cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Competitive percolation strategies for network recovery

Restoring operation of critical infrastructure systems after catastrophic events is an important issue, inspiring work in multiple fields, including network science, civil engineering, and operations research. We consider the problem of finding the optimal order of repairing elements in power grids and similar infrastructure. Most existing methods either only consider system network structure, potentially ignoring important features, or incorporate component level details leading to complex optimization problems with limited scalability. We aim to narrow the gap between the two approaches. Analyzing realistic recovery strategies, we identify over- and undersupply penalties of commodities as primary contributions to reconstruction cost, and we demonstrate traditional network science methods, which maximize the largest connected component, are cost inefficient. We propose a novel competitive percolation recovery model accounting for node demand and supply, and network structure. Our model well approximates realistic recovery strategies, suppressing growth of the largest connected component through a process analogous to explosive percolation. Using synthetic power grids, we investigate the effect of network characteristics on recovery process efficiency. We learn that high structural redundancy enables reduced total cost and faster recovery, however, requires more information at each recovery step. We also confirm that decentralized supply in networks generally benefits recovery efforts.
Terrain-blind walking of planar underactuated bipeds via velocity decomposition-enhanced control:

In this article, we develop and assess a novel approach for the control of underactuated planar bipeds that is based on velocity decomposition. The new controller employs heuristic rules that mimic...
Intensified Chemotherapy Regimen for Very High Risk Childhood B-Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL): Results From Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) ALL Consortium Protocol 05–01

Abstract Abstract 3563 Background: High levels of minimal residual disease (MRD) at the end of 4-weeks of multiagent induction chemotherapy have been shown to be associated with a high risk of subsequent relapse in pediatric patients (pts) with B-ALL. Published reports indicated that pediatric B-ALL pts with high end-induction MRD had event-free survival (EFS) rates Methods: Between 2005–2010, 482 evaluable pts aged 1–18 years with B-ALL were enrolled. Pts were initially classified as standard-risk (SR) or high-risk (HR) based on NCI age/WBC criteria. MRD was prospectively evaluated at the end of the 4-week induction phase via RQ-PCR analysis of IgH or TCR rearrangements. Results were reported as the ratio of copy numbers of target gene:GAPDH; a ratio >0.001 was considered high MRD. Pts with high MRD or HR cytogenetics (hypodiploidy with Results: 51 pts (11%) were classified as VHR, 25 of whom had been initially classified as SR and 26 as HR. 35 VHR pts had high end-induction MRD as the sole VHR criterion; 16 had HR cytogenetics. 9 pts relapsed (all marrow-involved) and 1 pt developed a secondary AML. There were no deaths in first remission. With median follow-up of 4.4 yrs, the 5-yr EFS (95% confidence interval) for all 51 VHR pts was 76% (60,87)[ Figure 1 ] and 5-yr overall survival was 81% (60,92). The 5-yr EFS was 81% (59,90) for the 35 pts with high MRD. Conclusion: Intensification of chemotherapy (without stem cell transplant) resulted in a relatively favorable EFS in VHR B-ALL pts (defined by the presence of either high end-induction MRD or HR cytogenetics). More pts and longer follow-up will be necessary to confirm these promising results. Download : Download high-res image (13KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Event-free survival for 51 very high risk B-ALL patients treated on DFCI ALL Consortium Protocol 05–01. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Machine Learning and Recognition of User Tasks for Malware Detection

Malware often act on a compromised machine with the identifier of a legitimate user. We analyzed numerous malware and user tasks, and found subtle differences between how the two operate on a machine. We have developed a machine learning approach that characterizes user tasks through their resource utilization. We have found that many routine user tasks retain their resource utilization patterns, despite the occurrence of new dynamics each time a user carries out those tasks. On the other hand, upon landing on a target machine, malware perform a substantial amount of work to explore the machine and discover resources that are of interest to threat actors. Our approach collects live performance counter data from the operating system kernel, and subsequently pre-processes and analyzes those data to learn and then recognize the resource utilization of a task. We develop decoy process mechanisms that camouflage performance counter data to prevent malware from learning the resource utilization of a user task. We tested our approach against both legitimate users in real-world work settings and malware samples, and discuss our findings in the paper.
Domain general processes moderate age-related performance differences on the mnemonic similarity task

