cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IMP1 Consensus Recognition Elements Identify Transcripts Affecting Tumor Cell Survival After Ionizing Radiation

An expeditious mechanism for altering gene expression in response to ionizing radiation (IR) is regulation of mRNAs already transcribed. Post-transcriptional regulation may therefore enable radioresistance, characterized by failure to induce pro-apoptotic gene expression programs after IR. As principal modulators of mRNA stability and translational capacity, RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) may post-transcriptionally coordinate the apoptotic response to IR. Overexpression of RBPs including members of the insulin-like growth factor II messenger RBP family (IMP) has been associated with radioresistance. We hypothesize that elucidating the array of RNA ligands of IMPs may inform the specific cellular post-transcriptional operons permitting cell survival.
MICHELANGELO'S BACCHUS AND THE ART OF SELF-FORMATION

This article argues that Michelangelo's Bacchus was conceived as a sculptural essay in the art of self-formation as the artist undertook to establish his reputation in Rome, and that the innovative sculpture continued to function ‘auto-biographically’ in later decades as it stood in the sculpture garden of the Galli family. Both theological-philosophical and poetic-artistic dimensions of self-formation or ‘metamorphosis’ are seen as integral to understanding the sculpture's role in Michelangelo's self-imaging. The study proposes, moreover, that as Michelangelo engaged in moral, intellectual and artistic self-creation in carving the Bacchus, he simultaneously challenged viewers of the work actively to engage in a dialectical process of self-formation. The sculpture's unusual multiple-view composition, with satyr, animal skin and tree trunk, and its rocky base are seen as central to a reading of the sculpture.
Comparative metabolic conversion of aflatoxin B1 to M1 and Q1 by monkey, rat and chicken liver

Abstract We studied the in vitro metabolish of flatoxin B1 by liver microsomal preparations from monkey, rat and chicken. With all these species, both the previously recognized metabolite aflatoxin M1 as well as the newly identified aflatoxin Q1 were produced from the aflatoxin B1 substrate. Aflatoxin Q1 is an isomer of aflatoxin M1 (with the hydroxyl on the carbon β to the carbonyl of the cyclopentenone ring) which we discovered recently in rat and monkey liver incubations with aflatoxin B1. In our incubations we did not detect aflatoxin P1 which has been reported as a major metabolite of aflatoxin B1 in vivo in the monkey. In general the conversion to aflatoxin M1 was comparable among the different species (1–3% of the substrate) except in the chicken in which it was lower (0.1–0.3%). Also the conversion to Q1 was comparable to or slightly higher than the conversion to M1 with rat and chicken liver but the conversion to Q1 with the monkey liver was outstandingly high, accounting for 19–52% of the substrate in three species of monkeys tested.
Energy landscapes for effective particles in conjugated polymers

The interplay between the form of an effective particle and its dynamics is explored theoretically, using singles configuration-interaction (S-CI) calculations on a polyene chain with 40 carbon atoms. The lowest-energy exciton obtained from a full S-CI calculation is compared to that obtained when the exciton is constrained to remain centered on a particular unit cell. Both the effective masses and the energy landscapes (the energy as a function of position along the chain) are in good agreement. This indicates that the dynamics have little effect on the form of the exciton itself. This decoupling of form and dynamics can be used to obtain significant computational savings. In addition, energy landscapes may be useful constructs for exploring the effects of defects and non-uniform morphology on the photophysics, as demonstrated here by examining the effects of a chain-end defect on the exciton.
Concerning the resilience of Galen Strawson's Basic Argument

Against its prominent compatiblist and libertarian opponents, I defend Galen Strawson’s Basic Argument for the impossibility of moral responsibility. Against John Martin Fischer, I argue that the Basic Argument does not rely on the premise that an agent can be responsible for an action only if he is responsible for every factor contributing to that action. Against Alfred Mele and Randolph Clarke, I argue that it is absurd to believe that an agent can be responsible for an action when no factor contributing to that action is up to that agent. Against Derk Pereboom and Clarke, I argue that the versions of agent-causal libertarianism they claim can immunize the agent to the Basic Argument actually fail to do so. Against Robert Kane, I argue that the Basic Argument does not rely on the premise that simply the presence of indeterministic factors in the process of bringing an action about is itself what rules out the agent’s chance for being responsible for that action.
An Approximation Algorithm for a Heterogeneous Traveling Salesman Problem

Surveillance applications require a collection of heterogeneous vehicles to visit a set of targets. In this article, we consider a fundamental routing problem that arises in these applications involving two vehicles. Specifically, we consider a routing problem where there are two heterogeneous vehicles that start from distinct initial locations, and a set of targets. The objective is to find a tour for each vehicle such that each of the targets is visited at least once by a vehicle and the sum of the distances traveled by the vehicles is a minimum. We present a novel primal-dual algorithm for the same that provides an approximation ratio of 2.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Olestra and fat inhibit oxalate absorption

