cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ON THE COMPLEXITY OF COUNTING FIXED POINTS AND GARDENS OF EDEN IN SEQUENTIAL DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS ON PLANAR BIPARTITE GRAPHS

We study counting various types of configurations in certain classes of graph automata viewed as discrete dynamical systems. The graph automata models of our interest are Sequential and Synchronous Dynamical Systems (SDSs and SyDSs, respectively). These models have been proposed as the mathematical foundation for a theory of large-scale simulations of complex multi-agent systems. Our emphasis in this paper is on the computational complexity of counting the fixed point and the garden of Eden configurations in Boolean SDSs and SyDSs. We show that counting these configurations is, in general, computationally intractable. We also show that this intractability still holds when both the underlying graphs and the node update rules of these SDSs and SyDSs are severely restricted. In particular, we prove that the problems of exactly counting fixed points, gardens of Eden and two other types of S(y)DS configurations are all #P-complete, even if the SDSs and SyDSs are defined over planar bipartite graphs, and each of their nodes updates its state according to a monotone update rule given as a Boolean formula. We thus add these discrete dynamical systems to the list of those problem domains where counting combinatorial structures of interest is intractable even when the related decision problems are known to be efficiently solvable.
Consistency of self-reported smoking over a 6-year interval from adolescence to young adulthood.

Aims To examine the reliability of self-report cigarette smoking questions by describing recanting (denial of previous smoking reports) in a nationally representative sample of US adolescents followed throughout young adulthood. Predictors of recanting across stages of smoking uptake/progression are examined. Design A total of 12 985 respondents to cigarette smoking questions during in-home interviews at waves I and III (6 years apart) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The sample survey procedures of Stata 9.0 were used to produce nationally representative estimates, with standard errors adjusted for both clustering at the school level and stratification by geographical region. Measurements Recanting probabilities determined by reports of stages of smoking uptake/progression at each time-point were predicted by race/ethnicity, parental education, household income, poverty level, depression and peer daily smoking. Findings Stage-specific results indicated that recanting is higher when the earlier smoking was less frequent/intense. Recanters were older, from lower-income households and had higher baseline depression levels. Non-Hispanic black youth were significantly more likely to recant previous smoking compared to non-Hispanic white youth, even in multivariate models controlling for socio-demographic variables. Predictors of recanting differed by level of tobacco involvement. The greater likelihood of non-Hispanic black respondents to deny previous smoking may be a reflection of less intense or more intermittent use of tobacco that leads to recall differences over time. Conclusions Racial/ethnic subgroups and/or respondents endorsing depressive symptoms may be more vulnerable to misclassification during interpretation of national survey data and subsequently not identified properly for prevention/intervention programs.
Selective Stabilization of the High Affinity Binding Conformation of Glucagon Receptor by the Long Splice Variant of Gαs

Abstract To analyze functional differences in the interactions of the glucagon receptor (GR) with the two predominant splice variants of Gαs, GR was covalently linked to the short and the long forms Gαs-S and Gαs-L to produce the fusion proteins GR-Gαs-S and GR-Gαs-L. GR-Gαs-S bound glucagon with an affinity similar to that of GR, while GR-Gαs-L showed a 10-fold higher affinity for glucagon. In the presence of GTPγS, GR-Gαs-L reverted to the low affinity glucagon binding conformation. Both GR-Gαs-L and GR-Gαs-S were constitutively active, causing elevated basal levels of cAMP even in the absence of glucagon. A mutant GR that failed to activate Gs (G23D1R) was fused to Gαs-L. G23D1R-Gαs-L bound glucagon with high affinity, but failed to elevate cAMP levels, suggesting that the mechanisms of GR-mediated Gαs-L activation and Gαs-L-induced high affinity glucagon binding are independent. Both GR-Gαs-S and GR-Gαs-L bound the antagonist desHis1[Nle9,Ala11,Ala16]glucagon amide with affinities similar to GR. The antagonist displayed partial agonist activity with GR-Gαs-L, but not with GR-Gαs-S. Therefore, the partial agonist activity of the antagonist observed in intact cells appears to be due to GRs coupled to Gαs-L. We conclude that Gαs-S and Gαs-L interact differently with GR and that specific coupling of GR to Gαs-L may account for GTP-sensitive high affinity glucagon binding.
Fast Generation of Approximate Blue Noise Point Sets

Poisson-disk sampling is a popular sampling method because of its blue noise power spectrum, but generation of these samples is computationally very expensive. In this paper, we propose an efficient method for fast generation of a large number of blue noise samples using a small initial patch of Poisson-disk samples that can be generated with any existing approach. Our main idea is to convolve this set of samples with another to generate our final set of samples. We use the convolution theorem from signal processing to show that the spectrum of the resulting sample set preserves the blue noise properties. Since our method is approximate, we have error with respect to the true Poisson-disk samples, but we show both mathematically and practically that this error is only a function of the number of samples in the small initial patch and is therefore bounded. Our method is parallelizable and we demonstrate an implementation of it on a GPU, running more than 10 times faster than any previous method and generating more than 49 million 2D samples per second. We can also use the proposed approach to generate multidimensional blue noise samples. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A rapid and specific method for the immunological identification of mycelial form cultures ofParacoccidioides brasiliensis

