cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tangier in the time of Arab revolutions: an ethnopolitical diary

This is an ethnographic account of an unfinished, but continuous revolution in Morocco that I observed during my fieldwork in Tangier from February 2011 to December 2011. I recount the activities and strategies of the political movement that has come to be known as the 20 February Movement. The movement members, mainly young people, call for a transition to a constitutional monarchy and a democratic society based on freedom and social justice. The movement is part and parcel of the so-called Arab Spring that was triggered by a 26-year-old street vendor who burned himself in protest against police oppression in Tunisia. The narrative intends to give insights into the dynamics of a political movement in Morocco and its relation to the politics of the makhzen.
Fluency and response speed in recognition judgments.

Previous research has suggested that perceptual fluency can contribute to recognition judgments. In this study, we examined whether fluency in recognition is based upon the speed of preceding operations, as suggested by studies of perceptual fluency. Subjects studied items in both lexical decision and naming tasks, and were then tested on two blocks of lexical decision trials with probe recognition trials. Jacoby’s process dissociation procedure was used, and results from this procedure suggested that recognition judgments in the task were based largely upon familiarity. However, the estimated discriminability available from response time distributions was significantly less than the observed recognition discriminability. Simulated memory operating characteristics confirmed this underdetermination of recognition by response times. The results demonstrate, contrary to previous suggestions, that fluency in recognition is not based upon speed.
Interval estimation for log‐normal mean with applications to water quality

Large samples based confidence interval is frequently used by environmental scientists as an approximate data summary about the log-normal regression mean. It has been shown by simulation that the coverage probability of such an interval is below the intended nominal level for small samples. To overcome this difficulty, a complicated small sample corrected interval has been recently proposed in the literature which substantially improves the coverage probability. In this paper, similar improvement are obtained by simply replacing the quantile of the normal distribution by the appropriate quantile of Student t distribution as will be demonstrated in this paper by simulation. The advantage of our proposed interval is its simplicity and thus will be easier to use in applications. As an illustration, we use the method to study the relationship between the flow and concentration of total phosphorous (TP) at four upstream/downstream sampling locations on the Fraser River of British Columbia. Our interests in developing intervals for the mean TP level at each location as well as the ratio of the mean at a downstream location to that at an upstream location. Such study is important in tracing the evolution of pollutants in an ecosystem and thus in setting policies for pollution control. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterizing the Intramolecular H-bond and Secondary Structure in Methylated GlyGlyH+ with H2 Predissociation Spectroscopy

We report vibrational predissociation spectra of the four protonated dipeptides derived from glycine and sarcosine, GlyGlyH+•(H2)1,2, GlySarH+•(D2)2, SarGlyH+•(H2)2, and SarSarH+•(D2)2, generated in a cryogenic ion trap. Sharp bands were recovered by monitoring photoevaporation of the weakly bound H2 (D2) molecules in a linear action regime throughout the 700–4200 cm–1 range using a table-top laser system. The spectral patterns were analyzed in the context of the low energy structures obtained from electronic structure calculations. These results indicate that all four species are protonated on the N-terminus, and feature an intramolecular H-bond involving the amino group. The large blue-shift in the H-bonded N–H fundamental upon incorporation of a methyl group at the N-terminus indicates that this modification significantly lowers the strength of the intramolecular H-bond. Methylation at the amide nitrogen, on the other hand, induces a significant rotation (~110o) about the peptide backbone.
Melanoma Brain Metastases: an Unmet Challenge in the Era of Active Therapy

Metastatic disease to the brain is a frequent manifestation of melanoma and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and poor prognosis. Surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery provide local control but less frequently affect the overall outcome of melanoma brain metastases (MBM). The role of systemic therapies for active brain lesions has been largely underinvestigated, and patients with active brain lesions are excluded from the vast majority of clinical trials. The advent of active systemic therapy has revolutionized the care of melanoma patients, but this benefit has not been systematically translated into intracranial activity. In this article, we review the biology and clinical outcomes of patients with MBM, and the evidence supporting the use of radiation, surgery, and systemic therapy in MBM. Prospective studies that included patients with active MBM have shown clinical intracranial activity that parallels systemic activity and support the inclusion of patients with active MBM in clinical trials involving novel agents and combination therapies.
Reconstructions from parallel- and fan-beam data with truncations

A formula was recently described by Clackdoyle et. al. for image reconstruction within a region of interest (ROI) from knowledge of its truncated 2D Radon transform. In this work, we present an alternative, simple derivation of the formula by using the well-known relationship between the parallel-beam and fan-beam geometries. Based upon our derivation, the role of parameter t in the formula in ROI-image reconstruction can be clearly identified. We show that the parameter t determines the size of a reconstructible ROI from parallel-beam data containing truncations. Numerical studies were performed to by use of the formula with different t. We show that the formula yields ROI images with smaller sizes and lower quality than does our backprojection filtration algorithm.
Counterinsurgency and Lone Wolf Terrorism

