cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-transfer Deep Learning of Optical Coherence Tomography for Post-hoc Explanation of Macular Disease Classification

Deep transfer learning is widely used for medical image classification by leveraging models that are pretrained by natural images. This choice may introduce unnecessary model complexity that can limit explanations of such model outcomes in clinical practice. To investigate this hypothesis, we develop a configurable deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to classify four macular disease types using retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. Our proposed non-transfer deep CNN model (acc: 97.9%) outperforms existing transfer learning models such as ResNet-50 (acc: 89.0%), ResNet-101 (acc: 96.7%), VGG-19 (acc: 93.3%), and Inception-V3 (acc: 95.8%) in the same retinal OCT image classification task. Our post-hoc analysis of the model extracted image features reveals that only eight out of 256 CNN filter kernels are active at the final convolutional layer. The convolutional responses of these eight selective filters yield image features that efficiently separate four macular disease classes even when projected onto two-dimensional principal component space. Our findings suggest that a large portion of deep learning parameters and computations are redundant for retinal OCT image classification, which intensifies when using transfer learning. Additionally, we provide clinical interpretations of our misclassified test images identifying manifest artifacts, shadowing of useful texture, false texture representing fluids, and other confounding factors. These clinical explanations along with model optimization via filter selection can improve the classification accuracy, computational costs, and explainability of deep model outcomes.
Autonomic computing: an overview

The increasing scale complexity, heterogeneity and dynamism of networks, systems and applications have made our computational and information infrastructure brittle, unmanageable and insecure. This has necessitated the investigation of an alternate paradigm for system and application design, which is based on strategies used by biological systems to deal with similar challenges – a vision that has been referred to as autonomic computing. The overarching goal of autonomic computing is to realize computer and software systems and applications that can manage themselves in accordance with high-level guidance from humans. Meeting the grand challenges of autonomic computing requires scientific and technological advances in a wide variety of fields, as well as new software and system architectures that support the effective integration of the constituent technologies. This paper presents an introduction to autonomic computing, its challenges, and opportunities.
Androgen Receptors STEROID AND TISSUE-SPECIFIC RETENTION OF A 17β-HYDROXY-5α-ANDROSTAN-3-ONE-PROTEIN COMPLEX BY THE CELL NUCLEI OF VENTRAL PROSTATE

Abstract In rat ventral prostate there are at least two soluble cytoplasmic proteins which specifically bind 3H-5α-dihydrotestosterone (3H-17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one). Only one of the 3H-5α-dihydrotestosterone-protein complexes (Complex II) can be retained by cell nuclei of the same tissue. The other 5α-dihydrotestosterone-binding protein (Complex I) can be separated from Complex II by an ammonium sulfate fractionation and a Sephadex gel filtration. Complex I preparations strongly inhibit the retention of Complex II by the prostate cell nuclei. The extent of the retention of prostate Complex II by cell nuclei of other rat tissues (liver, brain, thymus, and diaphragm), which are less sensitive to androgen, is relatively small. The cytosol fraction of liver contains very little of the protein which can form a complex (with 5α-dihydrotestosterone) retainable by cell nuclei of rat liver or ventral prostate. Cell nuclei of rat ventral prostate appear to contain specific nuclear acceptors which can selectively retain the 5α-dihydrotestosterone-receptor protein Complex II. The ability of cell nuclei to retain Complex II is rapidly lost when the nuclei are heated for 10 min at temperatures higher than 50°. Complex II is even less stable to heating. At 37° about one-half of the bound 5α-dihydrotestosterone is released from Complex II in 10 min. Complex II, by itself, is not retained firmly by prostate cell nuclei in the absence of 5α-dihydrotestosterone. This suggests that 5α-dihydrotestosterone binds to the receptor protein in such a way that the complex formed will have the structural requirement to fit the binding site of the prostate nuclear acceptor. Other steroids such as 5β-dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, 5α-androstane-3, 17-dione, 3α (or 3β),-17β-dihydroxy-5α-androstane, 4-androstene-3, 17-dione, 17β-estradiol, cortisol, and progesterone are not effective for this purpose. The steroid- and tissue-specificity of the cell-free systems strongly suggests that 5α-dihydrotestosterone plays a central role in the retention of an androgen receptor protein by prostate nuclei in vivo. The biological importance of the process is also underlined by the fact that cyproterone (6-chloro-17α-hydroxy-1,2α-methylene-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione) 17α-acetate, a potent antiandrogen, also inhibits the retention process in the cell-free system.
Molecular profiling using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and DNA microarray (DMA) as a tool to determine potential therapeutic targets in patients who have progressed on multiple prior therapies

