cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Introduction to Stability Conditions

Let X be a smooth projective Calabi–Yau variety over \(\mathbb {C}\). Then \(\mathcal {D}^b(X)\), the derived category of coherent sheaves on X, is equivalent to the category of D-branes on X [9]. In [10], Douglas defined a notion of stability for D-branes on X called \(\Pi \)-stability. This notion of stability was meant to pick out BPS-branes on X. In [7], Bridgeland aimed to define a notion of stability directly for objects in \(\mathcal {D}^b(X)\) which would correspond to \(\Pi \)-stability for D-branes. Bridgeland’s stability can be defined on any triangulated category, and hence has been studied in other cases, such as for varieties which are not Calabi–Yau.
The Diet, Health, and Environment Trilemma

As populations become more affluent and urbanized, diets are shifting such that they are becoming higher in calories and include more highly processed foods and animal products. These dietary shift...
ARtPM: Article Retrieval for Precision Medicine

Abstract Background Information curation and literature surveillance efforts that synthesize the current knowledge about the impact of genetic variability on disease states and drug responses are vitally important for the practise of evidence-based precision medicine. For these efforts, finding the relevant and comprehensive set of articles from the ever growing scientific literature is a challenge. Methods We have designed and developed Article Retrieval for Precision Medicine (ARtPM), an end-to-end article retrieval system that employs multi-stage architecture to retrieve and rank relevant articles for a given medical case summary (genetic variants, disease, demographic, and other medical conditions). We compared ARtPM with five baselines, including PubMed Best Match, the improved search functionality recently introduced by PubMed. Results The differences in the performance of ARtPM and five baselines were statistically significant for four metrics that quantify different aspects of search effectiveness (P-values for P@10, R-prec, infNDCG, Recall@1000 were Conclusion The recall-focused phase of the ARtPM is effective at retrieving more relevant articles. The precision-focused ranking phase performs well at deeper ranks but needs further work on early ranks (e.g., richer feature set). Overall, the ARtPM system effectively facilitates evidence-based precision medicine practice, and provides a robust search framework for further work in this direction.
Fundamentals of Dynamic Properties Measurement of Elastomers: Part II—Instrumentation, Computation, and Compensation

Instrument requirements for determining the dynamic properties of elastomers are particularly stringent because of the inherently low phase shift between force and displacement. Some currently available instruments and their tradeoffs are briefly discussed. A basic concept of employing matching circuits to eliminate the necessity for measuring both of the across variables, namely, position and velocity, is described, as well as the computational circuits to recover the missing variable. A scheme for compensating the phase-lagging characteristics of the transducer-amplifier combination is also presented.
Recurrent Imputation for Multivariate Time Series with Missing Values

Multivariate time series data are ubiquitous in real-world healthcare systems. It is a common issue that the data contain missing values due to various reasons, such as sensor damage, data corruption, patient dropout. There have been various works on filling the missing values in multivariate time series. Classical imputation methods include KNN-based, Matrix Factorization based, and Expectation-Maximization (EM) based imputation and so on. These methods are developed for general imputation purpose and rarely utilize the temporal relations between observations. Classical statistical time series models such as autoregressive (AR) models and dynamic linear models (DLM) (e.g. [1]) can capture the temporal information, but they are essentially linear and may not be suitable for modern complex large-scale data. ImputeTS [2] employs time dependencies on univariate time series imputation, which ignores feature correlations. Recent works [3, 4] develop the imputation framework that can take advantages of the traditional methods and resolve their drawbacks. Another trend of models is based on recurrent neural network (RNN) [5–10], utilizing RNN to capture temporal dependencies and further considering various aspects of the data characteristics, such as time decay, feature correlation, residual link, and temporal belief gate. In this paper, we propose an RNN-based imputation method for filling the missing values in multivariate time series. RNN is used to capture the temporal information of time series. We use a global RNN and variable-specific RNNs to perform imputation based on historical information, and a fusion gate to combine them. At each timestamp, we use a regression layer to impute the value of a certain variable using other variables, by utilizing the relationship of variables. Bi-directional imputation is adopted to improve the ability of long-term memory and performance of starting timestamps.
Por quê es necesaria la educación teolôgica

In today’s Christian world, theology tends to be despised; and to my amazement, this aversion seems to be spreading even within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Theological education in some circles is unwelcome and unessential. Furthermore, the belief in the imminent return of Jesus Christ has led some to reject not only general higher education but theology schools as well. In this article, from the eschatological context in which we live, the author points out that a true, broad, and balanced pastoral education is a sine qua non to acquiring right biblical-theological training. Adventist theology prepares people to search for the truth, know the truth, love the truth, follow the truth, live the truth, proclaim the truth, and be ready for the Second Coming of Christ.
Embedding Preference Elicitation Within the Search for DCOP Solutions

