cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnification Endoscopy as a Reliable Tool for the Early Diagnosis of Rejection in Living Related Small Bowel Transplants: A Case Report

The purpose was to determine whether magnification endoscopy (ME) accurately diagnosed rejection in living related small bowel transplants (LRSBTx) during initial morphological adaptation of segmental intestinal grafts. The small bowel recipient was a 44-year-old woman with short gut syndrome following multiple bowel surgeries for familial adenomatous polyposis. ME was enhanced by chromoendoscopy staining. Bowel mucosa was washed with acetic acid and stained with methylene blue for optimal visualization of mucosal villi and to improve the diagnostic yield of biopsies. The recipient underwent surveillance ME with biopsy 16 times through the ileostomy in the first 9 months following transplantation. The recipient developed diarrhea in the postoperative course, which led to the suspicion of rejection. ME findings of patchy villus blunting were consistent with biopsy samples that showed mild acute cellular rejection. Episodes of rejection were treated with high-dose immunosuppressants and steroids. Reversal of rejection was monitored by follow-up ME, which showed increased length of villi and normalization of morphology. Biopsy confirmed these findings. The first endoscopy, at 5 days posttransplant, showed no evidence of intestinal ischemia. LRSBTx involves early morphological adaptation of the recipient small bowel mucosa, characterized by an increased length of villi. ME is a reliable technique to follow adaptation and detect early rejection. The superior imaging of small bowel mucosa created by ME chromoendoscopy enables early diagnosis and delivery of more prompt antirejection therapy to prevent progression of rejection. ME also confirmed that segmental LRSBTx caused minimal ischemic injury to the recipient.
The two-edged sword of large-dose steroids for spinal cord trauma.

Objective In 1990, large-dose steroid administration was advocated in spine-injured patients to lessen neuroloqic deficits. The authors undertook both prospective and retrospective studies to evaluate the response of such profound pharmacologic intervention. Summary Background Data Of all sources of nonfatal injury, spinal cord trauma remains the most devastating in both cost and impact on the quality of the patient's life. One study found that routine large-dose steroid administration after injury lessened the extent of neurologic injury. After uncommonly prompt and broad lay press publicity, this practice was widely accepted. Biased by knowledge of the known immunosuppressive effects of steroids, the authors suspected that pneumonia was both more frequent and severe in steroid-treated patients
Optical testing of large windows for laser applications

Abstract This report records the results of two tests to sort out large plates for use as windows. The first test is an interferometric one and the second is a Fourier transform evaluation. Both tests were conducted on the plates over their full area. The plates are characterized by their distortions and wedge angle. The wedge angle evaluation can be quantitative as to the angle and wedge orientation.
Cogestion and recreation site demand: a model of demand-induced quality effects

This analysis focuses on problems of estimating site-specific dollar benefits conferred by outdoor recreation sites in the face of congestion costs. Encounters, crowding effects and congestion costs have often been treated by natural resource economists in a piecemeal fashion. In the current paper, encounters and crowding effects are treated systematically. We emphasize the quantitative impact of congestion costs on site-specific estimates of benefits conferred by improvements in outdoor recreation sites. The principal analytic conclusion is that techniques that streamline on data requirements produce biased estimates of benefits conferred by site improvements at facilities with significant crowding effects. The principal policy recommendation is that the Federal and state agencies should collect and store information on visitation rates, encounter levels and congestion costs at various outdoor recreation sites.
Theoretical Studies of AnII2(C8H8)2 (An = Th, Pa, U, and Np) Complexes: The Search for Double-Stuffed Actinide Metallocenes

Complexes of the form An2(C8H8)2 (An = Th, Pa, U, and Np) were investigated using density functional theory with scalar-relativistic effective core potentials. For uranium, a coaxial isomer with D8h symmetry is found to be more stable than a Cs isomer in which the dimetal unit is perpendicular to the C8 ring axis. Similar coaxial structures are predicted for Pa2(C8H8)2 and Np2(C8H8)2, while in Th2(C8H8)2, the C8H8 rings tilt away from the An−An axis. Going from Th2(C8H8)2 to Np2(C8H8)2, the An−An bond length decreases from 2.81 A to 2.19 A and the An−An stretching frequency increases from 249 to 354 cm−1. This is a result of electrons populating An−An 5f π- and δ-type bonding orbitals and ϕ nonbonding orbitals, thereby increasing in An−An bond order. U2(C8H8)2 is stable with respect to dissociation into U(C8H8) monomers. Disproportionation of U2(C8H8)2 into uranocene and the U atom is endothermic but is slightly exothermic for uranocene plus 1/2U2, suggesting that it might be possible to prepare double st...
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling of Metabolic Pathways of Bromochloromethane in Rats.