We developed two simple methods for extracting specific, cell-free, soluble antigens of the mold form ofParacoccidioides brasiliensis. Detection of these antigens by a microimmunodiffusion test permits the rapid and accurate identification of cultures ofP. brasiliensis. ThirtyP. brasiliensis isolates treated by these techniques produced specific exoantigens detectable by the immunodiffusion test. None of the other 78 fungal pathogens or saprophytes tested produced identical exoantigens. Personnel in any diagnostic laboratory who want a rapid and specific method for identifying or confirming suspected isolates ofP. brasiliensis can use the simple procedures described.
Photolysis of naphtho[b]cyclopropene. Detection of a diradical intermediate☆

Abstract Photolysis of naphtho[b]cyclopropene in hydrocarbons leads to products derived from hydrogen abstraction by a diradical. Photolysis in a cryogenic matrix allows ESR detection of this diradical, which has zero field spliting parameters D/hc = 0.057, E/hc −1 .
Debilitative and facilitative perceptions of trait anxiety among students in a college golf class.

This study examined the debilitative and facilitative perceptions of trait anxiety among 94 students enrolled in a college golf class. Analyses indicated no differences in performance between those classified as debilitating interpreters, i.e., those with negative perceptions of trait anxiety, versus those classified as facilitating interpreters, i.e., those with positive perceptions of trait anxiety. Also, no differences were found in perceived intensity and direction of trait anxiety as a function of performance. Results differ from previous research on direction of trait anxiety among elite and high level performers so direction of perceptions may be correlated with competition or skill of the performer.
Determination of endogenous levels of cyclic ADP-ribose in rat tissues.

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) is a potent mediator of calcium mobilization in sea urchin eggs. The cADPR synthesizing enzyme is present not only in the eggs but also in various mammalian tissue extracts. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether cADPR is a naturally occurring nucleotide in mammalian tissues. Rat tissues were frozen and powdered in liquid N2, followed by extraction with perchloric acid at −10°C. [32P]cADPR was prepared and used as a tracer. The acid extracts were chromatographed on a Mono-Q column and cADPR in the fractions were determined by its ability to release Ca2+ from egg homogenates. That the release was mediated by cADPR and not inositol triphosphate (IP3) in the extracts was shown by the fact that the homogenates, subsequent to Ca2+ release induced by active fractions, were desensitized to authentic cADPR but not to IP3. Furthermore, the Ca2+ release activity was shown to co-elute with [32P]cADPR. The endogenous level of cADPR determined in rat liver is 3.37 ± 0.64 pmol/mg, in heart is 1.04 ± 0.08 pmol/mg and in brain is 2.75 ± 0.35 pmol/mg. These results indicate cADPR is a naturally occurring nucleotide and suggest that it may be a general second messenger for mobilizing intracellular Ca2+.
Sex role attitude and perception of psychological abuse

This study focuses on the relationship between sex role attitude—traditionality and nontraditionality—and perception of psychological abuse. It was hypothesized that nontraditional women would be more adept at perceiving abuse than traditional women. Two hundred and fourteen subjects were polled using the Attitude Toward Women Scale. The 30 most traditional and 30 least traditional women were compared in terms of their reactions to vignettes depicting marital interactions. Several factors were analyzed in an attempt to explain why the nontraditional women were more sensitive in their perception of psychological abuse. Among these factors were educational level, tolerance for conflict, participation in consciousness-raising groups, “psychological sophistication,” and religious background.
Predicting Success of Academically Dismissed Undergraduate Students Using Quality Point Status.

This study explored the outcome of academically dismissed students reinstated the semester following academic dismissal at a medium-size Midwestern University. Logistic regression was utilized to identify predictors that may assist academic administrators in making decisions regarding future reinstatement activities. The overall model correctly classified 73.7% of the subjects in the sample. In addition, a combination of six factors accounted for 32.5% of the total variance in academic status; however, 19.2% of the variance was accounted for by a single factor (term of dismissal quality point status). These results indicate the need for careful consideration regarding this little known measure available to higher education academic administrators.
Evolution and the theory of games.