This essay examines strategies to counter the threat of lone wolf terrorism. Lone wolves implement a tactical approach dubbed “leaderless resistance,” which has become popular in several extremist subcultures. Although most episodes of lone wolf terrorism have not been highly destructive, there are notable exceptions that have claimed a substantial number of victims. The lone wolf trend should be contextualized in the evolution of conflict and strategy in which smaller and smaller entities figure prominently. Elements of the counterinsurgency doctrine can be applied to lone wolf terrorism. A comprehensive counterterrorism strategy must prepare for the prospect of lone wolf terrorism because of the increasing number of small-scale attacks, the large number of soft targets in contemporary society, and the potential damage that individuals can cause with the use of weapons of mass destruction.
Protective influence of diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine on hydrazine induced lipid peroxidation and hepatic injury

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of water soluble and/or lipid soluble antioxidants to reduce the toxicity as well as the biochemical, functional, and pathological changes induced by a variety of hepatotoxic agents. To further determine the ability of diphenyl- p -phenylenediamine (DPPD) to modify chemical induced hepatic injury, the influence of DPPD on hydrazine-induced hepatic toxicity was assessed. The administration of hydrazine to rats significantly increased liver triglycerides. Significant inhibition of triglyceride accumulation occurred in the DPPD-treated group. Hydrazine also caused an increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation as reflected by malonaldehyde (MDA) formation. The enhancement in MDA formation was prevented by DPPD treatment. In contrast to the profound hepatic necrosis observed following hydrazine, livers from DPPD treated rats which received hydrazine showed only mild architectural alterations. The hypoglycemia and retention of BSP which developed upon hydrazine administration was not modified by DPPD. The ability of the lipid soluble antioxidant, DPPD, to significantly inhibit hydrazine-induced fatty infiltration, necrosis, and lipid peroxidation further accents the potential of employment of appropriate antioxidants in the prevention of chemical-induced hepatic injury.
INTEREST GROUP LITIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

During the past decade federal courts have become an important forum for many environmental conflicts. In the early 1970's environmental groups initiated many of these cases, putting government agencies charged with enforcing environmental regulation on the defensive. By the beginning of the 1980's business interests had assumed the offensive, especially at the appellate levels, placing government agencies squarely in the crossfire of the two groups. Federal judges tended to treat the opposing interests even-handedly, although the plaintiff in a case tended to have an advantage. It appears that environmental groups will be pressed into assuming the offensive once more as federal agencies reduce their enforcement efforts under the Reagan Administration. 45 references, 3 tables.
Protein binding of disopyramide–-displacement by mono -N-dealkyldisopyramide and variation with source of α-1-acid glycoprotein

The binding of disopyramide to human serum proteins and human alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) was determined over a wide drug concentration range. Addition of 3.7 X 10(-6) mol litre-1 mono-N-dealkyldisopyramide caused a 20-100% increase in disopyramide free fraction. The disopyramide free fraction in AAG solutions prepared from various commercially available sources of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein varied up to 2.5 fold at corresponding disopyramide concentrations. Pronounced differences in the calculated binding constants (affinity and capacity) were observed among the commercially available AAG preparations. These findings suggest that binding studies should be performed in appropriately harvested human serum or plasma to avoid possible artifacts associated with the use of commercial preparations of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein for binding studies.
Bovine parathyroid catecholamines: A chemical and histochemical study

Bovine parathyroid glands contain large amounts of dopamine (3.4–13.9 pg/μg), but very little norepinephrine. Fluorescent histochemistry demonstrates only rare adrenergic nerve terminals on vasculature. Single dopamine-containing cells, most likely mast cells, are scattered in large numbers throughout the connective tissue stroma.
Effects of ethanol on brain lactate in experimental traumatic brain injury with hemorrhagic shock.

Abstract Objective : Previous studies of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hemorrhagic shock (HS) models, have shown cardiorespiratory depression in ethanol-treated animals. This study investigated the effects of ethanol (ET) on brain lactate concentrations and acidosis in a TBI/HS model. Methods : Anesthetized swine were instrumented and subjected to injury (INJ) consisting of fluid percussion TBI of 3 atm with concurrent 30 ml/kg graded hemorrhage over 30 min. Three groups were studied: Sham, INJ and INJ/ET. ET was given preinjury as a 2-g/kg i.v. bolus over 30 min, and an infusion of 0.4 g kg −1 h −1 . Cardiorespiratory and cerebral physiologic data were monitored continuously for 150 min postinjury. Cerebral and renal blood flow was measured with colored microspheres. Brains were frozen in situ with liquid nitrogen. Lactate was measured with an enzymatic method. Results : ET levels at injury were 219±24 mg/dl. The INJ/ET group had increased mortality, impaired ventilation, and reduced renal blood flow. Brain (cortical) lactate levels were significantly higher and cerebral venous lactate concentrations were increased in the INJ/ET group during the postinjury period. Cerebral venous glucose was significantly higher in the INJ/ET group, and cerebral venous pH was significantly lower. Conclusion : In this TBI/HS model, ethanol-induced increases in lactate concentrations in brain tissue and cerebral venous blood are associated with respiratory depression and reduced organ blood flow.
New tips from TIPS: Identifying inflation expectations and the risk premia of break-even inflation

