cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat reverses epithelial to mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells by reversing the repression of E-cadherin

Loss of ERα in breast cancer correlates with poor prognosis, increased recurrence rates, and higher incidence of metastasis. Epigenetic silencing of E-cadherin (loss of which is associated with more invasive phenotype) is observed in metastatic cell lines and invasive breast cancers. Here, we are showing that entinostat (ENT) can reverse epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is considered to be a first step in the process of metastases formation. Triple-negative breast cancer cells such as MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T show a basal phenotype characterized by loss of E-cadherin expression and higher expression of mesenchymal markers such as N-cadherin and vimentin along with transcriptional repressors such as twist and snail. When MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells or tumors were treated with ENT, E-cadherin transcription was increased along with reduction in N-cadherin mRNA expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that treatment of MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells increased the activation of E-cadherin promoter by reducing the association of twist and snail with the E-cadherin (CDH1) promoter and downregulated both the snail and twist. ENT also inhibited cell migration in vitro. In addition, phosphorylation of vimentin was increased, as well as remodeling of vimentin filaments. ENT treatment also reduced formation of tubulin-based microtentacles, which help floating cells attach to other surfaces. These findings suggest that ENT can reverse EMT and may reduce the formation of metastasis.
Properties of ( γ , n ) Cross Sections

The mean energies of photons producing the reactions ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{63}(\ensuremath{\gamma},n){\mathrm{Cu}}^{62}$, ${\mathrm{Zn}}^{64}(\ensuremath{\gamma},n){\mathrm{Zn}}^{63}$, and ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}(\ensuremath{\gamma},n){\mathrm{C}}^{11}$ have been found by measuring their absorption coefficients for many values of $Z$. Monitor and detector were made of the element investigated. The absorbers were Be, C, Al, Ti, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, and Sn. Less than 1 percent of the radiation striking the detector originated in the absorber. In this geometry, ($\frac{1}{Z}$) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}absorption cross section was a linear function of $Z$. The Compton cross section was separated from the pair cross section by considering its different $Z$-dependence. The mean energy was evaluated in two ways: (1) from the observed pair cross section and the Bethe-Heitler formula, and (2) from the observed Compton cross section and the Klein-Nishina formula. A correction was applied for the deviation of pair cross section from the value given by the Born approximation. With this correction, the values of the mean energy were found to be as follows:
A Modified Two-Phase Well-Control Model and Its Computer Applications as a Training and Educational Tool

This paper presents a modified two-phase well-control model to simulate two-phase kick behavior after comparing a dynamic two-phase well-control model and a single-phase model. The model is reliable and easy to simulate without any of the numerical problems that might occur in a dynamic two-phase model. The simulator calculates gas influx rate from the formation assuming an infinite-acting reservoir. The paper also introduces computer applications for IBM-compatible personal computers for use as a well-control training and educational tool. The simulator has enhanced graphical presentations with random access for all menus and options by use of a computer mouse. The simulator is written in Visual Basic{trademark}3. The simulator can handle vertical wells, directional wells, extended-reach wells, and horizontal wells with two different buildup rates for onshore or offshore wells. The simulator also provides the theoretical kill sheet for any selected well geometry. The simulator is a user-interactive well-control program with an automatic well-control option. It demonstrates the basic concepts of well control and shows the pressure and volume response of the kick with time.
Main Group Metal Halide Complexes with Sterically Hindered Thioureas XIV. A Reinvestigation of Coordination Sensitive Modes in the Solid State Vibrational Spectrum of 1,3-Dimethyl-2(3H)-imidazolethione and Related Compounds

Abstract The assignment of the carbon-sulfur stretch in the infrared spectrum for 1,3-dimethyl-2(3H)-imidazolethione (dmit) reported in an earlier paper was reinvestigated in light of new compounds reported and an X-ray structure of 1,3-dimethyl-2-(S-methylthio)-2(3H)-imidazoylium iodide (tmii). Conflicting literature values and assignments were also investigated. It was concluded that for dmit, the carbon-sulfur stretch was found in the 1170–1180 cm−1 region, and that three of the four thioamide peaks reported by other researchers as coordination sensitive modes for thiourea-type compounds did not have significant carbon-sulfur contribution based on the compounds studied in this paper. Crystallographic data for tmii: C6H11N2SI, M=207.04, space group P21/n, Z=4, λ(Mo Kα)=0.71073 A, μ(Mo Kα)=3.13 mm−1, Dc=1.699 g/cm3, Do=1.66 g/cm3, a=7.846(2), b=11.754(2), c=12.578(2) A, β=95.51(2)°, R=0.034, Rw=0.042. Additionally, a new sterically hindered thiourea, 1-methyl-3-(2-propenyl)- 2(3H)-imidazolethione (mpit), and a new complex, ZnCl2(mpit)2, are reported and characterized.
Fitting De Wit competition models with general nonlinear regression programs

