cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Air Quality Response Modeling for Decision Support

Air quality management relies on photochemical models to predict the responses of pollutant concentrations to changes in emissions. Such modeling is especially important for secondary pollutants such as ozone and fine particulate matter which vary nonlinearly with changes in emissions. Numerous techniques for probing pollutant-emission relationships within photochemical models have been developed and deployed for a variety of decision support applications. However, atmospheric response modeling remains complicated by the challenge of validating sensitivity results against observable data. This manuscript reviews the state of the science of atmospheric response modeling as well as efforts to characterize the accuracy and uncertainty of sensitivity results.
A comparison of reliability estimation methods for binary systems

This paper uses a simulation-based approach to compare the predictive accuracy of five different methods for estimating the risk of failure for binary failure/no failure systems such as US strategic missiles, space launch vehicles, and security systems based on the results of a number of tests. This paper tests two Bayesian approaches, two classical (frequentist) approaches, and the method currently used the US Air Force Strategic Command (STRATCOM) to estimate the reliability of strategic nuclear missiles. First, test results are simulated based on an assumed underlying reliability profile. Then the system's reliability is estimated by each of the approaches using the simulated test results, and these estimates are compared with the assumed underlying reliability. Statistical procedures are used to compare the errors from the different methods. The results of this study show that the STRATCOM approach and a classical approach using only the test data from the current period are significantly less accurate than the other three methods and that the accuracy of the Bayesian methods depend on the prior density functions used. The results in this paper provide a quantitative assessment of the accuracy of the tested methods.
Evidence Supporting a Two-Receptor Model for Insulin Binding by Cultured Embryonic Heart Cells

Curvilinear Scatchard plots for insulin binding by cultured embryonic heart cells at 15 C were interpreted assuming a two-receptor model (Santora II, A. C., F.B. Wheeler, R.L. DeHaan, and L.J. Elsas II, Endocrinology 104:1059, 1979). The present studies test this hypothesis further. Both 125I-labeled hormone binding and 2-methylamino-[1-14C]isobutyric acid ([14C]meAIB) transport were assayed at 24 C in identical buffers. Equilibrium chicken insulin-binding experiments yielded curvilinear Scatchard functions, consistent with binding to both high affinity, low capacity and low affinity, high capacity receptor sites at 24 C. Insulin-stimulated transport of the model amino acid [14C]meAIB (a specific alanine-preferring system substrate) paralleled the expected occupancy of the low affinity receptors. In competitive binding assays, the abilities of multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA), proinsulin, and insulin to compete for primarily high affinity insulin binding were compared with their abilities to stimulate transport. The relative potencies for binding competition with 34 pM chicken [125I]insulin were insulin greater than proinsulin greater than or equal to MSA (1:0,05:0.03). In contrast, the relative potencies for stimulating [14C]meAIB transport were MSA greater than insulin greater than proinsulin (3:1:0.28). Maximal stimulation of transport by insulin was not additive to that by MSA or proinsulin. The relative potency profile for binding competition with [125I]MSA was the same as that for stimulation of transport: MSA greater than insulin greater than proinsulin (2-3:1:0.2-0.3). Proinsulin, added in excess of insulin at a constant molar ratio, reduced low affinity insulin binding to a greater extent than it reduced high affinity insulin binding. Moreover, the extent of binding to each receptor was predicted from, and thus directly supported, our biological potency data, in which proinsulin was nearly one third as potent as insulin at the low affinity receptor yet possessed only 5% of insulin's potency at the high affinity receptor. The different relative affinity profiles suggest that these two receptors had binding site specificities for different portions of the insulin molecule. Each experiment with proinsulin and insulin in a constant molar ratio was carried out in parallel with an experiment in which insulin was the only unlabeled hormone. Analysis of the results from weighted nonlinear least squares regression fits of data to Michaelis-Menten equations showed that a two-receptor model was necessary to fit the data obtained with insulin as the only unlabeled hormone. Low affinity site binding parameters were also needed when data within each parallel experiment were pooled. The following kinetic experiments indicated the absence of enhanced dissociation of bound [125I]insulin by unlabeled insulin...
Alkalinity of the anoxic waters in the Western Black Sea

Abstract Measurements of total alkalinity and nutrients were made on samples from discrete depths, aboard the R/V Knorr , May 2001 in the Black Sea. Determination of macronutrient concentrations permits inclusion of these minor bases in alkalinity calculations and thus improved determination of the carbonate system. The permanent pycnocline maintains vertical separation of the oxic, suboxic and anoxic waters of the Black Sea. Results show an apparent excess in alkalinity and/or deficit in hydrogen sulfide from the stoichiometric ratio predicted from the sequential oxidation of Redfield organic matter by sulfate in the anoxic waters near the center of the western gyre. The lateral ventilation of the main pycnocline by Bosporus plume waters is responsible for consuming or removing sulfide from the anoxic zone. The removal of sulfide via intrusion of oxygen-enriched waters and generation of alkalinity and total inorganic carbon dioxide via dissolution of calcium carbonate results in differing stoichiometry between the upper and lower anoxic zones in the center of the western gyre. Changes in the distribution of nutrients and hydrogen sulfide are due to the oxidation of particulate organic matter apparently due to increased productivity in surface waters.
The effect of school classroom characteristics on low self-control: A multilevel analysis