Bromochloromethane (BCM) is a volatile compound and a by-product of disinfection of water by chlorination. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are used in risk assessment applications. An updated PBPK model for BCM is generated and applied to hypotheses testing calibrated using vapor uptake data. The two different metabolic hypotheses examined are (1) a two-pathway model using both CYP2E1 and glutathione transferase enzymes and (2) a two-binding site model where metabolism can occur on one enzyme, CYP2E1. Our computer simulations show that both hypotheses describe the experimental data in a similar manner. The two pathway results were comparable to previously reported values (Vmax=3.8 mg/hour, Km=0.35 mg/liter, and kGST=4.7 /hour). The two binding site results were Vmax⁡1=3.7 mg/hour, Km⁡1=0.3 mg/hour, CL2 = 0.047 liter/hour. In addition, we explore the sensitivity of different parameters for each model using our obtained optimized values.
Polynomial chaos based method for state and parameter estimation

This paper presents a method for state and parameter estimation based on generalized polynomial chaos theory and Bayes' theorem. Generalized polynomial chaos theory (gPC) is used to propagate the joint probability density functions (pdfs) for parameter and state through forward dynamic model while the Bayes' rule is used to fuse the prior pdfs obtained through the gPC process with sensor observations to characterize non-Gaussian posterior density functions for state and parameters. Furthermore, a minimum variance based estimator is also derived which makes use of the gPC process to compute the mean and variance of actual non-Gaussian pdf. Numerical experiments involving two benchmark problems are considered to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed ideas.
Lean Management Systems: A Case Study in Reducing Waiting Lists:

This article explains how the Superintendent Sonographer at Salisbury District General Hospital reduced her waiting lists from 12 weeks to less than 2 weeks using ‘lean’ management methodology. It explains how techniques and analogies from the motor car production industry can be used to concentrate the ultrasound service's efforts on doing routine examinations more efficiently. In addition to reduced waiting lists, implementing lean techniques means that staff morale has improved and they are less likely to have to stay behind at the end of the working day to finish off lists.
QUIT: A cross-layer routing metric based on non-utilized outage capacity

Routing metric design is one of the key components of routing process in wireless ad hoc networks. Several routing metrics have been proposed over the past decade considering different criteria. This IEEE 802.11 standard compliant metric which is called QUIT considers four important factors of channel, namely, Quality, Utilization, Interference and Traffic load to determine the best route. We have derived and implemented this routing metric and compared its performance with best known routing metrics for different simulation scenarios. Simulation results show that this metric outperforms other metrics for different network traffic and node mobility scenarios.
Recruitment-dance signals draw larger audiences when honey bee colonies have multiple patrilines

Honey bee queens (Apis mellifera) who mate with multiple males produce colonies that are filled with numerous genetically distinct patrilines of workers. A genetically diverse colony benefits from an enhanced foraging effort, fuelled in part by an increase in the number of recruitment signals that are produced by foragers. However, the influence of patriline diversity on the attention paid to these signals by audiences of potentially receptive workers remains unexplored. To determine whether recruitment dances performed by foragers in multiple-patriline colonies attract a greater number of dance followers than dances in colonies that lack patriline diversity, we trained workers from multiple- and single-patriline colonies to forage in a greenhouse and monitored their dance-following activity back in the hives. On average, more workers followed a dance if it was performed in a multiple-patriline colony rather than a single-patriline colony (33% increase), and for a greater number of dance circuits per follower. Furthermore, dance-following workers in multiple-patriline colonies were more likely to exit their hive after following a dance, although this did not translate to a difference in colony-level exit rates between treatment types. Recruiting nest mates to profitable food sources through dance communication is critical to a colony’s foraging success and long-term fitness; polyandrous queens produce colonies that benefit not only from increased recruitment signalling, but also from the generation of larger and more attentive audiences of signal receivers. This study highlights the importance of integrating responses of both signal senders and receivers to understand more fully the success of animal-communication systems.
Automated tissue segmentation and blind recovery of 1H MRS imaging spectral patterns of normal and diseased human brain

Constrained non-negative matrix factorization (cNMF) with iterative data selection is described and demonstrated as a data analysis method for fast and automatic recovery of biochemically meaningful and diagnostically specific spectral patterns of the human brain from 1H MRS imaging (1H MRSI) data. To achieve this goal, cNMF decomposes in vivo multidimensional 1H MRSI data into two non-negative matrices representing (a) the underlying tissue-specific spectral patterns and (b) the spatial distribution of the corresponding metabolite concentrations. Central to the proposed approach is automatic iterative data selection which uses prior knowledge about the spatial distribution of the spectra to remove voxels that are due to artifacts and undesired metabolites/tissues such as the strong lipid and water components. The automatic recovery of diagnostic spectral patterns is demonstrated for long-TE1H MRSI data on normal human brain, multiple sclerosis, and serial brain tumor. The results show the ability of cNMF with iterative data selection to automatically and simultaneously recover tissue-specific spectral patterns and achieve segmentation of normal and diseased human brain tissue, concomitant with simplification of information content. These features of cNMF, which permit rapid recovery, reduction and interpretation of the complex diagnostic information content of large multi-dimensional spectroscopic imaging data sets, have the potential to enhance the clinical utility of in vivo1H MRSI. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Free amino acids and other nitrogenous substances of table grape varieties.