Abstract This paper decomposes the break-even inflation rates derived from inflation-indexed bonds into inflation risk premia, liquidity risk premia, and inflation expectations. I estimate a common factor model with autoregressive conditionally heteroscedastic (ARCH) errors that extracts co-movements from twenty-two monthly and quarterly indicators to identify these three components. The results indicate that the sharp declines in the 10-year and 5-year break-even inflation rates in 2009 reflect a substantial increase in liquidity risk rather than a decrease in inflation expectations. Break-even inflation rates underestimate inflation expectations over nearly the entire sample due to the liquidity risk premia carried by the inflation indexed bond yields. Also, the model-implied inflation expectations show better forecast performance for the average annual inflation rates than raw break-even inflation rates, the Survey of Professional Forecasters, and the Surveys of Consumers inflation forecasts.
Use of real-time polymerase chain reaction for identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus directly from positive blood culture bottles

The utility of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) directly from positive blood culture bottles was evaluated. One hundred forty-two blood cultures showing Gram-positive cocci in clusters were detected. Each blood culture sample was tested for the presence of MRSA by PCR analysis (SmartCycler) via detection of the mecA and orfX genes. In parallel, they were plated on standard media for identification and characterization. PCR analysis directly from the blood culture bottle required a total time of 120 min (45 min for preparation and 75 min for the reaction). By comparison, conventional laboratory procedures required between 48 and 72 h. The overall test accuracy was 97% with a high positive likelihood ratio and a low negative likelihood ratio.
Detection of functional haematopoietic stem cell niche using real-time imaging

Haematopoietic stem cells are found in a specialized regulatory environment or niche in bone marrow. The precise location and characteristics of this niche are now made clearer by two sophisticated imaging studies. Lo Celso et al. performed live-animal tracking of individual haematopoietic cells and find that osteoblasts are enmeshed in microvessels and that different haematopoietic cell populations are localized in different areas according to their stage of differentiation. Xie et al. used newly developed ex vivo real-time imaging technology and immunoassays to trace the homing of fluorescently labelled haematopoietic stem cells in response to irradiation. They report that the membrane lining the medullary cavity of bone forms a special zone that normally maintains haematopoietic stem cells, but promotes their expansion in response to bone marrow damage. Recently haematopoietic stem cell niches have been shown to comprise osteoblastic and vascular microenvironments. This study describes a newly developed ex vivo real-time imaging technology and immunoassaying to trace the homing of highly purified GFP-expressing haematopoietic stem cells in response to irradiation. Haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niches, although proposed decades ago1, have only recently been identified as separate osteoblastic and vascular microenvironments2,3,4,5,6. Their interrelationships and interactions with HSCs in vivo remain largely unknown. Here we report the use of a newly developed ex vivo real-time imaging technology and immunoassaying to trace the homing of purified green-fluorescent-protein-expressing (GFP+) HSCs. We found that transplanted HSCs tended to home to the endosteum (an inner bone surface) in irradiated mice, but were randomly distributed and unstable in non-irradiated mice. Moreover, GFP+ HSCs were more frequently detected in the trabecular bone area compared with compact bone area, and this was validated by live imaging bioluminescence driven by the stem-cell-leukaemia (Scl) promoter–enhancer7. HSCs home to bone marrow through the vascular system. We found that the endosteum is well vascularized and that vasculature is frequently localized near N-cadherin+ pre-osteoblastic cells, a known niche component. By monitoring individual HSC behaviour using real-time imaging, we found that a portion of the homed HSCs underwent active division in the irradiated mice, coinciding with their expansion as measured by flow assay. Thus, in contrast to central marrow, the endosteum formed a special zone, which normally maintains HSCs but promotes their expansion in response to bone marrow damage.
Multiple component behavioral treatment for a child with behavior problems

Abstract A case is presented which illustrates how contingencies implemented in the home environment can arrest a child's problematic behavior manifested concurrently at home and at school. In addition to contingency contracting, the mother was instructed in techniques designed to strengthen the child's use of self-regulatory verbal mediators to guide his behavior. Results indicated a rapid and substantial decline in objectionable behaviors within 6 weeks of the program's implementation. Follow-up assessments at 5 weeks and 1 yr post-treatment established that this behavior change was still being effectively maintained.
Specificity of transfer of a learned response by intracisternal injection of brain extract from trained rats: negative findings.