A key assumption in Distributed Constraint Optimization Problem (DCOP) model is that all constraints are fully specified or known a priori, which may not hold in applications where constraints encode preferences of human users. We extend the model to Incomplete DCOPs (I-DCOPs), where some constraints can be partially specified. User preferences for these partially-specified constraints can be elicited during the execution of I-DCOP algorithms, but they incur some elicitation costs. Additionally, we extend the Synchronous Branch-and-Bound (SyncBB) algorithm to solve I-DCOPs. Our model extends the state of the art in distributed constraint reasoning to better model and solve distributed agent-based applications with user preferences.
von Hippel–Lindau Disease

von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominantly inherited cancer syndrome predisposing to a variety of malignant and benign neoplasms (mainly retinal, cerebellar, and spinal hemangioblastoma; renal cell carcinoma; and pheochromocytoma).
Structure-aided development of small molecule inhibitors of ENPP1, the extracellular phosphodiesterase of the immunotransmitter cGAMP

Cancer cells initiate an innate immune response by synthesizing and exporting the small molecule immunotransmitter cGAMP, which activates the anti-cancer Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway in the host. An extracellular enzyme, ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1), hydrolyzes cGAMP and negatively regulates this anti-cancer immune response. Small molecule ENPP1 inhibitors are much needed as tools to study basic biology of extracellular cGAMP and as investigational cancer immunotherapy drugs. Here, we surveyed structure-activity relationships around a series of cell-impermeable and thus extracellular-targeting phosphonate inhibitors of ENPP1. Additionally, we solved the crystal structure of an exemplary phosphonate inhibitor to elucidate the interactions that drive potency. This study yielded several best-in-class compounds with Ki < 2 nM and excellent physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. Finally, we demonstrate that an ENPP1 inhibitor delays tumor growth in a breast cancer mouse model. Together, we have developed ENPP1 inhibitors that are excellent tool compounds and potential therapeutics.
H2S donors with optical responses

Reactive sulfur species, including hydrogen sulfide (H2S), are important biological mediators and play key roles in different pathophysiological conditions. Small molecules that release H2S on demand, often referred to as "H2S donors," constitute a key investigative tool for H2S-related research. A significant challenge, however, is correlating the rate of H2S release from such donors in complex systems with biological outcomes, because release rates are commonly perturbed by different biological environments. In this chapter, we outline an approach to use H2S donors that provide a fluorescent response upon H2S release to address this problem. These compounds leverage the intermediate release of carbonyl sulfide (COS), which is quickly converted to H2S by the endogenous enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA), to provide activatable donors with an optical response. The described donors are activated by biological thiols and provide a fluorescence response that correlates directly with H2S delivery, which allows for delivered H2S levels to be measured in real time by fluorescence techniques.
Optical Identification of the X-Ray Burster in the Globular Cluster NGC 1851

We have obtained exposures of the field of X0512-401 in the globular cluster NGC 1851, in X-rays with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, and in the far-UV with the Hubble Space Telescope. We derive an accurate new X-ray position (within ~1'') for X0512-401, which enables us to confirm that the only plausible candidate for the optical/UV counterpart is star A, which we previously identified from Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 imaging. We find no evidence for X-ray or UV flux modulation on the ultrashort (1 hr) expected binary period, which implies a low system inclination. In addition, we have detected and spatially resolved an X-ray burst event, confirming the association of the burster, quiescent X-ray source, and optical object. The very large LX/Lopt of this object implies an extraordinarily compact system, similar to the sources in NGC 6624 and NGC 6712.
Assessing the Impact of Government Interventions on the Spread of COVID-19 with Dynamic Epidemic Models: A case study of Texas

COVID-19 has been rapidly spreading and causing hundreds of thousands of casualties across the world. This disease originated in Wuhan, China in 2019, and it has since proliferated into a pandemic, causing the public’s daily lives to change drastically around the world. Despite the evolution of COVID-19, remarkably little is known about the efficacy of proposed protective safety orders. Thus, our paper is intended to study the effectiveness of the local and state government restrictions and closures in limiting the spread of COVID-19. To mathematically model the spread of COVID-19, we propose a time-dependent SIR model together with Lasso to monitor the trajectories of the transmission and recover rates in relation to the government closures and restrictions, and further predict the number of cases. To validate our model, we conduct both simulation and state level data analysis. Since the government orders vary among different states, we use Texas as an example state to illustrate our algorithm for assessing the government intervention. Our one-day prediction error for the confirmed cases is around 2.47% and less than 1% for the recovered cases. We also find that there are many intervention methods that corresponded to changes in infection rate and recovery rate of the population.
Early Detection of Incipient Alzheimer Pathology: Time Is of the Essence

With the possible advent of disease-modifying treatments by targeting β-amyloid metabolism or deposition, it becomes crucial to identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer dementia as early as possible, preferably before the onset of overt cognitive impairment. Accessibility of screening tools in underserved areas will be important, despite a lack of neurologic or neuropsychological expertise. Long wait times, which are now common for dementia specialist care, will become even more unacceptable if the wait means delaying a disease-modifying treatment. Given the prevalence of Alzheimer disease and related disorders, such screening is likely to place high demands on the medical system.
Herd Health Monitoring and Records Analysis