Abstract Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory has reaped a substantial amount of empirical support. Recently, attention has focused on the factors associated with the development of self-control. With few and isolated exceptions, most research has examined the ways in which parents contribute to the development of self-control in children. Gottfredson and Hirschi hypothesized, however, that other social institutions, especially schools, may play at least some role in inculcating self-control. The current study addressed this possibility by conducting a series of multilevel models that examined whether the characteristics of schools, and classrooms within schools, were salient to the development of self-control. Using a longitudinal sample of kindergarten and first-grade students, the results revealed that classroom characteristics influenced self-control.
Cross-Field Effects and Ethnic Classification The Institutionalization of Hispanic Panethnicity, 1965 to 1990

Research on racial/ethnic categorization provides insight on how broad processes, such as migration trends or political shifts, precede the establishment of new categories, but does not detail the ...
Can Projective Drawings Detect if a Child Experienced Sexual or Physical Abuse? A Systematic Review of the Controlled Research

Clinical observations have suggested that children who experience physical or sexual abuse may provide indicators in their drawings that can distinguish them from nonabused children. Some have even suggested that a child's drawings and the interpretive testimony of a trained mental health clinician should be admissible in court as evidence of a child's abuse status. Many of these comments, however, may reflect a limited consideration of the available research. The current article provides a comprehensive literature review of the controlled research to determine whether any graphic indicators (e.g., genitalia, omission of body parts) or predefined scoring system can reliability and validly discriminate abused from nonabused children. Results indicate that, although individual studies have found support for various indicators or scoring systems, these results are rarely replicated, many times studies finding significant results suffer from serious methodological flaws and alternative explanations for findings (e.g., mental illness) are often present. No graphic indicator or scoring system possessed sufficient empirical evidence to support its use for identifying sexual or physical abuse. A discussion of the legal ramifications of these results is provided.
Multimodal vibration control of a flexible structure using piezoceramics

This paper presents results of multimodal vibration suppression of a smart flexible cantilever beam by using single piezoceramic actuator and a single sensor. Piezoceramics PZT (lead zirconate titanate) patches are surface-bonded on the beam and perform as actuator and sensor. System identification for the dynamics of the first three modes and model reduction techniques are employed to assist in control system design. The state space model from system identification is used for state estimation and development of control algorithm. A linear pole placement controller is designed and simulated using the identified model. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of multimodal active vibration control of the structure using smart materials
Sport-Related Concussion

Concussions in sports typically arise from a hard blow to the head. In soccer, for example, head-to-head impacts carry a high risk for concussion (Withnall et al., Br J Sports Med 39(Suppl 1):i49–i57, 2005). In the National Football League (NFL), an injury reconstruction study revealed that a striking player often lines up his head, neck, and torso to deliver maximum force to the other player in helmet-to-helmet impacts that result in concussive injuries to the player being struck (Viano and Pellman, Neurosurgery 56(2):266–280, 2005). Fortunately, most injuries in sports fall on the milder end of the spectrum of mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI). Occasionally, however, athletes experience complicated mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injuries. In equestrian and auto racing, for example, accidents can result in much more serious injuries to the brain.
Anthropology and Consultancy: Issues and Debates

Anthropology and Consultancy: Issues and Debates. Pamela J. Stewartand Andrew Strathern, eds. New York: Berghahn Books, 2005. 146 pp.
Flow between a stationary and a rotating disk shrouded by a co‐rotating cylinder

Boundary layers on stationary and rotating disks have received much attention since von Karman’s [Z. Angew. Math. Mech. 1, 233 (1921)] and Bodewadt’s [Z. Angew. Math. Mech. 20, 241 (1940)] studies of the cases with disks of infinite radius. Theoretical treatments have focused on similarity treatments leading to conflicting ideas about existence and uniqueness, and where self‐similar solutions exist, whether they are physically realizable. The coupling between the boundary layer flows and the interior flow between them, while being of practical importance in a variety of situations such as turbomachinery and ocean circulations, is not well understood. Here, a numerical treatment of the axisymmetric Navier–Stokes equations, together with some experiments for the case of finite stationary and rotating disks bounded by a co‐rotating sidewall is presented. We show that in the long time limit, solutions are steady and essentially self‐similar. Yet the transients are not. In particular, axisymmetric waves propagate in the stationary disk boundary layer when the vortex lines entering the boundary layer develop inflection points, and there are subsequent eruptions of vortical flow out of the boundary layer deep into the interior at large Reynolds numbers.
Analysis of Local State Space Models for Feature Extraction in Structural Health Monitoring