SUMMARY —The concentration of eight amino acids, total free amino acids, total nitrogen and free amino acid fraction nitrogen in the juices of 28 table varieties of grapes was determined at both early and a late stage of fruit maturity. Arginine, proline, glutamic acid and alanine were the most prominent amino acids. The varieties were classified into four groups according to which of these acids predominated. Total free amino acids at early and late fruit maturity ranged from 1.04 to 5.53 and 1.24 to 6.45 nM/100 ml juice, respectively in the various varieties. The eight amino acids analyzed accounted for 74 to 96% of the total free amino acids. The amino acid fraction nitrogen in the juices ranged from 60 to 90% of the total nitrogen. The eight amino acids accounted for 60 to 96% of the amino acid fraction Kjeldahl nitrogen and 37 to 85% of the total Kjeldahl nitrogen. Argining accounted for 15 to 50% of the total nitrogen in the juices of the various fruits.
Zero Temperature Chiral Phase Transition in SU(N) Gauge Theories.

We investigate the zero temperature chiral phase transition in an $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ gauge theory as the number of fermions ${N}_{f}$ is varied. We argue that there exists a critical number of fermions ${N}_{f}^{c}$, above which there is no chiral symmetry breaking or confinement, and below which both chiral symmetry breaking and confinement set in. We estimate ${N}_{f}^{c}$ and discuss the nature of the phase transition.
Nonoperative retrieval of an impacted long intestinal tube

A patient with recurrent intestinal obstruction and jejunocutaneous fistula was referred for treatment of the latter condition. Management with total parenteral nutrition was complicated by bacteremia. Subsequently, a double-lumen tube was passed via an existing gastrostomy for purposes of aspirating above the level of the fistula and infusing approapriate nutrients and fluids distally. A period of marked clinical improvement was followed by increased fistula output and evidence of intestinal obstruction secondary to gaseous distention of a sealed latex terminal balloon which was retrieved only after percutaneous puncture. The unusual complication of prolonged intestinal intubation is discussed with special reference to this nonsurgical method of managing the impacted balloon and tube. Factors affecting balloon distention are discussed and the necessity of venting intestinal balloons reemphasized.
On the slice genus of knots

Given a knot K in the 3-sphere, the genus of K, denoted g(K), is defined to be the minimal genus for a Seifert surface for K. The slice genus gs(K) is defined to be the minimal genus of an oriented surface G admitting a smooth proper embedding in the 4-ball which maps CG to K. If we insist the embedding of G have no local maximum with respect to the radial function, we obtain the ribbon genus gr(K) instead. Thus a knot is slice (ribbon) if and only if gs(K) = 0 (gr(K)= 0). It is clear that g.~(K)<g,.(K)<=g(K). There are well known lower bounds on gs(K) given by invariants of a Seifert matrix for K. These are all included in the invariant re(K) [8] defined by Taylor. It gives the best possible bound based on a Seifert matrix, re(K) vanishes if and only if the Seifert pairing is metabolic. If this is the case, K is called algebraically slice. The work of Casson and Gordon [1, 2, 5] showed that certain algebraically slice knots are not in fact slice. We generalize the main theorem of [1]. As an application, we give a sequence of algebraically slice knots Q, such that gs(Q,)=g(Q,,)=n. We also study the slice genus of K, 41=K, where K, denotes the t twisted double of the unknot. We show for example that g.~(K 12 =~ K 1 z ) = 2 . K I2 is algebraically slice but not slice by [ l ] . Section 1 has some preliminaries on the linking form. In Sect. 2, we state and prove our main theorem. In Sect. 3 we give our examples. In this paper, all manifolds are oriented. We use e to denote the Euler characteristic.
Cutaneous metastatic cholangiocarcinoma: a report of three cases and review of the literature

Cutaneous metastasis from cholangiocarcinoma is an extremely rare event. Herein, we present three cases with review of the literature. Case 1 is that of a young female with scalp metastasis. Cases 2 and 3 involve cutaneous metastasis to the sites of prior biliary drains, one occurring in a young female with a history of multiple biliary surgeries and one in a male with a history of sclerosing cholangitis. Review of the literature shows that the presentation of cutaneous metastases from cholangiocarcinoma can vary in terms of anatomic location and clinical features. The pathological and immunohistochemical profile of metastatic cholangiocarcinoma can be non-specific, and accurate diagnosis relies in part on clinical correlation. In summary, metastatic disease should always be included in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous lesions in patients with known malignancy.
Evolution of El Niño‐precipitation relationships from satellites and gauges