Food animal veterinarians who wish to do more than just react to their clients' problems need to become involved in the management of the farm. To do so, they must become information managers. They must be able to extract information from farm record systems. They must also become computer literate and be comfortable with data and numbers. While there will always be a need to look at the individual animal, more and more herd problems will be investigated by examining record systems, not just animals. To do so efficiently, veterinarians must be adept at data management. In addition to information about the specific farm, veterinarians must also understand the general conditions facing agricultural industries in the area.
Interval Estimation of the Intra-class Correlation in General Linear Mixed Effects Models

The computation of confidence intervals for the intra-class correlation coefficient is addressed under general linear mixed effects models. Higher order asymptotic procedures are applied to derive accurate confidence intervals and are compared with a confidence interval available in the literature based on an approximate beta distribution. One of the confidence intervals based on the higher order asymptotic procedure performs well in terms of coverage probability and expected width. Balanced and unbalanced data situations are separately considered. The results in the balanced case are illustrated with an example. It will be clear that higher order asymptotic procedures are generally applicable for the accurate interval estimation of functions of fixed effects and variance components in very general linear mixed and random effects models.
The corral apparatus: counterinsurgency and the architecture of death and deterrence along the Mexico/United States border

Abstract In public statements and archival documents U.S. officials have repeatedly made explicit their intention that the deployment of tactical infrastructure along the Mexico/United States border will contribute to the “funneling” of unauthorized migration toward increasingly remote and difficult routes of travel. By amplifying the suffering, risk and uncertainty to which migrants are exposed, it is intended that others in the future will be deterred from considering a similar journey. In this paper, we use the phrase “corral apparatus” to name how heterogeneous elements like walls, checkpoints and surveillance towers combine to form a common architecture of deterrence. We then undertake geospatial modeling of the relationship between this apparatus and the spatiotemporal distribution of human mortality across two major unauthorized migration corridors in southern Arizona. Our analysis identifies a meaningful relationship between the location of these infrastructures and patterns of mortality observed over time. Yet it bears emphasis that the United States government’s ultimate objective is not to kill people, but to manipulate their behavior. To reflect on this point, we explore the relationship between deterrence theory and counterinsurgency as a particular framework of governance, one that emphasizes the targeting of coercive action against a population in order to immobilize an adversary. We discuss how an elaboration on this framework provides clear analytic purchase for understanding connections between those infrastructures of deterrence deployed in remote desert areas and a number of more recent carceral practices and enforcement initiatives undertaken by the United States along its border with Mexico.
Is redo mitral mortality getting better or getting worse

Zubarevich et al. present the 30 day and 1-year outcomes of redo mitral valve replacement in 58 high-risk patients. The authors conclude that careful patient selection and risk stratification provides acceptable surgical results in this cohort. This series reminds us that increased use of bioprostheses, increased use of mitral replacement instead of repair, and an aging population drive the volume of high-risk redo mitral replacement. It remains to be seen whether redo mitral mortality is getting better or worse, but the risk and the patients will be with us for some time.
An analysis of outcomes for pediatric trauma warm fresh whole blood recipients in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Background Whole blood therapy-which contains the ideal balance of components, and particularly fresh whole blood-has been shown to be beneficial in adult trauma. It remains unclear whether there is potential benefit in the pediatric population. Study design and methods This is a secondary analysis of previously published data analyzing pediatric casualties undergoing massive transfusion in the Department of Defense Trauma Registry. Pediatric patients with traumatic injury who were transfused at least one blood product were included in the analysis. We compared children who received component therapy exclusively to those who received any amount of warm fresh whole blood. Results Of the 3439 pediatric casualties within our dataset, 1244 were transfused at least one blood product within the first 24 h. There were 848 patients without severe head injury. Within this cohort, 23 children received warm fresh whole blood overall, 20 of whom did not have severe head injury. In an adjusted analysis, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) for survival for warm fresh whole blood recipients was 2.86 (0.40-20.45). After removing children with severe brain injury, there was an independent association with improved survival for warm fresh whole blood recipients with an odds ratio (95% CI) of 58.63 (2.70-1272.67). Discussion Our data suggest that warm fresh whole blood may be associated with improved survival in children without severe head injury. Larger prospective studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of whole blood in children with severe traumatic bleeding.
Identifiability of Chemical Reaction Networks with Intrinsic and Extrinsic Noise from Stationary Distributions.