The modern theory of evolutionary dynamics is founded upon the remarkable insights of R. A. Fisher and Sewall Wright and set forth in the loci classici The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection (1930) and ‘Evolution in Mendelian Populations’ (1931). By the time of the publication of Wright’s paper in 1931 all of the theory of population genetics, as it is presently understood, was established. It is a sign of the extraordinary power of these early formulations, that nothing of equal significance has been added to the theory of population genetics in the thirty years that have passed since that time. Yet we cannot take this period to mean that we now have an adequate theory of evolutionary dynamics. On the contrary, the theory of population genetics, as complete as it may be in itself, fails to deal with many problems of primary importance for an understanding of evolution.
Place of the senses in the development of science

0 RTHODOXY has its vaIue. UnIess a person is deepIy interested in a search for truth in a speciaI fieId, it is better for him to keep an open mind and, with “a decent respect for the opinions of mankind,” trave1 with the majority, that his energy may be conserved to deveIop the work in which he has been trained. If he wishes to devote his Iife to a study of so-caIIed psychic phenomena, it is one thing, but as a side Iine investigation of the occult carries distinct danger to integrity of thought. It Ioosens the mind from the moorings of fact, gives predominance to the Iesser senses, and creates emotiona disturbances which resembIe the instinctive fear reactions of primitive man and the Iower animaIs. One of these reactions was fear in the dark, which remains with us today as a source of emotiona disturbance. Man first recognized onIy enemies that were Iarge enough to be seen and dangers that couId be estimated visuaIIy, such as wiId beasts, serpents and tempests. Against phenomena which he couId not understand he invoked the protection of his gods. Through association of ideas the words cult and occult have become cIoseIy aIIied. The cuItist devotes his energy to spread a speciaI behef not recognized by the majority as resting on a sound foundation. The occuhist devotes his time to an attempt to eIucidate a beIief in hidden and mysterious powers having their origin in a spirit worId and to subject them to human contro1. Anyone dabbIing in the occuIt, deIiberateIy depriving himseIf of vision, man’s chief means of obtaining information, injures himseIf mentaIIy. It is a curious ego that in the cIear
Joint association of adiposity and smoking with mortality among U.S. adults.

Abstract Objective Assessment of death risk for different combinations of body-mass index (BMI) and smoking status among a nationally representative cohort of U.S. adults. Method A total of 210,818 participants of the National Health Interview Surveys 1987–1995 were followed through 2006. Relative risks of death from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer were estimated for each joint group of smoking and BMI by age, using Cox models with the adjustment for age, gender, education, and race. Results Across all the joint groups of BMI and smoking, extremely obese and underweight current smokers were the two groups having the highest risks of death from all causes, CVD, and cancer. For example, among middle-aged adults, the hazard ratios of death from all causes were 4.47 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.59–5.57) and 5.28 (4.38–6.37) for extremely obese and underweight current smokers, respectively. Overweight was associated with a higher risk of death in middle-aged never smokers, but not in the elderly or in current smokers. Conclusion The coexistence of obesity or underweight with current smoking was associated with an especially large risk of death and the associations of BMI with mortality varied by smoking status, age, and cause of death.
The interaction of oxygen with gadolinium: UPS and XPS studies

Abstract The interaction of oxygen with evaporated Gd films at 300 K has been studied for the first time using AlK α XPS and Hel and Hell UPS. The characteristic changes in the Gd(6s5d) and O(2p) valence bands, Gd(4f), Gd(5p) and Gd(4d) core levels, and O(2s) and O(1s) core levels were studied. Evidence is presented for the initial formation of an intermediate oxidation state at low exposure (characterized by a new Gd valence band with a maximum in the DOS at ∼ 2.5 ev below EF and an ∼ 0.6 eV shift in Gd(4f)) prior to formation of Gd2O3 where the Gd(6s5d) valence band disappears completely, as expected for Gd3+. In the higher exposure range there is little further increase in the oxide thickness, which is estimated as ⩾ 20 A , but there is a slow replacement of O by OH, as characterized by a second O(1s) feature at 532.3 eV and OH 1π and 3σ orbitals in UPS at ∼ 6.7 and 11.5 eV. The interpretations are supported by parallel studies on bulk Gd2O3 and by Ar+ sputtering experiments. Comparisons are made to other rare earth oxidation studies.
Antenna pattern distortion by dielectric sheets

The radiation pattern of an antenna covered with a radome can be determined from the following data: The antenna Fresnel-Zone fields in the absence of the radome, and the fields inside the radome produced by a plane-wave incident from an external source. In certain cases the pattern calculations may be simplified without excessive loss of accuracy by using optical theory to describe approximately the plane-wave transmission through the radome, and neglecting scattering by the antenna in determining the fields inside the radome from the external plane-wave source.
Multiple Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations in Association with Fanconi's Syndrome

This report describes a case of Fanconi's syndrome, with multiple pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae. Fanconi's syndrome is characterized by pancytopenia and multiple congenital anomalies. Cardiovascular abnormalities, however, have not been frequently associated. This is believed to be the first reported instance of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae and Fanconi's syndrome.
Local Delamination in Laminates with Angle Ply Matrix Cracks: Part 2. Delamination Fracture Analysis and Fatigue Characterization

