cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Learning Theory: A Framework for Discrimination Research.

A framework for discrimination research is presented that facilitates the use of social learning theory for organizational behavior. The theory is appropriate for all types of discrimination research. Cautions concerning methodological issues are offered.
A patient selection score for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: We hypothesized a patient selection score (PSS) may improve patient selection for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Methods: Of 136 patients who received CRT, group A included 100 study patients and group B 36 patients for validation. A positive response to CRT was a left ventricular (LV) end-systolic volume decrease of ≥15% and survival from heart failure at end of follow-up. Results: Of 100 group A patients, 37 (37%) were CRT responders during 14-month follow-up. A 7-point PSS was generated based on six variables. The cutoff point for PSS to predict a positive response to CRT was >4 by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for PSS to predict CRT response was 0.94 (P = 0.0001). CRT responders in patients with a PSS > 4 and ≤4 were 33/40 (83%), and 4/60 (7%), respectively (P 4 in Group B was also significantly higher compared to a PSS ≤ 4 (88% vs. 16%, P 4 are the most likely to respond to CRT. Using this score system, a PSS score >4 can predict the probability of a CRT response up to 88% in patients with heart failure and a wide QRS duration. (Echocardiography 2011;28:188-195)
The effects of handset variability on speaker recognition performance: experiments on the Switchboard corpus

This paper presents an empirical study of the effects of handset variability on text-independent speaker recognition performance using the Switchboard corpus. Handset variability occurs when training speech is collected using one type of handset, but a different handset is used for collecting test speech. For the Switchboard corpus, the calling telephone number associated with a file is used to imply the handset used. Analysis of experiments designed to focus on handset variability on the SPIDRE database and the May95 NIST speaker recognition evaluation database, show that a performance gap between matched and mismatched handset tests persists even after applying several standard channel compensation techniques. Error rates for the mismatched tests are over 4 times those for the matched tests. Lastly, a new energy dependent cepstral mean subtraction technique is proposed to compensate for nonlinear distortions, but is not found to improve performance on the databases used.
Historical note: information retrieval and the future of an illusion

More than thirty years ago there was good evidence to suggest that information retrieval involved conceptual problems of greater subtlety than is generally recognized. The dramatic development and growth of online services since then seems not to have been accompanied by much interest in these conceptual problems, the limits they appear to impose, or the potential for transcending such limits through more creative use of the new services. In this article, I offer a personal perspective on automatic indexing and information retrieval, focusing not necessarily on the mainstream of research but on those events and ideas over a 34-year period that have led to the view stated above, and that have influenced my perception of important directions for future research. Some experimental tests of information systems have yielded good retrieval results and some very poor results. I shall explain why I think that occurred, why I believe that the poor results merit special attention, and why we should reconsider a suggestion that Robert Fairthome put forward in 1963 to develop postulates of impotence—statements of what cannot be done. By understanding such limits we are led to new goals, metaphors, problems, postulates, and perspectives.
Two-Dimensional Heat Transfer Through Complex-Shaped Composite Materials-Part 11: Verification and Results

The development of the model simulating two-dimensional heat transfer through complex-shaped composite materials including a heat generation term and exhibiting boundary movement was outlined in Part I of this paper. This part includes the code verification. Temperature profiles predicted using the code are compared to results from analytical solutions and finite element solutions as well as experimentally determined temperatures from autoclave and press cures of composite materials. Additional experimental data are needed to verify the modeling of the effect of compaction on heat transfer and to further test the modeling of heat transfer in complex shapes.
Incidence and Prevention of Delirium in Critical Care Patients

Delirium in the intensive care unit is prevalent and a topic of high interest. Although it has been studied a great deal, screening, prevention, and management remain difficult. There are many causes of delirium and equally as many approaches to prevention and treatment. Two case studies sharing the challenges and successes of education, prevention, and treatment of delirium are presented in the context of complex adaptive systems.
Effect of vertical grid variability on a free surface flow model

A previously developed numerical model that solves the incompressible, non-hydrostatic, Navier–Stokes equations for free surface flow is analysed on a non-uniform vertical grid. The equations are vertically transformed to the σ-coordinate system and solved in a fractional step manner in which the pressure is computed implicitly by correcting the hydrostatic flow field to be divergence free. Numerical consistency, accuracy and efficiency are assessed with analytical methods and numerical experiments for a varying vertical grid discretization. Specific discretizations are proposed that attain greater accuracy and minimize computational effort when compared to a uniform vertical discretization. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microbial characterization of a JP-4 fuel-contaminated site using a combined lipid biomarker/polymerase chain reaction--denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE)-based approach.