Error metrics based on nonlinear dynamical predictive models has been implemented earlier to determine discrepancies or nonstationarity in time series caused by external sources, such as noise or filtering. The structural health monitoring (SHM) field has adapted various forms of such prediction error metrics for damage detection. This process usually requires randomly selecting a number of fiducial points on a reconstructed attractor, tracking their time evolutions, and then comparing them to a corresponding set (in a general sense) of points on another attractor. Such an approach has been successful, but it is a process that is globally averaged over the whole data set. However, changes to dynamics resulting from processes such as damage may only noticeably affect small regions within state space if the damage manifests itself locally in time and/or space. In such a case, a generalized selection of points covering the entire attractor may not be able to identify that a dynamical change has taken place. ...
Potassium Channel Ontogeny

Potassium channels are multi-subunit complexes, often composed of several polytopic membrane proteins and cytosolic proteins. The formation of these oligomeric structures, including both biogenesis and trafficking, is the subject of this review. The emphasis is on events in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), particularly on how, where, and when K(+) channel polypeptides translocate and integrate into the bilayer, oligomerize and fold to form pore-forming units, and associate with auxiliary subunits to create the mature channel complex. Questions are raised with respect to the sequence of these events, when biogenic decisions are made, models for integration of K(+) channel transmembrane segments, crosstalk between the cell surface and ER, and recognition of compatible partner subunits. Also considered are determinants of subunit composition and stoichiometry, their consequence for trafficking, mechanisms for ER retention and export, and sequence motifs that direct channels to the cell surface. It is these mechanistic issues that govern the differential distributions of K(+) conductances at the cell surface, and hence the electrical activity of cells and tissues underlying both the physiology and pathophysiology of an organism.
Activation of protein splicing by protease- or light-triggered O to N acyl migration.

Intramolecular O-N acyl migrations are well known reactions in organic chemistry[1-3]. This type of rearrangement has been the object of renewed interest in the field of chemical biology as it provides opportunities for the spatial and temporal control of peptide conformation and function.[4,5] Incorporation of an O-acyl isomer of a peptide bond at a serine or threonine residue in a peptide sequence (herein referred to as an O-acyl linkage) introduces a kink into the main chain of the biopolymer and interrupts the normal backbone hydrogen-bonding characteristics, both of which can affect structure and function.[5-7] In the case where the Ser/Thr α-amino group is transiently protected, recovery of the normal amide backbone and, as a consequence, native structure and function, can be achieved by removal of this protecting group, thereby triggering the spontaneous O-N acyl shift. Accordingly, a variety of triggers of O-N acyl migrations have been developed that allow the restoration of native structure following the administration of light,[8] pH,[9] or enzymatic activity.[10]
Brachiopods from Ancient Hydrocarbon Seeps and Hydrothermal Vents

Brachiopods are well-established as components of ancient ­chemo­synthesis-dominated environments: hydrocarbon seeps and hydrothermal vents. The focus here is primarily on brachiopods recorded from hydrocarbon seeps from the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic although records from the Cenozoic are being reported. In hydrocarbon seeps brachiopods have played a central role forming shell-beds that may be a few meters in vertical thickness and up to a few meters or tens of meters in lateral extent that may contain millions of individual specimens in virtually monospecific accumulations; they may also play a peripheral role as less common components flanking chemosynthesis-dominated environments. Rhynchonellids other than members of the Dimerelloidea are now likely to be associated with chemosynthesis-dominated environments, e.g., Lacunosella. The last dimerelloid recorded from hydrocarbon seeps is Peregrinella; subsequent to the last records of this genus in the Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian) it is the terebratulids that have the most records from ancient hydrocarbon seeps. The number of records of brachiopods from ancient hydrocarbon seeps and hydrothermal vents will no doubt continue to increase. Micromorphic and cryptic brachiopods are virtually unknown from chemosynthesis-dominated environments but their presence can be anticipated from such settings – both ancient and modern.
Security and fault-tolerance in distributed systems: an actor-based approach

The inherent complexity of real-world distributed applications makes developing and maintaining software for these systems difficult and error-prone. We describe an actor-based meta-level model to address the complexity of distributed applications. Specifically, meta-level framework allow code implementing different design concerns to be factored into separate modules-thus enabling the separate development and modification of code for different non-functional requirements such as security and fault-tolerance. This paper reviews current research based on the model and outlines some research directions.
Experimental Histoplasmosis in Monkeys.

