cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The association of psoriasis and elevated blood lipids in overweight and obese children

Objective To investigate whether obesity and cardiovascular risk factors are associated with psoriasis in children and adolescents. Study design For this population-based, cross-sectional study, measured weight and height, laboratory data, and psoriasis diagnoses were extracted from electronic medical records of 710 949 patients age 2 to 19 years enrolled in an integrated health plan. Weight class was assigned on the basis of body mass index–for–age. Results The OR for psoriasis was 0.68, 1.00, 1.31, 1.39, and 1.78 (95% CI, 1.49 to 2.14) for underweight, normal-weight, overweight, moderately obese, and extremely obese children, respectively ( P for trend P for trend Conclusion Overweight and obesity are associated with higher odds of psoriasis in youths. Independent of body weight, adolescent patients with psoriasis have higher blood lipids. These data suggest that pediatricians and dermatologists should screen youths with psoriasis for cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Microfilaments and microtubules: the news from yeast

New evidence that cortical actin patches and the endocytic machinery share components supports the idea that actin patches are in fact transient membrane coats at the initial stage of endocytosis. Recent studies of actin cables have identified formins as the core of a novel actin-filament-assembling machine. Meanwhile, microtubule-binding proteins have been found in the kinetochore, and factors affecting microtubule dynamic instability have been identified.
Orthodox Christianity in 21st Century Greece: The Role of Religion in Culture, Ethnicity and Politics

Victor Roudometof and Vasilios N. Makrides (eds), (Ashgate, Aldershot and Burlington, VT, 2010), 274 pp., ISBN 978-0-7546-6696-7 (Hbk), £55.00 Many scholars continue to view Orthodoxy and Greece th...
A gene encoding a novel glycine-rich structural protein of petunia

The proteinaceous material of the cell wall of some plant species is composed of 20% or more hydroxyproline residues1. In 1965, Lamport1 suggested that this imino acid is derived from a hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein (HRGP) present in cell walls. HRGP was thought to give the cell wall plasticity, thereby allowing it to grow by extension. But the cell walls of some plant species and/or organs contain very little hydroxyproline, and instead contain large amounts of glycine2–4, suggesting that HRGP cannot be the only protein molecule in cell walls responsible for plasticity, and that there could be a glycine-rich cell-wall protein. Here we report the cloning and sequencing of an expressed gene from petunia, grp-1, the product of which is likely to function as a cell-wall structural protein in plants. The predicted amino-acid sequence of the grp-1 gene product contains 67% glycine residues. The predicted protein structure includes a 27 amino-acid signal sequence for transport out of the cytoplasm and a 314 amino-acid region in which 90% of the residues are capable of forming a β-pleated sheet composed of 8 anti-parallel strands.
Predicting Bullying Exploring the Contributions of Childhood Negative Life Experiences in Predicting Adolescent Bullying Behavior

Although there has been much interest in research on aggression and in particular bullying, a relatively less charted area of research has centered on articulating a better understanding of the mechanisms and processes by which persons are at increased risk for bullying. Furthermore, those studies that have investigated the linkages between childhood experiences and bullying perpetration have been limited with respect to definitional and operational issues, reliance on cross-sectional data, and the lack of assessing competing explanations of bullying perpetration. Using five waves of data from a community-based longitudinal sample of children followed through age 18 (N = 763), the current study examines the extent to which childhood negative life events in a variety of domains predict adolescent bullying. Results show that early childhood experiences, particularly those within the family and school domains, may alter life trajectories and can act as predictors for later adolescent bullying, thereby underscoring the potential importance that relatively minor experiences can have over the long term. Implications for future research based on these analyses are examined.
Carrier phases for iodine in the Allende meteorite and their associated 129Xer/127I ratios: A laser microprobe study

This paper presents the results of a study of the carrier phases of iodine in the Allende meteorite and their associated Xe-129(r)/I-127 ratios, obtained using a new high-sensitivity low-blank mass spectrometer coupled with a low-blank laser extraction system. Two types of experiments were performed: a survey of the Xe-129(r) amounts in unirradiated specimens of fine-grained assemblages and individual coarse mineral grains, and a study of the relationship between chlorine and iodine in irradiated samples of the inclusions, in which the Xe-129(r)/I-127 ratios were determined for various minerals. As a by-product of these measurements, the Ar-40/Ar-39 ages were obtained along with some results on trapped Xe components. A schematic diagram of the new mass spectrometer system is included.
SHORT-TERM GLUCOCORTICOID MANIPULATIONS AFFECT NEURONAL MORPHOLOGY AND SURVIVAL IN THE ADULT DENTATE GYRUS

