cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the Cytolytic Trigger Molecules G7/PNK-E as a Molecular Complex on the Surface of Porcine Phagocytes

G7 and PNK-E mAbs recognize distinct porcine NK cell and granulocyte function-associated molecules that enhance and induce a significant cytolytic response against tumor cell targets through a mechanism of re-directed cytotoxicity. The present study shows that the G7 and PNK-E molecules are present on the surface of porcine neutrophils, monocytes, and pulmonary alveolar macrophages as a physically and functionally associated cytolytic trigger molecular complex. Two-color flow cytometric analysis demonstrates that most, if not all, neutrophils are G7 and PNK-E antigen positive. In contrast, monocytes and PAM contain both G7 and PNK-E positive as well as G7 positive and PNK-E negative subpopulations. mAb binding competition experiments indicate that pretreatment of phagocytes with G7 mAb can block subsequent binding by PNK-E mAb, suggesting that these antigens are physically associated on the surface of porcine phagocytes. Fluorescent co-capping experiments utilizing G7 and PNK-E mAbs clearly demonstrate a physical association between G7 and PNK-E antigens present on the surface of porcine neutrophils. Pretreatment of phagocytes with F(ab')2 fragments of G7 and PNK-E mAbs shows that F(ab')2 G7 mAb blocks subsequent induction of phagocyte-mediated tumor cell cytotoxicity by whole PNK-E mAb but pretreatment with F(ab')2 PNK-E does not block subsequent induction of phagocyte-mediated tumor cell cytotoxicity by whole G7 mAb. In addition, pretreatment of neutrophils and mononuclear phagocytes with F(ab')2 fragments of G7 mAb blocks subsequent whole PNK-E mAb-dependent activation of a phagocytic cell intracellular oxidative burst response but pretreatment with F(ab')2 PNK-E does not block subsequent G7 mAb-dependent activation of a phagocytic cell intracellular oxidative burst response. These data reinforce a physical and functional association between the G7 and PNK-E molecules. Recent identification of the G7 antigen as the porcine homolog of Fc gamma RIII indicates that the G7 and PNK-E mAbs recognize a unique and previously uncharacterized Fc gamma R cytolytic trigger molecular complex present on the surface of porcine neutrophils, monocytes, and PAM.
Electrode erosion and gas evolution of vacuum arcs

The characteristics of the evolution of gas from metals in vacuum arcs are presented. New materials have been developed having ungettered gaseous impurity concentrations of the order of 1 part in 109. Loss of vacuum in a vacuum switch by desorption and by diffusion of helium and other gases is negligible when good techniques are employed. Data are presented for electrode erosion for gas-free metals in the vacuum arc.
The Organization of Instruction in Migrant Education: Assistance for Children and Youth at Risk.

The Migrant Education Program is a major provider of instructional services to students whose schooling has been interrupted and who need to learn English as a second language. As part of a statewide evaluation of the program, a study focusing on the organization of instruction and interactions among participants was conducted in 11 school districts in California. A range of qualitative and quantitative data-collection and analysis methods was used. It was found that migrant supplementary instruction, focusing mainly on basic skills, was provided almost entirely by teacher aides. Migrant aides worked in the regular classroom in 68% of the instructional sessions observed and in a pullout setting in 32% of the sessions. Examination of the instructional context of migrant instruction revealed that when students were pulled out of the regular classroom for instruction, the regular teacher showed a very low level of awareness of the migrant students' activities or progress in the migrant program. Collaborative planning and strong administrative support for such planning were found to be critical features of high-quality supplemental programs.
A molecular mechanics (MM3) study of fluorinated hydrocarbons

Abstract A molecular mechanics study of small saturated hydrocarbons (up to C-6), substituted by up to six fluorines was carried out with the MM3 force field. Perfluorobutane and Teflon were also studied. A parameter set was developed for use in the calculation of bond lengths, bond angles, torsion angles, conformational energies, barriers to rotation, dipole moments, moments of inertia and vibrational frequencies for these compounds. The results are in good agreement with experiment when only one or two fluorines are present, but some rather large discrepancies were noted when the F/H ratio becomes high. These can be taken into account only by using a force field more complicated than MM3. Some of the requirements of such a force field are delineated. Some pertinent ab initio results are also reported in this article.
Assessing the Credibility of the “YouTube Approach” to Health Information on Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: This study was designed to assess the credibility of YouTube video information on acute myocardial infarction by exploring the relationship between accuracy of information on the topic, source of expertise, and perceived credibility of the message. Hypothesis: Health information videos in YouTube possess a diverse mix of information and can easily mislead online information seekers. Methods: The Web site http://www.YouTube.com was queried for the following search terms: “acute myocardial infarction,” “heart attack,” “acute coronary syndrome,” and “ST-elevation myocardial infarction.” The resulting videos were categorized according to the source of the video and content was analyzed for discussion of different aspects of disease, ranging from pathophysiology to treatment. Results: Only 6% of videos touched upon all aspects of acute myocardial infarction. These were mostly from professional societies, were of long duration, and were among the least viewed. Videos that described personal experiences were “liked” or “disliked” most and had the majority of comments. Only 17% of the videos discussed the preventive aspects of the disease and stressed weight-loss and exercise programs. Videos that stressed prevention were advertisements for specific weight-loss programs (45%) and diet pills (30%). Very few videos stressed other risk factors. A large number of videos were irrelevant. Conclusions: YouTube is a popular platform across the globe for sharing video information, including videos related to health and disease. However, the information on this platform is not regulated and can easily mislead those seeking it. We suggest that authoritative videos should come from reputable sources such as professional societies and/or academic institutions and should provide unbiased and accurate information on all aspects of diseases like acute myocardial infarction. Clin. Cardiol. 2011 DOI: 10.1002/clc.21981 The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
P-values For Discrete Test Statistics