Many biological systems can be modeled by a chemical reaction network with unknown parameters through the chemical master equation. Data available to identify these parameters are often in the form of a stationary distribution, such as obtained from single cell measurements in a cell population. In this work, we introduce a framework for analyzing the identifiability of the reaction rate coefficients of stochastic chemical reaction networks from stationary distribution data. Working with the linear noise approximation, which is a diffusive approximation to the chemical master equation, we give a computational procedure to certify global identifiability based on Hilbert's Nullstellensatz. We present a variety of examples that show the applicability of our method to chemical reaction networks of interest in systems and synthetic biology.
Intracranial Germinoma Associated Rubral Tremor Mimicking Neuro-Behcet Disease: Importance of a tissue diagnosis (P3.012)

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the importance of definitive tissue diagnosis in the evaluation of lesional brainstem pathology presenting as Holmes tremor. BACKGROUND: Holmes tremor refers to a hyperkinetic movement disorder (MD) characterized by mild resting and more severe postural and action tremor often with associated brainstem symptoms, dystonia and cerebellar deficits. This syndrome should prompt a lesional evaluation with neuroimaging focused on the dorsal midbrain, cerebellar outflow tracts, and thalamus. CASE REPORT : A 26 year-old previously healthy male presented with 4 years of progressive neurologic decline initially manifesting as horizontal diplopia, right Parinaud syndrome, and appendicular ataxia. Initial neuroimaging revealed a homogenously enhancing lesion in the right dorsal midbrain which resolved with intravenous methylprednisolone. Lumbar puncture was acellular with normal protein but positive oligoclonal bands and a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was made. New left dorsal midbrain lesion developed 1 year later and when additional history suggested recurrent oral aphthae, a presumptive diagnosis of neuro-behcet was entertained. Despite treatment with azathioprine and prednisone followed by infliximab, unrelenting radiographic progression was observed and culminated in new MD 4 years following initial symptom onset. At the time of referral to our institution, he presented with right upper extremity low-frequency rest, postural and action tremor, ataxic dysarthria, and mild right dystonia with dysdiadochokinesia. Uncomplicated brainstem biopsy was performed diagnosing intracranial germinoma. The patient was treated with definitive radiation therapy (RT) and experienced dramatic radiographic response and partial clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed-onset rubral tremor should prompt a lesional evaluation. If diagnostic uncertainty remains following non-invasive testing, intracranial biopsy can be safely pursued. Steroid responsiveness can be seen in non-inflammatory pathology including neoplasms (i.e. lymphoma, germinoma). Prompt evaluation and appropriate treatment are important as Holmes tremor responds poorly to symptomatic therapies and response to RT is favorable for germinomas. Disclosure: Dr. Strowd has nothing to disclose. Dr. Burger has nothing to disclose. Dr. Holdhoff has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kleinberg has nothing to disclose. Dr. Olivi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pardo-Villamizar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Okun has received royalty payments from Demos, Humana, Amazon, Smashwords, Books4Patients, and Cambridge. Dr. Okun has received research support from the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the National Parkinson Foundation, the Parkinson Alliance, the Smallwo Dr. Shiess has nothing to disclose.
Lipoprotein(a) and the LDL receptor (LDL-R): examination of the problem in a pedigree of rhesus monkeys with a familial hypercholesterolemia secondary to LDL-R deficiency

A rhesus monkey model for familial hypercholesterolemia was established. The affected animals were heterozygous for a nonsense mutation of the LDL-receptor gene in a position 284 of exon 6 and presented with high plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and apo B. Plasma concentration of Lp(a) did not correlate with LDL-R deficiency but rather with apo(a) phenotype. The results support the concept that the metabolism of Lp(a) is independent of that of LDL.
Mixing domains in signal processing

We explore the possibility of making signal processors in which two or more domains, usually kept separate, are mixed together. In one case, nonlinear processing is combined with linear processing; in another, digital bit waveforms are directly filtered by analog filters, in a third, digital processors operate in continuous time. In call cases, the resulting system is externally linear and time-variants.
New parameters for Fuchsian groups of genus 2

We give a new real-analytic embedding of the Teichmiiller space of closed Riemann surfaces of genus 2 into R6. The parameters are explicitly defined in terms of the underlying hyperbolic geometry. The embedding is accomplished by writing down four matrices in PSL(2, ), where the entries in these matrices are explicit algebraic functions of the parameters. Explicit inequalities are given to define the image of the embedding; the four matrices corresponding to a point in this image generate a fuchsian group representing a closed Riemann surface of genus 2. In this note we introduce a new, canonical, real-analytic embedding of the Teichmiiller space T2, of closed Riemann surfaces of genus 2, onto an explicitly defined region R C R6. The embedding is defined in terms of the underlying hyperbolic geometry; in particular, the parameters are elementary functions of lengths of simple closed geodesics, and angles and distances between simple closed geodesics. We start with a specific marked Riemann surface So, and a specific set of normalized (non-standard) generators, ao, bo, co, do E PSL(2, R), for the fuchsian group Go representing So. Then we can realize a point in T2 as a set of appropriately normalized generators a, b, c, d E PSL(2, I) for the fuchsian group G representing a deformation S of So. We write the entries in the generators, a,... , d, as elementary functions of eight parameters, all defined in terms of the underlying hyperbolic geometry, and we write down explicit formulae expressing two of these parameters as functions of the other six. Three of our six parameters are necessarily positive; we give two additional inequalities to obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the group G C PSL(2, R), generated by a,... ,d, to be an appropriately normalized quasiconformal deformation of Go. There is a related embedding in [3], where the parameters are fixed points of hyperbolic elements of G. As in [3], we identify the Teichmiiller space with DY), the identity component of the space of discrete faithful representations of 7rl(So) into PSL(2, ) modulo conjugation. The main differences between these two embeddings is that in [3] the four matrices do not have unit determinant and the parameters there are defined in terms of fixed points of elements of the group; here our matrices do have unit determinant, and the parameters are defined in terms of the underlying hyperbolic geometry. Received by the editors October 20, 1997 and, in revised form, February 20, 1998. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 30F10; Secondary 32G15. Research supported in part by NSF Grant DMS 9500557. (?1999 American Mathematical Society
Replication in Simian Cells of Defective Viruses in an SV40-Adenovirus “Hybrid” Population

