cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GeneChip analysis of human embryonic stem cell differentiation into hemangioblasts: an in silico dissection of mixed phenotypes

Microarrays are being used to understand human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation. Most differentiation protocols use a multi-stage approach that induces commitment along a particular lineage. Therefore, each stage represents a more mature and less heterogeneous phenotype. Thus, characterizing the heterogeneous progenitor populations upon differentiation are of increasing importance. Here we describe a novel method of data analysis using a recently developed differentiation protocol involving the formation of functional hemangioblasts from hESCs. Blast cells are multipotent and can differentiate into multiple lineages of hematopoeitic cells (erythroid, granulocyte and macrophage), endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Large-scale transcriptional analysis was performed at distinct time points of hESC differentiation (undifferentiated hESCs, embryoid bodies, and blast cells, the last of which generates both hematopoietic and endothelial progenies). Identifying genes enriched in blast cells relative to hESCs revealed a genetic signature indicative of erythroblasts, suggesting that erythroblasts are the predominant cell type in the blast cell population. Because of the heterogeneity of blast cells, numerous comparisons were made to publicly available data sets in silico, some of which blast cells are capable of differentiating into, to assess and characterize the blast cell population. Biologically relevant comparisons masked particular genetic signatures within the heterogeneous population and identified genetic signatures indicating the presence of endothelia, cardiomyocytes, and hematopoietic lineages in the blast cell population. The significance of this microarray study is in its ability to assess and identify cellular populations within a heterogeneous population through biologically relevant in silico comparisons of publicly available data sets. In conclusion, multiple in silico comparisons were necessary to characterize tissue-specific genetic signatures within a heterogeneous hemangioblast population.
On the relationship between volume and surface area

We show that the statement that the surface area is the derivative of the volume, which is well known for a ball, can be generalized and stated in a proper way for any set with finite volume and surface area. We also provide a specific statement for star-shaped sets.
Identification of the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) as an endocytic receptor for thrombospondin-1.

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) has potent biolog- ical effects on vasculature smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells. The regulation of extracellular ac- cumulation of TSP1 is mediated by a previously ob- scure process of endocytosis which leads to its lyso- somal degradation. Since members of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family have been found to mediate endocytosis which leads to degradation of a diverse array of ligands, we evaluated their possible role in the uptake and degradation of TSP1 by vascular SMCs, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. 125I-TSP1 was found to be internalized and degraded lysosomally by all these cell types. Both the internalization and degra- dation of 125I-TSP1 could be inhibited by a specific antagonist of the LDLR family, the 39-kD receptor- associated protein (RAP). Antibodies to the LDLR- related protein (LRP) completely blocked the uptake and degradation of 125I-TSP1 in SMCs and fibroblasts but not endothelial cells. Solid-phase binding assays confirmed that LRP bound to TSP1 and that the inter- action was of high affinity (Kd = 5 nM). Neither RAP nor LRP antibodies inhibited the binding of 125I-TSP1 to surfaces of SMCs. However, cell surface binding, as well as, endocytosis and degradation could be blocked by heparin or by pre-treatment of the cells with either heparitinase, chondroitinase or 13-D-xyloside. The data indicates that cell surface proteoglycans are involved in the LRP-mediated clearance of TSP1. A model for the clearance of TSP1 by these cells is that TSP1 bound to proteoglycans is presented to LRP for endocytosis. In endothelial cells, however, the internalization of TSP1 was not mediated by LRP but since RAP inhibited TSP1 uptake and degradation, we postulate that an- other member of the LDLR family is likely to be in- volved.
Implications for Variability of Practice from Pedagogy and Motor Learning Perspectives: Finding a Common Ground

The discourse contained in this article is the result of an on-going discussion about “providing variability of practice” between professionals from different areas of study within kinesiology. The impetus for this discussion arose from a lack of common terminology, differing views, and the sometimes contrasting research and professional practices promoted in the areas of pedagogy and motor learning. Since many undergraduate and graduate level students enroll in courses in both motor learning and pedagogy, it is imperative that professionals seek a common ground that leads to an understanding of the areas where the two perspectives converge or differ. A question and answer format, from the viewpoints of pedagogy and motor learning, was used to guide the discussion related to variability of practice and its research and practical applications in the teaching and learning process of motor skills.
Meta-analysis of variables affecting mouse protection efficacy of whole organism Brucella vaccines and vaccine candidates