Constant amplitude tension-tension fatigue tests were conducted on AS4/3501-6 graphite/epoxy (02/ theta sub 2/ -(theta sub 2))sub s laminates, where theta was 15, 20, 25, or 30 degrees. Fatigue tests were conducted at a frequency of 5 Hz and an R-ratio of 0.1. Dye penetrant enhanced x-radiography was used to document the onset of matrix cracking in the central -(theta) degree plies, and the subsequent onset of local delaminations in the theta/ -(theta) interface at the intersection of the matrix cracks and the free edge, as a function of the number of fatigue cycles. Two strain energy release rate solutions for local delamination from matrix cracks were derived: one for a local delamination growing from an angle ply matrix crack with a uniform delamination growing from an angle ply matrix crack with a triangular shaped delamination area that extended only partially into the laminate width from the free edge. Plots of G(max) vs. N were generated to assess the accuracy of these G solutions. The influence of residual thermal and moisture stresses on G were also quantified. However, a detailed analysis of the G components and a mixed-mode fatigue failure criterion for this material may be needed to predict the fatigue behavior of these laminates.
Social problem solving and depression in couples coping with cancer.

Objective: When one person in a couple has cancer, both members may experience depressive symptoms and may react as an emotional system. However, the variables that influence this depressive system have not been identified. This study examined whether social problem solving, an important moderator of individual cancer-related depression, is related to depression in the couple system. Methods: Sixty-three couples with one partner diagnosed with cancer completed self-report questionnaires regarding depressive symptoms, social problem solving, and relationship satisfaction. Results: Multiple regression correlations supported the hypothesis that depression occurs in an emotional system (patient depression predicted partner depression and partner depression predicted patient depression). When examining how partner social problem solving impacts transmission from patient to partner, hierarchical multiple regression demonstrated that one social problem-solving component (positive problem orientation) eliminated the prediction of partner depression by patient depression. No other component of partner social problem solving eliminated the prediction of partner depression by patient depression. Partner social problem solving had no effect on whether partner depression predicted patient depression. Conclusions: Partners with more positive beliefs about solving problems were less likely to experience depression together with the patients. Further investigation into the role of social problem solving in the interpersonal depression system is warranted. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamically Pulsed MTCMOS With Bus Encoding for Reduction of Total Power and Crosstalk Noise

Increased buffer insertion along on-chip global lines and growing amounts of leakage power have resulted in buffer-based leakage emerging as one of the chief contributors to system leakage power. In this paper, a bus system prototype is implemented in an industrial 65-nm SOI technology and measured results show up to a 45% reduction in total bus system power and an average reduction of 2.4× in standby mode leakage power.
Neurocognitive Disorders in Aging, by Daniel Kempler

The well-organized, well-indexed, stand-alone chapters in Neurocognitive Disorders in Aging make the book especially useful as a reference for both clinicians and practitioners at multiple levels, ...
Automated Web navigation using multiagent adaptive dynamic programming

Today a massive amount of information available on the WWW often makes searching for information of interest a long and tedious task. Chasing hyperlinks to find relevant information may be daunting. To overcome such a problem, a learning system, cognizant of a user's interests, can be employed to automatically search for and retrieve relevant information by following appropriate hyperlinks. In this paper, we describe the design of such a learning system for automated Web navigation using adaptive dynamic programming methods. To improve the performance of the learning system, we introduce the notion of multiple model-based learning agents operating in parallel, and describe methods for combining their models. Experimental results on the WWW navigation problem are presented to indicate that combining multiple learning agents, relying on user feedback, is a promising direction to improve learning speed in automated WWW navigation.
Correlates of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in the United States and Puerto Rico

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to examine associations between demographic, behavioral, and clinical variables and mother-to-child HIV transmission in 15 US jurisdictions for birth years 2005 through 2008. METHODS: The study used Enhanced Perinatal Surveillance system data for HIV-infected women who gave birth to live infants. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess variables associated with mother-to-child transmission. RESULTS: Among 8054 births, 179 infants (2.2%) were diagnosed with HIV infection. Half of the births had at least 1 missed prevention opportunity: 74.3% of infected infants, 52.1% of uninfected infants. Among 7757 mother–infant pairs with sufficient data for analysis, the odds of having an HIV-infected infant were higher for women who received late testing or no prenatal antiretroviral medications (odds ratio: 2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5–4.0] and 3.5 [95% CI: 2.0–6.4], respectively). The odds for mothers who breastfed were 4.6 times (95% CI: 2.2–9.8) the odds for those who did not breastfeed. The adjusted odds for women with CD4 counts <200 cells per microliter were 2.4 times (95% CI: 1.4–4.2) those for women with CD4 counts ≥500 cells per microliter. The odds for women who abused substances were twice (95% CI: 1.4–2.9) those for women who did not. CONCLUSIONS: The odds of having an HIV-infected infant were higher among HIV-infected women who were tested late, had no antiretroviral medications, abused substances, breastfed, or had lower CD4 cell counts. Increases in earlier HIV diagnosis, substance abuse treatment, avoidance of breastfeeding, and use of prenatal antiretroviral medications are critical in eliminating perinatal HIV infections in the United States. * Abbreviations: aOR — : adjusted odds ratio ARV — : antiretroviral CI — : confidence interval EPS — : Enhanced Perinatal Surveillance L&D — : labor and delivery MTCT — : mother-to-child transmission PAR% — : population-attributable risk percentage PMTCT — : prevention of mother-to-child transmission
Proxy-based authorization and accounting for distributed systems