SummarySevere disease was produced in monkeys by yeast phase H. capsulatum administered intravenously and intratracheally. Monkeys inoculated intranasally exhibited a more mild disease process. No significant clinical signs of illness were seen in monkeys inoculated by the gastric route.
Patterns of nucleotide diversity in wild and cultivated sunflower.

Interest in the level and organization of nucleotide diversity in domesticated plant lineages has recently been motivated by the potential for using association-based mapping techniques as a means for identifying the genes underlying complex traits. To date, however, such data have been available only for a relatively small number of well-characterized plant taxa. Here we provide the first detailed description of patterns of nucleotide polymorphism in wild and cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus), using sequence data from nine nuclear genes. The resuflts of this study indicate that wild sunflower harbors at least as much nucleotide diversity as has been reported in other wild plant taxa, with randomly selected sequence pairs being expected to differ at 1 of every 70 bp. In contrast, cultivated sunflower has retained only 40–50% of the diversity present in the wild. Consistent with this dramatic reduction in polymorphism, a phylogenetic analysis of our data revealed that the cultivars form a monophyletic clade, adding to the growing body of evidence that sunflower is the product of a single domestication. Eight of the nine loci surveyed appeared to be evolving primarily under purifying selection, while the remaining locus may have been the subject of positive selection. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) decayed very rapidly in the self-incompatible wild sunflower, with the expected LD falling to negligible levels within 200 bp. The cultivars, on the other hand, exhibited somewhat higher levels of LD, with nonrandom associations persisting up to ∼1100 bp. Taken together, these results suggest that association-based approaches will provide a high degree of resolution for the mapping of functional variation in sunflower.
The Relationship of Lower-Limb Muscle Force to Walking Ability in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of muscle force associated with ability to walk in the community without assistance, in the community with assistance, or at home only in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Subjects and Methods. Percentage of predicted maximal muscle force (%PMF) of lower-extremity muscles was determined, and walking ability was categorized in 118 patients with ALS during periodic visits to the Neuromuscular Research Unit. Data were derived from consecutive visits in which subjects demonstrated declines in walking ability. Means for %PMF of each muscle group and a limb average were calculated at each consecutive visit. Results. The mean lower-extremity average %PMF was: (1) 54.01% (SD=12.76%) for subjects who walked independently in the community and 50.19% (SD=14.38%) during the next visit when these same subjects required assistance in the community (difference=3.82%, 95% confidence interval \[CI\]\[=\] 2.45−5.19);(2) 37.52% (SD=15.17%) during the last visit that subjects walked with assistance in the community and 32.18% (SD=13.83%) during the next visit when they walked only at home (difference=5.33%, 95% CI=3.61–7.06); and (3) 19.12% (SD=9.08%) during the visit when subjects were last able to ambulate at home versus 13.70% (SD=7.36%) when they became unable to walk (difference=5.42%, 95% CI=2.97−7.96). Conclusion and Discussion. The findings suggest there are required levels of lower-extremity muscle force for various categories of walking ability. Variations in forces within and between categories of walking ability, however, indicate the complexity of this relationship.
Realtime implementation of a subband coder using CQF filters

The coder described uses a full-duplex, five-octave-band structure. An additional splitter is used to discard the top half of the highest band, allowing significant data reduction with little loss in quality. Conjugate quadrature filters (CQFs) were chosen for this implementation because they exhibit perfect reconstruction and were expected to offer better performance than simple quadrature mirror filters (QMFs). Adaptive pulse-code modulation (APCM) coders are used to quantize and code each band. The number of levels in the APCM coder is a parameter of the implementation, so the realization can be easily configured to operate at data rates from 10 kb/s to 24 kb/s. Results indicate that the speech quality of the CQF implementation was barely discernible from that of a QMF-based implementation. The basic building block used in the subband coder is the two-band analysis/reconstruction system. The analysis section uses high and low pass filters to split the speech into two bands. Each subband signal is then decimated to its nominal Nyquist rate, thus preserving the total number of samples in the signals to be coded. The reconstruction section inserts zeros into the sample streams and interpolates them using the corresponding reconstruction filters. >
A Comparison of Beginning and Advanced Engineering Students’ Description of Information Skills

Abstract Objective – The purpose of this research was to examine how beginning and advanced level engineering students report use of information when completing an engineering design process. This information is important for librarians seeking to develop information literacy curricula in the context of engineering design. Methods – Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews about information strategies used in engineering design with 21 engineering students (10 first and second year; 11 senior and graduate). Researchers transcribed interviews and developed an inductive coding scheme. Then, from the coding scheme, researchers extracted broader themes. Results – Beginning level engineering students interviewed: (a) relied primarily on the parameters explicitly given in the problem statement; (b) primarily used general search strategies; (c) were documentation oriented; and (d) relied on external feedback to determine when they had found enough information. Advanced level engineering students interviewed: (a) relied on both their own knowledge and the information provided in the problem statement; (b) utilized both general and specific search strategies; (c) were application oriented; and (d) relied on self-reflection and problem requirements to determine when they had found enough information. Conclusion – Beginning level students describe information gathering as externally motivated tasks to complete, rather than activities that are important to inform their design. Advanced level students describe more personal investment in their use of information through consideration of information based on their prior knowledge and questioning information. Future research should consider how to best support beginning level engineering students’ personal engagement with information.
Subseasonal and Interannual Temperature Variability in Relation to Extreme Temperature Occurrence over East Asia