This study uses a twenty-three year (1979-2001) satellite-gauge merged community data set to further describe the relationship between El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and precipitation. The globally complete precipitation fields reveal coherent bands of anomalies that extend from the tropics to the polar regions. Also, ENSO-precipitation relationships were analyzed during the six strongest El Ninos from 1979 to 2001. Seasons of evolution, Pre-onset, Onset, Peak, Decay, and Post-decay, were identified based on the strength of the El Nino. Then two simple and independent models, first order harmonic and linear, were fit to the monthly time series of normalized precipitation anomalies for each grid block. The sinusoidal model represents a three-phase evolution of precipitation, either dry-wet-dry or wet-dry-wet. This model is also highly correlated with the evolution of sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. The linear model represents a two-phase evolution of precipitation, either dry-wet or wet-dry. These models combine to account for over 50% of the precipitation variability for over half the globe during El Nino. Most regions, especially away from the Equator, favor the linear model. Areas that show the largest trend from dry to wet are southeastern Australia, eastern Indian Ocean, southern Japan, and off the coast of Peru. The northern tropical Pacific and Southeast Asia show the opposite trend.
Flocculation of Sulfamerazine Suspensions by a Cationic Polymer

Flocculation by a cationic polymer of sulfamerazine suspensions containing a wetting agent was evaluated. Suspensions with sufficient surfactant concentrations to ensure complete wetting were deflocculated. When the anionic surfactant, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, was used as a wetting agent, the suspensions were flocculated over a limited polymer concentration range. Flocculation was attributed to simultaneous interaction of a polymer molecule with more than one particle. At higher polymer concentrations, the particles were covered completely with polymer, leading to repulsion between the particles and deflocculation of the suspensions. The polymer concentration required for flocculation provided evidence for interaction between the anionic surfactant and the cationic polymer. Suspensions containing a nonionic surfactant also were flocculated using various polymer concentrations. When a surfactant mixture was employed in the suspensions, the peak sedimentation volume of flocculated systems and the concentration of polymer at the peak depended on the surfactant mixture composition.
Angiosarcoma—Report of an unusual case

Abstract Angiosarcomas are relatively rare malignant tumours of endothelial origin which may be divided histogenetically into haemangiosarcomas and lymphangiosarcomas; lymphangiosarcomas are angiosarcomas developing in post-mastectomy lymphoedematous arms (Stewart and Treves, 1948; Treswellet al., 1962). Angiosarcomas arising primarily on the extremities of young adults have been described (McCarthy and Pack, 1950) and several authors have reported angiosarcomas in the head and neck (Reedet al., 1966; Bardwillet al., 1968). Most agree that the prognosis is poor. The patient presented here survived for 5 years and his angiosarcoma behaved as if it were multicentric in origin rather than a primary with metastases.
Automatic Segmentation of Neck CT Images

In this era of cross-sectional imaging, it is useful to think of the neck in terms of adjacent anatomical spaces separated by fascial layers extended from the skull base to the thoracic inlet. Although these layers are not usually visible in CT or MR images, their locations can be inferred by knowing their relationships to various anatomical structures that are visible in cross-sectional images. Identifying these anatomical structures in the neck region can facilitate applications such as automated diagnosis by finding abnormality, or computer assisted radiation therapy planning by inferring cervical lymph node regions from these anatomical structures. We are proposing a system that can automatically segment the neck region from CT images by identifying the cranial and caudal bounding slices and then locating and labeling various anatomical structures in the region.
Scrutinizing Gartner's hype cycle approach

This paper scrutinizes the validity of the Gartner's hype cycle approach by means of in-depths theoretical discussion and empirical analysis. After presenting Gartner's model and its strong immanent influence on large companies' technology strategy and investment decisions, we conduct an in-depth analysis of its two underlying theories, the expectation hype and the technology s-curves. In the next stage, we analyze a longitudinal combination of actual hype cycle reports for the energy and utility sector 2003–2009. Additionally we observe the 46 inherent technologies and their methodological treatment more closely. In a last step, the hype cycles results for three example technologies: tidal power, Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) and photovoltaic generation have been tested empirically in terms of visibility (news article count) and user interest (search requests). Based on comparing the empirical results with the current methodological set up and the analysis procedure of Gartner's hype cycle model, we must strongly criticize the existing approach. We suggest to improve the hype cycle methodology by introducing an underlying mathematical model relation that would enable Gartner to quantitatively operationalized their analyses. Theoretical and empirically devised observations, propositions and aims for future research are elaborated throughout the paper and summarized in the last section.
Sitting Bull: A Biography – By Edward J. Rielly

As the relatively high price and short length might suggest, this is a biography that the publisher markets to libraries, particularly for use by high school students. As a recent installment in th...
Spatial characteristics of AVHRR‐NDVI along latitudinal transects in northern Alaska