Vaccine protection investigation includes three processes: vaccination, pathogen challenge, and vaccine protection efficacy assessment. Many variables can affect the results of vaccine protection. Brucella, a genus of facultative intracellular bacteria, is the etiologic agent of brucellosis in humans and multiple animal species. Extensive research has been conducted in developing effective live attenuated Brucella vaccines. We hypothesized that some variables play a more important role than others in determining vaccine protective efficacy. Using Brucella vaccines and vaccine candidates as study models, this hypothesis was tested by meta-analysis of Brucella vaccine studies reported in the literature. Nineteen variables related to vaccine-induced protection of mice against infection with virulent brucellae were selected based on modeling investigation of the vaccine protection processes. The variable "vaccine protection efficacy" was set as a dependent variable while the other eighteen were set as independent variables. Discrete or continuous values were collected from papers for each variable of each data set. In total, 401 experimental groups were manually annotated from 74 peer-reviewed publications containing mouse protection data for live attenuated Brucella vaccines or vaccine candidates. Our ANOVA analysis indicated that nine variables contributed significantly (P-value 0.05). The protection level of RB51 was sacrificed when the values of several variables (e.g., vaccination route, vaccine viability, and challenge pathogen strain) change. It is suggestive that it is difficult to protect against aerosol challenge. Somewhat counter-intuitively, our results indicate that intraperitoneal and subcutaneous vaccinations are much more effective to protect against aerosol Brucella challenge than intranasal vaccination. Literature meta-analysis identified variables that significantly contribute to Brucella vaccine protection efficacy. The results obtained provide critical information for rational vaccine study design. Literature meta-analysis is generic and can be applied to analyze variables critical for vaccine protection against other infectious diseases.
Structural Acoustic Analysis and Design of Aircraft Components

The configurations on improved high speed, low observable aircraft expose many critical areas on the structure to extreme environments including structural, thermal, and acoustic loading. To truly model the entire structural response, the loading effects from all disciplines must be considered. This paper highlights the preliminary design considerations that will be utilized in design studies and future optimization of embedded engine exhaust-washed systems, aircraft wings, and substructures, and other aircraft components that are exposed to vibro-acoustic loading. By optimizing the integrated aircraft components that involve interactions between fluid and structural coupled systems, the pressure magnitude in the frequency response functions and acoustic intensity can be reduced at critical areas, which can prolong the fatigue life of aircraft structures.
Highly Accurate Classification of Watson-Crick Basepairs on Termini of Single DNA Molecules

We introduce a computational method for classification of individual DNA molecules measured by an α-hemolysin channel detector. We show classification with better than 99% accuracy for DNA hairpin molecules that differ only in their terminal Watson-Crick basepairs. Signal classification was done in silico to establish performance metrics (i.e., where train and test data were of known type, via single-species data files). It was then performed in solution to assay real mixtures of DNA hairpins. Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) were used with Expectation/Maximization for denoising and for associating a feature vector with the ionic current blockade of the DNA molecule. Support Vector Machines (SVMs) were used as discriminators, and were the focus of off-line training. A multiclass SVM architecture was designed to place less discriminatory load on weaker discriminators, and novel SVM kernels were used to boost discrimination strength. The tuning on HMMs and SVMs enabled biophysical analysis of the captured molecule states and state transitions; structure revealed in the biophysical analysis was used for better feature selection.
Quantifying Physician Activities in Emergency Care: An Exploratory Study

Emergency departments (ED) are prototypical complex environments. Physician activities in these settings are characterized as episodic, dynamic and collaborative. Using an exploratory study supported by observations, physician shadowing and interviews, we characterize the physician’s activities in an ED including the nature of activities, the time allocated for these activities, how these activities are distributed across the unit and the susceptibility of these activities for interruptions. We found that approximately onefourth (~25%) of the physician activities (e.g., direct patient care) were localized at specific locations in the unit, while the rest of the activities (e.g., communication) were distributed across the unit and were less predictable. The non-localized activities had a likelihood of interruptions. The results have important implications for mitigating the physician workload, and the design of technologies for monitoring such complex settings.
The relationship of interacting immunological components in dengue pathogenesis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are over 50 million cases of dengue fever reported annually and approximately 2.5 billion people are at risk. Mild dengue fever presents with headache, fever, rash, myalgia, osteogenic pain, and lethargy. Severe disease can manifest as dengue shock syndrome (DSS) or dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Symptoms of DSS/DHF are leukopenia, low blood volume and pressure encephalitis, cold and sweaty skin, gastrointestinal bleeding, and spontaneous bleeding from gums and nose. Currently, there are no therapeutics available beyond supportive care and untreated complicated dengue fever can have a 50% mortality rate. According to WHO DSS/DHF is the leading cause of childhood mortality in some Asian countries. Dendritic cells are professional antigen presenting cells that are primary targets in a dengue infection. Dengue binds to D endritic C ell-S pecific I ntercellular adhesion molecule-3-G rabbing N on-integrin (DC-SIGN). DC-SIGN has a high affinity for ICAM3 which is expressed in activating T-cells. Previous studies have demonstrated an altered T-cell phenotype expressed in dengue infected patients that could be potentially mediated by dengue-infected DCs.
Recent progress in spectroscopy of tungsten11This review is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.