A unified model is presented for authentication, authorization, and accounting that is based on proxies. It is shown that the proxy model for authorization can be used to support a wide range of authorization and accounting mechanisms. The proxy model strikes a balance between access-control-list anti capability-based mechanisms, allowing each to be used where appropriate and allowing their use in combination. The author describes how restricted proxies can be supported using existing authentication methods. >
Practices in forensic neuropsychology: Perspectives of neuropsychologists and trial attorneys

Members of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America were surveyed concerning current practices in forensic neuropsychology. The majority of neuropsychologists and attorneys reported that attorneys never observe neuropsychological testing. Attorneys reported receiving raw data in almost all of their brain injury cases, but neuropsychologists reported that they produce raw data in only a minority of their forensic cases. Similarly, fewer neuropsychologists than attorneys acknowledged that they are asked to provide information to assist the lawyer in preparing for the cross-examination of the opposition's expert or to prepare the plaintiff for the opposition's evaluation. Lawyers typically spend up to an hour preparing their clients for neuropsychological evaluations and commonly cover test content, detection of malingering, and brain injury symptoms. Other topics addressed include attorney influence on findings, fees and billing, board certification, use of technicians, and methods used to generate referrals or locate experts. Areas of agreement and divergence between the groups were identified and ethical issues raised by identified practices were examined.
Computer integrated manufacturing-an enterprise view

Since the mid 1980s, IBM sites have been implementing the CIM (computer-integrated manufacturing) philosophy, resulting in significant improvements in cost, resources, and responsiveness. In the process of reviewing the information systems applications, it became apparent that many applications performed the same or similar functions. This has resulted in a building-block approach to CIM applications. Base applications will provide common functions. Customers will then be able to supplement these functions with applications common to their business areas. Customers will be able to add their own unique applications to address specific requirements. IBM is working closely with its customers and internal users to define the common requirements. This partnership with customers provides improved requirements definition, reduced development and maintenance costs, the ability to test in production environments, and accelerated delivery to the marketplace. >
Towards co-channel speaker separation BY 2-D demodulation of spectrograms

This paper explores a two-dimensional (2-D) processing approach for co-channel speaker separation of voiced speech. We analyze localized time-frequency regions of a narrowband spectrogram using 2-D Fourier transforms and propose a 2-D amplitude modulation model based on pitch information for single and multi-speaker content in each region. Our model maps harmonically-related speech content to concentrated entities in a transformed 2-D space, thereby motivating 2-D demodulation of the spectrogram for analysis/synthesis and speaker separation. Using a priori pitch estimates of individual speakers, we show through a quantitative evaluation: 1) Utility of the model for representing speech content of a single speaker and 2) Its feasibility for speaker separation. For the separation task, we also illustrate benefits of the model's representation of pitch dynamics relative to a sinusoidal-based separation system.
Leptin signaling regulates hypothalamic expression of nescient helix-loop-helix 2 (Nhlh2) through signal transducer and activator 3 (Stat3).

Abstract Mice with a deletion of the hypothalamic basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Nhlh2 display adult onset obesity. We have previously shown that Nhlh2 expression is induced by leptin. In this study, we identify a small proximal leptin-responsive promoter region in the Nhlh2 gene. This 163 bp promoter contains five putative binding sites for the leptin-activated Stat3 transcription factor, and two putative binding sites for the NFκB transcription factor. Results of mutagenesis studies reveal that deletion of the NFκB sites have little effect, mutagenesis of the third Stat3 site eliminates both leptin-induced and basal expression of Nhlh2. Mutagenesis of the 4th and 5th sites eliminates leptin-induced expression, and increases basal expression above the WT promoter. Stat3 can be preferentially pulled down from leptin-treated mouse hypothalamic chromatin extracts. This study identifies leptin-induced Stat3 transcription factor as the major transcriptional regulator of Nhlh2. As Nhlh2 transcriptionally regulates genes within the melanocortin pathway, these findings have implications for human body weight control.
Mutational Analysis of Burkholderia thailandensis Quorum Sensing and Self-Aggregation

