cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Involutions, Classical Groups, and Buildings

Abstract In [Invent. Math.58 (1980), 201–210], Curtis et al. construct a variation of the Tits building. The Curtis–Lehrer–Tits building L ( G , k) of a connected reductive k-group G has the important feature that it is a functor from the category of reductive groups defined over a field k and monomorphisms to the category of topological spaces and inclusions. An important consequence derived by Curtis et al. from the functorial nature of the Curtis–Lehrer–Tits building L ( G , k) is that if s is a semisimple element of the group G (k) of k-rational points, and G ′ is the connected component group of the centralizer of s, then the fixed point set L ( G , k)s of s in L ( G , k) is the Curtis–Lehrer–Tits building L ( G ′, k). We generalize this result to arbitrary involutions of Autk( G ), and we also prove an analogue in the context of affine buildings.
Isolation and purification of deoxynivalenol and a new trichothecene by high pressure liquid chromatography

Deoxynivalenol (3,7,15-trihydroxy-12,l3-epoxytrichothec-9-ene-8-one) was extracted from corn with methanol/water (80:20, v/v) and purified by liquid:liquid partitioning and by preparative high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). This procedure was used to prepare mg quantities of toxin from field-inoculated corn for reference standards. Analysis of the isolated deoxynivalenol by analytical HPLC, gas liquid chromatography (GLC) and gas liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GLC/MS) indicated the presence of a second compound similar to deoxynivalenol. This compound comigrates with deoxynivalenol on thin layer chromatography plates in chloroform/methanol (90:10, v/v), but can be separated by HPLC on a reverse-phase C8 column with methanol/water (10:90, v/v). GC/MS of the compound and the trimethylsilyl ether derivative gave parent ions of m/e 280 and 424, respectively. These data and NMR data indicate that the compound is 3,15-dihydroxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene-8-one, a previously unreported trichothecene.
Plus ça change…: The New CPS Election Study Panel*

Between 1956 and 1960, the first long-term panel study of the American electorate was carried out at the University of Michigan. Among other findings from this original panel were sharp contrasts between the high individual-level stability of party identification and more labile individual preferences on major political issues of the day. Since 1960, several changes in the nature of the American electoral response have caught the attention of scholars, including an erosion of party loyalties on one hand and an increasing crystallization of issue attitudes on the other. Completion of a new panel segment, 1972–76, makes it possible to review the original 1956–60 findings in the light of these intervening changes. We discovered that the contrasts in individual-level continuity of party and issue positions remain nearly identical to those estimated for 1956–60. The theoretical significance of these counter-intuitive results is discussed.
Theoretical convergence guarantees for cooperative coevolutionary algorithms

Cooperative coevolutionary algorithms have the potential to significantly speed up the search process by dividing the space into parts that can each be conquered separately. However, recent research presented theoretical and empirical arguments that these algorithms tend to converge to suboptimal solutions in the search space, and are thus not fit for optimization tasks. This paper details an extended formal model for cooperative coevolutionary algorithms, and uses it to explore possible reasons these algorithms converge to optimal or suboptimal solutions. We demonstrate that, under specific conditions, this theoretical model will converge to the globally optimal solution. The proofs provide the underlying theoretical foundation for a better application of cooperative coevolutionary algorithms. We demonstrate the practical advantages of applying ideas from this theoretical work to a simple problem domain.
Delayed trunk muscle reflex responses increase the risk of low back injuries.

Study design Prospective observational study with a 2- to 3-year follow-up. Objectives To determine whether delayed muscle reflex response to sudden trunk loading is a result of or a risk factor for sustaining a low back injury (LBI). Summary of background data Differences in motor control have been identified in individuals with chronic low back pain and in athletes with a history of LBI when compared with controls. However, it is not known whether these changes are a risk for or a result of LBI. Methods Muscle reflex latencies in response to a quick force release in trunk flexion, extension, and lateral bending were measured in 303 college athletes. Information was also obtained regarding their personal data, athletic experience, and history of LBI. The data were entered into a binary logistic regression model to identify the predictors of future LBI. RESULTS.: A total of 292 athletes were used for the final analysis (148 females and 144 males). During the follow-up period, 31 (11%) athletes sustained an LBI. The regression model, consisting of history of LBI, body weight, and the latency of muscles shutting off during flexion and lateral bending load releases, predicted correctly 74% of LBI outcomes. The odds of sustaining LBI increased 2.8-fold when a history of LBI was present and increased by 3% with each millisecond of abdominal muscle shut-off latency. On average, this latency was 14 milliseconds longer for athletes who sustained LBI in comparison to athletes who did not sustain LBI (77 [36] vs. 63 [31]). There were no significant changes in any of the muscle response latencies on retest following the injury. Conclusions The delayed muscle reflex response significantly increases the odds of sustaining an LBI. These delayed latencies appear to be a preexisting risk factor and not the effect of an LBI.
New Directions in Marine Environmental History: An Introduction