This contribution reviews experimental and theoretical work on spectroscopy of tungsten published since the last critical compilation of the energy levels and spectral lines of highly ionized tungs...
Reversible Projection Technique for Colon Unfolding

Colon unfolding provides an efficient way to navigate the colon in computed tomographic colonography (CTC). Most existing unfolding techniques only compute forward projections. When radiologists find abnormalities or conduct measurements on the unfolded view (which is often quicker and easier), it is difficult to locate the corresponding region on the 3-D view for further examination (which is more accurate and reliable). To address this, we propose a reversible projection technique for colon unfolding. The method makes use of advanced algorithms including rotation-minimizing frames, recursive ring sets, mesh skinning, and cylindrical projection. Both forward and reverse mapping can be computed for points on the colon surface. Therefore, it allows for detecting and measuring polyps on the unfolded view and mapping them back to the 3-D surface. We generated realistic colon simulation data incorporating most colon characteristics, such as curved centerline, variable distention, haustral folds, teniae coli, and colonic polyps. Our method was tested on both simulated data and data from 110 clinical CTC studies. The results showed submillimeter accuracy in simulated data and -0.23 ± 1.67 mm in the polyp measurement using clinical CTC data. The major contributions of our technique are: 1) the use of a recursive ring set method to solve the centerline and surface correspondence problem; 2) reverse transformation from the unfolded view to the 3-D view; and 3) quantitative validation using a realistic colon simulation and clinical CTC polyp measurement.
Efficacy of histone deacetylase inhibitors in NSCLC is attenuated by NF-kB acetylation

Introduction: Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDI) fail to induce apoptosis in NSCLC relating, in part, to the activation of the anti-apoptotic transcription factor NF-kB in a PI3K/Akt dependent manner. We hypothesize that 1) the HDI, SAHA, activates NF-kB through p65 acetylation and that 2) NF-kB inhibition will sensitize NSCLC to SAHA-induced apoptosis. Methods: Four tumorigenic NSCLC cell lines were treated with SAHA, the PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 or both drugs. NF-kB activity was determined by luciferase assays and by RT-PCR of the NF-kB-dependent genes Il-8, cIAP2, Bcl-XL, and Bfl/A1. Luciferase assays were repeated in cells overexpressing either the active NF-kB subunit p65wt or a p65K310R mutant protein. Cells were treated +/− SAHA and p65 acetylation determined by immunoblotting. Apoptosis was measured by caspase-3 activity, DNA fragmentation, and FACS analysis. Statistical significance was determined by Student’s t-test. Results: SAHA enhanced transcription of luciferase (p<0.003) and the endogenous genes IL-8, cIAP2, Bcl-XL, and Bfl/A1. These effects were attenuated by LY294002 (p<0.004). Acetylation of p65wt but not p65K310R was enhanced by SAHA. Expression of the p65K310R mutant protein reduced luciferase transcription relative to cells expressing p65wt (p<0.02). Treatment of NSCLC cells with both SAHA and LY294002 resulted in greater apoptosis compared to all other groups (p<0.002). Conclusions: SAHA dramatically enhanced NF-kB activity, in part, through acetylation of p65 and these effects were blocked by LY294002. Combined HDI and PI3K/Akt inhibition induced apoptosis in NSCLC and may represent a novel approach to the treatment of patients with NSCLC.
Role of symbiotic gut bacteria in the development of Acrosternum hilare and Murgantia histrionica

The green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare (Say), and the harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) (both Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), are pests of many economically important crops. Although both species have been studied extensively, until recently their relationships with symbiotic gut bacteria have remained unknown. The endosymbionts may be important, as other pentatomomorphan species harbor vertically transmitted gut bacteria that play an important role in the biology of their host insects. We report the role of gut symbiotic bacteria on the development and fitness of A. hilare and M. histrionica by comparing control insects with individuals that hatched from surface sterilized egg masses. We studied the life history of A. hilare and M. histrionica under laboratory conditions at 23 ± 2 °C and L16:D8, measuring nymphal mortality and development time, and estimating other demographic parameters. We also evaluated egg masses, nymphs, and adults of both species with diagnostic PCR primers for the presence of specific gut symbiotic bacteria for both treatments. Our results show that egg mass surface sterilization eliminates or reduces the prevalence of this bacterium-insect symbiosis in both species. Acrosternum hilare's development time, survivorship, and other demographic parameters were negatively affected by surface sterilization of egg masses. Conversely, M. histrionica's survivorship was marginally increased by clearing its symbiont infection during the first generation; however, mean generation time was significantly longer. Our data indicate that the degree of mutualism in this association for pentatomid species is variable, given that A. hilare requires its symbiont for adequate development and survival, whereas M. histrionica's symbiont may not be required for development and survival under the experimental conditions used.
Comment on “state income taxation with mobile labor”