B82 This study was undertaken to address the question - if the tumors of patients being evaluated for Phase I trials were studied carefully could one find potential targets that would be amenable to treatment with therapeutic agents given their known mechanisms of action. Inherently it may seem that employing this approach may have a higher chance of success than utilizing a random agent in Phase I clinical trials. To address this issue we have performed IHC assays for up to 14 targets (e.g. HER-2/neu, ER, c-kit, etc.) on 171 patients where a recent formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumor sample was available and have carried out expression profiling using a two color Agilent oligonucleotide microarray with 17,085 unique probes, on tumors from 112 patients with advanced cancer who have exhausted conventional therapy and who were undergoing a procedure for a cancer related matter (e.g. obstruction, ascites, etc.). One-hundred twelve patients had excess tissue submitted from their procedure, immediately frozen and subjected to microarray analysis. One hundred seventy one patients had IHC performed on sections obtained from the paraffin blocks prepared as part of their standard surgical workup. IHC was considered positive if ≥ 30% of tumor cells were scored as 2+ or greater staining. For DNA microarray (DMA) studies the gene expression ratios were called significantly increased or decreased if the fold change in expression relative to the normal tissue of origin reference was significant at p≤0.001. For the 112 patients where frozen tumor was assayed (100%) of them had RNA that was of excellent quality. The findings were a surprise in that IHC identified an average of 1.6 targets (for which a conventional therapeutic agent is available) per patient (range 0-5 targets) and 74% of those patients had at least one target. The DMA identified an average of 11.1 targets per patient (range 0-26 targets). Overall, a target was found for 111 (99%) of the patients. In the 214 instances (in 65 patients) where an IHC was positive and where a DMA was also available there was a positive correlation in 25 cases (11.7%), no correlation in 158 cases (73.8%) and negative correlation in 31 cases (14.5%). Of course these correlations have to be evaluated in the context that these methodologies are measuring the same parameter in different ways and as such are exploratory. This data indicates that using IHC and DMA one can consistently find a potential target for which we have a therapeutic agent in patients9 tumors even though they have progressed on prior therapies. This has implications for patients planning on participating in phase I clinical trials. It is important to conduct a prospective clinical trial to determine whether the targets discovered using IHC and DMA can be used to select therapy which will further benefit the patient who would otherwise be participating in a phase I clinical trial.
Integrated circuits and systems for THz interconnect

THz Interconnect holds the potentials to solve long-standing interconnect issues by leveraging the advantages of both electronics and optics sides due to its unique spectrum position. To support ever-increasing interconnect bandwidth requirement, THz interconnect bandwidth density, energy efficiency, and cost effectiveness need to boost and scale with demands. To achieve that, integrated circuits based on mainstream standard processes are preferred. However, the THz circuit design on mainstream silicon processes impose challenges due to their large parasitics and losses, as well as layout dependent device parameters. This paper presents a design methodology to create layout-aware scalable device model to overcome these challenges and demonstrate it in two circuit design examples.
Iterative Algorithms on High Performance Architectures

The numerical solution of partial differential equations leads to large, sparse systems of equations with up a several millions of unknowns. Fast iterative algorithms for the solution of these systems are typically based on the multilevel principle. Unfortunately, some of the commonly used programming techniques lead to a high overhead on many advanced computer architectures. The two main sources of this performance degradation are the effects of non-uniform data access combined with indirect addressing that prohibits the use of instruction-level parallelism. This, however, is essential to exploit many modern CPU designs. The second, and possibly more fundamental problem arises from hierarchical memory architectures with several layers of caches. Their effective use requires programs with data access locality. Unfortunately, iterative solvers are typically implemented by using global sweeps over the whole data set, and thus their performance is essentially limited by the speed of the memory system. These problems are addressed in the patch-adaptive multigrid method, a recently developed experimental software system implementing an adaptive multigrid method based on a locally uniform mesh data structure.
Androgen regulated genes from prostate and seminal vesicle share upstream sequence homologies.

Abstract The genes for seminal vesicle secretory protein IV and prostate steroid binding protein component 3 of the rat share upstream homologies of which the most striking is a 30 nucleotide sequence located between position −190 and −330 relative to the major transcriptional initiation sites. This sequence does not appear to be a common repetitive element and deserves consideration as a potential site involved in the androgen regulated expression of these genes.
Personality Profiles of Recently Terminated Executives

Empirical comparison of terminated executives' personality profiles with employed controls revealed no pathological indicators in those terminated.
Mechanistic advances in plant natural product enzymes

The biosynthetic pathways of plant natural products offer an abundance of knowledge to scientists in many fields. Synthetic chemists can be inspired by the synthetic strategies that nature uses to construct these compounds. Chemical and biological engineers are working to reprogram these biosynthetic pathways to more efficiently produce valuable products. Finally, biochemists and enzymologists are interested in the detailed mechanisms of the complex transformations involved in the construction of these natural products. Study of biosynthetic enzymes and pathways therefore has a wide-ranging impact. In recent years, many plant biosynthetic pathways have been characterized, particularly the pathways that are responsible for alkaloid biosynthesis. Here we highlight recently studied alkaloid biosynthetic enzymes that catalyze production of numerous complex medicinal compounds, as well as the specifier proteins in glucosinosolate biosynthesis, whose structure and mechanism of action are just beginning to be unraveled.
Optimization criteria for checkpoint placement