The impact of pollution on soil microbial communities and subsequent bioremediation can be measured quantitatively in situ using direct, non-culture- dependent techniques. Such techniques have advantages over culture-based methods, which often account for less than 1% of the extant microbial community. In 1988, a JP-4 fuel spill contaminated the glacio-fluvial aquifer at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, USA. In this study, lipid biomarker characterization of the bacterial and eukaryotic communities was combined with polymerase chain reaction– denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR–DGGE) analysis of the eubacterial community to evaluate correlation between contaminant (JP-4 fuel) concentration and community structure shifts. Vadose, capillary fringe and saturated zone samples were taken from cores within and up- and down-gradient from the contaminant plume. Lipid biomarker analysis indicated that samples from within the plume contained increased biomass, with large proportions of typically Gram-negative bacteria. Outside the plume, lipid profiles indicated low-biomass microbial communities compared with those within the initial spill site. 16S rDNA sequences derived from DGGE profiles from within the initial spill site suggested dominance of the eubacterial community by a limited number of phylogenetically diverse organisms. Used in tandem with pollutant quantification, these molecular techniques should facilitate significant improvements over current assessment procedures for the determination of remediation end-points.
A Ubiquitin Stress Response Induces Altered Proteasome Composition

Ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation is essential for cells to survive many environmental stresses. Thus, it may be necessary to buffer ubiquitin and proteasome pools against fluctuation. Proteasome levels are tightly regulated, and proteasome deficiency stimulates a stress response. Here we report a novel pathway of cellular response to ubiquitin depletion. Unlike proteasome stress, ubiquitin stress does not upregulate proteasome abundance. Instead, ubiquitin stress alters proteasome composition. The proteasome-associated deubiquitinating enzyme Ubp6, which spares ubiquitin from proteasomal degradation, is induced by ubiquitin deficiency. This enhances loading of proteasomes with Ubp6, thereby altering proteasome function. A catalytically inactive mutant of Ubp6 fails to recycle ubiquitin and also inhibits proteasome function directly, thus inducing both ubiquitin stress and proteasome stress. These results show that homeostatic control of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway can be achieved through signal-dependent, subunit-specific regulation of the proteasome, and indicate a dual role of Ubp6 in regulating ubiquitin levels and proteasome function.
Variational Inference for Grammar Induction with Prior Knowledge

Variational EM has become a popular technique in probabilistic NLP with hidden variables. Commonly, for computational tractability, we make strong independence assumptions, such as the mean-field assumption, in approximating posterior distributions over hidden variables. We show how a looser restriction on the approximate posterior, requiring it to be a mixture, can help inject prior knowledge to exploit soft constraints during the variational E-step.
Democracy or autonomy? Indymedia and the contradictions of global social movement networks

In this article, I examine the indymedia movement as exemplar of a transnational network where the dynamics of democracy and local autonomy come into tension. Indymedia was launched during the World Trade Organization protests in Seattle in 1999. Since 1999, indymedia has mushroomed into a transnational social movement based network. Through the lens of indymedia's networked structure, I examine the tension between participatory decision-making and local autonomy. In specific I look at the decision of the global indymedia network to reject a large grant from the Ford Foundation because of Ford's history in the Argentine dirty wars. The heated episode, which almost forced the growing network to shut down, brings to the fore the complex contradictions of local autonomy and shared decision-making in the age of networks. Moreover, this episode and indymedia in general, brings to light the inability of decentralized networks to build proactive power, highlighting the disorganizing and at times debilitating logic of contemporary social movements.
How Do Students Know What They Learn in Middle School Mathematics Is True

This article presents ways in which students ascertain that what they have learned in mathematics is true. Students in the middle school (and a few from other grades) were interviewed by prospective and in-service teachers. Students were asked what they had learned recently in mathematics and how they knew it was true. The answers were grouped by the author according to the justification schemes used by the students in their explanations. Students interviewed used three kinds of justification schemes: externally based, empirical, and analytic. For each kind, examples are provided of students' justifications. Additional insights are included from the reflections of the interviewers. Some suggestions are offered regarding how teachers can help increase their students' ability to give convincing arguments in mathematics.
Development and evaluation of an avian influenza, neuraminidase subtype 1, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for poultry using the differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals control strategy.

Abstract An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using baculovirus, purified, recombinant N1 protein from A/chicken/Indonesia/PA7/2003 (H5N1) virus. The N1-ELISA showed high selectivity for detection of N1 antibodies, with no cross-reactivity with other neuraminidase subtypes, and broad reactivity with sera to N1 subtype isolates from North American and Eurasian lineages. Sensitivity of the N1-ELISA to detect N1 antibodies in turkey sera, collected 3 wk after H1N1 vaccination, was comparable to detection of avian influenza antibodies by the commercial, indirect ELISAs ProFLOK® AIV Plus ELISA Kit (Synbiotics, Kansas City, MO) and Avian Influenza Virus Antibody Test Kit (IDEXX, Westbrook, ME). However, 6 wk after vaccination, the Synbiotics ELISA kit performed better than the N1-ELISA and the IDEXX ELISA kit. An evaluation was made of the ability of the N1-ELISA to discriminate vaccinated chickens from subsequently challenged chickens. Two experiments were conducted, chickens wer...
Selecting an Asset Management System for Intelligent Transportation Systems

