cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploiting Synchrony and Symmetry in Relational Verification

Relational safety specifications describe multiple runs of the same program or relate the behaviors of multiple programs. Approaches to automatic relational verification often compose the programs and analyze the result for safety, but a naively composed program can lead to difficult verification problems. We propose to exploit relational specifications for simplifying the generated verification subtasks. First, we maximize opportunities for synchronizing code fragments. Second, we compute symmetries in the specifications to reveal and avoid redundant subtasks. We have implemented these enhancements in a prototype for verifying k-safety properties on Java programs. Our evaluation confirms that our approach leads to a consistent performance speedup on a range of benchmarks.
Verifying safety and accuracy of approximate parallel programs via canonical sequentialization

We present Parallely, a programming language and a system for verification of approximations in parallel message-passing programs. Parallely's language can express various software and hardware level approximations that reduce the computation and communication overheads at the cost of result accuracy. Parallely's safety analysis can prove the absence of deadlocks in approximate computations and its type system can ensure that approximate values do not interfere with precise values. Parallely's quantitative accuracy analysis can reason about the frequency and magnitude of error. To support such analyses, Parallely presents an approximation-aware version of canonical sequentialization, a recently proposed verification technique that generates sequential programs that capture the semantics of well-structured parallel programs (i.e., ones that satisfy a symmetric nondeterminism property). To the best of our knowledge, Parallely is the first system designed to analyze parallel approximate programs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of Parallely on eight benchmark applications from the domains of graph analytics, image processing, and numerical analysis. We also encode and study five approximation mechanisms from literature. Our implementation of Parallely automatically and efficiently proves type safety, reliability, and accuracy properties of the approximate benchmarks.
Neonatal seizures in the U.S. National Inpatient Population: Prevalence and outcomes.

Background Seizures are the most frequent neurological manifestation in neonates. Prevalence of neonatal seizures has not been well described in relationship with gestational age (GA). Also, the impact of seizures on neonatal mortality has not been quantified. This study aims to determine 1) prevalence of neonatal seizures in all GA groups, 2) associated mortality in each GA group and 3) impact of seizures on length of stay (LOS) of survivors in each GA group. Methods Data from the national Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) for the years 2006, 2009 and 2012 was used in the study. All admitted infants with a documented GA were included in the study. All categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-square test, continuous variables were analyzed using t-test, and logistic regression analysis used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results A total of 10, 572,209 infants were included, of whom 4400 infants (0.04%) had seizures. The highest prevalence was at 24 weeks (0.12%). Overall mortality rate of patients with seizures was 4% with OR = 2.24 (95% CI = 1.90–2.65, p Conclusion The prevalence of seizures varies according to gestational age ranging from 0.02% to 0.12%. The highest prevalence is at 24 weeks GA. The greatest impact for seizures on mortality is at 33–36 weeks GA.
Positive Psychiatry: An Introduction

Positive Psychiatry is the application of Positive Psychology principles and tools, which include Positive Psychotherapy, to those with mental disorders or at risk of developing them. The goal of Positive Psychiatry is to understand and promote well-being, through assessments and interventions aimed at enhancing Positive Psychosocial Factors (PPSFs) in that target population. As such, Positive Psychiatry is distinguished from clinical psychiatry by its focus on prevention, mental health promotion, and human flourishing. Key concepts in Positive Psychiatry are character strengths and virtues, positive translation, recovery in mental illness, and resilience. Applications for Positive Psychiatry have been described for schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and for post-traumatic stress disorder. Ongoing efforts are in place to validate positive psychology interventions and positive psychotherapy for a broad population of mental disorders.
The Gut-CNS Axis in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the CNS driven by the inflammatory activity of peripheral immune cells recruited to the CNS and by CNS-resident glial cells. MS pathogenesis has been linked to both genetic and environmental factors. In addition, the commensal flora have been shown to modulate immune processes relevant to MS pathogenesis. We discuss the effects of the gut microbiota on T cells and glial cells, and their relevance for the control of inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS. A better understanding of the gut–CNS axis will shed new light on the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, and may help to guide the development of efficacious therapies for MS.
synergy: a Python library for calculating, analyzing and visualizing drug combination synergy.