Abstract In order to determine whether short-term glucocorticoid manipulations influence the morphology and survival of neurons in the adult mammalian hippocampal formation, we performed quantitative analyses of Golgi-impregnated and Nissl-stained tissue from the brains of sham operated male rats, adrenalectomized male rats and adrenalectomized male rats which received corticosterone replacement. Three days after adrenalectomy, massive cell death, as detected by a dramatic increase in number of pyknotic cells, was observed in the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus. By seven days following adrenalectomy, the numbers of pyknotic cells were even greater. Moreover, significant decreases in cross-sectional cell body area and numbers of dendritic branch points of Golgi-impregnated dentate gyrus granule cells were detected at seven days after adrenalectomy. Replacement of corticosterone to adrenalectomized rats prevented the appearance of large numbers of pyknotic cells as well as the decrease in granule cell cross-sectional cell body area and the numbers of dendritic branch points. In contrast, no obvious signs of degeneration were detected in the pyramidal cell layers of the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus at either three or seven days following adrenalectomy. In addition, no significant changes in morphological characteristics were observed in CA1 or CA3 pyramidal cells with adrenalectomy. These results show that dentate gyrus granule cells require glucocorticoids for their survival and for the maintenance of normal morphology and suggest that granule cell morphology and/or survival may undergo constant fluctuation in response to diurnal rhythms or stress-induced changes in glucocorticoid levels.
A leak in the EAATs.

Glutamate transporters in neuronal membranes are also known to catalyze a 'leak' of chloride ions, for unknown biological purposes. Now a glutamate transporter homolog from evolutionarily distant microorganisms has been shown to contain a similar chloride leak.
Biologie und Chemie der Zoanthamin-Alkaloide†

Marine Naturstoffe spielen schon lange eine wichtige Rolle in der Naturstoffchemie und bei der Wirkstoffentwicklung. Die Artenvielfalt und das facettenreiche Wechselspiel im Lebensraum Meer spiegeln sich in den Eigenschaften der Substanzen wider, die aus marinen Lebensformen isoliert werden: Sie zeigen unwahrscheinlich vielseitige Molekulstrukturen und biologische Aktivitaten. Die Naturstoffe aus den Polypen der marinen Zoanthidea bilden darin keine Ausnahme. Die Zoanthamin-Alkaloide, deren erste Vertreter vor uber zwanzig Jahren isoliert wurden, erregten besonderes Interesse als Syntheseziele, weil sie sich durch eine grose Bandbreite an biologischen Aktivitaten auszeichnen. Hier fassen wir die wichtigsten Beitrage zur Isolierung und strukturellen Charakterisierung der naturlichen Zoanthamine zusammen und fuhren Studien zu ihrer biologischen Aktivitat und Totalsynthese an.
Carcinome canalaire in situ avec micro-invasion : spécificités anatomopathologiques et implications cliniques

Purpose Recent improvements in the detection of breast cancer at an early stage have resulted in a rising incidence of breast ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion. So far, there is no consensus regarding its optimal management. We hereby report on our 10-year single institutional experience in breast ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion including pathological reviewing.
A mixed bivariate distribution with exponential and geometric marginals

We study the joint distribution of X and N, where N has a geometric distribution and X is the sum of N i.i.d. exponential variables, independent of N. We present basic properties of this class of mixed bivariate distributions, and discuss their possible applications. Our results include marginal and conditional distributions, joint integral transforms, infinite divisibility, and stability with respect to geometric summation. We also discuss maximum likelihood estimation connected with this distribution. An example from finance, where N represents the number of consecutive positive daily log-returns of currency exchange rates, illustrates the modeling potential of these laws.
The aetiology and management of Castleman disease at 50 years: translating pathophysiology to patient care.

Summary Fifty years ago, Dr Benjamin Castleman first described the unusual lymphoproliferative disorder that now bears his name. Over the subsequent decades, astute clinical and pathologic observations coupled with clever molecular biologic research have increased our understanding of the aetiology of Castleman disease (CD). This article proposes three broad CD variants based on both distinctive histopathology and clinical behaviour. The pivotal roles of infection with human herpesvirus 8 and interleukin-6 production in the development of CD are emphasized. Finally, the natural history of CD and the myriad of therapeutic options are reviewed in the context of a unified model of CD pathophysiology, and continued areas of uncertainty are discussed.
Nonequilibrium Model for Sorption and Swelling of Bulk Glassy Polymer Films with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

A new procedure is introduced for the calculation of solubility isotherms of plasticizing agents in glassy polymer matrices with particular application to the case of absorption of supercritical gases in bulk glassy polymer films. The model presented is an extension of the nonequilibrium thermodynamics for glassy polymers (NET-GP) approach, modified to allow for the calculation of the effects of pressure, temperature, and gas concentration on the glass transition. Mass sorption and one- dimensional swelling behavior are analyzed for the carbon dioxide (CO2)-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) system at high pressure. A quantitative comparison is presented between the model performance and experimental data measured using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and high-pressure ellipsometry (HPE).
Flies Require Bilateral Sensory Input to Track Odor Gradients in Flight