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) often includes technologically sophisticated devices, computer hardware and software, and communications infrastructure; for which traditional asset management tools are not always appropriate. In challenging economic times, it is essential that public agencies manage their ITS systemsmore efficiently, yet ITS asset management is new to many. There is a need to review different asset management systems for their ability to support the ITS needs of public transportation agencies. The primary contribution of this paperis establishing a method for making this comparison andidentifying measures of effectiveness to use for evaluating such systems. Thesemeasuresof effectiveness were identified through a nationwide survey of public transportation agencies and the method was demonstrated through a case study in South Carolina.
Apolipoprotein C-III and the Metabolic Basis for Hypertriglyceridemia and the Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein Phenotype

Background— Here, we aim to identify defects of apolipoprotein (apo) B lipoprotein metabolism that characterize hypertriglyceridemia, focusing on apoC-III and apoE. Methods and Results— We studied the transport of plasma apoB within 21 distinct subfractions as separated by anti–apoC-III and anti–apoE immunoaffinity chromatography and ultracentrifugation in 9 patients with moderate hypertriglyceridemia and 12 normotriglyceridemic control subjects. Hypertriglyceridemia was characterized by a 3-fold higher liver secretion of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) that had apoC-III but not apoE and a 50% lower secretion of VLDL with both apoC-III and apoE (both P<0.05). This shift in VLDL secretion pattern from apoE to apoC-III resulted in significantly reduced clearance of light VLDL (−39%; P<0.05), compatible with the antagonizing effects of apoC-III on apoE-induced clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. In addition, rate constants for clearance were reduced for apoE-containing triglyceride-rich lipoprot...
Increased vulnerability of human erythrocytes to hydroperoxide damage after exposure to cigarette smoke or 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene in vitro

Glutathione depletion, a major effect of cigarette smoke on biological tissues exposed to high concentrations of smoke, substantially slowed the consumption of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBH) in human erythrocytes in vitro, as shown by electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses of the rate of disappearance of extracellular tBH. Glutathione depletion by the reagent 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene induced a structural alteration of intracellular hemoglobin by tBH, which was inferred from an increase in hydrophobicity of erythrocyte proteins. Protein hydrophobicity was analyzed with a new ESR assay comprising detection of an increased binding of both anionic and cationic amphiphilic paramagnetic probes in membrane-depleted hemolysates. An increased affinity of oxidant-damaged proteins for amphiphilic probes was also observed in myoglobin and in protein fractions of erythrocytes treated with tBH subsequent to hemolysis. Smoke exposure enhanced the formation of reactive free radicals from tBH by chelated iron and ascorbate. Reactive radical formation, as monitored by spin-trapping methods, was substantially prolonged in erythrocyte suspensions that had been exposed to cigarette smoke. The results of this study suggest that the susceptibility of cells to peroxide-mediated damage, including damage associated with iron-mediated free radical production, is increased after exposure to high concentrations of cigarette smoke.
Simple Answers: Alternative Teacher Certification

Ames, C. (1981). Competitive versus cooperative reward structures: The influence of individual and group performance factors on achievement attributions and affect. American Educational Research Journal, 18, 273-287. Aronson, E., Blaney, N., Stephan, C., Sikes, J., & Snapp, M. (1978). The jigsaw classroom. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. Bossert, S. T. (1988-1989). Cooperative activities in the classroom. In E. Z. Rothkopf (Ed.), Review of research in education (Vol. 15, pp. 225-252).Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association.
McLean OnTrack: a transdiagnostic program for early intervention in first-episode psychosis.

Aims Most programs specializing in the treatment of first-episode psychosis in the United States focus on schizophrenia. However, many early psychosis patients do not fit into this diagnostic category. Here we describe McLean OnTrack, an intensive outpatient treatment program that accepts all comers with first-episode psychosis. Methods We assessed baseline characteristics of patients in the 2.5 years since program initiation. We examined how initial referral diagnoses compare with current diagnoses, calculating the proportion of diagnostic changes. Results At 2.5 years, patients in McLean OnTrack consist of 30 (33.0%) individuals with primary psychotic disorder, 40 (44.0%) with affective psychosis, 19 (20.9%) with psychotic disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) who do not meet full criteria for either category and two (2.2%) individuals with no psychosis. Although patients with affective psychosis had higher pre-morbid functioning, all three categories of psychosis had similar rates of prior hospitalizations and substance use. The retention rate in the psychotic disorder NOS group was lower than that in affective and primary psychotic disorders. Finally, diagnoses changed over the course of treatment in 50.5% of patients. Conclusions Diagnostic heterogeneity appears to be the norm among patients with first-episode psychosis, and diagnoses commonly evolve over the illness course. Baseline indices of illness severity were similar across categories and suggest the need for early intervention, irrespective of specific diagnosis. We discuss the benefits and challenges of a transdiagnostic approach to early intervention in first-episode psychosis, treating patients who share many but not all characteristics.
Plan Sorting Under Risk Adjustment and Premium Discrimination in Health Insurance Exchanges