Abstract An experimental model which allowed a differentiation between endogenously-and exogenously-derived urinary oxalate was used to assess the effect of olestra ingestion on oxalate absorption and excretion. Seventeen healthy subjects participated in three oxalate load (OL) tests separated by at least one week and administered in the following order: OL-1, potato with fat (potato chips); OL-2, potato with olestra (olestra-containing potato chips); and OL-3, potato without fat (boiled potatoes). The three experimental treatments provided similar levels of carbohydrate. Oxalate loads, ingested immediately after consumption of the potato chips/boiled potatoes, consisted of 180 mg unlabeled oxalic acid and 14.3 mg 13 C 2 -oxalic acid. Twenty-four hour urine samples were collected the day before the OL tests and timed urine samples were collected during the 48 h post-oxalate ingestion period. Endogenously-derived oxalate did not differ between treatments. Oxalate absorption for OL-1 (10.5 %) and OL-2 (10.2 %) was lower (P
Team mental models in a team knowledge framework: expanding theory and measurement across disciplinary boundaries

Because research on team mental models is still in its formative stages, there is a need for continued conceptual development of the construct and direct empirical support linking team mental models to team outcomes. Researchers in other fields have developed concepts that are distinct from, but clearly related to team mental models, including information sharing, transactive memory, group learning, and cognitive consensus. Although these research streams currently exist in parallel with little cross-fertilization, there is much to be gained from integration across disciplinary boundaries. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to enrich the theoretical understanding of team mental models and to broaden the empirical research base by adopting a cross-disciplinary focus and incorporating related team knowledge domains from other literatures. Based on a synthesis of various literatures, we develop a framework that delineates the relationships among team knowledge constructs. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glycation cross-linking induced mechanical–enzymatic cleavage of microscale tendon fibers

Abstract Recent molecular modeling data using collagen peptides predicted that mechanical force transmitted through intermolecular cross-links resulted in collagen triple helix unwinding. These simulations further predicted that this unwinding, referred to as triple helical microunfolding, occurred at forces well below canonical collagen damage mechanisms. Based in large part on these data, we hypothesized that mechanical loading of glycation cross-linked tendon microfibers would result in accelerated collagenolytic enzyme damage. This hypothesis is in stark contrast to reports in literature that indicated that individually mechanical loading or cross-linking each retards enzymatic degradation of collagen substrates. Using our Collagen Enzyme Mechano-Kinetic Automated Testing (CEMKAT) System we mechanically loaded collagen-rich tendon microfibers that had been chemically cross-linked with sugar and tested for degrading enzyme susceptibility. Our results indicated that cross-linked fibers were > 5 times more resistant to enzymatic degradation while unloaded but became highly susceptible to enzyme cleavage when they were stretched by an applied mechanical deformation.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Virginia Department of Transportation’s Experience with its First Performance-Based Road-Maintenance Contract

The Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) first performance-based road-maintenance contract was concluded in July 2007. This contract required the contractor to maintain all assets and carry out incident management and snow and ice removal services on a total of 250 mi (402 km) of a number of Virginia’s interstate highways. This contract acted as a pilot project for VDOT and other states departments of transportation (DOT). Since performance-based road-maintenance contracting is rather new and yet to be utilized by many state DOTs, there is an emerging need to (1) assess whether its use is viable, and (2) inform the state DOTs of the key issues to consider when using performance-based road-maintenance contracting. The purpose of this paper is to address this need by providing a comprehensive evaluation of VDOT’s overall experience with its pilot performance-based road-maintenance contract. The findings from the analyses over a period of 6 years indicate that while meeting or coming very close to the performance targets most of the time, there have been years in which the contractor was not able to meet performance targets in fence-to-fence asset groups and bridges. As far as the comparison of the level-of-service effectiveness performance of the contractor with that of VDOT utilizing traditional maintenance approaches is concerned, the findings show that the contractor outperformed VDOT in fence-to-fence asset groups. The key issues that a state DOT should consider when using performance-based road-maintenance contracting, as learned from VDOT’s pilot project experience, can be summarized as (1) tying payments to be made to the contractor to actual performance, (2) generating a detailed baseline condition information, (3) using performance targets that increase (as opposed to being constant) over the contract period, (4) establishing a performance target for every single item required to be maintained, (5) having multiple inspections per year, (6) developing a standard rating procedure for all elements, and (7) developing objective, quantifiable, and easily measurable performance criteria.
Secret Sharing in the Encrypted Domain with Secure Comparison