Abstract Replacement series competition studies are frequently analyzed with specially designed computer programs. Commonly available nonlinear regression programs can be used to analyze such experiments with little loss of efficiency, if two indicator variables are added to the data. BMDP3R was compared to a specialty program (VJT) using 100 simulated data sets. Results show that the two programs have similar performance, though VJT gave a closer fit in 63 of the 100 trials.
Absorption, Storage, and Metabolic Conversion of Ingested DDT and DDT Metabolites in Man

Human subjects ingested daily 5- to 20-mg doses of technical DDT, p,p′-DDE, or p,p′-DDD for 81 to 183 days. Serum and adipose concentrations of DDT and DDT metabolites in response to these dosings have indicated that the initial dechlorination of DDT is of critical importance to its metabolic fate. Conversion to the saturated p,p′-DDD makes possible further degradation to the readily excreted p,p′-DDA. Dehydrochlorination, on the other hand, yields p,p′-DDE, a stable metabolite that is avidly retained in adipose storage. In two subjects ingesting technical DDT, conversion to DDE has been extremely limited, while conversion to DDD has been regularly demonstrable during and after dosing. Tissue stores of p,p′-DDE in general population probably originate mainly from preformed dietary p,p′-DDE in the diet, rather than from p,p′-DDT.
Experimental and theoretical verification of the presence of inversion region in a-Si/c-Si heterojunction solar cells with an intrinsic layer

Photovoltaic devices based on amorphous silicon (a-Si)/ crystalline silicon (c-Si) heterostructure exhibits excellent surface passivation with the highest open circuit voltage being reported on these devices. A plausible explanation for these devices to show low recombination is that the junction is induced in c-Si and an inversion region is present at the heterointerface. In this work, the presence of the inversion region at the heterointerface between intrinsic a-Si and c-Si is theoretically shown by a computer model developed in the commercial simulator Sentaurus and experimentally corroborated by lateral conductance measurement technique.
A Model of Cognition: The Missing Cornerstone of Assessment.

When we rely upon gains on some measure to support statements of prescription, we have the obligation to ensure that those measures are valid. Nearly 10 years after an influential National Research Council (2001) report on educational assessment identified an explicit model of cognition as one of three necessary components of a valid assessment system, we note that most measures still lack this fundamental cornerstone. In this paper, we draw attention to the construct modeling approach to assessment that strives for coherence and consistency with a model of cognition in which student proficiency varies along a continuum of competence. This approach is illustrated in the context of an assessment of conceptual understanding of certain scientific phenomena given to undergraduates at a large public university (National Research Council 2001).
Understanding Stress Among Adults Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at a Younger Age

Objective: Little data exists regarding the emerging population of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) at a younger age. This study was conducted to gain insight related to diabetes distress and self-efficacy among adults diagnosed with T2DM between 18-40 years of age. Research Design and Methods: : Individuals diagnosed with T2DM between 18-40 years of age (n = 118) completed an online survey in either English or Spanish. The survey included two validated scales to understand levels of diabetes distress and self-efficacy. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to examine differences among gender, while Pearson correlation coefficients were conducted to examine the relationships of current age, age of diagnosis, duration of diabetes, HbA1c values, and insulin use with multiple domains of diabetes distress and self-efficacy. Results: Both regimen-related distress and interpersonal distress were reported at levels worthy of clinical attention. Overall diabetes-related distress, emotional-burden, and physician-related distress were slightly below the level of clinical significance. Bivariate analysis suggests strong positive relationships between HbA1c values and each domain of diabetes distress. Additionally, negative correlations were found between insulin use and overall diabetes distress, emotional-burden, physician-related distress, regimen-related distress, and interpersonal distress. Conclusions: Findings suggest adults diagnosed with T2DM at a younger age experience levels of diabetes distress worthy of clinical attention, particularly regarding regimen-related and interpersonal distress. T2DM programs should include psychosocial education and communication strategies for improving social support to enhance overall quality of life for this population.
Decision-making impulsivity in disordered eating: outcomes from a discounting task

Discounting tasks are ideal paradigms for examining impulsivity in decision-making processes. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, are associated with increased impulsivity, poor coping, and dysfunctional reward-processing, all of which have implications for how these individuals manage decisions, both in and out of treatment. The current study examined discounting behavior in women at risk for anorexia nervosa as a novel way to examine decision-making processes within this population. Results suggest that women at risk for anorexia nervosa display increased impulsivity in certain decision-making contexts. These results have implications for the conceptualization and treatment of women with or at-risk for disordered eating.
Physical Education Majors' Attitudes toward Teaching Students with Disabilities.