This paper considered the relative merits of the P-value and the mid-P-value. It is shown that inference based on the mid-P-value is in a certain sense on firmer ground. In particular the expected mid-P-value does not change under an irrelevant breakup in the test statistic.
DUCK PLAGUE IN GNOTOBIOTIC DUCKS

Four-week-old gnotobiotic and conventional ducks were inoculated orally with duck plague virus. Both groups of ducks died on the third and fourth day after inoculation. Gross and microscopic lesions of duck plague were similar in gnotobiotic and conventional ducks, indicating the synergistic action of species of Salmonella and Pasteurella was not essential for development of lesions.
CH activation of pendant alkoxides by tungsten imide complexes

Abstract The tungsten complex W(NAr)(O-t-Bu)2Cl2(THF) (1, Ar=2.6-diisopropylamine) reacts with an imine substrate at 80°C in C6D6 to give an N-aryl imine product. A Chauvin [2+2] type mechanism was excluded when 1 was found to be thermally unstable. Decomposition of 1 yielded isobutylene, t-butyl chloride, 2,6-diisopropylphenylamine and precipitates that exhibited an IR absorbance for MO. There was no evidence for the intermediacy of radical or cationic species. Imide-mediated CH activation of the t-butoxide ligand was proposed as the most likely pathway. The tetraalkoxide W(NAr)(O-t-Bu)4 was also found to decompose at 80°C, but at a slower rate. The fluorinated alkoxide complexes, W(NPh)((OC(CF3)2(CH3))2Cl2(THF) and W(N-t-Bu)2((OC(CF3)2(CH3))2 did not decompose under similar conditions.
Industrial trade shows abroad

Abstract As American companies seek industrial markets abroad, a stumbling block confronting many new entrants concerns gaining access to market information and decision makers quickly. The industrial trade show is one vehicle that can serve the marketer well in this regard. However, trade fairs are not traditionally viewed in this country as serving this purpose. Thus, in an effort to expand comprehension in this area, this article outlines several benefits of utilizing trade shows in industrial marketing plans overseas. In addition, operational concerns are discussed, and a brief assessment of the effectiveness of these shows is presented.
An MRI-guided PET partial volume correction method

Accurate quantification of positron emission tomography (PET) is important for diagnosis and assessment of cancer treatment. The low spatial resolution of PET imaging induces partial volume effect to PET images that biases quantification. A PET partial volume correction method is proposed using high-resolution, anatomical information from magnetic resonance images (MRI). The corrected PET is pursued by removing the convolution of PET point spread function (PSF) and by preserving edges present in PET and the aligned MR images. The correction is implemented in a Bayesian's deconvolution framework that is minimized by a conjugate gradient method. The method is evaluated on simulated phantom and brain PET images. The results show that the method effectively restores 102 ± 7% of the true PET activity with a size of greater than the full-width at half maximum of the point spread function. We also applied the method to synthesized brain PET data. The method does not require prior information about tracer activity within tissue regions. It can offer a partial volume correction method for various PET applications and can be particularly useful for combined PET/MRI studies.
Multiple Forms of Pectinmethylesterase from Citrus Peel and Their Effects on Juice Cloud Stability

Heparin chromatography of a dialysis supernatant fraction from total salt extractable proteins of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. var. Valencia fruit peel (flavedo plus albedo) resolved four peaks of pectinmethylesterase activity (PME 1–4). One of these was thermally tolerant (PME 3). Binding to concanavalin A suggested PME 3 was a glycoprotein. At 30°C and 5 U - mL1 PME 1, 2 and 3 destabilized the cloud of pasteurized FCOJ within 10 days. PME 1 caused the most rapid cloud loss (3d), followed by PME 3 and PME 2. PME 4 had no effect on juice cloud during this time period. At 4°C PME 3 caused the most rapid cloud loss (3d), followed by PME 1 (14d) and PME 2 (>14d). PME 4 had no effect on juice cloud stability after 10 days at 30°C or 14 days at 4°C.
Challenges of implementing pharmacogenetics in the critical care environment

