cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of glucocorticoid responsiveness in glaucomatous trabecular meshwork cells by glucocorticoid receptor-beta.

Purpose Glucocorticoid administration can lead to increased intraocular pressure in greater than 90% of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), compared with 30% to 40% of the general population. The molecular mechanisms for increased steroid responsiveness among patients with glaucoma are unknown. An alternative splicing variant of the human glucocorticoid receptor GRbeta has dominant negative activity and has been implicated in a variety of steroid-resistant diseases. GRbeta also may play a role in glucocorticoid hyperresponsiveness in glaucoma. Methods Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of GRalpha and GRbeta in TM cells and its regulation by dexamethasone (DEX). Immunocytochemistry was used to compare the subcellular expression of GRbeta between normal and glaucomatous TM cell lines. DEX transgene induction in a luciferase reporter was performed to investigate the differential glucocorticoid responsiveness between multiple normal and glaucomatous TM cell lines. Overexpression of GRbeta was conducted in glaucomatous TM cell lines, and the regulation of GRbeta in the Dex-induced reporter gene luciferase or endogenous myocilin and fibronectin expression were determined. Results Trabecular meshwork (TM) cell lines derived from normal individuals expressed higher levels of GRbeta than did glaucomatous TM cells. Glaucomatous TM cells were more susceptible to DEX induction of a luciferase reporter gene than were TM cells derived from normal donors. Overexpression of GRbeta in glaucomatous TM cells inhibited DEX induction of a luciferase reporter gene as well as the endogenous genes MYOC and fibronectin. Conclusions The decreased amount of GRbeta in glaucomatous TM cells could result in enhanced glucocorticoid responsiveness and ocular hypertension.
Effects of piribedil on schedule-controlled responding of the pigeon

The effects of piribedil were studied in pigeons responding under a multiple fixed-ratio 30-response, fixed-interval 5-minute schedule of food presentation. Piribedil (0.03–10 mg/kg) increased responding under the fixed-interval component to a much greater extent than d-amphetamine (0.3–3 mg/kg) did. The rate-increasing effects of piribedil on fixed-interval responding were attenuated by haloperidol (0.003 and 0.03 mg/kg), α-methyl-p-tyrosine (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), and tetrabenazine (10 and 30 mg/kg). These drug interactions suggest that piribedil acts as an indirect-acting, dopaminergic agonist to produce its rate-increasing effects on schedule-controlled responding in the pigeon.
PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN DOUBLING TIME AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: EFFECT OF NEOADJUVANT ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION THERAPY

AbstractPurpose: We determined the predictors of prostate specific antigen (PSA) doubling time in patients with relapse after radical prostatectomy as well as whether PSA doubling time is shorter in those treated versus not treated with neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy.Materials and Methods: We calculated PSA doubling time in 204 patients with PSA relapse after radical prostatectomy who were or were not treated with neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy. Analysis of covariance was used to determine the effect of clinical pathological parameters on PSA doubling time, and the proportion of variability explained by these parameters.Results: Clinical stage, and combined clinical stage and margin status, clinical stage and androgen deprivation therapy status, androgen deprivation therapy status and time to PSA relapse, and androgen deprivation therapy status and pretreatment PSA were significant predictors of PSA doubling time. Any variable or combination of variables explained up to only 21% of PSA...
Divergent School Trajectories in Early Adolescence in the United States and China: An Examination of Underlying Mechanisms

There is increasing concern that American children are not achieving at their full potential. A particular point of risk is early adolescence when American children often view school as less valuable, becoming less engaged as well. Initial research in China does not find such a trend. The goal of the current research was to elucidate why the movement away from school evident in the United States does not appear to be evident in China. 4 times over the 7th and 8th grades, 825 (48 % female) American and Chinese children (mean age = 12.73 years) reported on the value they place on school and their engagement (i.e., use of self-regulated learning strategies) in school. They also reported on their sense of responsibility to parents (e.g., feelings of obligation to parents), parents’ involvement in their learning, and their autonomous motivation in school. A decline in American but not Chinese children’s sense of responsibility to parents accounted for divergent trajectories in the value they place on school and their engagement in school over the seventh and eighth grades. Neither parents’ involvement nor children’s autonomous motivation played a mediating role. The findings suggest that maintaining American children’s sense of responsibility to parents during early adolescence may protect children from moving away from school.
Vibrotactile letter recognition: The effects of a ma king stimulus