Butel, Janet S. (Baylor University College of Medicine, Houston, Tex.), and Fred Rapp. Replication in simian cells of defective viruses in an SV40-adenovirus “hybrid” population. J. Bacteriol. 91: 278–284. 1966.—An SV40-adenovirus type 7 “hybrid” virus population, previously shown to contain two viruses capable of complementation in green monkey kidney (GMK) cells, has a growth cycle in GMK cells similar to that of adenovirus type 7 in the presence of SV40. Extending previous preliminary results, the addition of adenovirus types 2, 7, or 12 to monolayers of GMK cells enhanced plaque formation by the SV40-adenovirus hybrid by as much as 200-fold. The terminal enhanced plaques, initiated by the hybrid in the presence of helper adenovirus, were found to contain progeny which could induce the synthesis of SV40 tumor antigen but which were coated with the protein of the helper adenovirus, type 2, 7, or 12, respectively. The particle carrying the SV40 tumor antigen determinant, named PARA, is defective in that it cannot direct the synthesis of capsid protein; information for the coat for PARA is supplied by the adenovirus. One-step growth curves of the hybrid virus population in monkey cells revealed that synthesis of both types of particles, adenovirus and PARA, proceeds at a similar rate, with a latent period of 16 to 20 hr being followed by an exponential increase in titer during the following 20 hr. Maximal titers for both particles were obtained 48 hr after inoculation of the cultures. Neither the PARA nor the adenovirus component replicated in GMK cells in the absence of the other.
Mapping of the active sites of transglutaminases. II. Activity of the guinea pig liver enzyme toward methylglutamine peptide derivatives.

Abstract An hypothesis of substrate binding to guinea pig liver transglutaminase, derived from studies with straight and branched chain aliphatic amides (Gross, M., and Folk, J. E. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 1301–1306), has been examined further by testing the substrate properties of peptide derivatives of α-, β-, and γ-methyglutamine isomers. The fact that only the peptide derivatives of α-methyl-l-glutamine are substrates is consistent with our original proposal. The finding of no detectable activity toward α-methyl-d-glutamine derivatives, together with the earlier observation of a strong preference of the enzyme toward l-glutamine residues, has led to a suggestion that l-glutamine substrates attach to the active site of transglutaminase with the α-hydrogen of the glutamine residue projecting away from the enzyme surface.
Social competence in pediatric brain tumor survivors: Application of a model from social neuroscience and developmental psychology

Pediatric brain tumor (BT) survivors are at risk for psychosocial late effects across many domains of functioning, including neurocognitive and social. The literature on the social competence of pediatric BT survivors is still developing and future research is needed that integrates developmental and cognitive neuroscience research methodologies to identify predictors of survivor social adjustment and interventions to ameliorate problems. This review discusses the current literature on survivor social functioning through a model of social competence in childhood brain disorder and suggests future directions based on this model. Interventions pursuing change in survivor social adjustment should consider targeting social ecological factors.
Bilexical Grammars and their Cubic-Time Parsing Algorithms

This chapter introduces weighted bilexical grammars, a formalism in which individual lexical items, such as verbs and their arguments, can have idiosyncratic selectional influences on each other. Such ‘bilexicalism’ has been a theme of much current work in parsing. The new formalism can be used to describe bilexical approaches to both dependency and phrase-structure grammars, and a slight modification yields link grammars. Its scoring approach is compatible with a wide variety of probability models.
New three dimensional doping profile for devices in subthreshold circuit