One group of rats was trained on a discrimination task while another group received no training. Brain extract containing RNA was prepared from the brains of these rats and injected intracisternally into naive rats. The naive rats were then retrained on the original discrimination task. No differences were found between the performances of the tats injected with “trained” extract, “untrained” extract, or saline solution.
Assessing the importance of global shocks versus country-specific shocks

Abstract A common assumption is that global shocks have little influence on current accounts, relative output levels, and real exchange rates. We use a four-variable structural VAR of the Sims–Bernanke type that allows us to obtain a global shock and three country-specific shocks. We find that global shocks explain sizable portions of real rate movements and bilateral current account balances. Our decomposition also allows us to measure the extent to which “third-country effects” are important in explaining bilateral real exchange rates and relative output levels.
Reaction of Local Anesthetics with Phospholipids A possible chemical basis for anesthesia

Local anesthetics (LA) have been found to interact with phospholipids and lipids extracted from nerve and muscle. This reaction is demonstrated by: (a) Inhibition by LA of phospholipid (and tissue lipid) facilitated transport of calcium from a methanol: water phase into chloroform. This action is dependent upon the cationic form of the LA. (b) LA increase the electrical resistance of "membranes" prepared by impregnating Millipore filters with cephalin:cholesterol or tissue lipid extracts and bathed with NaCl or KCl solutions. (c) LA coagulate aqueous dispersions of cephalin, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and inositide, an action shared by calcium. The order of potency in coagulating cephalin sols is tetracaine > calcium > butacaine > procaine. Na+ and K+ do not coagulate phospholipid dispersions at 0.1 M concentration and antagonize the effect of Ca2+. (d) LA produce a marked fall in the pH of cephalin sols equivalent to that produced by calcium, (e) Ca2+ and LA form 1:2 molar complexes with phospholipids probably by ion-ion and ion-induced polar type of binding at the phosphate groups of the lipid. It is suggested that such reactions with cell membrane phospholipids may underlie inhibitory effects of LA on cellular ion fluxes and provide a chemical basis for anesthetic action.
A square-planar oxo-alkyl of manganese(III). Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of {Li2[MnOMe3]·2Li2(Meacac)·tmed}2

Abstract Alkylation of Mn(acac)3 (acac = 2,4-pentanedionato) with five equiv. of methyl—lithium in diethyl ether, followed by addition of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmed), gives the deep red manganese(III) oxo-alkyl [MnOMe32−], which has been isolated as a lithium double salt with the 4-methyl-2-penten-2,4-diolate (Meacac) dianion. Overall, the molecular formula is {Li2[MnOMe3]·2Li2(Meacac)·tmed}2. Six lithium atoms and six oxygen atoms form a hexagonal prismatic core which is capped on each hexagonal face by Li3(Meacac)2·tmed groups. Two of the oxygen atoms of the Li6O6 core are part of two square-planar [MnOMe32−] centres that are slightly distorted tetrahedrally; this is a rare coordination geometry since manganese(III) is known to adopt a square-planar configuration in only one other case. The oxo group of the [MnOMe32−] unit is bonded to four lithium atoms, and there are Li…HC interactions with two of the methyl groups on manganese. Important bond distances and angles involving the [MnOMe32−] unit are: MnC = 2.040(8) A (trans to O), MnC = 2.133(8) A (trans to C), MnO = 1.913(4) A, OLi = 1.91(2) A, CMnC = 88.2(3)° (cis), CMnC = 149.1(3)° (trans), CMnO = 98.6(2)° (cis), CMnO = 152.5(3)° (trans). Crystal data for C42H90N4O10Li12Mn2 at −100°C: monoclinic, space group P21/n, a = 10.616(3), b = 18.189(4), c = 14.973(4) A, β = 95.06(2)°, V = 2880(2) A3, Z = 2, RF = 0.037, RwF = 0.042 for 2084 data and 317 variables. The present compound is the first oxo-alkyl of manganese and only the third σ-organomanganese(III) complex of any kind.
Nonlinear response of a cylindrical shell to an impulsive pressure.

Circular cylindrical shell nonlinear response to uniform radial impulsive pressure, noting inextensionality constraint and equations of motion roles
‘Oos sensei! Oos sempai!’: a karate school and lessons on inclusion

Based on the findings of a qualitative case study, this paper describes how a karate school within a community came naturally to include students with disabilities. Data for this study were collected through in‐depth interviews with the Sensei or head instructor of the school and participant observations. Findings indicate that the Sensei’s ability to challenge dominant constructions of disability, his focus on the ‘competence’ of his students, and his perspectives on teaching played an important role in creating a community that was welcoming of all students. The findings have implications for furthering one’s understanding of the ‘sociology of acceptance’, and for the current efforts to redefine teacher preparation within the context of a shifting paradigm.
Reconstruction carotidienne chez les nonagénaires : la chirurgie est-elle une option viable ?