Several prominent domain general theories (e.g., processing speed and inhibitory function) have been developed to explain cognitive changes associated with aging. A bias to “pattern complete” in ag...
Comorbid Diabetes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Predicts Adverse Disease-Related Outcomes and Infectious Complications.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic systemic illnesses associated with chronic inflammation, dysbiosis, impaired immune function, and infection risk. The impact of DM in modifying disease activity in patients with IBD remains largely unknown. To investigate the impact of DM on IBD-related disease outcomes, mortality, and infections in patients with IBD. We performed a longitudinal cohort analysis. Using a large institutional database, patients with concurrent IBD and DM (IBD–DM), and IBD without DM (IBD cohort), were identified and followed longitudinally to evaluate for primary (IBD-related) and secondary (mortality and infections) outcomes. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the independent effect of DM on each outcome, adjusting for confounding effects of covariates. A total of 901 and 1584 patients were included in the IBD–DM and DM cohorts. Compared with IBD, IBD–DM had significantly higher risk of IBD-related hospitalization [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.97, 95% confidence interval (1.71–2.28)], disease flare [HR 2.05 (1.75–2.39)], and complication [HR 1.54 (1.29–1.85)]. No significant difference was observed in the incidence of IBD-related surgery. All-cause mortality, sepsis, Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and skin infection were also more frequent in the IBD–DM than the IBD cohort (all p ≤ 0.05). Subgroup analysis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis patients showed similar associations, except with an additional risk of surgery and no association with CDI in the CD–DM cohort. Comorbid diabetes in patients with IBD is a predictor of poor disease-related and infectious outcomes.
Educational Animations to Inform Transplant Candidates About Deceased Donor Kidney Options: An Efficacy Randomized Trial.

Background Transplant candidates struggle making decisions about accepting kidneys with variable kidney donor profile index (KDPI) and increased risk donor (IRD) status. Methods This single site, pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of 2 animations to improve KDPI/IRD knowledge, decisional self-efficacy, and willingness. Kidney candidates were randomly assigned to animation viewing plus standard nurse discussion (intervention) or standard nurse discussion alone (control). Linear regression was used to test the significance of animation exposure after controlling for covariates (α 85% willingness or distribution of KDPI/IRD decisional self-efficacy. Over 90% of participants provided positive ratings on each of 11 acceptability items. Conclusions Supporting conventional IRD and KDPI education with educational animations can improve knowledge and IRD willingness compared with standard methods.
Plasmid-based reverse genetics for probing phosphorylation-dependent viroplasm formation in rotaviruses

Rotavirus (RV) replication occurs in cytoplasmic compartments, known as viroplasms, that are composed of viral and cellular proteins. Viroplasm formation requires RV nonstructural proteins NSP2 and NSP5 and cellular lipid droplets (LDs); however, the mechanisms required for viroplasm assembly remain largely unknown. We previously identified two conformationally-distinct forms of NSP2 (dNSP2, vNSP2) found in RV-infected cells that interact differentially with hypo- and hyperphosphorylated NSP5, respectively, and indicate a coordinated phosphorylation-dependent mechanism regulating viroplasm assembly. We also reported that phosphorylation of dNSP2 on serine 313 by the cellular kinase CK1α triggers the localization of vNSP2 to sites of viroplasm assembly and its association with hyperphosphorylated NSP5. To directly evaluate the role of CK1α-mediated NSP2 phosphorylation on viroplasm formation, we used a recently published plasmid-based reverse genetics method to generate a recombinant rotavirus (rRV) with a phosphomimetic NSP2 mutation (rRV NSP2 S313D). The rRV NSP2 S313D virus is significantly delayed in viroplasm formation, virus replication, and interferes with wild type RV replication during co-infection. The rRV NSP2 S313A virus was not rescued. Taking advantage of the delay in viroplasm formation, the NSP2 S313D phosphomimetic mutant was used as a tool to observe very early events in viroplasm assembly. We show that (1) viroplasm assembly correlates with NSP5 hyperphosphorylation, and (2) that vNSP2 S313D co-localizes with RV-induced LDs without NSP5, suggesting that vNSP2 phospho-S313 is sufficient for interacting with LDs and may be the virus factor required for RV-induced LD formation. Further studies with the rRV NSP2 S313D virus are expected to reveal new aspects of viroplasm and LD initiation and assembly.
Who Is Responsible for Libor Rate-Fixing?

The U.S. Department of Justice’s pursuit of the participants in the LIBOR conspiracy almost exclusively through fraud claims stands in dramatic contrast with the European Commission’s use of antitrust law to impose fines on the same parties for the same conduct. This short note describes the U.S. approach and presents an alternative that would have focused on the British Bankers’ Association as a vehicle for an anticompetitive conspiracy among its bank members. The note also criticizes the U.S. district court decision that dismissed private antitrust claims for the LIBOR conspiracy, a decision that was later reversed by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
GENDER PREFERENCES OF YOUTH ATHLETES FOR THEIR SPORTS MEDICINE PROVIDERS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW:

Background:A multidisciplinary approach is an intrinsic part of the sports medicine management process as providers, therapists and athletic trainers frequently interact to deliver optimal care to ...
Micro‐Characterization of Shearing in Granular Materials Using Computed Tomography