Secret sharing refers to the sharing and reconstruction of a secret among a group of participants. In light of a few disadvantages of the traditional secret sharing, it is desirable to reconstruct the secret directly from the encrypted shares to protect the secret and shares during secret reconstruction. This paper develops several useful techniques for processing encrypted data. A new secure comparison protocol based on the additive homomorphic property and a new scheme of secret sharing in the encrypted domain with secure comparison are proposed. In this scenario, secret reconstruction could be done on an untrusted device while comparison is performed in a trusted environment. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed scheme and protocol.
Vanishing minor conditions for inverse zero patterns

Abstract We study the relationship between the zero-nonzero pattern of an invertible matrix and the vanishing minors of the matrix and of its inverse. In particular we show how to determine when a matrix B could be the inverse of a matrix A with a given zero-nonzero pattern. In fact, there is always a set of almost principal minors of B (in one-to-one correspondence with the set of zero entries of A ) whose vanishing implies that B -1 has zeros everywhere that A does, provided certain principal minors of B do not vanish.
Reducing Levels of Mirex, Aroclor 1254, and DDE by Trimming and Cooking Lake Ontario Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta Linnaeus) and Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieui Lacepede)

Trimming of Lake Ontario smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui Lacepede) and brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus) was found to reduce levels of mirex, Aroclor 1254, and DDE by 43% to 64%. Trimming included the removal of the skin, dorsal and ventral fat, and the entire lateral line. Of the cooking methods tested (smoking, broiling, baking, and deep frying), only deep frying produced consistently high reductions of all three contaminants.
Analysis of Destructive Degradation Tests for a Product With Random Degradation Initiation Time

Most research on degradation models and analyses focuses on nondestructive degradation test data. In practice, destructive tests are often conducted to gain insights into the changes of the physical properties of products or materials over time. Such tests sometimes provide more reliable degradation information than nondestructive tests that may only yield indirect degradation measures, such as temperature, amount of metal particles, and vibration. However, an obvious drawback of destructive tests is that only one measurement can be obtained from each specimen. Moreover, some products start degrading only after a random degradation initiation time that is often not even observable in destructive degradation tests (DDTs). Such a degradation-free period adds another dimension of complexity in modeling DDT data. In this paper, we develop two delayed-degradation models based on DDT data to evaluate the reliability of a product with an exponentially distributed degradation initiation time. For homogeneous and heterogeneous populations, fixed-effects and random-effects Gamma processes are considered, respectively, in modeling the actual degradation of units after degradation initiation. A maximum likelihood method as well as an expectation-maximization algorithm is developed to estimate the model parameters, and bootstrap methods are used to obtain the confidence intervals of the interested reliability indices. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed models and estimation methods are effective in analyzing DDT involving random degradation initiation times.
Incident threading for news passages

With an overwhelming volume of news reports currently available, there is an increasing need for automatic techniques to analyze and present news to a general reader in a meaningful and efficient manner. We explore incident threading as a possible solution to this problem. All text that describes the occurrence of a real-world happening is merged into a news incident, and incidents are organized in a network with dependencies of predefined types. Earlier attempts at this problem have assumed that a news story covers a single topic. We move beyond that limitation to introduce passage threading, which processes news at the passage level. First we develop a new testbed for this research and extend the evaluation methods to address new granularity issues. Then a three-stage algorithm is described that identifies on-subject passages, groups them into incidents, and establishes links between related incidents. Finally, we observe significant improvement over earlier work when we optimize the harmonic mean of the appropriate evaluation measures. The resulting performance exceeds the level that a calibration study shows is necessary to support a reading comprehension task.
Numerical and structural chromosome aberrations in cultured lymphocytes and cutaneous fibroblasts of patients with multiple adenomas of the colorectum.

Excessive random loss and gain of single chromosomes at the diploid and tetraploid levels, and numerous chromosomal aberrations, have been observed in lymphocytes and fibroblasts, cultured from Gardner syndrome and familial polyposis coli patients and children at risk for multiple adenomas. This increase in numerical and structural aberrations seems to represent a general instability of chromosomes in the lymphocyte and fibroblast nuclei of patients with multiple adenomas in the colorectum. A consistent heteromorphism of chromosome No. 2 homologues tentatively identified as a deletion was observed in all 17 patients with multiple adenomas in the colorectum, and two younger people of 13 and six years of age who are at risk for Gardner syndrome but do not have colorectal polyps. The chromosome No. 2 aberration was not observed in two symptomatic patients with occasional discrete colorectal adenomas. Eighteen controls who did not have Gardner syndrome nor familial polyposis coli did not show the structural aberration in chromosome No. 2 nor chromosome instability.
Effect of Amygdaloid Lesions on Plasma and Pituitary Thyrotropin Levels in the Deermouse