One of the important aspects of integrated circuit design is the doping profile of a transistor along its length, width and depth. Devices for super-threshold circuit usually employ halo and retrograde doping profiles in the channel to eliminate many unwanted effects. Devices for subthreshold circuits do not require halo and retrograde doping profiles due to lower operating voltage. This will reduce the number of steps in the fabrication process, parasitic capacitance and substrate noise dramatically. This paper introduces a new doping profile for devices to be used in subthreshold circuits. The proposed scheme addresses doping variations along all the dimensions of the device. This new doping scheme proposes to employ Gaussian distribution of doping concentration along the length of the channel with highest concentration at the middle of the channel. The doping concentration across the depth of the device is exponentially decreasing with channel surface at the highest concentration. The proposed doping scheme keeps the doping concentration along the width of the device uniform. Results show that the optimized device with the proposed doping profile offers higher ON current in the subthreshold device.
Mycorrhizal fungi have a potential role in soil carbon storage under elevated CO2 and nitrogen deposition

In this review, we discuss the potential for mycorrhizal fungi to act as a source or sink for carbon (C) under elevated CO2 and nitrogen deposition. Mycorrhizal tissue has been estimated to comprise a significant fraction of soil organic matter and below-ground biomass in a range of systems. The current body of literature indicates that in many systems exposed to elevated CO2, mycorrhizal fungi might sequester increased amounts of C in living, dead and residual hyphal biomass in the soil. Through this process, the fungi might serve as a negative feedback on the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels caused by fossil fuel burning and deforestation. By contrast, a few preliminary studies suggest that N deposition might increase turnover rates of fungal tissue and negate CO2 effects on hyphal biomass. If these latter responses are consistent among ecosystems, C storage in hyphae might decline in habitats surrounding agricultural and urban areas. When N additions occur without CO2 enrichment, effects on mycorrhizal growth are inconsistent. We note that analyses of hyphal decomposition under elevated CO2 and N additions are extremely sparse but are critical in our understanding of the impact of global change on the cycling of mycorrhizal C. Finally, shifts in the community composition of arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi with increasing CO2 or N availability are frequently documented. Since mycorrhizal groups vary in growth rate and tissue quality, these changes in species assemblages could produce unforeseeable impacts on the productivity, survivorship, or decomposition of mycorrhizal biomass.
HNF-3beta is a critical factor for the expression of the Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus long terminal repeat in type II pneumocytes but not in Clara cells

Abstract Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) is the causative agent of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA), a sheep lung cancer that resembles human lung adenocarcinoma or bronchioloaveolar carcinoma (BAC). JSRV is the only retrovirus that shows lung tropism and induces pulmonary carcinoma. Several lines of evidence suggest that the lung tropism for JSRV is mainly determined by the viral long terminal repeats (LTR). In a previous study, we showed that HNF-3α and -3β were able to transactivate the JSRV LTR when cotransfected into 3T3 cells. The JSRV LTR contains two putative HNF-3 binding sites; to investigate the contribution of each HNF-3 binding site to transcription, we generated reporter constructs with deletions or nucleotide substitutions in one or both of the putative HNF-3 binding sites. In murine MLE-15 cells (derived from type II pneumocytes), mutations within the upstream site (−147 to −128 bp) resulted in a 72% reduction of the LTR activity, while mutation of the downstream site had little effect. In contrast, transactivation of the JSRV LTR was greatly reduced in 3T3 cells cotransfected with an HNF-3α or -3β expression plasmid when the downstream site was eliminated. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) revealed that nuclear extracts from MLE-15 cells, but not 3T3 cells, were able to form a retarded complex with oligonucleotides encompassing either the upstream or the downstream sites. Anti-HNF-3β antiserum, but not anti-HNF-3α antiserum, supershifted both protein–DNA complexes. These results indicate that the JSRV LTR is activated by the lung-specific transcription factor HNF-3β and that the upstream HNF-3 binding site is essential for expression in MLE-15 cells. In contrast, transactivation by HNF-3β in 3T3 cells is mediated through the downstream HNF-3 site. On the other hand, JSRV LTR expression in a mouse lung Clara cell-derived line (mtCC1–2) did not appear to be strongly dependent on either HNF-3 binding site. These results support the notion that JSRV lung tropism is determined by the transcriptional specificity of the JSRV LTR, which is governed by interactions with lung-specific transcription factors.
The System MgO–MgAl2O4

In the determination of the liquidus, solidus, and subsolidus of the system MgO-MgAl2O4 the limits of the solid solution of A1 ions in periclase and Mg ions in spinel were measured. By using both X-ray diffraction and optical techniques, the maximum periclase solid solution was found at 82 wt% MgO, 18 wt% A12O3 (9.5% A13+) and maximum spinel solid solution at 39% MgO, 61 % A1203 (6% Mg++). Periclase and spinel solid solutions existed stably in easily detectable amounts at temperatures above approximately 1500°C.
Interleukin-6 Depletion Selectively Improves Hepatic Insulin Action in Obesity