Acyl-homoserine lactone (acyl-HSL) quorum-sensing signaling is common to many Proteobacteria. Acyl-HSLs are synthesized by the LuxI family of synthases, and the signal response is mediated by members of the LuxR family of transcriptional regulators. Burkholderia thailandensis is a member of a closely related cluster of three species, including the animal pathogens Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Members of this group have similar luxI and luxR homologs, and these genes contribute to B. pseudomallei and B. mallei virulence. B. thailandensis possesses three pairs of luxI-luxR homologs. One of these pairs, BtaI2-BtaR2, has been shown to produce and respond to 3OHC10-HSL and to control the synthesis of an antibiotic. By using a markerless-exhange method, we constructed an assortment of B. thailandensis quorum-sensing mutants, and we used these mutants to show that BtaI1 is responsible for C8-HSL production and BtaI3 is responsible for 3OHC8-HSL production. We also show that a strain incapable of acyl-HSL production is capable of growth on the same assortment of carbon and nitrogen sources as the wild type. Furthermore, this mutant shows no loss of virulence compared to the wild type in mice. However, the wild type self-aggregates in minimal medium, whereas the quorum-sensing mutant does not. The wild-type aggregation phenotype is recovered by addition of the BtaI1-R1 HSL signal C8-HSL. We propose that the key function of the BtaR1-BtaI1 quorum-sensing system is to cause cells to gather into aggregates once a sufficient population has been established.
An active PsHEMT sub-harmonically pumped mixer

An active Sub-harmonically Pumped (SHP) mixer using PsHEMT devices has been designed, built, and evaluated. Over 5 dB of conversion gain has been demonstrated at X-band. Test results, including conversion gain, noise figure, and IP3 of the active SHP mixer are compared with passive and semi-active SHP mixer configurations. >
New Aerodynamic Data Dispersion Method with Application to Launch Vehicle Design

This paper describes a new generalizedmethod for implementing aerodynamic data dispersions in the framework ofMonteCarloflight simulations. As opposed to the traditional pure-bias type dispersionmethods, the newproposed model is a general mathematical approach based on truncated Fourier series that, when combined with physical modeling tailored to the aerodynamic quantity of interest, enables the generation ofmore realistically dispersed data with magnitude, phase, slope variations, and a controlled amount of bias. The new method is also presented in a particular example, as applied to the Ares I-X Flight-Test Vehicle and the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle rolling moment data. It is shown how the adoption and implementation of this newmethodwithin these projects has resulted in significant increases in predicted roll control authority and has lowered the induced risks forflight-test operations. A direct impact on launch vehicles is a reduced size for auxiliary control systems and the possibility of an increased payload. This technique has the potential of being applied to problems inmultiple areaswhere nominal data together with uncertainties are used to produce simulations using Monte Carlo type random sampling methods. It is shown that physics-based dispersion models, together with nominal data and uncertainties, can make flight simulations more realistic and allow for leaner spacecraft designs.
A New Human Homeobox Gene OGI2X is a Member of the Most Conserved Homeobox Gene Family and is Expressed During Heart Development in Mouse

Homeodomain (HD) proteins are transcription regulators controlling a variety of cell fates. The HD region characterizing this protein family is a domain of 60 amino acid residues that recognizes and binds a site in the regulatory region of the target gene. It has been suggested that regions outside the HD may determine the specific functions of the various HD proteins by forming additional contacts with DNA sequences or by interactions with other proteins. We have identified a 14 amino acid motif within the C-terminal region of the protein encoded by the RIEG1 gene that is conserved among several HD proteins. Overlapping expression of the genes encoding these proteins during craniofacial development suggested that they might interact with a common factor. In order to identify additional genes possessing this motif we screened a human craniofacial cDNA library with oligoprobes. A novel gene was identified, exhibiting the most homology to murine Og12x (formerly OG12) and the recently reported human SHOX gene. Human OG12X and murine Og12x are highly homologous and the OG12X and Og12x proteins are 100% identical. In situ hybridization on mouse embryos ranging from 9 to 16 days post-coitum localized murine Og12x mRNA in the heart, otic region, maxillary and mandibular components of the first branchial arch, nasal processes, eyelid, midbrain, medulla oblongata, limbs, dorsal root ganglia and genital tubercle. OG12X was mapped to human chromosome 3q22-26 and murine Og12x to the syntenic region on mouse chromosome 3. Based upon the expression pattern of its mouse cognate, OG12X represents a candidate for the blepharophimosis (BPES) and Cornelia de Lange syndromes previously mapped to this region.
Isotretinoin Exposure and Risk of Celiac Disease.