SummaryBilateral lesions produced by electrocoagulation in the medial amygdaloid nuclear complex were found to affect pituitary and plasma levels of thyrotropin in the male deermouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii). Within 3 days after lesions were placed in the medial amygdaloid complex, the pituitary thyrotropin exhibited a significant rise to 22.9 mU/mg from 9.1 mU/mg in intact, control animals while the plasma level in animals with lesions dropped significantly to 8.1 mU/mg from 14.8 mU/mg in control animals. The rise in pituitary and fall in plasma levels of thyrotropin remained at a significant level, compared with control animals, throughout the 16 days of the experiment, although by day 16 there was evidence of a return to normal for this species. The changes in thyrotropin were accompanied by significant decline in thyroid gland weight throughout the experiment.
The afterlife of modernity in the politics of the postmodern

Abstract Though poststructuralist and postmodern critiques provide a powerful tool for deconstructing contemporary power relations, when they are overextended, they lose their subversive edge and actually begin to serve the development of new forms of social domination. Taken as an example, Baudrillard's theory of postmodern society reflects this very tendency. While on the surface Baudrillard has abandoned the hierarchies of modernity upon which order and domination have depended, his critique reintroduces its own countersubversive hierarchy upon which a postmodern order depends. As parts of a postmodern conceptual framework, these hierarchies serve to expand the system of domination manufactured in contemporary communications industries and to undermine resistance through the production of simulated social and political realities.
The Contribution of Store Operated and Store Independent Calcium Entry to Migration in a Model of Neuroendocrine Cancer

Orai1, the pore-forming sub-unit of a plasma membrane resident Ca2+-channel and STIM-1, a Ca2+-sensor localized to the endoplasmic reticulum are known to be involved in the canonical Store-operated Ca2+-entry (SOCE) pathway. In recent years, this pathway has been implicated in cell migration of some types of cancers. However, it is not clear how near-maximal store depletion, a signal that is thought to be necessary for SOCE activation and generally considered pathophysiological, may effectively contribute to cell migration. Alternatively, a distinct, less well-studied store-independent channel type containing Orai1 and Orai3 has been shown to mediate Ca2+-entry following activation by arachidonic acid. The relative contribution of store-operated and store-independent Ca2+-entry pathways in cancer cell migration has not been adequately interrogated. The present study investigated this question in a model gastro-enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEPNET) cell line by utilizing pharmacological and gene-silencing methods in combination with live cell fluorescence imaging and standard migration assays. It was revealed that these Ca2+-entry pathways could be independently activated and regulated in these cells. While, classical SOCE required participation of Orai-1 and STIM1, the arachidonate mediated Ca2+-entry pathway required in addition Orai3. Having identified both SOCE and arachidonate mediated Ca2+-entry in GEPNET cells, their relative roles in cell migration were assessed using modified Boyden chamber assays. By selectively modulating channel conductances using pharmacological agents or sh-RNA to knockdown protein expressions, it was revealed that the arachidonate mediated Ca2+-entry is the dominant pathway that induced migration in this type of cancer. Taken together, these data address the complex interaction between distinct Ca2+-entry pathways that may induce cell migration yet utilize a common pool of molecular machinery.
The Japanese Pharmaceutical Industry: The New Drug Lag and the Failure of Industrial Policy

The article reviews the book “The Japanese Pharmaceutical Industry: The New Drug Lag and the Failure of Industrial Policy,” by L. G. Thomas.
Reregulating Rural Banks: Discussion

The three papers presented in this session express concern about how small rural banks can cope with adverse structural change in the markets in which they have traditionally operated. In their obsession with what federal banking regulators might or might not do to provide a more nurturing economic environment, these papers distract us from the need to acknowledge the overwhelming strength of larger, technologically based forces that are relentlessly battering rural banks. These forces include a shrinking customer population, volatile land and product prices, ongoing consolidation of individual farms, and increasing competition from outside financial-services firms.
High-speed implementation of Gabor and Morlet wavelet filter banks using RNS frequency sampling filters

Gabor and Morlet wavelet filterbanks are popular in signal and image processing because they provide good time- frequency resolutions. This paper shows how to realize efficient Gabor and Morlet wavelet filterbanks based on approximations through frequency sampling filters in the Residue Number System which provides an exact pole-zero annihilating for poles on the unit circle in the complex z- plane. The aim of the paper is that the computational 'gap' between dyadic DWT and transforms with Gabor and Morlet wavelet filterbanks becomes less dramatic.
In-plane thermoelectric power of untwinned YBa2Cu3O7- delta.