Mean response time and availability as optimization criteria for checkpoint placement are better replaced by workable formulas that calculate the ratio between the marginal gain accrued to users who experience system failure and the (presumably slight) loss suffered on average by all users.
INVESTIGATIONS OF SOME PROPERTIES OF MATERIAL SAMPLES TAKEN FROM THE AIRCRAFT WITHDRAWN FROM SERVICE

Materials used in aircraft structures have (should have) certificates confirming their quality. Nowadays, in majority of cases, the symbols of materials used in construction of aircraft give detailed information about their mechanical properties. This general material data is gathered in the widely available engineering material data bases. In the case of materials used in Polish aviation several decades ago, there is no reliable material data crucial for crack propagation estimation or fatigue life estimation among others. Examinations conducted in many different research institutes are not systematized and are not gathered in a remotely accessible data base. As aging aircraft are concerned, the influence of service time (often exceeding thirty years) on the overall material properties is a very important factor. It may be too crude estimation to use standard material properties when it comes to aging aircraft fleet. Some experimental works concerning this topic are published from time to time and they are always very welcome. In the Air Force Institute of Technology experimental tests were carried out to determine some specific properties of the materials used in the PZL-130 Orlik aircraft structure. The samples were obtained from aircraft withdrawn from service. This enabled estimating the difference in material properties over time. The following tests were conducted during the experiments: - fatigue tests (crack propagation examination) - static tests. The analyzed material was taken from the central upper part of the aircraft wing. The experiment was conducted with the MTS machine with the 810.23 system.
Periodicity of recurrent hypothermia during hibernation in the pocket mouse,Perognathus longimembris

The timing of bouts of torpor was continuously monitored in 36 pocket mice,Perognathus longimembris, for as long as 11 months. Animals were kept at 8 °C or 18 °C, with light cycles of LD 12∶12, 10∶14, 15∶9, or continuous darkness. At 8 °C, torpor duration had a polymodal frequency distribution, and the near absence of bouts of torpor lasting exactly 24, 48, 72, and 96 h divided the bouts into discrete classes (one-day, two-day, etc.). The maximum duration of torpor was 2.5 times greater at 8 °C than 18 °C.
The adsorption of protolyzable anions on hydrous oxides at the isoelectric pH

The adsorption of two protolyzable anions (phosphate and arsenate) on a variety of hydrous oxide surfaces (γ-Al2O3, amorphous Al(OH)3, anatase, and cryptocrystalline Fe(OH)3) is studied as a function of the isoelectric pH (pHiep) of the combined oxide-adsorbate system. The relationship between the amount of adsorption (Γ) and the pHiep is interpreted in terms of proton dissociation occurring at, or very near, the solid/solution interface. A linearized adsorption isotherm at the pHiep is used to determine maximum adsorption (Γmax) and chemical free energy of adsorption.
A feature-based approach for processing nanoscale images

Nanotechnology is a rapidly emerging field in which the material structures are of the size 100 nanometers or smaller. Thus, analyzing images at the nanoscale level is a challenging task. Users in this field are interested in image analysis and processing to draw conclusions such as the impact of various experimental conditions on the nature of the image and consequently their usefulness in several applications. This motivates our work that involves designing a system that will not only recognize similarities and differences among images, but do so efficiently and accurately. Features are representative of the manner in which images are compared by human experts by finding empirical data about particle sizes, material depth, inter-particle distances and so forth. In this work, we look into the use of features for comparison by implementing a feature-based algorithm on real image data sets from nanotechnology and thereafter using the results in processes such as clustering that are commonly applied by users to analyze images. We are able to effectively assess the feature-based approach in a real-world context as corroborated by our experimental evaluation.
Immunopathogenesis and Management of Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a well known and well understood autoimmune disorder. Weakness in patients with myasthenia gravis is caused by the autoimmune destruction of acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction. The autoimmune mechanisms are not simple, and involve T cells, B cells and their interactions.
Hamas as a Political Party: Democratization in the Palestinian Territories

Why do violent movements participate in elections? To answer this question, we examine Hamas's formation of the Reform and Change Party and its iconic victory in the 2006 elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council. We argue that Hamas's formation of this party was a logical step, following nearly two decades of participation in local and municipal elections. Hamas's need to attract resources from external donors, who make funding decisions based on civilian support for the movement, best explains why Hamas decided to participate in local elections in the early 1990s, taking Hamas on a path that eventually led to its 2006 legislative victory. Hamas's foray into elections was consistent with its dual strategy of directing violence against Israel and building Palestinian support through welfare services. We demonstrate that changes in political opportunities (Fatah's decline and the increase in Hamas's popularity), institutional incentives (lax electoral laws and the holding of municipal elections), an...
Measurements of craze velocities in polystyrene-polybutadiene blends