Two-weekly AVHRR images were used to exam- ine spatial patterns of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and their relationships with environmental vari- ables for moist acidic tundra (MAT) and moist non-acidic tundra (MNT) along two latitudinal transects in northern Alaska. The NDVI database was derived from a 5-yr time series (1995-1999) of two-weekly AVHRR composites for Alaska. A digital climate map, digital elevation map and vegetation map were processed and overlain with the NDVI grid. Homo- geneous vegetation patches for both MAT and MNT were defined as sample sites using infrared aerial photos, MSS images and the vegetation map along the transects. Linear and non-linear regression modeling were performed between NDVI indices and environmental variables, total summer warmth (TSW) and elevation. It was demonstrated that along both western and eastern transects, there were obvious latitudinal trends of peak NDVI (AP-NDVI), average growing season NDVI (GS-NDVI), and early June NDVI (EJ-NDVI). In most cases, MNT had lower NDVI values than MAT throughout the year. There were significant (p < 0.01) relations between NDVI (AP-NDVI, GS-NDVI and EJ-NDVI) and total summer warmth (TSW) and elevation in the region. EJ-NDVI showed the strongest correlation with TSW or elevation, making it the most sensitive NDVI indicator along environmental gradients in northern Alaska. NDVI was likely controlled by TSW and elevation, with the former being dominant.
First-Episode Schizophrenic Psychosis Differs From First-Episode Affective Psychosis and Controls in P300 Amplitude Over Left Temporal Lobe

Background Schizophrenia is associated with central (sagittal) midline reductions of the P300 cognitive event-related potential and topographic asymmetry of P300, with reduced left temporal voltage. This P300 asymmetry is, in turn, linked to tissue volume asymmetry in the posterior superior temporal gyrus. However, it is unknown whether P300 asymmetry is specific to schizophrenia and whether central and lateral P300 abnormalities are due to chronic morbidity, neuroleptic medication, and/or hospitalization, or whether they are present at the onset of illness. Methods P300 was recorded in first-episode schizophrenia, first-episode affective psychosis, and control subjects (n=14 per group). Subjects silently counted rare (15%) target tones (1.5 kHz) among trains of standard tones (1.0 kHz). Averages were constructed from brain responses to target tones. Results Peak amplitude of P300 and integrated voltage over 300 to 400 milliseconds were significantly different between first-episode schizophrenics and controls over the posterior sagittal midline of the head. First-episode schizophrenics displayed smaller amplitudes over the left temporal lobe than first-episode affective psychotics and controls, but the groups showed no differences over the right temporal lobe. Conclusions Left-sided P300 abnormality in first-episode schizophrenia relative to first-episode affective psychosis and controls suggests that P300 asymmetry is specific to schizophrenic psychosis and present at initial hospitalization. This P300 asymmetry suggests left temporal lobe dysfunction at the onset of schizophrenia.
Power Versus Speed for Shallow Draft Navigation

A model is developed for estimating the applied power of a tow as a function of tow speed through water, tow size, tow integration, local depth, channel size, and whether the towboat has Kort nozzles or open wheel propellers. The model computes the total resistance of the tow by considering friction resistance, resistance due to water level drawdown, form (pressure) resistance, and the effects of shallow water and size of the channel cross section. The effective push of the towboat is equated to the resistance, and the applied power is determined from empirical relations developed for typical towboats. Comparison with observed tows shows that the model provides a reasonable estimate of the applied power.
Generation and applications of amplitude-squeezed states of light from semiconductor diode lasers

We describe recent experiments on generation and applications of amplitude-squeezed states of light from a semiconductor diode laser. Amplitude-squeezed light with intensity noise 2 dB below the standard shot- noise limit was observed from a diode laser with a weak optical feedback from an external grating. Applications of this amplitude-squeezed light as a local oscillator in heterodyne detection in Doppler velocity measurement and weak light-scattering measurement are discussed.
ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels in the Cerebral Circulation

Background— In brain blood vessels, electrophysiological studies proving the existence of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) are scarce. However, numerous pharmacological studies establish the importance of KATP channels in these blood vessels. This review emphasizes the data supporting the importance of vascular KATP in the responses of brain blood vessels. Summary of Review— Electrophysiological data show the existence of KATP in smooth muscle and endothelium of brain vessels. A much larger number of studies in virtually all experimental species have shown that classic openers of KATP dilate brain arteries and arterioles. This response can by blocked by glibenclamide, a selective inhibitor of KATP opening. Several physiological or pathophysiological responses are also blocked by glibenclamide. KATP contains a multiplicity of potential sites of interaction with drugs of diverse, sometimes unrelated, structures. Drugs with imidazole or guanidinium groups are particularly likely to have effects on KAT...
Aggregation-resistant domain antibodies engineered with charged mutations near the edges of the complementarity-determining regions