The publication of the human genome sequence has generated great enthusiasm for the potential of gene-based technologies to transform many facets of medical care. Pharmacogenetics — for example, the use of an individual's genetic profile to optimize drug prescription — has generated particular interest, but so far most efforts in this field have focused on sub-acute or chronic illnesses, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. By contrast, little attention has been devoted to the potential of pharmacogenetics in guiding drug selection for acutely ill patients in the critical care environment. Although such an approach has theoretical appeal as a means of enhancing quality and improving outcomes in this setting, several obstacles exist to bringing this technology to clinical fruition.
Distribution and characteristics of Adirondack-class basalt as observed by Mini-TES in Gusev crater, Mars and its possible volcanic source

Abstract We identified 104 unique rock targets belonging to the olivine-rich Adirondack class using Mini-TES data. Rare rocks on the West Spur of the Columbia Hills and on the plains east of the Hills also belong to this class. We present evidence that Adirondack-class basaltic lavas may have had their origin at Apollinaris Tholus. Linear modeling of Adirondack-class rock spectra shows only minor variations in mineralogy and the primary phases identified are consistent with olivine basalt having an average olivine composition of ∼Fo 45 . We used factor analysis and target transformation to identify variability within a single class of rocks for the first time, and we find that olivine abundance varies independently of a basaltic matrix. A spectral component previously attributed to downwelling radiance is proposed here to be attributable to optically thin dust on rocks, which has a greater effect on Mini-TES spectra than previously recognized, but can explain the sloping continuum observed in Adirondack-class rock spectra as well as the apparent distortion of an olivine absorption. Spectral mixing is not completely linear, leading to the overestimation of sulfate and olivine fractions and the underestimation of plagioclase feldspar, although linear mixing appears to successfully replicate the majority of the observed signal. Published TES spectra of low albedo, low dust cover, olivine-bearing materials do not exhibit the spectral telltales of non-linear behavior, probably because orbital spectra represent mostly mobile regolith that has not accumulated a sufficient dust cover over ∼3 × 6 km areas.
Diagnosing Pulmonary Disease in the Immunocompromised Patient

The basic premise underlying the commitment of the nation's resources to biomedical investigation is the implication that new information will en­ hance the clinician's repertoire and thus improve clinical outcome. Unfortunately, those physi­ cians engaged in basic and clinical science are only infrequently provided with tangible evi­ dence of the validity of this hypothesis. The work of Martin and his colleagues, detailed in this issue of the Proceedings (pages 549 to 557), serves as a reaffirmation of the pragmatic contributions of clinical science to the quality of patient care. The goal of this study was the safe and expedi­ tious recognition of treatable, life-threatening pulmonary disease in the immunocompromised patient. As is evident in this report, progress toward this end reflects the culmination of ap­ plied scientific methods in several disciplines, converging at the bedside. Namely, the impor­ tance of the study by Martin and associates is derived from application of state-of-the-art clin­ ical investigation (prospective analysis), pulmo­ nary science (bronchoalveolar lavage), clinical cytopathology and immunopathology (immunofluorescence studies), and medical virology (shell vial assay), all focused through the timeless ex­ ercise of comprehensive consultative patient care. The significance of this study is best illustrated in the context of the magnitude of the problem. Clearly, the problem addressed by these investi­ gators is one that occupies the energies of a considerable proportion of the patient-care re­ sources of all regional medical centers. The lung is clearly the most common "skirmish line" in the immunocompromised host. Insofar as specific therapy for opportunistic pulmonary infection is available, it is arguable that our ability to ad­ vance the clinical management of patients under­ going immunosuppressive therapy for malignant
Spatial resolution of the electrical conductance of ionic fluids using a Green-Kubo method

We present a Green-Kubo method to spatially resolve transport coefficients in compositionally heterogeneous mixtures. We develop the underlying theory based on well-known results from mixture theory, Irving-Kirkwood field estimation, and linear response theory. Then, using standard molecular dynamics techniques, we apply the methodology to representative systems. With a homogeneous salt water system, where the expectation of the distribution of conductivity is clear, we demonstrate the sensitivities of the method to system size, and other physical and algorithmic parameters. Then we present a simple model of an electrochemical double layer where we explore the resolution limit of the method. In this system, we observe significant anisotropy in the wall-normal vs. transverse ionic conductances, as well as near wall effects. Finally, we discuss extensions and applications to more realistic systems such as batteries where detailed understanding of the transport properties in the vicinity of the electrodes is of technological importance.
Angular momenta of planetary bodies

Abstract Inclusion of asteroids in an angular momentum density-mass diagram modifies the diagram presented by MacDonald (1963) and supports Alfvens (1964a) suggestion of a constant period law for planets.
Statistical theory of connectivity I: basic definitions and properties