We present the first measurements of the temperature and oxygen-doping dependences of thermoelectric power in the ab plane of untwinned ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ (\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.10) for T\ensuremath{\le}330 K. Employing a two-band model and measured electrical resistivities, we derive the chain and plane components of the thermopower, ${\mathit{S}}_{\mathrm{ch}}$ and ${\mathit{S}}_{\mathrm{pl}}$. The behavior of ${\mathit{S}}_{\mathrm{ch}}$ indicates that some of the chain conduction occurs via carriers in a narrow band. ${\mathit{S}}_{\mathrm{pl}}$(T) is similar to the in-plane thermopower of the other cuprates, suggesting a ``universal'' behavior for the ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ planes. The results are discussed with reference to the known Fermi surface.
Psychosocial and pharmacological treatment of eating disorders: A review of research findings

Research on the treatment of eating disorders has focused primarily on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and, more recently, interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Numerous studies have shown that CBT is helpful in reducing symptoms of bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. In addition, CBT has been found to be superior or comparable to other psychotherapies in reducing bulimic symptoms. Preliminary findings indicate that CBT and IPT produce similar results at follow-up for bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Antidepressant medications are also useful in the treatment of bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, but are less likely to result in remission of symptoms than CBT. The results from comparison studies are inconsistent, with modest evidence that combining antidepressant medication and psychotherapy produces greater improvement in bulimic symptoms. Limited research has been conducted on the treatment of anorexia nervosa, although preliminary studies suggest that psychotherapy and fluoxetine may be helpful in preventing relapse after weight restoration.
Evolving distributed agents for managing air traffic

Air traffic management offers an intriguing real world challenge to designing large scale distributed systems using evolutionary computation. The ability to evolve effective air traffic flow strategies depends not only on evolving good local strategies, but also on ensuring that those local strategies result in good global solutions. While traditional, direct evolutionary strategies can be highly effective in certain combinatorial domains, they are not well-suited to complex air traffic flow problems because of the large interdependencies among the local subsystems. In this paper, we propose an evolutionary agent-based solution to the air traffic flow problem. In this approach, we evolve agents both to learn the right local flow strategies to alleviate congestion in their immediate surroundings, and to prevent the creation of congestion "downstream" from their local areas. The agent-based approach leads to better and more fault-tolerant solutions. To validate this approach, we use FACET, an air traffic simulator developed at NASA and used extensively by the FAA and industry. On a scenario composed of three hundred aircraft and two points of congestion, our results show that an agent based evolutionary computation method, where each agent uses the system evaluation function, achieves 40% improvement over a direct evolutionary algorithm. In addition by creating agent-specific "difference evaluation functions" we achieve an additional 30% improvement over agents using the system evaluation.
Cangrelor: a novel P2Y12 receptor antagonist

Antiplatelet therapy is critical in the prevention of thrombotic complications of acute coronary syndrome and percutaneous coronary interventions. Current antiplatelet agents (aspirin, clopidogrel and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists) have demonstrated the capacity to reduce major adverse cardiac events. However, these agents have limitations that compromise their clinical utility. The platelet P2Y12 receptor plays a central role in platelet function and is a focus in the development of antiplatelet therapies. Cangrelor is a potent, competitive inhibitor of the P2Y12 receptor that is administered by intravenous infusion and rapidly achieves near complete inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. This investigational drug has been studied for use during coronary procedures and the management of patients experiencing acute coronary syndrome and is undergoing evaluation for use in the prevention of perioperative stent thrombosis.
Surgical Resection of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors After Treatment with Imatinib

Background Surgical resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) has been the most effective therapy for these rare tumors. Imatinib has been introduced as systemic therapy for locally advanced and metastatic GIST. In this study, the surgical resection rates and long-term outcomes of patients treated with preoperative imatinib for locally advanced primary, recurrent, or metastatic GISTs were evaluated.
Statistical Issues in the Analysis of ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq Data

The recent arrival of ultra-high throughput, next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has revolutionized the genetics and genomics fields by allowing rapid and inexpensive sequencing of billions of bases. The rapid deployment of NGS in a variety of sequencing-based experiments has resulted in fast accumulation of massive amounts of sequencing data. To process this new type of data, a torrent of increasingly sophisticated algorithms and software tools are emerging to help the analysis stage of the NGS applications. In this article, we strive to comprehensively identify the critical challenges that arise from all stages of NGS data analysis and provide an objective overview of what has been achieved in existing works. At the same time, we highlight selected areas that need much further research to improve our current capabilities to delineate the most information possible from NGS data. The article focuses on applications dealing with ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq.
On the Validity of the Animal Model for Exposure Therapy (Flooding)

The generality of exposure effects in animal laboratory studies is reviewed. The validity of the animal model for exposure therapy is assessed using Bond's (1984) criteria. The specific criticisms of the animal model raised by Isaac Marks are responded to and discussed. It is concluded that the animal model for exposure therapy is substantially valid.
Pilot Sample Risk Analysis for Underground Coal Mine Fires and Explosions Using MSHA Citation Data