Normally brittle polystyrene (PS) can be toughened effectively by the inclusion of a few weight percent of low molecular weight polybutadiene (PB). The PB, which can be made to phase separate into submicron sized, randomly dispersed pools, locally plasticizes the glassy phase in the vicinity of a growing craze; the resulting reduction in craze flow stress and increased craze velocity lead to significant enhancement of toughness when strain rates are below approximately 10−1 s−1. Craze velocities were measured in PS containing 1 to 5 wt % of a low molecular weight PB (2300 g/mol). The results were compared to a version of the interface convolution mechanism for craze growth that has been modified to account for the localized plasticization effect of the low molecular weight diluent. Addition of 5 wt % PB led to craze velocities that are three orders of magnitude larger than observed for pure PS. The model deviated significantly from the experimental data at the higher and of the PB concentration range studied here, but it did exhibit the general form of the observed dependence of craze velocity on PB content. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Use of Clonidine Monotherapy in Adolescent Hypertension

The effect of a centrally acting agent (clonidine) vs a diuretic as a single agent was studied in a group of hypertensive adolescents. Following placebo therapy, adolescents with blood pressure greater than 95th percentile were randomized to clonidine 0.1 mg or hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, each given twice daily. Following 12 weeks' active treatment, those who had not achieved blood pressure goals proceeded to clonidine 0.2 mg or hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg twice daily. Blood pressure and clinical assessment was performed at two-week intervals. Cardiovascular response to mental stress and pre-post stress catecholamines were obtained prior to active therapy and during therapy. Clonidine therapy significantly lowered systolic and diastolic pressure and heart rate (p less than .01). Hydrochlorothiazide significantly lowered systolic pressure only. Mental stress testing resulted in a lower diastolic pressure and heart rate response (p less than .01), with lower norepinephrine in the clonidine-treated group. The diuretic group had higher plasma norepinephrine and no significant reduction in stress response. Hypertensive juveniles may be more sensitive to central control of blood pressure and more resistant to diuretics.
Learning From Successful School-Based Vaccination Clinics During 2009 pH1N1

BACKGROUND: The 2009 H1N1 vaccination campaign was the largest in US history. State health departments received vaccines from the federal government and sent them to local health departments (LHDs) who were responsible for getting vaccines to the public. Many LHD’s used school-based clinics to ensure children were the first to receive limited vaccine supplies, but the success of school-based distribution strategies varied in different locations. The goal of this project was to identify and learn from high-performing school-based vaccination clinics in order to share successes and improve performance in future school-based vaccination campaigns. METHODS: We used a combination of process mapping and comparative analysis to identify and derive lessons from positive outlier cases observed during 2009 H1N1 school-based vaccination clinic implementation. We created process maps to identify the activities of LHDs conducting school-based vaccinations and used them as the basis for in-depth interviews of LHD staff. We asked interviewees to describe their activities during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic (pH1N1) school-based vaccination campaign with a focus on successful processes. RESULTS: We identified positive deviants, that is, those that performed better than expected, and categorized qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 13 successful LHDs according to the process maps. Key mechanisms for school-based vaccination success included having a relationship with local school authorities, communicating effectively with parents, and ensuring clinic logistics allowed for an easy flow of students through the vaccination process. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing rigorous methodology, we defined and learned lessons from successful LHDs when conducting school-based vaccination clinics, which can be applied to future school-based vaccination campaigns.
Situated Learning and Activity Theory-based Approach to Designing Integrated Knowledge and Learning Management Systems

Current Knowledge Management KM design approaches recognize the importance of integrating codification, personalization, and collaboration strategies. Incorporating various database systems, search functions, managerial support, performance appraisal, personalized widgets, and case summaries into seamless functions are exemplary efforts. However, KM is rarely integrated with organizational learning and development systems. In this article, the authors use concepts from the situated learning literature, Vygotskian cultural-historical theory of cognition, and a holistic learning and performance architecture to signify the integration of KM and organizational learning systems.
THE EFFECTS OF LARVAL INTRASPECIFIC COMPETITION ON IMAGINAL DENSITIES IN ANOPHELES STEPHENSI (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE): A LABORATORY EVALUATION

Experiments with caged populations of Anopheles stephensi Liston were performed to evaluate the effects of larval intraspecific competition on adult density and sex ratio. The changing of the water in continuous culture cages prevented the accumulation of larval competitive compounds and excretory products, and resulted in higher adult densities and the successful emergence of proportionately more males.
New trends in digital terrain analysis: landform definition, representation, and classification:

This article provides an ontological as well as methodological evaluation of recent progress in terrain analysis. It focuses on six topographic factors, or existences, that are important in characterizing the biophysical functions of topography: elevation, surface shape, topographic position, topographic context, spatial scale, and landform object. Terrain analysis approaches are assessed according to what they really deal with, as well as how they work. Important trends are consequently identified, in which spatial scale plays critical but non-uniform roles. An index-based approach to the compound function of multiple topographic existences is recognized as successful in modelling surface/subsurface moisture and mass movement potential, but not mountain temperature. A classification scheme categorises defined landforms in the literature according to the way they exist in human knowledge rather than their morphological properties and derivation methods. Five categories are outlined: bona fide objects, pro...
Potential causes of across field CD variation