En raison d'une longevite limitee et de la perception d'une augmentation du risque peri-operatoire, le traitement optimal des stenoses carotidiennes significatives chez le nonagenaire reste controverse. Cette etude a ete realisee pour evaluer nos resultats dans ce groupe demographique. Une etude retrospective a ete realisee des endarteriectomies carotidiennes (EC) realisees chez des nonagenaires au Cedars-Sinai Medical Center entre 1996 et 2006. Au cours de cette periode, 2.038 EC ont ete realisees chez des malades de tous âges. Les donnees etudiees concernaient la demographie, les facteurs de risque des malades, les indications operatoires, les complications peri-operatoires et la survie. Cinquante trois EC (2,8%) ont ete realisees comme intervention principale chez 49 malades âges de 90 ans ou plus au cours de la periode d'etude. Parmi ces malades, 11 (22,4%) etaient diabetiques, 38 (77,5%) etaient hypertendus et 31 (63,3%) etaient coronariens. Onze malades (22,4%) avaient des antecedents de tabagisme et il n'y avait aucun fumeur actif. Une insuffisance renale chronique etait presente chez trois malades (6,1%) dont un etait dialyse. La duree mediane de sejour a ete de deux jours avec des extremes de 1 et 24 jours. Cinq malades (10,2%) ont necessite un sejour en unite de soins intensifs apres l'intervention. Il n'y a eu aucun accident vasculaire cerebral post-operatoire et aucun malade n'a eu d'accident vasculaire cerebral homolateral au cours du suivi. Un malade (1,8%) a fait un infarctus du myocarde post-operatoire. Un malade est decede au cours de la periode post-operatoire (1,8%). Les taux d'accident vasculaire cerebral et de mortalite a un mois ne differaient pas significativement par rapport a ceux des malades âges de moins de 90 ans (0,3% et 0,4% respectivement, p = non significatif par le test exact de Fisher). En utilisant l'analyse actuarielle de Kaplan-Meier, les taux de survie a un et 5 ans etaient respectivement de 84 ± 5% et 33 ± 9%. Notre travail demontre que dans un groupe de nonagenaires, l'EC est une intervention sure avec une morbidite peri-operatoire acceptable.
Upper percentage points of the largest root of a matrix in multivariate analysis

SUMMARY The general expressions obtained by Pillai (1965) for approximating at the upper end to the C.D.F. of the largest of s characteristic roots of a matrix jointly distributed according to the Fisher-Girshick-Hsu-Roy distribution, have been used to compute upper 5 and 1 % points of the largest root for s up to 20, of which those for s = 14, 16, 18 and 20 are presented in this paper. Methods of interpolation for obtaining such percentage points for intermediate values of s have been suggested and errors of interpolation and approximation discussed.
Magnetic properties of some RCo2B2 and RCo4B4 compounds

Abstract RCo2B2 (R=Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) and RCo4B4 (R=Pr, Nd, Sm) compounds have been investigated by X-ray and magnetometry techniques in the temperature range 4.2-300 K. These compounds crystallize in tetragonal crystal structures of the types CeAl2Ga2 and CeCo4B4, respectively, with lattice parameters decreasing for increasing atomic weight of the rare earth ion. All compounds order magnetically with the Curie temperatures much below room temperature. Anomalous magnetic behavior is observed for RCo4B4 alloys.
Efficient digital neurons for large scale cortical architectures

Digital neurons are implemented with the goal of sup-porting research and development of architectures which implement the computational paradigm of the neocortex.Four spiking digital neurons are implemented at the register transfer level in a manner that permits side-by-side comparisons. Two of the neurons contain two stages of ex-ponential decay, one for synapse conductances and one for membrane potential. The other two neurons contain only one stage of exponential decay for membrane potential.The two stage neurons respond to an input spike with a change in membrane potential that has a non-infinite lead-ing edge slope; the one stage neurons exhibit a change in membrane potential with an abrupt, infinite leading edge slope. This leads to a behavioral difference when a number of input spikes occur in very close time proximity. However, the one stage neurons are as much as a factor of ten more energy efficient than the two stage neurons, as measured by the number of dynamic add-equivalent operationsA new two stage neuron is proposed. This neuron reduc-es the number of decay components and implements decays in both stages via piece-wise linear approximation. Togeth-er, these simplifications yield two stage neuron behavior with energy efficiency that is only about a factor of two worse than the simplest one stage neuron.
Characterization of the New World Monkey Homologues of Human Poliovirus Receptor CD155

In contrast to Old World monkeys, most New World monkeys (NWMs) are not susceptible to poliovirus (PV), regardless of the route of infection. We have investigated the molecular basis of restricted PV pathogenesis of NWMs with two kidney cell lines of NWMs, TMX (tamarin) and NZP-60 (marmoset), and characterized their PV receptor homologues. TMX cells were susceptible to infection by PV1 (Mahoney) and PV3 (Leon) but not by PV2 (Lansing). Binding studies to TMX cells indicated that the formation of PV/receptor complexes increased when measured first at 4°C and then at 25°C, whereas PV2 did not significantly bind to TMX cells at either temperature. On the other hand, NZP-60 cells were not susceptible to infection by any of the PV serotypes. However, a low amount of PV1 bound to NZP-60 cells at 4°C, but there was no increase of binding at 25°C. In contrast, both NWM cell lines supported genome replication and virion formation when transfected with viral RNAs of either serotype, an observation indicating that infection was blocked in receptor-virus interaction. To overcome the receptor block, we substituted 3 amino acids in the marmoset receptor (nCD155), H80Q, N85S, and P87S, found in the human PV receptor, hCD155. Cells expressing the mutant receptor (L-nCD155mt) were now susceptible to infection with PV1, which correlated with an increase in PV1-bound receptor complexes from 4°C to 25°C. L-nCD155mt cells were, however, still resistant to PV2 and PV3. These data show that an increase in the formation of PV/receptor complexes, when measured at 4°C and at 25°C, correlates with and is an indicator of successful infection at 37°C, suggesting that the complex formed at 25°C may be an intermediate in PV uptake.
Ethnicity and Body Mass Index Are Associated With Hepatitis C Presentation and Progression