In the new state-run Health Insurance Exchanges created as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), plans with different benefit coverage of health care costs are provided in order to expand consumer choices and increase consumer welfare. According to the ACA, premiums can differ based on enrollees’ characteristics and are risk-adjusted before returning to insurance plans in these markets. This paper analyzes how risk adjustment and premium discrimination affect consumers’ choices of plans theoretically and empirically. I develop a model to show that both risk adjustment and premium discrimination encourage consumers to enroll in plans with high benefit coverage under plausible assumptions. I simulate the equilibrium sorting using data for the Exchange-eligible population drawn from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. I also simulate the consumers’ plan choices under different scenarios of risk adjustment, and calculate the corresponding welfare effect.
Identification of monoclonal antibody-binding domains within antigen P1 of Streptococcus mutans and cross-reactivity with related surface antigens of oral streptococci.

Eleven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for P1, the major protein surface antigen of Streptococcus mutans serotype c, were characterized by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis and by radioimmunoassay using whole bacterial cells. The approximate binding domains of the MAbs were determined by using full-length and truncated P1 polypeptides. The accessibility of these binding sites on the surfaces of intact bacteria was determined by radioimmunoassay. The ability of each MAb to cross-react with related proteins from strains of S. mutans serotypes e and f, S. sanguis, and S. sobrinus serotype g is also reported. Images
Effect of Wolf-berry Capsules on Blood Lipids in Rat Model with Hyperlipidemia

Objective To observe the effects of wolf-berry capsules on serum lipids in rats fed with high fat diet Methods The rats were assigned to four groups,that is,high-fat control group,low dose,middle dose and high dose experimental group according to baseline serum cholesterol level The rats in three dose groups were administered with wolf-berry capsules prepared with plant oil by gastriclavage at 0 1、0 2、0 6g/(kg·bw)doses The control rats were given same volume of plant oil by the same route 30 days later,serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were detected Results Compared with control rats,0 1 g/(kg·bw)dose0 6 g(kg·bw)dose significant effect on serum HDL-C Conclusion Wolf-berry capsules could impede the lipid increasre in rats fed with high fat diet
Dynamic modeling for a composite plate undergoing large overall motion

The second order coupling deformation variable,which is ignored in traditional method,is considered in this paper.The equations of motion is established using finite element method and Lagrange principal.The reliability of the motion equations derived in the present work is validated by numerical study.It can be seen form the results that the stiffeness variation terms have effects on the dynamic of overall motion plate,and as the deformation results are increased as the rotating velocity increase.As the rotating velocity increase,there is a obvious difference in the deformation results between new and conventional method.Variation of the deformation of the observed point versus ply angle is also investigated in the work,it can be seen from the results that,deformation of the angle point increases as the ply angle increases.Based on the comparison of laminate plate and isotropic plate undergoing the same large overall motion,an obvious difference can be found.
Feedback Decoupling for Nonlinear Systems with Symmetries

In this paper,we discussed feedback decoupling problem for nonlinear systems possessing symmetries by differential geometric approach.Necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of the problem are given.We can see from these conditions that our results are simpler than those of systems without symmetries.The main results obtained in our paper indicate that systems with symmetries always have good properties as well as good structure.
Commentary on: Who is Publishing in Facial Cosmetic Surgery? A Citation Analysis Across Specialties Over Five Decades

“Who is Publishing in Facial Cosmetic Surgery? A Citation Analysis Across Specialties Over Five Decades” is a literature review of the articles published in facial cosmetic surgery over the past 5 decades.1 It provides a good analysis of the trends in published literature, both with respect to when the articles were published and interspecialty publication trends in publication. The primary goal of this article is to analyze the most cited peer reviewed literature over the past five decades and to identify any publication trends across the four specialties of plastic surgery, otolaryngology, dermatology, and ophthalmology. The top 50 cited articles for each decade from the 1970s to 2010s were identified for the topics of facelift, rhinoplasty, browlift, and blepharoplasty using the Thomson/Reuters Web of Knowledge. The number of citations/article, first authors' specialty affiliation, and journal specialty affiliation were measured and analyzed. Data were plotted graphically and publishing trends …
Video vision development assessment in diagnosis and documentation of microtropia.