Summary Fruit flies make their living "on the fly" in search of attractive food odors. Flies balance the strength of self-induced bilateral visual motion [1] and bilateral wind cues [2], but it is unknown whether they also use bilateral olfactory cues to track odors in flight. Tracking an odor gradient requires comparisons across spatially separated chemosensory organs and has been observed in several walking insects [3–5], including Drosophila [6]. The olfactory antennae are separated by a fraction of a millimeter, and most sensory neurons project bilaterally and also symmetrically activate the first-order olfactory relay [7, 8]; both properties would seem to constrain the capacity for gradient tracking. Nevertheless, using a modified flight simulator that enables maneuvers in the yaw axis [9], we found that flies readily steer directly toward a laterally positioned odor plume. This capability is abolished by occluding sensory input to one antenna. Mechanosensory input from the Johnston's organ and olfactory input from the third antennal segment cooperate to direct small-angle yaw turns up the plume gradient. We additionally show that sensory signals from the left antenna contribute disproportionately more to odor tracking than signals from the right, providing further evidence of sensory lateralization in invertebrates [10–13].
Automatic data reduction of certain holographic interferograms.

An automated technique is described that uses holographic interferometry to determine the translation of a diffusely reflecting rigid body. The photographs of the reconstructed virtual image of a double-exposed hologram were digitized. The CDC 6600 computer was used to process the reconstructed virtual image data by recording the number of fringes that moved over specified image points as the viewing direction of the hologram was varied. Contours were made by connecting all image points over which an equal number of fringes passed. A surface resolution (distribution of image points interrogated) of 0.0368 cm was used. By using this technique a 6.35-μm linear displacement of a 3.68-cm diam aluminum object was verified with an error ≤4.3% over the entire object. It appears this technique can be extended to three-dimensional objects.
Seasat mission overview.

The microwave oceanographic satellite Seasat is described, and the main characteristics of its five sensors, including a radar altimeter, the Seasat-A scatterometer system, a synthetic aperture radar, a visual and infrared radiometer, and a scanning multichannel microwave radiometer, are discussed. Experimental programs undertaken by the satellite are briefly summarized.
2-Amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid and N-methyl-d-aspartate differentiate between [3H]glutamate and [3H]aspartate binding sites in bovine retina

Three pharmacologically and kinetically distinct binding sites for acidic amino acids were observed in synaptic membranes from bovine retina. One site preferentially binds aspartate with an apparent Kd of 6.3 nM and Bmax of 0.033 pmol/mg protein. [3H] Glutamate binds preferentially to two sites which have KdS of approximately 10 and 800 nM; and BmaxS of 0.148 and 0.417 pmol/mg protein, respectively. Only one of these sites, the 800 nM glutamate site, displayed a pharmacological specificity which was in extensive agreement with that reported for the putative glutamate receptor previously localized to a specific set of retinal neurons, the on-center, depolarizing bipolar cells.
A mouse model for developing treatment for secondary liver tumors

Metastatic colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer mortality. The liver is a common site of metastasis and only a minority of patients with liver metastases are candidates for potentially curative surgical resection. The treatment of patients with unresectable liver tumors is a major clinical problem and survival remains low. Many animal models of hepatic metastasis do not result in disease which resembles the advanced cancer setting. The purpose of this study was to establish a murine model for use in the evaluation of therapy for secondary liver cancer. Human colon cancer cells were injected directly into the portal vein of nude mice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), performed weekly, was used to follow the time-course and characteristics of tumor growth. As expected, tumor size increased proportionately with time, following inoculation, and the MRI images correlated well with gross pathology findings at necropsy with respect to both tumor size and location. The tumors retained important morphology and biological characteristics of human colon cancer. Mice bearing liver metastasis were treated with irinotecan or drug vehicle. MRI evaluation pre/post-therapy gave an objective measure of therapeutic response. Irinotecan therapy was able to double the survival (median 76-93 days) compared to vehicle alone (median 43-46 days). This murine model is reproducible, rapid, inexpensive and has an excellent success rate for the development of liver metastasis (100%). When used in conjunction with small animal MRI, this model allows the efficient evaluation of the therapeutics of liver metastasis without the use of repeated laparotomy or splenectomy and without requiring large numbers of animals undergoing terminal experiments.
Morphology of NiFe2O4 precipitation in NiO

Abstract The morphology of NiFe2O4 precipitates in a NiO matrix has been studied using TEM. The spinel precipitates had a dendritic morphology when a polycrystalline sample of Fe-doped NiO was cooled at a constant rate from above the solvus temperature. They nucleate as octahedra bounded by {111} interfaces which then grow by a ledge mechanism until they reach a critical size and this shape becomes unstable. The precipitates then adopt a dendritic morphology characterized by branches in the 〈001〉 directions. The branches are bounded by {111} and {011} facets. HREM showed that during the initial stages of growth the interface is composed of a series of closely spaced ledges which are typically one spinel lattice-spacing high. Later, the ledge spacing decreases resulting in large flat {111} and {011} facets. Secondary branches were observed to form under large supersaturations of Fe when the precipitate spacing was large. The shape of the precipitates during the early stages of dendritic growth are very similar to those predicted by a Monte Carlo simulation which incorporates diffusional growth and anisotropic interface kinetics. The dendritic morphology is associated with the small lattice misfit, the large diffusion rate in Fe-doped NiO and the large undercooling necessary for nucleation. The diffusion rate is particularly large due to the concentration of cation vacancies being approximately half of the iron concentration.
Computational and functional analysis of the putative SH2 domain in Janus Kinases.