AbstractThis study investigates interannual variability in the frequency of occurrence of daily surface air temperature (SAT) extremes over East Asia in summer and winter between 1979 and 2009. In particular, this study examines the dominant seasonal SAT patterns, as obtained through empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, and the associated variability in SAT extreme occurrence. Overall, the authors find that changes in extreme temperature occurrence associated with these dominant patterns are impacted by both shifts and narrowing/broadening of the subseasonal SAT probability distribution functions (PDFs). In summer, the leading pattern features large SAT anomalies in midlatitude East Asia centered over Mongolia. Over this center of action, positive SAT anomalies are accompanied by decreased precipitation and soil moisture, which increases the ratio of sensible to latent heat flux. Consequently, subseasonal SAT variance increases, resulting in an enhanced occurrence of positive SAT extremes relativ...
Smart Wireless Vehicle Detection System

Traffic density becomes an important issue in modern cities due to sustained growth in population, higher standards of living, and increased levels of mobility. As a result, environmental pollution is on the rise, natural resource reserves are being depleted, and commute times are lengthened. These conditions are increasing the need for effective management of traffic flow. Improved traffic flow management involves maintaining statistics on transportation infrastructures, and tracking density levels so that enhancements can be implemented. Existing methods for gathering these statistics are costly, labor intensive, and require remote, offline data acquisition. In order to address these issues, we present a Smart Vehicle Detection System (SVEDECS) that provides real-time statistics of traffic flow, capable of tracking vehicle speed and vehicle type. We describe an implementation of SVEDECS comprised of wireless magnetic sensor nodes and a gateway node.
Pulmonic Papillary Fibroelastoma: Cause of Recurrent Pulmonary Emboli and Treatment

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are rare, typically benign primary cardiac tumors. The pulmonary valve is the least common site for valvular papillary fibroelastomas. They commonly present with dyspnea on exertion and can show right ventricular outflow tract obstruction on echocardiography. Embolic phenomena are one of the most serious consequences. Treatment usually consists of surgical excision. We report the first case of pulmonary emboli from pulmonary valve papillary fibroelastoma treated with anticoagulation. This occurred in only the second case of pulmonary emboli from pulmonary papillary fibroelastoma reported in literature to date.
Cheap Control, Singular Arcs, and Singular Perturbations

Consider the control problem consisting of the state equation $$\dot x\, =\,Ax\,+\,Bu\,,\quad 0\,\leqslant\,t\leqslant 1,$$ (1) , with the initial state x(0) prescribed, and with the scalar cost $$J(\varepsilon)\,=\frac{1}{2}\int_0^1{\left[{{x^T}(t)Qx(t)\,+\,{\varepsilon ^2}{u^T}(t)Ru(t)}\right]dt}$$ (2) to be minimized. Here, x and u are vectors of dimension n and r, respectively, Q and R are symmetric matrices, Q is positive semidefinite, R is positive definite, and e is a small positive parameter. Since e2 multiplies the control part of the cost, control is cheap relative to state (cf. Lions (1973) which discusses cheap control for analogous problems in partial differential equations).
Visual Angular Momentum: Mamikon Meets Kepler

A new areal proof of Kepler's second law of planetary motion is presented, based on Mamikon's sweeping-tangent theorem.
A Faster and More Realistic Flush+Reload Attack on AES

Cloud's unrivaled cost effectiveness and on the fly operation versatility is attractive to enterprise and personal users. However, the cloud inherits a dangerous behavior from virtualization systems that poses a serious security risk: resource sharing. This work exploits a shared resource optimization technique called memory deduplication to mount a powerful known-ciphertext only cache side-channel attack on a popular OpenSSL implementation of AES. In contrast to the other cross-VM cache attacks, our attack does not require synchronization with the target server and is fully asynchronous, working in a more realistic scenario with much weaker assumption. Also, our attack succeeds in just 15 seconds working across cores in the cross-VM setting. Our results show that there is strong information leakage through cache in virtualized systems and the memory deduplication should be approached with caution.
Evidence for Phonon-Mediated Coupling in Superconducting Ba0.6K0.4BiO3