We introduce a new definition of connectivity which measures cohesion in graphs in a way which satisfies our intuitive concepts about connectivity of graphs. Several basic properties of the definition are proved including the result that spanning subgraphs of graphs have smaller cohesion than the original graph. Two component graphs are discussed and sharp lower bounds are given for connectivity as well as a differential equation whose solution yields the connectivity.
The Measurement of Visual Motion

The analysis of visual motion plays a central role in biological systems. Sophisticated mechanisms for extracting and utilizing motion exist even in simple animals. For example, the frog has efficient ”bug detection” mechanisms that respond selectively to small, dark objects moving in its visual field [1]. The ordinary housefly can track moving objects and discover the relative motion between a target and its background, even when the two are indistinguishable in the absence of relative motion [2].
Exercise order and assessment centre performance

Ratings from an operational assessment centre (AC) were examined as a function of the order that candidates participated in the assessments. Assessment scheduling had a significant multivariate effect on the preconsensus exercise-based ratings. The effect was small, however, accounting for at most 1% of the rating variance. Differences in exercise order were seen as being unlikely to result in serious unfairness to applicants, although programme designers should be sensitive to the possibility of early vs. late-day performance differences.
A heuristic for efficient data distribution management in distributed simulation

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for reducing the complexity of region matching and efficient multicasting in data distribution management component of High Level Architecture (HLA) Run Time Infrastructure (RTI). The current data distribution management (DDM) techniques rely on computing the intersection between the subscription and update regions. When a subscription region and an update region of different federates overlap, RTI establishes communication between the publisher and the subscriber. It subsequently routes the updates from the publisher to the subscriber. The proposed algorithm computes the update/subscription regions matching for dynamic allocation of multicast group. It provides new multicast routines that exploit the connectivity of federation by communicating updates regarding interactions and routes information only to those federates that require them. The region-matching problem in DDM reduces to clique-covering problem using the connections graph abstraction where the federations represent the vertices and the update/subscribe relations represent the edges. We develop an abstract model based on connection graph for data distribution management. Using this abstract model, we propose a heuristic for solving the region-matching problem of DDM. We also provide complexity analysis of the proposed heuristics.
Impaired sodium excretion and increased blood pressure in mice with targeted deletion of renal epithelial insulin receptor.

Renal tubule epithelial cells express the insulin receptor (IR); however, their value has not been firmly established. We generated mice with renal epithelial cell-specific knockout of the IR by Cre-recombinase-loxP recombination using a kidney-specific (Ksp) cadherin promoter. KO mice expressed significantly lower levels of IR mRNA and protein in kidney cortex (49–56% of the WT) and medulla (32–47%) homogenates. Immunofluorescence showed the greatest relative reduction in the thick ascending limb and collecting duct cell types. Body weight, kidney weight, and food and water intakes were not different from WT littermates. However, KO mice had significantly increased basal systolic blood pressure (BP, 15 mm Hg higher) as measured by radiotelemetry. In response to a volume load by gavage (20 ml/kg of body weight, 0.9% NaCl, 15% dextrose), KO mice had impaired natriuresis (37 ± 10 versus 99 ± 9 mmol of Na+ per 2 h in WT). Furthermore, volume load led to a sustained increase in BP in KO mice only. In contrast, insulin administration i.p. (0.5 units/kg of body weight) resulted in a significant fall in BP in WT, but not in KO mice. To test the role of reduced renal nitric oxide (NO) production in these responses, basal urinary nitrates plus nitrites excretion (UNOx) was measured and found to be 61% lower in KO vs. WT mice. Furthermore, acute insulin increased UNOx by 202% in the WT, relative to a significantly blunted rise (67%) in KO animals. These results illuminate a previously uncharacterized role for renal IR to reduce BP and facilitate sodium and water excretion, possibly via NO production.
Rotenone induces neurotoxicity through Rac1-dependent activation of NADPH oxidase in SHSY-5Y cells

Neurodegenerative diseases are attributed to impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Oxidative stress has been considered a contributing factor in the pathology of impaired UPS by promoting protein misfolding and subsequent protein aggregate formation. Increasing evidence suggests that NADPH oxidase is a likely source of excessive oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disorders. However, the mechanism of activation and its role in impaired UPS is not understood. We show that activation of NADPH oxidase in a neuroblastoma cell line (SHSY-5Y) resulted in increased oxidative and nitrosative stress, elevated cytosolic calcium, ER-stress, impaired UPS, and apoptosis. Rac1 inhibition mitigated the oxidative/nitrosative stress, prevented calcium-dependent ER-stress, and partially rescued UPS function. These findings demonstrate that Rac1 and NADPH oxidase play an important role in rotenone neurotoxicity.
Long-term follow-up of progressive macrodystrophia lipomatosa. A report of two cases.