After three decades of sustained continuous improvement of mine safety performances in the US, mine disasters in 2006 and 2007 compromised an excellent record and presented new challenges and vulnerabilities for the underground coal mining industry. In the aftermath of the incidents, formal investigations and new scrutiny of mine safety by the US Congress and expert study groups followed. The US Congress passed the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act), which mandated new laws to address the issues, including those related to mine fires and explosions from which miners must be protected. The National Mining Association-sponsored Mine Safety Technology and Training Commission report highlighted the role of risk analysis and management in identifying and controlling major hazards, such as fires and explosions. In this paper an approach is given for analyzing the risks for fires and explosions based on the Mine Safety and Health Administration citation database. Using 2006 citation data and focusing on subsystem failures, the methodology is applied to a database for a pilot sample of underground coal mines stratified by mine size and state.
A study of VOC reactivity in the Houston-Galveston air mixture utilizing an extended version of SAPRC-99 chemical mechanism

The Houston-Galveston area is the region where National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone is often violated. Emissions from industrial sources contribute significantly to elevated ozone concentrations and make air composition quite unique in comparison to typical urban composition. In this study, source-oriented reactivity of individual organic compounds, released in urban and industrial areas inside Houston-Galveston region, with regard to ozone formation is determined. The CMAQ model and an extended version of SAPRC-99 mechanism, representing 26 additional individual compounds explicitly, is employed for the model simulations. The incremental volatile organic compound (VOC) reactivities calculated for the Houston-Galveston conditions show variations with respect to the differences in the air compositions between urban and industrial areas as well as meteorological conditions. The compounds with the highest reactivities, such as 2-methyl-2-butene, trans-2-butene and cis-2-butene, were found to be most sensitive to the environment in which they were released. According to the reactivities weighted by VOC mixing ratios, ethene, propene and formaldehyde show the highest impact on ozone formation. Reactivities of most investigated compounds estimated for the Houston-Galveston air conditions are in good agreement with the ‘reference’ maximum incremental reactivity (MIR) scale.
Low Vitamin D as a Risk Factor for the Development of Myalgia in Patients Taking High-Dose Simvastatin: A Retrospective Review

Abstract Background Statins are the treatment of choice for dyslipidemia, primarily lowering elevated LDL-C levels and reducing the occurrence of major cardiovascular events. In June 2011, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning regarding the use of high-dose simvastatin 80 mg and its risk of myopathy. Objective The incidence of myalgia, myopathy, and rhabdomyolysis was analyzed in a veteran population prescribed simvastatin 80 mg. Risk factors for myalgia were examined and compared with the results of recently published studies. Methods This was a retrospective medical record review of 450 patients who were prescribed simvastatin 80 mg at the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System between August 1, 2006, and July 31, 2011. Records were examined for evidence of myalgia, myopathy (incipient or definite), and rhabdomyolysis. Variables that may have contributed to the development of myalgia were also collected and analyzed. Results Myalgia was reported by 50 patients (11.1%), whereas rhabdomyolysis developed in 1 patient (0.22%). No patient fit the criteria for myopathy (incipient or definite). Myalgia was statistically more likely to occur in younger patients, patients with a history of myalgia, and patients with low vitamin D levels. The mean (SD) vitamin D level in patients experiencing myalgia was 26.2 (12.9) versus 36.3 (11.8) ng/mL. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D level in those who reported myalgia was approximately 10 ng/mL lower compared with those who tolerated simvastatin 80 mg ( P = 0.0003). There was no statistically significant association between length of therapy and development of myalgia. Conclusion A lower incidence of adverse muscle events with high-dose simvastatin 80 mg was found in patients with higher vitamin D levels, suggesting that correction of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels before statin therapy initiation may mitigate one risk factor in the development of statin-related myalgia. Vitamin D insufficiency appears to be a risk factor for the development of myalgia.
The management of implantable cardiac devices at the end of life

AbstractIn the past 10 years, implantable devices that augment cardiac function and/or treat lethal arrhythmias have become standard therapies for end-stage heart failure. These devices include implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), bi-ventricular pacemakers for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and ventricular assist devices (VADs). Each of these devices presents unique challenges in the palliative care setting. As the volume of device implants increases and more patients with these devices reach the end of their lives, device management issues become more pertinent in the palliative care setting. This review will discuss the nature and differences of ICDs, CRT devices and VADs, specific issues pertaining to device de-activation, and strategies for management at patients' end of life. Provision of high-quality care for these patients will require increased collaboration between cardiovascular and palliative care specialists.
Weber's Critique of Advocacy in the Classroom: Critical Thinking and Civic Education.