Summary Combinations of multiple pharmacological agents can achieve a substantial benefit over treatment with single agents alone. Combinations that achieve 'more than the sum of their parts' are called synergistic. There have been many proposed frameworks to understand and quantify drug combination synergy with different assumptions and domains of applicability. We introduce here synergy, a Python library that (i) implements a broad array of popular synergy models, (ii) provides tools for evaluating confidence intervals and conducting power analysis and (iii) provides standardized tools to analyze and visualize drug combinations and their synergies and antagonisms. Availability and implementation synergy is available on all operating systems for Python >=3.5. It is freely available from https://pypi.org/project/synergy, and its source code is available at https://github.com/djwooten/synergy. This software is released under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0 or later. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Fermi level dependence of gas–solid oxygen defect exchange mechanism on TiO2 (110) by first-principles calculations

In the same way that gases interact with oxide semiconductor surfaces from above, point defects interact from below. Previous experiments have described defect–surface reactions for TiO2(110), but an atomistic picture of the mechanism remains unknown. The present work employs computations by density functional theory of the thermodynamic stabilities of metastable states to elucidate possible reaction pathways for oxygen interstitial atoms at TiO2(110). The simulations uncover unexpected metastable states including dumbbell and split configurations in the surface plane that resemble analogous interstitial species in the deep bulk. Comparison of the energy landscapes involving neutral (unionized) and charged intermediates shows that the Fermi energy EF exerts a strong influence on the identity of the most likely pathway. The largest elementary-step thermodynamic barrier for interstitial injection trends mostly downward by 2.1 eV as EF increases between the valence and conduction band edges, while that for annihilation trends upward by 2.1 eV. Several charged intermediates become stabilized for most values of EF upon receiving conduction band electrons from TiO2, and the behavior of these species governs much of the overall energy landscape.
A Case of a Child with “Idiopathic” Scoliosis

Back pain is a frequent chief complaint in a pediatric primary care physician office. While back pain is not uncommon in children and adolescents, it is not typical of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. A child presenting with back pain and scoliosis must undergo a thorough history and physical examination to rule out features of atypical scoliosis including headaches, night pain or fevers, or abnormal neurologic findings. If those findings are identified, or if radiographs suggest an atypical scoliosis, urgent referral to an orthopedic surgeon trained in pediatric spinal deformity is indicated. Radiographic findings on PA and lateral views of the entire spine can include large curves, left thoracic curves, and curves associated with hyperkyphosis. In this case, MRI of the entire spine demonstrated a Chiari malformation and a large thoracic syrinx. She was referred to a pediatric neurosurgeon who treated her surgically prior to orthopedic intervention.
Lyme Disease in the Era of COVID-19: A Delayed Diagnosis and Risk for Complications

We describe a patient with fever and myalgia who did not have COVID-19 but instead had Lyme disease. We propose that the co-occurrence of COVID-19 and Lyme disease during the spring of 2020 resulted in a delayed diagnosis of Lyme disease due to COVID-19 pandemic-related changes in healthcare workflow and diagnostic reasoning. This delayed diagnosis of Lyme disease in the patient we describe resulted in disseminated infection and sixth nerve palsy. We present the use of telemedicine to aid in the diagnosis of Lyme disease and to provide prompt access to diagnosis and care during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in the future.
A lump in the hand.

A man in his late 40s presented to his general practitioner with a history of skin changes and two lumps in his left hand, which had been present for several years. He thought the symptoms were from repeated trauma after carrying heavy buckets as part of his job. The nodular lumps had recently increased in size. In the months before referral, the patient began to experience a severe burning sensation in the nodules in his hand, which interrupted his sleep. Examination of the hand revealed an area of skin tethering with a palpable thickening deep to it in the palm over the hypothenar eminence (fig 1, fig 2). Two small erythematous lumps were found, one proximal to the main lesion at the wrist crease and another on the ulnar border of the hypothenar eminence. In addition, the patient had numbness over the ulnar border of the hand, little finger, and half of the ring finger, and weakness in the intrinsic muscles of the hand (palmar and dorsal interossei). He …
Undocumented immigrants and mental health: A systematic review of recent methodology and findings in the United States.

Abstract This study reviewed the methodology and findings of 44 peer-reviewed studies on psychosocial risk factors associated with mental health outcomes among undocumented immigrants (UIs) in the United States. Findings showed a considerable advancement over the past seven years in the methods and measures used in the included studies. Nonetheless, there is a need for continued methodological rigor, innovative study designs, greater diversity of samples, and in-depth exploration of constructs that facilitate resilience. Identifying avenues to reduce risk in this population is essential to inform intervention and advocacy efforts aimed at overcoming distress from the current U.S. anti-immigrant and socio-political climate.
Latino and White Students' Perceptions of Teacher Behaviors That Convey Caring: Do Gender and Ethnicity Matter?