Superconducting Ba 0.6 K 0.4 BiO 3 , with a T c of 30K, shows a large 18 O isotope effect which indicates that phonons are involved in the pairing mechanism. Infrared reflectivity measurements indicate a value for the superconducting gap consistent with moderate coupling (2Δ/kT c = 3.5 ± 0.5). A mediating energy for pairing of about 40 meV would be required to obtain a T c of 30K. Strong coupling of electrons by optical phonons (which are present in this material with energies up to 80 meV) could account for the observed transition temperature. Recent tunneling spectroscopy shows the presence of strongly coupled optical phonons in the 40 to 70 meV region, indicating that superconductivity in this material may be phonon mediated.
Abstract 1846: Cyr61 a therapeutic target for breast carcinomas

Background: Cyr61, also known as CCN1, is a survival and pro-angiogenic factor overexpressed in invasive breast tumors that promotes tumorigenicity. We investigated whether Cyr61 plays important roles in breast cancer and evaluated its potential role as a chemotherapeutical target. Methods: We analyzed Cyr61 expression in a tissue microarray from breast cancer patients consisting of primary breast carcinomas and recurrences. Cyr61 was silenced in the metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells using a Cyr61-specific short hairpin RNA (Cyr61-shRNA). The effect of Cyr61 silencing on anchorage dependent- and independent growth, migration and invasiveness was characterized in vitro. The mechanism by which Cyr61 mediates the proliferation effects was investigated. The effect of Cyr61 in tumor growth was investigated in a subcutaneous orthotopic tumor xenograft model and the histological and immunohistochemical analysis ware performed. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Cyr61 is highly expressed in about 47% of the metastatic breast cancer patients analyzed. The expression is higher in the recurrences than in the primary tumors. Silencing Cyr61 inhibits cell proliferation, prevents anchorage-dependent and -independent growth, and suppresses the invasive potential of the cells by inhibiting migration in vitro. We also found that silencing Cyr61 decreases the expression of its own receptor αvβ3, and decreases its signaling activities. Remarkably, the in vivo studies showed that after silencing Cyr61 the tumor burden is significantly decreased and there is poor vascularized compared to control tumors. Conclusions: Our findings provide the proof of concept that Cyr61 is a key promoter of breast cancer tumorigenicity. It should be considered as a potential target for developing therapies to breast cancers patients that overexpress Cyr61. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1846. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1846
Abstract 509: Immunoglobulin reactivity analysis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients unveils Lymphocyte Cytosolic Protein 1 (LCP1) as a novel CLL exosome antigen

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is incurable accumulation of malignant clonal B lymphocytes in the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. A hallmark of CLL is profound immunosupression mediated by a litany of costimulatory, cytokine, and exosome signals within the microenvironment. One of the most promising recent advances in this disease has been the development of membrane targeted immunotherapeutics such as the monoclonal antibodies rituximab and alemtuzumab. However, a shortfall of most current and experimental immunotherapeutics is the reliance upon cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens that are also common to a variety of healthy tissues. Moreover, the non-obligate nature of many CD markers renders them susceptible to shedding and down- modulation in resistant CLL cases. In recent studies, we and others have identified endogenous adaptive immune responses against known CLL specific antigens such as ROR1. Curiously, this effect appears biased to tumor relevant antigens with defined malignant signaling. Using retrospective antigen identifications as proof of principle, we sought to further investigate humoral reactivity against autologous CLL membrane associated antigens to identify novel targets for immunotherapy. Mass spectroscopic analysis of CLL membrane antigens targeted by patient derived serum IgG repeatedly identified LCP1 as a lymphocyte specific target. Confirmation by immunoblot and ELISA revealed that CLL patients maintain elevated LCP1 IgG response despite an inability to respond to common vaccine antigens such as tetanus toxin, suggesting continued antigenic stimulation. Flow cytometry, RT-PCR, immunoblot, and confocal microscopic analyses revealed few differences in LCP1 protein levels, glyocoslyation, transcripts, and localization between healthy and malignant B lymphocytes. Given the potential for CLL exosomes to provide a vehicle for continued antigenic stimulation as well as a target for future therapeutics we investigated their LCP1 content. We found that LCP1 is an integral component of CLL exosomes and that production of LCP1-laden exosomes is increased upon CLL stimulation. Ongoing studies aimed at addressing the potential role of exosomal LCP1 in CLL will be discussed. Supported in part by NIH and D. Warren Brown Foundation Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 509. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-509
Determination of Rare Earth Elements in Hypersaline Solutions Using Low-Volume, Liquid-Liquid Extraction.