This study examined the attitudes of future physical educators toward teaching students with disabilities. Physical educators and other enrolled students (n = 704) from 40 colleges and universities...
Current limiting technique based protection strategy for an industrial DC distribution system

High fault current level causes protection difficulties in industrial DC power distribution systems because of limited interruption capability of available solid-state switches. This paper presents a protection strategy based on the integration of pulse-by-pulse current limiting technique into solid-state protection switches. The gate signal of solid-state switches is controlled using pulse-by-pulse current limiting technique to restrict the fault current level within a preset range, hence relieves the fault current withstanding and interruption requirements of solid state switches. Distribution circuit architecture is proposed to use with the protection switches, so that the loads in non-faulted parts of the system can ride through the fault current limiting process unperturbed. Commercially available solid-state switches become usable for high power density applications with the proposed protection strategy. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the strategy for various fault locations to show the strategy can be used in entire DC distribution systems. Interactions between the protection switches and upstream converters with current limiting control are discussed. Also the inductance required to slow down the fault current rising speed is discussed.
SLC41A2 encodes a plasma-membrane Mg2+ transporter

The TRPM7 (transient receptor potential melastatin 7) ion channel has been implicated in the uptake of Mg2+ into vertebrate cells, as elimination of TRPM7 expression through gene targeting in DT40 B-lymphocytes renders them unable to grow in the absence of supplemental Mg2+. However, a residual capacity of TRPM7-deficient cells to accumulate Mg2+ and proliferate when provided with supplemental Mg2+ suggests the existence of Mg2+ uptake mechanism(s) other than TRPM7. Evaluation of the expression of several members of the SLC41 (solute carrier family 41) family, which exhibit homology with the MgtE class of prokaryotic putative bivalent-cation transporters, demonstrated that one, SLC41A2 (solute carrier family 41 member 2), is expressed in both wild-type and TRPM7-deficient DT40 cells. Characterization of heterologously expressed SLC41A2 protein indicated that it is a plasma-membrane protein with an N-terminus-outside/C-terminus-inside 11-TM (transmembrane)-span topology, consistent with its functioning as a trans-plasma-membrane transporter. In contrast with a previous report of ion-channel activity associated with SLC41A2 expression in oocytes, investigation of whole cell currents in SLC41A2-expressing DT40 cells revealed no novel currents of any type associated with SLC41A2 expression. However, expression of SLC41A2 in TRPM7-deficient cells under the control of a doxycycline-inducible promoter was able to conditionally enhance their net uptake of 26Mg2+ and conditionally and dose-dependently provide them with the capacity to grow in the absence of supplemental Mg2+, observations strongly supporting a model whereby SLC41A2 directly mediates trans-plasma-membrane Mg2+ transport. Overall, our results suggest that SLC41A2 functions as a plasma-membrane Mg2+ transporter in vertebrate cells.
Dynamic Modeling and Control: Interdisciplinary Faculty Teamwork and Techniques

As the future of engineering education emphasizes more interdisciplinary work and more work performed in teams, one logical starting point for this evolution is for faculty from different academic departments to work together. Engineering educators cannot ignore the real world’s shifting focus to interdisciplinary engineering, and they should adapt as well. Similar to the total engineering process as a team effort, the engineering education process also benefits from excellent communications among a diversity of team members. This paper highlights a classical dynamical modeling and controls course with students from two different disciplines: electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Faculty from both departments teach every semester. Sections are assigned to individual instructors but all activities are planned jointly. Course administration is the role of a course director and this role alternates between the two departments each semester. Responsibilities throughout the semester are shared between the instructors. This organizational structure is important, allowing the interdisciplinary faculty team to synchronize their efforts, each contributing their individual strengths and resources to promote student learning and faculty development. The instructors engage in meaningful dialogue concerning their assignments, lesson preparations, laboratory exercises, and their results. The information flow between instructors from different departments encourages faculty learning by pushing the instructors beyond their own discipline. This paper provides details that illustrate the structure and benefits of the course. Advantages to empowering an interdisciplinary faculty are also described. The approach described allows the students to benefit from the work of an interdisciplinary faculty team enriching the students’ understanding through real world projects and examples that have aspects of multiple disciplines.© 2008 ASME
Lower mesodermal defects: a common cause of fetal and early neonatal death.

Among the first 1,130 referrals to the Wisconsin Stillbirth Service Program 17 infants have been recognized to share phenotypic characteristics involving the genital, urinary, lower gastrointestinal, and axial skeletal systems. The pattern of abnormalities identified appears to be limited to structures sharing a common embryologic origin. These features, for the most part, are shown to be non-randomly associated. No clearly definable sub-groups within this population are demonstrable. The pattern of abnormalities is defined to include abnormalities of the following structures as pathogenetically primary features: lumbosacral vertebrae, kidneys, ureters, uterus/fallopian tubes, vagina, bladder, urethra, adrenals, gonads, anorectum, external genitalia, and umbilical arteries. An embryologic mechanism is proposed which explains this non-random association as arising secondary to disruption of structures derived from the lower portion of the primitive intra-embryonic mesoderm. The Lower Mesodermal Defects Sequence appears to be a rather common (and under-recognized) cause of stillbirth and immediate neonatal death. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dynamic modeling of divergent margin formation: application to the U.S. Atlantic margin