Knowing how to improve educational experiences for students through the construct of caring, especially those that are often disconnected from access to an equal education, may be one way to improve their success. This paper reports on the findings from a study conducted to measure Latino and White high school studentsâ€™ perceptions of teacher behaviors that convey caring and the influence of studentsâ€™ gender and ethnicity on those perceptions. Results suggest that gender is an influential variable, and while ethnicity was not statistically significant overall, there was some significance at the item level.
When might silylenes behave more like carbenes

Abstract Qualitative arguments and preliminary theoretical studies by Harrison suggest that lithiosilylene (SiHLi) may have a triplet electronic ground state. This possibility has been confirmed in the present detailed ab initio quantum mechanical study. Using double-zeta and double-zeta plus polarization basis sets, the different low-lying electronic states of SiHLi have been investigated using self-consistent-field and configuration interaction methods. The triplet ground state potential surface is very flat, with two nearly degenerate minima at θ (HSiLi) values of 137° and 48°, respectively. The lowest singlet state lies ~ 7 kcal higher in energy and is predicted to have an equilibrium bond angle of ~93°, much like the parent silylene SiH2. Vibrational frequencies are predicted for all stationary points.
Zymomonas mobilis mutants with an increased rate of alcohol production

Two new derivatives of Zymomonas mobilis CP4 were isolated from enrichment cultures after 18 months of serial transfer. These new strains were selected for the ability to grow and produce ethanol rapidly on transfer into fresh broth containing ethanol and allyl alcohol. Ethanol production by these strains was examined in batch fermentations under three sets of conditions. Both new derivatives were found to be superior to the parent strain CP4 with respect to the speed and completeness of glucose conversion to ethanol. The best of these, strain YO2, produced 9.5% ethanol (by weight; 11.9% by volume) after 17.4 h compared with 31.8 h for the parent strain CP4. The addition of 1 mM magnesium sulfate improved ethanol production in all three strains. Two factors contributed to the decrease in fermentation time required by the mutants: more rapid growth with minimal lag on subculturing and the retention of higher rates of ethanol production as fermentation proceeded. Alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes were altered in both new strains and no longer catalyzed the oxidation of allyl alcohol into the toxic product acrolein. This loss of allyl alcohol-oxidizing capacity is proposed as a primary factor contributing to increased allyl alcohol resistance, although it is likelymore » that other mutations affecting glycolysis also contribute to the improvement in ethanol production.« less
Alcohol use among recent Latino immigrants before and after immigration to the United States.

BACKGROUND: US-born Latinos have higher rates of alcohol use than Latinos who have immigrated to the United States. However, little is known about the pre-immigration drinking patterns of Latino immigrants or about the changes in their drinking behaviors in the 2 years post-immigration. OBJECTIVES: This article reports findings of a longitudinal study that compared rates of regular, binge, and heavy drinking among a cohort of recent Latino immigrants, ages 18-34, prior to immigration to the United States and in the 2 years post-immigration. METHODS: Baseline data were collected on the drinking patterns of 405 Latino immigrants living in the United States for 12 months or less. A follow-up assessment occurred during their second year in the United States. RESULTS: Findings indicate that number of days of drinking declined significantly post-immigration. Binge alcohol use (five or more drinks on the same occasion during the past 90 days) significantly declined during the post-immigration period. Heavy alcohol use (five or more drinks on the same occasion on five or more days during the past 90 days) also significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a need for continued exploration of pre-immigration drinking patterns and research to uncover underlying factors associated with declines in rates of problematic alcohol use among recent Latino immigrants. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study can aid in furthering our understanding of the alcohol use of Latino immigrants ages 18-34 prior to and post immigration to the United States to guide future research and the development of culturally tailored clinical interventions. (Am J Addict 2013;22:162-168). Language: en
Anomalous viscosity in partially ionized gases

Summary form only given. The plasma window is a novel apparatus that utilizes a stabilized plasma arc as an interface between vacuum and atmosphere or pressurized targets without solid material. Three effects can enable a plasma to provide a rather effective vacuum separation, and hence act as a window. 1) Ideal Gas Pressure Effect, p=nkT that facilitate pressure equalization between a discharge and atmosphere or a high temperature gas channel and atmosphere. Since plasmas have high temperature, their pressure can be matched with a lower density. 2) Dynamic Viscosity Effect: viscosity increases with temperature. Consequently, gas flow through a hot plasma filled channel is greatly reduced. 3) Ionization Effect: atoms and molecules are ionized and trapped in the plasma. Experimentally, the plasma window has performed better than theoretically predicted by these effects, and choked flow conditions occur at pressures lower than expected. Quantitative analysis of the three effects suggested that an anomalous viscosity can explain the discrepancy. Some experimental verification of the anomalous viscosity is presented.
Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors inhibit cAMP-dependent protein kinase-mediated enhancement of tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium currents in mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons

Tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant sodium currents are important in nociception and nociceptive sensitization, which is partially due to their cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated enhancement. Here we studied the effects of group II mGluR activation on TTX-resistant sodium currents in cultured mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Activation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin caused an increase in the amplitude of TTX-R currents and a leftward shift of the activation curve. When neurons were treated with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC), a selective group II mGluR agonist, both the forskolin-induced increase in current amplitude and the shift of activation curve were blocked. LY341495, a group II mGluR antagonist, prevented these inhibitory effects of APDC. Our results suggest that group II mGluRs can negatively regulate TTX-R sodium currents in mouse DRG neurons.
Finite Element Analysis of Thermoelastodynamic Instability Involving Frictional Heating