A thorough quantitative analysis of strain localization of axisymmetric triaxial sand specimens is presented. Computed tomography technique was used to acquire detailed 3-D images of a series of Ottawa sand specimens subjected to 'Conventional Triaxial Compression (CTC) conditions at very low effective stresses in microgravity and terrestrial laboratories. Analysis tools were developed to track the onset, propagation, thickness and inclination angle of shear bands, and calculate the variation of void ratio within and outside shear bands. It has been found that shear bands initiate in the post-peak strength regime in CTC specimens, where a rather complex pattern of shear bands develops such that behavior is highly influenced by large-scale kinematics of the specimen. Four main deformation patterns were identified and their contribution to the overall volume change of the specimens was quantified.
Microporous polyvinylidene fluoride film with dense surface enables efficient piezoelectric conversion

We demonstrate that asymmetric porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film, with pores mostly distributed in the bulk but not at the surfaces, can be used as a highly efficient piezoelectric energy generation device. For such microporous PVDF film with dense or pore-free surface, piezoelectric theory shows the efficiency of energy conversion by piezoelectric device depends upon the structure compressibility. Film mechanical properties can be controlled by dispersing micro-scale pores in a polymer matrix with a dense top layer. Piezoelectric output is enhanced by optimization of PVDF micro-structure and electromechanical coupling efficiency. The power output increased three folds with a designed three-dimensional asymmetric porous structure as compared to solid film.
Abstract 2608: Ibrutinib significantly improves survival in a human Burkitt lymphoma (BL) xenograft NSG mouse model: Ibrutinib may be a potential adjuvant agent in the treatment of BL

BACKGROUND: Burkitt lymphoma (BL) represents approximately 40% of all childhood and adolescent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Miles/Cairo, BJH, 2012). Children with relapsed or progressive BL develop chemotherapy-resistant disease and can rarely be cured with salvage therapy (Cairo et al, JCO, 2012). Bruton9s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a regulator of normal B-cell development and is activated upon B-cell receptor (BCR) stimulation. Chronic active BCR signaling through BTK activation can be inhibited by the selective and covalent BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib (Young et al, Nat Rev, 2013). Ibrutinib has been highly effective in the treatment of refractory patients with CLL and MCL and has been approved by the FDA for patients with CLL or MCL who have received at least one prior therapy (USPI) (Byrd et al, NEJM, 2013 and Wang et al, NEJM, 2013). BL, however, is associated with tonic or possibly chronic active BCR signaling; while, both CLL and MCL have chronic active BCR signaling. We have previously demonstrated ibrutinib significantly decrease BL proliferation and viability in vitro (Lee/Cairo et al, ASH, 2014) OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that ibrutinib may be a potential adjuvant agent in the treatment of BL. Therefore, we investigated the in vivo anti-tumor activity of ibrutinib in BL xenografted NOD/SCID (NSG) mice. METHODS: The luciferase expression plasmid (ffluc-Zeo), kindly provided by L. Cooper, MD) was transfected into Raji cells. Cells were subcutaneously injected into NSG mice (6-8wks old, NOD.Cg-Prkdc scid Il2rg tm1Wjl /SzJ, Jackson lab). Tumor cells engraftment and progression were examined by Bioluminescent Imaging using the Xenogen IVIS-200 (Caliper Life Sciences). Mice were orally gavaged with vehicle control or Ibrutinib (1.25, 12.5 and 25mg/kg/day, generously provided by Janssen RD 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2608. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2608
The Politics of the Past in an Argentine Working‐Class Neighbourhood

The Politics of the Past in an Argentine Working-Class Neighbourhood. Lindsay DuBois. Toronto: Toronto Press, 2005. 283 pp.
Interstellar Cloud Structure, Fragmentation, and Protostar Formation

Small scale structures, ≪0.1 pc, are important components of interstellar clouds and their cores. However, little is known about their properties and role in cloud evolution. Here I review the small scale structure in low mass clouds in the context of the formation of low mass protostellar cores. The outlines of the hydrodynamical theory of cloud evolution are presented, as well as observations of low mass clouds are discussed which highlight fragmentation and the role of coalescence processes in core formation.
State and metropolitan variation in lack of health insurance among working-age adults, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2006.