Abstract A finite element model of extension in the continental lithosphere shows that, on the U.S. Atlantic margin, the presence of pre-existing weaknesses within the lithosphere can account for variations in subsidence and extension, hinge zone development and some aspects of magmatic activity during rifting. The lithosphere is treated as a layered viscoplastic material consisting of a quartz diorite crust and dunite mantle. The crustal weakness may results from thrust faulting during the Paleozoic Applachian orogeny, and is treated as a region within the crust with a weaker rheology. The mantle weakness results from thickening of the crust below the pre-rift Appalachian orogen. The model indicates that subsidence in the early stages of rifting is focused in the region encompassing in crustal weakness, at the location where the Triassic rift basins formed at about 225-195 Ma. Extension within the mantle during this stage of rifting is diffuse, and a shear zone develops within the lower crust connecting the crustal weakness to the mantle weakness, in a manner akin to simple shear. As rifting continues, extension within the mantle becomes focused in a narrow region under the mantle weakness. The crust above the mantle weakness is thermally weakened, and the locus of subsidence and crustal extension shifts to the region overlying the mantle weakness. The style of extension from this time onward is similar to pure shear. Seafloor spreading ultimately develops over the position of the original mantle weakness at about 175 Ma. The model accounts for a number of hitherto unexplained features of the U.S. Atlantic margin, including the shifting of the locus of extension from the Triassic basins to the deep offshore basins, hinge zone development, timing and position of magmatic activity, the location of the initiation of seafloor spreading, and the asymmetry of the conjugate margins of the rift. The predicted shift from simple shear to pure shear rifting style may be a characteristics of other continental rifts and passive margins.
A Total Quality Management Approach to Patient Menu System Development

Abstract Our Food and Nutrition Services Management Team utilized the Total Quality Management approach to create a new menu system. The team defined quality as "meeting customer expectation 100% of the time". The menu was identified as important because it provides the first impression of department services and as a tool for communication, education, control and marketing. A hospital wide, cross-functional team of 17 participants was formed. Baseline patient food acceptability data was collected, with 5 areas identified below the threshold. An Appropriateness of Diet Order Implementation was conducted to validate the 5 areas below the threshold. Overall score for the criteria monitored was 50%. Brainstorming exercises were utilized by the cross-functional team on the areas below the threshold: menu impression, food preferences, dietary contact, taste, food temperatures and variety. 92 ideas were generated with 51 deemed feasible. 39 ideas were implemented over the next 9 months. The Appropriateness of Diet Order Implementation Study scores rose from 50% first quarter 1994 to 89% fourth quarter 1994. Areas identified having major impact were a hostess program, new dietary uniforms, branded food items and a new room service menu. The Food and Nutrition Department was recognized in October 1994 for their efforts.
The new personalized medicine is inexpensive biosensors in a ubiquitous computing environment

Chronic disease is the new great health challenge. Management requires the patient to have real-time information about the state of his or her illness in order to make informed judgments. We designed and built a family of small, inexpensive biosensors to monitor cardiac output, blood pressure, airway flow and other parameters. They connect via mobile phone or WiFi allowing people with chronic disease to monitor and modify their illnesses thus avoiding unexpected exacerbations or decompensation events. The combination of ubiquitous computing and personalized interpretation algorithms can be expected to provide a substantially higher quality interaction between the health care establishment and the chronic disease patient. Although not the solution to the health care dilemma, empowerment is an important feature of improved outcomes.
FLUCTUATIONS IN WALKING REVEAL NEURAL CONTROL

![Figure][1] When people walk, they unconsciously choose a step length and frequency that minimizes the energy required – on average. But every step is actually a bit different. Sometimes the ground is uneven; sometimes the upper body posture is different; and besides, no one can swing
Meaning differences in the use of the null vs. the definite articles: the case of the seasons

In this paper we present the results of a comparison analysis (quantitative and qualitative) of the rates of occurrence of the null article O2 against the definite article the referring specifically to the five names of the seasons. Instances of O2 in authentic contexts have previously only been minimally described; Chesterman (1991) places O2 at a higher level of definiteness than the while Master (1997) describes the choice between O2 and the as different degrees of familiarity. A revision of the latter, this paper’s findings — derived from corpus-linguistic analysis using MICASE (spoken) and the Brown corpus (written) — demonstrate that, very generally, when preceding the name of a season, O2 indicates a specific point in time or the start of a season while the indicates a period of time. The findings also reaffirm the strength of postmodification in determining the need for the definite article. One implication for English language teaching is discussed.
Sequencing Complex Diseases With HapMap