Max Weber's "Science as a Vocation" is a useful starting point for examining some of the most important theoretical issues concerning advocacy in the classroom. In this 1918 speech, Weber addresses the problems and issues that will be confronted by those who are called to an academic profession, especially to the study of politics. For Weber, the issue of advocacy is one of the central issues of the academic profession, and he states his own position clearly.
Light Brown Apple Moth in California: A Diversity of Host Plants and Indigenous Parasitoids

The light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker), an Australia native tortricid, was found in California in 2006. A field survey of host plants used by E. postvittana was conducted in an urban region of the San Francisco Bay Area. An inspection of 152 plant species (66 families), within a 23-ha residential community, found E. postvittana on 75 species (36 families). Most (69 species) host plants were not Australian natives, but had a wide geographic origin; 34 species were new host records for E. postvittana. Heavily infested species were the ornamental shrubs Myrtus communis L., Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) W.T. Aiton, Euonymus japonicus Thunb., and Sollya heterophylla Lindl. To survey for parasitoids, four urban locations were sampled, with E. postvittana collected from five commonly infested plants [M. communis, P. tobira, E. japonicus, Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Genista monspessulana (L.) L.A.S. Johnson]. Twelve primary parasitoid species and two hyperparasitoids were reared; the most common were the egg parasitoid Trichogramma fasciatum (Perkins), the larval parasitoids Meteorus ictericus Nees, and Enytus eureka (Ashmead), and the pupal parasitoid Pediobius ni Peck. Meteorus ictericus accounted for >80% of the larval parasitoids, and was recovered from larvae collected on 39 plant species. Across all samples, mean parasitism was 84.4% for eggs, 43.6% for larvae, and 57.5% for pupae. The results are discussed with respect to the potential for resident parasitoid species to suppress E. postvittana populations.
The role of the hepatic microsomal electron-transport system in the development of metabolic tolerance from repeated oral methadone administration in mice☆

Abstract The hepatic microsomal cytochromes P-450 and b 5 , as well as the enzymes of the hepatic microsomal electron-transport system (HMETS), including NADPH oxidase and NAPDH cytochrome c reductase, were monitored in male ICR mice (25–30 g) over a six-day period following repeated oral administration of methadone hydrochloride 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg per day, or an equivalent volume of water. Cytochrome P-450 content, when expressed per milligram of microsomal protein, was elevated as early as day 1 of administration. This increase in cytochrome P-450, which lasted throughout the period of administration, appeared to correlate with the previously reported increase in the hepatic microsomal enzyme methadone N -demethylase and tolerance to methadone lethality. The activities of the enzymes NADPH cytochrome c reductase and NADPH oxidase were both elevated significantly by day 2 of administration. However, these increases returned to control levels by day 6 of treatment. The only other cytochrome in the HMETS, cytochrome b 5 , showed no significant change following repeated oral methadone administration. Further, methadone administration depressed the hepatic microsomal protein content following two days of treatment and no elevation above control values was noted. The significance of these findings with respect to the role of the HMETS in the development of tolerance is discussed in some detail for methadone, as well as the findings previously reported by this laboratory for its acetylated congener, l - α -acetylmethadol.
An optimal voltage synthesis technique for a power-efficient satellite application

This paper presents an optimal voltage synthesis technique for a satellite application to maximize system performance subject to energy budget. A period of a satellite's orbit is partitioned into several independent regions with different characteristics such as type of computation, importance, performance requirements, and energy consumptions. Given a periodic energy recharge model, optimal voltages for the regions are synthesized such that the overall performance is maximized within the energy budget in the period.
How well does LiST capture mortality by wealth quintile? A comparison of measured versus modelled mortality rates among children under-five in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: In the absence of planned efforts to target the poor child survival programs often favour the rich. Further evidence is needed urgently about which interventions and programme approaches are most effective in addressing inequities. The Lives Saved Tool (LiST) is available and can be used to model mortality levels across economic groups based on coverage levels for child survival interventions. METHODS: We used LiST to model neonatal and under-5 mortality levels among the highest and the lowest wealth quintiles in Bangladesh based on national and wealth-quintile-specific coverage of child survival interventions. The cause-of-death structure among children under-5 was also modelled using the coverage levels. Modelled rates were compared to the rates measured directly from the 2004 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey and associated verbal autopsies. RESULTS: Modelled estimates of mortality within wealth quintiles fell within the 95% confidence intervals of measured mortality for both neonatal and post-neonatal mortality. LiST also performed well in predicting the cause-of-death structure for these two age groups for the poorest quintile of the population but less well for the richest quintile. CONCLUSIONS: LiST holds promise as a useful tool for assessing socio-economic inequities in child survival in low-income countries.
Genome-wide significant locus of beta-trace protein, a novel kidney function biomarker, identified in European and African Americans