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa is a rare form of congenital localized gigantism that is characterized by slowly progressive overgrowth of the mesenchymal elements, especially the fibroadipose tissue, in a limb1-3. The abnormal tissue is often found along the median nerve in the hand and the plantar nerves in the foot4,5. No causal link between hamartoma of a nerve and soft-tissue enlargement has been established, and evidence of nerve involvement is controversial. We report on two cases of macrodystrophia lipomatosa that caused progressive proximal enlargement along the posterior aspect of the left lower limb in one patient and along the anterior portion of the left upper limb in another. Our search of the literature revealed only one other previously reported case of such progressive enlargement, which was in a purely preaxial distribution6. Both of our patients were informed that information regarding their cases would be submitted for publication. Case 1. A four-month-old girl presented to the clinic with enlarged second and third toes on the left foot. The condition had been present at birth. The mother's pregnancy had been full term and unremarkable. There was no family history of limb malformations or neurofibromatosis. The patient was otherwise healthy and had a normal examination except for very enlarged second and third toes. Radiographs revealed increased soft-tissue density and enlargement of the second and third phalanges and metatarsals (Fig. 1-A). Resection of the second and third rays was performed when the patient was six months of age. Histologically, the resected specimens were enlarged but were otherwise normal in structure and had excessive amounts of normal-appearing adipose tissue. Postoperatively, the foot was noted to be similar in width and height to the contralateral, uninvolved foot. By three months after the operation, the mother noted enlargement …
Stretch-tuning optical fiber Bragg gratings using macro-fiber composite (MFC) piezoelectric actuators

The demand for high safety and reliability standards for aerospace vehicles has resulted in time-consuming periodic on-ground inspections. These inspections usually call for the disassembling and reassembling of the vehicle, which can lead to damage or degradation of structures or auxiliary systems. In order to increase aerospace vehicle safety and reliability while reducing the cost of inspection, an on-board real-time structural health monitoring sensing system is required. There are a number of systems that can be used to monitor the structures of aerospace vehicles. Fiber optic sensors have been at the forefront of the health monitoring sensing system research. Most of the research has been focused on the development of Bragg grating-based fiber optic sensors. Along with the development of fiber Bragg grating sensors has been the development of a grating measurement technique based on the principle of optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), which enables the interrogation of hundreds of low reflectivity Bragg gratings. One drawback of these measurement systems is the 1 - 3 Hz measurement speed, which is limited by commercially available tunable lasers. The development of high-speed fiber stretching mechanisms to provide high rate tunable Erbium-doped optical fiber lasers can alleviate this drawback. One successful approach used a thin-layer composite unimorph ferroelectric driver and sensor (THUNDER) piezoelectric actuator, and obtained 5.3-nm wavelength shift. To eliminate the mechanical complexity of the THUNDER actuator, the research reported herein uses the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC) actuator to tune Bragg grating based optical fibers.
The evolution of RNase P.

Article and publication date are at http://www.rnajournal.org/cgi/doi/10.1261/rna.050732.115. Freely available online through the RNA Open Access option.
Thymidylate synthase gene expression is stimulated by some (but not all) introns

Abstract We previously described the construction of an intronless mouse thymidylate synthase (TS) minigene that has the normal 5' and 3' flanking regions of the gene linked to full length TS cDNA. Transfection of the minigene into ts- hamster V79 cells led to low level expression of normal mouse TS mRNA and protein. In the present study we analyzed the effect of introns on the expression of the TS minigene in transient transfection assays. Inclusion of introns 5 and 6 at their normal locations in the coding region led to an 8-9-fold stimulation of the level of TS and TS mRNA. Almost all of introns 5 and 6 could be deleted without diminishing the stimulatory effect. Inclusion of intron 3 also stimulated the expression of the minigene, although to a lesser extent than introns 5 and 6. However, inclusion of intron 4 had no stimulatory effect. Analysis of minigenes that contained various combinations of introns revealed that the stimulatory effects of the introns were not additive.
Properties of the exchange rate of guanine nucleotides to the novel rap-2B protein.

Rap-2B is a novel ras-related protein that is 89% identical to rap-2 at the amino acid level. Based on its amino acid sequence, it is anticipated that rap-2B binds guanine nucleotides. Here we show that purified, bacterially expressed rap-2B does bind both GTP and GDP in a Mg2+-dependent fashion. The relative affinity of rap-2B for GTP is higher than that for GDP, both at low and high concentrations of Mg2+. This contrasts with N-ras p21 and could be of functional significance. Moreover, a polyclonal antiserum was raised against the recombinant rap-2B protein purified from E. coli lysates. This antiserum recognized a major protein of Mr ∼21000 on Western blots of platelet membrane proteins, and immunoprecipitates rap-2B complexed with GTP or GDP.
A two-factor model of the Depression Coping Questionnaire.