Determining the patterns of DNA sequence variation in the human genome is a useful first step toward identifying the genetic basis of a common disease. A haplotype map (HapMap), aimed at describing these variation patterns across the entire genome, has been recently developed by the International HapMap Consortium. In this article, we present a novel statistical model for directly characterizing specific sequence variants that are responsible for disease risk based on the haplotype structure provided by HapMap. Our model is developed in the maximum-likelihood context, implemented with the EM algorithm. We perform simulation studies to investigate the statistical properties of this disease-sequencing model. A worked example from a human obesity study with 155 patients was used to validate this model. In this example, we found that patients carrying a haplotype constituted by allele Gly16 at codon 16 and allele Gln27 at codon 27 genotyped within the β2AR candidate gene display significantly lower body mass index than patients carrying the other haplotypes. The implications and extensions of our model are discussed.
Transverse correlation in optical spontaneous parametric down-conversion

The transverse correlation between the pairs of photons produced in optical spontaneous parametric down-conversion is analyzed. The interesting features of the correlation arise from the form of the two-photon state generated in the process. The physics of the rings of radiation emerging from the crystal is described. We discuss the theory behind the recent experiments on two-photon geometric and physical optics. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
813-4 A New Surgical Approach for Replacement of Degenerated Mitral Bioprostheses

Primary tissue failure is the most frequent indication for reoperation in patients with a porcine bioprosthetic valve (BPV). Technical hazards of this operation include cardiac rupture at the atrio-ventricular junction or posterior left ventricular wall where a strut may be imbedded, damage to the left circumflex coronary artery during removal of the degenerated BPV and insertion of a new prosthesis, and the potential development of a late paravalvular leak. We describe a new surgical technique that circumvents these problems. It consists of 1) excision of only the cusp tissue of the BPV; 2) preservation of the stent and support of the BPV; 3) suturing a reverted St. Jude aortic valve with extended cuff to the atrial side of the preserved BPV cuff. Our laboratory measurements and clinical experience indicate that this allows a St. Jude valve diameter only 2 mm smaller than that of the BPV This particular approach was used in 13 patients, age 59 to 84 (mean 73) years, who had one to four (mean 2.3) previous cardiac operations. There were no hospital deaths. During a mean follow-up of 18 months (2–36). there was one late death due to cancer. All the remaining patients are doing well without paravalvular leaks or other complications. Conclusion By leaving the BPV stent and cuff intact. the need for extensive dissection is eliminated, thus shortening and simplifying the procedure and diminishing its attendant morbidity. The described technique offers a safe and logical approach to patients requiring replacement of a degenerated BPV and allows the use of a St. Jude valve of comparable size to the BPV.
SOLUBILITY OF MUSTARD GAS [BIS (beta-CHLOROETHYL) SULFIDE] IN WATER, MOLAR SODIUM CHLORIDE, AND IN SOLUTIONS OF DETERGENTS.

1. The solubility of mustard (H) in water and in molar sodium chloride was found to be 5.8 x 10–3 molar and 3.2 x 10–3 molar respectively or 0.92 mg. per ml. and 0.5 mg. per ml. Solubility curves have been drawn and the usefulness of this method in examining the homogeneity of H preparations as well as in establishing their solubility, is discussed. 2. Certain detergents increase the solubility of H in water. The solubility was found to increase with the concentration of detergent. 3. Many detergents were found to affect the interfacial tension between H and water so that with slight agitation liquid H breaks up into minute droplets. This in turn greatly accelerates the rate of solution.
Adverse effect of high added sugar consumption on dietary intake in American preschoolers

Objectives To assess the effect of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)-recommended added sugar intake levels on nutrient and food group consumption by preschoolers. Study design This was a cross-sectional study of 2- to 5-year-olds in the United States Department of Agriculture Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII), 1994 to 1996, and 1998 (n = 5437). Main food sources of added sugar were established. For five categories (≤10% energy from added sugar, 11% to 15%, 16% to 20%, 21% to 25%, and >25%), mean nutrient and food group consumption and proportion of children not meeting the DRI were ascertained. The nonparametric test for trend indicated significance of changes. Analysis was stratified by age (2- to 3-year-olds versus 4- to 5-year-olds), and survey design corrected to maintain the nationally representative character of the data. Results The majority of children consumed less than 25% of energy from added sugar; the main sources were fruit and or soft drinks and desserts. Increasing added sugar consumption was paralleled by decreasing nutrient and food group intakes and increasing proportions of children with intakes below the DRI. Calcium intake was insufficient in large proportions of children consuming 16% or more from added sugar. Conclusions In preschoolers, the new DRI for added sugar are reason for concern. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of the DRI on diet quality, body weight, and health status in young children.
Improving Source Apportionment of Fine Particles in the Eastern United States Utilizing Temperature-Resolved Carbon Fractions