Objective. Lack of health insurance coverage for working-age adults is one of the most pressing issues facing the U.S. population, and it continues to be a concern for a large number of people. In the absence of a national solution, the states and municipalities are left to address this need. We examined the disparities in uninsurance prevalence by state and metropolitan areas in the U.S. and among racial/ethnic groups. Method. Data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were analyzed for working-age adults 18 to 64 years of age. Results. In 2006, according to the BRFSS data, overall 18.6% (standard error = 0.20) of working-age adults were without health insurance coverage; by state, this proportion ranged from 9.7% to 29.0%. Health insurance coverage varied by state and metropolitan area and racial/ethnic group, and a higher age-adjusted prevalence of uninsurance was observed for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic respondents. Conclusions. A substantial proportion of working-age Americans remain without health insurance coverage. Disparities in health insurance coverage were observed by population and geographic groups. Overall, black and Hispanic populations fared far worse in terms of lack of health-care coverage than working-age white Americans.
Hormonal Changes Accompanying Cigarette Smoke-Induced Preterm Births in a Mouse Model

Epidemiologic evidence indicates that maternal smoking increases the risk of preterm birth. While a number of plausible mechanisms for early delivery have been offered, the role of gestational hormones in this smoke-induced outcome is uncertain. Thus, a toxicologic study was performed to examine the effects and underlying hormonal mechanisms of mainstream cigarette smoke (MCS) exposure on gestational duration. Pregnant B6C3F1 mice were exposed by inhalation to MCS for 5 days/week (4 hrs/day) from Gestational Day (GD) 4 to parturition. Smoke-induced effects on gestational length, interpubic ligament length, maternal hormone secretion patterns (estradiol-17beta, progesterone, prolactin, and relaxin), body weight gain, postimplantation loss, litter size, and offspring sex ratio were examined. Dams exposed to MCS at a concentration equivalent to smoking less than one pack of cigarettes/day (carbon monoxide = 25 parts per million, total suspended particulates = 16 mg/m3) demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) shortening of gestational duration (compared with pregnant, air-exposed mice). In addition, MCS-exposed mice sacrificed on GD 18 had significantly (P < 0.05) increased interpubic ligament length, elevated serum estrogen levels, and a reduced progesterone to estradiol-17beta ratio (compared with air-exposed controls); levels of progesterone and prolactin were only modestly decreased and increased, respectively, in the MCS-exposed mice. Smoke exposure had no significant effects on maternal relaxin levels, body weight gain, postimplantation loss, litter size, or sex ratio. Results of this study demonstrate that inhalation exposure of pregnant mice to a low dose of MCS shortens gestation and alters hormone secretory patterns, which are important for maintaining pregnancy and inducing parturition. These findings support the view that pregnant women who smoke (even modestly) may be at increased risk for preterm birth, and that early delivery may be related (at least partly) to MCS-induced.
Prerequisite Coursework as a Predictor of Performance in a Graduate Management Course

There have been many studies published concerning predictors of academic performance but few of these studies have examined the impact of prerequisites. As such, we investigated the impact of a prerequisite management course on graduate student performance in an Organizational Behavior (OB) course. In this longitudinal study, we explored predictors of performance in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Organizational Behavior course. In particular, we found that the grade received in the prerequisite was positively related to subsequent performance in the Organizational Behavior course. In addition, mode of instruction (online versus on campus) was significantly and negatively related to the grade received in Organizational Behavior.
Male fertility following spinal cord injury: an update

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs most often in young men at the peak of their reproductive health. The majority of men with SCI cannot father children naturally. Three major complications contribute to infertility in men with SCI: erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, and abnormal semen quality. Erectile dysfunction can be managed by regimens available to the general population, including oral administration of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, intracavernosal injections, vacuum devices, and penile prostheses. Semen may be obtained from anejaculatory men with SCI via the medically assisted ejaculation methods of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) or electroejaculation (EEJ). Sperm retrieval is also possible via prostate massage or surgical sperm retrieval. Most men with SCI have abnormal semen quality characterized by normal sperm concentrations but abnormally low sperm motility and viability. Accessory gland dysfunction has been proposed as the cause of these abnormalities. Leukocytospermia is evident in most SCI patients. Additionally, elevated concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and elevated concentrations of inflammasome components are found in their semen. Neutralization of these constituents has resulted in improved sperm motility. There is a recent and alarming trend in the management of infertility in couples with SCI male partners. Although many men with SCI have sufficient motile sperm in their ejaculates for attempting intrauterine insemination (IUI) or even intravaginal insemination, surgical sperm retrieval is often introduced as the first and only sperm retrieval method for these couples. Surgical sperm retrieval commits the couple to the most advanced, expensive, and invasive method of assisted conception: in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Couples should be informed of all options, including semen retrieval by PVS or EEJ. Intravaginal insemination or IUI should be considered when indicated.
Measurement and Analysis of the Angular Guided-Wave Depolarized Light Scattering Patterns from Block Copolymer Thin Films