A series of experiments examined the effect of masking stimuli on the ability of observers to recognize letters of the alphabet through their fingertips. The letters were generated on the 6 × 24 vibrotactile array of the Optacon, a reading aid for the blind. Letter recognition was interfered with by the presence of masking stimuli occurring at the same site on the skin either before (forward masking) or after (backward masking) the target letter had been presented. In general, backward masking interfered with letter recognition more than did forward masking. Backward masking was particularly effective for letters in which the information critical for identification is located on the right side of the letter. Presenting the letters reversed resulted in more forward masking for those letters with critical information now located on the left side. Increasing the time between the target letter and the masking stimuli resulted in improved letter recognition. The implications of the results for tactile reading are discussed.
Structural studies of enantiomers, racemates, and quasiracemates. 2-(2,4,5-Trichloroanilino)propanoic acid and 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid

Cocrystallization of equimolar quantities of (S)-2-(2,4,5-trichloroanilino)propanoic acid and (R)-2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)propanoic acid yields molecular crystals with approximate centrosymmetric frameworks. Such molecular assemblies, termed quasiracemates, are constructed of pairs of isosteric molecules that differ in handedness and chemical composition. Despite the different hydrogen-bonding possibilities of the anilino −NH− and phenoxy −O− groups, the principal quasiracemate components align via topological influences to form molecular architectures nearly indistinguishable from the “true” racemic structures. The relation of molecular shape to crystal packing is examined in light of the complete family of structures (i.e., quasiracemate, racemates, and enantiomers) and the imposed −NH− and phenoxy −O− structural differences.
Effect of Composition and Heat Treatment on Stress Corrosion Cracking of Alloy 600 Steam Generator Tubes in Sodium Hydroxide

Abstract The resistance of Inconel alloy 600 to stress corrosion cracking in sodium hydroxide was correlated with carbon content, heat treatment, microstructure, and corrosion rate in nitric acid. ...
Study of the K − d → K − π + π − pn Reaction at 2.24 BeV/ c

Results are reported for the following reactions: ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}n$ (301 events), ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ (317 events), ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}d$ (11 events), and ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{pn}$ where both nucleons have laboratory momenta greater than 250 MeV/c (245 events). The ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}n$ reaction is dominated by the ${N}^{*\ensuremath{-}}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}[(71\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}7)%]$ final state. The ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ reaction exhibits ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{N}^{*++}[(27\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5)%]$, ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{N}^{*0}[(16\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5)%]$, ${K}^{*0}{N}^{*0}[(11\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4)%]$, and $Y_{0}^{}{}_{}{}^{*}(1520){\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}[(9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3)%]$ production. Phase-space background accounts for about 25% of the reaction. The ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{pn}$ reaction with two high-momentum nucleons shows production of the ${N}^{*\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${N}^{*++}$. There is very little ${\overline{K}}^{*0}$ production.
Activity of insecticides against the preemerged adult cat flea in the cocoon (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae).

The activity of insecticides against the adult cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche), inside the cocoon (preemerged) was determined by spraying the cocoons directly and observing subsequent emergence of adults over the next 14 d. Direct sprays of 0.5% trimethacarb wettable powder (WP) and chlorpyrifos emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and WP provided greater than 70% kill. The order of activity against the preemerged adult exposed to direct sprays was organophosphates greater than carbamates greater than pyrethroids. In general, pyrethroids and proprietary aerosols failed to kill preemerged adults. Even though most sprays did not kill preemerged adults, they stimulated adult emergence from cocoons. Preemerged adults placed in the nap of carpet were not killed by chlorpyrifos, diazinon, or propetamphos sprays; the carpet protected them effectively.
SAT sweeping with local observability don't-cares

SAT sweeping is a method for simplifying an shape And/Inverter graph (AIG) by systematically merging graph vertices from the inputs towards the outputs using a combination of structural hashing, simulation, and SAT queries. Due to its robustness and efficiency, SAT sweeping provides a solid algorithm for Booleanreasoning in functional verification and logic synthesis. In previous work, SAT sweeping merges two vertices only if they are functionally equivalent. In this paper we present a significant extension of the SAT-sweeping algorithm that exploits local observability don't-cares (ODCs) to increase the number of vertices merged. We use a novel technique to bound the use of ODCs and thus the computational effort to find them, while still finding a large fraction of them. Our reported results based on a set of industrial benchmark circuits demonstrate that ODC-based SAT sweeping results in significantly more graph simplification with great benefit for Boolean reasoning with a moderate increase in computational effort.
The relationship between glucose control and the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes; it occurs in about one third of such patients. The course of nephropathy is better defined and similar for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Patients initially develop microalbuminuria (albumin excretion rates [AERs] between 20 and 200 μg/min), then overt nephropathy (AER ≥ 200 μg/min), and finally a decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) eventuating in end-stage renal disease. Although metabolic control has long been hypothesized as a contributor to the development of nephropathy, it is only in recent years that this hypothesis has been proven. A number of observational studies have shown correlations between glycemic control and the development of various levels of albuminuria and also declines in GFR. However, large long-term prospective, randomized, interventional studies have now definitely proven that improved metabolic control that achieves nearnormoglycemia can significantly decrease the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy as well as other long-term complications of diabetes, including retinopathy and neuropathy. It is now conceivable that the achievement of near-normoglycemia, plus medications that inhibit the renin-angiotensin system if microalbuminuria develops, may greatly decrease the numbers of patients eventually requiring renal replacement therapy.
Symbolic finite state transducers: algorithms and applications