AbstractThe daunting legacy of marine resource use is among the most prominent issues confronting global society. Over the past twenty-two years, marine environmental history—both in the United Sta...
COMMUNITY, ENVIRONMENT, AND VIOLENT CRIME

Using regression analysis of community areas of Chicago, patterns of homicide, robbery, and aggravated assault are analyzed for the mid-1970s. It is found that neighborhoods in which very poor and middle-class people live in close proximity are those in which rates of all three types of criminal violence are highest. Of all demographic and crime variables analyzed, proximity was by far the most strongly related to crime rates. This relationship was taken to be another indicator of the extreme burden placed on blacks in heavily segregated cities of the urban North.
The α→γ Transformation During Continuous Cooling in Ti-48 At% Al Alloys

The α→ γ transformation in a Ti-48 at% Al alloy was studied by a novel computer interfaced control-cum-data acquisition technique. In situ ,real time, high speed measurements of temperature were made in the system engineered for this purpose. The samples were heated by controlled direct resistance heating and gas-jet quenched. Various cooling rates were achieved by control algorithms and controlling the pressure of the quenching medium. Cooling curves and thermal arrest data were used to determine the transformation temperatures and characteristics as a function of cooling rate. Subsequent microstructural analysis by optical microscopy was used to confirm the occurrence of the various transformation modes, namely, lamellar, Widmanstatten and massive. The transformation start and completion temperatures for the various reactions were determined for different cooling rates, and continuous cooling transformation diagrams were determined. The various results are presented and discussed in light of thermodynamic and phase diagram considerations.
Chorionic villus sampling: quality control--a continuous improvement model.

Objective: Our purpose was to describe Vanderbilt University Medical Center's experience in establishing a chorionic villus sampling program and the importance of quality control along with a continuous improvement model on the first 1000 cases. Study Design: A continuous improvement model was established with emphasis on a multidisciplinary team approach and quality assurance process. A computerized data base was used for continuing analysis of complications and for allowing facile access to pertinent information. Results: A continuous improvement model allowed for an improved process and outcome for patients, personnel, and referring health care providers. Follow-up for initial symptoms after chorionic villus sampling was obtained on 98.5% of patients. Pregnancy follow-up, including birth data, was obtained on 93%. Conclusion: A continuous improvement mode from the project's onset resulted in an improved process and outcome, information helpful for accessing spontaneous abortion rates and pregnancy outcomes (including the incidence of limb abnormalities and factors associated with abortions) and recommendations for training personnel.
Surface Error Analysis For The University Of Texas 7.6m Telescope Primary Mirror

The techniques of modal control analysis derived by Creedon and Lindgren [1], an error analysis method proposed by Howell and Creedon [2], and various methods of finite element analysis are applied to a meniscus mirror of unusually large aspect ratio. The analyses predict the figure error for a set of characteristic error disturbances and correction strategies. Several arrangements of piston actuators are shown to he near optimum relative to the disturbance inputs considered, and in each case the related plots of modal coefficients, rms surface error, and the Howell and Creedon error analysis demonstrate the efficacy of the thin meniscus approach. In addition, the engineering approach to achieving a stable optical surface in this way is shown. Decomposing the distorted optical surface into modal terms gives it a natural order and allows the analyst to demonstrate that for some very harsh mechanical loads, relatively few modes are the chief contributors to the wavefront error. Therefore, by designing the active system for the control of the most significant modes, the mechanical engineering task becomes manageable.
A Case Report in Health Information Exchange for Inter-organizational Patient Transfers

Objective: To provide a case report of barriers and promoters to implementing a health information exchange (HIE) tool that supports patient transfers between hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Methods: A multi-disciplinary team conducted semi-structured telephone and in-person interviews in a purposive sample of HIE organizational informants and providers in New York City who implemented HIE to share patient transfer information. The researchers conducted grounded theory analysis to identify themes of barriers and promoters and took steps to improve the trustworthiness of the results including vetting from a knowledgeable study participant. Results: Between May and October 2011, researchers recruited 18 participants: informaticians, healthcare administrators, software engineers, and providers from a skilled nursing facility. Subjects perceived the HIE tool’s development a success in that it brought together stakeholders who had traditionally not partnered for informatics work, and that they could successfully share patient transfer information between a hospital and a skilled nursing facility. Perceived barriers included lack of hospital stakeholder buy-in and misalignment with clinical workflows that inhibited use of HIE-based patient transfer data. Participants described barriers and promoters in themes related to organizational, technical, and user-oriented issues. The investigation revealed that stakeholders could develop and implement health information technology that technically enables clinicians in both hospitals and skilled nursing facilities to exchange real-time information in support of patient transfers. User level barriers, particularly in the emergency department, should give pause to developers and implementers who plan to use HIE in support of patient transfers. Conclusions: Participants’ experiences demonstrate how stakeholders may succeed in developing and piloting an electronic transfer form that relies on HIE to aggregate, communicate, and display relevant patient transfer data across health care organizations. Their experiences also provide insights for others seeking to develop HIE applications to improve patient transfers between emergency departments and skilled nursing facilities.
Determination of latex particle size by light scattering. IV. Transmission measurements