Antibodies commonly contain hydrophobic residues within their complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) that mediate binding to target antigens. Unfortunately, hydrophobic CDRs can also promote antibody aggregation, which is especially concerning for therapeutic antibodies due to the immunogenicity of antibody aggregates. Here we investigate how the sequences of CDRs within single-domain (V(H)) antibodies specific for the Alzheimer's amyloid β peptide can be engineered to resist aggregation without reducing binding affinity. We find that domain antibodies containing clusters of hydrophobic residues within their third CDR (CDR3) are prone to aggregate within days at 25°C and minutes above 70°C. However, inserting two or more negatively charged residues at each edge of CDR3 potently suppresses antibody aggregation without altering binding affinity. We also find that inserting charged mutations at one edge of CDR3 (N- or C-terminal) prevents aggregation, but only if such mutations are located at the edge closest to most hydrophobic portion of CDR3. In contrast, charged mutations outside of CDR3 fail to suppress aggregation. Our findings demonstrate that the sequence of CDR loops can be engineered in a systematic manner to improve antibody solubility without altering binding affinity or specificity.
Increasing object availability in peer-to-peer systems

Summary form only given. The challenging problem in building a reliable storage system over a network of peers is to account for the heterogeneity of peers in terms of their availability, storage capacity, and locality. With varying object access patterns, an efficient/reliable system should not only increase the availability of more frequently accessed objects, but also provide reasonable availability of other objects. A greedy heuristic is proposed to improve the total object availability in the system. The simulation experiments compare the heuristic approach to randomized placement of objects with respect to varying failure distributions of peers, number of peers to objects ratio, replication factor and storage at a peer. The results show that this approach can provide equivalent availability with half the storage resources required for random placement.
Computational Simulation of Gas Turbines: Part 1—Foundations of Component-Based Models

Designing and developing new aerospace propulsion systems is time-consuming and expensive. Computational simulation is a promising means for alleviating this cost, but requires a flexible software simulation system capable of integrating advanced multidisciplinary and multifidelity analysis methods, dynamically constructing arbitrary simulation models, and distributing computationally complex tasks. To address these issues, we have developed Onyx, a Java-based object-oriented domain framework for aerospace propulsion system simulation. This paper presents the design of a common engineering model formalism for use in Onyx. This approach, which is based on hierarchical decomposition and standardized interfaces, provides a flexible component-based representation for gas turbine systems, subsystems and components. It allows new models to be composed programmatically or visually to form more complex models. Onyx's common engineering model also supports integration of a hierarchy of models which represent the system at differing levels of abstraction. Selection of a particular model is based on a number of criteria, including the level of detail needed, the objective of the simulation, the available knowledge, and given resources. The common engineering model approach is demonstrated by developing gas turbine component models which will be used to compose a gas turbine engine model in Part 2 of this paper.
Physical activity and hemodynamic reactivity in chronic kidney disease.

Background and objectives: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an elevated cardiovascular risk. This study was designed to understand better the presence and strength of the relationship between physical activity and BP and to explore determinants of hemodynamic reactivity. Design, setting, participants, & measurements: Twenty-four patients with CKD (mean age 69.5 yr; 3.1 antihypertensive drugs; estimated GFR 47 ml/min per 1.73 m2, albumin/creatinine ratio 403 mg/g) were studied on three occasions during a 6-wk period with 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring and simultaneous activity monitoring with wrist actigraphy. Results: Nondippers were found have a greater level of sleep activity compared with dippers, although the awake activity level was similar (7.06 versus 6.73) between groups (P = 0.042 for interaction). In 3587 BP activity pairs, hemodynamic reactivity was variable between individuals (systolic BP reactivity 1.06 [SD 10.50]; diastolic BP reactivity 0.89 [SD 7.80] heart rate reactivity 1.18 [SD 11.00]); those who were more sedentary had a greater increment in systolic BP compared with those who were less sedentary. Antihypertensive drugs blunted hemodynamic reactivity. Hemodynamic reactivity was greatest between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m., making this a vulnerable period for cardiovascular events. Conclusions: Greater hemodynamic reactivity in sedentary people with CKD offers a possible and thus far unrecognized mechanism of cardiovascular damage. Besides reducing BP, antihypertensive drugs reduce hemodynamic reactivity, which offers another plausible mechanism of cardiovascular protection with their use.
Selective attention by children and adults to pictures specified by color

Abstract Four conditions were used to investigate developmental trends in the ability to establish and use a color set to direct the selective processing of pictures. In three conditions, 6-year-old, 9-year-old, and adult subjects viewed a series of pairs of pictures, with one red and one black line drawing in each pair. Subjects were asked to look either at the red pictures only, the black pictures only, or both pictures. In a fourth condition, subjects viewed a series of singly presented red and black pictures. Pictures of both colors were included in a subsequent recognition memory test. At all ages recognition memory was comparable for pictures of each color in the both and single conditions but was higher for pictures of the specified color in the selective red and selective black conditions. There was no evidence at any age that memory for pictures of the specified color was decreased by the presence of the second picture. These results, showing roughly comparable selectivity at all ages, were discussed in relation to findings of developmental trends in selective attention on more “traditional” central-incidental learning tasks.
Glass‐transition and gas‐transport characteristics of polymer nanocomposites based on crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide)