BACKGROUND Microtropia is under diagnosed in treated esotropia and in primary microtropia cases, where patients are young and uncooperative. METHOD Video Vision Development Assessment (VVDA) testing, which we have developed and previously described, captures multiple video frames images (30 per second) of the Breuckner red reflection (from the ocular fundus, a test for strabismus and ocular media abnormalities) combined with eccentric photorefraction. This method allows the highly critical discrimination of minimally off axis fixation (abnormal) to be differentiated from true on axis fixation (normal foveation) by the brightness difference in the images. We have examined with this method, VVDA, 533 consecutive strabismus patients ages six months to six years. RESULTS 47% of esotropes and 23.8% of exotropes had microtropia. CONCLUSION VVDA is helpful in documenting microtropia in young uncooperative patients where the diagnosis may otherwise be missed, even when suspected to be present, due to lack of subjective test cooperation. Multiple video frames of the same patient (VVDA) allow dynamic detection of true fixation (normal foveation) versus slightly off axis fixation (abnormal, consistent with microtropia). VVDA is therefore superior to single photorefraction imaging in the diagnosis of microtropia.
Fertility in Cryptorchidism: Further Development of an Experimental Model

Abstract Further development of an experimental model for evaluating fertility in cryptorchidism led to studies of unilateral cryptorchidism, endocrinological cryptorchidism, and the effects of treatment. The results demonstrate that rats with unilateral mechanical cryptorchidism have a significant diminution in the ability to impregnate females (impregnation rate, 45%) when compared with sham-operated controls (84%) and rats undergoing unilateral orchiectomy (88%). In addition, we demonstrated that lower doses of estradiol caused cryptorchidism and resulted in infertility of approximately the same degree as higher doses (impregnation rates, 18% and 0%, respectively), but avoided obvious side effects. Treatment of estradiol-induced cryptorchidism with human chorionic gonadotropin resulted in testicular descent, but did not significantly improve the ability to bear offspring (10% with hCG vs. 0% without). Surgical orchiopexy after surgically induced mechanical cryptorchidism resulted in improved fertility (30% vs. 0%); however, the improvement was still significantly less than the control rate. In summary, this experimental model demonstrates the effects of various aspects of cryptorchidism and its treatment on fertility and can easily be adapted to evaluate important clinical problems.
Cyclodextrin Radicals Produced by Photochemical Hydrogen Abstraction by Ketones and Nitrogen Heterocycles

During the last two and half decades there has been considerable interest in the use of cyclodextrins (CDs) as photo- and thermal-stabilizers [1],‘micro-reactors’ [2] and as a means of stabilizing reactive specics[3–6]. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that CDs cannot be treated as inert hosts which take no part in radical chemistry [7–10]. In previous work we have suggested [9] that some of the stabilization effect of inclusion within CDs may result from trapping of reactive free radicals by CD, thereby reducing the rates of chain reactions. The result of these reactions is the formation of relatively stable CD radicals. We have applied laser flash photolysis of ketones to produce the excited triples states which abstract hydrogen from CD’s [11]. Detection of the CD radicals is by Time Resolved Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (TREPR) Spectroscopy. We observe some selectivity in the position of hydrogen abstraction and that the radicals formed depend upon both CD and ketone.
Ventricular Systolic Function

Ventricular systolic dysfunction is a hallmark of many patients with congenital heart disease. Given its complex genetic roots and anatomical consequences, dysfunction can manifest as depressed or supra-normal contractile performance with dilative or hypertrophic remodeling, fibrosis with restrictive physiology, and/or marked changes in pressure/volume loads. Over the past 15 years, accurate and specific methods to assess myocyte and chamber function combined with powerful genetic tools to dissect causes have yielded major new insights into how systolic function is regulated and altered by disease. Most of these data stem from analyses in animal models or adult human explanted hearts, whereas results from pediatric congenital heart disease subjects remain scant due to ethical considerations. Nevertheless, the research has yielded new insights and methodologies undoubtedly relevant to childhood disease. In this chapter, I review the mechanisms underlying systolic chamber function and its acute regulation, how it is assessed—focusing on in vivo characterization by pressure-volume relationships, its interaction with vascular and pericardial loading, and the influence of disease and therapies.
Plasma Membrane CRPK1-Mediated Phosphorylation of 14-3-3 Proteins Induces Their Nuclear Import to Fine-Tune CBF Signaling during Cold Response

In plant cells, changes in fluidity of the plasma membrane may serve as the primary sensor of cold stress; however, the precise mechanism and how the cell transduces and fine-tunes cold signals remain elusive. Here we show that the cold-activated plasma membrane protein cold-responsive protein kinase 1 (CRPK1) phosphorylates 14-3-3 proteins. The phosphorylated 14-3-3 proteins shuttle from the cytosol to the nucleus, where they interact with and destabilize the key cold-responsive C-repeat-binding factor (CBF) proteins. Consistent with this, the crpk1 and 14-3-3κλ mutants show enhanced freezing tolerance, and transgenic plants overexpressing 14-3-3λ show reduced freezing tolerance. Further study shows that CRPK1 is essential for the nuclear translocation of 14-3-3 proteins and for 14-3-3 function in freezing tolerance. Thus, our study reveals that the CRPK1-14-3-3 module transduces the cold signal from the plasma membrane to the nucleus to modulate CBF stability, which ensures a faithfully adjusted response to cold stress of plants.
An algorithm for dynamic vehicle-track-structure interaction analysis for high-speed trains