Complex, hypersaline brines–including those coproduced with oil and gas, rejected from desalination technologies, or used as working fluids for geothermal electricity generation–could contain critical materials such as the rare earth elements (REE) in valuable concentrations. Accurate quantitation of these analytes in complex, aqueous matrices is necessary for evaluation and implementation of systems aimed at recovering those critical materials. However, most analytical methods for measuring trace metals have not been validated for highly saline and/or chemically complex brines. Here we modified and optimized previously published liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) techniques using bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate as the extractant in a heptane diluent, and studied its efficacy for REE recovery as a function of three primary variables: background salinity (as NaCl), concentration of a competing species (here Fe), and concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Results showed that the modified LLE was robust to...
Preserving Normal Birth: Implementing Educational Conferences for Health Care Professionals

A multidisciplinary conference promoting normal birth can be a valuable educational resource for several types of health care providers. This article provides information and guidance for readers who wish to implement such conferences in their own communities.
Corn Earworm Damage and Loss in Grain Sorghum

Corn earworm (Heliothis zea (Boddie)) damage on Westland, RS610, and Plainsman grain sorghums was evaluated using cages to confine larvae to the heads. One larva per head consumed an average of 166 kernels. Approximately 274, 370, 497, 632, 690, 785, 915, 1,010, 1,068, 1,219, 1,406, and 1,549 kernels were eaten by 2 through 13 larvae, respectively. Percentage losses for the respective levels of infestation, 1 through 13, were 6, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30, 33, 37, 40, 44, and 48. The equation, Ŷ=71+102X, can be used to predict the number of kernels that "X" larvae will destroy on a head. When the number of kernels on an average head is known, the percentage loss can be calculated and used in making control recommendations and crop-loss estimations.
Interaction between renal prostaglandins and angiotensin II in controlling glomerular filtration in the dog

Although previous studies suggest that the renal vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin II (ANG II) are normally confined to the efferent arterioles, the mechanisms that prevent ANG II from constricting preglomerular vessels are still unclear. In the present study, the role of prostaglandins (PG) in protecting preglomerular vessels from ANG II constriction was examined in dogs with normal or non-filtering kidneys in which ANG II formation was blocked with captopril and renal artery pressure was servo-controlled at 75-80 mmHg. Before PG blockade (n = 6), ANG II infusion (20 ng min-1 kg-1) decreased renal blood flow (RBF) by 54 +/- 4%, but did not change glomerular filtration rate (GFR) significantly. After PG blockade (n = 6), ANG II infusion decreased GFR by 37 +/- 7% and RBF by 56 +/- 6%, while increasing calculated preglomerular resistance much more than before PG blockade. In another group of dogs, secondary changes in renal resistances, due to tubuloglomerular feedback, were prevented by occluding the ureter during mannitol diuresis until glomerular filtration ceased. After inhibition of tubuloglomerular feedback in non-filtering kidneys (n = 7), ANG II decreased RBF by 40 +/- 3% and increased glomerular hydrostatic pressure, estimated from stop-flow ureteral pressure and plasma colloid osmotic pressure, by 8.7 +/- 1.7 mmHg. Postglomerular resistance increased by 91 +/- 12% while preglomerular resistance was unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Preparation of solid super-strong acid zeolite and catalytic properties of ethe rification

H β -zeolite was modified with SO 2- 4/Fe 2O 3, p reparation of solid super-strong acid was examined, surface activity properties and etherification behaviors of the modified catalyst were studied . The result s showed that the total acid content on modified catalyst increased moderately, its acidity became stronger and the super strong acid sites were produced, L aci dsite ratio on the modified catalyst was bigger than B acid site ratio. The modi fied catalyst was used to catalyze etherification of C 5 olefins in FCC light g asoline with CH 3OH. The results showed that activity of the modified catalyst was increased significantly, but selectivity of the modified catalyst decreased moderately. The methods of adding active components to catalyst had an affect on catalyst behaviors, impregnation was superior to impregnation with H 2SO 4, t he optimum concentration of (NH 4) 2SO 4 was 1.0 mol·L -1 ;the optimum mass fraction of active component was about 1.0%, the optimum temperature of cal cination was 550 ℃. 2-methyl butene-1 conversion is 93.1% and TAME mass fract ion was 13.1%.
Special Track on Robotics and Human Interaction

This track focuses on all aspects of robotics, including related areas and applications, including robotics education. This special track will include research papers on robotics and its related techniques, such as vision, perception, and planning. This track also includes robotics education, which will teach various AI techniques involved in robotics.
The mucosal microbiota in a young child with severe non-Helicobacter gastritis