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains interact in a highly specific manner with phosphorylated tyrosine residues on other signaling molecules. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) frequently contain SH2 domains, which often control signaling specificity. The Janus Kinases (JAKs) are a family of PTKs involved in signal transduction pathways mediated by various cytokines. Initial characterization of JAKs showed no identifiable SH2 domain. However, we have found substantial evidence supporting the existence of an SH2 domain in JAKs through the use of various web-based computational analysis programs. Predictive secondary and tertiary structures recognize an SH2 domain in JAKs. In addition, a three-dimensional homology model was constructed using the SH2 domains of Src tyrosine kinase and Syp tyrosine phosphatase as templates. These results, in conjunction with preliminary binding studies showing interactions with tyrosine phosphorylated proteins in activated splenocytes, suggest a functional role for this domain in JAKs.
Chemical stimulation of phagocytosis in Amoeba proteus and the influence of external calcium

The process of phagocytosis in Amoeba proteus was examined by following the uptake of Tetrahymena pyriformis and agarose beads. The ciliates are taken up in a time dependent and saturable manner. T. pyriformis apparently emits a water-soluble substance that acts as a chemoattractant to the amoebae. Plain agarose beads are not engulfed by A. proteus, but those beads having reducedglutathione with the -SH group exposed are taken up almost to the same extent as T. pyriformis. Phagocytosis of the glutathione beads is calcium-dependent with maximum bead uptake at 10-4M Ca++. Glutathione applied to A. proteus brings about pseudopod formation, increased phagocytosis and displacement of surface-associated calcium.
Surface-Based Fractional Transport Predictor: Deterministic or Stochastic

Stochastic bed load transport formulas for nonuniform sediment exist, but most of them do not account for the composition of surface material to predict fractional transport rate. This study transformed a surface-based bed-load transport predictor to a stochastic one by approximating the fluctuation of bed-shear stress with a standard log-normal distribution. The deterministic predictor underpredicts fractional transport rate at low values of bed-shear stress and Reynolds number. The modified stochastic predictor predicts fractional transport rate more accurately and converges to the deterministic one at high shear stresses.
Increased CD62e+ Endothelial Microparticle Levels Predict Poor Outcome in Pulmonary Hypertension Patients

Background: Endothelial and leukocytes-derived microparticles (EMPs and LMPs, respectively) are increased in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). We hypothesized that the levels of circulating EMPs and LMPs could predict outcome in these patients. Methods: Patients undergoing right heart catheterization for untreated pre-capillary PH were eligible for the study. Baseline hemodynamics and biologic and clinical parameters were measured at the time of enrollment. Measurements of CD62e, CD144 and CD31/CD41 EMPs and CD45 LMPs were performed using flow cytometry in venous platelet-free plasma samples. After inclusion, patients were treated at the discretion of the physician and prospectively followed for 12 months. The primary end-point was the combined occurrence of death and re-admission for right heart failure (RHF) or worsening of RHF symptoms. Results: Seven of 21 patients (mean age 54.1 3.5 years, 62% female) experienced the primary end-point during the study period. These patients had higher baseline levels of CD62e EMPs, LMPs and hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) compared to patients without events (p 0.05), whereas no difference was observed for other microparticles and functional and hemodynamics parameters. Receiver operating curve analysis showed that baseline CD62e EMPs levels of 353 events/l predicted clinical complications. Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed that patients with baseline CD62e EMPs above this cut-off value had a significantly worse prognosis compared with those subjects who had levels below this cut-off (p 0.02, log-rank statistics). Conclusions: Elevated levels of circulating CD62e EMPs but not LMPs in PH patients prior to treatment are associated with adverse clinical events. Assessment of CD62e EMPs levels may represent a new tool for stratification of PH patients. J Heart Lung Transplant 2009;28:1081‐6. Copyright © 2009 by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.
The zygote cell wall of Chlamydomonas reinhardii: a structural, chemical and immunological approach

The zygote cell wall of Chlamydomonas reinhardii has been studied using structural, chemical and immunological methods. Monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera that were originally raised to the major hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins of the vegetative cell wall were used to probe the zygote wall for common antigenic components. These antibodies cross-reacted strongly and specifically with components of the zygote cell wall, and were used to show the origin, route of transport, and the location of these antigens within the zygote cell wall. The zygote cell wall contained about 10% protein, with hydroxyproline accounting for 22.5 mol % of the total amino acids present. Glucose was the most abundant sugar residue, and accounted for 56% of the total sugar present. Gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry showed the presence of a (1-3)β-d-glucan as the major structural polysaccharide within the zygote cell wall. The (1-3)β-d-glucan was detected and localised within the zygote cell wall by immunogold labelling of thin sections. Using an antiserum directed against (1-3)β-d-linked glucose units, this polysaccharide was found to be consistently present within the non-staining layer of both young and mature zygote cell walls. (1-3)β-d-Glucan was also detected in other wall layer using higher concentrations of antiserum. No intracellular labelling was found, indicating that the plasmamembrane is the site for the synthesis of this polysaccharide within the Chlamydomonas zygote.
High step down ratio (400 V to 1 V) phase shift full bridge DC/DC converter for data center power supplies with GaN FETs