The objective of Wildasin's paper is to estimate the excess burden (from the state's perspective) created by the state income taxation of high-income households, due to the resulting distortions to these households' location decisions. The supply of high-income households to each state is assumed to be infinitely elastic; in contrast, lower-income workers and capital are assumed to be completely immobile. The estimates assume a Cobb-Douglas production function for each state in which each income group is a separate factor of production.' The resulting estimates of the marginal excess burden from extra taxes on high-income workers range as high as 16 percent of the tax revenue raised; they are worse for taxes on higher-income households, where average tax rates are higher. While this excess burden may not seem particularly large relative to other estimates of the marginal excess burden created by existing taxes, the Diamond-Mirrlees [1971] results on optimal taxes still imply, under certain assumptions, that the optimal tax rate on mobile households should be zero. The argument can be summarized as follows: Given that the welfare of mobile workers will not be affected by any tax, since their utility will always equal the level available elsewhere, the burden of any tax must fall on other households in the jurisdiction. Given that other households are paying the tax anyway, it should be better to tax them directly, thereby avoiding the excess burden created by driving away some of the mobile households. This is strictly true as long as alternative direct taxes on the immobile factors exist which have the same incidence as the taxes on mobile households. If these alternative taxes do exist, then taxes on mobile households are dominated and should not be used. Wildasin assumes that only high-income households are mobile, but the same logic applies to any mobile factor. What matters here is the tax paid by each household net of the value of any public expenditures they receive. The result here is that net taxes on these households should be zero. Under a zero net tax, each household simply pays for the services they receive. Wildasin reached the narrower conclusion that states would be better off equalizing the average tax rate on all higher-income households. The implications of the model are in fact much stronger. I am very sympathetic to the basic tenor of these points and have argued along similar lines in Gordon [1992], though my paper assumed that all households were mobile. In spite of my basic agreement with the direction of the paper, however, I still should point out a variety of reasons for doubting the conclusions. To begin with, the immobile factors that end up bearing the tax can include not just other households but also land and long-lived capital,
Eplerenone Antagonizes Atherosclerosis, But What Is the Agonist?

A recent analysis of the Framingham Heart Study implicated elevated serum aldosterone as an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease.1 Although adrenal-derived aldosterone may prove to be important in this regard, less evident is the source of aldosterone and the mechanism for mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation in studies such as the Randomized ALdactone Evaluation Study (RALES)2 and the Eplerenone Post-acute myocardial infarction Heart failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS),3 where MR blockade exerts obvious cardiovascular benefit but adrenal aldosterone levels are normal. In this issue of Hypertension , the article by Takai et al4 documents such a study and thereby adds to the discussion not only of the applicability of MR blockade in cardiovascular disease but also of the mechanisms for MR activation. The authors report that monkeys with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia treated with the selective MR antagonist eplerenone had reduced extent of atherosclerotic lesions in aorta and carotid arteries compared with placebo-treated monkeys. The results extend the beneficial influence of MR blockade to a model with similarities highly relevant to the atherogenic process in humans. Rajagopalan et al5 were the first to demonstrate that local vascular expression of MR might play a role in atherosclerosis. In this study, dietary hypercholesterolemia in rabbits was associated with increased aorta superoxide generation. Eplerenone administration to hypercholesterolemic rabbits normalized superoxide generation, decreased NADH and NADPH oxidase activity to basal levels, and nearly normalized endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. A study by Keidar et al6 showed similar inhibition of atherosclerosis when eplerenone was administered to apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice. …
Comparison of complications, costs, and length of stay of three different lumbar interbody fusion techniques: an analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) techniques have been used for years to treat a number of pathologies of the lower back. These procedures may use an anterior, posterior, or combined surgical approach. Each approach is associated with a unique set of complications, but the exact prevalence of complications associated with each approach remains unclear. PURPOSE: To investigate the rates of perioperative complications of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), posterior/transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (P/TLIF), and LIF with a combined anterior-posterior interbody fusion (APF). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective review of national data from a large administrative database. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients undergoing ALIF, P/TLIF, or APF. OUTCOME MEASURES: Perioperative complications, length of stay (LOS), total costs, and mortality. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried for patients undergoing ALIF, P/TLIF, or APF between 2001 and 2010 as identified via International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision codes. Univariate analyses were carried out comparing the three cohorts in terms of the outcomes of interest. Multivariate analysis for primary outcomes was carried out adjusting for overall comorbidity burden, race, gender, age, and length of fusion. National estimates of annual total number of procedures were calculated based on the provided discharge weights. Geographic distribution of the three cohorts was also investigated. RESULTS: Anestimatedtotal of 923,038LIFswereperformed between 2001and 2010in the United States. Posterior/transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions accounted for 79% to 86% of total LIFs between 2001 and 2010, ALIFs for 10% to 15%, and APF decreased from 10% in 2002 to less than 1% in 2010. On average, P/TLIF patients were oldest (54.55 years), followed by combined approach (47.23 years) and ALIF (46.94 years) patients (p!.0001). Anterior lumbar interbody fusion, P/TLIF, and combined surgical costs were $75,872, $65,894, and $92,249, respectively (p!.0001). Patients in the P/TLIF cohort had the greatest number of comorbidities, having the highest prevalence for 10 of 17 comorbidities investigated. Anterior-posterior interbody fusion group was associated with thegreatest number of complications, having the highest incidence of 12 of the 16 complications investigated.
Moment Theory of Band Spreading, Skew ness, and Resolution in Programmed Temperature Gas Chromatography