The glass-transition and gas-transport properties of rubbery polymer nanocomposites based on crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) and metal oxide nanoparticles were studied. Nanocomposite samples were prepared by the UV photopolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (n ∼ 14) in the presence of magnesium oxide or silica nanoparticles. The thermomechanical properties of the composites were investigated with dynamic mechanical and dielectric spectroscopy methods. The inclusion of nanoparticles in the crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate network led to a systematic increase in rubbery modulus and a modest positive offset (∼6°C) in the measured glass-transition temperature for both systems. Bulk density measurements indicated only minimal void volume fraction in the composites, and CO2 and light gas permeability decreased with particle loading; for example, the CO2 infinite dilution permeability at 35°C decreased from 106 barrer in the unfilled polymer to 55 barrer in a nanocomposite containing 30 wt % magnesium oxide nanoparticles. The inclusion of toluene diluent in the prepolymerization mixtures produced a limited enhancement in sample permeability, but the sizeable increases in gas transport with particle loading reported for certain other rubbery nanocomposite systems were not realized in the crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate composites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
AMERICAN GEOGRAPHERS: A CRITICAL EVALUATION

Thr following article, prepared in December of 1939, was sent to the editors by Richard Hartshorne and is printed verbatim, except for minor editorial style changes, with the permission of the author. Hartshornc's covering letter reads in part as follows: “In view of thc statistical studies of American gwgraphers in your current [May, 1961] number, you may be interestcd in a similar [unpublished] paper written twenty years earlier … [which] was seen only by a few privileged individuals. This ‘classic in statisticospoofery’, as John K. Wright says in a recent letter, ‘is on a par with Parkinson's Law’ Publication now in The Professional Geographer would indicate to your readers what attention to pay to the pieces in the current number.”
Improving parallel execution performance for logic programs using mode information

Parallel execution of a logic program is an active research topic. Extensive study has been focused on the AND-OR parallel execution of a logic program. Current approaches adopt a top-down evaluation sequence to realize AND-OR parallelism by exploring parallelly executable predicates from root to leaf and then collect bindings generated in this process. Our research presented in this paper explores the parallel execution of a logic program based on a new data flow analysis algorithm. A logic program is first applied by data dependency analysis which can find all mode combinations possibly existing within a logic clause. This mode information is used to support a novel hybrid parallel execution model, which combines both top-down and bottom-up evaluation strategies. By adopting this model, various improvements can be achieved. The results generated from a simulator demonstrate very encouraging results. >
Stable Active-Passive Mode Locking of an Nd:Phosphate Glass Laser Using Eastman # 5 Saturable Dye

While the stability of passively mode locked Nd:YAG lasers has been greatly improved in recent years through addition of intracavity acoustooptic loss modulators, relatively little attention has been given to the Nd:glass laser, especially in the very short pulse regime [1–6]. In the hybrid mode locking approach, the active loss modulation reduces the inherent statistical nature of the early-stage pulse build up, while retaining the effect of the saturable absorber as nonlinear loss element and Q switch for final-stage pulse shortening. We have investigated use of the new fast-relaxing saturable absorbing dye Eastman #5 in active-passive mode locking of an Nd:phosphate glass laser. Its use has led to stable mode-locking performance and generation of ~ 6ps duration pulses, largely free of occurrences of satellite pulse structure.
Colocalization and Sequential Enzyme Activity in Aqueous Biphasic Systems: Experiments and Modeling

Subcellular compartmentalization of biomolecules and their reactions is common in biology and provides a general strategy for improving and/or controlling kinetics in metabolic pathways that contain multiple sequential enzymes. Enzymes can be colocalized in multiprotein complexes, on scaffolds or inside subcellular organelles. Liquid organelles formed by intracellular phase coexistence could provide an additional means of sequential enzyme colocalization. Here we use experiment and computation to explore the kinetic consequences of sequential enzyme compartmentalization into model liquid organelles in a crowded polymer solution. Two proteins of the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway, ASL (adenylosuccinate lyase, Step 8) and ATIC (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase/inosine monophosphate cyclohydrolase, Steps 9 and 10), were studied in a polyethylene glycol/dextran aqueous two-phase system. Dextran-rich phase droplets served as model liquid compartments for enzyme colocalization. In this system, which lacks any specific binding interactions between the phase-forming polymers and the enzymes, we did not observe significant rate enhancements from colocalization for the overall reaction under our experimental conditions. The experimental results were used to adapt a mathematical model to quantitatively describe the kinetics. The mathematical model was then used to explore additional, experimentally inaccessible conditions to predict when increased local concentrations of enzymes and substrates can (or cannot) be expected to yield increased rates of product formation. Our findings indicate that colocalization within these simplified model liquid organelles can lead to enhanced metabolic rates under some conditions, but that very strong partitioning into the phase that serves as the compartment is necessary. In vivo, this could be provided by specific binding affinities between components of the liquid compartment and the molecules to be localized within it.
Clinical Laboratory Experience of Blood CRIM Testing in Infantile Pompe Disease