A finite element method is used to solve the problem involving thermoelastodynamic instability (TEDI) in frictional sliding systems. The resulting matrix equation contains a complex eigenvalue that represents the exponential growth rate of temperature, displacement, and velocity fields. Compared to the thermoelastic instability (TEI) in which eigenmodes always decay with time when the sliding speed is below a critical value, numerical results from TEDI have shown that some of the modes always grow in the time domain at any sliding speed. As a result, when the inertial effect is considered, the phenomenon of hot spotting can actually occur at a sliding speed below the critical TEI threshold. The finite element method presented here has obvious advantages over analytical approaches and transient simulations of the problem in that the stabilities of the system can be determined for an arbitrary geometry without extensive computations associated with analytical expressions of the contact condition or numerical iterations in the time domain. DOI: 10.1115/1.2345412
Logit-transformation Based Confidence Intervals for the Sensitivity of a Continuous-scale Diagnostic Test

In the field of modern medicine, diagnostic tests play an important role in detecting diseased patients. The diagnostic accuracy of a test is measured by its sensitivity and specificity. In this paper, we focus on the interval estimation for the sensitivity of a continuous-scale diagnostic test at a fixed level of its specificity. We propose two logit-transformation based confidence intervals for the sensitivity of a test and compare them with two of the best existing intervals (BTI and BTII) proposed by Zhou and Qin. Our simulation studies show that the newly proposed logit- transformation based intervals (LTI and LTII) have shorter interval lengths than the existing BTI and BTII intervals. The applications of the new intervals are illustrated in two real examples.
Protection from 1-cyano-3,4-epithiobutane nephrotoxicity by aminooxyacetic acid and effect on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in male Fischer 344 rats.

1-Cyano-3,4-epithiobutane (CEB), a naturally occurring nitrile derived from cruciferous plants, causes nephrotoxicity and increased renal glutathione (GSH) concentration in male F-344 rats. This CEB-induced nephrotoxicity is dependent on GSH conjugation and bioactivation. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effect of CEB on several xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and to evaluate the effect of modulators of GSH transport and metabolism on CEB-induced nephrotoxicity and GSH concentration. Animals received 125 mg kg−1 CEB alone or following pretreatment with one of three selective inhibitors of GSH metabolism: acivicin, probenecid or aminooxyacetic acid. There were no significant alterations in epoxide hydrolase (EH), P-450, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) or pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) enzyme activity, but renal glutamyl cysteine synthetase (GCS) activity was decreased at 12 and 24 h, as was renal glutathione S-transferase 4 h after CEB administration. Renal ECOD activity was also diminished at 24 h and at 12 and 24 h in liver. Aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) abrogated the nephrotoxicity, the renal GSH-enhancing effect, and decreased GCS of CEB alone. These findings provide further evidence for the importance of GSH conjugation as a significant pathway in CEB metabolism and the role of a reactive thiol in nephrotoxicity and altered renal GSH. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring Intramolecular Diffusion During Protein Folding Using an Ultrarapid Microfluidic Mixer

Cysteine - Tryptophan contact quenching has been a valuable tool to measure intramolecular diffusion between specific amino acids. Until now however, this measurement has only been possible at equilibrium conditions. In this presentation, we present a novel technique combining contact quenching measurements with an ultrarapid microfluidic mixer. The mixer uses a serpentine mixing region to obtain mixing times within 50 μs and is deep etched in a fused silica substrate to allow UV absorbance measurements. With this instrument, we are able to measure quenching rates from 100 μs to milliseconds following mixing. This new experiment should prove a valuable new probe in measuring protein folding kinetics by observing the loss of conformational disorder.
Power series extensions of half-factorial domains

Abstract An integral domain is said to be a half-factorial domain (HFD) if every non-zero element a that is not a unit may be factored into a finite product of irreducible elements, while any other such factorization of a has the same number of irreducible factors. While it is known that a power series extension of a factorial domain need not be factorial, the corresponding question for HFD has been open. In this paper we show that the answer is also negative. In the process we answer in the negative, for HFD, an open question of Samuel for factorial domains by showing that for certain quadratic domains R , and independent variables, Y and T , R [ [ Y ] ] [ [ T ] ] is not HFD even when R [ [ Y ] ] is HFD. The proof hinges on Samuel’s theorem to the effect that a power series, in finitely many variables, over a regular factorial domain is factorial.
Spectral emission measurements from planar mixtures of gas and particulates