Abstract The objective of the present work is to develop a robust, yet simple-to-implement algorithm for dynamic vehicle-track-structure-interaction (VTSI) analysis, applicable to trains passing over bridges. The algorithm can be readily implemented in existing bridge analysis software with minimal code modifications. It is based on modeling the bridge and train separately, and coupling them together by means of kinematic constraints. The contact forces between the wheels and the track become Lagrange multipliers in this approach. A direct implementation of such an approach results in spurious oscillations in the contact forces. Two approaches are presented to mitigate these spurious oscillations – (a) a cubic B-spline interpolation of the kinematic constraints in time, and (b) an adaptation of an alternate time-integration scheme originally developed by Bathe. Solutions obtained using this algorithm are verified using a generic differential algebraic equation (DAE) solver. Due to high train speeds and possible track irregularities, wheels can momentarily lose contact with the track. This contact separation is formulated as a Linear Complementary Problem (LCP). With this formulation, including contact separation in the analysis amounts to replacing a call to a linear equation solver by a call to an LCP solver, a modification of only two steps of the procedure. The focus of this paper is on the computational procedure of VTSI analysis. The main contribution of this paper is recognizing computational issues associated with time-varying kinematic constraints, clearly identifying their cause and developing remedies.
Characterization of CD200 Expression after Nervous System Injuries

After injury to the nervous system, the body must resolve its inflammatory response in order to promote neuronal repair and regeneration. CD200/C200R is a ligand-receptor pairing that is found throughout the body, including the central nervous system (CNS). In the context of the CNS, CD200 is primarily expressed on neurons which help maintain microglia, the primary expressers of the CD200 receptor (CD200R), in an anti-inflammatory state. In order to better understand the role of CD200 in regulating inflammation, this study utilized several types of nervous system injuries in a C57/Bl6 mouse model and characterized variations in CD200 expression post- injury. Immunocytochemistry was used to identify the extent and intensity of CD200 expression in three sciatic nerve cut mice (7 dpi), three sciatic nerve cut mice (14 dpi), three T9 dorsal hemi-section mice(7 dpi), and three dorsal rhizotomy mice (7dpi). We hypothesized that CD200 expression would be decreased in regions of microglial activation following lesion and loss of sensory or motor axon degeneration. Based on the preliminary results from a representative sample per group, microglia and astrocytes were activated but CD200 expression does not significantly change in the spinal cord dorsal horn after sciatic nerve cuts, dorsal rhizotomy, or caudal to the dorsal hemi-section injuries. Based on a very limited change in CD200 expression post injury, we concluded that CD200 is not exclusively on sensory axons, and that the ligand-receptor complex may not play a principle role in post-injury inflammation within certain types of nervous system injuries.
Upper lethal temperatures in three cold-tolerant insects are higher in winter than in summer.

ABSTRACT Upper lethal temperatures (ULTs) of cold-adapted insect species in winter have not been previously examined. We anticipated that as the lower lethal temperatures (LLTs) decreased (by 20–30°C) with the onset of winter, the ULTs would also decrease accordingly. Consequently, given the recent increases in winter freeze–thaw cycles and warmer winters due to climate change, it became of interest to determine whether ambient temperatures during thaws were approaching ULTs during the cold seasons. However, beetle Dendroides canadensis (Coleoptera: Pyrochroidae) larvae had higher 24 and 48 h ULT 50 (the temperature at which 50% mortality occurred) in winter than in summer. The 24 and 48 h ULT 50 for D. canadensis in winter were 40.9 and 38.7°C, respectively. For D. canadensis in summer, the 24 and 48 h ULT 50 were 36.7 and 36.4°C. During the transition periods of spring and autumn, the 24 h ULT 50 was 37.3 and 38.5°C, respectively. While D. canadensis in winter had a 24 h LT 50 range between LLT and ULT of 64°C, the summer range was only 41°C. Additionally, larvae of the beetle Cucujus clavipes clavipes (Coleoptera: Cucujidae) and the cranefly Tipula trivittata (Diptera: Tipulidae) also had higher ULTs in winter than in summer. This unexpected phenomenon of increased temperature survivorship at both lower and higher temperatures in the winter compared with that in the summer has not been previously documented. With the decreased high temperature tolerance as the season progresses from winter to summer, it was observed that environmental temperatures are closest to upper lethal temperatures in spring.
Highly Functionalized Tricyclic Oxazinanones via Pairwise Oxidative Dearomatization and N-Hydroxycarbamate Dehydrogenation: Molecular Diversity Inspired by Tetrodotoxin.