Abstract Using a Beckman spectrophotometer, light transmission measurements were made on 12 polydisperse butadiene-styrene latices and one essentially monodisperse polystyrene latex. Cell lengths of 1, 5, and 10 cm. were used, and the wave length range covered was 3500–10,000 A. in 500-A. intervals. By employing total polymer content, c, rather than total solids, ratios of turbidity, τ, to c at c = 0, i.e., (τ/c)0, were obtained which were independent of the cell length at each wave length. Application of Mie theory to the measurements yielded particle diameters showing no regular variation with wave length and in good accord with the weight-average diameters of the latices obtained by electron microscopy. The validity of the average was checked by differential creaming of the latices and also by calculation of the averages to be expected from the latex particle size distributions on summation of the scattering coefficients. The range of diameters covered by the data was α = πDw/λm = 0.30 to 4.74, where DW is the weight-average diameter and λm the wave length of light in the medium. For light of 10,000 A. in vacuo, the upper limit of α corresponds to Dw = 11,400 A.
Transplantation of leukemoid leukocytes in irradiated mice.

SummaryUsing hemoglobin markers to identify donor- and host-type erythrocytes, we have demonstrated that cells in the leukocyte fraction of leukemoid blood are capable of transplanting and giving rise to mature erythrocytes of donor type in lethally irradiated mice. Autoradiograms showed that several cell types in leukemoid blood incorporate H3-thymidine in vitro.We wish to thank Mr. W. D. Gude of the Biology Division for making the autoradiographs.
Benzamidine as an inhibitor of proacrosin activation in bull sperm.

Abstract Epididymal and ejaculated sperm contain a zymogen form of acrosin (acrosomal proteinase, EC 3.4.21.10) which is converted to active enzyme prior to fertilization. Benzamidine at concentrations greater than 10 mM has been shown to inhibit the conversion of proacrosin to acrosin. Based on this inhibition, a procedure was developed for extracting and quantitating the proacrosin content of bull sperm. Sperm were isolated from semen and washed by centrifugation through 1.3 M sucrose and the outer acrosomal membrane removed by homogenization. When 25 mM benzamidine was added to the semen and wash solutions, 98% or more of the acrosin activity in the sperm homogenate was present as proacrosin. Proacrosin can be extracted from the sperm homogenate by dialysis at pH 3, which solubilized the proenzyme and removed benzamidine. Benzamidine has been useful in isolating proacrosin and provides a new method for studying the activation of proacrosin in intact sperm. Neutralization of sperm extracts, after removal of benzamidine, resulted in rapid activation of proacrosin with a pH optimum of 8.5, and activation was complete within 15 min over a pH range of 7.0 to 9.5. Rapid activation also occurred during the washing of sperm in the absence of benzamidine, and this activation correlated with a swelling of the acrosomal membrane. This rapid activation appears to result from a small amount of acrosin activity consistently present in the sperm extract. These results indicate an autocatalytic conversion of proacrosin to acrosin and suggest that disruption of the acrosomal membrane may trigger this activation.
Abstract P4-16-03: Effect of doxorubicin and paclitaxel on adipose-derived stem cells and breast cancer cells: Can we incorporate chemotherapy into our reconstructive strategies?

Introduction: Breast surgery often results in physical deformities that significantly diminish patient's quality of life. A natural and aesthetically pleasing breast reconstruction can be achieved through autologous fat grafting and the success of this technique has largely been attributed to the regenerative properties of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) within fat graft. However, in the setting of resected breast cancer, the growth stimulating and angiogenic effects of ASCs pose a risk of increasing local recurrence rates. Although the safety of autologous fat grafting in the breast cancer population has yet to be determined, potential recurrence risk may be minimized through incorporating tumor-suppressing elements in the graft. This study aimed to determine if doxorubicin and paclitaxel could be used to inhibit breast cancer cells while maintaining the viability and functionality of ASCs in vitr o. Materials and methods: Human ASCs were isolated from non-diabetic female patients between 35 and 60 years of age (n = 3). BT-474 and MDA-MB-231 were obtained from ATCC. ASCs, ASCs undergoing adipogenic differentiation, and breast cancer cells were each exposed to a range of doxorubicin-HCl (0, 10, 30, 100, 300, 1000, 3000, or 10000nM) or paclitaxel (0, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, or 300nM) concentrations. Proliferation, viability, and differentiation capacity were assessed with commercially available CyQuant, MTT, and AdipoRed assay kits, respectively. Results: Dose-dependent inhibition was observed for doxorubicin in ASCs and both breast cancer cell lines. The IC50 of doxorubicin on ASCs, BT-474, and MDA-MB-231 were 901.3, 656.5, and 333 nM, respectively. Dose-dependent inhibition for paclitaxel was only observed in BT-474 and MDA-MB-231 cells, with IC50 values of 1.809 and 3.477 nM, respectively. ASCs maintained greater than 80% viability over the range of paclitaxel concentrations tested and consequently and IC50 value could not be determined. ASCs differentiation into mature adipocytes was not inhibited by doxorubicin exposure. Discussion: In vitro cytotoxicity studies demonstrated greater doxorubicin and paclitaxel sensitivity in BT-474 and MDA-MB-231 than in ASCs. Furthermore, the presence of doxorubicin did not inhibit ASC differentiation into mature adipocytes. These findings suggest that incorporating chemotherapeutic drugs in fat grafts for breast reconstruction following primary breast cancer surgery may be a viable option for decreasing the risk of cancer recurrence. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-16-03.
Extraction of hyperspectral scene statistics and scene realization