An experimental system is developed that forms a hot layer of gas and particulates flowing through a test section with cooled walls. The test section forms a one-dimensional planar layer, allows intrusive probes to characterize the medium in terms of particle loading and temperature, and allows radiometric measurements of the normally directed spectral energy emitted from the medium. Gas flow, gas composition, and particle flow are controlled. An experimental investigation is under-taken yielding spectral normally directed emittance data obtained from a well-characterized layer containing gaseous constituents of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and solid particles of BNi-2, a boron nickel alloy. Emittance data are presented and exhibit the effects of particulate scattering, including the extension of the 4.3 {mu}m carbon dioxide band wings. Emittance data are compared to analytical predictions.
Membrane-anchored proteoglycans of mouse macrophages : P388D1 cells express a syndecan-4−like heparan sulfate proteoglycan and a distinct chondroitin sulfate form

Proteoglycan accumulation by thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages and a panel of murine monocyte-macrophage cell lines has been examined to determine whether these cells express plasma membrane-anchored heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Initially, cells were screened for heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans after metabolic labeling with radiosulfate. Chondroitin sulfate is secreted to a variable extent by every cell type examined. In contrast, heparan sulfate is all but absent from immature pre-monocytes and is associated predominantly with the cell layer of mature macrophage-like cells. In the P388D1 cell line, the cell-associated chondroitin sulfate is largely present as a plasma membrane-anchored proteoglycan containing a 55 kD core protein moiety, which appears to be unique. In contrast, the cell-associated heparan sulfate is composed of a proteoglycan fraction and protein-free glycosaminoglycan chains, which accumulate intracellularly. A fraction of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan contains a lipophilic domain and can be released from cells following mild treatment with trypsin, suggesting that it is anchored in the plasma membrane. Isolation of this proteoglycan indicates that it is likely syndecan-4: it is expressed as a heparan sulfate proteoglycan at the cell surface, it is cleaved from the plasma membrane by low concentrations of trypsin, and it consists of a single 37 kD core protein moiety that co-migrates with syndecan-4 isolated from NMuMG mouse mammary epithelial cells. Northern analysis reveals that a panel of macrophage-like cell lines accumulate similar amounts of syndecan-4 mRNA, demonstrating that this proteoglycan is expressed by a variety of mature macrophage-like cells. Syndecan-1 mRNA is present only in a subset of these cells, suggesting that the expression of this heparan sulfate proteoglycan may be more highly regulated by these cells.
Vivid watercolor paintbox for eukaryotic algae

The maritime palette is blue because light of this hue alone penetrates through the upper ocean. Longer wavelengths of visible light are absorbed by water; red light is found only within the top 5–20 m of coastal ocean, and yellow and green light are lost by ∼50 and ∼70 m, respectively (Fig. 1). Because primary production on land or sea requires sunlight, aquatic photosynthetic organisms are generally found in relatively shallow waters (1). Within this narrow surface layer, prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae with stunning ranges of size and complexity thrive. In PNAS, Rockwell et al. dissect a previously unknown aspect of the manifold ways eukaryotic algae are adapted to their environments (2).
Design and Validation of a Novel Bioreactor to Subject Aortic Valve Leaflets to Side-Specific Shear Stress

Hemodynamic stresses are presumed to play an important role in the development of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). The elucidation of the shear stress mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of CAVD has been hampered by the complexity of the native unsteady and side-specific valvular flow environment. To address this gap, this article describes the design and validation of a novel device to expose leaflet samples to time-dependent side-specific shear stress. The device built on a double cone-and-plate geometry was dimensioned based on our previous single-sided shear stress device that minimizes secondary flow effects inherent to this geometry. A fluid–structure interaction (FSI) model was designed to predict the actual shear stress produced on a tissue sample mounted in the new device. Staining was performed on porcine leaflets conditioned in the new bioreactor to assess endothelial integrity and cellular apoptosis. The FSI results demonstrated good agreement between the target (native) and the actual side-specific shear stress produced on a tissue sample. No significant difference in endothelial integrity and cellular apoptosis was detected between samples conditioned for 96 h and fresh controls. This new device will enable the investigation of valvular response to normal and pathologic hemodynamics and the potential mechano-etiology of CAVD.
Plant nutrient management strategy implications for optimal herd size and performance of a simulated dairy farm

Abstract The relationship of nutrient management strategies to optimal dairy herd size and net farm return was simulated with a linear programming model. A generalized dairy farm model was constructed with two different corn and alfalfa crop sequences, high efficiency (0·5 × total N) or low efficiency (0·2 × total N) manure N use, and available N either restricted to that usable by the corn crop or unrestricted. Nutrient management strategies constrained optimal herd size and net farm return when manure N was used efficiently and available N was restricted to that required by the crops. Manure application to third-year alfalfa or a corn grain purchasing activity and relaxed constraints on soil test P and K levels resulted in increased optimal herd size, and consequently increased net farm return as compared to the restricted conditions. The increased scope of inquiry from nutrient management for farm components to those for whole farm made possible the description of emergent properties of the simulated dairy farm. These properties suggest that research efforts and policy decisions concerning nutrient management strategies cannot consider only research results or enterprises in isolation from the other components of the entire farm.
Conformational Closure of the Catalytic Site of Human CD38 Induced by Calcium.