Background & Aims Ethnicity and the metabolic syndrome are believed to affect progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but the interaction between these factors is unknown. We evaluated the association between elements of the metabolic syndrome and ethnicity in the histologic progression of HCV in a large, diverse cohort. Methods We retrospectively evaluated clinical data and liver biopsy samples from 812 patients who had no cause of liver disease other than HCV infection. Liver biopsies were scored for steatosis, necroinflammatory activity, and fibrosis. For each patient with a known risk factor for viral acquisition, fibrosis index was calculated as an indicator of disease progression. Results Hispanics had significantly higher fibrosis index (0.13 ± 0.09) than non-Hispanic whites (0.11 ± 0.07) and African Americans (0.10 ± 0.06; P = .001). Fibrosis index correlated with body mass index (BMI), older age at infection, ethnicity, and degree of steatosis. Cirrhosis was present in 50% of Hispanics, 38% of non-Hispanic whites, and 24% of African Americans ( P Conclusions Ethnicity and BMI each were associated with the progression of fibrosis and the presence of cirrhosis. Hispanics had the highest fibrosis index and prevalence of cirrhosis, whereas African Americans had the lowest. Ethnic differences in fibrosis index and cirrhosis persisted after controlling for elements of metabolic syndrome.
QUIESCENT AND FLARING STRUCTURE IN RS CANUM VENATICORUM STARS

Four of the most active RS CVn stars (V711 Tau, II Peg, σ Gem, and UX Ari) have been observed for a total of 3 Ms with the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer satellite (EUVE) between 1992 and 2000 January. Flaring and quiescent states of extreme ultraviolet spectra (λλ70-740) and light curves (λλ75-175) have been analyzed to provide emission measure distributions (EMD) for these systems in the range log Te(K) ~ 5.6-7.4, based principally on iron lines. Flux measurements obtained with IUE and the Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (ORFEUS) complete the EMD in the lower temperature range [log Te(K) ~ 4.0-5.6]. Frequent flaring activity has been found in the systems, including an increase during the rise phase by a factor of ~9 in the flux of σ Gem, the largest flare enhancement observed with EUVE. Analyses of the EUVE emission in the active single star AB Dor and the low-rotation giant star β Cet are also included. The EMDs are remarkably similar among all the stars, showing a narrow enhancement or "bump" around log Te(K) ~ 6.9. These narrow bumps are apparently unrelated to rotation rate, spectral type, binarity, or evolutionary stage. Significant material is found at log Te(K) 7.0 for the most active stars. Modulation of the EUV flux outside of flaring occurs in four of the stars (σ Gem, V711 Tau, UX Ari, AB Dor). The electron density ranges between Ne ~ 1012 and ~1013 cm-3, measured at log Te(K) ~ 7.0, and may reach higher values during flares. These densities and EMD values imply small scale sizes for emitting regions.
Numerical Investigation of the Quench Behavior of ${\rm Bi}_{2}{\rm Sr}_{2}{\rm CaCu}_{2}{\rm O}_{x}$ Wire

The quench behavior of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox (Bi2212) wire is investigated through numerical simulations. This work is part of the U.S. Very High Field Superconducting Magnet Collaboration (VHFSMC). Numerical simulations are carried out using a one-dimensional computational model of thermal transport in Bi2212 composite wires. A quench is simulated by introducing heat in a section of the wire, and the voltage and temperature are monitored as function of time and position. The quench energy, normal zone propagation velocity, and spatial distribution of temperature are calculated for varying transport current and applied magnetic field. The relevance of these simulations in defining criteria for experimental measurements is discussed.
Stigmatization Predicts Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With a Facial Difference

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study assessed psychological adjustment and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents with congenital or acquired facial differences and identified potential predictors of adjustment. METHODS: Data were obtained from 88 children, ages 9 months to 16 years, by means of parent questionnaires (n = 86) and standardized interviews with children ≥7 years old (n = 31). Evaluation measures included the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), KIDSCREEN-27, TNO-AZL Preschool Quality of Life Questionnaire (TAPQOL), and Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire. RESULTS: Psychological adjustment, as measured by the CBCL, was within norms. Parent-reported HRQOL was good in preschool children. Parent- and self-reported HRQOL of participants 7-16 years old was impaired in several dimensions, including psychological well-being. Psychological adjustment (especially internalizing behavior problems) and HRQOL were predicted primarily by perceived stigmatization. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of stigma experiences and appropriate support may be crucial to enhancing psychological adjustment and quality of life in children with facial disfigurement. Language: en
Validity of performance scales for disability assessment in multiple sclerosis