We have measured and analyzed the angular scattering patterns in guided-wave depolarized light scattering (GWDLS) from 500 nm thick diblock copolymer thin films of poly(styrene-block-isoprene) using diffraction grating couplers. The measured pattern is decomposed into the sum of contributions from ordered grains and grating birefringence. Measured patterns are well fitted using a grain model consisting of disks lying in the film plane with elliptical cross sections, randomly oriented optic axes, and variable-length major axes.
Effects of the SMART Classroom Curriculum to Reduce Child and Family Screen Time

Evidence for adverse effects of screen media exposure has led to recommendations to limit children's screen time. This paper describes a randomized controlled trial of SMART (Student Media Awareness to Reduce Television), an 18-lesson, theory-based classroom curriculum to reduce screen time among third and fourth grade children in two matched public elementary schools (n = 181). Intervention school children significantly reduced their weekday television viewing and weekday and Saturday video game playing compared to controls. Greater effects were found among boys and more adult-supervised children. Mothers, fathers, and siblings and other children in intervention school households also reduced their television viewing. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of a classroom intervention to reduce screen time among elementary school children and their family/household members.
The regulation of nitrate assimilation in Neurospora crassa: Biochemical analysis of the nmr-1 mutants

Neurospora crassa nmr-1 mutants, selected on the basis of their sensitivity to chlorate in the presence of glutamine, have elevated levels of the nitrate assimilation enzymes, NADPH-nitrate reductase and NAD(P)H-nitrite reductase. Immunoelectrophoretic determinations show that the higher nitrate reductase activities in nmr-1 mutants are due to greater enzyme concentrations. The half-life of nitrate reductase in these mutants is unaltered. As in wild-type, expression of nitrate assimilation in nmr-1 mutants is dependent on induction by nitrate. Reduced nitrogen metabolites like ammonium and glutamine still repress this expression in nmr-1 mutants, but not as effectively as in wild-type. Enzymatic activity measurements in double mutant strains confirm that the nit regulatory loci, nit-2 and nit-4/5, are epistatic to nmr-1, but nmr-1 is epistatic to nit-3, the nitrate reductase structural gene. The results imply that nmr-1 is involved in post-transcriptional control of nitrate assimilation.
Domestic violence resources on the Internet

Its advantages include global linkages that help overcome social and geographic isolation; chat rooms allowing interaction among those with similar interests; 5 frequently updated information from international sources regarding medical, legal, financial, and social issues; and numerous professional resources. Disadvantages include the continued need for computer and Internet access and the ability to use them, technical limitations, difficulty determining the quality and accuracy of information retrieved, 6
Inelastic electron scattering cross sections for odd-parity excitations of Ca40

Abstract Cross sections for excitation of the odd-parity states of Ca40 are calculated in the shell model, using the results of a detailed configuration mixing calculation. Both longitudinal and transverse electric contributions are included. The resulting form factors are compared with the predictions of the surface interaction model and with experimental form factors.
University student beliefs about sexual violence in prison: rape myth acceptance, punitiveness, and empathy

AbstractAlthough prison rape has been recognised for years, it began to receive increased attention in the USA following the passage of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). In addition to prevalence and victimisation estimates, several researchers have examined the attitudes of correctional personnel towards prison rape. However, few have surveyed the opinions of those not currently working in the criminal justice system. Drawing from the body of research on rape myths, our goal was to examine prison rape myth acceptance among a university student sample to describe these beliefs, as well as examine attitudinal correlates. The findings indicated that prison rape-supportive beliefs were evident among a minority of the sample and were predicted by general punitiveness and male and female rape myth acceptance. The acceptance of victim-blaming myths identified in this study warrants further investigation. It is possible that educational efforts would be successful in reducing these rape-supportive beliefs.
sTrack: Secure Tracking in Community Surveillance

We present sTrack, a system that can track objects across multiple cameras without sharing any visual information between two cameras except whether an object was seen by both. To achieve this challenging privacy goal, we leverage recent advances in secure two-party computation and multi-camera tracking. We derive a new distance metric learning technique that is more suited for secure computation. Compared to the existing methods, our technique has lower complexity in secure computation without sacrificing the tracking accuracy. We implement it using a new Boolean circuit for secure tracking. Experiments using real datasets show that the performance overhead of secure tracking is low, adding only a few seconds over non-private tracking.
Degenerate four-wave mixing with defocusing nonlinearity

We experimentally demonstrate degenerate four-wave mixing effects in a defocusing nonlinear photorefractive medium, in both one and two transverse dimensions.
Diagnosing Polycythemia Vera: A Paradigm Shift

The primary objective during the evaluation of erythrocytosis is to ascertain the presence or absence of polycythemia vera (PV). Because of prognostic and treatment differences, PV must be distinguished from relative polycythemia and secondary erythrocytosis. This distinction is currently accomplished through the laboratory measurement of red blood cell mass, plasma volume, and arterial oxygen saturation and determination of oxygen pressure at 50% hemoglobin saturation (P50). Furthermore, according to the Polycythemia Vera Study Group guidelines, the demonstration of an increased red blood cell mass is an absolute criterion for the diagnosis of PV. This article discusses the use of the serum erythropoietin level and endogenous erythroid colony assay as a potential alternative in the diagnosis of PV.
Studies on carnitine palmitoyl transferase: the similar nature of CPTi (inner form) and CPTo (outer form).