First identified on the surface of lymphoids as a type II transmembrane protein, CD38 has now been established to have dual functions not only as a receptor but also as a multifunctional enzyme, catalyzing the synthesis of and hydrolysis of a general calcium messenger molecule, cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR). The receptorial functions of CD38 include the induction of cell adhesion, differentiation, apoptosis, and cytokine production upon antibody ligation. Here we determined the crystal structure of calcium-loaded human CD38 at 1.45 A resolution which reveals that CD38 undergoes dramatic structural changes to an inhibited conformation in the presence of calcium. The structural changes are highly localized and occur in only two regions. The first region is part of the active site and consists of residues 121-141. In the presence of calcium, W125 moves 5 A into the active site and forms hydrophobic interactions with W189. The movement closes the active site pocket and reduces entry of substrates, resulting in inhibition of the enzymatic activity. The structural role of calcium in inducing these conformational changes is readily visualized in the crystal structure. The other region that undergoes calcium-induced changes is at the receptor region, where a highly ordered helix is unraveled to a random coil. The results suggest a novel conformational coupling mechanism, whereby protein interaction targeted at the receptor region can effectively regulate the enzymatic activity of CD38.
Giant T-wave inversions and extreme QT prolongation.

An 84-year-old woman presented with hypoglycemia-induced altered mental status. Presentation vital signs were notable for a cuff blood pressure of 150/102 mm Hg but otherwise were unremarkable. Her neurological examination after dextrose was unremarkable and a CT of the brain showed no evidence of infarction or hemorrhage. Her initial ECG (Figure A) demonstrated normal sinus rhythm (rate, 84 bpm), left ventricular hypertrophy, left anterior hemi-block, asymmetrically inverted T waves (leads I, AVL, V5, V6), and a mildly prolonged QT interval (QTc, 480 ms). Four hours after presentation, hypertensive urgency developed (224/117 mm Hg) accompanied by mild shortness of breath, but no chest pain or mental status changes were present. Troponin I levels …
Seismic Tunnel Imaging and Detection

To investigate the problem of detecting and imaging underground tunnels, an experimental system that utilizes seismic waves has been constructed. Seismic reflections from the tunnel are transformed into a 3D image using a synthetic aperture time-delay backprojection algorithm. Results from experimental data show that the tunnel is directly visible in the backprojected image. Nevertheless, tunnels with low signal to noise ratio (SNR) are located using 2D and 3D Radon transforms followed by a detection algorithm. A simulation is performed on the performance of the Radon transform for detecting lines in noisy images and it is shown how lines in very low SNR images can be detected. Also it is observed that longer lines have higher probability of detection at the same noise level.
Optimization of the Neutron Radiation Tolerance of Junction Field Effect Transistors

The fast neutron irradiation induced degradation of junction field effect transistors has been studied in detail. A comparison of p-channel to n-channel devices has confirmed reported differences in hole and electron removal rates. The predicted increase of hardness with increasing channel dopant concentration is experimentally demonstrated, although channel dopant grading makes very heavily doped units difficult to attain in practice. Also, a device modification which allows attainment of breakdown voltages higher than those characteristic of the channel doping level is presented and experimentally verified. This modification made possible the construction of devices with breakdown voltages greater than fifty volts, which degraded by only 25% in transconductance at fluences of approximately l-3×1015 neutrons/cm2 (E > 10 kev, Triga). Thus, the technique offers promise in the construction of very radiation resistant devices with wide operating voltage ranges.
Issues in solving large scale planning, design and scheduling problems in batch chemical plants

Abstract The solution of the planning/ design/ scheduling problem is limited by existing solution algorithms and computing resources. A combined planning/scheduling problem over an extended horizon of several months yields a formulation with thousands of variables. A natural approach presented earlier is to decompose the large problem into smaller ones, the solution of the decomposed problems constituting the solution to the original problem. The decomposition is however, a nontrivial task because of the global decision making process. Infeasibilities may arise at the lower stage since we have only considered the design/planning stage at a macroscopic level, therefore, a diagnostic formulation δRF is presented here. The power of the approach in identifying the infeasibilities and its use to solve the design problem is discussed in this paper. Illustrative examples for batch plant design are presented.
Gamma Reaction History ablator areal density constraints upon correlated diagnostic modeling of National Ignition Facility implosion experiments

The inelastic neutron scattering induced γ-ray signal from 12C in an Inertial Confinement Fusion capsule is demonstrated to be an effective and general diagnostic for shell ablator areal density. Experimental acquisition of the time-integrated signal at 4.4 MeV using threshold detection from four gas Cerenkov cells provides a direct measurement of the 12C areal density near stagnation. Application of a three-dimensional isobaric static model of data acquired in a recent high neutron yield National Ignition Facility experimental campaign reveals two general trends: smaller remaining ablator mass at stagnation and higher shell density with increasing laser drive.
Calculation of Erosion in Space from the Cosmic-Ray Exposure Ages of Meteorites