Abstract Expressions for first, second, and third moments are developed for a simple model of gas-liquid partition Chromatography with linear temperature programming. The results show how increased heating rate causes increased sharpening of output peaks, even though resolution is decreased. Second and third central moments are nearly inversely proportional to heating rate.
Electrodeposition of Cobalt‐Chromium Alloy from Trivalent Chromium Solutions

Cobalt-chromium alloy was deposited from plating solutions containing cobalt(II) chloride and chromium(III) chloride at 3.5 pH. The deposits were obtained using both single and mixed complex solutions. Deposit morphology showed significant dependence on the complexing agent(s) used. Partitioning of the two components in the deposit as determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy depended on plating parameters such as concentration ratio of the two salts in the solution, complexing agent, type of current (both dc and pulsed current were studied), and current density. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra collected from as-deposited alloy revealed the presence of both oxides and metals. X-ray diffraction spectra for the alloy deposit indicated solid solution formation.
Human Bocavirus: Developing Evidence for Pathogenicity

number of individuals without respiratory symptoms were included as controls, and HBoV either was not found or was found very infrequently in this group of individuals. As described in both of these articles, HBoV is a member of the genus Bocavirus and is closely related to parvovirus B19, which also is in thesubfamilyParvovirinae in the family Parvoviridae. Thereareother bocaviruses found in cattle and in dogs; the name“bocavirus”itselfisderivedfrom the combination of “bo” (from “bovine”) and “ca” (from “canine”). One of these bocaviruses, bovine parvovirus, primarily causes diarrhea, and the other, minute virus of canines, causes neonatal respiratory disease and embryopathy. The human virus appears to be very common. In the 9 published studies of HBoV, the virus was detected in 1.5%–11.3% of individuals with acute respiratory illness who had respiratory samples screenedforHBoV,with a frequency of detection of 5.0%–5.5% noted for most of the studies [1–9]. All of the studies but one [5] have found that the virus is most frequently detected in infants !3 years of age. This frequency of detection makes HBoV less common than respiratory syncytial virus and probably also rhinoviruses in infants with respiratory illnesses; approximately as common as influenz viruses, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenz virus type 3, and adenoviruses; and probably more common than coronaviruses and the other parainfluenz viruses. What else do we know about HBoV? The answer is not much yet, even though the genome has been fully sequenced. The firs question we should ask aboutanymicroorganism that is found in the respiratorytractduringillnessiswhetheritcauses any disease. Could it simply be carried asymptomatically in the respiratory tract like, for example, the adenovirus-associated viruses, which are also members of the Parvoviridae family? Finding, in 2 studies, a zero or very low incidence among control infants of the same age, sampled over the same time period in the same hospitals, is a huge advance in this regard, because it provides a statistical association of the virus with disease. It does not, however, prove causality, although it adds important corroborative support.
Predictors of serum concentrations of polybrominated flame retardants among healthy pregnant women in an urban environment: a cross-sectional study.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of brominated flame retardants commonly used in a wide range of products. Prenatal exposure to PBDEs has been associated with adverse neurodevelopment. Our objective was to characterize predictors of exposure to PBDEs among a multi-ethnic, low-income cohort of pregnant women enrolled from highly urban communities in New York City between years 2009–2010. During the first half of pregnancy we collected 316 maternal serum samples and administered an extensive questionnaire including items on demographics, diet and lifestyle. We measured 12 PBDE congeners in blood samples. Using bivariate and multivariate approaches, we regressed the most commonly detected PBDE congeners (PBDE-47, -99, -100 and -153) against potential demographic, dietary and lifestyle predictor variables. At least one PBDE congener was detected in each serum sample. Our analyses demonstrate unique predictor patterns for PBDE-47, -99, -100 and -153 based on demographic, lifestyle and dietary characteristics of women. Higher education and increased use of household electronics were associated with higher levels of all 4 congeners. Six characteristics were associated with PBDE-153 serum concentrations, more than for any other congener. These include maternal education, household income, body mass index, solid dairy consumption, processed meat consumption and frequent use of household electronics. PBDE exposure in this widespread in this cohort, though levels are lower than previous assessments of US pregnant women. Lower levels may be in response to legislation restricting the production, sale and use of these compounds. In our cohort, we did not observe any individual predictor or a consistent pattern of several predictors representing a significant source of PBDE exposure. These data suggest that legislation and policy may be more effective at reducing exposure than personal lifestyle modifications.
The Psychobiological Model: Towards a New Theory of Computer-Mediated Communication Based on Darwinian Evolution