A method for the extraction of spectral and spatial scene statistics from hyperspectral data is discussed. The method is designed to work on atmospherically compensated data in the visible/SWIR or the Thermal IR (TIR). The statistics are determined from the fractional abundance images obtained from spectral un-mixing of the scene. The statistical quantities that are extracted include endmember abundance means, variances, and correlation lengths. These quantities are used to construct a high spatial resolution reflectance or emissivity/temperature surface using a fast autoregressive texture generation tool. The spectral complexity of the synthetic surfaces have been evaluated by inserting objects for detection and calculating ROC curves. Preliminary results indicate that synthetic scenes with realistic levels of spectral clutter can be generated using spectral and spatial statistics determined from endmember fractional abundance maps. This work is motivated by the need for realistic hyperspectral scene generation capabilities to test future hyperspectral sensor concepts.
Gender Differences in Human–Animal Interactions: A Review

ABSTRACTI review the direction and magnitude (effect sizes) of gender differences that have been reported in several areas of human–animal interactions. These include: attitudes toward the treatment of animals, attachment to pets, involvement in animal protectionism, animal hoarding, hunting, animal abuse, and bestiality. Women, on average, show higher levels of positive behaviors and attitudes toward animals (e.g., attitudes towards their use, involvement in animal protection), whereas men typically have higher levels of negative attitudes and behaviors (e.g., hunting, animal abuse, less favorable attitudes toward animal protection). The effect sizes of gender differences range from small (e.g., attachment), to medium size (e.g., attitudes toward animal use) to large (e.g., animal rights activism, animal abuse by adults.) In most areas, there is considerable overlap between men and women, with much greater within-sex than between-sex variation. Research on the roles of gender in human–animal relationship...
Multi-coefficient extrapolated density functional theory for thermochemistry and thermochemical kinetics

We have developed a new kind of multi-coefficient correlation method (MCCM) by empirically mixing correlated wave function methods and density functional methods. The new methods constitute a generalization of hybrid density functional theory and may be called multi-coefficient extrapolated density functional theory. Results by the new methods are compared to those obtained by G3SX, G3SX(MP3), CBS-Q and MCCM/3 for calculations of atomization energies, barrier heights, ionization potentials and electron affinities. These results show that the multi-coefficient extrapolated density functional theory is more accurate for thermochemistry and thermochemical kinetics than the pure wave function methods of comparable cost. As a byproduct of this work we optimized a new hybrid meta density functional theory called TPSS1KCIS, which has excellent performance for thermochemistry.
Monitoring intramyocardial reentry using alternating transillumination

Intramyocardial reentry is implicated as a primary cause of the most deadly cardiac arrhythmias known as polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. However, the mechanisms involved in the triggering of such reentry and controlling its subsequent dynamics remain poorly understood. One of the major obstacles has been a lack of adequate tools that would enable 3D imaging of electrical excitation and reentry inside thick ventricular wall. Here, we present a new experimental technique, termed alternating transillumination (AT), aimed at filling this gap. The AT technique utilizes a recently synthesized near-infrared fluorescent voltage-sensitive dye, DI-4-ANBDQBS. We apply AT to study the dynamics of reentry during shock-induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in pig myocardium.
Active, optimal control of a model industrial, natural gas-fired burner

Optimal, active control of a model industrial, swirl-stabilized, natural gas-fired burner is considered as a strategy to attain and maintain low flue-gas NOx concentration ([NOx]) and high combustion efficiency (itηc), simultaneously. A performance index, J, has been defined such that the maximization of J correlates to optimal burner performance, with respect to [NOx] and ηc. Two parameters, swirl intensity (S′) and excess air (EA), known to affect the value of J, are made amenable to control and incorporated as variable burner inputs. The two measurable burner outputs, [NOx] and ηc, are continuously monitored via a bank of extractive probe emission analyzers, similar to those proposed for industry as continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS). The settings of EA and S′ are automatically adjusted by a specialized search algorithm in order to maximize the performance index, thereby optimizing ηc and [NOx]. Two fundamentally differing search algorithms are explored. The first is a variation of Powell's direction-set method and incorporates a simple hill-climbing, line-maximization technique. The second, technique uses the genetic algorithm analogy, which works in parallel from a population (set) of burner inputs and associated fitness (performance index) values in order to generate more highly fit (better performing) populations. The control scheme is shown, in both cases, to increase overall burner performance. Advantages and disadvantages to each of these algorithms are identified and discussed. While promising, a robust practical application of optimal, active control will benefit from a refined and more mature search technique, possibly including a hybridized combination of one or more methods.
Sleepwalking Violence: A Sleep Disorder, a Legal Dilemma, and a Psychological Challenge