VERY little is known about erosion in space—the action of dust, gas, ions and electrons in wearing away material from exposed surfaces in interplanetary space. A cosmic-ray exposure age is obtained from the measurement of one radioactive and one stable spallation isotope produced in a meteorite by cosmic rays. A new interpretation of this age indicates that it sets an upper limit to the erosion-rate of a meteorite in space. The more obvious interpretations in terms of meteoritic break-up and planetary perturbational effects may remain valid.
Exchange coefficients under sensible heat advection determined by eddy correlation

Results of eddy correlation measurements of exchange coefficients for sensible heat (KH) and water vapor (KW) made over alfalfa under conditions of regional sensible heat advection are presented. KH was found to be generally greater than KW under moderate to strong advection. The inequality of KH and KW under advective conditions was inferred by Blad and Rosenberg (1974) and has been demonstrated with other micrometeorological methods by Verma et al. (1978). The inequality of KH and KW is particularly significant with respect to the Bowen ratio-energy balance method of evapotranspiration estimation, which is based on the assumption that KH = KW. Use of this assumption results in consistent underestimation of evapotranspiration under advective conditions.
Electrical and mechanical properties of MgO thin films on GaAs

Abstract The focus of this work is to report on the preparation of MgO buffer layers on GaAs. Successful deposition of buffer layer materials for the YBa2Cu3Ox high-temperature superconductor has been obtained. MgO layers were grown by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering under various experimental conditions. Crystallinity, stoichiometry and growth rate are sensitive to temperature (100–600°C) and oxygen pressure (0.1–1.0 mTorr). The room-temperature resistivity of the MgO films is in the range of 1011 Ωcm. Residual stresses are measured with a Tencor FLX 2320 for the various experimental conditions to investigate the MgO lattice mismatch to GaAs. Capacitance-voltage measurements indicate a qualitative difference in the interfacial electronic properties with substrate surface treatments.
Oncolytic viral therapy: targeting cancer stem cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are defined as rare populations of tumor-initiating cancer cells that are capable of both self-renewal and differentiation. Extensive research is currently underway to develop therapeutics that target CSCs for cancer therapy, due to their critical role in tumorigenesis, as well as their resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To this end, oncolytic viruses targeting unique CSC markers, signaling pathways, or the pro-tumor CSC niche offer promising potential as CSCs-destroying agents/therapeutics. We provide a summary of existing knowledge on the biology of CSCs, including their markers and their niche thought to comprise the tumor microenvironment, and then we provide a critical analysis of the potential for targeting CSCs with oncolytic viruses, including herpes simplex virus-1, adenovirus, measles virus, reovirus, and vaccinia virus. Specifically, we review current literature regarding first-generation oncolytic viruses with their innate ability to replicate in CSCs, as well as second-generation viruses engineered to enhance the oncolytic effect and CSC-targeting through transgene expression.
James S. Seidel, MD, PhD: a memorial

Abstract The pediatric emergency medicine community suffered a profound loss with the recent passing of James S. Seidel, MD, PhD. Dr. Seidel was a steadfast advocate for the needs of ill and injured children all over the world, and filled a leadership role in the evolution and growth of pediatric emergency medicine over the past two decades. Dr. Seidel was both an inspiring role model and mentor for innumerable trainees and colleagues. In this special memorial, two of Dr. Seidel’s colleagues, Drs. Marianne Gausche-Hill and Jane Knapp, each share some of their unique experiences and personal memories of Jim.
A cationic channel regulated by a vertebrate intrinsic circadian oscillator.

SECRETORY cells of the chicken pineal gland exhibit light-sensitive circadian rhythms in melatonin release that persist in vitro1–12. Melatonin secretion is positively regulated by cyclic AMP and intracellular Ca2+ (refs 8, 10–15). Cyclic AMP analogues are more effective at stimulating melatonin secretion during the circadian night owing in part to increased Ca2+ influx at those times12. However, this cannot be attributed to increased activity of L-type Ca2+ channels12. Here we describe an unusual 40-pS cationic channel (ILOT) m cultured chicken pineal cells that is permeable to Ca2+ and active in the night but not during the day. ILOT is not voltage- or stretch-activated, it has a characteristically long open time, and its gating persists in excised inside-out patches in the absence of Ca2+ or cyclic nucleotides. Daily rhythms in ILOT gating are also observed in previously entrained chicken pineal cells free-running under constant dark conditions. Nighttime ILOT activity is not suppressed by brief light pulses.
Universal optical response of Si-Si bonds and its evolution from nanoparticles to bulk crystals