Obesity and insulin resistance are considered chronic inflammatory states, in part because circulating IL-6 is elevated. Exogenous IL-6 can induce hepatic insulin resistance in vitro and in vivo. The importance of endogenous IL-6, however, to insulin resistance of obesity is unresolved. To test the hypothesis that IL-6 contributes to the inflammation and insulin resistance of obesity, IL-6 was depleted in Lep(ob) mice by injection of IL-6-neutralizing antibody. In untreated Lep(ob) mice, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) activation was increased compared with that in lean controls, consistent with an inflammatory state. With IL-6 depletion, activation of STAT3 in liver and adipose tissue and expression of haptoglobin were reduced. Expression of the IL-6-dependent, hepatic acute phase protein fibrinogen was also decreased. Using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique, insulin-dependent suppression of endogenous glucose production was 89% in IL-6-depleted Lep(ob) mice, in contrast to only 32% in Lep(ob) controls, indicating a marked increase in hepatic insulin sensitivity. A significant change in glucose uptake in skeletal muscle after IL-6 neutralization was not observed. In a direct comparison of hepatic insulin signaling in Lep(ob) mice treated with anti-IL-6 vs. IgG-treated controls, insulin-dependent insulin receptor autophosphorylation and activation of Akt (pSer473) were increased by nearly 50% with IL-6 depletion. In adipose tissue, insulin receptor signaling showed no significant change despite major reductions in STAT3 phosphorylation and haptoglobin expression. In diet-induced obese mice, depletion of IL-6 improved insulin responsiveness in 2-h insulin tolerance tests. In conclusion, these results indicate that IL-6 plays an important and selective role in hepatic insulin resistance of obesity.
The effect of cheliped loss on blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun foraging rate on soft-shell clams Mya arenaria L.

Abstract Loss of single chelipeds was common (4–17%) in populations of blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun surveyed in Chesapeake Bay and along the southeastern Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico. In contrast, blue crabs missing both chelipeds were relatively rare (0–5%). Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effects of cheliped autotomy on blue crab foraging rate on soft-shell clams Mya arenaria L. In replicated aquarium experiments, clams (44–72 mm shell length) were allowed 48 h to burrow in sandy substratum before an intact male crab or one missing one or both chelipeds was introduced. After 48 h, clams were checked for evidence of siphon injury or mortality. Foraging rate (clams consumed/48 h) of crabs missing a single crusher cheliped did not differ significantly from that of intact crabs. Blue crabs compensated for the loss of a crusher by using the cutter cheliped and opposite first walking leg to forage. In contrast, crabs missing both chelipeds experienced a greater feeding handicap; their consumption of clams was significantly lower than that of intact crabs. The low incidence of individuals missing both chelipeds suggests that such injury does little to diminish blue crab predation on M. arenaria populations.
Wind-induced noise alters signaler and receiver behavior in vibrational communication

Noise that masks communication signals can affect the evolution of signal form and decisions about when and where to communicate. For the many invertebrates that communicate using plant-borne vibrations, wind is considered to be the major source of environmental noise. However, the influence of wind-induced vibrations on signaling behavior has not been experimentally tested. We tested the hypothesis that wind-induced noise influences signaling behavior in a plant-feeding insect (the treehopper, Enchenopa binotata ‘Ptelea’) in which mating is preceded by a vibrational duet between females and mate-searching males. We first characterized the diel signaling patterns of males in the field to identify the wind conditions under which signaling typically takes place. We then experimentally tested two predictions of the hypothesis: (1) that males use gap detection to initiate signaling during relatively wind-free periods; and (2) that females respond less to signals given in the presence of wind-induced vibrations. Both predictions were met, indicating that wind-induced noise is an important influence on the behavior of insects that use plant-borne vibrations.
Complete radiologic response and long-term survival with use of systemic high-dose methotrexate for breast cancer-associated leptomeningeal disease.

Address for correspondence: Roisin M. Connolly, The Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1650 Orleans St, CRB1–153, Baltimore, MD 21231-1000 Clinical Pra ● Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies that metastasizes to the leptomeninges, with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) tumors having a higher incidence of central nervous system involvement than other breast cancer subtypes. Conventional treatment for leptomeningeal disease includes radiation therapy and intrathecal chemotherapy, the latter requiring an invasive procedure for administration, with the potential for significant adverse effects. Despite standard treatment approaches, patients with leptomeningeal disease usually have a poor prognosis, with a median survival of 6 months. Highdose methotrexate is one of the few chemotherapeutic agents known to cross the blood-brain barrier; however, data are limited as to its clinical efficacy.
Pulmonary dysplasia, Denys-Drash syndrome and Wilms tumor 1 gene mutation in twins.