The variation in critical dimension (i.e., CD) as a function of exposure field position is an important error component in total linewidth control. In this paper, we describe method for uncovering root causes of the across field CD variation in a lithographic projection system. For example, using a special reticle artifact we form images of the exposure system source distribution at various points in the lens field. These field dependent source distributions provide important clues into the variation of partial coherence, dose and numerical aperture around the exposure field. We also present a novel technique for inferring the residual projection lens aberration signature from CD measurements in photoresist. Tests to understand the role of stray light in across field CD variation are also investigated. Exposure system specifications consistent with small variation in across field CD are provided on the basis of these test vehicles.
Convergence Acceleration for Heat Transfer and Structural Simulations Using Adaptive Mesh Refinement

A finite element program with h-type mesh adaptation is developed and several test cases for heat transfer, fluid mechanics and structural mechanics are selected for code validations. The element division method is used because of its advantage of avoiding overly twisted elements during mesh refinement and recovery. The adaptive mesh is refined only in the localization region where the feature gradient is high. The overall mesh refinement and the h-adaptive mesh refinement are justified with respect to the computational accuracy and the CPU time cost. Both can improve the computational accuracy. The overall mesh refinement causes the CPU time to greatly increase. However, the CPU time does not increase very much with the increase of the level of h-adaptive mesh refinement. The CPU time cost can be saved using the developed program by orders of magnitude, especially for the system with a large number of elements and nodes.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Fenofibric acid: a new fibrate approved for use in combination with statin for the treatment of mixed dyslipidemia.

The last two to three decades have seen an explosive growth in interest and information regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and treatment. Evidence for the role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in risk has led to a series of clinical guidelines/recommendations on the importance of LDL lowering with statin treatment. There is also substantial evidence on a number of lipoproteins in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and CV events. Health care professionals have not embraced easily novel approaches to identifying those at increased risk and more aggressive treatment. This is especially true for non-LDL factors. The use of non-statin drugs such as fibrates has been modest and many health care professionals avoid consideration of combination therapy due to an inordinate fear of toxicity. This review will attempt to provide appropriate background information on lipids/lipoproteins, including non-high density lipoprotein and risk, as well as data available on fibrates and combination pharmacologic therapy. We will review a new agent, TriLipix® (fenofibric acid), and its potential role in treatment.
Safety of influenza immunization during pregnancy for the fetus and the neonate

Since the 1960s, pregnant women in the United States have been recommended to receive influenza vaccine. A maternal concern about the possibility of adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes after the vaccination of pregnant women has been cited as a reason for low maternal influenza vaccination coverage. Recent research has identified benefits to the fetus and neonate after maternal influenza vaccination that have prompted efforts to increase coverage in pregnant women. There is a long history of research findings that highlight the safety of vaccinating pregnant women. This review summarizes nearly 40 years of research on influenza vaccination of pregnant women and the lack of association with adverse fetal or neonatal outcomes. Future research should focus on vaccinations that are given in the first trimester of pregnancy and on product-specific analyses to account for differences in manufacturing processes.
Archenteron elongation in the sea urchin embryo is a microtubule-independent process☆

Earlier studies using colchicine (L. G. Tilney and J. R. Gibbins, 1969, J. Cell Sci. 5, 195-210) had suggested that intact microtubules (MTs) are necessary for archenteron elongation during the second phase of sea urchin gastrulation (secondary invagination), presumably by allowing secondary mesenchyme cells (SMCs) to extend their long filopodial processes. In light of subsequently discovered effects of colchicine on other cellular processes, the role of MTs in archenteron elongation in the sea urchin, Lytechinus pictus, has been reexamined. Immunofluorescent staining of ectodermal fragments and isolated archenterons reveals a characteristic pattern of MTs in the ectoderm and endoderm during gastrulation. Ectodermal cells exhibit arrays of MTs radiating away from the region of the basal body/ciliary rootlet and extending along the periphery of the cell, whereas endodermal cells exhibit a similar array of peripheral MTs emanating from the region of the apical ciliary rootlet facing the lumen of the archenteron. MTs are found primarily at the bases of the filopodia of normal SMCs. beta-Lumicolchicine (0.1 mM), an analog of colchicine which does not bind tubulin, inhibits secondary invagination, indicating that the effects previously ascribed to the disruption of MTs are probably due to the effects of colchicine on other cellular processes. The MT inhibitor nocodazole (5-10 micrograms/ml) added prior to secondary invagination does not prevent gastrulation or spontaneous exogastrulation, even though indirect immunofluorescence indicates that cytoplasmic MTs are completely disrupted in drug-treated embryos. Transverse tissue sections indicate that a comparable amount of cell rearrangement occurs in nocodazole-treated and control embryos. Significantly, SMCs in nocodazole-treated embryos often detach prematurely from the tip of the gut rudiment and extend abnormally large broad lamellipodial protrusions but are also capable of extending long slender filopodia comparable in length to those of control embryos. These results indicate that cytoplasmic MTs are not essential for either filopodial extension by SMCs or for the active epithelial cell rearrangement which accompanies elongation during sea urchin gastrulation.
The Acquisition of Speech Rhythm by Bilingual Spanish- and English-Speaking 4- and 5-Year-Old Children