Abstract Rat liver mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) was found to reside in two mitochondrial locations. Twenty to twenty-five percent of the total CPT activity was easily released and solubilized by digitonin. This activity appeared to be the outer form of CPT (CPT O ). The remainder of the activity or the inner CPT (CPT I ) was tightly membrane bound. Trypsin digestion of the digitonin prepared mitoplast did not affect residual CPT activity indicating that this activity probably resided on the inner side of the membrane. Following their separation by digitonin treatment, CPT O and CPT I were partially purified 14.7-and 16.7-fold, respectively. The purification of each enzyme involved extraction from the membrane with Tween 80, ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration, and another ammonium sulfate fractionation. The partially purified CPT O and CPT I were found to have identical elution volumes from a G-200 column corresponding to a molecular weight of 430,000. Also they both were found to have nearly identical K m values for palmitoyl-CoA, palmitoyl-carnitine, CoA, and carnitine suggesting they were identical enzymes. The V values could not be compared due to differences in purity, but the ratio of V in the forward direction to V in the reverse direction was identical for CPT I and CPT O again suggesting enzyme identity. Assay of the CPT system “ in situ ” by following the reduction of the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, a flavoprotein, suggested that the activity of CPT I was 450-fold greater than the activity of CPT O when both were present in the intact membrane. These data suggest that “ in situ ” factors exist which greatly change the catalytic properties of CPT I compared to CPT O .
Abstract 758: Development of novel anticancer agents based on fusarochromanone

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The primary goal of this research is to develop novel anti-cancer agents based on fusarochromanone (FC101a), a natural mycotoxin with potent anti-angiogenic and direct anti-tumor activity. This research may lead to new cancer chemotherapeutic agents that are more potent and less toxic than conventional chemotherapy. Like most other bioactive natural compounds, the potency of FC101a is compromised in-vivo, suggesting unfavorable bioavailability, distribution, and/or metabolism. Development of FC101a as a chemotherapeutic drug requires the completion of its total synthesis, as well as the synthesis of a series of structural analogs with greater in-vivo potency than the lead compound. Progress towards both the chemical and biological synthesis of FC101a will be presented. We have employed a new pathway for synthesizing the unique multifunctional four-carbon side chain in the parent compound. We have also been successful in synthesizing the 6-iodo-4-chromanone, a key intermediate that is needed for the coupling reaction with the side-chain. Additionally, we have synthesized two novel acetal analogs of FC101a and will present the rational for choosing these structural analogs for devising structure activity relationships for this series of compounds. For the biological synthesis, we have obtained a highly fluorescent metabolite from the rice culture of two Fusarium strains (#4482 and #8508) that resembles FC101a, based on TLC analyses. We have also developed an efficient HPLC purification protocol to obtain samples of this compound with high purity. We are currently working to scale up this separation and confirm the structure of this compound through 1H, 13C-NMR as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry analyses. We will report our preliminary results on the inhibition effects of FC101a on the growth of human aggressive skin cancer carcinoma (SCC) both in-vitro and in-vivo. We have also investigated the mechanism of the biological function of FC101a. We will report our results on the expression levels and phosphorylation states of key proteins involved in cell proliferation signaling pathways, cell sorting profiles, and FACS analyses. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1363. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1363
Replication versus Tests of Equivalence

Summa~y.-The important concept of "replication" is critically examined within the context of current research procedure and is viewed as an unattainable ideal. The degree of success of an attempted replication may be judged in terms of equivalence; such judgments will of course differ with respect to comprehensiveness and specificity. Examination of the traditional law of the independent variable identifies two broad classes of variables; independent and controlled variables and dependent variables. It is useful then to consider attempts to replicate either or borh sets. Provision is thus made for virtually all experiments in the behavioral sciences. The test of range of invariance is discussed and following Stevens, proposed as a worthy obiective of behavioral research. In any experiment which tests the range of invariance, it is desirable to attempt replication of a reference experiment and to provide graduated differences on the methods variables and/or outcome variables in order to ascertain at what point invariance fails.
Regulation of lymphocyte motility by macrophages: Characterization of a lymphocyte migration inhibitory factor derived from a macrophage-like cell line