Energy efficiency of typical data centers is less than 50% where more than half of the power is consumed during power conversion, distribution, cooling, etc. In this paper, a single power stage architecture that converts 400 V directly to 1 V is discussed. Input series and output parallel structure (ISOP) is selected due to the high input voltage and large output current operation condition. Phase shift full bridge (PSFB) DC/DC converter with high step down ratio (66:1) is built with Gallium Nitride (GaN) FETs targeting at high efficiency. This paper mainly focuses on the study of a single 66 V to 1 V converter. Prototypes of the PSFB converter is designed, built, and tested. Preliminary experimental results are provided to verify the design.
Ecological influence of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, on pistachio orchard soil arthropods

Abstract The entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, can reduce pesticide reliance in pistachios by controlling overwintering larvae of the navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). But, beyond this, their influence in pistachio soil food webs is unclear. Given soil food webs’ complexity, S. carpocapsae likely interact with more species than just their intended target, infecting alternate hosts or providing food for native predators. This study quantifies the nematodes’ effects on soil arthropod and surface arthropod diversity in two large orchards in Madera County, California. We found significantly more isotomid collembolans, predatory anystid mites and gnaphosid spiders under trees where nematodes were applied indicating either direct predation or indirect trophic effects. Significantly fewer Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) and Blapstinus discolor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) were found under treated trees, suggesting a possible non-target infection. Nematode persistence was limited but positively correlated with pitfall catches of the tenebrionid beetles, Nyctoporis cristata and B. discolor.
Downwash Measurements on a Pitching Canard - Wing Configuration

Abstract : Experimental wind tunnel tests were conducted using a splitter plate model of a two wing configuration oscillating through an unsteady pitch maneuver. Of primary interest were measurements of circulation lag on each wing and the downwash on the aft wing due to the forward wing. It was found that circulation lag associated with oscillating wings is independent of externally induced downwash flow fields but is dependent on the location of the pivot point for the wing or airfoil section, the starting and ending angle, and the angle of attack history. Downwash from a forward wing on an aft lifting surface can make a significant contribution to the lifting properties of the aft wing. The magnitude of these downwash forces are dependent on the forward wing normal force magnitudes and may enhance or degrade the potential of an aft wing to produce lift. The downwash induced in this case, however, is not synchronized with the circulation lag associated with the forward wing but the shift in the downwash curve is more or less synchronized with the circulation lag associated with the aft wing. Consequently a forward wing producing positive lift can produce upwash on an aft wing increasing its potential to produce lift. Enhancement of maneuverability for an aircraft can also be increased by placing the forward canard above the main wing lifting surface.
Comparative Proteomics Identifies the Cell-Associated Lethality of M. tuberculosis RelBE-like Toxin-Antitoxin Complexes

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) genome encodes approximately 90 toxin-antitoxin protein complexes, including three RelBE family members, which are believed to play a major role in bacterial fitness and pathogenicity. We have determined the crystal structures of Mtb RelBE-2 and RelBE-3, and the structures reveal homologous heterotetramers. Our structures suggest RelE-2, and by extension the closely related RelE-1, use a different catalytic mechanism than RelE-3, because our analysis of the RelE-2 structure predicts additional amino acid residues that are likely to be functionally significant and are missing from analogous positions in the RelE-3 structure. Toxicity assays corroborate our structural findings; overexpression of RelE-3, whose active site is more similar to Escherichia coli YoeB, has limited consequences on bacterial growth, whereas RelE-1 and RelE-2 overexpression results in acute toxicity. Moreover, RelE-2 overexpression results in an elongated cell phenotype in Mycobacterium smegmatis and protects M. tuberculosis against antibiotics, suggesting a different functional role for RelE-2.
SEMANTIC METRICS: METRICS BASED ON SEMANTIC ASPECTS OF SOFTWARE