Finite automata and finite transducers are used in a wide range of applications in software engineering, from regular expressions to specification languages. We extend these classic objects with symbolic alphabets represented as parametric theories. Admitting potentially infinite alphabets makes this representation strictly more general and succinct than classical finite transducers and automata over strings. Despite this, the main operations, including composition, checking that a transducer is single-valued, and equivalence checking for single-valued symbolic finite transducers are effective given a decision procedure for the background theory. We provide novel algorithms for these operations and extend composition to symbolic transducers augmented with registers. Our base algorithms are unusual in that they are nonconstructive, therefore, we also supply a separate model generation algorithm that can quickly find counterexamples in the case two symbolic finite transducers are not equivalent. The algorithms give rise to a complete decidable algebra of symbolic transducers. Unlike previous work, we do not need any syntactic restriction of the formulas on the transitions, only a decision procedure. In practice we leverage recent advances in satisfiability modulo theory (SMT) solvers. We demonstrate our techniques on four case studies, covering a wide range of applications. Our techniques can synthesize string pre-images in excess of 8,000 bytes in roughly a minute, and we find that our new encodings significantly outperform previous techniques in succinctness and speed of analysis.
Application of ground penetrating radar imaging to deepwater (turbidite) outcrops

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) provides a high resolution image of bed-scale features within the interior of an outcrop. This geophysical technique has been used successfully in fluvial-deltaic sequences, but its successful use in deepwater deposits is less documented. The present paper demonstrates the ability of GPR to define the nature of channel margins and to distinguish internal channel facies at turbidite outcrops in Wyoming (Cretaceous Lewis Shale), USA. Profiles obtained behind the Lewis Shale outcrops show channel-fills having complex, slumped margins between channel sandstones and adjacent levee thin-beds, as well as onlap of sandstone beds onto the channel margins. Within the channel-fill, facies distinguished by GPR vary from interbedded debris flows and turbidites on one side of a channel to cross-bedded sandstones on the other side. Lateral accretion surfaces and onlap features, which cannot be observed at the outcrop scale, are present on GPR profiles. They may represent cross-channel sediment transport and deposition within a sinuous channel. These examples suggest that, when used together with geologic mapping, photomosaics, and available behind-outcrop drilling and logging, GPR surveys spanning large outcrops may provide valuable sub-seismic scale architectural information for building more robust 3-D models of deepwater reservoirs. q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Axisymmetric particle-in-cell simulations of diamagnetic-cavity formulation in vacuum

Axisymmetric simulations of the expansion of a hot plasma suddenly introduced into a vacuum containing a weak magnetic field were performed using an electromagnetic particle-in-cell code. Both uniform and gradient fields have been used, with the simulation axis along the principal field direction. The formation of a diamagnetic cavity requires an initial plasma beta >1; as the expansion proceeds, beta diminishes, and the field eventually recovers. The maximum spatial extent of the cavity and its duration can be obtained from simple dynamical considerations. Field-aligned ion acceleration behind the electron front is observed in all field geometries and strengths. In the case of expansion into a divergent field, the plasma is found to move down the field gradient by ambipolar diffusion. These simulations are relevant to active release experiments in the Earth's magnetosphere, to pellet ablation experiments, and to the naturally occurring diamagnetic bubbles observed at the Earth's foreshock. >
Lee-Vortex Formation in Free-Slip Stratified Flow over Ridges. Part I: Comparison of Weakly Nonlinear Inviscid Theory and Fully Nonlinear Viscous Simulations

Abstract The formation of lee wakes and vortices is explored in the context of stratified flow with uniform basic-state wind and stability past elongated free-slip ridges. The theory of inviscid flow past a ridge of small nondimensional height ϵ is revisited using a weakly nonlinear semianalytic model to compute flow fields through O(ϵ2). Consistent with previous work, the weakly nonlinear solutions show an O(ϵ2) couplet of vertical vorticity above the lee slope of the appropriate sense to describe the observed circulation in lee vortices. Nonetheless, the actual O(ϵ2) flow fields are found to be inconsistent with the developing lee-vortex structures observed in previous nonlinear numerical experiments. Lee-vortex formation must therefore depend significantly on finite-amplitude and/or dissipative effects not described by the weakly nonlinear inviscid model. The weakly nonlinear results are compared to fully nonlinear numerical simulations of wake formation in viscous and thermally diffusive laminar flow....
Human immunodeficiency virus and leishmaniasis.