Abstract An inhibitory factor on lymphocyte migration was detected using a capillary random migration assay in the culture supernatant of peritoneal exudate macrophages cultured at concentrations greater than 8 × 10 6 cells/ml. After examining different macrophage-like cell lines, J774A.1 cells were found to produce this inhibitory factor, which was termed lymphocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF). The inhibitory effect of LMIF on the migration of spleen lymphocytes, thymocytes, and bone marrow cells was determined. The migration of thymocytes was more sensitive to LMIF than was the migration of spleen lymphocytes and bone marrow cells. Interestingly, when the effect of LMIF was tested on the migration of spleen T cells and B cells, T cells were more sensitive than B cells. When the thymocytes were separated by peanut agglutinin into mature and immature thymocytes, the migration of mature thymocytes was more sensitive than that of immature thymocytes to the effect of LMIF, suggesting that the greatest effect of LMIF was on the migration of mature T cells. Partial purification of LMIF by ion-exchange and gelfiltration chromatography revealed that it is approximately 14,000 in molecular weight and could exist in either monomeric or dimeric forms. The possible role of this factor in an immune response is discussed.
Cardiovascular image analysis: past, present and future

Abstract This paper stresses the importance of imaging and image analysis for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease — the number one killer in the western world. The paper gives a brief overview of cardiovascular imaging modalities and analysis techniques. It is followed by a more detailed description of three of the many upcoming application areas in which cardiovascular image analysis is expected to play a primary role: early detection of atherosclerotic disease from peripheral ultrasound image sequences; analysis of coronary hemodynamics in 3D and 4D; and non-invasive assessment of arterial plaque vulnerability.
Low-temperature plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition growth of WNxCy from a novel precursor for barrier applications in nanoscale devices

A low-temperature plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) process has been developed for the growth of ultrathin WNxCy films, using a halide-free W precursor. A 32-nm-thick PEALD WNxCy film deposited using this process at 250 °C possesses a composition of W72C20N5, resistivity of ≈250 μΩ·cm, a root-mean-square (rms) surface roughness of 0.23 nm, and a thickness conformality of more than 80% on trench structures with a width of 120 nm and an aspect ratio of 11. The WNxCy films exhibited excellent thermal stability, whereby resistivity, thickness, surface roughness, and crystal structure were stable after 30 min anneals in 700 Torr, forming gas ambient at temperatures up to 700 °C. Copper diffusion barrier performance measurements show that a 9 nm thick WNxCy film could prevent copper diffusion after a 30 min anneal at 700 °C, while a 2-nm-thick film could prevent copper diffusion after a 30 min anneal at 500 °C.
Ganser's syndrome in a man with AIDS

Received Nov. 18, 2002; accepted Dec. 13, 2002. From the Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia. Address reprint requests to Dr. Lamdan, Temple University Health Sciences Center and Department of Psychiatry, 1316 West Ontario St., Jones Hall, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19140. Copyright 2003 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. In 1898, German psychiatrist Siegbert Ganser first recognized the syndrome that would bear his name as a presentation of Vorbeireden, or “approximate answers.” Central features of Ganser’s syndrome include 1) approximate answers, 2) somatic conversion symptoms, 3) clouding of consciousness, and 4) hallucinations. Although it has been regarded as a psychotic disorder, it is currently classified among disorders of dissociation. The syndrome is uncommon, and rates of incidence and prevalence remain unclear. There appears to be a higher incidence of the condition in male subjects who belong to an ethnic minority. According to a review of 41 cases of Ganser’s syndrome, symptoms may span a wide range and include conversion features such as paralysis, anesthesias, paresthesias, and hysterical seizures (seen in 33% of the cases); psychogenic fugue (seen in 33%); disorientation to time and place (seen in 56%); perceptual disturbances such as auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, and olfactory hallucinations (seen in 51%); and amnesia, including localized, selective, and continuous types (seen in 93% of the cases). Approximate answers and amnesia were highly correlated at 93%, suggesting a dissociative mechanism. Onset of the syndrome is frequently associated with a stressful life event, which is most often of a domestic, sexual, or financial nature. Most cases are transient and resolve suddenly with an inability to recall the event. Ganser’s syndrome has been reported in a variety of patients, including those who have suffered trauma (per Ganser), organic brain disease, alcoholism with Korsakov’s psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, and neurosyphillis, although it has been most commonly reported in forensic settings. The condition is thought to unconsciously occur in response to a psychologically intolerable event. Further, it has been suggested that individuals presenting with Ganser’s syndrome frequently have underlying axis II psychopathology. Presented here is a description of an HIV-positive male patient who came into an outpatient psychiatry clinic exhibiting Ganser’s syndrome.
Beam Profiling In Gigawatt 1064-Nm Lasers Used In Research On Optical Materials At Livermore