Purpose In this study, the authors investigated speech rhythm acquisition by bilingual Spanish–English-speaking children, comparing their performance with functionally monolingual peers in both lan...
LOGICAL AND GRAPH-THEORETIC CHARACTERIZATIONS OF THE SELF-DUAL SENTENCES OF PROJECTIVE GEOMETRY

The self-dual sentences of projective geometry are characterized in terms of their logical structure. This syntactical analysis reveals an unexpected relationship with graph theory, the self-dual sentences being precisely the geometric interpretations (in a reasonably natural sense) of arbitrary sentences of graph theory.
Unitary quantum lattice gas algorithm generated from the Dirac collision operator for 1D soliton-soliton collisions

A new unitary quantum lattice gas (QLG) algorithm is proposed as a mesoscopic unitary perturbative representation of the mean field Gross Pitaevskii equation for Bose–Einstein Condensates (BECs). T...
Yersinia pestis Two-Component Gene Regulatory Systems Promote Survival in Human Neutrophils

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs, or neutrophils) are the most abundant innate immune cell and kill most invading bacteria through combined activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antimicrobial granule constituents. Pathogens such as Yersinia pestis resist destruction by the innate immune system and are able to survive in macrophages and neutrophils. The specific molecular mechanisms used by Y. pestis to survive following phagocytosis by human PMNs are incompletely defined. To gain insight into factors that govern Y. pestis intracellular survival in neutrophils, we inactivated 25 two-component gene regulatory systems (TCSs) with known or inferred function and assessed susceptibility of these mutant strains to human PMN granule extracts. Y. pestis strains deficient for PhoPQ, KdpED, CheY, CvgSY, and CpxRA TCSs were selected for further analysis, and all five strains were altered for survival following interaction with PMNs. Of these five strains, only Y. pestis DeltaphoPQ demonstrated global sensitivity to a panel of seven individual neutrophil antimicrobial peptides and serine proteases. Notably, Y. pestis DeltaphoPQ was deficient for intracellular survival in PMNs. Iterative analysis with Y. pestis strains lacking the PhoP-regulated genes ugd and pmrK indicated that the mechanism most likely responsible for increased resistance to killing is 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose modification of lipid A. Together, the data provide new information about Y. pestis evasion of the innate immune system.
HOLE FRAGMENTATION IN DEEP INELASTIC PROCESSES

For deep-inelastic $\mathrm{eN}$ and $\ensuremath{\nu}N$ processes we argue that there are three fragmentation regions instead of two when $\ensuremath{\omega}$ is very large.
Feasibility study of ground water detoxification

Abstract Computer simulation programs have been written to predict the performance of air/stream stripping for a non-ideal tray tower and a packed tower. Seventeen chlorinated hydrocarbons were considered in the contaminated ground water. The Henry constants for these organic contaminants range from 0.12 MPa (1.2 atm) of dichloroethyl ether (DCEE) to 169 MPa (1680 atm) of carbon tetrachloride. The economics study indicated that the treatment cost of a packed tower is more economical than that of a tray tower. Based on 30 gpm (1101/min) water flow rate and dichloroethyl ether (DCEE) as the key component, the treatment cost of air stripping is 5.6 c/gal for the tray tower, while for the packed tower the treatment cost is 3 c/gal.
Identifying Challenges to Securing Wheeled Mobility Devices Using Tiedowns and Occupant Restraint Systems From the User Perspective

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Wheeled mobility device passengers rely upon bus operators for proper securement of the wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint system during transit. Yet, wheeled mobility devices are rarely properly secured, and passengers are often unrestrained during transit. This study investigated the usability of wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems aboard transit systems to identify challenges resulting in improper securement or non-use of the wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint system system. The task demands and bus operator's functional limitations appeared mismatched, jeopardizing the wheeled mobility device user's safety during transit. The current findings suggest the need to incorporate the bus operator's role during subsequent design or redesign of the wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint system task.TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Rationale: Public transportation buses are required to be equipped with wheelchair tiedowns and occupant restraint systems to ensure safe ...
Regulation and control in physiological systems: 1960-1980.