This article reviews theories of organizational communication with a special emphasis on theories that have been used to explain computer-mediated communication phenomena. Among the theories reviewed, two--social presence and media richness--are identified as problematic and as posing obstacles to future theoretical development. While shortcomings of these theories have been identified in the past, some of these theories' predictions have been supported by empirical evidence. It is argued that this theoretical dilemma can be resolved based upon principles derived from a modern version of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and the application of those principles to the understanding of human evolution. A new theoretical model called the psychobiological model is developed, which predicts variations in cognitive effort in computer-mediated collaborative tasks. The model proposes that there is a negative causal link between the "naturalness" of a computer-mediated communication medium, which is the similarity of the medium to the face-to-face medium, and the cognitive effort required from an individual using the medium for knowledge transfer. The model also states that this link is counterbalanced by what are referred to as "schema alignment" and "cognitive adaptation." The schema alignment construct refers to the similarity between the mental schemas of an individual and those of other participant(s). The cognitive adaptation construct refers to an individual's level of schema development associated with the use of a particular medium. Finally, the model states that the degree to which the medium supports an individual's ability to convey and listen to speech is particularly significant in defining its naturalness, more so than the medium's degree of support for the use of facial expressions and body language. An example is offered of how the psychobiological model can be tested in the context provided by the customer support area of an online broker.
Quality control and risk assessment of seismic profiles using area-depth-strain analysis

Area-depth-strain (ADS) analysis is a method for quantifying the structural style, balance, boundary displacement, detachment locations, and subseismic strain from a seismic profile, information that is particularly useful for quality control and risk analysis. The method is based on measurements of excess area, width, depth, and bed length of multiple horizons in a structure. A balanced structure is indicated by a well-defined line or lines on an area-depth graph. The structural uncertainty or risk of the interpretation is quantified using the fit of the data to the least-squares line(s), the match between the ADS detachment values and the interpreted geometry, and the magnitudes of the calculated strains. The method also clearly separates syntectonic (growth) units from nontectonic (pregrowth and no-growth) units. Different area-depth graph styles represent (1) classic detachment folds, fault-propagation folds, and ramp anticlines; (2) buckle-style detachment folds; and (3) fault-bend folds. The focus here is on the first two. Numerical models of the detachment fold styles show the similarities and differences between their geometries and ADS interpretations. Both styles are evaluated with seismic profiles across oilfield-scale structures. The Alpha/Bobo field, Nigeria, is a classic detachment fold, and an Angolan anticline is of the buckle style. Profiles across the Alpha/Bobo field before and after the first well was drilled demonstrate the improvement in the ADS interpretation of the lower detachment location and the reduction of layer-parallel strains in the revised profile. The Alpha/Bobo field and the Angola fold illustrate the distinction between growth and no-growth intervals and the interpretation of growth strata. Both fields show the use of predicted versus observed ADS results to suggest possible improvements to the interpretation.
Character Building: The Dynamics of Emerging Social Movement Groups

Few studies have collected contemporaneous data on social movements at their earliest stages. Thus, we know little about how social movement groups develop the characteristics that will later become assumed as what the group is. This study explores how social movement groups come to take on a particular character by collecting longitudinal, contemporaneous, comparative, and interactional data on what we term "emerging social movement groups" (ESMGs). Using concepts from time-geographic theory, we examine how three paired ESMGs develop distinctive interpersonal, organizational, and ideological characteristics.
Discovering Condition-Combined Functional Dependency Rules

Conditional functional dependency (CFD) on a relation schema is an important technique of data consistency analysis. However, huge number of CFD rules will lead to lower the efficiency of data cleaning. Thus, we hope to reduce the number of rules by raising support degree of CFD. As a result, some crucial rules may be discarded and the accuracy of data cleaning will be decreasesd. Hence, in this paper, we present a new type of rules which combines the condition values. Using the rules, we can reduce the number of CFD rules and maintain the accuracy of data cleaning. We also propose 1) a 2- process search strategy to discover the combined condition rules, 2) the method of combining the CFD rules by combining the inconflict values and 3) pruning method to improve efficiency of the search. Finally, Our experiments show the efficiency and effectiveness of our solution.
SENIORITY MIXING IN 1f$sub 7$ over $sub 2$ NUCLEI