Background Isotretinoin (13-cis retinoic acid) is a metabolite of vitamin A and has anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects; however, a recent publication by DePaolo et al. demonstrated that in the presence of IL-15, retinoic acid can act as an adjuvant and promote inflammation against dietary proteins.
Efficiency of a Sandwiched Thermoelectric Material with a Graded Interlayer and Temperature-Dependent Properties

This paper investigates the energy conversion efficiency for a sandwiched thermoelectric (TE) material with a graded interlayer and temperature-dependent properties. The graded interlayer can be modeled as a composite of the two homogeneous end material members to achieve continuously varying composition and properties, thus eliminating the electrical contact resistance at the interfaces of segmented TE materials. The temperature distribution and efficiency are obtained by a semianalytical recurrence relation and a simple iteration technique. In the numerical examples, we consider a sandwiched TE element consisting of nanostructured Bi2Te3 at the cold-end side, nanostructured PbTe at the hot-end side, and a graded interlayer of Bi2Te3–PbTe composite. The numerical results show that the peak efficiency of the sandwiched TE material with no contact resistance is higher than that of segmented Bi2Te3/PbTe with contact resistance at the sharp interface between Bi2Te3 and PbTe. The peak efficiency of the sandwiched material is also influenced by the location of and gradation profile in the graded interlayer. Finally, it is found that temperature dependence of properties decreases the efficiencies of Bi2Te3 and PbTe.
Conformational Changes Associated with Post-Translational Modifications of Pro143 in Skp1 of Dictyostelium—A Dipeptide Model System

Prolyl hydroxylation and subsequent glycosylation of the E3(SCF) ubiquitin ligase subunit Skp1 affects its conformation and its interaction with F-box proteins and, ultimately, O2-sensing in the organism. Taking a reductionist approach to understand the molecular basis for these effects, a series of end-capped Thr-Pro dipeptides was synthesized, tracking the sequential post-translational modifications that occur in the protein. The conformation of the pyrrolidine ring in each compound was gauged via coupling constants ((3)JHα,Hβ) and the electronegativity of the Cγ-substituents by chemical shifts ((13)C). The equilibrium between the cis-trans conformations about the central prolyl peptide bond was investigated by integration of signals corresponding to the two species in the (1)H NMR spectra over a range of temperatures. These studies revealed an increasing preference for the trans-conformation in the order Pro < Hyp < [α-(1,4)GlcNAc]Hyp. Rates for the forward and reverse reactions, determined by magnetization transfer experiments, demonstrated a reduced rate for the trans-to-cis conversion and a significant increase in the cis-to-trans conversion upon hydroxylation of the proline residue in the dipeptide. NOE experiments suggest that the Thr side chain pushes the sugar away from the pyrrolidine ring. These effects, which depended on the presence of the N-terminal Thr residue, offer a mechanism to explain altered properties of the corresponding full-length proteins.
The Impact of a Living Learning Community on First-Year Engineering Students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an engineering living and learning community (ELC) on first-year engineering students. A control group of non-ELC students was used to compare the experiences of the ELC participants. Analysis of survey data showed that there was significant differences between the ELC students and the non-ELC students in how they responded to questions regarding social support, academic support, connectedness to campus, and satisfaction with the College of Engineering and the institution as a whole. Particularly, there were significant differences between ELC and non-ELC students for questions related to feeling like part of an engineering community, having strong relationships with peers, belonging to a supportive peer network, studying with engineering peers, and spending time with classmates outside of class.
An Investigation of the Outbreak of Paratyphoid Fever

Objective To perform an epidemiological study of an outbreak of paratyphoid fever. Method Questionnaire type of survey and standard clinical examination were carried out by the clinicians and epidemiologists. Patients with clinical symptom, or the symptom was not typical but the number of the leucocyte count was low, were classified as the clinical case. Patients with positive identification of typhoid bacillus in blood, excrement or urine train packs were classified as confirmed cases. Result There were 223 cases of paratyphoid fever. Nobody was killed by the infection. The attack rate was 2.42%(223/9215). Among the 223 cases, 211 were middle school students (attack rate was 2.56%, 221/8215),and 12 were teachers and employee (attack rate was 1.20%,12/1000)Epidemiological study showed that the outbreak was due to food contamination with Salmonella. The disease was subsequently spread out through the contact with contaminated materials. Conclusion The prolonged epidemic of paratyphoid fever was due to the delayed notification of the disease outbreak. Hence the disease could not be controlled at the early stage of outbreak.In the future,the hygienic conditions in school should be closely monitored.
Effective Cessation Strategies for Smokers with Schizophrenia