We use quantum mechanical calculations and classical theories of the optical absorption of free and embedded nanoparticles to demonstrate a universality of the optical response of Si-Si bonds, independent of bonding configurations. We also demonstrate that the classical theory remains valid down to atomic-scale nanoparticles and that the evolution of the optical spectrum of a free nanoparticle would evolve to the bulk spectrum when the particle contains hundreds of thousands of Si atoms.
Myasthenic immunoglobulin accelerates acetylcholine receptor degradation

Degradation of acetylcholine receptors by cultured rat skeletal muscle cells was determined from the release of 125I from bound 125I-labeled alpha-bungarotoxin. Addition of immunoglobulin from patients with myasthenia gravis to the culture medium accelerated the degradation rate to a mean of 8.51 +/- 0.44 percent per hour, compared with the mean control rate of 3.97 +/- 0.14 percent per hour (P less than .001). A similar mechanism may possibly be involved in the autoimmune pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis in man.
Impaired glucose tolerance in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract Objective: To determine whether women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to develop gestational diabetes mellitus compared with age- and weight-matched controls. Methods: This retrospective cohort study compared reproductive-age women with and without PCOS who received prenatal care at the University of North Carolina Hospitals between April 1989 and June 1998. We reviewed the medical charts of 22 women with PCOS diagnosis before pregnancy based on menstrual histories, elevated androgen levels, and LH-FSH ratios greater than 2. These women were compared with 66 women without PCOS matched for age and weight. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was diagnosed in women if they had abnormal results on a 50-g glucose screening test and at least two abnormal plasma glucose values during a 100-g glucose tolerance test. Medical complications of pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and birth outcomes were compared between women with and without PCOS. Results: Nine of 22 women with PCOS also had GDM diagnosis, compared with two of 66 controls (odds ratio [OR] 22.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8, 170.0), and these women exhibited increased plasma glucose values for all measurements except fasting. Five of 22 women with PCOS developed preeclampsia compared with one of 66 controls (OR 15.0; 95% CI 1.9, 121.5). Conclusion: Women with PCOS are at increased risk of glucose intolerance and preeclampsia during pregnancy.
The Asialoglycoprotein Receptor Regulates Levels of Plasma Glycoproteins Terminating with Sialic Acid α2,6-Galactose

The asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) is an abundant, carbohydrate-specific, endocytic receptor expressed by parenchymal cells of the liver. We recently demonstrated that the ASGP-R mediates the clearance of glycoproteins bearing Siaα2,6GalNAc as well as those bearing terminal Gal or GalNAc. We now report that glycoproteins such as haptoglobin, serum amyloid protein (SAP), and carboxylesterase that bear oligosaccharides with terminal Siaα2,6Gal are elevated in the plasma of ASGP-R-deficient mice. Because of their abundance in plasma, glycoproteins bearing terminal Siaα2,6Gal will saturate the ASGP-R and compete with each other on the basis of their relative affinities for the ASGP-R and their relative abundance. We propose that the ASGP-R mediates the clearance of glycoproteins that bear oligosaccharides terminating with Siaα2,6Gal and thereby helps maintain the relative concentrations of these glycoproteins in the blood.
CONDITIONS FOR REESTABLISHMENT OF BROOK TROUT SALVELINUS FONTINALIS) POPULATIONS IN ACIDIC LAKES FOLLOWING BASE ADDITION

ABSTRACT Some lakes with an historical record of fish populations have undergone acidification and fish no longer exist in these systems. Toxicity data suggest that the inability of fish to survive in these acidic environments is due to increased concentrations of hydrogen ion (H+) and aluminum (Al+++) in the water column. To reestablish fish populations in lakes of this kind it is necessary to (1) determine that fish are no longer present, (2) demonstrate that fish either cannot or have limited potential to survive in the systems, and (3) change the water quality, and demonstrate increased survival of fish under differing chemical conditions. We examined two acidic lakes (Woods Lake, pH ~5.0 and Cranberry Pond, pH ~4.8) for the first two conditions by conducting fisheries surveys and in situ bioassays using fingerling (age 0) brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Woods Lake was also stocked with brook trout in the fall of 1984 and overwinter survival of two age classes determined. Emigration from the lake...
Implementation of a 24-hour pharmacy service with prospective medication review in the emergency department.

BackgroundIt is reported that more than 128 million patients are seen in emergency departments (EDs) annually. Patient overcrowding had been associated with an increased occurrence of medication er...
Helfrich’s ‘Principle of Triarchic Resonance’: A Commentary on Yet Another Perspective on the Ongoing and Tenacious Etic–Emic Debate

The so-called etic–emic ‘dilemma’ has been pervasive, tenacious and constantly debatable in cross-cultural psychology ever since the terms were borrowed from the field of psycholinguistics and intr...