Software practitioners need ways to assess their software, and metrics can provide an automated way to do that, providing valuable feedback with little effort earlier than the testing phase. Semantic metrics were proposed to quantify aspects of software quality based on the meaning of software's task in the domain. Unlike traditional software metrics, semantic metrics do not rely on code syntax. Instead, semantic metrics are calculated from domain information, using the knowledge base of a program understanding system. Because semantic metrics do not rely on code syntax, they can be calculated before code is fully implemented. This article evaluates the semantic metrics theoretically and empirically. We find that the semantic metrics compare well to existing metrics and show promise as early indicators of software quality.
Role of cardiac troponin T in the long-term risk stratification of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Aims To investigate the long-term prognostic significance of pre- and post-procedure troponin T (TnT) elevations in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and results TnT and CK-MB were measured pre- and post-procedure in 212 patients undergoing PCI. Major adverse events (composite of death, myocardial infarction and revascularization) were ascertained 6 years later. Pre-procedural TnT was a significant independent predictor of time to major events (hazard ratio [HR] 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–2.64) and death or myocardial infarction. Post-procedural TnT elevation above normal was the only independent predictor of the primary end-point at 1 year (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.09–5.26) but was not significantly related to event-free survival throughout follow-up. Post-PCI elevation of TnT 5× above normal, however, did significantly predict time to events during the entirety of follow-up. By contrast, CK-MB was not an independent predictor in any of the analyses. Conclusions Our study confirms the long-term prognostic value of pre-procedural TnT elevation in patients undergoing PCI, and demonstrates the superior predictive ability of a post-procedural increase in TnT 5× normal for long-term adverse events. Whether the prognostic significance of smaller post-procedural TnT elevations extends beyond the intermediate-term awaits further investigation.
Beyond the face : Art therapy and self-portraiture

Self-portraiture can be a means of self-reflection and accepting the self. Art therapists can be informed of the benefits and drawbacks of recreating the self by examining the art of artists who experienced melancholy and depression. Vignettes of artists whose self-portraits were healing, as well as of artists who became stuck in feelings of despair, are described. Self-portraiture is an introspective tool that can be beneficial with many client populations. Examples from the literature in art therapy regarding the use of self-portraits in therapy augment the importance of this genre and describe some of the clinical applications of self-portraiture.
Comparison of the immunomodulatory effects of the plant sterol β-sitosterol to simvastatin in peripheral blood cells from multiple sclerosis patients.

Abstract Statins as hypocholesterolimic drugs have recently shown to have ant-inflammatory properties and thus are being assessed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Dietary phytosterols such as β-sitosterol (SIT) are also hypocholesterolemic compounds and from preliminary studies they appear to have also anti-inflammatory properties. In this communication, we report on studies to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of SIT on proliferation and release of key cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of MS patients. In PBMC of MS patients, 16 μM SIT had no effect on cell proliferation; however simvastatin (SV) at 10 and 20 μM reduced cell proliferation by as much as 60%. SIT (4 μM) reduced TNF-α release by 24% in PBMC of MS patients whereas 10 μM SV reduced TNF-α release by 94%. SIT reduced IL-12 release in MS patients at 4 and 16 μM by 27% and 30%, respectively. In healthy subjects, 16 μM SIT increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by 47% whereas 10 μM SV decreased IL-10 by 30%. In PBMC of MS patients, SIT had no effect on IL-10 release whereas 10 μM SV reduced IL-10 by 62%. SIT (4 μM) reduced IL-5 release by 47% in MS patients while 10 μM SV reduced IL-5 by 89%. The results show that SIT is effective in modulating the secretion of pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines and suggest a potential beneficial effect of SIT in MS management without the side effects associated with statin therapy.
A comparative study of the interaction between microhole sidewall and the plasma generated by nanosecond and femtosecond laser ablation of deep microholes

Abstract High-aspect-ratio microholes have many industrial applications, but are difficult to produce. Femtosecond (fs) and nanosecond (ns) laser ablation may produce potential manufacturing solutions. However, the laser-induced plasma–microhole sidewall interaction has not been well understood for laser ablation of deep microholes, which may significantly affect the hole size and/or quality. This interaction has been investigated in this paper. Due to the huge challenges involved in direct experimental observations, a physics-based model is applied as the research tool, which has been verified by measurements from literatures on laser ablation of flat targets (without deep microholes) that are relatively easy to perform. The study shows that under the same laser pulse fluence, the fs laser-induced plasma generates larger transient peak heat flux to the sidewall than the ns laser pulse. However, the high-heat-flux region moves up very rapidly in the hole, and hence the sidewall temperature is not significantly raised and sidewall melting does not occur under the studied conditions. On the other hand, for the ns laser pulse, the induced plasma maintains a relatively high heat flux to the sidewall near the hole bottom for a much longer time, which yields obvious sidewall melting and surface vaporization. The results are consistent with the previously observed sidewall surface morphology for microholes drilled by fs and ns laser pulses in air with the same pulse energy.
The cyclic and fractal seismic series preceding an mb 4.8 earthquake on 1980 February 14 near the Virgin Islands