Background. Beta-trace protein (BTP), measured in serum or plasma, has potential as a novel biomarker for kidney function. Little is known about the genes influencing BTP levels. Methods. We conducted a genome-wide association study of log-transformed plasma BTP levels in 6720 European Americans (EAs) and replicated the significant associations in 1734 African Americans (AAs) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Results. We identified a genome-wide significant locus in EA upstream of Prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS), the gene encoding BTP. Each copy of the A allele at rs57024841 was associated with 5% higher BTP levels (P = 1.2 × 10 −23 ). The association at PTGDS was confirmed in AAs (6% higher BTP for each A allele at rs57024841, P = 1.9 × 10 −7 ). The index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in EAs and AAs explained ∼1.1% of the log(BTP) variance within each population and explained over 30% of the difference in log(BTP) levels between EAs and AAs. The index SNPs at the PTGDS locus in the two populations were not associated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or the urine albumin creatinine ratio (P > 0.05). We further tested for the associations of BTP with 16 known loci of the eGFR in EA, and BTP was associated with 3 of 16 tested. Conclusions. The identification of a novel BTP-specific (nonrenal related) locus and the confirmation of several genetic loci of the eGFR with BTP extend our understanding of the metabolism of BTPand inform its use as a kidney filtration biomarker.
Learning and Using Models

As opposed to model-free RL methods, which learn directly from experience in the domain, model-based methods learn a model of the transition and reward functions of the domain on-line and plan a policy using this model. Once the method has learned an accurate model, it can plan an optimal policy on this model without any further experience in the world. Therefore, when model-based methods are able to learn a good model quickly, they frequently have improved sample efficiency over model-free methods, which must continue taking actions in the world for values to propagate back to previous states. Another advantage of model-based methods is that they can use their models to plan multi-step exploration trajectories. In particular, many methods drive the agent to explore where there is uncertainty in the model, so as to learn the model as fast as possible. In this chapter, we survey some of the types of models used in model-based methods and ways of learning them, as well as methods for planning on these models. In addition, we examine the typical architectures for combining model learning and planning, which vary depending on whether the designer wants the algorithm to run on-line, in batch mode, or in real-time. One of the main performance criteria for these algorithms is sample complexity, or how many actions the algorithm must take to learn.We examine the sample efficiency of a few methods, which are highly dependent on having intelligent exploration mechanisms. We survey some approaches to solving the exploration problem, including Bayesian methods that maintain a belief distribution over possible models to explicitly measure uncertainty in the model. We show some empirical comparisons of various model-based and model-free methods on two example domains before concluding with a survey of current research on scaling these methods up to larger domains with improved sample and computational complexity.
Specific binding of Hoechst 33258 to site 1 thymidylate synthase mRNA

The translational initiator codon in thymidylate synthetase (TS) mRNA is located in a stem-loop structure with a CC bubble. TS is an important target for anticancer drugs. Aminoglycoside antibiotics have been shown to specifically bind to TS mRNA site 1 constructs and, furthermore, specific binding requires the non-duplex CC bubble region. It is shown here that DNA intercalating agents and DNA minor groove-binding drugs also bind to a TS mRNA site 1 construct. This binding is competitive with aminoglycosides, suggesting that the binding sites overlap. Hoechst 33258 binds with a dissociation constant of 60 nM, a value significantly lower than the approximately 1 microM values found for aminoglycosides. Footprinting and direct binding studies show that the CC bubble is important for binding of the Hoechst compound. However, the exact structure of the bubble is unimportant. Interestingly, mutations in regions adjacent to the bulge also affect binding. These studies point to the important role of non-duplex RNA structures in binding of the DNA minor groove binder Hoechst 33258.
Some subgroups of Ω(V) generated by groups of root type

Abstract The subgroups of Ω(V) (the commutator subgroup of an orthogonal group over a finite field of odd characteristic) which are generated by groups of root type, but not solely by groups of root type 1, and which are transitive on the one-dimensional singular subspaces of V are determined.
The incidence of minor sequelae following anaesthesia in children.

SUMMARY A survey was performed to estimate the incidence of the minor sequelae of anaesthesia in children. During an eight-month period 266 children, aged five years and over, were personally interviewed by an anaesthetist following recovery from anaesthesia. At interview the child was questioned to ascertain any morbidity suffered and record was made of the operation performed and the anaesthetic administered. Data were then evaluated, using multivariate analysis, to identify risk factors for the more common sequelae. This study revealed a higher incidence of the minor sequelae of anaesthesia in children than had previously been reported. The three most common sequelae recorded were nausea (48.1%), vomiting (35.0%), and sore throat (31.4%).