Benzenoids in principle represent attractive and abundant starting materials for the preparation of substituted cyclohexanes; however, the synthetic tools available for overcoming the considerable aromatic energies inherent to these building blocks limit the available product types. In this paper, we demonstrate access to heretofore unknown heterotricyclic structures by leveraging oxidative dearomatization of 2-hydroxymethyl phenols with concurrent N-hydroxycarbamate dehydrogenation using a common oxidant. The pairwise-generated, mutually reactive species then participate in a second stage acylnitroso Diels–Alder cycloaddition. The reaction chemistry of the derived [2.2.2]-oxazabicycles, bearing four orthogonal functional groups and three stereogenic centers, is shown to yield considerable diversity in downstream products. The methodology allows for the expeditious synthesis of a functionalized intermediate bearing structural and stereochemical features in common with the complex alkaloid tetrodotoxin.
Death, Definition of

The need for a new basis for determining death arose in the 1960s as techniques were developed to support breathing and heartbeat in very sick, hospitalized patients; the need was increased with the rise of heart transplantation from deceased donors. At issue is not actually a ‘definition’ of death but the narrower and more practical task of setting standards to determine when death has occurred. Standards for making this determination on either neurological or circulatory–respiratory grounds have been well established by clinicians and recognized by the law for decades, yet these standards – and the situations in which they apply – are not always well understood by the public and continue to face philosophical and practical objections from some academic critics.
Optical properties of electrically connected plasmonic nanoantenna dimer arrays

We fabricate electrically connected gold nanoantenna arrays of homodimers and heterodimers on silica substrates and present a systematic study of their optical properties. Electrically connected arrays of plasmonic nanoantennas make possible the realization of novel photonic devices, including optical sensors and rectifiers. Although the plasmonic response of unconnected arrays has been studied extensively, the present study shows that the inclusion of nanowire connections modifies the device response significantly. After presenting experimental measurements of optical extinction for unconnected dimer arrays, we compare these to measurements of dimers that are interconnected by gold nanowire “busbars.” The connected devices show the familiar dipole response associated with the unconnected dimers but also show a second localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) that we refer to as the “coupled-busbar mode.” Our experimental study also demonstrates that the placement of the nanowire along the antenna modifi...
The child health exposure analysis resource as a vehicle to measure environment in the environmental influences on child health outcomes program.

Purpose of reviewDemonstrate the role of environment as a predictor of child health.Recent findingsThe children's health exposure analysis resource (CHEAR) assists the Environmental influences on child health outcomes (ECHO) program in understanding the time sensitive and dynamic nature of perinatal
Victimhood, Academic Freedom, and Free Speech

There is an inherent tension between the ideals of victimhood culture and the ideals of free speech and academic freedom. Campbell and Manning discuss legal norms for regulating speech. They describe how campus activists commonly reject legal and folk norms regarding free speech and push for greater restrictions, often justifying these with an expansive conception of harm. Despite widespread belief in the value of academic freedom, colleges and universities have already introduced many speech restrictions. Indeed, rather than having more free speech than the larger society, campuses have far less. On campus, the most strenuous censorship occurs at the behest of leftist activists and their sympathizers and targets those who question victimhood culture. But the campus also faces censorship from the right, in the form of outsiders who are outraged over the speech of campus activists. As campus culture continues to depart from mainstream morality, such problems will increase.
Dynamic changes of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with advanced breast cancer (BCa) after systemic therapies.

1090Background: CTCs play a critical role in BCa metastasis and worse prognosis even after systemic treatments such as chemotherapy and biological therapy. The mechanisms that contribute to CTCs mi...
Status Climbing vs. Bridging: Multinational Stakeholder Engagement Strategies

Multinational corporations seeking to overcome the “liability of foreignness” through partnerships with stakeholders in their overseas markets face an important tension in choosing between two alternative strategies. Firms who build relationships with high-status local stakeholders may experience increased cooperation and reduced conflict with other stakeholders. However, the short-term benefits of this status climbing strategy may be difficult to sustain because stakeholders with low-status, particularly those outside the formal political structure, are more likely to increase their conflict as the firm becomes increasingly distant from them. An alternative strategy of bridging structural holes in the host country stakeholder network also faces theoretical limits as access to scarce information and resources is likely to engender conflict with other stakeholders. The status climbing strategy is more attractive where insider connections dominate (i.e., the rule of law is weak) while the bridging strategy ...
Full 1H NMR assignment of a 24-nucleotide RNA hairpin: application of the 1H 3D-NOE/2QC experiment

The subject RNA models the binding site for the coat protein of the R17 virus, as well as the ribosome recognition sequence for the R17 replicase gene. With an RNA of this size, overlaps among the sugar protons complicate assignments of the 1H NMR spectrum. The cross peaks that overlap significantly in 2D-NOE spectra can frequently be resolved by introducing a third, in our approach the double-quantum, frequency axis. In particular the planes in a 3D-NOE/2QC spectrum perpendicular to the 2Q axis are extremely useful, showing a highly informative repeating NOE-2Q pattern. In this experiment substantial J-coupling confers special advantages. This always occurs for geminal pairs (H5′/H5′′ for RNA plus H2′/H2′′ for DNA), as well as for H5/H6, for H3′/H4′ in sugars with substantial populations of the N-pucker, for H1′/H2′ for S-puckered sugars, and usually for H2′/H3′. For the 24-mer RNA hairpin the additional information from the 3D-NOE/2QC spectrum allowed assignment of all of the non-exchangeable protons, eliminating the need for stable-isotope labeling.
The East’s Eastern Front: The Ottoman–Russian Clash in the Great War and Its Legacies:

This article provides an overview of the neglected Caucasian front of the First World War and explores its impact on the overall course of the war and its legacy for the Middle East and Eurasia. By...
Generation and characterization of ex vivo propagated autologous CD8+ cells used for adoptive immunotherapy of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Cytolytic T lymphocytes play an important role in host defense against viral infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In a phase I clinical trial (protocol 080 of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group), generation of CD8+ effector cells from peripheral blood of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex (ARC) or AIDS and safety of autologous adoptive transfer of these cells were evaluated. For therapeutic infusions, CD8+ T cells were purified by positive selection on anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody-coated flasks from leukapheresed peripheral blood of seven patients. These CD8+ T cells were cultured in the presence of interleukin-2 and phytohemagglutinin for up to 3 weeks to obtain cells sufficient for therapeutic infusions (10(8) to 10(10)). All 31 cell cultures established from the seven patients and used for therapy were highly enriched in CD8+ (mean, 97%), CD8+HLA-DR+ (50%), cytotoxic CD8+CD11b- (82%), and memory CD29+ (78%) T lymphocytes. In vitro expanded CD8+ cells had excellent cytotoxic function at the time they were used for therapy, including HIV-specific activity against autologous targets infected with vaccinia vectors expressing HIV-IIIb antigens, gag, pol, and env. Anti-HIV activity of cultured CD8+ cells was significantly higher than that of autologous fresh peripheral blood lymphocytes. Our results show that CD8+ T lymphocytes obtained from peripheral blood of symptomatic HIV-infected patients can be purified, cultured to obtain large numbers of cells with enhanced anti-HIV activity, and safely infused into patients with AIDS as a form of immunotherapy.
The stability and immunogenicity of inactivated MDCK cell-derived influenza H7N9 viruses.

Abstract In recent years, cell-based influenza vaccines have gained a great interest over the egg-based vaccines. Several inactivated H7N9 vaccines have been evaluated in clinical trials, including whole-virion vaccines, split vaccines and subunit vaccines. Recently, we developed a new suspension MDCK (sMDCK) cell line for influenza viruses production. However, the properties of purified antigen from sMDCK cells remain unclear. In this study, the stability of influenza H7N9 vaccine bulk derived from sMDCK cells was investigated, and the data were compared with the vaccine antigen derived from our characterized adhesion MDCK (aMDCK) cells in serum-free medium. The influenza H7N9 bulks derived from sMDCK and aMDCK cells were stored at 2–8 °C for different periods of time, and a number of parameters selected to monitor the H7N9 vaccine antigen stability were evaluated at each interval (1, 3 and 12 months). The monitored parameters included virus morphology, hemagglutinin (HA) activity, HA concentration, antigenicity, and immunogenicity. The sMDCK-derived H7N9 bulk showed similar morphology to that of the aMDCK-derived H7N9 bulk, and there were no obvious changes after the extended storage periods. Furthermore, the HA titer, HA concentration, and antigenicity of sMDCK-derived H7N9 bulk were stable after 28 months of storage. Finally, the results of hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization tests showed that sMDCK- and aMDCK-derived H7N9 vaccines had comparable immunogenicity. These results indicated that sMDCK-derived H7N9 bulk has good stability compared to that of aMDCK-derived H7N9 bulk. Thus, the newly developed suspension MDCK cell line shows a great alternative for manufacturing cell-based influenza vaccines.
Cryo-EM structure of the respiratory syncytial virus RNA polymerase.

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RNA polymerase, constituted of a 250 kDa large (L) protein and tetrameric phosphoprotein (P), catalyzes three distinct enzymatic activities — nucleotide polymerization, cap addition, and cap methylation. How RSV L and P coordinate these activities is poorly understood. Here, we present a 3.67 A cryo-EM structure of the RSV polymerase (L:P) complex. The structure reveals that the RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and capping (Cap) domains of L interact with the oligomerization domain (POD) and C-terminal domain (PCTD) of a tetramer of P. The density of the methyltransferase (MT) domain of L and the N-terminal domain of P (PNTD) is missing. Further analysis and comparison with other RNA polymerases at different stages suggest the structure we obtained is likely to be at an elongation-compatible stage. Together, these data provide enriched insights into the interrelationship, the inhibitors, and the evolutionary implications of the RSV polymerase. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a pathogenic non-segmented negative-sense RNA virus and active RSV polymerase is composed of a 250 kDa large (L) protein and tetrameric phosphoprotein (P). Here, the authors present the 3.67 A cryo-EM structure of the RSV polymerase (L:P) complex.
Unusual extradural chordoma in an adolescent presenting with lumbar radiculopathy

A 17-year-old man with a several week-long history of lower left leg pain presented with lower left leg paresthesia and weakness. MRI of the spine revealed a non-enhancing extradural mass at L4 with compression of the cauda equina ([figure 1][1]). The patient underwent L4–L5 laminectomy, followed