The leishmaniases are a group of diseases transmitted to humans by the bite of a sandfly, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Various Leishmania species infect humans, producing a spectrum of clinical manifestations. It is estimated that 350 million people are at risk, with a global yearly incidence of 1-1.5 million for cutaneous and 500,000 for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). VL is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in East Africa, Brazil and the Indian subcontinent. Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) alters the immune response to the disease. Here we review the immune response to Leishmania in the setting of HIV co-infection. Improved understanding of the immunology involved in co-infections may help in designing prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against leishmaniasis.
Relation of glucose control in diabetic pregnancy to fetal cholesterol homeostasis.

Objective. To determine the impact of maternal diabetic glucose control on fetal cholesterol homeostasis.Methods. Singleton pregnancies of 150 women complicated by gestational (n = 90) and pre-gestational (n = 60) diabetes were evaluated. Those with insulin-requiring diabetes had fasting blood glucose levels determined daily during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy and weekly fasting glucose values were obtained in those with A1 (diet-controlled) gestational diabetes. Umbilical cord venous serum was collected at delivery and total cholesterol levels were determined.Results. Among the 150 women, 69 had A1 gestational diabetes and 81 were insulin-requiring. Fasting glucose levels were inversely correlated (p < 0.001) to gestational age, regardless of diabetes classification. Umbilical serum cholesterol levels were inversely related (p < 0.002) to gestational age and weight, but did not vary according to diabetic classification. Among term infants (n = 110), umbilical serum cholesterol levels were inversely rela...
Quantitative Assessment of Dictionary-based Protein Named Entity Tagging

Objective: Natural language processing (NLP) approaches have been explored to manage and mine information recorded in biological literature. A critical step for biological literature mining is biological named entity tagging (BNET) that identifies names mentioned in text and normalizes them with entries in biological databases. The aim of this study was to provide quantitative assessment of the complexity of BNET on protein entities through BioThesaurus, a thesaurus of gene/protein names for UniProt knowledgebase (UniProtKB) entries that was acquired using online resources. Methods: We evaluated the complexity through several perspectives: ambiguity (i.e., the number of genes/proteins represented by one name), synonymy (i.e., the number of names associated with the same gene/ protein), and coverage (i.e., the percentage of gene/protein names in text included in the thesaurus). We also normalized names in BioThesaurus and measures were obtained twice, once before normalization and once after. Results: The current version of BioThesaurus has over 2.6 million names or 2.1 million normalized names covering more than 1.8 million UniProtKB entries. The average synonymy is 3.53 (2.86 after normalization), ambiguity is 2.31 before normalization and 2.32 after, while the coverage is 94.0% based on the BioCreAtive data set comprising MEDLINE abstracts containing genes/proteins. Conclusion: The study indicated that names for genes/proteins are highly ambiguous and there are usually multiple names for the same gene or protein. It also demonstrated that most gene/protein names appearing in text can be found in BioThesaurus.
Supervising Children During Parental Distractions

Objective To examine the effects of parenting distractions on supervising behaviors in relation to child risky behaviors. Methods Forty preschool-aged children and their parents were randomly assigned to occupy a simulated home living room for 45min with the parent involved in either (a) no planned distraction, (b) a telephone call distraction, (c) a TV show distraction, or (d) a computer assignment distraction. Parent and child behaviors were recorded and coded. Results Parent supervising behaviors were significantly intercorrelated but revealed no relation to risky child behavior. Children showed higher risky behavior during parental distractions and steadily over time when parent distractions occurred. Additionally, younger children were more likely to engage in risky behavior when compared to older children. Conclusions Parents showed significant reductions in their ability to supervise children during distractions, limiting the ability to provide education or to take immediate action necessary to prevent or minimize possible injuries.
Editorial: Athrogenic embolism causing cerebral infarction.

In 1892, William Osler, perhaps recording clinicopathological correlations from his personal observations, wrote, "Portions of clot from an aneurism, thrombi from atheroma of the aorta or from the territory of the pulmonary veins may also cause blocking of the branches of the Circle of Willis" (1). Now in autopsies of 239 patients with cerebral infarction and 261 with other neurological diseases, Amarenco et al. have confirmed Osler's assertion (2). After control. ling for disparities in age and heart weight (presumably evidence of hypertension) between the groups, they found significantly more ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic arch in the stroke group, suggesting that these plaques are the source for emboli causing cerebral vascular events. Their evidence provides compelling reasons for clinicians to consider the aortic arch and the arteries su pplying the brain in their search for the etiology of cerebral infarction in their patients. It is unfortunate that the authors did not define precisely the depth and size of these ulcerated plaques nor do they report the prevalence of fissuring, subintimal hematoma, and the microscopic characteristics of the lesions they observed. For most clinicians, the diagnosis of embolism is made by inference (3), using (1) clinical presentation, (2) identified source for embolism, (3) evidence of emboli to other organs, and (4) cerebral infarctions in different vascular distributions as ind irect evidence. However, this logic may be misleading because the presence of a potential source is not proof of embolism (4). The means for reducing this uncertainty is becomingavailable through embolism detection USing Doppler sonographic techniques (5,6), which can
The effect of Gaussian error in object recognition