The objectives of this study were to examine the use of carbon fractions to identify particulate matter (PM) sources, especially traffic-related carbonaceous particle sources, and to estimate their contributions to the particle mass concentrations. In recent studies, positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to ambient fine PM (PM2.5) compositional data sets of 24-hr integrated samples including eight individual carbon fractions collected at three monitoring sites in the eastern United States: Atlanta, GA, Washington, DC, and Brigantine, NJ. Particulate carbon was analyzed using the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments/Thermal Optical Reflectance method that divides carbon into four organic carbons (OC): pyrolized OC and three elemental carbon (EC) fractions. In contrast to earlier PMF studies that included only the total OC and EC concentrations, gasoline emissions could be distinguished from diesel emissions based on the differences in the abundances of the carbon fractions between the two sources. The compositional profiles for these two major source types show similarities among the three sites. Temperature-resolved carbon fractions also enhanced separations of carbon-rich secondary sulfate aerosols. Potential source contribution function analyses show the potential source areas and pathways of sulfate-rich secondary aerosols, especially the regional influences of the biogenic, as well as anthropogenic secondary aerosol. This study indicates that temperature-resolved carbon fractions can be used to enhance the source apportionment of ambient PM2.5.
Survival in patients with primary systemic amyloidosis and raised serum cardiac troponins

Patients with primary systemic amyloidosis that affects the heart have a poor outlook. Cardiac troponins T and I (cTnT, cTnI) are highly specific and sensitive biomarkers of myocardial injury. Values of these troponins provide quantitative information about the disease. We retrospectively assessed 261 patients newly diagnosed as having primary systemic amyloidosis. Median survival for patients with detectable cTnT and cTnI (6 and 8 months, respectively), was worse than that for those with undetectable values (22 and 21 months, respectively). Median and 25th and 75th percentile values for cTnT were 0.024 microg/L, less than 0.01 microg/L, and 0.084 microg/L, and for cTnI were 0.1 microg/L, 0.05 microg/L, and 0.24 microg/L, respectively. After multivariate analysis, cTnT proved a better predictor of survival than cTnI.
Towards whole brain segmentation by a hybrid model

Segmenting cortical and sub-cortical structures from 3D brain images is of significant practical importance. However, various anatomical structures have similar intensity patterns in MRI, and the automatic segmentation of them is a challenging task. In this paper, we present a new brain segmentation algorithm using a hybrid model. (1) A multi-class classifier, PBT.M2, is proposed for learning/computing multi-class discriminative models. The PBT.M2 handles multi-class patterns more easily than the original probabilistic boosting tree (PBT) [11], and it facilitates the process, eventually, toward whole brain segmentation. (2) We use an edge field, by learning, to constraint the region boundaries. We show the improvements due to the two new aspects both numerically and visually, and also compare the results with those by FreeSurfer [2]. Our algorithm is general and easy to use, and the results obtained are encouraging.
A robot for wrist rehabilitation

In 1991, a novel robot named MIT-MANUS was introduced as a test bed to study the potential of using robots to assist in and quantify the neuro-rehabilitation of motor function. It proved an excellent fit for the rehabilitation of shoulder and elbow of stroke patients with results in clinical trials showing a reduction of impairment in these joints. The greater reduction in impairment was limited to the group of muscles exercised. This suggests a need for additional robots to rehabilitate other degrees of freedom. This paper outlines the mechanical design of a robot for wrist rehabilitation.
Batch Bayesian Optimization via Simulation Matching

Bayesian optimization methods are often used to optimize unknown functions that are costly to evaluate. Typically, these methods sequentially select inputs to be evaluated one at a time based on a posterior over the unknown function that is updated after each evaluation. In many applications, however, it is desirable to perform multiple evaluations in parallel, which requires selecting batches of multiple inputs to evaluate at once. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to batch Bayesian optimization, providing a policy for selecting batches of inputs with the goal of optimizing the function as efficiently as possible. The key idea is to exploit the availability of high-quality and efficient sequential policies, by using Monte-Carlo simulation to select input batches that closely match their expected behavior. Our experimental results on six benchmarks show that the proposed approach significantly outperforms two baselines and can lead to large advantages over a top sequential approach in terms of performance per unit time.
Haloferax volcanii Flagella Are Required for Motility but Are Not Involved in PibD-Dependent Surface Adhesion

Although the genome of Haloferax volcanii contains genes (flgA1-flgA2) that encode flagellins and others that encode proteins involved in flagellar assembly, previous reports have concluded that H. volcanii is nonmotile. Contrary to these reports, we have now identified conditions under which H. volcanii is motile. Moreover, we have determined that an H. volcanii deletion mutant lacking flagellin genes is not motile. However, unlike flagella characterized in other prokaryotes, including other archaea, the H. volcanii flagella do not appear to play a significant role in surface adhesion. While flagella often play similar functional roles in bacteria and archaea, the processes involved in the biosynthesis of archaeal flagella do not resemble those involved in assembling bacterial flagella but, instead, are similar to those involved in producing bacterial type IV pili. Consistent with this observation, we have determined that, in addition to disrupting preflagellin processing, deleting pibD, which encodes the preflagellin peptidase, prevents the maturation of other H. volcanii type IV pilin-like proteins. Moreover, in addition to abolishing swimming motility, and unlike the flgA1-flgA2 deletion, deleting pibD eliminates the ability of H. volcanii to adhere to a glass surface, indicating that a nonflagellar type IV pilus-like structure plays a critical role in H. volcanii surface adhesion.
Epidemiology of paediatric metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus

The epidemic in childhood obesity is a driving force behind the increase in paediatric metabolic syndrome, a collection of abnormalities that is associated in adults with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although there is no clear consensus about the paediatric definition for metabolic syndrome, the prevalence of this syndrome is clearly rising. Children with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk for metabolic syndrome in adulthood. A late consequence of metabolic syndrome is type 2 diabetes, which increasingly affects adolescents. The rise in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in children is almost sure to lead to an increase in associated complications in young adulthood, including early cardiovascular disease. This epidemic will bear fruit in forthcoming decades, putting further stress on the healthcare system and probably leading to increased morbidity and a shorter lifespan for future generations. Diabetes Vasc Dis Res 2007;4:285‐96 doi:10.3132/dvdr.2007.055
Therapeutic uses of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies

Despite extensive investigation over the past three decades, cancer immunotherapy has produced limited success, with few agents achieving approval by the Food and Drug Administration and even the most effective helping only a minority of patients, primarily with melanoma or renal cancer. In recent years, immune checkpoints that maintain physiologic self-tolerance have been implicated in the down-regulation of anti-tumor immunity. Efforts to restore latent anti-tumor immunity have focused on antibody-based interventions targeting CTL antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) on T lymphocytes and its principal ligand (PD-L1) on tumor cells. Ipilimumab, an antibody targeting CTLA-4, appears to restore tumor immunity at the priming phase, whereas anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies restore immune function in the tumor microenvironment. Although ipilimumab can produce durable long-term responses in patients with advanced melanoma, it is associated with significant immune-related toxicities. By contrast, antibodies targeting either PD-1 or PD-L1 have produced significant anti-tumor activity with considerably less toxicity. Activity was seen in patients with melanoma and renal cancer, as well as those with non-small-cell lung, bladder and head and neck cancers, tumors not previously felt to be sensitive to immunotherapy. The tolerability of PD-1-pathway blockers and their unique mechanism of action have made them ideal backbones for combination regimen development. Combination approaches involving cytotoxic chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic agents, alternative immune-checkpoint inhibitors, immunostimulatory cytokines and cancer vaccines are currently under clinical investigation. Current efforts focus on registration trials of single agents and combinations in various diseases and disease settings and identifying predictive biomarkers of response.
Disturbance model design for linear model predictive control

Model predictive control (MPC) algorithms typically use a constant output bias for feedback, which can be interpreted by assuming that a constant disturbance perturbs the process output. This assumption leads to sluggish rejection of most real unmeasured disturbances since these disturbances generally enter the loop through state or input channels. An improved performance is often possible by designing an unmeasured disturbance model that explicitly incorporates input and state disturbance effects. A Kalman filter can then be employed to estimate the disturbances, allowing the control algorithm to reject them more quickly. This paper presents design guidelines for a disturbance model that accommodates unmeasured disturbances entering through the process input, state, or output. Conditions that guarantee detectability of the augmented system model are provided. A simulation example illustrates the performance benefits possible through this approach.
Philippine bird taxonomy and conservation, a response to Collar

Collar (2007) attacked a recent paper of mine (Peterson 2006) on a number of grounds; he raised some valid points, and detected some errors in detail. Here, I respond to his criticisms, clarify misunderstandings, and urge the field to move beyond the status quo to consider the need for new taxonomic viewpoints to benefit bird conservation globally.
God's Ruthless Embrace: Religious Belief in Three Women with Borderline Personality Disorder

This exploratory study was designed to determine if three people with the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) viewed religion in characteristic and unique ways. The data was analyzed using Object Relations Theory, Attachment Theory, and an integrated cognitive, affect, and object relations theory. I concluded that the participants shared a faith style that resulted from an early developmental failure and that their image and response to God and the moral universe were a re-enactment of the dysfunctional mother/infant dyad. Specifically, God's character was seen as (1) self-evident and inescapable and (2) stationary and large. God was envisioned (3) as a person who is (4) magical; (5) inexplicable, and therefore, unreliable. Participants believed that (6) God's task was to provide and that (7) God created a moral universe. Their responses had an intense and desperate quality, were typified by ambivalence, and emphasized a power differential. Finally, the women's relationship with God took the form of a deal: if she was dependent, then God would provide. The interface between BPD and psychological and spiritual well-being is discussed and a tentative application of the findings is made to the field of mental health nursing. I suggest that an understanding of BPD religious constructs and the sensitive application of a few principles can contribute to the spiritual and psychological well-being of the BPD inpatient.
Failure in the Context of Substance User Interventions: Drug Treatment Courts