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to further an understanding of the psychological state when aggression follows an episode of partial arousal from early non-REM sleep during which some areas of the brain appear to be functioning as in waking while others appear to remain in a state of sleep. To illustrate this, the author examines a case of homicide for which the defense argued lack of responsibility due to sleepwalking. METHOD: A review of the forensic literature on sleepwalking aggression and sleep studies suggests that these fall into one or both of two DSM-IV-TR diagnoses: sleepwalking disorder and sleep terror disorder. The new case, which would meet criteria for an overlap disorder in which sleepwalking is followed by sleep terror, is compared to one previously published. RESULTS: These findings support sleepwalking violence as a distinct overlap disorder with common disturbed psychological functioning during and for a period up to 1 hour following an aggressive episode. CONCLUSIONS: Resear...
A recursive carry-lookahead/carry-select hybrid adder

The author presents a very fast adder for double-precision mantissas, which is an improvement on T. Lynch and E. E. Swartzlandes, Jr.'s spanning tree carry lookahead adder or redundant cell adder (see ibid., vol. 41, 1992) which was implemented using the Am29050 microprocessor. The adder presented is faster than theirs mainly because Manchester carry chains of various lengths are used instead of chains all of the same length. >
Predictors of agr Dysfunction in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Isolates among Patients with MRSA Bloodstream Infections

Despite emerging evidence that dysfunction in the accessory gene regulator (agr) locus is associated with deleterious outcomes among patients treated with vancomycin for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, factors predictive of agr dysfunction have not been evaluated. This study describes the epidemiology of agr dysfunction, identifies predictors of agr dysfunction in MRSA isolates among those with MRSA bloodstream infections, and describes the relationship between agr dysfunction and other microbiologic phenotypes. A cross-sectional study of patients with MRSA bloodstream infections at two institutions in upstate New York was performed. Clinical data on demographics, comorbidities, disease severity, hospitalization history, and antibiotic history were collected. Microbiologic phenotypes, including agr dysfunction, MIC values by broth microdilution (BMD) and Etest, and vancomycin heteroresistance (hVISA) were tested. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors predictive of agr dysfunction. Among 200 patients with an MRSA bloodstream infection, the proportion of strains with agr dysfunction was 31.5%. The distribution of MICs determined by both BMD and Etest were equivalent across agr groups, and there was no association between agr dysfunction and the presence of hVISA. Severity of illness, comorbidities, and hospitalization history were comparable between agr groups. In the multivariate analysis, prior antibiotic exposure was the only factor of variables studied found to be predictive of agr dysfunction. This relationship was predominantly driven by prior beta-lactam and fluoroquinolone administration in the bivariate analysis. Identifying these institution-specific risk factors can be used to develop a process to assess the risk of agr dysfunction and guide empirical antibiotic therapy decisions.
Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy: a rare entity in patients awaiting liver transplantation.

A 56-year-old Caucasian female with end-stage liver disease secondary to 1-antitrypsin deficiency and end-stage renal disease secondary to idiopathic membranous nephropathy presented with a one-week history of increased bilateral lower extremity edema and anasarca. On admission, the patient complained of raised hardened areas especially prominent on the upper medial thighs that were painful, warm, and nonpruritic. She denied any constitutional symptoms and denied using any new medications. On exam, the patient was found to be afebrile with stable oxygen saturation. The abdomenwas distended with evidence of hepatomegaly. Bilateral lower extremity edema to the groin were present, and hyperpigmented plaques (Fig. 1) (tender, indurated, and warm) were noted on the upper medial aspects of her thighs, but not involving the groin. There was no visible face or upper extremity involvement. Laboratory tests did not reveal leukocytosis or eosinophilia. ESR was 40 and ANA test was negative. Serum protein electrophoresis was negative for paraproteinemia. Doppler ultrasound did not reveal deep venous thromboses. The patient received a short course of antibiotics without any clinical improvement. A skin punch biopsy revealed increased dermal fibroblast proliferation, thick collagen bundles with surrounding clefts, elastic fibers, and increased mucin deposition consistent with NFD (Fig. 2 and 3). The patient declined any steroid treatment and was subsequently discharged. Eventually the patient underwent liver transplant and received oral prednisone as part of the immunosuppression regimen, which has led to some improvement of the cutaneous lesions. Currently she has extensive skin contraction involving her calves and shins with decreased range ofmotion, and she has become largely wheelchair bound. Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) is a recently described derma-
Using EKG signals for virtual pathology stethoscope tracking in standardized patient heart auscultation