In model based recognition, the goal is to locate an instance of one or more known objects in an image. The problem is compounded in real images by the presence of clutter, occlusion, and sensor error, which can lead to "false negatives", failures to recognize the presence of the object, and "false positives", in which the algorithm incorrectly identifies an occurrence of the object. The probability of either event is affected by parameters within the recognition algorithm, which are almost always chosen in an ad-hoc fashion. The effect of the parameter values on the likelihood that the recognition algorithm will make a mistake are usually not understood explicitly. To address the problem, we explicitly model the noise that occurs in the image. In a typical recognition algorithm, hypotheses about the position of the object are tested against the evidence in the image, and an overall score is assigned to each hypothesis. We use a statistical model to determine what score a correct or incorrect hypothesis is likely to have, and use standard binary hypothesis testing techniques to distinguish correct from incorrect hypotheses. Using this approach, we can compare algorithms and noise models, and automatically choose values for internal system thresholds to minimize the probability of making a mistake.
Crustacean zooplankton in aerated wastewater treatment lagoons as a potential feedstock for biofuel.

Zooplankton biomass productivity was estimated for two 64,000 m3 (1.7 ha) facultative aerated wastewater treatment lagoons to evaluate potential biodiesel production from zooplankton biomass. Lagoons were monitored bi-weekly during summer 2010. Lipid accumulated by crustacean zooplankton was considered the most efficient means by which to collect lipid produced by phytoplankton owing to the greater ease in the collection of these organisms (>0.153 mm) compared with unicellular algae (size<0.06 mm). In terms of biomass, the cladoceran Daphnia and the copepod Cyclops were the dominant zooplankton in these hypereutrophic lagoons, while unicellular chlorophytes dominated the phytoplankton community. Secondary productivity of these lagoons (250 g of dry weight m−2 yr−1) is comparable to the secondary productivity of other sewage lagoons. The potential biodiesel production for one lagoon was estimated to be 0.04±0.02 L m−2 yr−1, which results in a total of 1120±560 L from two lagoons. This study showed that the...
Evaluation of leakage potential from a carbon dioxide EOR/sequestration project

Abstract Carbon dioxide sequestration in geologic media is being investigated as a means of reducing emissions to the atmosphere. Oil and gas fields, which were in production decline, have been raised to new production levels by CO2 enhanced recovery. Currently, these fields use nearby geologic sources of CO2. Future enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects are likely to include some industrial CO2, deriving substantial economic benefit over CO2 disposal in deep aquifers. The formation overpressuring required for substantial rates of CO2 injection may drive buoyant gases upward. Although CO2 is likely to be a supercritical fluid, CH4 will remain gaseous and, as such, is much more mobile. If CH4 is driven toward the surface, it represents a potential hazard to shallow water wells and basements. This research presents a protocol for baseline surface geochemical measurements to evaluate the potential risk. The objective is to detect a subtle signal from depth in the presence of a large amount of near surface noise. Carbon dioxide and CH4 soil gas concentrations and exchange with the atmosphere (flux) measurements are necessary. Stable and radiogenic carbon isotopic measurements are required to differentiate the sources of these gases. Examples of these measurements from a CO2 enhanced EOR project at Rangely, Colorado, USA, are presented.
Microarray profiling of antiviral antibodies for the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics

Multiplex analysis of antiviral antibody (Ab) responses provides a potentially powerful strategy for viral diagnosis, prognostication, and development of vaccines and prophylactic Abs. In the coming years, advancements in proteomic technologies will provide even more robust methods to characterize antiviral Ab responses. Biomedical researchers will be faced with the exciting challenge of identifying antiviral Ab specificities that correlate with improved outcomes and efficacious interventions, and translating the findings into more effective diagnostics, prophylactics, and therapeutics.
Myofilament Calcium Sensitivity and Cardiac Disease: Insights From Troponin I Isoforms and Mutants

The heightened Ca2+ sensitivity of force found with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)–associated mutant cardiac troponin I (cTnIR145G; R146G in rodents) has been postulated to be an underlying cause of hypertrophic growth and premature sudden death in humans and in animal models of the disease. Expression of slow skeletal TnI (ssTnI), a TnI isoform naturally expressed in developing heart, also increases myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, yet its expression in transgenic mouse hearts is not associated with overt cardiac disease. Gene transfer of TnI isoforms or mutants into adult cardiac myocytes is used here to ascertain if expression levels or functional differences between HCM TnI and ssTnI could help explain these divergent organ-level effects. Results showed significantly reduced myofilament incorporation of cTnIR146G compared with ssTnI or wild-type cTnI. Despite differences in myofilament incorporation, ssTnI and cTnIR146G expression each resulted in enhanced myofilament tension in response to submaximal...
Negation as failure using tight derivations for general logic programs