While a genetic basis for the association of developmental lung and kidney defects has been suspected, the involvement of specific genes in this process is under active investigation. We report such a possible genetic linkage present in identical twins with a mutant Wilms tumor (WT1) gene. Twin girls, born at 35 weeks gestation, manifested symptoms of congenital nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, and severe respiratory abnormalities refractory to assisted ventilation. Both died at 1 month of age. Renal biopsies and autopsy kidney tissue from both the girls revealed diffuse mesangial sclerosis (DMS). Autopsy lung tissue revealed pulmonary dysplasia and hypoplasia in both twins. The WT1 gene from renal tissue in both twins was analyzed for mutations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and the single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique. Both twins possessed an identical missense mutation in exon 8 of the WT1 gene, resulting in replacement of arginine by histidine at amino acid 366 (arg366his) in the WT1 protein. This mutation has previously been described in Denys-Drash syndrome. The WT1 gene plays a role in mesenchymal epithelial (ME) interactions in the developing urogenital system, and possibly has a similar role during lung morphogenesis. We propose that this WT1 gene mutation contributes to both DMS and developmental pulmonary abnormalities by altering ME interactions in both organs.
The study of contact hole MEEF and defect printability

We have optimized the standard method for the extraction of MEEF at 200nm contact hole with regard to the pitch and mask CD variations, which resulted in 4.8. Additionally, we have evaluated the impact of mask bias, surrounding pattern size and asymmetric change of mask CD. The pitch has greatly influenced the MEEF of the contact hole, and the contact holes with the minimum pitch show higher MEEF than isolated or semi-dense contact holes. The MEEF was little affected by the mask bias, ranging from 10 to 30nm. The MEEF remains independent despite the changes of the mask CD occurring around the holes within ±10nm range. The variations of the mask CD in one direction or another are not related to the MEEF determination. In addition, the pitch has influence on the defect printability. Other things that influence the defect printability are the defect types and their location. The defect of Cr intrusion has more intensive effect on the printed CD change. The more the defect is close to the center of the hole pattern, the more the defect printability increases.
Synaptic uSIRPation: the active neuron reigns over presynaptic partners

A study reveals that SIRPα is released from postsynaptic neurons to induce and mature their synaptic inputs, using CD47 as the presynaptic receptor. SIRPα is cleaved in an activity-dependent manner to act as retrograde signal.
Localization, metabolism, and binding of estrogens in the male rat

Abstract Estrogen assimilation by male Wistar rats was examined in these studies in several accessory sex organs (seminal vesicles and anterior, dorsal, lateral, and ventral prostates) as well as in a variety of nonaccessory sex organs. When [ 3 H]estradiol was injected into intact 3- to 4-month-old rats in a pulse dose, no selective accumulation of radioactivity recovered as estradiol was found in the accessory sex glands when compared to other organs. This was due at least in part to the metabolism of estradiol to estrone and to the relatively low concentration of high affinity estrophilic molecules in the accessory sex organs. The order for the rate of formation of estrone from estradiol in tissues obtained from intact animals was ventral prostate > lateral and dorsal prostate > anterior prostate and seminal vesicles. Steroid specificity studies for cytosol estradiol binding by the ventral prostate and seminal vesicles revealed that estrophilic molecules exist in these organs. Based on Scatchard plot analyses in 24-h castrates, the number of available estradiol binding sites was too low in the ventral prostate to quantify accurately, but the seminal vesicles contained distinctly more estrophilic activity than the ventral prostate. The affinity for the seminal vesicle cytosol estradiol-estrophile binding exceeded that quantified for the seminal vesicle dihydrotestosterone-androphile reaction while the number of estradiol binding sites was less than that quantified for dihydrotestosterone. In relation to the accessory sex organs of other species, the rat seminal vesicles have a relatively small amount of cytosol estrophile. The findings that the seminal vesicles catabolize less estradiol and contain significantly more estrophilic activity than the ventral prostate is consistent with and offers insight into the noted estrogenic sensitivity of the seminal vesicles and lack thereof in the rat ventral prostate. With aging of the rat from 3–4 months to 22–26 months, the affinity of the seminal vesicle estradiol-estrophile interaction was unchanged but the number of binding sites increased significantly.
Hierarchical Modeling and Closure Evaluation for Fin-and-Tube Heat Exchangers Using 3-D Numerical Simulation

A plain fin-and-tube heat exchanger was modeled based on Volume Averaging Theory (VAT) and the closure for the model was evaluated using CFD. Modeling a fin-and-tube heat exchanger as porous media based on VAT, specific geometry can be accounted for in such a way that the details of the original structure can be replaced by their averaged counterparts and the VAT based governing equations can be efficiently solved for a wide range of parameters. To complete the VAT based model, proper closure is needed, which is related to a local friction factor and a heat transfer coefficient of a Representative Elementary Volume (REV). The terms in the closure expressions are complex and sometimes relating experimental data to the closure terms is difficult. In this work we use CFD to obtain detailed solutions of flow and heat transfer through an element of a fin-and-tube heat exchanger and use these results to evaluate the closure terms needed for a fast running VAT based code, which can then be used to solve the heat transfer characteristics of a higher level heat exchanger. The objective is to show how heat sinks can be modeled as a porous media based on Volume Averaging Theory and how CFD can be used in place of a detailed, often formidable, experimental effort to obtain closure for a VAT based model.Copyright © 2012 by ASME