Root concepts of physiological regulation are introduced by reference to Claude Bernard (constancy of the internal milieu) and Walter B. Cannon (homeostasis). The key problem of process identification as constrained by the requirements of noninvasive measurement and analysis is cited. The nature of regulation, in general, and homeostasis, in particular, is considered. The dynamics of physiological regulation are exemplified by steady-state “limit cyclic”-type oscillations in mammalian metabolism. The notion of control is introduced to account for deliberate action by the organism to alter its own state or affect the state of its environment. The multilevel, multigoal scheme is illustrated in the context of respiratory regulation; a simile is drawn with the aircraft autopilot. Major scientific and technical developments over the period of 1960 to 1980 are high-lighted with mention of key individual and institutional prime movers.
Exponential Decay for Soft Potentials near Maxwellian

We consider both soft potentials with angular cutoff and Landau collision kernels in the Boltzmann theory inside a periodic box. We prove that any smooth perturbation near a given Maxwellian approaches zero at the rate of \(e^{-\lambda t^{p}}\) for some λ > 0 and 0 < p < 1. Our method is based on an unified energy estimate with appropriate exponential velocity weight. Our results extend the classical result Caflisch of [2] to the case of very soft potential and Coulomb interactions, and also improve the recent “almost exponential” decay results by [5, 14].
Analyses of steady quasistatic crack growth in plane strain tension in elastic-plastic materials with non-isotropic hardening

Abstract Steady state crack propagation problems of elastic-plastic materials in Mode I, plane strain under small scale yielding conditions were investigated with the aid of the finite element method. The elastic-perfectly plastic solution shows that elastic unloading wedges subtended by the crack tip in the plastic wake region do exist and that the stress state around the crack tip is similar to the modified Prandtl fan solution. To demonstrate the effects of a vertex on the yield surface, the small strain version of a phenomenological J2, corner theory of plasticity (Christoffersen, J. and Hutchinson, J. W. J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 27, 465 C 1979) with a power law stress strain relation was used to govern the strain hardening of the material. The results are compared with the conventional J2 incremental plasticity solution. To take account of Bauschinger like effects caused by the stress history near the crack tip, a simple kinematic hardening rule with a bilinear stress strain relation was also studied. The results are again compared with the smooth yield surface isotropic hardening solution for the same stress strain curve. There appears to be more potential for steady state crack growth in the conventional J2 incremental plasticity material than in the other two plasticity laws considered here if a crack opening displacement fracture criterion is used. However, a fracture criterion dependent on both stress and strain could lead to a contrary prediction.
Contact: Tact and Caress

Through words and gestures we communicate with one another about the outlying environment, and we also form representations of one another. But we also make contact with one another. Through tact we make contact with the anxieties, rage, shame, shyness, and secrecy of another. In caresses we make contact with the pleasure of the other. Our caresses are moved by the other, by the spasms of torment and pleasure in the other.
Enhancement of Experimental Fracture-Healing by Systemic Administration of Recombinant Human Parathyroid Hormone (PTH 1-34)

Background: Recombinant human parathyroid hormone (PTH [1-34]; teriparatide) is a new treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis that can be systemically administered for the primary purpose of increasing bone formation. Because several studies have described the enhancement of fracture-healing and o
Synthesis, Characterization, and Bonding of Indium Cluster Phases: Na15In27.4, a Network of In16 and In11 Clusters; Na2In with Isolated Indium Tetrahedra

The remaining phases in the Na-In system have been identified and characterized. The indium-richest is Na15In27.4, with a structure containing novel closo-In16 clusters interconnected to two kinds of nido-In11 units and isolated, 4-bonded atoms (Cmcm, Z = 8, a = 16.108(4) A, b = 35.279(8) A, c = 15.931(3) A, R/Rw = 0.041/0.044 at the indium-rich limit Na15In27.54). Fractional occupancy of two atoms in cluster chain positions were found, one as a function of a narrow nonstoichiometry. The structure is related to that recently established for Na7In11.8. Resistivity and magnetic properties are consistent with a small (0.5-3.2%) excess of electrons relative to the calculated bonding requirements. The sodium-richest phase is the stable, diamagnetic, and weakly metallic Na2In, isostructural with Na2Tl (C2221, Z = 16, a = 13.855(1) A, b = 8.836(1) A, c = 11.762(1) A, R/Rw = 0.030/0.034 ). A corrected phase diagram is given.
Binding of ethidium bromide to 5-S ribosomal RNA.

Abstract The nature of the complex formed between the polycyclic drug, ethidium bromide and 5-S rRNA's of Escherichia coli and of Bacillus stearothermophilus has been examined by fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. This complex has properties similar to the complex formed with other highly base-paired nucleic acids. In E. coli 5-S rRNA 12–13 ethidium bromide molecules are bound per molecule of 5-S rRNA while B. stearothermophilus 5-S rRNA binds 9–10 ethidium bromide molecules per molecule of 5-S rRNA. This difference may be explained by E. coli having longer base-paired regions than has B. stearothermophilus 5-S rRNA. Thermal denaturation and ORD studies also indicate that the long base-paired regions in E. coli 5-S rRNA are primarily composed of G · C runs rather than heterogeneous stretches of G · C and A · U pairs. B. stearothermophilus 5-S rRNA, which has a base content and degree of helicity similar to that of E. coli, has paired regions which are composed of more equal amounts of G · C and A · U base pairs. The comparative studies on E. coli and B. stearothermophilus 5-S rRNA indicate that there is probably not a common conformation for 5-S rRNA in all species.
Chronic Skin-Specific Inflammation Promotes Vascular Inflammation and Thrombosis