A general logic program is a set of rules that have both positive and negative subgoals. We define negation in general logic programs as finite failure, but we limit proof attempts to tight derivations, that is, derivations expressed by trees in which no node has an identical ancestor. Consequently, many goals that do not fail finitely in other formulations do fail finitely in ours. Thus the negation-as-failure rule is strengthened, but at the cost of more careful (and expensive) program execution. We define the tight tree semantics as a pair of interpretations: SS, interpreted as the success set, and FS, interpreted as the failure set. We show that general logic programs with both the bounded-term-size property and freedom from recursive negation are “categorical” under the tight tree semantics; that is, every atom in the Herbrand base of the program is either in SS or FS. Then we show that programs with these properties have an equivalent iterated-fixed-point semantics, which has been studied by other researchers.
National Science Foundation Project on advanced online education in information technology

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Course, Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) project # DUE-0196015 is aimed to develop innovative Web-based and screaming media-based teaching and learning technologies to be used in advanced online education in information technology (IT) curriculum. It is hosted by the InterLabs Research Institute (IRI) at Bradley University (Peoria, IL). Today, streaming media technology is one of key driving forces that help to transform traditional higher education from narrow, local, face-to-face, in-classroom, one-teacher-based type of education into a global. Web-based, technology-based, learner-centered type of education and training. This paper briefly describes NSF CCLl project's goals, developed Web-lecturing technology and developed online educational materials (OEMs) for advanced online undergraduate courses in IT area.
Thalidomide Use in Pediatric Patients

OBJECTIVE:To provide a detailed overview of thalidomide use in pediatric patients.DATA SOURCES:English-language articles were identified through a MEDLINE search (1966–February 2001); key terms included thalidomide, child, graft-versus-host disease, cancer, HIV, Crohn's disease, Behcet's disease, and lupus erythematosus. References cited in those articles were also evaluated.DATA SYNTHESIS:Thalidomide appears to be effective in patients with chronic, not acute, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and in healing aphthous ulcers in patients with HIV infection. Limited case reports suggest efficacy of thalidomide in the treatment of cutaneous manifestations of Behcet's disease, Crohn's disease, and lupus in children; however, the recurrence of disease is almost universal on drug discontinuation.CONCLUSIONS:Thalidomide should be used as a last resort when all other therapies fail, preferably in male or prepubescent female patients.
Computational comparison of conventional and inverted organic photovoltaic performance parameters with varying metal electrode surface workfunction

Inverted polymer-based bulk-heterojunction organic photovoltaic (BHJ-OPV) device designs have enabled a breakthrough in operational lifetime through use of stable electrode materials. To date, there have not been systematic performance parameter comparisons between conventional and inverted devices that consider a range of different metal electrodes and presence of native metal oxides at the organic-metal interface. Here, we systematically compute optical and electronic performance parameters for both conventional and inverted BHJ-OPV devices for 15 different electrode types covering a range of workfunctions. We quantitatively demonstrate that (1) high-workfunction metal electrodes (Au, Pd, Ni) are ideal for high-efficiency inverted device performance; and (2) native metal oxide on metal electrodes (e.g., CuO/Cu, Ag2O/Ag, NiO/Ni), which dramatically reduce conventional device efficiencies, can result in highly efficient inverted BHJ-OPV devices (efficiency of up to 6.7% for the P3HT:PCBM system). This work is an important advance over prior studies as it predicts the electrode materials and configurations that can lead to both high efficiency and high stability BHJ-OPV devices.
μRACER: A Reliable Adaptive Service-Driven Efficient Routing Protocol Suite for Sensor-Actuator Networks

We present reliable adaptive service-driven efficient routing (muRACER), a routing protocol suite based on a novel service-oriented design for sensor-actuator networks where nodes expose their capabilities to applications as a service profile. A node's service profile consists of a set of services (i.e., sensing and actuation capabilities) that it provides and the quality-of-service (QoS) parameters associated with those services (delay, accuracy, freshness, etc.). muRACER uses an efficient service-aware routing approach that aggressively reduces downstream traffic (from the sink to the network's nodes) by translating service profiles into efficient paths for queries. To support QoS, muRACER dynamically adapts each node's routing behavior and service profile according to the current context of that node, i.e., number of pending queries and number and type of messages to be routed. Finally, muRACER improves end-to-end reliability through a scalable reputation-based approach in which each node is able to locally estimate the next hop of the most reliable path to the sink. Service- and context-aware reliable routing enhances the network's efficiency and effectiveness (satisfaction of applications' QoS requirements). We implemented muRACER on top of TinyOS and conducted several experiments that confirmed muRACER's ability with regard to each of its design objectives.
A Maximum-Likelihood Approach to Symbolic Indirect Correlation