Cross-reactive immunological material (CRIM) status is an important prognostic factor in patients with infantile Pompe disease (IPD) being treated with enzyme replacement therapy. Western blot analysis of cultured skin fibroblast lysates has been the gold standard for determining CRIM status. Here, we evaluated CRIM status using peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) protein. For 6 of 33 patients (18%) CRIM status determination using PBMC was either indeterminate or discordant with GAA genotype or fibroblast CRIM analysis results. While the use of PBMCs for CRIM determination has the advantage of a faster turnaround time, further evaluation is needed to ensure the accuracy of CRIM results.
Maternity Leave Access and Health: A Systematic Narrative Review and Conceptual Framework Development

Background Maternity leave is integral to postpartum maternal and child health, providing necessary time to heal and bond following birth. However, the relationship between maternity leave and health outcomes has not been formally and comprehensively assessed to guide public health research and policy in this area. This review aims to address this gap by investigating both the correlates of maternity leave utilization in the US and the related health benefits for mother and child. Methods We searched the peer-reviewed scholarly literature using six databases for the years 1990 to early 2015 and identified 37 studies to be included in the review. We extracted key data for each of the included studies and assessed study quality using the "Weight of the Evidence" approach. Results The literature generally confirms a positive, though limited correlation between maternity leave coverage and utilization. Likewise, longer maternity leaves are associated with improved breastfeeding intentions and rates of initiation, duration and predominance as well as improved maternal mental health and early childhood outcomes. However, the literature points to important disparities in access to maternity leave that carry over into health outcomes, such as breastfeeding. Synthesis We present a conceptual framework synthesizing what is known to date related to maternity leave access and health outcomes.
The Presence of Venous Damage and Microbleeds in Traumatic Brain Injury and the Potential Future Role of Angiographic and Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis and longitudinal follow up of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Among injury pathologies, vascular injury is associated with diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and traumatic axonal injury (TAI). The vascular network is ubiquitous and is an integral part of the tissue structure. In this chapter, we focus on angiographic and venographic-related imaging methods and their role in assessing mild, moderate, and severe TBI. We begin with an introduction to susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and then provide evidence of different types of vascular damage. Examples of TBI-induced microbleeds are presented along with the concept of low-impact medullary vein damage (MVD). This MVD has been seen even for so-called mild TBI cases. Vascular damage can also manifest as a reduction in local perfusion even when no clear macroscopic vessel damage is seen. To further understand the role of vascular abnormalities, we then introduce the different perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) techniques available and their application in TBI. The combination of SWI and PWI should make it possible to differentiate the role of local thrombus versus changes in oxygen saturation in MVD, for example. Since MRA and SWI are able to provide a full description of the brain’s vasculature in 3D, we briefly discuss the presence of finite element modeling in understanding vascular injury. We conclude with recommendations related to the use of perfusion with MRA, SWI, and oxygen saturation measurements to obtain a complete picture of the hemodynamics of the brain.
Precision Limitations in the Measurement of Small Reactivity Changes

Expected errors in reactivity measurements made with a servo control are discussed and compared with observation. The influence upon measurement statistics of a residual spurious reactivity drift, ...
Urban forests and social inequality in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract Research has shown there is a positive relationship between urban greenness and the well-being of city residents. But greenness is often unevenly distributed across a city, raising environmental justice issues. In 2011 and 2012 the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis program installed ground plots in the urbanized areas of Oregon and Washington. We analyze these data for the urban areas west of the Cascade Mountains, linking it with demographic data from the U.S. Census to examine the relationship between greenness and socioeconomic status at a sub-regional scale. To explore some relations between urban forest measures and socioeconomic conditions and measures we developed four models: presence of tree canopy cover with a logistic mixed model, and on a subset of the data, percent tree canopy cover with a linear mixed model and tree count and tree species count with Poisson mixed models. We found that median household income, house value, land use, and years in the Tree City USA program contributed to explaining measures of greenness, such as canopy cover presence, percent canopy cover, tree counts, and tree species counts. This agrees with other studies, but does so at a broad scale covering the most densely populated areas in the Pacific Northwest.
Mystery Motivator: A Tier 1 Classroom Behavioral Intervention.

This study is an examination of the effectiveness of the Mystery Motivator-an interdependent group contingency, variable-ratio, classwide intervention-as a tool for reducing disruptive classroom behavior in eight diverse general-education elementary school classrooms across seven different schools. The study was conducted using an ABAB, changing criterion design, and the effectiveness of the intervention was assessed for an 8-week period. The frequency of disruptive behavior in all classrooms decreased. Teacher intervention acceptability data indicated seven of eight teachers found the intervention to be acceptable. Overall, data indicated the Mystery Motivator intervention was a powerful intervention for reducing disruptive behaviors in elementary classrooms.