The original 11 factors reported for the 29-item Depression Coping Questionnaire (DCQ) unnecessarily limits its potential usefulness as a clinically interpretable self-report measure. Therefore, the goal of this study was to reduce the number of DCQ factors to equal the number of core dimensions of depression coping addressed by the measure. Study participants (N = 668) completed the original 29-item DCQ and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. The total sample was then split into two equal randomized subsamples. Using a factor loading value cutoff of .40, an initial LISREL exploratory factor analysis produced a 22-item, three-dimension model of positive (10 items), negative (8 items), and substance/sexual (4 items) depression coping behaviors. Because both the negative and substance/sexual dimensions addressed detrimental dimensions of depression coping, these factors were intercorrelated, however, the negative dimension accounted for greater variance. Consequently, given the stated goal of this study the model was then restricted to two core dimensions of positive and negative depression coping. Using the second split-half subsample, a LISREL confirmatory factor analysis produced a 17-item, two-factor model. One negative item (daydreaming) failed to maintain a loading value of .40 or higher and was deleted. The Goodness-of-Fit index for the 17-item, two-factor DCQ was .87 and the Root Mean Square Residual was .08. DCQ alpha coefficients were acceptable at .82 (positive) and .74 (negative). Significant CES-D subgroup differences and correlations were observed.
Endodermal Hedgehog signals modulate Notch pathway activity in the developing digestive tract mesenchyme

The digestive tract epithelium and its adjoining mesenchyme undergo coordinated patterning and growth during development. The signals they exchange in the process are not fully characterized but include ligands of the Hedgehog (Hh) family, which originate in the epithelium and are necessary for mesenchymal cells to expand in number and drive elongation of the developing gut tube. The Notch signaling pathway has known requirements in fetal and adult intestinal epithelial progenitors. We detected Notch pathway activity in the embryonic gut mesenchyme and used conditional knockout mice to study its function. Selective disruption of the Notch effector gene RBP-Jκ (Rbpj) in the mesenchyme caused progressive loss of subepithelial fibroblasts and abbreviated gut length, revealing an unexpected requirement in this compartment. Surprisingly, constitutive Notch activity also induced rapid mesenchymal cell loss and impaired organogenesis, probably resulting from increased cell death and suggesting the need for a delicate balance in Notch signaling. Because digestive tract anomalies in mouse embryos with excess Notch activity phenocopy the absence of Hh signaling, we postulated that endodermal Hh restrains mesenchymal Notch pathway activity. Indeed, Hh-deficient embryos showed Notch overactivity in their defective gut mesenchyme and exposure to recombinant sonic hedgehog could override Notch-induced death of cultured fetal gut mesenchymal cells. These results reveal unexpected interactions between prominent signals in gastrointestinal development and provide a coherent explanation for Hh requirements in mesenchymal cell survival and organ growth.
The impact of sorting strategies on automated sortation system performance

Abstract In this paper, we develop an analytical model of an order sortation system used in automated distribution centers. In such systems, groups of orders are delivered to a recirculating conveyor system where they are sorted into shipping lanes for final preparation and loaded onto waiting trucks. We develop a model of the sorting process, which incorporates the stochastic elements of these systems, to determine the relative merits of two common categories of sorting strategies found in industry: fixed priority schemes and the next available rule. Fixed priority schemes include such popular rules as “sort the largest (or smallest) orders first”. We show that in systems with little lane blocking, a rule which assigns the next available order to a shipping lane will outperform any fixed priority scheme in terms of sorting time and system throughput while in systems with significant lane blocking, the sorting rule has little impact.
A Multi-Objective Decision-Making Approach For Mutual Fund Portfolio

Investment decision-making problems ar e generally multi-objective in nature such as minimization of the risk and maximization of the expected return. These problems can be solved efficiently and effectively using multi-objective decision making (MODM) tools such as a lexicographic goal programming (LGP). This paper applies the LGP model for selecting an optimum mutual fund portfolio for an investor, while taking into account specific parameters including risk, return, expense ratio and others. Sensitivity analysis on the assigned weights in a priority structure of the goals identifies all possible solutions for decision-making. The Euclidean distance method is then used, to measure distances of all possible solutions from the identified ideal solution. The optimal solution is determined by the minimum distance between the ideal solution and other possible solutions of the problem. The associated weights with the optimal solution will be the most appropriate weights in a given priority structure. The effectiveness and applicability of the LGP model is demonstrated via a case example from broad categories of mutual funds.
Critical considerations of pupil alignment to achieve open-loop control of MEMS deformable mirror in nonlinear laser scanning fluorescence microscopy

In this paper we present an alignment methodology for a non-linear laser scanning fluorescence microscopic imaging system integrated with a MEMS deformable mirror that is used to compensate microscope aberrations and improve sample image quality. The procedure uses an accurate open-loop control mechanism of the MEMS DM, a high resolution CMOS camera and a compact Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. The success of the indirect AO control method used by the microscope to compensate aberrations requires careful alignment of the optical system, specifically the DM conjugate planes in the scanning laser optical path. Considerations of this procedure are presented here, in addition to an assessment of the final accuracy of the alignment task is presented, by verifying the pupil conjugation and wavefront response. This method can also serve as a regular check-up of the system's performance and trouble-shoot for system misalignment.
Bonding Strength Modeling of Polyurethane to Vulcanized Rubber