Symbolic indirect correlation (SIC) is a non-parametric method that offers significant advantages for recognition of ordered unsegmented signals. A previously introduced formulation of SIC based on subgraph-isomorphism requires very large reference sets in the presence of noise. In this paper, we seek to address this issue by formulating SIC classification as a maximum likelihood problem. We present experimental evidence that demonstrates that this new approach is more robust for the problem of online handwriting recognition using noisy input
Benefits, Costs, and Challenges of Collaboration for Learning and Memory

Many instructional activities ask learners to collaborate, with the goal of enhancing the understandings group members acquire beyond what they might learn working separately. Previous research has shown that collaboration improves learning outcomes in comparison to the results of individuals working on their own. These benefits are presumably attributable to collaboration prompting activities that are beneficial for learning, including the explicit production of information for others, the co-construction of ideas, and opportunities for asking questions and providing explanations. Such interactions may also provide memorial benefits for participants by enhancing memory for their own contributions and encouraging the discounting of inaccurate information. Despite these benefits, though, collaborative interactions can also have clear costs. Collaboration can lead to reduced motivation and a loss of productivity if group members unequally contribute, and errors produced during collaboration can be encoded by other group members to be used on subsequent activities. In the current review, we discuss the benefits and costs of collaboration for learning and memory as identified in educational and cognitive psychological research. We also offer practical suggestions informed by these areas that are intended to optimize the learning benefits of effective collaborative activity.
Computerized clinical diagnosis.

A time-shared computer has been programmed to assist the physician in the evaluation of body fluid and electrolyte disturbances (1, 2, 3). The program accepts clinical and laboratory data and generates in return an evaluation note designed to review the pathophysiology of the disorders with the physician and to assist him in their management. The purpose of the program is to provide the physician with on-the-job education in a form considered to be useful in solving selected clinical problems.
Genetic Algorithms in Chemistry: Success or Failure Is in the Genes

In many areas of chemistry there are problems to which genetic algorithms (GA’s) can easily be applied. Several chemistry problems in which GA’s are used will be examined. Currently they are used mainly for the generation of regression curves, protein folding, structure elucidation, parameterizations, and system optimization. Perhaps it is the GA simplicity and ease of use that has facilitated the widespread use of the soft computing method in chemistry. This paper focuses on how GA’s have been modified to solve discipline specific problems in the chemical sciences.
On the Interplay Between Bottom-Up and Datatype-Driven Program Design

When students are faced with a programming problem unlike any they have solved before, prior research suggests that they develop code backwards from essential computations in the problem. Some curricula, however, teach students to first write scaffolding code based on the type of the input data. How do these two approaches interact? We gave CS1 students who were taught to write scaffolding code a programming problem unlike any they had seen before. We found that while students put essential computations into the scaffolds, they often overuse affordances of the scaffolds in ways that lead to plan-composition errors. We propose that steering students away from on-the-fly decomposition while programming could help avoid some of these errors.
Surface Ordering of MBE Grown 001 Ga0.5Al0.5As–a Theoretical Study

The surface kinetics of MBE growth of (100) Ga0.5Al0.5As are studied theoretically using a stochastic model which is based on master equation with random distribution approximation. The kinetic processes considered are: adsorption and inter- and intra-layer migrations for Ga, Al and As. Both monoatomic and diatomic As molecular species are considered. The model parameters such as the atomic pair interaction energies, migrational frequency and activation energy were obtained from available experimental and theoretical data. The surface ordering kinetics are studied as a function of the fluxes (2A/sec. for cations), flux ratio (1: 10, 1: 20 and 1: 30 for cation to anion) and substrate temperature (775° − 923°K). Degree of ordering was obtained in terms of a short range order (SRO) parameter. The order-disorder temperature defined as the temperature of maximum order (above and below which the order parameter decreases) was obtained for flux ratios of 1: 10 and 1: 20. Both As and As2 species were considered. The order-disorder temperature was found to increase as the flux ratio was changed from 1: 10 to 1: 30, while the maximum degree of ordering decreased slightly. The results are in good qualitative agreement with experiments. The surface ordering kinetics observed can be described in terms of effective surface migration rates of the cations as follows. Lower temperature and higher flux ratio yield smaller effective surface migration rates for cation, which results in lesser degree of ordering. Beyond the transition temperature, the thermal energy is large enough to thermally randomize the atom pair bonds, thereby decreasing the degree of ordering. The higher transition temperature for higher flux ratios is attributed to lower effective migration rate.
Spatial synchrony of amphipods in giant kelp forests