Standardized patients (SPs) have been widely used in medical education to improve the clinical skills of medical practitioners. SPs are trained to realistically portray real patients with specific illnesses and conditions. We have been using augmented standardized patients (ASPs) to extend the capabilities of SPs by utilizing medical instruments that can emplace virtual pathology to enhance the experience and variety of symptoms that medical students can encounter with the otherwise healthy SPs. In this paper, we describe a realistic tracking method for virtual pathology stethoscopes that provide an efficient and cost effective method for placing virtual symptoms in correct auscultation locations. The tracking method involves analyzing and processing EKG signals of the heart which can be implemented in augmented stethoscopes for the presentation of normal and abnormal cardiac diseases.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS AN INDEX OF HEART ATTACK RISK IN COLLEGE ALUMNI

Risk of first heart attack was found to be related inversely to energy expenditure reported by 16,936 Harvard male alumni, aged 35-74 years, of whom 572 experienced heart attacks in 117,680 person-years of followup. Stairs climbed, blocks walked, strenuous sports played, and a composite physical activity index all opposed risk. Men with index below 2000 kilocalories per week were at 64% higher risk than classmates with higher index. Adult exercise was independent of other influences on heart attack risk, and peak exertion as strenuous sports play enhanced the effect of total energy expenditure. Notably, alumni physical activity supplanted student athleticism assessed in college 16-50 years earlier. If it is postulated that varsity athlete status implies selective cardiovascular fitness, such selection alone is insufficient to explain lower heart attack risk in later adult years. Ex-varsity athletes retained lower risk only if they maintained a high physical activity index as alumni.
Sources of unbounded priority inversions in real-time systems and a comparative study of possible solutions

In the design of real-time systems, tasks are often assigned priorities. Preemptive priority driven schedulers are used to schedule tasks to meet the timing requirements. Priority inversion is the term used to describe the situation when a higher priority task's execution is delayed by lower priority tasks. Priority inversion can occur when there is contention for resources among tasks of different priorities. The duration of priority inversion could be long enough to cause tasks to miss their deadlines. Priority inversion cannot be completely eliminated. However, it is important to identify sources of priority inversion and minimize the duration of priority inversion. IN the paper we present a comprehensive review of the problem of and solutions to unbounded priority inversion.
Eye movement auditory biofeedback therapy for nystagmus: past, present and future

Nystagmus is a common clinically-observed oculomotor abnormality involving both sensory and motor systems. Over the past several years, methods have been devised to aid in control and treatment of nystagmus, but none have had wide appeal. After-image training, which allows the patient to use visual feedback to monitor changes in eye position and velocity directly and thereby improve fixation ability, has met with moderate success. Orthoptic therapy has improved visual function in some cases. The technique of instructing patients to "hold the eye steady" rather than to "fixate accurately" while looking at a target has resulted in reduced nystagmus in some patients. Abadi et al. [1980] reported reduction of nystagmus and improvement of contrast sensitivity in three patients after 6 months of home auditory oculomotor biofeedback training. In the present paper, I will review the results of some of our group investigations, as well as individual case studies.
Asteroid Mission Design Software Tool for Planetary Defense Applications

As the number of identified potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids increases, the ability to track their orbits and plan for deflection/disruption missions ceases to be a simple exercise but a necessity. There exist several software tools to perform trajectory and mission optimization, but they tend to only focus on the mission trajectory optimization. This paper presents the tools and architecture of the Asteroid Deflection Research Center’s Asteroid Mission Design Software Tool (AMiDST), taking into account the mission launch configuration, target aquisition, the postencounter trajectory of the object, and mission cost estimation. Using AMiDST two mission examples are examined for asteroids 1999 RQ36 and 2011 AG5, as well as the trajectory tracking of Apophis, to demonstrate the capabilities of this tool.
Role of opioids in hypoxic pial artery dilation is stimulus duration dependent

Because methionine enkephalin contributes to and dynorphin opposes dilation during a 10-min hypoxic exposure, opioids modulate pial artery dilation to this stimulus. However, such modulation may be...
Plant Resistance to Insect Herbivory

Plants are the major food source for most insects. While insects have developed various feeding strategies, plants respond by activating distinct signaling pathways resulting in the production of defensive compounds. Important regulators in this signaling system are compounds in the insect saliva, which are often modified plant molecules. The perception of these elicitor initiates signaling events like calcium release, oxidative burst, and several protein kinases, resulting in the activation of the octadecanoid signaling pathway with jasmonic acid (JA) as the major regulator of herbivore-specific defense response. JA is essential in inducing the production of toxic secondary metabolites, volatile organic compounds, and antidigestive proteins like proteinase inhibitors and polyphenol oxidases. Additionally, natural enemies of the attacking insect herbivore are attracted by volatiles release or the production of extrafloral nectar. Taken together, these measures provide a broad protection against insect herbivores. A detailed understanding of the underlying mechanisms will give us new insights into the coevolutionary processes that govern plant-insect interactions and may also lead to new approaches for the development of more ecological pest management strategies in an increasing agricultural environment.
Prime, shock, and kill: Priming CD4 T cells from HIV patients with a BCL-2 antagonist before HIV reactivation reduces HIV reservoir size