Patients with psoriasis have systemic and vascular inflammation and are at increased risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. However, the underlying mechanism(s) mediating the link between psoriasis and vascular disease is incompletely defined. This study sought to determine whether chronic skin-specific inflammation has the capacity to promote vascular inflammation and thrombosis. Using the KC-Tie2 doxycycline-repressible (Dox-off) murine model of psoriasiform skin disease, spontaneous aortic root inflammation was observed in 33% of KC-Tie2 compared with 0% of control mice by 12 months of age (P=0.04) and was characterized by the accumulation of macrophages, T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes, as well as by reduced collagen content and increased elastin breaks. Importantly, aortic inflammation was preceded by increases in serum tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17A, vascular endothelial growth factor, IL-12, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and S100A8/A9, as well as splenic and circulating CD11b+Ly-6Chi pro-inflammatory monocytes. Doxycycline treatment of old mice with severe skin disease eliminated skin inflammation and the presence of aortic root lesion in 1-year-old KC-Tie2 animals. Given the bidirectional link between inflammation and thrombosis, arterial thrombosis was assessed in KC-Tie2 and control mice; mean time to occlusive thrombus formation was shortened by 64% (P=0.002) in KC-Tie2 animals; and doxycycline treatment returned thrombosis clotting times to that of control mice (P=0.69). These findings demonstrate that sustained skin-specific inflammation promotes aortic root inflammation and thrombosis and suggest that aggressive treatment of skin inflammation may attenuate pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic pathways that produce cardiovascular disease in psoriasis patients.
Clinical Observations with the Frank Precordial Lead System

Several new lead systems for electrocardiography and vectorcardiography have been proposed. Clinical evaluation of these systems is necessary to determine whether they yield useful information in addition to that furnished by conventional leads and whether the same information obtained from conventional leads appears in recognizable form in the new leads. This study is a step toward such an evaluation of one of the proposed lead systems.
Branching ratio of para- and ortho- helium in the electron impact excitation from the ground singlet state

Abstract The ratios of differential and total cross sections for electron-impact excitation of singlet- and triplet- states helium atoms from its ground state are studied both in the threshold and in the high energy regions.
p47phox Phox homology domain regulates plasma membrane but not phagosome neutrophil NADPH oxidase activation.

The assembly of cytosolic subunits p47phox, p67phox, and p40phox with flavocytochrome b558 at the membrane is required for activating the neutrophil NADPH oxidase that generates superoxide for microbial killing. The p47phox subunit plays a critical role in oxidase assembly. Recent studies showed that the p47phox Phox homology (PX) domain mediates phosphoinositide binding in vitro and regulates phorbol ester-induced NADPH oxidase activity in a K562 myeloid cell model. Because the importance of the p47phox PX domain in neutrophils is unclear, we investigated its role using p47phox knock-out (KO) mouse neutrophils to express human p47phox and derivatives harboring R90A mutations in the PX domain that result in loss of phosphoinositide binding. Human p47phox proteins were expressed at levels similar to endogenous murine p47phox, with the exception of a chronic granulomatous disease-associated R42Q mutant that was poorly expressed, and wild type human p47phox rescued p47phox KO mouse neutrophil NADPH oxidase activity. Plasma membrane NAPDH oxidase activity was reduced in neutrophils expressing p47phox with Arg90 substitutions, with substantial effects on responses to either phorbol ester or formyl-Met-Leu-Phe and more modest effects to particulate stimuli. In contrast, p47phox Arg90 mutants supported normal levels of intracellular NADPH oxidase activity during phagocytosis of a variety of particles and were recruited to phagosome membranes. This study defines a differential and agonist-dependent role of the p47phox PX domain for neutrophil NADPH oxidase activation.
Effects of fluidized bed combustion residue on pecan seedling growth and nutrient content

Abstract Fluidized bed combustion residue from a calcitic limestone source (FBCRC), a by‐product of scrubbing SO2 from fossil fuel fired boilers using the FBC technique was evaluated as a source of calcium for pecan (Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch) seedlings. Fluidized bed combustion residue produced following injection of calcitic limestone into the combustion chamber was more effective in neutralizing soil acidity and increasing extractable soil Ca levels than agricultural calcitic limestone. The Ca concentration in the pecan leaves was increased linearly by Ca rates for both 12‐ and 24‐week growth periods, but stem and petiole Ca concentration was increased linearly for the second 12‐week growth period. Macronutrient concentrations were affected by Ca rates for both 12‐ and 24‐week growth periods, but no effect was observed with Ca source. The primary difference was between the control and all other Ca rates. Leaf concentrations of Mn and Zn were decreased linearly by Ca rates and source for the fir...