Amphipods are abundant in marine ecosystems worldwide and are important as prey and as consumers of macrophytes and detritus in food webs. Due to the spatially complex and dynamic nature of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) forests, assessment of the abundances of giant kelp and amphipods through time and space should provide insight into their potential interactions within the system. In an extensive field study within the surface canopy of giant kelp, the abundance of amphipods was quantified on artificial substrates at an array of 18 sites within kelp forests along Point Loma, California, USA, from July to October 2009 and 2010. Biomass of giant kelp canopy was estimated using remotely sensed imagery, and the spatial synchrony (autocorrelation through time) of kelp canopy was compared with synchrony of caprellid and non-caprellid amphipods. Caprellids exhibited high spatial synchrony that did not decrease with distance, while non-caprellids were synchronous on local scales, indicating high spatial heterogeneity in abundance through time. Gammarids showed a rapid exponential decrease in synchrony within the first 550 m that was consistent with synchrony of giant kelp. This suggests a local-scale biotic link between non-caprellids and giant kelp canopy, whereas caprellid synchrony is more likely to be influenced by regional-scale environmental variables. Caprellids and other amphipods are important prey resources for common kelp forest fishes, so these differences may in turn affect the spatial distributions of these predators. Moreover, excretion by amphipods may be an important source of nitrogen to giant kelp during periods of nitrogen limitation.
Rapid Method for Detection of Erythrocyte NADH–Methemoglobin Reductase Deficiency

A rapid test for detection of hereditary NADH–methemoglobin reductase deficiency is described. The test is based upon the color change which occurs in the test tube as a ferrihemoglobin–ferrocyanide complex is reduced in the presence of the enzyme and NADH. Normal blood produces a change of color from brown to red within 8 min., whereas blood from an affected homozygous subject causes no color change. This test, which requires only 40 μ I. of capillary blood, is applicable to neonates as well as older subjects, but is not suitable for detection of heterozygotes with the disorder.
Near atomic scale quantification of a diffusive phase transformation in (Zn,Mg)O/Al2O3 using dynamic atom probe tomography

The onset of a diffusive phase transformation in thin film Zn0.70Mg0.29Ga0.01O deposited on c-oriented sapphire (α-Al2O3) was explored using dynamic heating experiments in a laser pulsed atom probe tomography (APT) instrument and correlated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Specimens were laser irradiated using 100–1000 pJ pulse energies with initial temperatures between 50 and 300 K for up to 8.64 × 1010 pulses. Using a finite element model, it was possible to estimate the temperatures reached by the specimen during laser pulsing, which were calculated to be 300 K to above 1000 K. Due to the small sample volume, quench rates were estimated to be 1013 K/s, allowing for nanosecond temporal resolution during the in situ heating experiments. The formation of Mg-spinel (MgAl2O4) at the transparent conductive oxide/α-Al2O3 substrate interface was observed using electron diffraction and confirmed by atom probe analysis. Subnanometer spatial resolution in the atom probe data reconstructions allowed for near atomic level diffusion to be observed. This work demonstrates the feasibility of conducting these experiments in situ using a combined TEM and APT instrument.
Kinetic Features of Core Plasmas in the Magnetosphere

Recent measurements and simulations of core or low-energy plasma phenomena have elucidated features of particle distributions which transcend the somewhat limited physical insights available from simple bulk parameter (density, flow velocity, temperature, etc.) descriptions alone. Two of the exciting new observational areas include: (1) Core ion measurements which display a new type of distribution function, the ion ring distribution, which may be produced by coherent waves and/or ion-neutral relative convective drift; and (2) A statistical analysis of core ion distribution functions, in which a programmed pattern recognition technique is used to objectively characterize the vast quantity of ion pitch angle distributions observed by Dynamics Explorer-1 and sort them and their properties according to location and geomagnetic activity level. Important areas of advances in simulation of large-scale transport of core plasmas include: (1) A new, self-consistent time-dependent particle-in-cell simulation of polar plasma outflow; and (2) A kinetic simulation of the early-stage plasmasphere refilling process, in which injected particles from conjugate polar wind flows onto a evacuated closed flux tube are allowed to suffer effects of turbulent heating and pitch angle scattering.
Objective Assessment of Quality Measurement and Improvement.

Accurate quality measurement that allows for and results in improvement is essential to colon and rectal surgery. Currently, no consensus exists as to which variables are most important in measuring outcomes. Debate continues concerning the “best” variables to measure from a structural, process, and outcomes standpoint. Although American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program provides an opportunity for outcomes measurement in general and vascular surgery, there is no specific quality improvement tool available for colon and rectal surgery. However, there is growing literature testing the validity of candidate variables to be used in such a data collection system. This article evaluates the current objective assessment measurements used for quality improvement in colon and rectal surgery.
Etrolizumab for ulcerative colitis: the new kid on the block?

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology. Currently approved therapies include prednisone, TNF antagonists and anti-metabolites which often ...