SUMMARY Seismic activity in the 10 months preceding the 1980 February 14, mb 4.8 earthquake in the Virgin Islands, reported on by Frankel in 1982, consisted of four principal cycles. Each cycle began with a relatively large event or series of closely spaced events, and the duration of the cycles progressively shortened by a factor of about 3/4. Had this regular shortening of the cycles been recognized prior to the earthquake, the time of the next episode of seismicity (the main shock) might have been closely estimated 41 days in advance. That this event could be much larger than the previous events is indicated from time-to-failure analysis of the accelerating rise in released seismic energy, using a non-linear time- and slip-predictable foreshock model. Examination of the timing of all events in the sequence shows an even higher degree of order. Rates of seismicity, measured by consecutive interevent times, when plotted on an iteration diagram of a rate versus the succeeding rate, form a triangular circulating trajectory. The trajectory becomes an ascending helix if extended in a third dimension, time. This construction reveals additional and precise relations among the time intervals between times of relatively high or relatively low rates of seismic activity, including period halving and doubling. The set of 666 time intervals between all possible pairs of the 37 recorded events appears to be a fractal; the set of time points that define the intervals has a finite, non-integer correlation dimension of 0.70. In contrast, the average correlation dimension of 50 random sequences of 37 events is significantly higher, close to 1.0. In a similar analysis, the set of distances between pairs of epicentres has a fractal correlation dimension of 1.52. Well-defined cycles, numerous precise ratios among time intervals, and a non-random temporal fractal dimension suggest that the seismic series is not a random process, but rather the product of a deterministic dynamic system.
Tandem mass spectrometry of half‐generation PAMAM dendrimer anions

Ions derived from negative electrospray ionization of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer generation 0.5 were subjected to ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. Ion/ion proton transfer reactions were used to manipulate the charge states of PAMAM precursor ions to form lower charge states from those initially formed by electrospray, as well as to facilitate the interpretation of the product ion mass spectra. Most of the products derived from dendrimer precursor ions could be rationalized by retro-Michael decomposition reactions. The dominant fragmentation channels are highly dependent on the composition of the counter-ions, which in this case are restricted to different numbers of sodium ions and protons, and whether the precursor ion is multiply charged or singly charged. An interpretation is given that is consistent with all of the observations made with the various anions associated with this study. The nature of the structural information that can be obtained via ion trap tandem mass spectrometry of the dendrimers is dependent on the types of precursor ions subjected to study. The tandem mass spectrometry data also provided information about the structure of faulty synthesis products present in the PAMAM dendrimer sample.
“Hidden” sequence periodicities and protein architecture

I demonstrate the existence in protein domain sequences of sets of statistically significant periodic signals, characteristic of the architectures of those domains. It is shown that, although the frequencies of the signals characteristic of a particular architecture have definite wave numbers, they can occur in any physical property. The characteristic signals define sequence units, which may correspond to specific structural features. Study of signals in different architectures suggests that symmetric structures are characterized by sets of sequence signals, which are members of harmonic series and which therefore impose commensurate periodicities on the structure. Asymmetric structures are characterized by mutually incommensurate sets of sequence signals. It is pointed out that, although these periodic sequence units can be very short, their existence is a property of the entire sequence.
Spectra and thermodynamics of the cobalt(II) chloride — aluminum chloride gaseous complexes

The reaction of solid cobalt(II) chloride with gaseous aluminum chloride to form blue gaseous complex(es) has been studied spectrophotometrically, in the range 600–800 K and 1–3 atm. The data are rationalized in terms of the reaction: CoCl2(s) + Al2Cl6(g) CoAl2Cl8(g) (ΔH° = 10.0 ± 0.2 Kcal/mole, ΔS° = 9.8 ± 0.3 e.u.). The electronic absorption spectrum of the gaseous complex was compared with the spectra of Co(II) in different molten salt solvents. Thermodynamic and spectroscopic considerations suggest that the predominant absorbing species in the gaseous phase are Co(AlCl4)2 molecules having the Co(II) in a close to octahedral coordination. Spektren und Thermodynamic der Kobalt(II)-chlorid—Aluminiumchlorid-Gaskomplexe Die Reaktion von festem Kobalt(II)-chlorid mit gasformigem Aluminiumchlorid unter Bildung blauer Gaskomplexe wurde spektralphotometrisch bei 600–800 K und 1–3 atm untersucht. Die erhaltenen Daten sind erklarbar mit der Reaktion: CoCl2(s) + Al2Cl6(g) CoAl2Cl8(g) (ΔH° = 10,0 ± 0,2 Kcal/Mol), ΔS° = 9,8 ± 0,3 Entropieeinheiten. Das Absorptionsspektrum des Gaskomplexes wurde mit den Spektren des CoII in Losungen verschiedener geschmolzener Salze verglichen. Thermodynamische und spektroskopische Uberlegungen legen die Annahme nahe, das die vorherrschenden absorbierenden Spezies in der Gasphase Co(AlCl4)2-Molekeln mit CoII in oktaedrischer Koordination sind.
Optimal solid shells for non-linear analyses of multilayer composites. II. Dynamics