The (d,t) experiments on nuclei in which the 1f/sup 7/2/ shell is filling with neutrons and protons show several strong 1 = 3 peaks. This is interpreted as showing that the eigenfunctions describing nuclei in this region do not have well defined seniority. The Elliott generating procedure provides an alternative classification for the eigenfunctions and leads to states of mixed seniority. The strengths of the transitions calculated by use of these wave functions are generally in good agreement with experiment. (auth)
Insecticidal Control of Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in Soybean

Abstract The invasive kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria (F.) (Hemiptera: Plataspidae), has become an economic pest of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, in the southeastern United States since its initial discovery in Georgia. Information on management practices, including insecticides, is limited due to its uncertain pest status in its native range and recent introduction to the United States. We evaluated the efficacy in controlling M. cribraria and economic benefits of a variety of insecticides labeled for use in soybean from different chemical classes in field trials in South Carolina and Georgia from 2010 through 2012. Several pyrethroids were among the most effective insecticides for control of M. cribraria. The pyrethroid bifenthrin had an immediate (2–6 d after treatment application) percentage of control of 97.5 ± 0.2% (SEM), which was the highest of the active ingredients tested. Likewise, net marginal benefits were typically greatest for pyrethroids, either alone or tank-mixed with other material...
Future Trends in Plant Cell Biotechnology

The plant tissue culture (ptc) technique has grown spectacularly since the 1930’s when it was demonstrated that aseptic plant organs and explants could be subcultured (Gautheret 1983). A dramatic example of this growth is the large number of ptc research articles published in 1985, 4,200, which is seven times greater than that published in 1965 (Bhojwani et al 1986). Another even more significant growth indicator is the attendance of more than 1,500 scientists at the 1986 International Association of Plant Tissue Culture (IAPTC). The number attending exceeded by approximately one-third that attending the 1982 IAPTC meeting. It does appear that the ptc technique has evolved from an art to that of a science with principles that assure reasonable experimental reproducibility. However, the question of ptc as an art or a science is irrelevant as it has dramatically affected the practice of the plant sciences in academia, the government, and industry.
Kilowatt-level narrow-linewidth monolithic fiber amplifier based on laser gain competition

Laser gain competition was used in conjunction with external phase modulation techniques in order to investigate power scaling of narrow-linewidth monolithic Ytterbium-doped fiber amplifiers. In this study, both pseudo-random bit sequence (PRBS) and filtered white noise source (WNS) modulation techniques were separately utilized to drive the external phase modulator for linewidth broadening. The final-stage amplifier was then seeded with the phase modulated narrow-linewidth 1064 nm signal along with a spectrally broader 1038 nm source. Consequently, integration of laser gain competition in conjunction with PRBS phase modulation yields a factor of ∼15 dB in stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) threshold enhancement at a clock rate of 2.5 GHz; leading to 1 kilowatt of output power with 85% optical efficiency at 1064 nm. Notably, the combination of PRBS phase modulation with laser gain competition provided superior enhancement in SBS threshold power when compared to the WNS modulated case. The beam quality at maximum power was near the diffraction limit (M2 <1.2) with no sign of modal instability. Overall, the power scaling results represent a significant reduction in spectral linewidth compared to that of commercially available narrowlinewidth Ytterbium-doped fiber amplifiers.
Family Functioning as a Mediator of Relations between Family History of Substance Use Disorder and Impulsivity.

Impulsivity is strongly related to the development of adolescent substance use. Therefore, understanding factors that influence impulsive characteristics is important for the development of prevention and intervention programs. Intervention and prevention programs focused on factors that influence impulsive characteristics are especially important for those at particularly high risk for the expression of impulsivity - those with a family history of substance use disorder. A factor of particular interest is family functioning. Aim To examine family functioning as a mediator of relations between having a family history of substance use disorder and impulsivity. Methods Participants included a majority Hispanic sample of pre-adolescent boys and girls (mean age 10.99, SD = .84) recruited from the community who did (FH+) and did not (FH-) have a family history of substance use disorder. FH status and the quality of family functioning were compared at the initial visit with impulsiveness assessed a year later. Results Results showed FH+ children had worse family functioning; worse family functioning was related to higher levels of impulsivity, and higher levels of impulsivity among FH+ children were due to the influence of family functioning on levels of impulsivity. In other words, family functioning mediated relations between having a family history of substance use disorder and impulsivity. Conclusion These results indicate that higher levels of impulsivity in FH+ children are due in part to worse family functioning.
Multistate Evaluation of Microbial Water and Sediment Quality from Agricultural Recovery Basins