Researchers increasingly use self-reported health status assessments, but these require validation. Performance Scales (PS) is a self-report measure for multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated disability, assessing mobility, bowel/bladder, fatigue, sensory, vision, cognition, spasticity and hand function. The criterion validity of the total PS score was established using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), but the construct and criterion validity of the individual subscales have not been established. We assessed the criterion and construct validity of the PS subscales. Forty-four patients with MS completed PS, and these criterion measurements: neurological examination (EDSS), the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), contrast acuity testing, and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory. We assessed criterion and construct validity with Spearman rank correlations between PS subscales and the other measurements. PS correlated with the MSFC (r=-0.58, P<0.0001). The mobility, hand, vision, fatigue and bladder subscales correlated with their criterion measures (r=0.59-0.77, P<0.0001). The sensory subscale correlated weakly with the sensory functional system score (r=0.39, P=0.01 ), and the cognitive subscale did not correlate with the PASAT (r=-0.17, P=0.26). This study supports the criterion and construct validity of PS overall, and its mobility, hand, vision, fatigue, and bladder subscales. Further assessment of the cognitive, sensory and spasticity subscales is needed.
Production of Metarhizium anisopliae spores using nutrient‐impregnated membranes and its economic analysis

Metarhizium anisopliae spores were produced on nutrient‐impregnated membranes (NIMs). The NIM system involved wetting the membrane with a spore and nutrient suspension, followed by harvesting the spores produced after incubation. The cost efficiency of spore production was assessed for a range of nutrient sources and membrane types. Skim milk powder (20 g l‐1) was found to be the most cost‐effective nutrient source of the nine nutrients examined. Yield was 5.7 × 106 spores/cm2 after 28 days incubation on a paper membrane. Supplementation of the skim milk with either sucrose (2 g l‐1) or dextrose + KNO3 maximized yield. Superwipe, an absorbent fibrous material, was the most efficient of 16 membranes tested which ranged from fibreglass mesh to paper and cloth. A series of small pilot plants were built, but the cost efficiency of spore production decreased as the size of the membrane increased from 24 × 24 cm to 270 × 15 cm and up to 100 × 80 cm. Yield on the two smaller pilot plants was over 107spores/cm2, ...
BGP molecules: Understanding and predicting prefix failures

The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), the de-facto Internet interdomain routing protocol, disseminates information about Internet prefixes to Autonomous Systems (ASes). Prefixes are announced and withdrawn as routes and policies change, making them unreachable from portions of the Internet for certain time periods. This paper aims to predict routing failures of prefixes in the Internet.We investigate the similarity of prefixes in the Internet with respect to their propensity to fail, i.e., become unreachable. Given a prefix of interest, we define a “BGP molecule” - the prefixes in the Internet that are likely to fail together with this prefix. We show that the AS paths to prefixes, coupled with knowledge of the prefix geographical location, contribute to its failure tendency. The BGP molecules constructed are used in four failure prediction schemes among which a hybrid scheme achieves 91% predictability of failures with 99.3% coverage of prefixes in the Internet.
Applying an Interactive Quantitative-Qualitative Framework How Identifying Common Intent Can Enhance Inquiry

This article offers a conceptual discussion of a series of qualitative and quantitative research endeavors that share common underpinnings and purpose. The article demonstrates several commonalitie...
Transient right ventricular failure and transient weakness: a TEE diagnosis.

From the Department of Anesthesiology, Albert Einstein College of edicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York. Address reprint requests to Galina Leyvi, MD, Department of Ansthesiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical enter, 4th floor, Silver Zone, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467. -mail: gleyvi@montefiore.org © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 1053-0770/05/1903-0026$30.00/0 doi:10.1053/j.jvca.2005.03.020
“Are We There Yet?!”: Cardiac Channelopathy and Our Journey Toward Computational Medicine

Half a century ago, Hodgkin and Huxley1 developed an elegant theoretical model of excitability in nerves, which to date serves as the backbone for mathematical models representing the cardiac action potential. Evolution of such models, from the earliest effort of Noble in 1960,2 to the recent biophysically detailed generation of models,3–5⇓⇓ has been limited less by computational methods than by the state of the available biological data. Through technological advancements in patch-clamp and voltage-clamp techniques (both whole-cell and single-channel recordings), biophysical properties of different ion channels, contributing to different phases of the cardiac action potential, have been elucidated in the past 4 decades. Recent discoveries in genomics and proteomics have further propelled our understanding of channel structure and function6–9⇓⇓⇓ and have shed light on gating mechanisms and drug interactions. While early computational models were aimed at recapitulating the normal action potential using few ionic currents, the later generations consist of numerous channels, pumps, and exchangers (see Noble and Rudy10 for a historical perspective). Consequently, modern models allow us to pose complex hypotheses and to test these hypotheses in an integrative manner so as to probe the underlying mechanisms of the diseased state (Figure). It is important to emphasize the term “integrative,” because often the course of action is an iterative process where sophisticated biological and biophysical data serve as an input to the computational models, and, …
Enhanced position weight matrices using mixture models