ABSTRACT Understanding how some HIV-infected cells resist the cytotoxicity of HIV replication is crucial to enabling HIV cure efforts. HIV killing of CD4 T cells that replicate HIV can involve HIV protease-mediated cleavage of procaspase 8 to generate a fragment (Casp8p41) that directly binds and activates the mitochondrial proapoptotic protein BAK. Here, we demonstrate that Casp8p41 also binds with nanomolar affinity to the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, which sequesters Casp8p41 and prevents apoptosis. Further, we show that central memory CD4 T cells (T CM ) from HIV-infected individuals have heightened expression of BCL-2 relative to procaspase 8, possibly explaining the persistence of HIV-infected T CM despite generation of Casp8p41. Consistent with this hypothesis, the selective BCL-2 antagonist venetoclax induced minimal killing of uninfected CD4 T cells but markedly increased the death of CD4 T cells and diminished cell-associated HIV DNA when CD4 T cells from antiretroviral therapy (ART)-suppressed HIV patients were induced with αCD3/αCD28 to reactivate HIV ex vivo . Thus, priming CD4 T cells from ART suppressed HIV patients with a BCL-2 antagonist, followed by HIV reactivation, achieves reductions in cell-associated HIV DNA, whereas HIV reactivation alone does not. IMPORTANCE HIV infection is incurable due to a long-lived reservoir of HIV + memory CD4 T cells, and no clinically relevant interventions have been identified that reduce the number of these HIV DNA-containing cells. Since postintegration HIV replication can result in HIV protease generation of Casp8p41, which activates BAK, causing infected CD4 T cell death, we sought to determine whether this occurs in memory CD4 T cells. Here, we demonstrate that memory CD4 T cells can generate Casp8p41 and yet are intrinsically resistant to death induced by diverse stimuli, including Casp8p41. Furthermore, BCL-2 expression is relatively increased in these cells and directly binds and inhibits Casp8p419s proapoptotic effects. Antagonizing BCL-2 with venetoclax derepresses this antagonism, resulting in death, preferentially in HIV DNA containing cells, since only these cells generate Casp8p41. Thus, BCL-2 antagonism is a clinically relevant intervention with the potential to reduce HIV reservoir size in patients.
Infections due to human herpesvirus 6 in solid organ transplant recipients.

Purpose of reviewThis article summarizes the current state of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection after solid organ transplantation.Recent findingsHHV-6 reactivates commonly during the early weeks after solid organ transplantation. However, disease du
Human Factors Measurement: Nature, Problems, and Strengthening

The nature, problems, and strengthening of human factors measurement are considered in this report. Eight HF problems are identified that center on the multifaceted concerns of its specialists and the divergent goals of its researchers and practitioners. Five steps are offered for overcoming these problems: (1) Development of comprehensive models of individual-system performance; (2) Development of models of group-system performance; (3) Encouragement of individual- and group-system model development, validations, and comparisons by the HFS; (4) Encouragement of reports of operational systems development with emphases on validations of laboratory results by the HFS; and (5) Encouragement of methodological studies by the HFS.
6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase and tumor cell glycolysis

Purpose of reviewNeoplastic cells metabolize abundant glucose relative to normal cells in order to satisfy the increased energetic and anabolic needs of the transformed state. This review will summarize the requirement of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatases for the regulation of gl
Evaluation of a cholecystokinin 2 receptor-targeted near-infrared dye for fluorescence-guided surgery of cancer

Surgical resection of malignant disease remains one of the most effective tools for treating cancer. Tumor-targeted near-infrared dyes have the potential to improve contrast between normal and malignant tissues, thereby enabling surgeons to more quantitatively resect malignant disease. Because the cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK2R and its tumor-specific splice variant CCK2i4svR) is overexpressed in cancers of the lungs, colon, thyroid, pancreas, and stomach, but absent or inaccessible to parenterally administered drugs in most normal tissues, we have undertaken to design a targeting ligand that can deliver attached near-infrared dyes to CCK2R+ tumors. We report here the synthesis and biological characterization of a CCK2R-targeted conjugate of the near-infrared dye, LS-288 (CRL-LS288). We demonstrate that CRL-LS288 binds selectively to CCK2R+ cancer cells with low nanomolar affinity (Kd = 7 × 10(-9) M). We further show that CRL-LS288 localizes primarily to CCK2R-expressing HEK 293 murine tumor xenografts and that dye uptake in these xenografts is significantly reduced when CCK2R are blocked by preinjection of excess ligand (CRL) or when mice are implanted with CCK2R-negative tumors. Because CRL-LS288 is also found to reveal the locations of distant tumor metastases, we suggest that CRL-LS288 has the potential to facilitate intraoperative identification of malignant disease during a variety of cancer debulking surgeries.
High-Q GRIN resonators