Abstract We are presenting a simple low-order solid-shell element formulation––having only displacement degrees of freedom (dofs), i.e., without rotational dofs––that has an optimal number of parameters to pass the patch tests, and thus allows for efficient and accurate analyses of large deformable multilayer shell structures using elements at extremely high aspect ratio. With the dynamics referred to a fixed inertial frame, the elements can be used to analyze multilayer shell structures undergoing large overall motion. The formulation of this element is based on the mixed Hu-Washizu variational principle leading to a novel enhancing strain tensor (enhanced assumed strain (EAS) method) that renders the computation particularly efficient, with improved in-plane and out-of-plane bending behavior (Poisson thickness locking), especially in refined analyses of composite structures involving a large number of high aspect-ratio layers. The energy–momentum conserving algorithm in the context of current solid shell element is presented. We discuss the EAS formulation based on the displacement gradient and its complexity compared to formulation on the Green–Lagrange strain. Shear locking and curvature thickness locking are treated using the assumed natural strain (ANS) method. The element has an optimal combination of the ANS method and the minimal number of EAS parameters required to pass the plate bending patch test. Numerical examples involving dynamic analyses (with conservation of energy and momentum) of multilayer shell structures having a large range of element aspect ratios are presented. Several implicit direct integration methods with/without numerical dissipation are used and compared in terms of the accuracy, stability and cost in multilayer shell structure. Finally, we note that the topic in this paper is a fitting dedication to Professor Ekkehard Ramm, who has made important pioneering contributions in this research direction.
Graph relational features for speaker recognition and mining

Recent advances in the field of speaker recognition have resulted in highly efficient speaker comparison algorithms [1] [2]. The advent of these algorithms allows for leveraging a background set, consisting a large numbers of unlabeled recordings, to improve recognition [3] [4]. In this work, a relational graph, where nodes represent utterances and links represent speaker similarity, is created from the background recordings in which the recordings of interest, train and test, are then embedded. Relational features computed from the embedding are then used to obtain a match score between the recordings of interest. We show the efficacy of these features in speaker verification and speaker mining tasks.
Thermal diffusivity at incandescent temperatures by a modulated electron beam technique

Apparatus is described for the determination of the thermal diffusivity by Cowan's method of a thin slab of material heated to incandescence by an electron beam. The electron beam is amplitude modulated to vary sinusoidally with time and the phase difference between the resulting temperature fluctuations of the two faces of the slab yields the thermal diffusivity of the sample. Results obtained for the thermal diffusivity and hence the thermal conductivity of platinum, tantalum, molybdenum and tungsten are given. The Lorenz functions of all four metals were found to be constant over the temperature ranges studied. Thermal conductivity values determined for three types of graphite, indium oxide, uranium dioxide, a U-49 at.%C alloy and boron nitride are also given. Results obtained with the apparatus to date cover a range of thermal conductivities of from 0.02 to 1.1 w cm-1 degK-1 within various temperature ranges between 1200 and 3000°K.
Automatic identification and delineation of germ layer components in H&E stained images of teratomas derived from human and nonhuman primate embryonic stem cells

We present a methodology for the automatic identification and delineation of germ-layer components in H&E stained images of teratomas derived from human and nonhuman primate embryonic stem cells. A knowledge and understanding of the biology of these cells may lead to advances in tissue regeneration and repair, the treatment of genetic and developmental syndromes, and drug testing and discovery. As a teratoma is a chaotic organization of tissues derived from the three primary embryonic germ layers, H&E teratoma images often present multiple tissues, each of having complex and unpredictable positions, shapes, and appearance with respect to each individual tissue as well as with respect to other tissues. While visual identification of these tissues is time-consuming, it is surprisingly accurate, indicating that there exist enough visual cues to accomplish the task. We propose automatic identification and delineation of these tissues by mimicking these visual cues. We use pixel-based classification, resulting in an encouraging range of classification accuracies from 74.9% to 93.2% for 2- to 5-tissue classification experiments at different scales.
Prospects for Large Relativity Violations in Matter-Gravity Couplings

Deviations from relativity are tightly constrained by numerous experiments. A class of unmeasured and potentially large violations is presented that can be tested in the laboratory only via weak-gravity couplings. Specialized highly sensitive experiments could achieve measurements of the corresponding effects. A single constraint of $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ is extracted on one combination of the 12 possible effects in ordinary matter. Estimates are provided for attainable sensitivities in existing and future experiments.
A rational approach to the synthesis of template inhibitory antitumor drugs

A rational synthesis of template inhibitory antitumor drugs (that is, the anthracyclines) is described which is based on the results of (a) in vitro studies (the interaction specificities of the drugs with template DNA), (b) pharmacological properties of the anthracyclines, and (c) the known differential physical properties of cancer versus normal cells. It appears that for most cases the in vitro studies of (a) the rates of dissociation of DNA-drug complexes, (b) the extent of inhibition of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and (c) the determination of the distribution coefficients of the drugs (a measure of cellular permeability) provide a fairly reliable and rapid estimate of the in vivo biological activity of the anthracycline. This conclusion is based on the comparison of the in vitro data with the results obtained from the antitumor activity of anthracycline analogs against the P-388 mouse lymphocytic tumor. In addition, it is found that enhanced chemotherapeutic indexes of the anthracyclines are obtained when administered in the form of a DNA complex. However, it is not possible to conclude that a lysosomotropic principle (as postulated by Trouet and coworkers [3-5]) is the mechanism responsible for this effect.