Tires manufactured from polyurethane (PU) have been espoused recently for reduced hysteretic loss, but the material provides poor traction or poor wear resistance in the application, requiring inclusion of a traditional vulcanized rubber tread at the contact surface. The tread can be attached by adhesive methods after the PU body is cured, or the PU can be directly cured to reception sites on the rubber chain molecules unoccupied by crosslinked (vulcanizing) sulfur atoms. This paper provides a study of the two bonding options, both as-manufactured and after dynamic loading representative of tire performance in service. Models of each process are introduced, and an experimental comparison of the bonding strength between each method is made. Results are applied to tire fatigue simulation.
Efficient implementation techniques for vector memory systems

Existing vector machines' memory systems use heavy interleaving and SRAM technology for faster data access. In this paper, we present an efficient vector memory architecture that adopts prime-degree memory interleaving and exploits the capabilities of new-generation DRAM chips with small SRAM cache. The major contribution of this paper is an incremental indexing scheme for prime-degree memory interleaving that takes at most two integer divisions as the initial start-up overhead for each logical vector memory access, and generates one bank/offset address pair per cycle thereafter. We have also developed a vector pre-fetching scheme that ensures that vector data elements are in the SRAM buffers before they are accessed, thus effectively masking the long delays associated with normal DRAM accesses. >
Invariant Subspaces of Bergman Spaces on Slit Domains

In this paper, we characterize the z-invariant subspaces that lie between the Bergman spaces A(G) and A(G\K), where 1 < p <∞, G is a bounded region in C, and K is a closed subset of a simple, compact, C arc.
A structural equivalence between nonlinear and linear adaptive controllers

The mathematical structure of a linear adaptive controller is compared with the structure of several conventional types of nonlinear adaptive controllers. Through a term-by-term comparison of the equations representing each control law, using certain identity relations, it is shown that the structure of a linear adaptive control law is essentially equivalent to the structure of conventional nonlinear adaptive control laws. This result demonstrates that linear adaptive controllers are genuine adaptive controllers, and not just another form of robust controller. >
Power engineering program at Montana State University: planning, financing, promotion and implementation

An approach to update Montana State University's power engineering program is reported. The assessment of the need for such a program, the criteria under which it was developed, and the updated program are described. An affiliation plan to share power engineering's cost with industry and guarantee affiliates well-trained professionals, is presented. The program is structured to guarantee close working relations with industry and to offer solutions to specific power problems by faculty and students. The promotion and implementation of this program are described. >
Opportunities and challenges for anti-CD73 cancer therapy

Biotherapy Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China and Department of Medicine, Cancer Therapy & Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA and Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine – Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 300 E Superior Street‐Tarry 13‐766, Chicago, IL 60611, USA Tel.: +1 312 503 1104 Fax: +1 312 503 0189 bin.zhang@northwestern.edu Opportunities and challenges for anti-CD73 cancer therapy
Group Testing with a Goal in Estimating the Number of Defects Under Imperfect Environmental Stress Screen Levels

A fixed sample size procedure is proposed to obtain initial and then refined estimates of defect density for Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) plans. Ideas of group testing, i.e., testing units in batches instead of individually, where each test only indicates whether the test batch contains only good units or whether it contains at least one defective, is applied to the problem of estimating the probability π of an arbitrary unit being defective. Five estimators are given with their root mean square errors or asymptotic variances. An example and tables of procedure parameters are given to illustrate the proposed method.
Bayesian bot detection based on DNS traffic similarity

Bots often are detected by their communication with a command and control (C&C) infrastructure. To evade detection, botmasters are increasingly obfuscating C&C communications, e.g., by using fastflux or peer-to-peer protocols. However, commands tend to elicit similar actions in bots of a same botnet. We propose and evaluate a Bayesian approach for detecting bots based on the similarity of their DNS traffic to that of known bots. Experimental results and sensitivity analysis suggest that the proposed method is effective and robust.
Utilization of the cellular stress response to sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising death ligand who has received significant attention due to its specific anti-cancer activity. Recently, a number of clinical trials involving either recombinant soluble TRAIL or agonistic death receptor (DR) antibodies have even been initiated. One major caveat in TRAIL-based anti-cancer therapies is that a considerable number of cancer cells are notorious resistant to apoptosis induction by TRAIL. Overcoming this primary or secondary evolved resistance is an utmost important goal of present cancer research. The current literature suggests that TRAIL resistance is mediated by a number of endogenous factors. Areas covered: According to recent research, stress-related transcription factors have acquired a pivotal role in the sensitization of highly resistant cancer cells, for example, pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma cells, to TRAIL-mediated cell death. Out of this transcription factor family, C/EBP-homologous pro...
Integrative neuroscience approach to neuropsychiatric lupus