The concept of “failure” in the context of interventions with substance users raises a number of issues that frequently are not applied to interventions with individuals suffering from other chronic diseases. Two of them have posed particular challenges for drug treatment courts: (1) the definition of failure; and (2) attributing the causes of failure. The author explores the ramifications of attempting to deal with these issues from both a criminal justice system and public health perspective—the two core disciplines working together to provide foundational support for Drug Treatment Court programs.
Cystine Requirement of Molting Hens

Abstract The work of Osborne and Mendel,1 Johns and Finks,2 Sure,3 Jones and Murphy,4 together with that of other investigators, has served to establish the fact that cystine is required by the animal organism for normal growth and development. Lewis 5 6 7 in reporting the results of experiments with dogs and rabbits, considered the effect of cystine to be specific. Mitchell8 found that cystine increased the biological value of casein when fed to a rat. Suzuk9 noted a beneficial action of cystine upon the growth of feathers and also upon the body weight of chickens. Work in this laboratory10 brought out the fact that cystine added to a diet of casein increased the biological value of the casein when molting hens were the subjects. Later work11 showed that cystine fed to molting hens on a nitrogen free diet reduced the excretion of endogenous nitrogen. In view of these data, an . . .
Trends and New Developments in Automatic Enrollment for Defined Contribution Plans

Automatic enrollment can boost employee participation in a Section 401(k) plan, making it easier for the plan to satisfy nondiscrimination requirements that often prevent highly compensated employees from maximizing deferral contributions. The Pension Protection Act (PPA) and recent IRS regulations expand the automatic enrollment design options available to employers and provide additional incentives to adopt automatic enrollment arrangements. Employers with automatic enrollment arrangements should be aware of these new developments and should review their plan documents and administrative procedures to ensure compliance with current requirements. Employers considering automatic enrollment should be aware of the three types of automatic enrollment now available under PPA. This article summarizes the evolution of automatic enrollment, the three types of automatic enrollment authorized by the PPA, the IRS guidance that governs qualified automatic contribution arrangements (QACAa) and eligible automatic cont...
A scalability test for parallel code

Code scalability, crucial on any parallel system, determines how well parallel code avoids becoming a bottleneck as its host computer is made larger. The scalability of computer code can be estimated by statistically designed experiments that empirically approximate a multivariate Taylor expansion of the code's execution response function. Each suspected code bottleneck corresponds to a first-order term in the expansion, the coefficient for that term indicating how sensitive execution is to changes in the suspect location. However, it is the expansion coefficients for second-order interactions between code segments and the number of processors that are fundamental to discovering which program elements impede parallel speedup. A new, unified view of these second-order coefficients yields an informal relative scalability test of high utility in code development. Discussion proceeds through actual examples, including a straightforward illustration of the test applied to SLALOM, a complex, multiphase benchmark. A quick graphical shortcut makes the scalability test readily accessible.
Targeted NGS: A Cost-Effective Approach to Molecular Diagnosis of PIDs.

Background: Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are a diverse group of disorders caused by multiple genetic defects. Obtaining a molecular diagnosis for PID patients using a phenotype-based approach is often complex, expensive, and not always successful. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods offer an unbiased genotype-based approach, which can facilitate molecular diagnostics. Objective: To develop an efficient NGS method to identify variants in PID-related genes. Methods: We performed HaloPlex custom target enrichment and NGS using the Ion Torrent PGM to screen 173 genes in 11 healthy controls, 13 PID patients previously evaluated with either an identified mutation or SNP, and 120 patients with undiagnosed PIDs. Sensitivity and specificity were determined by comparing NGS and Sanger sequencing results for 33 patients. Run metrics and coverage analyses were done to identify systematic deficiencies. Results: A molecular diagnosis was identified for 18 of 120 patients who previously lacked a genetic diagnosis, including 9 who had atypical presentations and extensive previous genetic and functional studies. Our NGS method detected variants with 98.1% sensitivity and >99.9% specificity. Uniformity was variable (72-89%) and we were not able to reliably sequence 45 regions (45/2455 or 1.8% of total regions) due to low (<20) average read depth or <90% region coverage; thus, we optimized probe hybridization conditions to improve read-depth and coverage for future analyses, and established criteria to help identify true-positives. Conclusion: While NGS methods are not as sensitive as Sanger sequencing for individual genes, targeted NGS is a cost-effective, first-line genetic test for the evaluation of patients with PIDs. This approach decreases time to diagnosis, increases diagnostic rate, and provides insight into the genotype-phenotype correlation of PIDs in a cost-effective way.