the upper portion of the asteroid's regolith. The smooth deposits constitute a family of features with a range of morphologies, but all appear to be the result of sedimentation. The geography of the deposits is consistent with some predicted aspects of photoelectric sorting, but these exotic transport and depositional mechanisms are not well understood. Deposits with the properties seen on Eros have no obvious analogues in previous lunar or asteroid data.
Station and cervical dilation at epidural placement in predicting cesarean risk.

Abstract Objective: To compare station and cervical dilation at the time of epidural placement for predicting cesarean delivery risk. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 275 women in labor with live, singleton fetuses at term in vertex presentations. We excluded women with preeclampsia or previous cesarean deliveries. A multiple logistic regression model evaluated demographic and labor-related variables’ associations with cesarean risk. Results: Fifty-nine of the 275 patients receiving epidural analgesia (21.5%) were delivered by cesarean, whereas 216 (78.5%) delivered vaginally. Variables that proved to be statistically significant in increasing the likelihood of cesarean were station at time of epidural placement (odds ratio [OR] 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6, 11.0; P P P = .26). Cesareans were performed in 43 of 129 women (33.3%) who received epidurals with the vertex at a −1 station or higher, whereas only 16 of 146 women (11.0%) had cesareans if placement of the epidural was done after the vertex had reached at least a zero station. Conclusion: Station at the time of epidural placement was more accurate predicting cesarean risk than cervical dilation. Placement of the epidural after the fetal vertex has become engaged in the pelvis (at least a zero station) resulted in a substantially lower cesarean risk.
Molecular Recognition and Host-Guest Interactions in Complexes of O-Bistren, C-Bistren, and Bisdien

The host-guest relationships of the complexes of the cryptand ligands O-BISTREN and C-BISTREN, and of the analogous macrocyclic ligand BISDIEN are compared. The affinities of their binuclear copper(II) complexes for the bridging ligands (OH−, F−) as ‘cascade’ type guests (i.e., guests of guests) are reported. The ability of the dicobalt(II)-BISDIEN complex to coordinate dioxygen and an additional bifunctional guest simultaneously, leads to the possibility of a new type of catalysis occurring within the cavity of a macrocyclic complex.
Quantitative determination of γ-carboxyglutamic acid in proteins

Abstract Methods for alkaline hydrolysis of proteins and chromatographic resolution and quantitation of the calcium-binding amino acid γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla) are presented. Gla is extremely acid labile and totally converted to glutamic acid during acid hydrolysis. Under the recommended hydrolysis conditions of 2 m KOH at 110°C for 22 hr, the recovery of Gla is quantitative. The ninhydrin color yield for Gla on our particular amino acid analyzer is only 39% of that for glutamic acid; this factor is readily obtained from the ratio of peak areas after acid conversion of Gla to glutamic acid.
Body Weight and Longevity

To the Editor.— Manson and colleagues1omitted several facts from their table of studies relating adiposity and mortality. Findings from the Yugoslavia, Western Electric, Pooling Project, and Manitoba studies pertain only to the incidence of coronary heart disease, not to all-cause mortality. In the Pooling Project, the relationship between weight and allcause mortality was U-shaped, with the nadir of the curve occurring at weights above the cohort mean.2,3In the Norway study, the nadir of the mortality curve occurred at weights above, not below, the cohort mean. In fact, peak life expectancy for Norwegian women was associated with weights 26% to 36% above the 1959 insurance tables.3There was no association between weight and mortality in the Whitehall study, even after controlling for smoking or after removing data for the first two years of follow-up.4 Furthermore, Manson and colleagues neglected to evaluate methods of subject selection.
Mentoring Rhetoric's Historians

This response article focuses on the goals for research stated and implied in the contributors' work, comparing them with the goals of earlier generations of scholars in the history of rhetoric. Through mentoring, scholars pass on both the strengths and limitations of the field, which are then “embodied” by the next generation. One impulse remains constant: to enrich the field by identifying new sites for rhetorical investigation.
Amino acid sequence of human thrombin A chain

Abstract The A chain isolated from biologically active human thrombin is thirteen residues shorter from the amino terminus than the A chain isolated from bovine thrombin. Automated Edman degradation of the reduced, alkylated A chain permitted the direct identification of 34 out of the 36 residues and established all tryptic overlaps. The NH 2 -terminal residue is threonine. This residue is homologous to threonine-14 of the A chain of bovine thrombin. Human thrombin A chain has one half cystine linking it to the larger B chain. Methionine, histidine, valine and tryptophan are not present. There are nine acid residues (Glu, Asp) but none of their respective amides.
A study of 15O with the 13C(3He, n)15O reaction