Despite availability of smoking cessation aids with proven efficacy and tolerability in those with schizophrenia, addiction to tobacco-derived nicotine remains highly prevalent among those with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. While smokers with serious mental illness have been excluded from most large nicotine-dependence treatment studies, and these treatments are woefully underutilized for smokers with psychiatric illness, a growing evidence base is available to guide cessation treatment for smokers with schizophrenia. The aim of this review is to present the evidence on safety and efficacy of smoking cessation interventions for those with schizophrenia spectrum illness. Smokers with schizophrenia spectrum disorders should receive varenicline or bupropion with or without nicotine replacement therapy in combination with behavioral treatment. Clinical practice guidelines now recommend duration of treatment be 12 weeks, but evidence indicates that maintenance pharmacotherapy for 1 year improves sustained abstinence rates. Controlled trials have found no evidence that in patients with serious mental illness, the use of pharmacotherapeutic cessation aids worsens psychiatric symptoms or increases the rate of psychiatric adverse events. Converging evidence indicates that a majority of smokers with serious mental illness want to quit smoking and that available pharmacotherapeutic cessation aids combined with behavioral support are both effective for, and well tolerated by, these smokers.
Estudio preliminar de marcadores discursivos y cortesía verbal en el español de hispanohablantes en los Estados Unidos

This preliminary study determines the dynamics of the discourse markers and politeness in sociolinguistic interviews among Spanish speakers living in the Chicago area. The analysis is based on theories of social relations and politeness strategies (Brown and Levinson, 1987 and Bravo, 1999). By analyzing the markers within the turn organization (i.e. beginning of the turn and during the turn development), this study revealed that speakers make use of three main types of markers: connectors, modals, and appellatives. The findings suggest that the selection of a marker maintains a close relationship with the speaker’s main goal in the conversation. Either, the speaker detaches himself/herself from the interlocutor or he/she gets close to him/her. Thus, the speaker employs mitigation or intensification strategies through various linguistic forms or pauses that appear with the marker or within the turn. This study with Spanish speakers living in the area of Chicago confirms, as other studies in Spanish, that the interaction between markers and politeness is conditioned to the context and the role of the speakers.
Deep Tunnel in Transversely Anisotropic Rock with Groundwater Flow

Closed-form solutions for the stresses and deformations induced in the ground and tunnel liner are provided for a deep tunnel in a transversely anisotropic elastic rock, with anisotropic permeability, when subjected to groundwater seepage. Complex variable theory and conformal mapping are used to obtain the solutions; additional complex functions, necessary to prevent multiple solutions of the displacements, are included. The analytical solutions are verified by comparing their results from those of a finite element method. Simplified formulations are presented for tunnels with a perfectly flexible and completely incompressible liner. A spreadsheet is included that can be used to obtain stresses and displacements of the liner due to groundwater flow and far-field geostatic stresses.
The Dark Side of UN Peacekeeping: Abuses and Violations in Africa

This chapter examines specific cases of UN peacekeeping abuses and violations in Africa. Four cases spanning the continent were selected based on the relative size of their UN peacekeeping operations and also where preliminary and anecdotal accounts allege human rights abuses. The cases were also chosen to reflect the diverse region of the continent. To that extent, Congo (Central Africa); Darfur (Western Sudan); Sierra Leone (West Africa); and Somalia (Horn of Africa) were chosen. Detailed cases of alleged violations and abuses by UN peacekeepers are preceded by a background account on why the peacekeepers were needed in the first place. It must be quickly added that because abuses occurred in Africa does not mean that the peacekeeping forces implicated were African.
Abstract P6-11-17: Mutations in PIK3R1 activate multiple pathways in breast cancer

It has been estimated that by the end of this year, 270,000 American women will be newly diagnosed with breast cancer, while 40,000 women that already have breast cancer will succumb to the disease. Considerable attention has been given to the PI3K signaling cascade following the discovery that PIK3CA is the most frequently mutated oncogene in breast cancer.However, few studies have explored the function of PIK3R1, which is the regulatory domain of the PI3K complex, despite being mutated in ~3% of all breast cancers. Several studies have demonstrated that expression of PIK3R1 is downregulated in human cancers. Decreased expression of the PIK3R1 protein leads to tumor formation, suggesting its role as a tumor suppressor gene and a potential prognostic marker in breast cancer. However, PIK3R1 is a gene with little pre-clinical evidence to recommend experimental therapies. Despite this lack of evidence, commercial services that perform molecular analyses of tumors suggest the use of an mTOR inhibitor for patients whose breast cancers carry mutant PIK3R1. In order to determine if mTOR inhibitors were indeed effective in mutant PIK3R1 tumors, we created and characterized a model for mutant PIK3R1 in the non-tumorigenic, human breast epithelial cell line, MCF-10A. Surprisingly, we observed that mTOR inhibitors were ineffective in these cells. However, in searching for other classes of small molecule inhibitors that were effective, we observed that mutations in PIK3R1 sensitized cells to MAPK inhibitors. Herein, we present the first evidence for the use of targeted therapies in breast cancers carrying mutant PIK3R1. We provide evidence against the use of mTOR inhibitors and provide a rationale for the use of MAPK inhibitors. Citation Format: Abukhdeir AM, Turturro SB, Najor MS, Brar SS, Cobleigh MA. Mutations in PIK3R1 activate multiple pathways in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-11-17.