We present a succinct review of our approach to study the interactions between the DNA-reactive antibodies that cross-react with the GluN2A and GluN2B subunits of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, denoted DNRABs, and their brain targets in subjects with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). We have analyzed the DNRAB-based brain symptomatology in mouse models of NPSLE by using an integrative neuroscience approach, which includes behavioral assessment coupled with electrophysiological studies of neural networks and synaptic connections in target brain regions, such as the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Our results suggest a framework for understanding the interactions between immune factors and neural networks.
Object Depots in the Genus Pogonomyrmex: Exploring the “Who,” What, When, and Where

Harvester ants of the genus Pogonomyrmex collect and deposit many items on top of their nests. The depots of P. badius consist mostly of small charcoal fragments, while those of other species are primarily pebbles. Mature colonies can have hundreds of thousands of objects in their depot. In P. badius, the distributions of midden and charcoal about the mound are not completely overlapping, but are positively correlated in areas of overlap. Charcoal depots are isometric with colony size, but the amount of charcoal per colony size varies with season and site. The absence of the depot stimulates collection of nonfood objects. Recruitment to objects only occurs in the presence of food, and foragers choose objects based on size, but not color. An overview of current knowledge concerning depots in the genus indicates that depot formation is likely the ancestral state in the North American species. Furthermore, it is likely that selection is operating indirectly on these depots through selection on many dependent tasks.
Correlation of interannual length-of-day variation with El Niño/Southern Oscillation, 1972–1986

Correlation between interannual length-of-day (LOD) changes and an index representation of El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) for the period of 1972-1986 was examined in two ways: as the cross-correlation function in the time domain and as the complex coherence spectrum in the frequency domain. The ENSO representation was derived from barometric measurements from the Tahiti and Darwin, Australia, meteorological stations, as the difference of the sea-level pressure between the two locations. The cross correlation between this ENSO representation and LOD variation on the interannual time scale was found to have a maximum value of 0.68 and the LOD phase lag of 2 months, indicating that most of the interannual LOD variation is caused by ENSO, and that the transfer of ENSO's axial angular momentum to the solid earth lags behind the Tahiti-Darwin pressure variation by about 2 months. The corresponding coherence spectrum showed minimum correlation around biennial periods, indicating an influence of the stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation on LOD variations.
Economics: A Good Choice of Major for Future CEOs

It is often suggested that Economics is a good major for individuals interested in becoming business leaders. Despite this widespread assertion, little research has been conducted on this topic. Using the Standard and Poor (S&P) 500 companies, this paper examines the validity of such a claim. We find evidence that Economics is a good choice of major for those aspiring to become a CEO. Economics ranked third with 9% of the CEOs of the S&P 500 companies in 2004 being undergraduate Economics majors, behind Business Administration and Engineering majors, each of which accounted for 20% of the CEOs. When adjusting for size of the pool of graduates, those with undergraduate degrees in Economics are shown to have had a greater likelihood of becoming an S&P 500 CEO than any other major. That is, the share of graduates who were Economics majors who were CEOs in 2004 was greater than that for any other major, including Business Administration and Engineering. The findings also show that a higher percentage of CEOs who were Economics majors subsequently completed a graduate degree - often an MBA - than did their counterparts with Business Administration and Engineering degrees. The paper demonstrates that while women now comprise over half of all bachelors and masters degrees awarded, they remain a minority in terms of undergraduate degrees awarded in Economics and in MBA degrees conferred. Economics programs may try to appeal to more women students as a stepping stone to becoming a CEO, especially as women continue to account for less than 2 percent of the S&P 500 CEOs.
Evaluating Market-Based Corporate Governance Reform: Evidence from a Structural Analysis of Mandatory Auditor Rotation

Many current reform proposals of corporate governance involve financial market intervention as an external governance device. Among them, mandatory audit firm rotation has been controversial. This paper empirically evaluates and quantifies the economic impact of mandatory audit firm rotation using a structural approach, focusing on the critical role played by firms’ existing internal governance. My counterfactual analysis suggests that (1) mandatory audit firm rotation can reduce the shareholder value by 5.9 to 7.2 billion dollars for the US public firm in my sample; (2) a significant fraction of the reduction results from reduced board effectiveness in selecting desirable auditors and hence the policy is more costly to the shareholders of the firms with strong internal governance; (3) policies that improve firm internal governance can work better and increase shareholder value; and (4) mandatory rotation becomes even more costly and further increases the cost of reduced board effectiveness by approximately 4.0 percent when firm internal governance improves and the board interests become fully aligned with shareholder interests. These findings highlight the cost of mandatory audit firm rotation and that the proposed rotation may counteract other policies intended to improve internal corporate governance.