Abstract The absolute differential cross sections of 18 levels populated in the 13C(3He, n)15O reaction were measured at scattering angles from 0° to 160° at a flight path of 7 m. Angular distributions of the neutron yield were measured at 3He bombarding energies of 5.5 and 6.2 MeV. A new spin and parity assignment of 1 2 − is made for the 10.47 MeV state in 15O. Spectroscopic factors and statistical compound-nucleus contributions are obtained by treating the observed cross sections as an incoherent sum of distorted wave Born approximation and compound-nucleus contributions. Analysis was performed with the DWBA code DWUCK and the Hauser-Feshbach-Moldauer code MANDY.
Chromatographic evidence for pyrraline formation during protein glycation in vitro and in vivo

Pyrraline (epsilon-2-(formyl-5-hydroxymethyl-pyrrol-1-yl)-L-norleucine) is an advanced Maillard reaction product formed from 3-deoxyglucosone in the non-enzymatic reaction between glucose and the epsilon-amino group of lysine residues on proteins. Although its presence in vivo as well as in in vitro incubations of proteins with sugars has been documented by immunochemical methods using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, its formation in proteins has recently been questioned by similar methodology. To clarify this issue, we investigated pyrraline formation in proteins following alkaline hydrolysis and quantitation by high-performance liquid chromatography on a C18 reverse-phase column. Time- and sugar concentration-dependent increase in pyrraline formation was noted in serum albumin incubated with either 100 mM glucose or 50 mM 3-deoxyglucosone. Formation of pyrraline from 3-deoxyglucosone was rapid at slightly acidic pH, confirming its synthetic pathway through this Maillard reaction intermediate. Low levels of pyrraline (< 10 pmol/mg protein) were also detected in a pool of human skin collagen by this method, but no age effect was apparent. Using a slightly different approach, pyrraline-like material was detected in human plasma proteins following enzyme digestion and analysis by high performance liquid chromatography. Plasma from diabetic patients showed a significant increase in pyrraline-like material compared to controls. The levels in diabetic and normal individuals were 21.6 +/- 9.56 and 12.8 +/- 5.6 pmol per mg protein, respectively (P = 0.005), reflecting thereby the elevated levels of the immediate precursor of pyrraline, 3-deoxyglucosone, in diabetic plasma.
The Relationship Between Physical Restraint Removal and Falls and Injuries Among Nursing Home Residents

BACKGROUND A major reason cited for continued restraint use in American nursing homes is the widely held belief that restraint reduction will lead to fall-related incidents and injuries. METHODS This study represents an analysis of data collected in a clinical trial of interventions aimed at reducing the use of restraints in nursing homes. Two different designs were employed to test the relationship between restraint reduction and falls/injuries. First, multiple logistic regression was used to compare fall/injury rates in subjects who had restraints removed (n = 38) to those who continued to be restrained (n = 88); second, survival analysis was employed to test the relationship between physical restraint removal and falls/injuries at the institutional level by comparing fall/injury rates among three nursing homes (n = 633) with varying rates of restraint reduction. RESULTS Based on the multiple logistic regression analysis, there was no indication of increased risk of falls or injuries with restraint removal. Moreover, restraint removal significantly decreased the chance of minor injuries due to falls (adjusted odds ratio: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.9; p < .05). The survival analysis demonstrated that the nursing home that had the least restraint reduction (11%) had a 50% higher rate of falls (p < .01) and more than twice the rate of fall-related minor injuries (p < .001) when compared to the homes with 23% and 56% restraint reduction, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Physical restraint removal does not lead to increases in falls or subsequent fall-related injury in older nursing home residents.
Diffusion in fluids with large mean free paths: Non-classical behavior between Knudsen and Fickian limits

Abstract Diffusion in fluids is analyzed at non-classical conditions, intermediate between the Knudsen and Fickian limits. The fluid is considered in the framework of the Einstein’s diffusion evolution equation involving expansions of the density distribution in powers of displacement and time. The standard truncation of these expansions results in the classical model of diffusion; however, higher-order terms lead to a departure from classical behavior. This has not been studied or discussed adequately in the literature previously. Here, we present an exact solution of the Einstein’s diffusion evolution equation without truncation of the density expansions. This solution illustrates limitations in the classical truncations and demonstrates non-classical effects due to large mean free paths, λ . In particular, this new solution shows that, at large λ , there are significant quantitative deviations from classical diffusion profiles. In addition, this solution demonstrates a dramatic change in the diffusion mechanism from the state where the molecular motions are predominantly ballistic to one of molecular chaos. This has implications for fundamentals of fluids between the Knudsen and Fickian limits, and for a variety of fields where evolution of a system includes random, multi-scale displacement of particles, such as nanotechnology, vacuum techniques, turbulence, and astrophysics.