Motivation: Positional weight matrix (PWM) is derived from a set of experimentally determined binding sites. Here we explore whether there exist subclasses of binding sites and if the mixture of these subclass-PWMs can improve the binding site prediction. Intuitively, the subclasses correspond to either distinct binding preference of the same transcription factor in different contexts or distinct subtypes of the transcription factor. Result: We report an Expectation Maximization algorithm adapting the mixture model of Baily and Elkan. We assessed the relative merit of using two subclass-PWMs. The resulting PWMs were evaluated with respect to preferred conservation (relative to mouse) of potential sites in human promoters and expression coherence of the potential target genes. Based on 64 JASPAR vertebrate PWMs, 61--81% of the cases resulted in a higher conservation using the mixture model. Also in 98% of the cases the expression coherence was higher for the target genes of one of the subclass-PWMs. Our analysis of Reb1 sites is consistent with previously discovered subtypes using independent methods. Additionally application of our method to mutated sites for transcription factor LEU3 reveals subclasses that segregate into strongly binding and weakly binding sites with P-value of 0.008. This is the first study which attempts to quantify the subtly different binding specificities of a transcription factor on a large scale and suggests the use of a mixture of PWMs, instead of the current practice of using a single PWM, for a transcription factor. Availability: Contact: sridharh@pcbi.upenn.edu
Genetic variation in chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) contributes to asthma severity and airway expression of YKL-40.

Background Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the chitinase 3-like 1 ( CHI3L1 ) promoter, the gene encoding YKL-40, are associated with circulating YKL-40 levels and asthma prevalence. However, the effects of gene polymorphisms on asthma severity and airway expression of YKL-40 have not been examined. Objective We sought to determine the effect of genetic variation in CHI3L1 on asthma severity and YKL-40 expression in subjects from the Yale Center for Asthma and Airways Disease and the Severe Asthma Research Program. Methods SNPs spanning the CHI3L1 gene were genotyped in 259 Yale Center for Asthma and Airways Disease and 919 Severe Asthma Research Program subjects. Association and haplotype analyses were conducted to identify effects on airflow obstruction, YKL-40 levels, and asthma severity. Results Fifteen SNPs in CHI3L1 were associated with FEV 1 , serum YKL-40 levels, or both. rs12141494 (intron 6) was the only SNP in subjects of European ancestry in both cohorts that was associated with serum YKL-40 levels and postbronchodilator FEV 1 . Conditional analysis demonstrated that the effect on lung function was independent of the promoter SNP rs4950928, and haplotype analysis demonstrated that G alleles at rs12141494 and rs4950928 are associated with lower YKL-40 expression and higher FEV 1 percent predicted values. In asthmatic subjects the risk allele A at rs12141494 was associated with severe asthma and higher YKL-40 expression in the airway ( P ≤ .05). Conclusion In contrast to the promoter SNP rs4950928, the intronic SNP rs12141494 in CHI3L1 is associated with asthma severity, lung function, and YKL-40 expression in the blood and airway. These data suggest that SNP rs12141494 modulates YKL-40 expression in the airway and contributes to airway remodeling and asthma severity.
Minimax Localization of Structural Information in Large Noisy Matrices

We consider the problem of identifying a sparse set of relevant columns and rows in a large data matrix with highly corrupted entries. This problem of identifying groups from a collection of bipartite variables such as proteins and drugs, biological species and gene sequences, malware and signatures, etc is commonly referred to as biclustering or co-clustering. Despite its great practical relevance, and although several ad-hoc methods are available for biclustering, theoretical analysis of the problem is largely non-existent. The problem we consider is also closely related to structured multiple hypothesis testing, an area of statistics that has recently witnessed a flurry of activity. We make the following contributions 1. We prove lower bounds on the minimum signal strength needed for successful recovery of a bicluster as a function of the noise variance, size of the matrix and bicluster of interest. 2. We show that a combinatorial procedure based on the scan statistic achieves this optimal limit. 3. We characterize the SNR required by several computationally tractable procedures for biclustering including element-wise thresholding, column/row average thresholding and a convex relaxation approach to sparse singular vector decomposition.
MAC v. PHY: How to Relay in Cellular Networks

Two cooperative relaying protocols are presented and analyzed. The first emphasizes PHY cooperation via synchronized transmissions and distributed space-time coding from the Base Station (BS) and Relay Station (RS) to the User Equipment (UE) during the protocol's cooperative phase. The second protocol emphasizes MAC cooperation using different MAC flows from the BS and RS to the UE during the cooperative phase and utilizing successive interference cancellation (SIC) at the UE. This paper discusses and compares the two protocols' flexibility and performance aspects via analytical and simulation results.
Diurnal Biting Activity of Aedes Triseriatus Complex (Diptera: Culicidae) in a Focus of La Crosse Virus Transmission

The diurnal biting pattern of mosquitoes on humans was studied in a focus of La Crosse (LAC) virus transmission in north-central Illinois, USA. Although a total of 11 mosquito species fed on man, Aedes triseriatus was the dominant daytime feeder throughout the summer. Biting rates and population density were highest in September. However, the risk of human exposure to LAC-virus-infected Ae. triseriatus was greatest during August, as reflected by virus infection and biting rates in this mosquito. These observations clearly implied that persons entering this focus during daylight hours were at risk to LAC virus infection.