Agricultural recovery basins are an important conservation practice designed to provide temporary storage of sediment and water on farms before low-volume discharge. However, food safety concerns have been raised regarding redistribution of captured sediment and water to fields used for human food production. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential microbiological risk that recovery basins may contribute to nearby produce fields and to evaluate characteristics that may influence or mitigate those risks. Water and sediment samples were collected from participating farms in three states and evaluated for bacterial indicators and pathogens over several months. Overall, 45% ( = 48) of water samples and less than 15% ( = 13) of sediment samples were positive for spp. In water samples, the occurrence of was positively associated with the use of surface water as a source of irrigation compared with groundwater as well as log-scale increases in concentration. In sediment samples, was associated with basin location (region) and basin fill levels. Sediment exposed to drying during dewatering had lower concentrations of indicator and a lower proportion of positives than submerged sediment from the same pond. Surrounding landscape characteristics, including vegetative coverage, proximity to livestock operations, and evidence of wildlife, were not correlated with pathogen occurrence in either sediment or water samples, suggesting that although habitat surrounding ponds may be an attractant to wildlife, those features may not contribute to increased pathogen occurrence in agricultural recovery basins.
Simulation of Oil Field Mixed Transmission Network Based on OPNET

The study aims at the actual network status of one work section in Daqing oil field,makes a network analysis and planning for the new mixed model of this work section,expends wireless network for the work section on the basis of existing network,and conjoins wire and wireless network together to form an integrated oil field information transfer system.At the same time,using OPNET MODELER simulation flat roof to structure simulation models(network models,node models and a process model),and analyzing the functions and work mechanism of the major modules for related models,making a simulation for the structured network models,then according to the different parameters,analyzing the individual statistics comparatively such as delay,data dropped and so on,the effects of data packet,data rate and fragmentation threshold to the network performance are gained.After all these,the best structure network scheme for this improved section is determined.
Are TKIs favourable for the elderly with non-small-cell lung cancer?

// Sabrina Rossi 1 , Ettore D’Argento 1 , Giovanni Schinzari 1 , Vincenzo Dadduzio 1 , Vincenzo Di Noia 1 , Alessandra Cassano 1 and Carlo Barone 1 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy Correspondence to: Ettore D’Argento, email: // Keywords : gefitinib; afatinib; elderly; concomitant medications; efficacy; Gerotarget Received : March 17, 2016 Accepted : April 22, 2016 Published : May 17, 2016 Abstract Background: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have changed treatment strategies for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbouring mutations in EGFR gene. This retrospective analysis assessed efficacy and safety of TKIs in elderly compared to younger patients. Patients and methods: 49 patients with advanced NSCLC and mutations in exon 19 or 21 receiving a first-line therapy with TKIs were included and divided into patients aged <70 years and patients aged ≥ 70 years. Primary endpoints were progression free survival (PFS), response rate (RR) and clinical benefit in terms of quality of life; secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results: Median PFS was significantly longer in elderly in comparison to younger patients (12.6 and 5.6 months, respectively; p = .008). RR was 64% in younger patients and 75% in elderly population. Eighteen out of 20(90%) elderly patients treated with gefitinib experienced symptoms relief and upgrading of performance status. No difference in terms of OS was found ( p = .34). Conclusion: TKIs seem more effective in elderly than in younger patients affected by NSCLC with an EGFR gene mutation. We hypothesize that the main difference between the two populations is the number of medications related to concomitant comorbidities that cause an increased plasma level of TKIs.
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Den 230 medizinischen Zeitschriften, die vor 15 Jahren in den Vereinigten Staaten erschienen, stehen zur Zeit etwa 125 gegenuber1. In diesen werden zahkeiche wissenschaftliche, sog. Originalarbeiten veroffentlicht. Die Abfassung und Publikation medizinischer Aufsatze kann wesentlich zu dem Erfolge eines Arztes beitragen, der sich durch sie in weiten Kreisen Geltung erwirbt: Vortrage vermitteln den Namen des Arztes und die Ergebnisse seiner Untersuchungen nur Hunderten, eine gedruckte Arbeit macht den Verfasser Tausenden bekannt. Noch wichtiger ist, das die Abfassung einer Arbeit die Kenntnisse des Antors uber die behandelte Frage vertieft. Voraussetzung des Erfolges auf literarischem Gebiet ist aber eine entsprechende Vorbildung. Obgleich die Aufnahmebedingungen in unseren Hochschulen zu der Annahme berechtigen, das ein Studierender der Medizin fahig sein sollte, einen Satz grammatikalisch richtig zu fassen und orthographische Fehler zu vermeiden, so zeigt doch die Erfahrung der Herausgeber medizinischer Zeitschriften, das die meisten Arzte in dieser Beziehung entweder unfahig oder zu nachlassig sind.