Laser pulses with intensities ranging from 109-1011 watts/cm? are routinely used at Livermore to measure nonlinear properties of optical materials. The energy in each of these pulses is measured with an absorbing glass calorimeter. Both vidicon cameras and photographic emulsions are used to record the fluence distribution in laser beams. Pulse waveforms are recorded by a streak camera, or by a combination of a photodiode and an oscilloscope. This paper describes our procedures for using this data to determine the fluence and intensity for short duration laser pulses.
Efficacy of eletriptan in treating women with menstrually associated migraine and women on oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy

Objectives: Menstrually associated migraines are common and are reported to be particularly severe, long-lasting, and refractory to treatment. Use of oral contraceptives (OC’s) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) also may exacerbate migraine symptoms leading to more frequent and severe attacks. Oral eletriptan is an effective antimigraine agent in the overall population in clinical trials, and its efficacy has now been assessed in these important, but difficult-to-treat, groups who experience migraines. Methods: A prospectively planned meta-analysis was performed using data from six double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group trials of similar design involving 698 women with menstrually related migraines (attacks occurring from 1 day before to 4 days after onset of menses) and for women who were (n = 1,230) or were not (n = 3,704) taking OCs or HRT. Results: Eletriptan was effective at treating menstrually related migraines, with a significantly higher proportion of patients who received eletriptan reporting a headache response at 2 hours compared with those receiving placebo (64% for 40 mg and 68% for 80 mg doses versus 26% for placebo; P < 0.001). Eletriptan was as effective in women who were taking OCs or HRT as in women who were not, with headache response rates at 2 hours of 65% and 58% for 40 mg, 68% and 65% for 80 mg, and 25% and 24% for placebo, respectively. Conclusions: Oral eletriptan provided effective headache relief for patients with migraines taking OCs or HRT, and in women with menstrually associated migraine.
A Model of Adaptive Team Decision

This paper formulates a team-decision problem in the format of an adaptive approach to multiperiod decisions. It emphasizes attaining a conceptual clarity about the nature of team decision-making. As in the case of single-person adaptive decision processes, the optimal team-communication rule and team-decision rule for a given period generally depend on the number of periods remaining in an adaptive team-decision process.
Effect of Multiple‐batch Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Stocking Density and Feeding Rate on Water Quality, Production Characteristics, and Costs

To quantitatively define relationships among stocking densities, feeding rates, water quality, and production costs for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, grown in multiple-batch systems, twelve 0.1-ha earthen ponds were stocked at 8,600, 17,300, 26,000, or 34,600 fingerlings/ha along with 2,268 kg/ha of carryover fish. Fish in all ponds were fed daily to apparent satiation using 32% protein floating feed. Temperature and dissolved oxygen in each pond were monitored twice daily; pH weekly; nitrite-N, total ammonia nitrogen, and Secchi disk visibility every 2 wk; nitrate-N, chlorophyll a, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand monthly; and chloride every other month. The costs of producing channel catfish at different stocking densities were estimated. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) as a result of stocking density among treatment means of (1) gross or net yields, (2) mean weights at harvest, and (3) growth or survival of fingerlings (24–36%) and carryover fish (77–94%). Mean and maximum daily feeding rates ranged from 40 to 53 kg/ha/d and 123 to 188 kg/ha/d, respectively, and feed conversion ratios averaged 1.75. There were no differences in any feed-related parameter as a result of density. Water quality variables showed few differences among densities at samplings and no differences when averaged across the production season. Yield of fingerlings increased as stocking density increased with significant differences between the two highest and the two lowest stocking densities. Breakeven prices were lower at the higher stocking densities as a result of the higher yield of understocked fish and similar mean individual fish weights produced at these higher stocking densities. Overall, varying stocking densities of fingerlings in multiple-batch systems had little effect on production efficiency and water quality. Additional research on managing the population structure of carryover fish in commercial catfish ponds may be warranted.
Double-blind comparison of captopril and enalapril in mild to moderate hypertension

To compare the antihypertensive and Immoral effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors captopril and enalapril, 20 patients with essential hypertension, not receiving treatment for 2 weeks and consuming a prescribed sodium ion intake, were randomly assigned to two parallel, double-blind treatment groups with stratification based on race and untreated seated diastolic blood pressure. These groups received a placebo (day -1) followed by either captopril, 200 mg every 12 hours (n = 9), or enalapril maleate, 20 mg every 12 hours (n = 11), alone (days 1 to 14) and then with hydrochlorothiazide, 25 mg every 12 hours (days 16 to 28). Captopril and enalapril were coadministered alone (day 15) and with hydrochlorothiazide (day 29) to assess whether further decreases in blood pressure would occur. Captopril and enalapril alone caused comparable decreases (p Coupled with the comparable changes observed in each treatment group in serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration, these data support the view that captopril and enalapril have similar antihypertensive effects and mechanisms.