A 34-month-old boy of Caribbean/Hispanic descent, born abroad and raised in a Houston suburb, following 2 weeks in the Caribbean presented with new-onset painless gagging and vomiting multiple times per day. The emesis contained clear or partially digested food with an occasional bloody tinge. Physical examination and a barium swallow were unremarkable, and trials of ranitidine and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) were unsuccessful. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy under general anesthesia (Figure 1a–f) revealed mild erythema throughout the distal esophagus, corpus, antrum, and fundus, with prominent antral nodularity and friability. Mild edema was present in the duodenal folds. Biopsies from the fundus (Figure 1g–h) and corpus revealed oxyntic-predominant chronic active gastritis with increased eosinophils. Antral biopsies (Figure 1i–j) revealed severe chronic active gastritis. The esophagus was unremarkable, and duodenal biopsies revealed patchy mild chronic inflammation. Gastrin was focally absent on immunostaining, and there was no evidence of granulomata, giant cells, viral inclusions, or Helicobacter pylori.
Power Package Thermal and Mechanical Codesign Simulation Automation

Chapter 6 has systematically introduced the thermal management, design, and analysis methods. It is known that the thermal resistance is sensitive to package structure, package material, thermal test board, and ambient conditions. In this chapter, the thermal modeling and simulation and the correlation with test for a regular power chip and a wafer level chip scale power package are presented first. To reduce the design cycle time and solve the thermal and mechanical problems efficiently, a customized tool for power package codesign simulation automation called Automation Simulation System (AutoSim) is developed through finite element software ANSYS® Workbench. With the codesign simulation automation tool, it is easy for users to input necessary data in a friendly and intuitive wizard interface. The whole simulation (including meshing, loading/boundary condition, solving, postprocess, and final report) will be completed automatically and efficiently. This chapter introduces the general methodology of the codesign simulation automation for the IC package.
A Framework for Probabilistic Assessment of New Medical Technologies

In this paper, we present a framework for early assessment of new medical technologies based on probability and systems analysis. Its purpose is to better inform decision-making during the design and development stages of a new device, where evidence is limited and classical statistical methods are not yet applicable. Decisions made by device manufacturers during this period have significant implications downstream, as they affect not only future system performance, but also the likelihood of obtaining regulatory approval and of successful product commercialization. Furthermore, industry could save a significant amount of money by identifying early those technologies that may not work. We define first a classification of potential data sources for Bayesian analysis and suggest a method for aggregation of prior distributions. Next, we present a model that captures key variables and relationships and that evolves with the design and development of the device. We illustrate this model with the example of a new cardiology catheter for minimally-invasive surgical treatment.
A Deterministic $$O(m \log {m})$$O(mlogm) Time Algorithm for the Reeb Graph

We present a deterministic algorithm to compute the Reeb graph of a PL real-valued function on a simplicial complex in $$O(m \log {m})$$O(mlogm) time, where $$m$$m is the size of the 2-skeleton. The problem can be solved using dynamic graph connectivity. We obtain the running time by using offline graph connectivity which assumes that the deletion time of every arc inserted is known at the time of insertion. The algorithm is implemented and experimental results are given. In addition, we reduce the offline graph connectivity problem to computing the Reeb graph.
A safe and selective method for reduction of 2-nitrophenylacetic acid systems to N-aryl hydroxamic acids using continuous flow hydrogenation

Abstract The cyclic hydroxamic acid functional group is critical to the biological activity of numerous natural products and drug candidates. Efficient, reliable, and green synthetic methods to produce cyclic hydroxamic acids are needed. Herein, flow hydrogenation has been explored as a novel approach toward achieving the selective partial reduction of 2-nitrophenylacetic acid to 1-hydroxyindolin-2-one. The bidentate ligand, 1,10-phenanthroline, has been identified as a unique inhibitor for modulating product selectivity in this Pt/C-catalyzed process. Under the newly optimized reaction conditions, the targeted hydroxami c acid is produced with high selectivity (49:1) over the lactam by-product. The scope of the reaction is demonstrated for a variety of 2-nitrophenylacetic acid derivatives.
Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Analyzer

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. MS is typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. There is no known cause of the disease and each individual experiences varying signs and symptoms depending on the severity of their disease. The most common symptoms include tremor, debilitated gait, visual impairment, or cognitive and emotional disturbances.Current methods used to treat MS include oral medication and surgical treatment. The issues with oral medication are the unwanted side effects to otherwise healthy tissue and the lack of patient adherence. Surgical treatment can be invasive and require longer recovery times. An alternate strategy to treat MS is by increasing the knowledge base of the practitioner to potentially treat specific symptoms. Currently, physicians use observations and MRI scans of the brain and spinal cord to help diagnose and track the progression of MS. There are several studies that analyze existing assistive technology to aid in the treatment of MS tremors. Most of these studies did not involve large test groups, therefore it is difficult to prove their validity. Additionally, none of the current devices are able to track symptoms while simultaneously creating medical history records.The goal of the design is to create a new device that will obtain the frequency and amplitude of tremors, while analyzing the effects of temperature and heart rate on the intensity of the tremor. With this data, the device will advance further MS research and lead to better diagnosis and treatment.Copyright © 2016 by ASME