High and ultra-quality factor (Q) optical resonators have been used in numerous applications, ranging from biodetection and gyroscopes to nonlinear optics. In the majority of the measurements, the fundamental optical mode is used as it is easy to predict its behavior and subsequent response. However, there are numerous other modes which could give improved performance or offer alternative measurement opportunities. For example, by using a mode located farther from the device surface, the optical field becomes less susceptible to changes in the environment. However, selectively exciting a pre-determined, non-fundamental mode or, alternatively, creating a “designer” mode which has one’s ideal properties is extremely challenging. One approach which will be presented is based on engineering a gradient refractive index (GRIN) cavity. We use a silica ultra-high-Q toroidal cavity as a starting platform device. On top of this structure, we can controllably deposit, layer or grow different materials of different refractive indices, with nm-scale precision, creating resonators with a GRIN region co-located with the optical field. Slight adjustments in the thicknesses or indices of the films result in large changes in the mode which is most easily excited. Even in this architected structure, we have maintained Q>1 million. Using this approach, we have demonstrated the ability to tune the properties of the device. For example, we have changed the thermal response and the UV response of a device by over an order of magnitude.
The expression, regulation and function of Kir4.1 (Kcnj10) in the mammalian kidney

Kir4.1 is an inwardly rectifying potassium (K+) channel and is expressed in the brain, inner ear, and kidney. In the kidney, Kir4.1 is expressed in the basolateral membrane of the late thick ascend...
Study on shoes homogeneous material nesting system based on autoCAD

To enhance the productivity of shoes industry,reduce its cost of making shoes,and adapt itself to the fierce competition of shoes market,computer-aided-technique was used in the process of nesting.On the base of the analysis of the research and application on nesting of some domestic and international shoe CAD software,applying the principle of least circum-rectangle,taking the sample pattern of shoes materials as object,the method of shoes homogeneous material nesting on the way of computer-aided was studied,and a shoes nesting(homogeneous material) software system based autoCAD combining with the theory of nesting was developed.The system is by and large up to the expectation and has some basic functions of nesting.
Primate models of anxiety. Longitudinal perspectives.

The study of grown nonhuman primates reared under randomly assigned, experimentally controlled rearing conditions provides a viable methodology not feasible in humans that delineates the behavioral and biologic correlates of adverse early rearing without genetic confounds. This article summarizes evidence that indicates that adverse, unpredictable rearing related to perturbations of the primate mother-infant attachment process leads to persistent anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in the grown infant. These behaviors are accompanied by persistent disturbances of monoamine, neuroendocrine, and neuropeptidergic function.
Hot Topics in Antifungal Susceptibility Testing: a New Drug, a Bad Bug, Sweeping Caspofungin Testing under the Rug, and Solving the Epidemiological Cutoff Value Shrug

Abstract There are several new hot topics in antifungals and antifungal susceptibility testing. In this review, four topics of general interest to the clinical microbiology community are discussed. The first topic is the introduction of isavuconazole, a new triazole approved for clinical use in the United States. The second is triazole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus isolates. A specific set of mutations are being found with greater frequency in isolates globally, including the U.S. The third topic of interest is a word of caution about antifungal susceptibility testing for caspofungin in Candida isolates; some laboratories have reported susceptible isolates with high MIC values that would be interpreted as resistant. The final topic is an introduction to epidemiological cutoff values and their use in the clinical mycology laboratory.
Comparison Between Pre-Log and Post-Log Statistical Models in Ultra-Low-Dose CT Reconstruction

X-ray detectors in clinical computed tomography (CT) usually operate in current-integrating mode. Their complicated signal statistics often lead to intractable likelihood functions for practical use in model-based image reconstruction (MBIR). It is therefore desirable to design simplified statistical models without losing the essential factors. Depending on whether the CT transmission data are logarithmically transformed, pre-log and post-log models are two major categories of choices in CT MBIR. Both being approximations, it remains an open question whether one model can notably improve image quality over the other on real scanners. In this study, we develop and compare several pre-log and post-log MBIR algorithms under a unified framework. Their reconstruction accuracy based on simulation and clinical datasets are evaluated. The results show that pre-log MBIR can achieve notably better quantitative accuracy than post-log MBIR in ultra-low-dose CT, although in less extreme cases, post-log MBIR with handcrafted pre-processing remains a competitive alternative. Pre-log MBIR could play a growing role in emerging ultra-low-dose CT applications.
Topology identification of undirected consensus networks via sparse inverse covariance estimation

We study the problem of identifying sparse interaction topology using sample covariance matrix of the state of the network. Specifically, we assume that the statistics are generated by a stochastically-forced undirected first-order consensus network with unknown topology. We propose a method for identifying the topology using a regularized Gaussian maximum likelihood framework where the l 1 regularizer is introduced as a means for inducing sparse network topology. The proposed algorithm employs a sequential quadratic approximation in which the Newton's direction is obtained using coordinate descent method. We provide several examples to demonstrate good practical performance of the method.